In the search for genetic factors contributing to tardive dyskinesia, dopamine receptor genes are considered major candidates. The dopamine D3 receptor is of primary interest as dopamine D3 receptor ...knock-out mice show locomotor hyperactivation resembling extrapyramidal side-effects of neuroleptic treatment. Furthermore, Steen and colleagues (1997) recently reported an association between tardive dyskinesia and a dopamine D3 receptor gene variant. In the present study we tried to replicate this finding. We investigated 157 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder receiving long-term neuroleptic medication who never or persistently displayed tardive dyskinesia. As advanced age is a main risk factor for tardive dyskinesia, we also compared older patients with a long duration of schizophrenia not displaying tardive dyskinesia to younger patients with a shorter duration of the illness displaying tardive dyskinesia. However, we found no evidence that the dopamine D3 receptor gene is likely to confer susceptibility to the development of tardive dyskinesia.
Affective symptomatology has repeatedly been suggested to confer susceptibility to tardive dyskinesia (TD). In our sample of 174 schizophrenic patients a history of depressive symptoms was not ...associated with the occurrence of TD, whereas manic symptomatology was significantly associated with the absence of TD. Thus, our data suggest that affective symptomatology cannot unambiguously be considered to predispose to TD.
Premorbid functioning seems to be a phenomenological marker that possibly distinguishes a subtype of schizophrenia. The Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS) is an instrument for measuring premorbid ...functioning. It has gained international acceptance, although little is known about the reliability and validity of the test. Here data on the reliability and validity of the test derived from a German sample of schizoaffective and schizophrenic subjects (n = 86) and their healthy parents (n = 38) is presented. The DSM-IV diagnosis, PAS and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) data were used as well as data on the course of the disorder. The estimation of the reliability per scale by internal consistency showed high positive values of Cronbach's alpha between 0.809 and 0.931. High scores in PAS representing a bad premorbid social adjustment correlated significantly with a low age of onset, high PANSS scores, an insidious onset and a long period of hospitalisation. The disorganised DSM-IV subtype of schizophrenia showed a trend towards higher mean PAS scores. In the presented sample, the threshold between schizophrenics and healthy individuals is at 0.23. The PAS values higher than 0.53 appeared in patients with an unfavourable course of the disorder. These findings correspond with previous reports in the literature.
The Premorbid Adjustment Scale (PAS) was developed by Cannon-Spoor et al. 1982 for research use and has gained importance internationally. This scale is designed to measure the extent of attaining ...developmental goals premorbidly. The German version is presented here, with first data on the reliability and validity of the scale. In a sample of schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients (n = 86) and healthy parents of the patients (n = 38), DSM-IV diagnosis was made and PAS and Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) data were taken along with information on the course of the disorder. Using Cronbachs alpha, the estimated reliability for the scale and subscales lay between 0.809 and 0.931. High PAS scores, representing poor premorbid adjustment, correlated significantly with low age of onset, high PANSS scores, insidious onset, long hospitalisation, and serious course of the disorder. The threshold of PAS scores between healthy and sick probands was at 0.23. Patients with scores > 0.53 appeared to have an unfavourable course. With test results > 0.23, an odds ratio of 27.9 was ascertained (95% CI 9.39-82.89). The findings presented correspond with those from previous reports in literature.
In the search for genetic factors contributing to tardive dyskinesia, dopamine receptor genes are considered major candidates. The dopamine D sub(3) receptor is of primary interest as dopamine D ...sub(3) receptor knock-out mice show locomotor hyperactivation resembling extrapyramidal side-effects of neuroleptic treatment. Furthermore, Steen and colleagues (1997) recently reported an association between tardive dyskinesia and a dopamine D3 receptor gene variant. In the present study we tried to replicate this finding. We investigated 157 patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder receiving long-term neuroleptic medication who never or persistently displayed tardive dyskinesia. As advanced age is a main risk factor for tardive dyskinesia, we also compared older patients with a long duration of schizophrenia not displaying tardive dyskinesia to younger patients with a shorter duration of the illness displaying tardive dyskinesia. However, we found no evidence that the dopamine D sub(3) receptor gene is likely to confer susceptibility to the development of tardive dyskinesia.
Hyperon production in the threshold region was studied in the reaction pp→K+Λp using the time-of-flight spectrometer COSY-TOF. Exclusive data, covering the full phase-space, were taken at three ...different beam momenta pbeam=2.59, 2.68 and 2.85 GeV/c (corresponding to excess energies of ɛ=85, 115 and 171 MeV). Total cross-sections were deduced to be 7.4±0.5 μb, 8.6±0.6 μb and 16.5±0.4 μb, respectively. Differential observables including Dalitz plots were obtained. From the investigation of the Dalitz plot at pbeam=2.85 GeV/c a dominant contribution of the N∗(1650)-resonance to the reaction mechanism was found. In addition the pΛ-final-state interaction turned out to have a significant influence on the Dalitz plot distribution even 171 MeV above threshold.
Hyperon production in the threshold region was studied in the reaction pp→K+Λp using the time-of-flight spectrometer COSY-TOF. Exclusive data, covering the full phase-space, were taken at the three ...different beam momenta of pbeam=2.95, 3.20 and 3.30 GeV/c, corresponding to excess energies of ε=204, 285 and 316 MeV, respectively. Total cross-sections were deduced for the three beam momenta to be 23.9±0.8±2.0 μb, 28.4±1.3±2.2 μb and 35.0±1.3±3.0 μb. Differential observables including Dalitz plots were obtained. The analysis of the Dalitz plots reveals a strong influence of the N(1650)-resonance at pbeam=2.95 GeV/c, whereas for the higher momenta an increasing relative contribution of the N(1710)- and/or of the N(1720)-resonance was observed. In addition, the pΛ-final-state interaction turned out to have a significant influence on the Dalitz plot distribution.
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