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A Hovestadt

Publications and source records attributed to A Hovestadt.

16 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

The effects of an ACTH (4-9) analogue on development of cisplatin neuropathy in testicular cancer: a randomized trial.

The efficacy of the ACTH (4-9) analogue Org 2766 in the prevention of subclinical cisplatin neuropathy was assessed in a double-blind placebo-controlled multi-centre study in patients with testicular cancer or adenocarcinoma of unknown primary. Forty-two patients received at least four cycles of cisplatin (100 mg/m2 per cycle), together with subcutaneous injections of Org 2766 (2 mg/day for 5 consecutive days) or placebo. Vibratory threshold was used as a measure of neuropathy. For each individual patient, the influence of cisplatin on vibratory perception was quantified by the slope of the regression line between the natural logarithm of the vibratory thresholds and the number of cycles. From the slopes, the proportional increase of vibratory threshold per cycle of cisplatin was calculated. On average, vibratory thresholds increased by 42% with each cycle of 100 mg/m2 of cisplatin in the placebo group, and by 19% during treatment with Org 2766. The influence of cisplatin on vibratory thresholds was highly significant in the placebo group (P < 0.0001), and of borderline significance in the group treated with Org 2766 (P = 0.06). The difference in slopes between the two groups was of borderline statistical significance (Wilcoxon's two-sample test: P = 0.06; analysis of variance: P = 0.04). These results show that Org 2766 cannot completely prevent cisplatin neuropathy in young men with testicular cancer, but nerve damage may be ameliorated by the use of this ACTH (4-9) analogue.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1994

Dose-effect relationship of dexamethasone on Karnofsky performance in metastatic brain tumors: a randomized study of doses of 4, 8, and 16 mg per day.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether lower doses of dexamethasone for treatment of brain tumor edema are as effective as the conventional dose of 16 mg/d. We consecutively executed two double-blind randomized trials in patients with CT-proven brain metastasis and Karnofsky scores of 80 or less. In the first series, we compared 8 mg dexamethasone per day versus 16 mg/d; in the second series, 4 mg/d versus 16 mg/d. Standardized evaluation of quality of life and side effects took place at days 0, 7, 28, and 56. We randomized a total of 96 patients and evaluated eighty-nine. The Karnofsky score improved in the 8-mg group, which had improvement of 8.0 +/- 10.1 (mean +/- SD) points at day 7 versus 7.3 +/- 14.2 points in the 16-mg group. In the second series, the 4-mg group had improvement of 6.7 +/- 11.3 points at day 7 and 7.1 +/- 18.2 points at day 28 versus 9.1 +/- 12.4 and 5.6 +/- 18.5 points in the 16-mg group. Toxic effects occurred more frequently in the 16-mg group (p < 0.03). We conclude that administration of 4 mg dexamethasone per day for treatment of brain tumor edema results in the same degree of improvement as does administration of 16 mg/d after 1 week of treatment in patients who have no signs of impending herniation. Toxic effects are dose-dependent and, during a 4-week period, occurred more frequently in patients using 16 mg/d.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Brain Neoplasms↗
PubMed1992

The course of neuropathy after cessation of cisplatin treatment, combined with Org 2766 or placebo.

Peripheral neuropathy is an important and disabling side-effect of cisplatin treatment. A new drug, Org 2766, has been found to prevent this neuropathy up to 1 month after treatment. A group of 18 patients with ovarian cancer, who participated in an earlier randomized study with placebo or Org 2766, together with cisplatin and cyclophophamide, were thereafter prospectively followed up to 2 years after discontinuation of treatment to monitor the development of neurological signs and symptoms and vibration perception threshold (VPT). Exploratory, descriptive data analysis shows that between 1 and 4 months after the last cycle the average sum score for neurological signs and symptoms and VPT had deteriorated compared with 1 month after treatment. Thereafter a gradual but incomplete improvement was seen between 4-12 and 12-24 months after treatment. These changes were seen in all patients regardless of previous treatment with Org 2766 or placebo, but deterioration was less pronounced in patients previously treated with Org 2766. These results suggests that treatment with Org 2766 to prevent a cisplatin-induced neuropathy should possibly be continued up to 4 months after the last cycle of cisplatin.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1991

Single-photon-emission computed tomography of the brain in the evaluation of cerebral lupus.

