• Title/Summary/Keyword: abnormal changes

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Changes of EEG Coherence in Narcolepsy Measured with Computerized EEG Mapping Technique (기면병에서 전산화 뇌파 지도화 기법으로 측정한 뇌파 동시성 시성 변화)

  • Park, Doo-Heum;Kwon, Jun-Soo;Jeong, Do-Un
    • Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.121-128
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    • 2001
  • Objectives: In narcoleptic patients diagnosed with ICSD (international classification of sleep disorders, 1990) criteria, nocturnal polysomnography, and MSLT (multiple sleep latency test), we tried to find characteristic features of quantitative electroencephalography (QEEG) in a wakeful state. Methods: We compared eight drug-free narcoleptic patients with sex- and age-matched normal controls, using computerized electroencephalographic mapping technique and spectral analysis. Absolute power, relative power, interhemispheric asymmetry, interhemispheric and intrahemispheric coherence, and mean frequency in each frequency band (delta, theta, alpha and beta) were measured and analyzed. Results: Compared with normal controls, narcoleptic patients showed decrease in monopolar interhemispheric coherence of alpha frequency bands in occipital ($O_1/O_2$), parietal ($P_3/P_4$), and temporal ($T_5/T_6$) areas and beta frequency band in the occipital ($O_1/O_2$) area. Monopolar intrahemispheric coherences of alpha frequency bands in left hemispheric areas ($T_3/T_5$, $C_3/P_3$ & $F_3/O_1$) decreased. Decrease of monopolar interhemispheric asymmetry of delta frequency band in the occipital ($O_1/O_2$) area was also noted. The monopolar absolute powers of beta frequency bands decreased in occipital ($O_2,\;O_z$) areas. Conclusion: Decreases in coherences of narcoleptic patients compared with normal controls may indicate fewer posterior neocortical interhemispheric neuronal connections, and fewer left intrahemispheric neuronal connections than normal controls in a wakeful state. Therefore, we suggest that abnormal neurophysiological sites of narcolepsy may involve complex areas such as neocortex and subcortex as well as the brainstem.

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Responses of Soybean Yield to High Temperature Stress during Growing Season: A Case Study of the Korean Soybean (재배기간 동안 이상고온 발생에 따른 콩의 수량반응 탐색)

  • Chung, Uran;Cho, Hyeoun-Suk;Kim, Jun-Hwan;Sang, Wan-Gyu;Shin, Pyeong;Seo, Myung-Chul;Jung, Woo-Seuk
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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    • v.18 no.4
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    • pp.188-198
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    • 2016
  • In soybeans, responses of high temperature according to shift of sowing dates during the growing season was explored using the crop model, CROPGRO-soybean. In addition, it analyzed impact on change of sowing dates affects yield potential of soybean under future climate scenario (2041-2070). In Jeonju and Miryang during 1981-2010, if sowing at 15 or ten days ahead from 10 June, namely in shorten of the sowing day (i.e. when sown on 25 or 30 May), the yield potential reduced. However, the yield potential increased when sown 5 June. In the case of delay of sowing day (i.e. when sown on 15 or 20 June), reduction of yield potential in the average -5% was higher than increase in the average +2%. In particular, the relative changes for shorten of the sowing day or delay of the sowing day do not be shown in normal years which high temperatures did not abnormally occur during the growing season from 2003 to 2010 except when sown on 25 May. In abnormal years which high temperatures occurred during the critical period, especially R5 to R7, shorten of the sowing day affected to the increase of yield potential in Miryang, while the yield potential decreased in Jeonju except when sown on 5 June. However, delay of the sowing day influenced on the reduction of yield potential both in two sites. In future climate scenario of Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 during from 2041 to 2070, the increase and decrease of yield potential for shorten of the sowing day were +10/-9% for RCP 8.5 of Jeonju, and +14/-9% for RCP 8.5 of Miryang, respectively. Additionally, it showed +10/-17% for RCP 8.5 in Jeonju, and +10/-29% for RCP 8.5 in Miryang, respectively in the increase and decrease of yield potential for delay of the sowing day.

