Study protocol: DexaDays-2, hydrocortisone for treatment of dexamethasone-induced neurobehavioral side effects in pediatric leukemia patients: a double-blind placebo controlled randomized intervention study with cross-over design.

BACKGROUND: Dexamethasone, a highly effective drug in treating pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), can induce serious neurobehavioral side effects. These side effects are experienced by patients and parents as detrimental with respect to health related quality of life (HRQoL). Based on previous studies, it has been suggested that neurobehavioral side effects are associated to cortisol depletion of the mineralocorticoid receptor in the brain. Our previously reported randomized controlled trial, the Dexadagen study (NTR3280), suggests that physiological hydrocortisone addition during dexamethasone treatment may overcome clinically relevant neurobehavioral problems in patients who experience these problems during dexamethasone treatment. With our current study, we aim to replicate these results in a targeted larger sample before further implementing this intervention into standard of care. METHODS: In a national center setting, pediatric ALL patients between 3 and 18 years are enrolled in an Identification study, which identifies patients with clinically relevant dexamethasone-induced neurobehavioral side effects using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Contributing factors, such as genetic susceptibility, dexamethasone pharmacokinetics as well as psychosocial and family factors are studied to determine their influence in the inter-patient variability for developing dexamethasone-induced neurobehavioral side effects. Patients with clinically relevant problems (i.e. a rise of ≥ 5 points on the SDQ Total Difficulties Score after 5 days of dexamethasone) are subsequently included in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial with a cross-over design. They receive two courses placebo followed by two courses hydrocortisone during dexamethasone treatment, or vice versa, each time at least 16 days without study medication in between. The primary endpoint is change in SDQ score. The secondary endpoints are sleep (measured with actigraphy and the Sleep Disturbance Scale for Children) and HRQoL (Pediatric Quality of Life Questionnaire). DISCUSSION: The results of our current study may contribute to the management of future ALL patients who experience dexamethasone-induced neuropsychological problems as it may improve HRQoL for patients who suffer most from dexamethasone-induced neurobehavioral side effects. Furthermore, by investigating multiple risk factors that could be related to inter-patient variability in developing these side effects, we might be able to identify and treat patients who are at risk earlier during treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Medical Ethical Committee approval number: NL62388.078.17. Affiliation: Erasmus Medical Centre. Netherlands Trial Register: NL6507 ( NTR6695 ). Registered 5 September 2017.

A double-blind, fixed blood-level study comparing mirtazapine with imipramine in depressed in-patients.

Antidepressant effects of mirtazapine and imipramine were compared in a randomized, double blind, fixed blood-levels study with in-patients in a single centre. Patients with a DSM-III-R diagnosis of major depression and a Hamilton (17-item) score of > or = 18 were selected. After a drug-free and a placebo-washout period of 7 days in total, 107 patients still fulfilling the HRSD criterion of > or = 18, started on active treatment. The dose was adjusted to a predefined fixed blood level to avoid suboptimal dosing of imipramine. Concomitant psychotropic medication was administered only in a few cases because of intolerable anxiety or intolerable psychotic symptoms. Eight patients dropped out and two were excluded from analyses because of non-compliance; 97 completed the study. According to the main response criterion (50% or more reduction on the HRSD score) 11/51 (21.6%) patients responded on mirtazapine and 23/46 (50%) on imipramine after 4 weeks' treatment on the predefined blood level. Such a dramatic difference in efficacy between antidepressants has not often been reported before. The selection of (severely ill) in-patients, including those with suicidal or psychotic features, may have significance in this respect. Optimization of treatment with the reference drug imipramine through blood level control, exclusion of non-compliance for both drugs, exclusion of most concomitant medication and a low drop-out rate may also have contributed. It is concluded that imipramine is superior to mirtazapine in the patient population studied.

Classification of postpartum psychosis: a study of 250 mother and baby admissions in The Netherlands.

The case registers of the patients admitted consecutively to the mother-and-baby unit of the Rotterdam University Hospital between 1967 and 1989 were studied in detail and classified according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC). The temporal relationship between delivery and the onset of symptoms for the different RDC categories is presented. A comparison is made with the classical concept of puerperal psychosis as it is held in the Netherlands. According to RDC, postpartum psychosis has 3 main phenomenological manifestations: affective, schizoaffective and unspecified functional psychosis. The classical concept of puerperal psychosis largely overlaps the RDC categories schizoaffective disorder and unspecified functional psychosis. The implications regarding the nosology of postpartum psychosis are discussed.

Prophylactic lithium in puerperal psychosis. The experience of three centres.

At three centres, 21 women at high risk for puerperal psychosis were given prophylactic lithium carbonate late in the third trimester of pregnancy or immediately after delivery. Only two of the women had a recurrence of their psychotic illness while on prophylactic lithium. One woman given lithium during third trimester had an unexplained stillbirth. Although a larger sample in a carefully controlled study is still required, there now seems to be grounds for the use of prophylactic lithium immediately after delivery in women not breastfeeding who have previously suffered from either puerperal psychosis or bipolar disorder.

Seasonal variations in binding of 3H-paroxetine to blood platelets in healthy volunteers: indications for a gender difference.

Binding of paroxetine to blood platelet membranes was studied longitudinally in 20 healthy volunteers (11 men and 9 women) in order to determine seasonal and gender variations. Blood samples were obtained in September, December, March, and June, and repeated in September. A significant seasonal variation in the maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) was found. Men were found to have significantly lower (Bmax) values than women. Although the pattern of seasonal variation was not identical in men and women, no significant differences were detected. The affinity constant (KD) of paroxetine binding showed a significant seasonal variation. Men were found to have a significantly higher KD (lower affinity) than women. The pattern of seasonal variation was identical in men and women. These data support the evidence indicating a substantial seasonal effect on the serotonergic system, and show that in paroxetine binding studies, groups of subjects should be matched for season and gender.

Limbic encephalitis. A rare presentation of the small-cell lung carcinoma.

Two patients with an acute organic brain syndrome and accompanying neurological symptoms are described. Extensive work up showed that both patients suffered from small-cell lung cancer. Cerebral metastases were absent. Following chemotherapy and radiotherapy to the primary tumor one of the two patients showed a complete remission of psychiatric symptoms for one year. A paraneoplastic origin of this syndrome, in the literature known as limbic encephalitis, is postulated. The exact cause of this syndrome is yet unknown. Recent research reveals data indicating an immunological pathogenesis. The major clinical importance of this (neuro)-psychiatric syndrome is that its appearance may serve as a warning sign for an occult malignancy; furthermore, effective treatment of the primary malignancy can reverse the encephalitis. Thus antitumor therapy can result in a prolonged survival and considerably improved quality of life.