claudia pac - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by claudia pac
Psychopathology, 2002
A dysfunctional relationship between parents and children can influence cognitive and emotional d... more A dysfunctional relationship between parents and children can influence cognitive and emotional development and contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders, particularly panic disorder (PD). With the aim of exploring childhood experiences of parenting in PD patients, we compared subjectively perceived climate and objective recall by administering the Parental Bonding Instrument and 10 adjunctive items to 22 out-patients and 22 matched controls. Our analysis showed that DSM-III-R-diagnosed PD patients reported their parents to be significantly less caring than did the control group, while there was no significant difference in objective recall of parenting experiences.
CNS spectrums, 2001
Abnormal light-related behaviors have been described for patients with panic disorder (PD). The p... more Abnormal light-related behaviors have been described for patients with panic disorder (PD). The present study was undertaken to investigate the retinal light response in PD using electroretinography (ERG). The authors conducted b-wave ERG measurements with a bright light (after dark adaptation) in 28 patients with PD and 28 control subjects. There were no significant differences in the mean b-wave amplitude between the two groups, but the retinal response to light in PD patients was generally lower than in healthy subjects. A large interindividual variability was found; also noted was a significant difference in the mean b-wave amplitude between the right and left eyes in the control group. The data indicate subtle variation of retinal photosensitivity in a subgroup of patients with PD. Because dopaminergic retinal activity affects b-ERG amplitude, the authors hypothesize that the dopaminergic system is involved in the response to light in PD patients.
Psychopathology, 2002
A dysfunctional relationship between parents and children can influence cognitive and emotional d... more A dysfunctional relationship between parents and children can influence cognitive and emotional development and contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders, particularly panic disorder (PD). With the aim of exploring childhood experiences of parenting in PD patients, we compared subjectively perceived climate and objective recall by administering the Parental Bonding Instrument and 10 adjunctive items to 22 out-patients and 22 matched controls. Our analysis showed that DSM-III-R-diagnosed PD patients reported their parents to be significantly less caring than did the control group, while there was no significant difference in objective recall of parenting experiences.
Neuropsychobiology, 1998
Numerous studies suggest that seasonal birth may play a pathogenic role in the development of men... more Numerous studies suggest that seasonal birth may play a pathogenic role in the development of mental disorders. A birth excess of 10% during winter and spring has been shown in schizophrenia. The few studies carried out on affective disorders revealed a significant increase of births in the first quarter of the year in bipolar disorders and major depressive disorder. Subjects
Gynecological Endocrinology, 2012
To verify the efficacy of the double-action mechanism of venlafaxine for depression and climacter... more To verify the efficacy of the double-action mechanism of venlafaxine for depression and climacteric symptoms. A group of 20 postmenopausal women (age range 40-60 years) with diagnosis of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and climacteric symptoms was enrolled. All participants received venlafaxine (75 mg/day) for 2 months. Clinical checkup and evaluation test were repeated every 2 weeks for 2 months of treatment. Before treatment, the mean scores for the clinical evaluation scales (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) were 13.9 and 18.7, respectively (mild-moderate severity). The general level of psychopathology was not particularly high (Symptomatology Checklist-90, mean total 103), the most common psychopathological dimensions were depression and somatization. The sample suffered from mild climacteric syndrome (Kupperman Index Score, mean = 19.1). Clinical improvement was visible after 2 weeks of treatment and continued until the last checkup, 2 months after the start of treatment (final Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores: 5.1 and 6.3, respectively). Kupperman Index Scores at the end of the treatment period demonstrated complete resolution of the climacteric syndrome (mean score = 6.57). Venlafaxine is efficacy in treating both psychiatric disorders and climacteric symptomatology.
Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 2001
In normal subjects, the secretion of melatonin, the pineal hormone that regulates the rhythm of m... more In normal subjects, the secretion of melatonin, the pineal hormone that regulates the rhythm of many functions, exhibits a circadian pattern synchronized with the day-night cycle. An alteration of this secretory pattern has been found in various psychiatric disorders (seasonal affective disorder, bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, bulimia, anorexia, schizophrenia, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder). At present, it is not known if such alterations have an etiological role or are secondary to the dysfunctions underlying the different disorders. In addition, we do not know if the involvement of melatonin in several disorders has the same significance in the pathophysiology of each disorder. An understanding of the role of the pineal hormone and of its alterations in psychiatric diseases could help to identify the biological mechanisms underlying such disorders. KEY WORDS: melatonin; pineal; psychiatry; light; season.
Biological Psychiatry, 1997
29S the underlying depression Is not effectively tackled. The pathogenesis of both anxiety and de... more 29S the underlying depression Is not effectively tackled. The pathogenesis of both anxiety and depression involves abnormalities In serotonergic transmitter systems and the frequent comorbldlty of these disorders has stimulated Interest In the use of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors In comorbid patients.