THE ROLE OF TYPE 2 DIABETES AS A PREDISPOSING RISK FACTOR ON THE PULPO-PERIAPICAL PATHOGENESIS: REVIEW ARTICLE (치수 치근단 병소의 전구 위험요인으로서의 제 2 형 당뇨의 역할에 관한 소고)

  • Kim, Jin-Hee;Bae, Kwang-Shik;Seo, Deog-Gyu;Hong, Sung-Tae;Lee, Yoon;Hong, Sam-Pyo;Kum, Kee-Yeon
    • Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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    • v.34 no.3
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    • pp.169-176
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    • 2009
  • Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a syndrome accompanied with the abnormal secretion or function of insulin, a hormone that plays a vital role in controlling the blood glucose level (BGL). Type land 2 DM are most common form and the prevalence of the latter is recently increasing, The aim of this article was to assess whet her Type 2 DM could act as a predisposing risk factor on the pulpo-periapical pathogenesis. Previous literature on the pathologic changes of blood vessels in DM was thoroughly reviewed. Furthermore, a histopathologic analysis of artificially-induced periapical specimens obtained from Type 2 diabetic and DM-resistant rats was compared. Histopathologic results demonstrate that the size of periapical bone destruction w as larger and the degree of pulpal inflammation was more severe in diabetic rats, indicating that Type 2 D M itself can be a predisposing risk factor that makes the host more susceptible to pulpal infection. The possible reasons may be that in diabetic state the lumen of pulpal blood vessels are thickened by atheromatous deposits, and microcirculation is hindered, The function of polymorphonuclear leukocyte is also impair ed and the migration of immune cells is blocked, leading to increased chance of pulpal infection. Also, lack of collateral circulation of pulpal blood vessels makes the pulp more susceptible to infection. These decrease the regeneration capacity of pulpal cells or tissues, delaying the healing process, Therefore, when restorative treatment is needed in Type 2 DM patients, dentists should minimize irritation to the pulpal tissue un der control of BGL.

The Comparison of $45^{\circ}$ and $55^{\circ}$ Anteroposterior Oblique View for Observating the Intervertebral Foramen (경추 추간공 관찰을 위한 촬영법의 고찰)

  • Jeon, Ju-Seob;Eun, Sung-Jong;Kim, Hye-Ran;An, Seung-Hyun;Choi, Nam-Kin;Kim, Young-Keun
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.28 no.2
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    • pp.91-95
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    • 2005
  • The cervical spine of anteroposterior oblique view is essential to observe the intervertebral foramen(IVF). The morphologic changes of IVFs were proved to be abnormal with nerve roots and peripheral structures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effective projection angle for observing the IVFs in the Korean adults. In a prospective clinical study of 100 normal persons, $45^{\circ}$, $50^{\circ}$ and $55^{\circ}$ oblique views were compared by measuring the maximal transverse diameter of all the cervical IVFs. $45^{\circ}$ oblique views provided slightly better visualization of upper cervical level(C2-C3, C3-C4, C4-C5), but the lower cervical level(C5-C6, C6-C7, C7-T1) of IVF transverse diameters were substantially increased on the $55^{\circ}$ AP oblique projection. In the comprasion of mean differences between 8 obese person(BMI > 25) and 58 normal person(18.5 < BMI < 22.9) proved to be statistically not significant. Consequently this study shows that $55^{\circ}$AP oblique(tube angle $15^{\circ}$cephalad) view is optimal for evaluating the lower cervical IVFs.

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Hydro-meteorological Effects on Water Quality Variability in Paldang Reservoir, Confluent Area of the South-Han River-North-Han River-Gyeongan Stream, Korea (남·북한강과 경안천 합류 수역 팔당호의 수질 변동성에 대한 기상·수문학적 영향)

