O transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (TOC) é um transtorno psiquiátrico freqüentemente crônico caracterizado pela presença de obsessões e/ou compulsões. Tratamentos de primeira linha, que incluem os inibidores seletivos da recaptura de serotonina (ISRS) e a terapia cognitivocomportamental com técnicas de exposição e prevenção de respostas não conseguem melhora satisfatória em até 40% dos pacientes. Para estes casos, existem evidências que apóiam o uso de antipsicóticos como a quetiapina, na potencialização dos ISRS. No entanto, os antipsicóticos são eficazes para apenas um terço dos pacientes e estão associados a eventos adversos preocupantes no longo prazo. Este estudo tem como objetivo comparar a eficácia da potencialização do ISRS fluoxetina com a clomipramina, um inibidor de recaptura da serotonina não-seletivo, ou quetiapina, versus placebo. Para inclusão neste estudo, os pacientes precisavam: relatar os sintomas de TOC como sendo seu problema principal; estar em uso da dose máxima tolerada ou recomendada de fluoxetina por pelo menos oito semanas; ter um escore total na escala Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Scale (YBOCS) de pelo menos 16; e ter tido uma redução do escore inicial da YBOCS menor do que 35% após tratamento com fluoxetina. Os pacientes (N=54) foram alocados por meio de um método de minimização em três grupos: quetiapina (até 200mg/dia) com fluoxetina (até 40mg/dia) (QTP/FLX) (N=18); clomipramina (até 75mg/dia) com fluoxetina (até 40mg/dia) (CMI/FLX) (N=18); e placebo com dose máxima de fluoxetina (até 80mg/dia) (PLC/FLX) (N=18). Avaliadores cegos obtiveram os escores da YBOCS nas semanas 0 e 12. As análises foram realizadas por intenção de tratar, com imputação do tipo hot-deck para os dados faltantes. Teste de Wald por ANCOVA não paramétrico para medidas ordinais repetidas foi utilizado para avaliar efeitos de grupo, tempo e interação para os resultados da YBOCS e desfechos secundários, tendo as medidas iniciais como co-variáveis. Os resultados da impressão clínica global de melhora (ICG-M) foram utilizados para classificar os pacientes como respondedores ou não-respondedores. O teste qui-quadrado foi utilizado para avaliar a freqüência de respondedores em cada grupo. Foram feitos gráficos de percentis e análises de sensibilidade. Quarenta pacientes (74%) completaram o seguimento. Não foram observados efeitos adversos graves. Pacientes dos grupos PLC/FLX (YBOCS final: média=10, DP=4; redução em relação ao inicial: média=49%, DP=0.49) e CMI/FLX (YBOCS final: média=10, DP=4; redução em relação ao inicial: média=46%, DP=0.51) melhoraram significativamente e tiveram uma melhor resposta quando comparados aos do grupo QTP/FLX (YBOCS final: média=13, DP=3; redução em relação ao inicial: média=18%, DP=0.20; p=0.001). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas para as medidas secundárias. Os gráficos de percentis confirmaram que os pacientes do grupo QTP/FLX pioraram com maior freqüência e melhoraram menos do que os pacientes dos outros dois grupos. Análises de sensibilidade demonstraram que outros métodos de análise não modificaram significativamente os resultados. Este é o primeiro estudo duplo-cego controlado de potencialização de ISRS com clomipramina em TOC e também o primeiro a comparar a eficácia de potencialização com quetiapina à de outro potencializador. Limitações deste estudo incluem o uso de doses baixas dos potencializadores, taxas de abandono diferentes para os três grupos e período curto de seguimento. Apesar dessas limitações, nossos resultados apóiam o uso da clomipramina como potencializador (principalmente para aqueles que não toleram doses altas de fluoxetina) e o aumento do período de seguimento com fluoxetina em dose máxima antes de uma potencialização medicamentosa ser tentada / Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) manifests often as a chronic illness and is characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions. Firstline treatment options, which include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and cognitive-behavior therapy with exposure and response prevention techniques, fail to achieve a satisfactory response in up to 40% of patients. Current evidence supports the augmentation of SSRI with antipsychotics, such as quetiapine. However, anti-psychotics are effective for only one-third of the patients and have been associated with severe long term side effects. This study aimed to compare clomipramine and quetiapine augmentation of the SSRI fluoxetine. Previously to the beginning of this trial all patients had to: report OCD as they primary diagnosis, be taking the highest tolerated or recommended dose of fluoxetine for at least eight weeks, have a current Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) total of at least 16, and have had a reduction of less than 35% of the initial total YBOCS score with fluoxetine treatment. Fifty-four patients were allocated trough a minimization procedure in one of three arms: quetiapine (up to 200 mg/day) plus fluoxetine (up to 40 mg/day) (QTP/FLX) (N=18), clomipramine (up to 75 mg/day) plus fluoxetine (up to 40 mg/day) (CMI/FLX) (N=18) and 18 placebo plus sustained maximum dose fluoxetine (up to 80 mg/day) (PLC/FLX) (N=18). Blinded raters collected YBOCS scores at weeks 0 and 12. Analyses were made with intention-to-treat and hot-deck imputation of missing data. Wald statistics from non-parametric ANCOVA for ordinal categorical repeated measures were used to evaluate group, time