Psychopathology, 2002
A dysfunctional relationship between parents and children can influence cognitive and emotional d... more A dysfunctional relationship between parents and children can influence cognitive and emotional development and contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders, particularly panic disorder (PD). With the aim of exploring childhood experiences of parenting in PD patients, we compared subjectively perceived climate and objective recall by administering the Parental Bonding Instrument and 10 adjunctive items to 22 out-patients and 22 matched controls. Our analysis showed that DSM-III-R-diagnosed PD patients reported their parents to be significantly less caring than did the control group, while there was no significant difference in objective recall of parenting experiences.
CNS spectrums, 2001
Abnormal light-related behaviors have been described for patients with panic disorder (PD). The p... more Abnormal light-related behaviors have been described for patients with panic disorder (PD). The present study was undertaken to investigate the retinal light response in PD using electroretinography (ERG). The authors conducted b-wave ERG measurements with a bright light (after dark adaptation) in 28 patients with PD and 28 control subjects. There were no significant differences in the mean b-wave amplitude between the two groups, but the retinal response to light in PD patients was generally lower than in healthy subjects. A large interindividual variability was found; also noted was a significant difference in the mean b-wave amplitude between the right and left eyes in the control group. The data indicate subtle variation of retinal photosensitivity in a subgroup of patients with PD. Because dopaminergic retinal activity affects b-ERG amplitude, the authors hypothesize that the dopaminergic system is involved in the response to light in PD patients.
Psychopathology, 2002
A dysfunctional relationship between parents and children can influence cognitive and emotional d... more A dysfunctional relationship between parents and children can influence cognitive and emotional development and contribute to the development of psychiatric disorders, particularly panic disorder (PD). With the aim of exploring childhood experiences of parenting in PD patients, we compared subjectively perceived climate and objective recall by administering the Parental Bonding Instrument and 10 adjunctive items to 22 out-patients and 22 matched controls. Our analysis showed that DSM-III-R-diagnosed PD patients reported their parents to be significantly less caring than did the control group, while there was no significant difference in objective recall of parenting experiences.
Neuropsychobiology, 1998
Numerous studies suggest that seasonal birth may play a pathogenic role in the development of men... more Numerous studies suggest that seasonal birth may play a pathogenic role in the development of mental disorders. A birth excess of 10% during winter and spring has been shown in schizophrenia. The few studies carried out on affective disorders revealed a significant increase of births in the first quarter of the year in bipolar disorders and major depressive disorder. Subjects
Gynecological Endocrinology, 2012
To verify the efficacy of the double-action mechanism of venlafaxine for depression and climacter... more To verify the efficacy of the double-action mechanism of venlafaxine for depression and climacteric symptoms. A group of 20 postmenopausal women (age range 40-60 years) with diagnosis of major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder and climacteric symptoms was enrolled. All participants received venlafaxine (75 mg/day) for 2 months. Clinical checkup and evaluation test were repeated every 2 weeks for 2 months of treatment. Before treatment, the mean scores for the clinical evaluation scales (Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale) were 13.9 and 18.7, respectively (mild-moderate severity). The general level of psychopathology was not particularly high (Symptomatology Checklist-90, mean total 103), the most common psychopathological dimensions were depression and somatization. The sample suffered from mild climacteric syndrome (Kupperman Index Score, mean = 19.1). Clinical improvement was visible after 2 weeks of treatment and continued until the last checkup, 2 months after the start of treatment (final Hamilton Depression Rating Scale and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale scores: 5.1 and 6.3, respectively). Kupperman Index Scores at the end of the treatment period demonstrated complete resolution of the climacteric syndrome (mean score = 6.57). Venlafaxine is efficacy in treating both psychiatric disorders and climacteric symptomatology.
Frontiers in Neuroendocrinology, 2001
In normal subjects, the secretion of melatonin, the pineal hormone that regulates the rhythm of m... more In normal subjects, the secretion of melatonin, the pineal hormone that regulates the rhythm of many functions, exhibits a circadian pattern synchronized with the day-night cycle. An alteration of this secretory pattern has been found in various psychiatric disorders (seasonal affective disorder, bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, bulimia, anorexia, schizophrenia, panic disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder). At present, it is not known if such alterations have an etiological role or are secondary to the dysfunctions underlying the different disorders. In addition, we do not know if the involvement of melatonin in several disorders has the same significance in the pathophysiology of each disorder. An understanding of the role of the pineal hormone and of its alterations in psychiatric diseases could help to identify the biological mechanisms underlying such disorders. KEY WORDS: melatonin; pineal; psychiatry; light; season.
Biological Psychiatry, 1997
29S the underlying depression Is not effectively tackled. The pathogenesis of both anxiety and de... more 29S the underlying depression Is not effectively tackled. The pathogenesis of both anxiety and depression involves abnormalities In serotonergic transmitter systems and the frequent comorbldlty of these disorders has stimulated Interest In the use of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors In comorbid patients.