  • Hwang, Soon-Jin;Kim, Keonhee;Park, Chaehong;Seo, Wanbum;Choi, Bong-Geun;Eum, Hyun Soo;Park, Myung-Hwan;Noh, Hye Ran;Sim, Yeon Bo;Shin, Jae-Ki
    • Korean Journal of Ecology and Environment
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    • v.49 no.4
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    • pp.354-374
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    • 2016
  • This study explored spatiotemporal variability of water quality in correspondence with hydrometeorological factors in the five stations of Paldang Reservoir located in the Han River during 4 years from May 2012 to December 2015. Variability of basic water quality factors were largely related with seasonal fluctuations of hydrology. Temperature stratification occurred in the deep dam station, and prolonged hypoxia was observed during the draught year. Nitrogen nutrients were increased with decreasing inflow in which changing pattern of $NH_4$ reversed to $NO_3$ by the effect of treated wastewater effluent. Phosphorus increase was manifest during the period of high inflow or severe drought. Chl-a variation was reversely related with both flow change and AGP(algal growth potential) variations. Our study demonstrated that water quality variability in Paldang Reservoir was largely attributed to both natural and operational changes of inflow and outflow (including water intake) based on major pollution source of the treated wastewater (total amount of $472{\times}10^3m^3d^{-1}$) entering to the water system from watershed. In the process of water quality variability, meteorological (e.g., flood, typhoon, abnormal rainfall, scorching heat of summer) and hydrological factors (inflow and discharge) were likely to work dynamically with nutrients pulse, dilution, absorption, concentration and sedimentation. We underline comprehensive limnological study related to hydro-meteorolology to understand short- and long-term water quality variability in river-type large reservoir and suggest the necessity of P-free wastewater treatment for the effective measure of reducing pollution level of Paldang drinking water resource.

Estimation of CO2 Mitigation Potentials using Food Miles of Domestic and Imported Food - About Beef and Wine - (푸드 마일리지를 이용한 식품의 이산화탄소 감축 잠재량 평가 - 쇠고기와 포도주를 대상으로 -)

  • Seong, Mi-Ae;Kim, Dai-Gon;Lee, Jae-Bum;Ryu, Ji-Yeon;Hong, You-Deog
    • Journal of Climate Change Research
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    • v.2 no.1
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    • pp.15-32
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    • 2011
  • Due to greenhouse gas increased by human activities, abnormal climate changes are continuously occurring everywhere in the world and internationally people make efforts to reduce the emission of greenhouse gas. Our country also is making endeavors to realize low carbon society on the foundation of the green growth and for this low carbon consumption pattern settlement through green life is necessary. Therefore for the nationals the offering of the information on greenhouse gas emission that is reduced through the change to low carbon life is required. In this study the objects are beef and wine whose weight of import is high among the beverages and foods consumed in the country and we calculated the food mileage and emission of carbon dioxide of the domestic and foreign product beef and wine and estimated the potential amount that can be reduced when replacing the imported products with domestic products. As the year 2007 being standard if we replace 10% of imported beef with domestic products it is possible to reduce 14,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year and on one day out of a year if we replace imported beef with domestic beef the reduction of 384 tons of carbon dioxide is appeared to be possible. In the same standard year if we replace 10% of imported wine with domestic product we can reduce 1,396 tons and on one day out of a year if we replace imported wine with domestic wine reduction of 38 tons of carbon per year appeared to be possible. Through active promotion and expansion of variety of domestic foods and beverages in the real life of the nationals the consumption pattern of natural low carbon life should be achieved and offering of more systematized greenhouse gas emission DB is thought to be necessary.

Changes of Yield and Quality in Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) by Heat Treatment (폭염처리에 의한 감자의 수량성과 품질 변화)