and interaction effects for YBOCS scores and secondary outcome measures considering initial measures as covariates. Clinical Global Impression scores of improvement (CGI-I) were used to classify individuals in responders or non-responders. Chi-square was used to evaluate frequency of responders in each group. Percentile-plots were built and sensitivity analyses were performed. Completion rate was 74% (N=40). No severe adverse events occurred during the trial. Patients from the PLC/FLX (final YBOCS score: mean=10, SD=4; reduction from initial YBOCS score: mean=49%, SD=0.49) and CMI/FLX (final YBOCS score: mean=10, SD=4; reduction from initial YBOCS score: mean=46%, SD=0.51) groups improved significantly and also had a significantly better response than the ones from the QTP/FLX group (final YBOCS score: mean=13, SD=3; reduction from initial YBOCS score: mean=18%, SD=0.20; p=0.001). No significant differences were evident for secondary outcome measures. Percentile plots confirmed that patients in the QTP/FLX group got worse more often or improved less than in the other two groups. Sensitivity analyses showed that other analytical methods did not significantly change results. This is the first double-blind placebo-controlled trial of clomipramine augmentation and the first to compare quetiapine augmentation with another active augmenter. Limitations of our trial include the use of low dose of augmenters, differential drop-out rates for each treatment arm and short period of follow-up. Despite these limitations, our results support the use of clomipramine as an augmentation strategy (mainly for those who do not tolerate higher doses of fluoxetine) and the prorogation of the period of maximum dose of fluoxetine before an augmentation is tried

Introdução: O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a eficácia da estimulação magnética transcraniana de repetição (EMTr) em freqüência excitatória, aplicada ao córtex pré-frontal dorsolateral direito (CPFDLd), quando adicionada ao tratamento vigente de pacientes com transtorno obsessivocompulsivo (TOC) resistente. Método: 30 pacientes com TOC resistente ao tratamento foram alocados aleatoriamente para receber EMTr ativa ou placebo, sendo que a condição de tratamento permaneceu oculta para pacientes e avaliador. O tratamento vigente permaneceu estável por ao menos 8 semanas. A EMTr foi realizada com uma bobina em formato de oito à freqüência de 10Hz, com 110% do limiar motor em 30 sessões diárias de 40 séries de 5 segundos com 25 segundos de intervalo. A gravidade dos sintomas foi avaliada inicialmente, após 2 e 6 semanas de tratamento e 2 e 6 semanas de seguimento com a escala de Yale-Brown para avaliação de sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos (Y-BOCS), Escala de Impressão Clínica Global (CGI), Escala de Hamilton para ansiedade (HAM-A), Escala de Hamilton para depressão com 17 itens (HAM-D17), e inventário SF-36 de qualidade de vida. A medida primária de eficácia foi definida como redução de 30% ou mais nos escores da Y-BOCS e avaliação melhor ou muito melhor na sub-escala de melhora clínica da CGI ao término do seguimento. Resultados: A análise da medida primária de eficácia revelou que apenas um paciente em cada grupo preencheu critérios de resposta para o tratamento com EMTr (P=1.00). A análise de medidas repetidas dos escores de Y-BOCS mostrou um efeito significativo do tempo (F=7.33, P=0.002). Entretanto, não foi observada diferença entre os grupos ou interação grupo/tempo. A análise de medidas repetidas da CGI (gravidade), HAM-D17 e HAM-A também mostrou efeito significativo do tempo (P<0.001, =0.001 e <0.001 respectivamente), novamente sem diferença significativa entre os grupos ou interação. Conclusão: EMTr excitatória aplicada ao CPFDLd de pacientes com TOC resistente ao tratamento não foi diferente de placebo na redução de sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos ou melhora da impressão clínica global. Entretanto, ocorreu uma resposta placebo significativa / Introduction: The present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of added excitatory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), applied to the right dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in patients with treatment resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Methods: 30 treatment resistant OCD outpatients were randomized to receive either active or sham rTMS, remaining both patients and rater blind to treatment condition. Baseline treatment was kept stable for at least 8 weeks, and rTMS was performed with a figure-of-eight coil at 10Hz, 110% of motor threshold at 30 daily sessions of 40 trains of 5 seconds with 25 seconds interval. Symptom severity was determined at baseline and after 2 and 6 weeks of treatment and further 2 and 6 weeks of follow-up, using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D17) and SF-36 quality of life inventory. The primary outcome measure was defined as 30% or more improvement in Y-BOCS scores and a much improved or improved score at the CGIimprovement subscale by the end of follow up. Results: The analysis of primary outcome measure revealed that only one patient on each group met response criteria for treatment with rTMS (P=1.00). Repeated-measures analysis of Y-BOCS scores showed a significant effect of time (F=7.33, P=0.002). However, no significant group effect or group by time interaction was observed. Repeated measures analysis of CGI (severity), HAM-D17 and HAM-A also showed a significant effect of time (P<0.001, =0.001 and <0.001 respectively) with no significant group effect or group by time interaction. Conclusion: Excitatory rTMS delivered to the rDLPFC of treatment resistant OCD patients was not different from placebo in reducing obsessive-compulsive symptoms or improving clinical global impression. However, a significant placebo response occurred

O transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (TOC) é um transtorno psiquiátrico freqüentemente crônico caracterizado pela presença de obsessões e/ou compulsões. Tratamentos de primeira linha, que incluem os inibidores seletivos da recaptura de serotonina (ISRS) e a terapia cognitivocomportamental com técnicas de exposição e prevenção de respostas não conseguem melhora satisfatória em até 40% dos pacientes. Para estes casos, existem evidências que apóiam o uso de antipsicóticos como a quetiapina, na potencialização dos ISRS. No entanto, os antipsicóticos são eficazes para apenas um terço dos pacientes e estão associados a eventos adversos preocupantes no longo prazo. Este estudo tem como objetivo comparar a eficácia da potencialização do ISRS fluoxetina com a clomipramina, um inibidor de recaptura da serotonina não-seletivo, ou quetiapina, versus placebo. Para inclusão neste estudo, os pacientes precisavam: relatar os sintomas de TOC como sendo seu problema principal; estar em uso da dose máxima tolerada ou recomendada de fluoxetina por pelo menos oito semanas; ter um escore total na escala Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder Scale (YBOCS) de pelo menos 16; e ter tido uma redução do escore inicial da YBOCS menor do que 35% após tratamento com fluoxetina. Os pacientes (N=54) foram alocados por meio de um método de minimização em três grupos: quetiapina (até 200mg/dia) com fluoxetina (até 40mg/dia) (QTP/FLX) (N=18); clomipramina (até 75mg/dia) com fluoxetina (até 40mg/dia) (CMI/FLX) (N=18); e placebo com dose máxima de fluoxetina (até 80mg/dia) (PLC/FLX) (N=18). Avaliadores cegos obtiveram os escores da YBOCS nas semanas 0 e 12. As análises foram realizadas por intenção de tratar, com imputação do tipo hot-deck para os dados faltantes. Teste de Wald por ANCOVA não paramétrico para medidas ordinais repetidas foi utilizado para avaliar efeitos de grupo, tempo e interação para os resultados da YBOCS e desfechos secundários, tendo as medidas iniciais como co-variáveis. Os resultados da impressão clínica global de melhora (ICG-M) foram utilizados para classificar os pacientes como respondedores ou não-respondedores. O teste qui-quadrado foi utilizado para avaliar a freqüência de respondedores em cada grupo. Foram feitos gráficos de percentis e análises de sensibilidade. Quarenta pacientes (74%) completaram o seguimento. Não foram observados efeitos adversos graves. Pacientes dos grupos PLC/FLX (YBOCS final: média=10, DP=4; redução em relação ao inicial: média=49%, DP=0.49) e CMI/FLX (YBOCS final: média=10, DP=4; redução em relação ao inicial: média=46%, DP=0.51) melhoraram significativamente e tiveram uma melhor resposta quando comparados aos do grupo QTP/FLX (YBOCS final: média=13, DP=3; redução em relação ao inicial: média=18%, DP=0.20; p=0.001). Não foram encontradas diferenças significativas para as medidas secundárias. Os gráficos de percentis confirmaram que os pacientes do grupo QTP/FLX pioraram com maior freqüência e melhoraram menos do que os pacientes dos outros dois grupos. Análises de sensibilidade demonstraram que outros métodos de análise não modificaram significativamente os resultados. Este é o primeiro estudo duplo-cego controlado de potencialização de ISRS com clomipramina em TOC e também o primeiro a comparar a eficácia de potencialização com quetiapina à de outro potencializador. Limitações deste estudo incluem o uso de doses baixas dos potencializadores, taxas de abandono diferentes para os três grupos e período curto de seguimento. Apesar dessas limitações, nossos resultados apóiam o uso da clomipramina como potencializador (principalmente para aqueles que não toleram doses altas de fluoxetina) e o aumento do período de seguimento com fluoxetina em dose máxima antes de uma potencialização medicamentosa ser tentada / Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) manifests often as a chronic illness and is characterized by the presence of obsessions and compulsions. Firstline treatment options, which include selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) and cognitive-behavior therapy with exposure and response prevention techniques, fail to achieve a satisfactory response in up to 40% of patients. Current evidence supports the augmentation of SSRI with antipsychotics, such as quetiapine. However, anti-psychotics are effective for only one-third of the patients and have been associated with severe long term side effects. This study aimed to compare clomipramine and quetiapine augmentation of the SSRI fluoxetine. Previously to the beginning of this trial all patients had to: report OCD as they primary diagnosis, be taking the highest tolerated or recommended dose of fluoxetine for at least eight weeks, have a current Yale Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS) total of at least 16, and have had a reduction of less than 35% of the initial total YBOCS score with fluoxetine treatment. Fifty-four patients were allocated trough a minimization procedure in one of three arms: quetiapine (up to 200 mg/day) plus fluoxetine (up to 40 mg/day) (QTP/FLX) (N=18), clomipramine (up to 75 mg/day) plus fluoxetine (up to 40 