PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A Culebras

Publications and source records attributed to A Culebras.

64 records · Page 4Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Differential response of growth hormone, cortisol, and prolactin to seizures and to stress.

Plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH), cortisol, and prolactin (PRL), following a spontaneous generalized seizure in epileptic men were compared with similar measurements made in nonepileptic, stressed men to determine the role of stress in the hormonal response to seizures. Nonepileptic, nonstressed men served as control subjects. GH concentrations increased significantly within 60 min postictally, and as expected, so did cortisol and PRL. A subgroup of alcoholic patients exhibited a smaller GH response to seizures. Stressed patients had significantly less elevated cortisol and PRL plasma values, but no rise of GH. The data suggest that neurogenic stimuli responsible for the postictal release of GH, cortisol, and PRL are, at least in part, independent of stress mechanisms and that GH response is blunted in alcoholic patients.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Computed tomographic evaluation of cervical carotid plaque complications.

Twenty five patients with manifestations of cerebrovascular ischemic disease were evaluated with high resolution computed tomography of the neck, following intravenous infusion of a contrast agent. Computed tomography images of extracranial carotid arteries revealed atherosclerotic plaque formations and their complications: stenosis, occlusion, ulceration, calcification and mural lucent defects. Histologic analysis of 15 endarterectomy specimens obtained from symptomatic patients who had computed tomography images of discrete lucent defects in carotid plaques demonstrated subintimal hemorrhage of varying age in 13, focal necrosis in 1 and excessive subintimal thickening in 1. It is concluded that lucent images observed in computed tomography of extracranial carotid arteries represent vascular wall lesions within carotid plaques suggestive of subintimal hemorrhage, focal necrosis and/or excessive subintimal thickening. Computed tomography of the extracranial carotid arteries is a relatively non-invasive method that permits the diagnosis of plaque hemorrhages in symptomatic and asymptomatic carotid arteries.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[A perspective of neurology in Iberoamerica as seen from the United States].

INTRODUCTION: Neurology in Iberoamerica is out-of-date as compared to that of North America and Europe. There is little basic scientific or clinical research and the academic institutions are weak. Specialists in neurology take little part in academic activities as a result of lack of institutional support and little corporate spirit. DEVELOPMENT AND CONCLUSIONS: In this article we recommend the establishment of Institutes of Neurology to foment work as a team and the creation of a Panamerican Academy of Neurology to bridge gaps between Panamerican congresses. The Academy would also stimulate the development of neurology in Iberoamerica in the aspects of investigation, teaching and clinical services.

Attitude↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Restless leg syndrome. Diagnosis and treatment].

INTRODUCTION: The restless legs syndrome is characterized by an unpleasant sensation in the legs which causes an imperative need to move the legs and is therefore considered to be a disorder of movement. When it appears before going to sleep, it may interfere with falling asleep and lead to a sleep-deficit. DEVELOPMENT AND CONCLUSIONS: It is a clinical condition with a satisfactory treatment, and improvement of the associated sleep disorder. The etiology is unknown, sometimes it is familial. The syndrome is increasingly often diagnosed, particularly in association with iron deficiency, during pregnancy, in chronic renal failure and in patients with peripheral neuropathy. Polysomnography is not necessary, unless one suspects an associated disorder of periodic leg movements. Treatment is by dopaminergic, opiate, benzodiazepine, anticonvulsant drugs or clonidine.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Repercussion of sleep apnea in neurology].

INTRODUCTION: While an individual sleeps, the pneumotaxic nerve centres take over control of the breathing, instead of those that perform this function during the waking state. The respiratory disorder during sleep commonly known as sleep apnea, refers to the alterations in the breathing pattern in sleep which, when associated with diurnal drowsiness, is known as sleep apnea syndrome. METHOD: The most frequent respiratory sleep disorder is the transitory obstruction of the upper respiratory tracts, which gives rise episodes of obstructive apnea, associated with snoring, and affects 4% of the general population. The complications it can present include pharyngeal neuropathy, arterial hypertension, diurnal drowsiness, cognitive disorders and a lowered quality of life. In post stroke patients the prevalence of sleep apnea is very high and it lowers the chances of successful rehabilitation. Patients respond well to treatment of obstructive apnea with devices that supply positive pressure air and complications are relieved. CONCLUSIONS: Obstructive sleep apnea is a very widespread disorder, which can give rise to vascular complications. Patients respond well to treatment and the disease must therefore be identified and treated adequately.

Sleep Apnea Syndromes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Sleep apnea syndrome: short-term solutions and long-term cerebrovascular risk].

INTRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT: During sleep, control of breathing shifts from being a semi-voluntary action to become a self-regulation activity of the highest biological priority. The most frequent breathing disorders during sleep are related to obstructive apnea syndrome, generally associated to snoring. The prevalence of sleep apnea (apnea-hypopnea) in the general population has been estimated to be between 2% in females and 4% in males. Sleep apnea raises arterial pressure, increases the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, causes excessive sleepiness and diminishes the quality of life of patients affected by it. CONCLUSIONS: Polysomnography allows sleep apnea to be diagnosed so that treatment can then be started using continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices, which is the most effective and widespread form of treatment. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that sustained treatment of sleep apnea lowers the risk of vascular complications, as well as improving the quality of life and reducing daytime sleepiness.

Blood Pressure↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Neurosomnology: in the cutting-edge of neurology].

The surnames that honor the title of this work belong to individuals fascinated by the function of sleep and its integration in neurological illness. Sleep is a function of the brain exhibiting changes with age that are predictable. There are two major manifestations of sleep alteration: somnolence and insomnia. A rich variety of sleep alterations is associated with numerous neurological disorders. Some occur acutely like in stroke whereas others appear gradually like those associated with Parkinson's disease and the dementias. The pathology of sleep is a new area of involvement in the scope of practice of the neurologist. In the future the sleep specialist will also intervene in the prevention of mental fatigue and traffic accidents and in the promotion of sleep hygiene in primary medicine.

Aged↗