SVIBOR - Project code: 3-01-184

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Strossmayerov trg 4, HR - 10000 ZAGREB
tel.: +385 1 459 44 44, fax: +385 1 459 44 69
E-mail: ured@znanost.hr

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Project code: 3-01-184


PSYCHOBIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF THE ENDOGENOUS PSYCHOSES


Main researcher: DURRIGL, VERA (72660)


Assistants
Type of research: applied
Duration from: 01/01/91. to 12/31/94.
Papers on project (total): 0
Institution name: Bolnica Vrapče, Zagreb (123)
Department/Institute: Department of Psychiatric Research
Address: Bolnička cesta 32
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (0)1 15 62 11
Fax: 385 (0)1 15 43 17
Summary: a) Using biological measuring instruments to explore chronobiological aspects of endogenous depression we shall try to justify chronobiological hypotheses of affective illnesses, especialla endogenous depression. The analysis of the results obtained by means of biological measuring instruments during psychotic epizodes and in remission will show a possible genetic component of certain dysfunction of the brain which comes to effect in disturbed REM sleep, while only the intensity of the illness in relation to remission. We shall try to prove this by examining the closest relatives of the subjects. The investigation will show whether the circadian component of sleep is disturbed, the so-called "C process", or the "S process", whichdepends on wakefulness, is disturbed. The analysis of the obtained results will be our orientation to correct choice of therapeutic methods and way of their use. b) A long-term follow-up representative sample of schizophrenic patients will give us the factors relevant for the course and prognosis of sch illness, most adequate therapeutic approaches, and inthe case of positive finding of DNA markers approach will be made to aethiology of schizophrenia. The results of exploration of possible damaging effect of some psychotropic drugs in patients who used these drugs during pregnancy, will be an important practical contribution.

Keywords: endogenous depression, sleep, genetics schizophrenia, sch and follow-up, DNA markers for sch, sch and pregnancy, neuroleptics and pregnancy

Research goals: The following results have been obtained so far: sleep latency is longer in female patinents with endogenous depression, but the difference is not significant. Statistically significant is the difference in total sleep time, which is shorter in the patients with longer REM sleep and shorter deep stages of sleep. REM latency is shorter in the group of ill persons, although not significantly, but REM density is close to significant difference ( higher in group of patients). With P<0.07, there is a significant difference in the number of delta waves in the first 100 minutes of sleep, which are more frequent in the control group ( i.e. healthy persons). Other goals are: 1) to prove genetic basis of disturbed sleep in female patients suffering from endogenous depression by comparing sleep of female patients never treated with the control group of healthy females and also with the family members of the healthy females; 2) to investigate whether by arteficial changing of "readiness to sleep" during the day we can increase the level of "process S", thus changing or normalizing sleep ( the assumptiom is that by programmed increase of daily activity, the so-called "active day", we can increase the level of "process S") and so normalize sleep without antidepressive therapy; 3) analyze the differences in sleep of responders and non-responders. We assume that results will show greater similarity in sleep between the patients and their family members than the control group, normalization of sleep. with programmed daily activity, the so-called "active day" ( i.e. the increase of the level of "S process") and, in non-responders, similarity of disturbed sleep as well as in the acute phase of the illness. b) Investigation of the natural course and prognosis of schizophrenia. Especially important expected contribution is the correlation of some therapeutic approaches and the outcome of the illness, both in general and hospital prognoses;investigation of possible harmful effect of psychotropic drugs on fetuses of schizophrenic mothers and finding out of chromosome aberations caused by pharmacotherapeutic treatment of pregnant schizophrenic patients; investigation of possible differences of psychological characteristic between the groups of schizophrenic patinets in different therapeutic treatments; investigation of changes in genes in selected schizophrenic patinets with positive definitions of pedigree ( in methods) and also in the group of schizoaffective. An important contribution is finding uot of aetiology factors of schizophrenia and affective psychoses and the analysis of certain therapeutic processes in order to improve their efficacy.

COOPERATION - PROJECTS



COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS


  1. Name of institution: PUK Basel Depressionsforschungsabteilung
    Type of institution: Economical/Production
    City: Basel, Švicarska

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS


  1. Name: izrada ukupno 26 pedigrea koji zadovoljavaju tražene kriterije prema prijavi programa
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