mg/day) (CMI/FLX) (N=18) and 18 placebo plus sustained maximum dose fluoxetine (up to 80 mg/day) (PLC/FLX) (N=18). Blinded raters collected YBOCS scores at weeks 0 and 12. Analyses were made with intention-to-treat and hot-deck imputation of missing data. Wald statistics from non-parametric ANCOVA for ordinal categorical repeated measures were used to evaluate group, time and interaction effects for YBOCS scores and secondary outcome measures considering initial measures as covariates. Clinical Global Impression scores of improvement (CGI-I) were used to classify individuals in responders or non-responders. Chi-square was used to evaluate frequency of responders in each group. Percentile-plots were built and sensitivity analyses were performed. Completion rate was 74% (N=40). No severe adverse events occurred during the trial. Patients from the PLC/FLX (final YBOCS score: mean=10, SD=4; reduction from initial YBOCS score: mean=49%, SD=0.49) and CMI/FLX (final YBOCS score: mean=10, SD=4; reduction from initial YBOCS score: mean=46%, SD=0.51) groups improved significantly and also had a significantly better response than the ones from the QTP/FLX group (final YBOCS score: mean=13, SD=3; reduction from initial YBOCS score: mean=18%, SD=0.20; p=0.001). No significant differences were evident for secondary outcome measures. Percentile plots confirmed that patients in the QTP/FLX group got worse more often or improved less than in the other two groups. Sensitivity analyses showed that other analytical methods did not significantly change results. This is the first double-blind placebo-controlled trial of clomipramine augmentation and the first to compare quetiapine augmentation with another active augmenter. Limitations of our trial include the use of low dose of augmenters, differential drop-out rates for each treatment arm and short period of follow-up. Despite these limitations, our results support the use of clomipramine as an augmentation strategy (mainly for those who do not tolerate higher doses of fluoxetine) and the prorogation of the period of maximum dose of fluoxetine before an augmentation is tried

No description available.

No description available.

L’objectif de cette étude était de démontrer que le léchage excessif de surface (LES) chez le chien représente un signe clinique d’un trouble digestif sous-jacent plutôt qu’un trouble obsessionnel compulsif. Vingt chiens présentés pour LES (groupe L) ont été divisés en 2 sous-groupes de 10 chiens chacun : L0, sans, et LD, avec des signes cliniques digestifs concomitants. Dix chiens en santé ont été assignés à un groupe contrôle (groupe C). Une évaluation comportementale complète, un examen physique et neurologique ont été réalisés avant un bilan diagnostic gastro-intestinal (GI) complet (hématologie, biochimie, analyse urinaire, mesure des acides biliaires pré et post-prandiaux et de l’immunoréactivité spécifique de la lipase pancréatique canine, flottaison fécale au sulfate de zinc, culture de selles, échographie abdominale et endoscopie GI haute avec prise de biopsies). En fonction des résultats, un interniste recommandait un traitement approprié. Les chiens étaient suivis pendant 90 jours durant lesquels le comportement de léchage était enregistré. Des troubles GI ont été identifiés chez 14/20 chiens du groupe L. Ces troubles GI sous-jacents incluaient une infiltration éosinophilique du tractus GI, une infiltration lymphoplasmocytaire du tractus GI, un retard de vidange gastrique, un syndrome du côlon irritable, une pancréatite chronique, un corps étranger gastrique et une giardiose. Une amélioration >50% en fréquence ou en durée par rapport au comportement de léchage initial a été observée chez une majorité de chiens (56%). La moitié des chiens ont complètement cessé le LES. En dehors du LES, il n’y avait pas de différence significative de comportement (p.ex. anxiété), entre les chiens L et les chiens C. Les troubles GI doivent être considérés dans le diagnostic différentiel du LES chez le chien. / The objective of this study was to characterize excessive licking of surfaces (ELS) in dogs and demonstrate that it can be a sign of underlying gastrointestinal (GI) pathology rather than an obsessive-compulsive disorder. Twenty dogs presented with ELS (L group) were divided in 2 subgroups of 10 dogs each: L0 without and LD with concomitant digestive signs. Ten healthy dogs were assigned to a control group (C group). Behavioral, physical and neurological examinations were performed prior to a complete work-up of the GI system (CBC, serum chemistry panel, urinalysis, assessment of total serum bile acids and canine specific pancreatic lipase immunoreactivity, fecal flotation by zinc sulfate, fecal culture, abdominal ultrasonography and upper GI endoscopy with biopsies). Based on results, appropriate treatment was recommended. Dogs were monitored subsequently for 90 days during which the licking behavior was recorded. Gastrointestinal disorders were identified in14/20 L dogs. Underlying GI disorders included eosinophilic infiltration of the GI tract, lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of the GI tract, delayed gastric emptying, irritable bowel syndrome, chronic pancreatitis, gastric foreign body and giardiasis. Significant improvement (>50%) in frequency or duration of the basal ELS behavior was observed in the majority of dogs (56%). Resolution of ELS occurred in half of the L dogs. Except for ELS, there was no significant difference in the behavior (e.g. anxiety) of L dogs and C dogs. GI disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis of ELS in dogs