  • Lee, Gyu-Bin;Choi, Jang-Gyu;Park, Young-Eun;Jung, Gun-Ho;Kwon, Do-Hee;Jo, Kwang-Ryong;Cheon, Chung-Gi;Chang, Dong Chil;Jin, Yong-Ik
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural and Forest Meteorology
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    • v.24 no.3
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    • pp.145-154
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    • 2022
  • Due to abnormal weather conditions caused by climate change, natural disasters and damages are gradually increasing around the world. Global climate change as accompanied by warming is projected to exert adverse impact on production of potato, which is known as cool season crop. Even though, role of potato as a food security crop is expected to increase in the future, the climate change impacts on potato and adaption strategies are not sufficiently established. Therefore, this study was conducted to analyze the damage pattern of potatoes due to high temperature treatment and to evaluate the response of cultivars. T he high temperature treatment (35~38℃) induced heat stress by sealing the plastic house in midsummer (July), and the quantity and quality characteristics of potatoes were compared with the control group. T otal yield, marketable yield (>80 g) and the number of tubers per plants decreased when heat treatment was performed, and statistical significance was evident. In the heat treatment, 'Jayoung' cultivar suffered a high heat damage with an 84% reduction in yield of >80 g compared to the control group. However, in Jopung cultivar, the decrease was relatively small at 26%. Tuber physiological disturbances (Secondary growth, Tuber cracking, Malformation) tended to increase in the heat stress. Under heat conditions, the tubers were elongated overall, which means that the marketability of potatoes was lowered. T he tuber firmness and dry matter content tended to decrease significantly in the heat-treated group. T herefore, the yield and quality of tubers were damaged when growing potatoes in heat conditions. T he cultivar with high heat adaptability was 'Jopung'. T his result can be used as basic data for potato growers and breeding of heat-resistant cultivars.

CT Evaluation of Long-Term Changes in Common Bile Duct Diameter after Cholecystectomy (담낭 절제술 후 총담관 직경의 장기 변화에 대한 CT 평가)

  • Sung Hee Ahn;Chansik An;Seung-seob Kim;Sumi Park
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.85 no.3
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    • pp.581-595
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    • 2024
  • Purpose The present study aimed to investigate the frequency and extent of compensatory common bile duct (CBD) dilatation after cholecystectomy, assess the time between cholecystectomy and CBD dilatation, and identify potentially useful CT findings suggestive of obstructive CBD dilatation. Materials and Methods This retrospective study included 121 patients without biliary obstruction who underwent multiple CT scans before and after cholecystectomy at a single center between 2009 and 2011. The maximum short-axis diameters of the CBD and intrahepatic duct (IHD) were measured on each CT scan. In addition, the clinical and CT findings of 11 patients who were initially excluded from the study because of CBD stones or periampullary tumors were examined to identify distinguishing features between obstructive and non-obstructive CBD dilatation after cholecystectomy. Results The mean (standard deviation) short-axis maximum CBD diameter of 121 patients was 5.6 (± 1.9) mm in the axial plane before cholecystectomy but increased to 7.9 (± 2.6) mm after cholecystectomy (p < 0.001). Of the 106 patients with a pre-cholecystectomy axial CBD diameter of < 8 mm, 39 (36.8%) showed CBD dilatation of ≥ 8 mm after cholecystectomy. Six of the 17 patients with long-term (> 2 years) serial follow-up CT scans (35.3%) eventually showed a significant (> 1.5-fold) increase in the axial CBD diameter, all within two years after cholecystectomy. Of the 121 patients without obstruction or related symptoms, only one patient (0.1%) showed IHD dilatation > 3 mm after cholecystectomy. In contrast, all 11 patients with CBD obstruction had abdominal pain and abnormal laboratory indices, and 81.8% (9/11) had significant dilatation of the IHD and CBD. Conclusion Compensatory non-obstructive CBD dilatation commonly occurs after cholecystectomy to a similar extent as obstructive dilatation. However, the presence of relevant symptoms, significant IHD dilatation, or further CBD dilatation 2-3 years after cholecystectomy should raise suspicion of CBD obstruction.

Pharmacological Studies of Cefoperazone(T-1551) (Cefoperazone(T-1551)의 약리학적 연구)

