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Seasonal variation of homicide occurrence in Finland
Poster session I
BIOL. PSYCHIATRY 1997;42:1~297S
235
with high rigidity. The efficiency 01 the complex biological therapy and psychotherapy Is shown.
114-91
114-61
The aim of the this study was to Investigate the seasonality In homicide occurrence. Although the seasonal variation of Impulsive aggression ralated to circan• nual rhythms of central serotonin neurotransmlsslon era topics of current interest, the knowledge of seasonality In homicide occurrence is sparse. Methods: The largest data so far was used in this study (n .. 4553), where all murders and manslaughters were analyzed in Anland during years 1957-1995. Results: The null hypothesis of no difference In homicide rate between seasons was rejected (X2 8.289, df 3, P < 0.05). In winter the observed frequency 01 homicides was about 6% lower and In summer abou16% higher than. ~e eXP9cted frequency of homicides. During January-February, the homiCIde rate was 10.5% below the equal rate (ratio pJPo 0.895, 95% CI 0.832-{).958) and In monthly analyses the finding was a significantly lower in homicide occurrence In January (ratio plPo 0.864, 95% CI 0.775-0.954). Correspondingly, during July-August there was a 7.5% peak above the equal homicide rate (ratio pJPo 1.075,95% CI1.009-1.141).
Seasonal variation ot homicide occurrence In Finland
J. l}ih~en, P. R~nen, H. H~kko. Department of Forensic Psychiatry. University of KUOPIO, Niuvannlemi Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
Complex approach to mental disorders after Chernobyl accident estimation
S.V. Tltievsky, S.1. Tabachnikov, 1.1. Kutko. Donetsk State Medical University. Donetslc, Ukraine
The aim 01 this investigation was to elaborate the diagnostic criteria and therapeutical recommendations. Methods: In 1992-1996 we havestudied 120 miners - Chemobyl accident consequences clearing up participants. The complex diagnostic approach (clinical, experimental· psychological, functional- diagnostic investigational methods) was applied. The scale 01 symptoms' raiting and expressive• ness degree was elaborated. It was studied catamnestlcally the correlation between the clinical picture expressiveness degree and the dynamics 01 dis• ease. The complex of biological therapy and psychotherapy was elaborated. Results: In all studied persons the presence of asthenic symptoms In the borders of syndromes of the neurotic and organic registers was estimated. Intellectual disorders were Identified in 30.0% 01 all the cases. Personality especial features were characterized by the anxiety, pessimism, hypochondria. The good effect was achieved by the combination of short-term existential psychotherapy with antidepressants and nootrops (metabOlites) administration.
114-71
Assessment of sulcldality by evoked potentials?
G. Juckel, U. Hager!. Dept. of Psychiatry. Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany
The link between sulcidality and low serotonergic activity Is a consistent find· ing in biological psychiatry. A promising Indicator of low serotonerglc actiVity is a strong Intensity dependence of auditory evoked potentials (Hagen and Juckel1993, ,luckel et al. 1996). Three independent samples of psychiatric patients (25 alcoholics, 22 depressed patients and 13 remitted patients with affective disorders) were studied. Patients with a history of suicide attempts showed weak Intensity dependence Implicating high serotonergic function, but acute suicidal patients were characterized by a strong Intensity depen• dence which may be related to low serotonergic activity. We conclude that serotonergic activity may be low only In acute suicidal states, and that a weak Intensity dependence may characterize hlgh-risk patients, In whom a transient decrease of serotonergic activity Is eccompanied by acute suicl• dality. Thus, monitoring 01 the Intensity dependence could become 01 clinical value for the assessment of suicidality and Its therapeutic prevention.
114-81
=
114-10
I attempters Peripheral benzodlazeplne receptors In suicide
D. Marazzitl, L Palego, A. Rossi, L Conti. Institute of Psyr;hJatry, University of Piss. Italy
Our study aimed at providing Information on the possible Involvement 01 peripheral benzodazeplne receptora (PBRs) In suicidal behaviour. Methods: Twenty subjects, recruited at a first-aid station or admitted Into the Psychiatric Institute 01 Plsa University for a suicide attempt. were compared to a similar group of healthy controls. Psychiatric diagnoses of suicide attempters, according to DSM IV criteria. were mood and anxiety disorders. PBRs were evaluated by means of the specific binding of 3H-PK 11195 to platelet membranes, according to a slight modification 01 the method of Gavish et al. (1986). Results: The results. showing no difference in the binding parameters 01 3H·PK 11195 between healthy controls and suicide attempters, seem to exclude the Involvement of these structures in suicide, In spite 01 the comorbidity of psychiatric disorders where dysfunctions of PBRs have been reported.
