Showing papers by "Robin M. Murray published in 1990"

Does personality predict long-term outcome in depression?

Abstract: In 1965/66, a consecutive series of 89 in-patients with depression were interviewed, given two personality tests (the EPI and LOI), and were accorded a score on a neurotic-psychotic continuum (DI). Eighteen years later, the series was followed up and the predictive power of the original data was determined. High neuroticism scores on the EPI on recovery and particularly when ill but referring to the pre-morbid state were associated with poor overall outcome and chronicity. High obsessional interference scores on the LOI on recovery were also associated with poor long-term outcome, impaired social adjustment, more time spent in hospital, and with the subsequent development of schizophrenic or schizoaffective episodes. High psychotic scores on the DI were also associated with poor long-term outcome, a greater length of time spent in hospital, and with bipolar affective disorder, and this effect was independent of the personality measures.

Can brain damage protect against schizophrenia? A case report of twins.

Abstract: In a pair of male monozygotic twins discordant for schizophrenia, MRI revealed no abnormality in the ill proband, but extensive white-matter damage of likely congenital origin in the psychiatrically normal twin. These findings are difficult to reconcile with multifactorial models of schizophrenia, and raise the possibility that some forms of brain damage may preclude expression of the schizophrenia genotype.

A neurodevelopmental perspective on some epiphenomena of schizophrenia

Abstract: Although both Kraepelin and Eugene Bleuler believed that schizophrenia was usually a deteriorating disorder, influential voices now question this. For example, Manfred Bleuler[1] estimated that 25% of his cases recovered completely, 50% ran a fluctuating course, while only 10% showed severe and permanent impairment. Several other follow-up studies have shown a more benign outcome than the traditional view would have predicted[2–4]. This has lead Zubin[5] to dispute the existence of any underlying disease process, and to postulate instead a ‘vulnerability model’ in which the schizophrenic individual is seen as characterised by some permanent predisposition to episodes of illness.

White matter abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging in bipolar patients.

Abstract: To the Editor.— In their recent article, Dupont et al stressed the importance of small focal white matter hyperintensities in bipolar disorder; these were absent in their control group but present in half of their patients. Although these focal abnormalities may reflect some disease, we wish to caution against the idea that they are not present in apparently healthy controls. As part of a magnetic resonance imaging study of schizophrenia, we collected data on 36 healthy controls and found similar small discrete abnormalities in seven people. These controls were matched to the patients by being taken from a similar parental social class, as well as being matched for age, sex, and race. All controls were younger than 50 years of age and had no history of neurologic or major psychiatric disorders, treated hypertension, systemic illness, or head injuries requiring hospital admission. The mean alcohol intake was less than 8 units