ABSTRACT
5-methoxypsoralen (5-MOP) stimulates pineal melatonin secretion, and a decrease in dark phase melatonin levels has been described in major depression. As exogenous melatonin has shown synchronizer properties, authors hypothesized that giving 5-MOP would have antidepressant properties. Twenty-six inpatients meeting the criteria of major depressive disorders were enrolled in a four-week, double blind trial of 5-MOP versus amitriptyline. Clinical improvement was identical in both treatment groups but biological changes were different in each group: 5-MOP patients showed an early nocturnal surge of melatonin levels that was maintained at the fourth treatment week, while melatonin levels remained unchanged in patients treated with amitriptyline.
ABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to compare the evolution of psychotic patients in Algeria and in France. In 1975, 105 patients were selected in Algeria and 237 in France. Ten years later, in 1985, all these patients were interviewed. In 1985, we investigated for each subject the evolution of the following parameters: sex, age, DSM-III axis 1 and 5, marital status, social welfare work, and treatment variables. Our results indicate that the improvement of the psychosocial adaptation (DSM-III axis 5) is slightly better in Algeria than in France. Medical and social support seems to be quantitatively less important in Algeria.