114-11 I Serotonin-1A agonist busplrone in disruptive behavior
Trazodone In the treatment of psychomotor agitation
W.M.A. Verhoeven, S. Tulnier. Vincent van Gogh InstitutlJ tor Psychiatry.
G. Barbato, D. De Santis, G. Buffardl, F. Iovine. Mental Health Department
Venilly. The Netherlands
This 6-month study was carried out to assess the effectiveness, tolerability and safety 01 trazodone (TRZ) 150 mg twice daily in the treatment of psychomotor agitation. Methods: 65 patients were enrolled by psychiatrists and were differentJ. ated Into 5 diagnostic groups according to DSM IV criteria. Over the last year, these patients had several agitation attacks with mar1
In line with the research findings and clinical observations suggestive for an association between altered 5-HT functionality and disruptive behavior, a limited number of clinical studies with 5-HT1 receptor agonists have been performed In patients with various kinds of aggressive spectrum disorders. The basis assumption is that 5-HT'A receptor systems playa crucial role In the reciprocaJ interaction between 5-HT and corticosteroid pathways. .Methods: In a baseline controlled prospective open long-term study, 11 mildly to profound mentally retarded adults with a long history 01 severe and frequent behavioral disturbances, were treated with buspirone. In all patie~ts treatment with buspirone started with a daily dosage of 5 mg that was Increased subsequently by 5 mg at stepwise intervals of 2 weeks to 10 mg twice daily. Thereafter, daily dose was optimallzed indiVidually to a maximum of 50 mg daily. Frequency and Intensity of behavioral target symptoms were monitored using naturalistic assessment methods. Results: In 5 patients a more or less clear and long lasting response on busplrona treatment was obsarved that was associated with a diminished level 01 responsiveness to extemalstimuli and Improvement 01 social contact. These results support the Idea that the 5-HTlA agonist buspirone may restore the homeostasis between 5-HT corticosteroid systems.
AS.L Ce-1, Valle di MackJaloni, Italy
BIOL. PSYCHIATRY 1997;42:1~297S
235
with high rigidity. The efficiency 01 the complex biological therapy and psychotherapy Is shown.
114-91
114-61
The aim of the this study was to Investigate the seasonality In homicide occurrence. Although the seasonal variation of Impulsive aggression ralated to circan• nual rhythms of central serotonin neurotransmlsslon era topics of current interest, the knowledge of seasonality In homicide occurrence is sparse. Methods: The largest data so far was used in this study (n .. 4553), where all murders and manslaughters were analyzed in Anland during years 1957-1995. Results: The null hypothesis of no difference In homicide rate between seasons was rejected (X2 8.289, df 3, P < 0.05). In winter the observed frequency 01 homicides was about 6% lower and In summer abou16% higher than. ~e eXP9cted frequency of homicides. During January-February, the homiCIde rate was 10.5% below the equal rate (ratio pJPo 0.895, 95% CI 0.832-{).958) and In monthly analyses the finding was a significantly lower in homicide occurrence In January (ratio plPo 0.864, 95% CI 0.775-0.954). Correspondingly, during July-August there was a 7.5% peak above the equal homicide rate (ratio pJPo 1.075,95% CI1.009-1.141).
Seasonal variation ot homicide occurrence In Finland
J. l}ih~en, P. R~nen, H. H~kko. Department of Forensic Psychiatry. University of KUOPIO, Niuvannlemi Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
Complex approach to mental disorders after Chernobyl accident estimation
S.V. Tltievsky, S.1. Tabachnikov, 1.1. Kutko. Donetsk State Medical University. Donetslc, Ukraine
The aim 01 this investigation was to elaborate the diagnostic criteria and therapeutical recommendations. Methods: In 1992-1996 we havestudied 120 miners - Chemobyl accident consequences clearing up participants. The complex diagnostic approach (clinical, experimental· psychological, functional- diagnostic investigational methods) was applied. The scale 01 symptoms' raiting and expressive• ness degree was elaborated. It was studied catamnestlcally the correlation between the clinical picture expressiveness degree and the dynamics 01 dis• ease. The complex of biological therapy and psychotherapy was elaborated. Results: In all studied persons the presence of asthenic symptoms In the borders of syndromes of the neurotic and organic registers was estimated. Intellectual disorders were Identified in 30.0% 01 all the cases. Personality especial features were characterized by the anxiety, pessimism, hypochondria. The good effect was achieved by the combination of short-term existential psychotherapy with antidepressants and nootrops (metabOlites) administration.
