Thomas Becker | Universität Ulm (original) (raw)
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Università degli Studi di Milano - State University of Milan (Italy)
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Papers by Thomas Becker
Biological Psychiatry, 1995
Echogenicity of the brainstem raphe was assessed in patients with major depression, bipolar affec... more Echogenicity of the brainstem raphe was assessed in patients with major depression, bipolar affective disorders, and schizophrenia and compared with healthy adults employing transcranial color-coded real-time sonography. Forty probands were enrolled in each group. A highly significant reduction in raphe echogenicity was detected only in patients suffering from major depression. Echogenicity of the raphe was independent of age or sex and did not correlate with severity of the depressive syndrome or patient state. These findings are suggestive of structural desintegration of the brainstem raphe in unipolar depression, an anatomical region assumed to be a biological focus in the pathogenesis of depressive syndromes.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 2002
To compare service utilization and cost profiles of people with schizophrenia living in Europe in... more To compare service utilization and cost profiles of people with schizophrenia living in Europe in order to understand differences in treatment and care costs. Cross-sectional samples were taken of people with schizophrenia in five European locations. Sociodemographic, clinical and service use data were collected via interviewer-administered questionnaires. Site-specific unit costs were obtained, transformed subsequently into a single currency (UK pound). Multiple regression analyses were conducted. There were widespread and considerable differences between sites in service utilization patterns and associated costs. Higher needs, greater symptom severity and longer psychiatric history are associated with higher costs: quality of life and service satisfaction are not. Few differences were found between sites in patterns of association with cost. Comparative analyses of the use and cost of mental health services can highlight existing variations helpfully in service provision and uptake. Methodological consistency is required if meaningful conclusions are to be drawn from such comparative data.
Lancet, 2007
Background The value of the individual placement and support (IPS) programme in helping people wi... more Background The value of the individual placement and support (IPS) programme in helping people with severe mental illness gain open employment is unknown in Europe. Our aim was to assess the eff ectiveness of IPS, and to examine whether its eff ect is modifi ed by local labour markets and welfare systems.
Biological Psychiatry, 1995
Echogenicity of the brainstem raphe was assessed in patients with major depression, bipolar affec... more Echogenicity of the brainstem raphe was assessed in patients with major depression, bipolar affective disorders, and schizophrenia and compared with healthy adults employing transcranial color-coded real-time sonography. Forty probands were enrolled in each group. A highly significant reduction in raphe echogenicity was detected only in patients suffering from major depression. Echogenicity of the raphe was independent of age or sex and did not correlate with severity of the depressive syndrome or patient state. These findings are suggestive of structural desintegration of the brainstem raphe in unipolar depression, an anatomical region assumed to be a biological focus in the pathogenesis of depressive syndromes.
Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica, 2002
To compare service utilization and cost profiles of people with schizophrenia living in Europe in... more To compare service utilization and cost profiles of people with schizophrenia living in Europe in order to understand differences in treatment and care costs. Cross-sectional samples were taken of people with schizophrenia in five European locations. Sociodemographic, clinical and service use data were collected via interviewer-administered questionnaires. Site-specific unit costs were obtained, transformed subsequently into a single currency (UK pound). Multiple regression analyses were conducted. There were widespread and considerable differences between sites in service utilization patterns and associated costs. Higher needs, greater symptom severity and longer psychiatric history are associated with higher costs: quality of life and service satisfaction are not. Few differences were found between sites in patterns of association with cost. Comparative analyses of the use and cost of mental health services can highlight existing variations helpfully in service provision and uptake. Methodological consistency is required if meaningful conclusions are to be drawn from such comparative data.
Lancet, 2007
Background The value of the individual placement and support (IPS) programme in helping people wi... more Background The value of the individual placement and support (IPS) programme in helping people with severe mental illness gain open employment is unknown in Europe. Our aim was to assess the eff ectiveness of IPS, and to examine whether its eff ect is modifi ed by local labour markets and welfare systems.