  • Lim J.K.;Hong S.A.;Park C.W.;Kim M.S.;Suh Y.H.;Shin S.G.;Kim Y.S.;Kim H.W.;Lee J.S.;Chang K.C.;Lee S.K.;Chang K.C.;Kim I.S.
    • The Korean Journal of Pharmacology
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    • v.16 no.2 s.27
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    • pp.55-70
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    • 1980
  • The pharmacological and microbiological studies of Cefoperazone (T-1551, Toyama Chemical Co., Japan) were conducted in vitro and in vivo. The studies included stability and physicochemical characteristics, antimicrobial activity, animal and human pharmacokinetics, animal pharmacodynamics and safety evaluation of Cefoperazone sodium for injection. 1) Stability and physicochemical characteristics. Sodium salt of cefoperazone for injection had a general appearance of white crystalline powder which contained 0.5% water, and of which melting point was $187.2^{\circ}C$. The pH's of 10% and 25% aqueous solutions were 5.03 ana 5.16 at $25^{\circ}C$. The preparations of cefoperazone did not contain any pyrogenic substances and did not liberate histamine in cats. The drug was highly compatible with common infusion solutions including 5% Dextrose solution and no significant potency decrease was observed in 5 hours after mixing. Powdered cefoperazone sodium contained in hermetically sealed and ligt-shielded container was highly stable at $4^circ}C{\sim}37^{\circ}C$ for 12 weeks. When stored at $4^{\circ}C$ the potency was retained almost completely for up to one year. 2) Antimicrobial activity against clinical isolates. Among the 230 clinical isolates included, Salmonella typhi was the most susceptible to cefoperazone, with 100% inhibition at MIC of ${\leq}0.5{\mu}g/ml$. Cefoperazone was also highly active against Streptococcus pyogenes(group A), Kletsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus and Shigella flexneri, with 100% inhibition at $16{\mu}g/ml$ or less. More than 80% of Escherichia coli, Enterobacter aerogenes and Salmonella paratyphi was inhibited at ${\leq}16{\mu}/ml$, while Enterobacter cloaceae, Serratia marcescens and Pseudomonas aerogenosa were somewhat less sensitive to cefoperagone, with inhibitions of 60%, 55% and 35% respectively at the same MIC. 3) Animal pharmacokinetics Serum concentration, organ distritution and excretion of cefoperazone in rats were observed after single intramuscular injections at doses of 20 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg. The extent of protein binding to human plasma protein was also measured in vitro br equilibrium dialysis method. The mean Peak serum concentrations of $7.4{\mu}g/ml$ and $16.4{\mu}/ml$ were obtained at 30 min. after administration of cefoperazone at doses of 20 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg respectively. The tissue concentrations of cefoperazone measured at 30 and 60 min. were highest in kidney. And the concentrations of the drug in kidney, liver and small intestine were much higher than in blood. Urinary and fecal excretion over 24 hours after injetcion ranged form 12.5% to 15.0% in urine and from 19.6% to 25.0% in feces, indicating that the gastrointestinal system is more important than renal system for the excretion of cefoperazone. The extent of binding to human plasma protein measured by equilibrium dialysis was $76.3%{\sim}76.9%$, which was somewhat lower than the others utilizing centrifugal ultrafiltration method. 4) Animal pharmacodynamics Central nervous system : Effects of cefoperazone on the spontaneous movement and general behavioral patterns of rats, the pentobarbital sleeping time in mice and the body temperature in rabbits were observed. Single intraperitoneal injections at doses of $500{\sim}2,000mg/kg$ in rats did not affect the spontaneous movement ana the general behavioral patterns of the animal. Doses of $125{\sim}500mg/kg$ of cefoperazone injected intraperitonealy in mice neither increased nor decreased the pentobarbital-induced sleeping time. In rabbits the normal body temperature was maintained following the single intravenous injections of $125{\sim}2,000mg/kg$ dose. Respiratory and circulatory system: Respiration rate, blood pressure, heart