114-71
Assessment of sulcldality by evoked potentials?
G. Juckel, U. Hager!. Dept. of Psychiatry. Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Germany
The link between sulcidality and low serotonergic activity Is a consistent find· ing in biological psychiatry. A promising Indicator of low serotonerglc actiVity is a strong Intensity dependence of auditory evoked potentials (Hagen and Juckel1993, ,luckel et al. 1996). Three independent samples of psychiatric patients (25 alcoholics, 22 depressed patients and 13 remitted patients with affective disorders) were studied. Patients with a history of suicide attempts showed weak Intensity dependence Implicating high serotonergic function, but acute suicidal patients were characterized by a strong Intensity depen• dence which may be related to low serotonergic activity. We conclude that serotonergic activity may be low only In acute suicidal states, and that a weak Intensity dependence may characterize hlgh-risk patients, In whom a transient decrease of serotonergic activity Is eccompanied by acute suicl• dality. Thus, monitoring 01 the Intensity dependence could become 01 clinical value for the assessment of suicidality and Its therapeutic prevention.
114-81
=
114-10
I attempters Peripheral benzodlazeplne receptors In suicide
D. Marazzitl, L Palego, A. Rossi, L Conti. Institute of Psyr;hJatry, University of Piss. Italy
Our study aimed at providing Information on the possible Involvement 01 peripheral benzodazeplne receptora (PBRs) In suicidal behaviour. Methods: Twenty subjects, recruited at a first-aid station or admitted Into the Psychiatric Institute 01 Plsa University for a suicide attempt. were compared to a similar group of healthy controls. Psychiatric diagnoses of suicide attempters, according to DSM IV criteria. were mood and anxiety disorders. PBRs were evaluated by means of the specific binding of 3H-PK 11195 to platelet membranes, according to a slight modification 01 the method of Gavish et al. (1986). Results: The results. showing no difference in the binding parameters 01 3H·PK 11195 between healthy controls and suicide attempters, seem to exclude the Involvement of these structures in suicide, In spite 01 the comorbidity of psychiatric disorders where dysfunctions of PBRs have been reported.
114-11 I Serotonin-1A agonist busplrone in disruptive behavior
Trazodone In the treatment of psychomotor agitation
W.M.A. Verhoeven, S. Tulnier. Vincent van Gogh InstitutlJ tor Psychiatry.
G. Barbato, D. De Santis, G. Buffardl, F. Iovine. Mental Health Department
Venilly. The Netherlands
This 6-month study was carried out to assess the effectiveness, tolerability and safety 01 trazodone (TRZ) 150 mg twice daily in the treatment of psychomotor agitation. Methods: 65 patients were enrolled by psychiatrists and were differentJ. ated Into 5 diagnostic groups according to DSM IV criteria. Over the last year, these patients had several agitation attacks with mar1
In line with the research findings and clinical observations suggestive for an association between altered 5-HT functionality and disruptive behavior, a limited number of clinical studies with 5-HT1 receptor agonists have been performed In patients with various kinds of aggressive spectrum disorders. The basis assumption is that 5-HT'A receptor systems playa crucial role In the reciprocaJ interaction between 5-HT and corticosteroid pathways. .Methods: In a baseline controlled prospective open long-term study, 11 mildly to profound mentally retarded adults with a long history 01 severe and frequent behavioral disturbances, were treated with buspirone. In all patie~ts treatment with buspirone started with a daily dosage of 5 mg that was Increased subsequently by 5 mg at stepwise intervals of 2 weeks to 10 mg twice daily. Thereafter, daily dose was optimallzed indiVidually to a maximum of 50 mg daily. Frequency and Intensity of behavioral target symptoms were monitored using naturalistic assessment methods. Results: In 5 patients a more or less clear and long lasting response on busplrona treatment was obsarved that was associated with a diminished level 01 responsiveness to extemalstimuli and Improvement 01 social contact. These results support the Idea that the 5-HTlA agonist buspirone may restore the homeostasis between 5-HT corticosteroid systems.
AS.L Ce-1, Valle di MackJaloni, Italy