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Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric condition that is characterized by two main symptom cohorts, namely recurrent inappropriate thoughts (obsessions) and seemingly purposeless repetitive motor actions (compulsions). In 70% of cases, the condition only re–sponds to chronic, but not sub–chronic, high dose treatment with the selective serotonin reup–take inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine and escitalopram. This indicates a role for hyposero–tonergic functioning in the primary brain areas involved in OCD, namely the components of the cortico–striatal–thalamic–cortical (CSTC) circuit which include the prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and the thalamus. A number of studies have demonstrated a lower serotonin trans–porter (SERT) availability in OCD patients compared with healthy controls, supporting the hy–pothesis of a hyposerotonergic state in OCD. The current study focuses on the validation of the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) model of OCD and builds on previous work done in our laboratory. Deer mice that are bred and housed in confinement naturally develop two main forms of stereotypical behaviour, namely vertical jumping and pattern running. Furthermore, these behaviours can be catego–rized into various levels of severity, namely high (HSB), low (LSB) and non–stereotypic (NSB) cohorts. The seemingly purposeless and repetitive nature of these behaviours mimics the com–pulsions that characterize human OCD and constitutes the basis for the face validity of the model. However, although these two forms of stereotypy seem equally repetitive and persis–tent, stereotypical pattern runners do not complete the required number of cage revolutions per 30 minutes compared to the amount of jumps executed by stereotypical vertical jumpers. As only one set of criteria for the appraisal of the different topographies of deer mouse stereotypy has been applied in previous studies, the matter of whether pattern runners do in fact generate stereotypical behaviour of the same persistent and severe nature as opposed to the behaviour expressed by vertical jumpers, is problematic. Therefore, the first objective of the current study was to develop a new classification system for the appraisal of the different forms of behavioural topographies of deer mice and subse–quently to evaluate whether pattern runners can indeed be categorized into non–, low– and high stereotypical cohorts. After an eight–week behavioural assessment period, deer mice express–ing the two different behavioural topographies could be classified into non–, low– and high stereotypical cohorts (NSB, LSB, and HSB respectively), applying different criteria for each be–havioural topography. Based on the weekly mean stereotypy count generated during three 30–minute intervals of highest stereotypical behaviour over the course of a 12–hour assessment period, HSB pattern runners were found to execute on average 296 cage revolutions per 30 minutes, while HSB vertical jumpers executed an average of 3063 jumps per 30 minutes. This discrepancy between the generated numbers of the different topographies of stereotypy indi–cates that one classification system for the appraisal of both behavioural topographies is indeed inappropriate, and hence requires re–evaluation and validation. As patients with OCD present with a lower central SERT availability compared to healthy controls, the second objective of the study was to determine whether a decrease in SERT den–sity could be demonstrated in HSB animals compared to the NSB and LSB controls. After eight weeks of behavioural assessment, animals were sacrificed and frontal–cortical and striatal SERT binding was performed. HSB deer mice presented with significantly lower striatal, but not fron–tal–cortical SERT availability compared to the [NSB/LSB] control animals (p = 0.0009). As far as it concerns a lower SERT availability in HSB animals and involvement of the CSTC circuitry, this data is congruent with that demonstrated in human OCD and strengthens the construct validity of the model. Although previous studies undertaken in our laboratory demonstrated that deer mouse stereotypy is attenuated after chronic (21–day) fluoxetine administration, OCD only responds to chronic, but not sub–chronic treatment with the SSRIs. The lack of response of deer mouse stereotypy to sub–chronic treatment has not been established and therefore the third study ob–jective was to assess the behavioural effects of sub–chronic (7–day) and chronic (28–day) SSRI treatment on expression of deer mouse stereotypy. Chronic, but not sub–chronic treatment with oral escitalopram (50 mg/kg/day) significantly increased the number of intervals over a 12–hour assessment period during which no stereotypical behaviour were expressed by HSB deer mice (p = 0.0241) and decreased the number of intervals during which high–stereotypical be–haviour were executed (p = 0.0054). Neither chronic, nor sub–chronic treatment significantly affected the behaviour of animals in the [NSB/LSB] cohort. The fact that the model demon–strates a lack of response to sub–chronic treatment with high dose SSRIs, positively contributes to the predictive validity of the deer mouse model of OCD. The results from the current study therefore strengthens the construct and predictive valid–ity of the deer mouse model of OCD and confirm the model’s status as a prominent animal model of OCD. Not only is hyposerotonergic functioning in the CSTC circuitry implicated in the behaviour of HSB animals, but the model also demonstrates selective response to chronic SSRI–treatment - two core characteristics of human OCD. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmacology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a psychiatric condition that is characterized by two main symptom cohorts, namely recurrent inappropriate thoughts (obsessions) and seemingly purposeless repetitive motor actions (compulsions). In 70% of cases, the condition only re–sponds to chronic, but not sub–chronic, high dose treatment with the selective serotonin reup–take inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine and escitalopram. This indicates a role for hyposero–tonergic functioning in the primary brain areas involved in OCD, namely the components of the cortico–striatal–thalamic–cortical (CSTC) circuit which include the prefrontal cortex, the basal ganglia, and the thalamus. A number of studies have demonstrated a lower serotonin trans–porter (SERT) availability in OCD patients compared with healthy controls, supporting the hy–pothesis of a hyposerotonergic state in OCD. The current study focuses on the validation of the deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii) model of OCD and builds on previous work done in our laboratory. Deer mice that are bred and housed in confinement naturally develop two main forms of stereotypical behaviour, namely vertical jumping and pattern running. Furthermore, these behaviours can be catego–rized into various levels of severity, namely high (HSB), low (LSB) and non–stereotypic (NSB) cohorts. The seemingly purposeless and repetitive nature of these behaviours mimics the com–pulsions that characterize human OCD and constitutes the basis for the face validity of the model. However, although these two forms of stereotypy seem equally repetitive and persis–tent, stereotypical pattern runners do not complete the required number of cage revolutions per 30 minutes compared to the amount of jumps executed by stereotypical vertical jumpers. As only one set of criteria for the appraisal of the different topographies of deer mouse stereotypy has been applied in previous studies, the matter of whether pattern runners do in fact generate stereotypical behaviour of the same persistent and severe nature as opposed to the behaviour expressed by vertical jumpers, is problematic. Therefore, the first objective of the current study was to develop a new classification system for the appraisal of the different forms of behavioural topographies of deer mice and subse–quently to evaluate whether pattern runners can indeed be categorized into non–, low– and high stereotypical cohorts. After an eight–week behavioural assessment period, deer mice express–ing the two different behavioural topographies could be classified into non–, low– and high stereotypical cohorts (NSB, LSB, and HSB respectively), applying different criteria for each be–havioural topography. Based on the weekly mean stereotypy count generated during three 30–minute intervals of highest stereotypical behaviour over the course of a 12–hour assessment period, HSB pattern runners were found to execute on average 296 cage revolutions per 30 minutes, while HSB vertical jumpers executed an average of 3063 jumps per 30 minutes. This discrepancy between the generated numbers of the different topographies of stereotypy indi–cates that one classification system for the appraisal of both behavioural topographies is indeed inappropriate, and hence requires re–evaluation and validation. As patients with OCD present with a lower central SERT availability compared to healthy controls, the second objective of the study was to determine whether a decrease in SERT den–sity could be demonstrated in HSB animals compared to the NSB and LSB controls. After eight weeks of behavioural assessment, animals were sacrificed and frontal–cortical and striatal SERT binding was performed. HSB deer mice presented with significantly lower striatal, but not fron–tal–cortical SERT availability compared to the [NSB/LSB] control animals (p = 0.0009). As far as it concerns a lower SERT availability in HSB animals and involvement of the CSTC circuitry, this data is congruent with that demonstrated in human OCD and strengthens the construct validity of the model. Although previous studies undertaken in our laboratory demonstrated that deer mouse stereotypy is attenuated after chronic (21–day) fluoxetine administration, OCD only responds to chronic, but not sub–chronic treatment with the SSRIs. The lack of response of deer mouse stereotypy to sub–chronic treatment has not been established and therefore the third study ob–jective was to assess the behavioural effects of sub–chronic (7–day) and chronic (28–day) SSRI treatment on expression of deer mouse stereotypy. Chronic, but not sub–chronic treatment with oral escitalopram (50 mg/kg/day) significantly increased the number of intervals over a 12–hour assessment period during which no stereotypical behaviour were expressed by HSB deer mice (p = 0.0241) and decreased the number of intervals during which high–stereotypical be–haviour were executed (p = 0.0054). Neither chronic, nor sub–chronic treatment significantly affected the behaviour of animals in the [NSB/LSB] cohort. The fact that the model demon–strates a lack of response to sub–chronic treatment with high dose