Teiichiro Sakai

Effects of Zopiclone, Triazolam, and Nitrazepam on Standing Steadiness

We examined the effects of the nonbenzodiazepine hypnotic zopiclone and the benzodiazepine hypnotics triazolam and nitrazepam on standing steadiness. Eight healthy volunteers received placebo, zopiclone (7.5 mg), triazolam (0.25 mg), and nitrazepam (5 mg) in a random-order, double-blind crossover design. Postural sway was assessed before and 1 and 2 h after drug administration using a stabilometer connected to a microcomputer. Triazolam significantly impaired standing steadiness. Zopiclone also impaired standing steadiness but the degree of impairment seemed to be less marked. Nitrazepam 5 mg had no significant effects on postural sway. Triazolam 0.25 mg, zopiclone 7.5 mg, and nitrazepam 5 mg, which are reported to be equipotent to each other as hypnotics, are not equipotent with respect to their effects on postural sway.

Relationship between Quantitative Electroencephalogram and Interferon-α-Induced Depression in Chronic Hepatitis C Patients

Background: Quantitative electroencephalogram (qEEG) changes in chronic hepatitis C patients treated with interferon-α (IFN-α) have previously been reported. However, whether IFN-α-induced depression is related to changes in qEEG during IFN-α treatment remains unclear. Method: Fifty chronic hepatitis C patients were enrolled and IFN-α was administered intramuscularly at 9 × 106 IU daily for the first 4 weeks and then 3 times a week for the next 20 weeks. Serial EEGs obtained before and at 4 weeks after treatment were assessed. The absolute power for each frequency band was determined using qEEG techniques. Differences in the rate of change in absolute power for each of 6 frequency bands (δ, θ1, θ2, α1, α2 and β) were assessed between patients with and without major depression using the Mann-Whitney U test. When significant differences in the rate of change in absolute power for each frequency band were observed, differences in the rate of change were also assessed between patients with and without psychological complications using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: Major depression due to psychological complications during IFN-α treatment was reported in 10 out of 50 patients. In the θ1 band, the difference in the rate of change was demonstrated to be significant (p = 0.0036). Moreover, at the central, frontal, parietal, and temporal locations, the rates of change were also significantly different. Conclusion: In IFN-α-treated chronic hepatitis C patients who were diagnosed with major depression, qEEG changes were more obvious and widely distributed.

Relationship between exploratory eye movement, P300, and reaction time in schizophrenia.

Aims:  Exploratory eye movement (EEM), P300 and reaction time (RT) tests may relate to the important parts of information processing in the human brain. Therefore the aim of the present study was to compare EEM, P300 and RT test data in schizophrenic and normal control groups to investigate whether schizophrenic patients have information processing abnormalities. In addition, the potential correspondence between the three tests was examined in order to investigate the information processing dysfunctions seen in schizophrenic patients.

Anticonvulsant-Related Psychoses in Epilepsy

Purpose: The study aimed to clarify any association between the development of a first psychotic episode and anticonvulsive drug therapy (AEDs) for epilepsy and to propose possible interventions to prevent the development of such psychoses.

Prolonged polysomnography in a case with recurrent hypersomnia

Abstract An 18‐year‐old male patient with recurrent hypersomnia (RH) was evaluated using prolonged polysomnography (PSG). During symptomatic period (SMP), the patient showed both ‘dissociated stage REM’ (DREM), REM sleep without muscle atonia and ‘dissociated stage 1’ (DSt‐1), and stage 1 sleep with rapid eye movement. These stages were observed in the morning or following daytime record. They decreased during asymptomatic period (ASMP). It has been said that RH is caused by dysfunction of the hypothalamus and midbrain limbic system. The present result suggests also that RH involves dysfunction of the brain stem.