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A Benetó

Publications and source records attributed to A Benetó.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1997

[Diagnostic difficulties in the narcolepsy-catalepsy syndrome: with reference to our series of cases].

The narcolepsy-cataplexy syndrome is a disorder of unknown aetiology, characterized by excessive daytime sleepiness associated with cataplexy and other REM sleep phenomena. Diagnosis is based on the clinical findings, although this may be difficult especially with respect to confirming the cataplexy. Objective tests, such as typing for HLA, DR2DQ1 (DRw15DQw6, WHO90) and above all TMLS (average latency < 5 mn and two or more onsets of sleep in the phases REM and SOREMP's) is of great help. However, the exact diagnostic significance of some aspects of these tests and their parameters is still under discussion. In this paper we review our series of cases consisting of fourteen patients who fulfil the clinical diagnostic criteria required in the ICSD-1990. TMLS and HLA typing was done for all. Of the HLA types, DQ1 was present in all our patients, unlike DR2 which was not found in two patients. Regarding TMLS, the average latency < 5 mn is a parameter met by all cases, although one did not have SOREMP's. The findings of the objective tests done on our patients are in agreement with those described by other authors. They underline the significance of the support they lend to the diagnosis. However, they are not the definite answer to the problem.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

Lithium-induced Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome.

a 67-year-old man with bipolar disorder developed a Creutzfeldt-Jakob like syndrome during lithium carbonate treatment. Lithium serum level was within the therapeutic range. Complete clinical-electroencephalographic recovery was achieved after lithium therapy was discontinued. Several cases of lithium-induced Creutzfeldt-Jakob syndrome have been reported to date; all of them were elderly patients and a half had "therapeutic" lithium serum levels. Patients in this age group receiving antimanic maintenance treatment should keep lithium serum levels as low as possible. Lithium neurotoxicity should be considered in Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease differential diagnosis, serial electroencephalograms being the most valuable.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

[Periodical EEG pattern modifications in herpetic encephalitis treated with acyclovir].

The presence of PLED or localized or lateralized periodic activity in encephalitis strongly suggests that the encephalitis is due to the herpes simplex virus. Nevertheless, there has been controversy over its clinical significance. In addition, since the introduction of antiviral drugs in the treatment of herpes encephalitis in its initial stages, the prognosis of the disease has improved. We studied nine patients all diagnosed as having herpes encephalitis and treated with acyclovir. The presence or absence of periodic activity and its characteristics were analyzed. It was seen that either there was no such activity, or if there was, it was not exactly as classically described.

Acyclovir↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sleep disorders in the elderly. Epidemiology].

INTRODUCTION: Age is a factor determining the physiology of sleep. Independently of the changes due to aging itself, several other factors contribute to the deterioration of sleep in elderly persons. DEVELOPMENT: A high percentage of adults of advanced age have alterations in their sleep at night leading to somnolence during the day. The commonest disorders are difficulty in getting to sleep and in staying asleep. With age, there is an increase in periodic leg movements and sleep apnea; the most relevant parasomnia is the behavior disorder associated with REM sleep. There are also a series of problems, which although not specific to the elderly, have a greater impact on them because of their effect on sleep: lack of adaptation to emotional upsets, poor sleep habits, psychiatric affective disorders, organic disorders, use of drugs (psychotropic or others), nocturnal agitation and falls. Finally, although the problem is recognized as important in medical practice, not all doctors have sufficient resources to satisfactorily treat sleep disorders in the elderly.

Aged↗