rate and ECG of anesthetized rabbits were monitored for 3 hours following single intravenous injections of cefoperazone at doses of $125{\sim}2,000mg/kg$. The respiration rate decreased by $3{\sim}l7%$ at all the doses of cefoperazone administered. Blood pressure did not show any changes but slight decrease from 130/113 to 125/107 by the highest dose(2,000 mg/kg) injected in this experiment. The dosages of 1,000 and 2,000 mg/kg seemed to slightly decrease the heart rate, but it was not significantly different from the normal control. All the doses of cefoperazone injected were not associated with any abnormal changes in ECG findings throughout the monitering period. Autonomic nervous system and smooth muscle: Effects of cefoperazone on the automatic movement of rabbit isolated small intestine, large intestine, stomach and uterus were observed in vitro. The autonomic movement and tonus of intestinal smooth muscle increased at dose of $40{\mu}g/ml$ in small intestine and at 0.4 mg/ml in large intestine. However, in stomach and uterine smooth muscle the autonomic movement was slightly increased by the much higher doses of 5-10 mg/ml. Blood: In vitro osmotic fragility of rabbit RBC suspension was not affected by cefoperazone of $1{\sim}10mg/ml$. Doses of 7.5 and 10 mg/ml were associated with 11.8% and 15.3% prolongation of whole blood coagulation time. Liver and kidney function: When measured at 3 hours after single intravenous injections of cefoperaonze in rabbits, the values of serum GOT, GPT, Bilirubin, TTT, BUN and creatine were not significantly different from the normal control. 5) Safety evaluation Acute toxicity: The acute toxicity of cefoperazone was studied following intraperitoneal and intravenous injections to mice(A strain, 4 week old) and rats(Sprague-Dawler, 6 week old). The LD_(50)'s of intraperitonealy injected cefoperazone were 9.7g/kg in male mice, 9.6g/kg in female mice and over 15g/kg in both male and female rats. And when administered intravenously in rats, LD_(50)'s were 5.1g/kg in male and 5.0g/kg in female. Administrations of the high doses of the drug were associated with slight inhibition of spontaneous movement and convulsion. Atdominal transudate and intestinal hyperemia were observed in animals administered intraperitonealy. In rats receiving high doses of the drug intravenously rhinorrhea and pulmonary congestion and edema were also observed. Renal proximal tubular epithelial degeneration was found in animals dosing in high concentrations of cefoperazone. Subacute toxicity: Rats(Sprague-Dawley, 6 week old) dosing 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 g/kg/day of cefoperazone intraperitonealy were observed for one month and sacrificed at 24 hours after the last dose. In animals with a high dose, slight inhibition of spontaneous movement was observed during the experimental period. Soft stool or diarrhea appeared at first or second week of the administration in rats receiving 2.0g/kg. Daily food consumption and weekly weight gain were similar to control during the administration. Urinalysis, blood chemistry and hematology after one month administration were not different from control either. Cecal enlargement, which is an expected effect of broad spectrum antibiotic altering the normal intestinal microbial flora, was observed. Intestinal or peritoneal congestion and peritonitis were found. These findings seemed to be attributed to the local irritation following prolonged intraperitoneal injections of hypertonic and acidic cefoperazone solution. Among the histopathologic findings renal proximal tubular epithelial degeneration was characteristic in rats receiving 1 and 2g/kg/day, which were 10 and 20 times higher than the maximal clinical dose (100 mg/kg) of the drug. 6) Human pharmacokinetics Serum concentrations and urinary excretion were determined following a single intravenous injection of 1g cefoperazone in eight healthy, male volunteers. Mean serum concentrations of 89.3, 61.3, 26.6, 12.3, 2.3, and $1.8{\mu}g/ml$ occured at 1,2,4,6,8 and 12 hours after injection respectively, and the biological half-life was 108 minutes. Urinary excretion over 24 hours after injection was up to 43.5% of administered dose.

