Cannabis interferes with nest-building behavior in mice.

Nest-building, a behavioral model shown to be disrupted by hallucinogens, has never been used to answer questions concerning the psychotomimetic effects of delta9-THC. Several fractions of cannabis and tobacco pyrolysis products were tested consecutively in the same procedure. The following drugs were injected i.p. under a saline-drug-saline schedule: d-amphetamine (6 mg/kg), pentobarbital (25 mg/kg), delta9-THC (10 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg, 2.5 mg/kg), the cannabis fractions designated Is (water soluble products), IIs (nonsoluble, nonvolatile products, IIIs (it comprises what is inhaled by a common hashish smoker), and analogous fractions of tobacco pyrolysis products designated IIIB (what is inhaled by a common tobacco smoker), IIB and IB. The effects of delta9-THC (10 mg/kg), IIs, and IIIs were quite similar as far as the disruption of the normal behavioral pattern is concerned. d-Amphetamine, delta9-THC (5 mg/kg), and IIB disrupted the normal behavioral pattern as well. The similarity of the effects of IIs and IIIs was unexpected in view of the different contents of cannabinoids in these fractions. Also unexpected was the similarity of the effects of delta9-THC (10 mg/kg) and IIIs (40 mg/kg containing 7% delta9-THC) as well as the activity of fraction IIIB.

[Limitations of efficacy of chemotherapies in schizophrenia]. / Limites d'efficacité des traitements chimiothérapiques des schizophrénies.

The concept of treatment-resistant schizophrenia cannot be defined as this of resistant depression: schizophrenia is a long-term illness; its evolution is almost always influenced by neuroleptics--but complete recovery is rare. French psychiatry tends to use clinical-empirical criteria, while english speaking studies prefer quantitative criteria, by extended use of clinical and psycho-social scales. The definition of resistant schizophrenia by Kane et al. is a typical example of this method of work. We propose to overview the limits of neuroleptics efficiency in schizophrenia from three groups of studies: a) The effects of maintenance therapy: 24 studies of the last twenty years show that 2/3 of schizophrenics under neuroleptics maintain their remission over one or two years, opposed to less than 1/3 of those who discontinue their treatment. These data seem to be independant from the method of the study, the choice of the neuroleptic drug, the dose and the way of administration (per os or depot treatment). b) A second group of studies tries to define the clinical characteristics of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. French psychiatry uses an empirical graduation of neuroleptics clinical efficiency: these drugs are more effective on hallucinations than on delusional ideas--they are more effective on recent and acute hallucinations and delusions than on those of which course is chronic. Other studies specify predictive factors of poor response to neuroleptics, as few affective symptoms and presence of negative symptoms--a controversed factor. c) Not clinical factors of poor neuroleptics efficiency in schizophrenia begin to be studied.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Clinical classification of neuroleptics. Critical study and current prospects]. / Classifications cliniques des neuroleptiques. Etude critique et perspectives actuelles.

Clinical classifications of neuroleptics constitute a particularity of European clinical psychopharmacology. However, the importance of evaluation scales in American psychiatry may also lead to an "implicit" clinical classification, since these drugs do not have the same effects upon the same patient. The main European classifications are described and some of actual clinic of neuroleptics are criticised, in particular the concepts of sedative, antipsychotic, antidelusional or antihallucinatory action. We have pointed out three clinical actions which should be selected in a present classification of neuroleptics; a) angolytic effect i.e. specific antianxiety action upon psychotic anxiety, often initiating the therapeutic processes; b) psychic reorganization effect that is the resultant, in schizophrenia, of the antiproductive and antideficitary effects; c) thymoleptic effect, i.e. reductive action upon the strength of passionate insistence and vindication in paranoïac disorders.

[Follow up of a schizophrenic patient in general practice]. / Le suivi d'un patient schizophrène en médecine générale.

GEOGRAPHIC SECTORS: In France, the public psychiatric health care system is divided into geographic sectors. Each sector is attributed to a psychiatric team and health care institutions. Each psychiatric unit in public hospitals is responsible for a given sector. LEGAL FRAMEWORK: The legal framework for sectorialization was established in 1960 and has been completed by various administrative and legislative regulations which define the missions of the sector and application modalities. RESOURCE ALLOCATION: Changing attitudes in psychiatric care, therapeutic techniques and economic goals have had an effect on the notion of sectorialization. Current policies tend towards the development of intersector exchange to make better use of available resources and better meet the objectives of the public health care system.

The pharmacological effect of fractions obtained by smoking cannabis through a water-pipe. II. A second fractionation step.

The catatonic activity, prolongation of phenobarbital sleeping-time, convulsant action and disruption of nest-building activity was assessed in mice subjected to 4 cannabis pyrolysis products and their tobacco analogues. All but one of the cannabis fractions prolonged the pentobarbital sleeping-time and disrupted the nest-building activity of mice in a way not related to their content in the main cannabinoids. Nest-building activity seems to be the most valid assay we have used so far.