[Utilization of a self-contained psychometry-oriented device, for study of affective and cognitive function of a subject]. / Utilisation d'un appareil autonome de psychométrie pour l'étude des fonctions affectives et cognitives d'un sujet.

We appraised the possibility to use the Psycho-Log 24, an ambulatory, adapted to chronopsychometry device, which realizes simplified questionnaires and performance test adaptable to each subject; this device has dimensions like a pocketbook; its storage capacity is compatible with a long time use. 9 adult volunteers (8 healthy subjects and 1 depressive patient) participated to this study. All of them effected reaction times (TRS) during 3 to 31 days at the rate of at least 4 sessions/day; some of them completed mental calculations (CM), letters cancellations (BRL) and auto-estimation scales (from 1 to 9 items, also measured by a classic method). For TRS and all the subjects, the frequencies histograms calculated by hour and on a 24 h scale, showed a bimodal variation, with a major peak suggesting a circadian rhythm. 5 subjects had different time for the daily best performances of each hand (shifted from 5 to 12 h). In the healthy adults, for BRL and CM, the best performances in speed and precision are shifted and could be related to the "fatigue" auto-estimated peaks. There is a significant correlation between auto-estimations by Psycho-Log and the classic method. The coherence between the auto-estimations of the depressive subject is strong during the remission stage, and lower during the relapse stage. The used method seems an effective mean to know the temporal structure of the cognitive and affective functions of a subject, and to estimate the preserving of this structure; the method first could constitute an exploratory mean for an objective evaluation of the drugs effects and patients quality of life, secondly could be implicated in researches with diagnosis target.

Circadian rhythm period in reaction time to light signals: difference between right- and left-hand side.

The study was designed to test the hypothesis that the prominent rhythm period tau of simple reaction time (SRT) and three-choice reaction time (CRT) to light signals may vary between the dominant (DH) and non-dominant (NDH) hand. Eleven healthy subjects, 8 males (16-74 years, including two left-handed) and 3 females (18-43 years), synchronized with a diurnal activity (approximately 07.00 h to approximately 23.00 h) and a nocturnal rest, volunteered for the study. A battery-powered ambulatory device was used to self-record SRT to a yellow light signal and CRT to yellow, green and red signals. Tests were performed 4-7 times/24 h during a 12- to 15-day span. Power spectra, ANOVA, cosinor, chi2 and correlation tests were used to individually analyze time series. Tau = 24 h in SRT rhythms of DH (8/11 cases) and NDH (6/11 cases) with chi2 = 3.5 and p > 0.05. In CRT rhythms, tau = 24 h for DH (8/11 cases) while tau = 8 h for NDH (7/11 cases), a difference which was statistically significant (chi2 = 9.4 with p < 0.02). Concordant results were obtained with other statistical tests leading to the conclusion that the rather complex cognitive task (CRT) and, to a certain extent, SRT of certain individuals, were associated with tau = 24 h for DH and tau = 8 h for NDH. These findings are in favor of the hypothesis that functional clocks are present in the human brain cortex, associated with the possible expression of rhythms with a prominent period differing from the right- and left-hand side.

Temperature rhythm of patients with major affective disorders: reduced circadian period length.

The aim of the study was to explore circadian alterations of the temperature rhythm in adults with Major Affective Disorders (DSM III-R:296.xx). The axillary temperature of 56 inpatients was recorded (6-min intervals for at least a 48-h span) when major clinical symptoms occurred and thereafter during the remission. Periods (tau s) of the temperature rhythm were accurately quantified from individual time series by power spectra analyses. Twenty-seven subjects with no affective disorders served as controls. Histograms of the frequency distribution of tau s, chi square, and so forth were used as statistical methods. In both patients and controls a multimodal distribution of prominent tau s was observed. However, in controls this distribution showed the highest frequency (88.9%) with tau s = 24h, and seldom tau s < 24h or tau s > 24h, while in patients with major affective disorders, tau s exhibited a statistically significant (x2 = 10.84; p < 0.004) different distribution with the highest frequency for tau s < 24h in 50% of the patients. Subjects diagnosed as suffering from Major Affective Disorders commonly exhibit a period shorter than 24h in the axillary temperature circadian rhythm suggestive of a desynchronized time structure.