SSRIs, positively contributes to the predictive validity of the deer mouse model of OCD. The results from the current study therefore strengthens the construct and predictive valid–ity of the deer mouse model of OCD and confirm the model’s status as a prominent animal model of OCD. Not only is hyposerotonergic functioning in the CSTC circuitry implicated in the behaviour of HSB animals, but the model also demonstrates selective response to chronic SSRI–treatment - two core characteristics of human OCD. / Thesis (M.Sc. (Pharmacology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Estudos evidenciam a eficácia da terapia cognitivo-comportamental em grupo (TCCG) para pacientes com transtorno de pânico (TP) e para pacientes com transtorno obsessivo-compulsivo (TOC). O processo das terapias em grupo é complexo e apresentam fatores considerados terapêuticos por facilitarem novas aprendizagens. Entretanto, estudos sobre o processo terapêutico de TCCG ainda são escassos. Os objetivos deste estudo foram: avaliar o efeito dos fatores terapêuticos na resposta à TCCG para pacientes com TP e para pacientes com TOC; identificar e relacionar os fatores terapêuticos que ocorrem na TCCG com a fase e as técnicas cognitivo-comportamentais. Trata-se de um ensaio clínico de 12 sessões de TCCG para TP e para TOC. A gravidade dos sintomas foi avaliada antes e depois da TCCG. Em pacientes com TP, utilizou-se a Escala de gravidade do TP (PDSS), a Impressão Clínica Global (CGI), a Hamilton Ansiedade (HAM-A) e o Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI). Em pacientes com TOC, a gravidade específica foi avaliada pela Escala Obsessivo-Compulsivo de Yale-Brown (Y-BOCS) e pela CGI, bem como pela HAM-A e pelo BDI. O Questionário de Fatores Terapêuticos de Yalom foi aplicado no final de cada sessão para avaliar os 12 fatores: altruísmo, coesão, universalidade, aprendizagem interpessoal-input, aprendizagem interpessoal-output, orientação, catarse, identificação, redefinição familiar, autocompreensão, instilação de esperança e fatores existenciais. O estudo foi aprovado pelo CEP/HCPA (nº 130400). Todos os pacientes assinaram o termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido. A amostra foi composta por 31 pacientes, sendo 16 no grupo do TP com idade média de 36,2(DP=9,98) anos e 15 pacientes no grupo do TOC com idade média de 37,4(DP=11,10) anos. Os fatores terapêuticos totalizaram 192 observações no grupo do TP e 180 no grupo do TOC. Houve melhora significativa da gravidade dos sintomas de ansiedade, depressivos e específicos comparados com a avaliação inicial em ambos os grupos (p<0,001). Oito fatores foram considerados de utilidade significativa para os pacientes ao longo das sessões do grupo do TP. Observou-se interação significativa no grupo dos pacientes com TP entre o efeito do fator reedição familiar na melhora dos sintomas de ansiedade e depressivos. Os fatores existenciais foram significativos com a melhora dos sintomas depressivos e com os específicos do TP verificado pela PDSS. Quanto à CGI no TP, não se verificou interação significativa com nenhum fator terapêutico. No grupo de pacientes com TOC, os fatores considerados mais úteis foram dois. Constatou-se interação significativa no grupo do TOC entre o efeito de nove fatores e a melhora dos sintomas de ansiedade, porém nenhuma interção com sintomas depressivos. Também houve interação significativa entre a melhora dos sintomas obsessivo-compulsivos verificado pela YBOCS com altruísmo, universalidade, aprendizagem interpessoal-input e output, reedição familiar, autocompreensão e fatores existenciais. Quanto à CGI no TOC, houve interação significativa com os fatores aprendizagem interpessoal-input, autocompreensão e fatores existenciais. Os resultados demonstram que fatores terapêuticos de grupo influenciam positivamente a resposta da TCCG para ambos os grupos. Contudo, existem diferenças de efeito a serem consideradas para que haja melhor compreensão do processo terapêutico e aprimoramento da terapia de grupo. / Studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral group therapy (CBGT) for patients with panic disorder (PD) and those with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). The group therapy process is complex and has factors deemed to be therapeutic, in that they facilitate new learning. However, studies on the CBGT therapeutic process are still scarce. The objectives of this study were: assess the effect of therapeutic factors in the response to CBGT of PD patients and OCD patients; identify and relate the therapeutic factors that occur in CBGT with the stage and cognitive-behavioral techniques. This study is a clinical trial involving 12 CBGT sessions for PD and OCD. Severity of symptoms was assessed before and after CBGT. In PD patients, the PD Severity Scale (PDSS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI), Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAM-A) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were used. In OCD patients, specific severity was assessed using the Yale-Brown Obsessive Compulsive Scale (Y-BOCS), CGI, HAM-A and BDI. Yalom's Curative Factors Questionnaire was administered at the end of each session to evaluate 12 factors, namely: altruism, cohesiveness, universality, interpersonal learning input, interpersonal learning output, guidance, catharsis, identification, family re-enactment, self-understanding, instillation of hope and existential factors. The study was approved by the CEP/HCPA (No. 130400). All patients signed