E. Strauss, W. Stevenson
May 1, 1955
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Influential Citations
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Journal
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry
Abstract
Having made a preliminary survey of the effect of dehydroisoandrosterone in selected cases of schizophrenia and schizoid psychopathy we decided to investigate a selected group of 11 patients who, irrespective of age, exhibited constitutional immaturity (especially at the emotional level) and who appeared to be inadequate but not psychotic. The patients had previously received psychiatric treatment of one sort or another, but all psychotherapy was avoided so far as possible during treatment, except in Cases 8 and 9 : interviews were restricted to the recording of subjective and objective findings. Preliminary investigations always included a routine physical examination and urine test, and, where possible, the total 24-hour 1 7-ketosteroid output, together with an evaluation of the alpha and beta factors, was estimated. (In quite a number of cases the total was low, or the beta factor diminished.) Estimations of the white cell count, differential count, weight, and blood pressure were done in some cases before treatment, and repeated at intervals during treatment, together with a repetition of the total 17-ketosteroid estimation. Wherever possible a Rorschach test was carried out before treatment and repeated after a significant period of medication. Organon Laboratories supplied tablets, each containing 10 mg. of epi-dehydroandrosterone, the alternative chemical designation of dehydroisoandrosterone, under the trade name of " diandrone". The cases have been grouped in accordance with their type of response to treatment.