Placebo effect on the circadian rhythm period tau of temperature and hand-grip strength rhythms: interindividual and gender-related difference.

Two different medications, one assumed to be a tranquilizer and the other an antifatigue agent, were tested. Both were found to be ineffective and thus were viewed as placebos and named P1 and P2. The effect of P1 and P2 on the circadian rhythms of a set of variables (e.g., sleep/wake, oral temperature and grip strength of both hands) were monitored by five to 10 measurements per day over three consecutive 8- to 10-day spans. The first documented span was a control (no medication), and the second and third spans (in randomized order) were under P1 and P2. Healthy subjects volunteered for the studies: nine men and seven women (median age 28 years) in study 1 and 12 men and 12 women (median age 36 years) in study 2. They were synchronized with diurnal activity from 07:00 h (+/- 30 min) to 00:00 h (+/- 1 h) and nocturnal rest. De Prins' method was used to obtain the prominent period tau in each (control, P1, and P2) individual time series. The chi 2 test was used to test group and subgroup differences. All 40 subjects exhibited a significant sleep/wake rhythm with a tau = 24 h in control, P1, and P2 series. During the control span a gender-related statistically significant difference was observed: fewer men than women exhibited a temperature rhythm desynchronized from 24 h. In addition, more women than men had a tau < 24 h during control. The gender-related difference was obliterated by placebos. Similarly desynchronized circadian rhythms of left and right hand-grip strength were observed in both men and women during the control span, which were all obliterated by placebo but only in men. Results are discussed with regard to a genetic model of human dyschronism as proposed by the authors.

[Circadian rhythm of the axillary temperature in mood disorders. Prominent ultradian period in major thymic disorders]. / Rythme circadien de la température axillaire dans les maladies de l'humeur. Prédominance d'une période ultradienne lors de troubles thymiques majeurs.

Axillary temperature was recorded in in-patients with affective disorders (DSM III-R). The results suggest that ultradian temperature rhythm could be the indice of an internal desynchronisation associated with acute episode of major affective disorders.

[Axillary temperature rhythms: the predominance of ultradian periodicity in major affective disorders]. / Rythmes de la température axillaire: prédominance d'une période ultradienne lors de troubles affectifs majeurs.

Axillary temperature was recorded at least twice during a 48 hrs. span at 6 min. intervals in 10 hospitalized subjects with major affective disorders (DSM III 296. xx). During the clinical occurrence of acute symptoms 7 out of 10 subjects exhibited a prominent ultradian periodicity (period tau less than 20 hrs.) in their temperature time series. Whatever the used therapeutic mean (electroconvulsive therapy and/or chemotherapy) the improvement was associated with a circadian rhythmicity (20 hrs. less than or equal to tau less than or equal to 28 hrs.). A prominent temperature ultradian rhythm (which occurs only in the new born) could be the index of an internal desynchronization associated with major affective disorders.

[Medical jurisprudence problems raised by transsexualism in 1986. Apropos of 148 cases of gender dysphoria]. / Les problèmes médico-juridiques posés par le transsexualisme en 1986. A propos de 148 cas de dysphorie de genre.

The authors review the classification of transsexualism and gender dysphoria with respect to a series of 148 patients followed up for 10 years by a multidisciplinary group of endocrinologists, surgeons and psychiatrists; transsexualism is a major problem of self-identity and not a sexual derivation. The principal features of the study population are presented with details of methodology, criteria for selection for sex change treatment, and results obtained. The two main medicolegal problems (changing civil identity and penal medical responsibility) posed by medico-surgical treatment in France are discussed.

[Use of presynaptic alpha-mimetics for withdrawal in heroin addicts]. / Utilisation des alpha-mimétiques pré-synaptiques dans le sevrage des héroïnomanes.

We report the results of two studies carried out in the Drug Addiction Unit of Fernand-Widal hospital, on the use of presynaptic alpha-mimetic drugs in the treatment of heroin addicts. The authors briefly recall the mode of action of these drugs, and then describe the methodology of these two studies of Guanoxabenz and Guanfacine; characteristics of this group, outcome of therapy, mode of prescription, side effects. The results are analysed and compared with the usual methods of treatment using synthetic opiates.