a free and informed consent form. The sample consisted of 31 patients: 16 in the PD group with a mean age of 36.2 (SD=9.98) years and 15 patients in the OCD group with a mean age of 37.4 (SD=11.10) years. The therapeutic factors totaled 192 observations in the PD group and 180 in the OCD group. There was significant improvement in severity of symptoms of anxiety, depression and specific ones, compared to the baseline assessment in both groups (p<0.001). Eight factors were considered to provide significant benefits to patients over the course of the PD group sessions. There was significant interaction in the PD group related to the effect of the family re-enactment factor in improving the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Existential factors were significant in the improvement of depressive symptoms and PD-specific ones as seen with the PDSS. As far as CGI in the PD group, no significant interaction with any therapeutic factor was noted. In the OCD group, two factors were considered to be the most helpful. There was significant interaction in the OCD group between the effect of nine factors and improvement of the symptoms of anxiety. However, no interaction with depressive symptoms was noted. There was also significant interaction between improvement in obsessive-compulsive symptoms as seen with the YBOCS, in terms of altruism, universality, interpersonal learning input and output, family re-enactment, self-understanding and existential factors. With respect to CGI in the OCD group, there was significant interaction with the factors of interpersonal learning input, self-understanding and existential factors. The results show that group therapeutic factors positively influence the response to CBGT in both groups. However, there are differences of effect to be considered, in order to better understand the therapeutic process and improve group therapy. / Estudios evidencian la eficacia de la terapia cognitivo-actitudinal en grupo (TCCG) para pacientes con trastorno de pánico (TP) y para pacientes con trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo (TOC). El proceso de las terapias en grupo es complejo y presenta factores considerados terapéuticos por facilitar nuevos aprendizajes. Sin embargo, estudios sobre el proceso terapéutico de TCCG todavía son escasos. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: evaluar el efecto de los factores terapéuticos en la respuesta a la TCCG para pacientes con TP y para pacientes con TOC; identificar y relacionar los factores terapéuticos que ocurren en la TCCG con la etapa y las técnicas cognitivo-actitudinales. Se trata de un ensayo clínico de 12 sesiones de TCCG para TP y para TOC. La gravedad de los síntomas se la evaluó antes y después de la TCCG. En conjunto con TP, se utilizó la Escala de Gravedad del TP (PDSS), la Impresión Clínica Global (CGI), la Hamilton Ansiedad (HAM-A) y el Inventario de Depresión de Beck (BDI). En pacientes con TOC, la gravedad específica fue evaluada por la Escala Obsesivo-Compulsivo de Yale-Brown (Y-BOCS) y por la CGI, así como por la HAM-A y por el BDI. El cuestionario de factores terapéuticos de Yalom se aplicó al final de cada sesión para evaluar los 12 factores, a saber: altruismo, cohesión, universalidad, aprendizaje interpersonal-input aprendizaje interpersonal- output, orientación, catarsis, identificación, redefinición familiar, autocomprensión, instilación de esperanza y factores existenciales. El estudio lo aprobó el CEP/HCPA (nº 130400). Todos los pacientes firmaron el término de consentimiento libre y aclarado. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 31 pacientes, 16 en el grupo do TP con edad promedio de 36,2(DP=9,98) años y 15 pacientes en el grupo do TOC con promedio de edad de 37,4(DP=11,10) años. Los factores terapéuticos totalizaron 192 observaciones en el grupo del TP y 180 en el grupo del TOC. Hubo mejora significativa de la gravedad de los síntomas de ansiedad, depresivos y específicos comparados con la evaluación inicial en ambos grupos (p<0,001). Ocho factores fueron considerados de utilidad significativa para los pacientes a lo largo de las sesiones del grupo del TP. Se observó interacción significativa en el grupo de los pacientes con TP entre el efecto del factor reedición familiar en la mejora de los síntomas de ansiedad y depresivos. Los factores existenciales fueron significativos con la mejora de los síntomas depresivos y con los específicos del TP verificado por la PDSS. Cuanto a la CGI en el TP, no se verificó interacción significativa con ningún factor terapéutico. En el grupo de pacientes con TOC, los factores considerados más útiles fueron dos. Se constató interacción significativa en el grupo del TOC entre el efecto de nueve factores y la mejora de los síntomas de ansiedad, pero ninguna interacción con síntomas depresivos. También hubo interacción significativa entre la mejora de los síntomas obsesivo-compulsivos verificado por la YBOCS con altruismo, universalidad, aprendizaje interpersonal input y output reedición familiar, autocomprensión y factores existenciales. Cuanto a la CGI en el TOC, hubo interacción significativa con los factores aprendizaje interpersonal input, autocomprensión y factores existenciales. Los resultados demuestran que factores terapéuticos de grupo influyen positivamente la respuesta de la TCCG para ambos grupos. Sin embargo, existen diferencias de efecto a ser consideradas para que haya mejor comprensión del proceso terapéutico y perfeccionamiento de la terapia de grupo.