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Review of Sexual Dysfunction in Male Schizophrenics (남자 정신분열병 환자에서 성기능장애에 대한 검토)

  • Choi, Yeong Tae;Cheon, Jin Sook;Oh, Byoung Hoon
    • Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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    • v.7 no.1
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    • pp.85-98
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    • 2000
  • Objective : There are four possible explanations for the sexual dysfunction of schizophrenics. The first is the possibility of a real structural aspect. The second possibility is that sexual function changes secondary to the illness. The third possibility is that there are medical and sociocultural barriers to sexual expression for chronic schizophrenics. The fourth possibility is that sexual dysfunction due to antipsychotic medication. However, we didn't know the precise cause of sexual dysfunction in schizophrenics. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the mechanism of illness itself and antipsychotics on sexual dysfunction in male schizophrenics. Methods : The serum prolactin(PRL), testosterone(TST), and the plasma serotonin(5-HT) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay and high performance liquid chromatography method for 100 healthy male schizophrenics according to the DSM-IV. Concomitantly, the severity of psychotic symptoms using Clinical Global Impression(CGI), Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale(BPRS), Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS), and the severity of side effects for antipsychotics using Extrapyramidal Side Effects Scale(EPSE), Anticholinergic Side Effects Scale(ACSE), the cognitive function using PANSS-Cognitive Function(PANSS-CF), Mini Mental State Exam-Korean(MMSE-K), and the sexual dysfunction using Sexual Functioning Questionnaire(SFQ), Questionnaire for Sexual Dysfunction in Men were assessed. The PRL, TST, and 5-HT levels of 50 healthy male controls who had no medical, neurological, and psychiatric illnesses were evaluated. The sexual function using SFQ(items FGa, FNa) were also assessed. Furthermore, the correlation with age, education, religion, economic status, age at onset, duration of illnesses, duration of admission, levels of PRL, TST, 5-HT, antipsychotic dosages, potency, benztropine, total duration of medication, EPSE, ACSE, CGI, BPRS, PANSS, PANSS-CF, MMSE-K and sexual dysfunctions were identified in male schizophrenics. Results : 1) The frequencies of sexual dysfunctions for schizophrenics(80%) were significantly(p<0.001) higher than those for controls(42%). The sexual dysfunctions according to sexual response cycle were 'low sexual desire' 76%, 'impairment of achieving erection' 75%, 'impairment of maintaining erection' 75%, 'impairment of obtaining orgasm' 32%, 'impairment in the quality of orgasm' 61%, 'impairment in quantity of ejaculate' 44%, 'premature ejaculation' 15%, and 'delayed ejaculation' 50%. 2) The PRL, 5-HT levels of schizophrenics($28.5{\pm}20.6ng/ml$, $298.5{\pm}89.1ng/ml$) were significantly(p<0.001) higher than those of controls($10{\pm}5.6ng/ml$, $169.2{\pm}37.8ng/ml$), while the TST levels of schizophrenics($4.3{\pm}1.5ng/ml$) and controls($4.5{\pm}1.2ng/ml$) were not significantly different. The sexual dysfunctions of schizophrenics who had abnormal 5-HT levels($4.7{\pm}1.3$ scores) were significantly(p<0.05) higher than those of who had normal 5-HT levels($3.8{\pm}1.6$ scores) on item D7. 3) The sexual dysfunctions of unmarried schizophrenics were significantly(p<0.01 : p<0.05) higher than those of married schizophrenics($6.1{\pm}2.8$ scores, $4.7{\pm}1.3$ scores on item FGa : ${\beta}$=-0.211 on item FNa). The sexual dysfunctions were positively correlated with the rise of 5-HT levels(r=0.209, p<0.05 on item D4 and r=0.241, p<0.05 on item D7), the higher age at onset(r=0.275, p<0.01 on item FNa : r=-0.202, p<0.05 on item FDa), the longer duration of illnesses(r=0.237, p<0.05 on item D6), the longer duration of admission(r=0.234, p<0.05 on item D4 : r=0.328, p<0.05 on item D6), the longer total duration of medication(r=0.237, p<0.05 on item D6). However, age, education, religion, economic status, PRL, TST levels, antipsychotics dosage, potency, benztropine, ACSE, CGI, BPRS, PANSS, PANSS-CF, MMSE-K scores were not correlated with increased sexual dysfunctions. Conclusions : Male schizophrenics have significantly more sexual dysfunction to compare with controls. The higher frequencies of sexual dysfunctions were low sexual desire and erectile disorder. The unmarried, higher age at onset, and longer duration of diseases were positively correlated with increased sexual dysfunctions. Also high 5-HT levels were positively correlated with increased sexual dysfunctions. This means that studies of plasma 5-HT levels, albeit questionable indicators of central 5-HT function, offer some additional support for the association of sexual dysfunction with excess 5-HT activity as primary pathology of schizophrenia. Our findings suggest that excess 5-HT activity seems to affect the patient's sexual function.

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