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Made comparison using MMPI T scores on three private psychiatric sub-populations: Post-trauma patients, patients with organically based illness, and patients with psychogenic pain (complaints functional in origin) (N = 78). The standard 3 validity and 10 clinical scales were used to evaluate possible differences among the groups. Differences were presented among the groups on scales 3 (Hy), 9 (Ma), and (F). Individual profiles also were assessed. In patients with a 1-3/3-1 profile, the psychogenic group had significantly higher elevation over the post-trauma and organic groups. In patients with 8 (Sc) or 9 (Ma) high both with and without 1-3/3-1 high, differences were found; the post-trauma and organic groups showed marked elevation over those in the psychogenic group. Results indicate the MMPI to be a viable aid in distinguishing between patients with post-trauma stress disorder vs. those with functional disorders. The data suggest that MMPI profiles of patients with post-trauma stress disorder more closely resemble the MMPI profiles of patients who have organic disease with pain caused by organic pathology than the profiles of patients with psychogenic pain and/or hypochondriasis.

An instrument capable of constant current stimulation of biological preparations is described. The device can be automatically programmed in an on-line manner by a digital computer or special purpose logic. Experiments are freed of the time consuming and error producing task of continually monitoring experimental situations. Several biological uses of this instrument are discussed.

Examined the relationship of the MMPI high-point codes and the diagnostic system of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual III of the American Psychiatric Association. Five psychiatrists reanalyzed the patients' records and rendered a DSM-III diagnosis. In all, 24 code types were identified from the private psychiatric clinic sample (N = 261). The resulting clusters of diagnostic classification are presented, and, additionally, a narrative summation for each code type is given.

Estradiol treatment reduces liver COMT activity in normal but not in hypophysectomized rats. Removal of ovary, thyroid or adrenal partially overcame the effect of estradiol in decreasing liver COMT.

The properties of a methionine-activating enzyme in human erythrocytes and those of other species are described. Several compounds were examined for their capacity to inhibit the enzyme. Electrophoretic mobility of the enzyme from human and animal tissues was investigated by starch block electrophoresis. Possible clinical applications of this new assay are discussed.

The activity of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) was determined in red blood cells of patients with primary affective disorder, schizophrenia, and antisocial personality, and in a control group. Reduction of COMT activity was noted in women with primary affective disorder. Activity of COMT paralleled the separation of women with primary affective disorder into two groups based on a past history of mania. Women with unipolar illness (depression only) had the lowest mean COMT activity whereas women with bipolar illness (depression with a history of mania or hypomania) demonstrated COMT activity intermediate between unipolar women and the control group. Red blood cell COMT activity was stable in patients and in control subjects up to eight months and the level of activity was not related to age, hospitalization, the presence of depressive symptomatology, or medication. These findings are discussed in relation to the catecholamine hypothesis of affective disorder. The validity of the unipolar-bipolar dichotomy in affective illeness is discussed.

Red blood cell catechol-O-methyltransferase, histamine-N-methyltransferase, and a methanol-forming enzyme were examined in a number of subjects with mental diseases. Catechol-O-methyltransferase activity was significantly reduced in female subjects with primary affective disorder (depression) as compared to normal women and men, men with primary affective disorder, and schizophrenic men and women. In depressed women, histamine-N-methyltransferase activity was elevated and the methanol-forming enzyme was unchanged.

THE use of large doses of L-dopa, the immediate precursor of dopamine, in the symptomatic treatment of Parkinsonism has prompted investigation of the effects of this amino-acid on enzymes involved in catecholamine metabolism. It has been found that the activity of enzymes mediating the synthesis of catecholamines, such as tyrosine hydroxylase1 and aromatic L-amino-acid decarboxylase (personal communication with W. Dairman and S. Udenfriend), diminishes during prolonged L-dopa administration. Conversely, monoamine oxidase, one of the enzymes involved in catecholamine degradation, has been found to increase in the tissues of animals given L-dopa2 as well as in the serum of patients treated with this drug3. We now report a substantial decline in the activity of catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), another enzyme important in mediating catecholamine catabolism, in the red blood cells of Parkinsonian patients receiving chronic L-dopa treatment.

Large demonstrations, mass rallies of varying degrees of peacefulness ranging from quiet gatherings to violent confrontations, riots, and such "happenings" as rock music festivals must be recognized as common events in the United States today. Physicians must be prepared to care for these large numbers of people under conditions considerably more primitive than at conventional gatherings. Two kinds of medical problems arise from crowds of this magnitude—those routine medical problems that are statistically to be expected and those unique to the event, such as trauma, exposure, fatigue, poor sanitation, hunger, drug reactions, tear gas exposure, and psychiatric problems. A protocol for the delivery of medical care during civil disorders has been previously presented. 1 This paper describes the program of medical care organized by the Washington, DC, Chapter of the Medical Committee for Human Rights (MCHR) for the mass antiwar demonstrations of Nov 13, 14, and 15, 1969, in Washington