We sought to determine whether single-photon-emission computed tomography (SPECT) of the brain is useful for detecting abnormalities of regional cerebral blood flow in patients with cerebral lupus. Twenty lupus patients with clinical evidence of cerebral involvement underwent SPECT and CT scanning of the brain, as well as clinical, expert neurologic, and serologic evaluation. Fifteen patients (75%) had a clear regional cerebral hypoperfusion. Seven of 8 patients (88%) who were ultimately thought to have active cerebral lupus had abnormal SPECT scan findings, while 8 of 12 patients (67%) who were ultimately thought not to have active cerebral lupus had abnormal SPECT scan findings. There was no correlation of SPECT findings with CT scan results, overall disease activity, or serologic findings. Regional cerebral blood flow measured by SPECT is often abnormal in patients with active cerebral lupus, but is also frequently abnormal in lupus patients with neuropsychiatric symptoms not attributable to cerebral lupus activity.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Immunohistochemical analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid for carcinomatous and lymphomatous leptomeningitis.

To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of immunohistochemical analysis in relation to the standard cytological examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in patients with either a solid tumour or a haematological malignancy and possible leptomeningeal disease, 68 CSF-samples derived from 68 patients were examined. The sensitivity of immunohistochemical analysis was 0.54 and its specificity 0.98. Only one patient had a positive immunohistochemistry and a negative cytology. The gain of adding immunohistochemistry to cytology is nearly 8%. It is concluded that immunohistochemistry should not be used as a screening test for leptomeningeal disease in patients with cancer.

Carcinoma↗
PubMed1989

Induction of aromatic-L-amino acid decarboxylase by decarboxylase inhibitors in idiopathic parkinsonism.

We evaluated the effect of administration of L-dopa, alone or in combination with a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor, on plasma levels of aromatic-L-amino acid decarboxylase (ALAAD). After single-dose administration of L-dopa plus benserazide (Madopar) in healthy subjects and in chronically treated patients with parkinsonism, plasma ALAAD followed for 2 to 3 hours fell, but returned to predosing levels within 90 minutes. Four groups of patients with idiopathic parkinsonism were studied during chronic treatment: Group I, no L-dopa treatment (n = 31); Group II, L-dopa alone (n = 15); Group III, L-dopa plus benserazide (n = 28); and Group IV, L-dopa plus carbidopa (Sinemet, n = 30). Plasma ALAAD 2 hours after dosing was normal in Groups I and II. ALAAD was increased threefold in Groups III and IV, suggesting induction of ALAAD by the coadministration of a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor. In a study of 3 patients in whom L-dopa/benserazide was started, plasma ALAAD rose gradually over 3 to 4 weeks. Further detailed pharmacokinetic studies of L-dopa, dopamine, and ALAAD in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid are required to determine if the apparent ALAAD induction by a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor may be related to the loss of clinical efficacy of combination therapy in some patients and how it is related to end-of-dose deterioration and on-off phenomena.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Treatment of idiopathic parkinsonism with L-dopa in the absence and presence of decarboxylase inhibitors: effects on plasma levels of L-dopa, dopa decarboxylase, catecholamines and 3-O-methyl-dopa.

The effect of levodopa (L-dopa), alone or in combination with a peripheral decarboxylase inhibitor (PDI), on plasma levels of aromatic-L-amino acid decarboxylase (ALAAD, = dopa decarboxylase), L-dopa, 3-O-methyl-dopa (3-OMD), dopamine (DA), noradrenaline, adrenaline and dopamine beta-hydroxylase has been studied. In healthy subjects and in patients with parkinsonism plasma ALAAD level fell after administration of L-dopa + benserazide, but returned to previous levels within 90 min. In a cross-sectional study blood was obtained, 2 h after dosing, from 104 patients with idiopathic parkinsonism, divided into four groups: no L-dopa treatment (group 1), L-dopa alone (group 2), L-dopa + benserazide (Madopar) (group 3) and L-dopa + carbidopa (Sinemet) (group 4). Plasma ALAAD, which was normal in groups 1 and 2, was increased 3-fold in groups 3 and 4, indicating that there was induction of ALAAD by the co-administration of PDI. Despite this induction of ALAAD, in groups 3 and 4, with half the daily L-dopa dose compared with group 2, plasma L-dopa and 3-OMD levels were 5 times higher, while plasma DA levels were not different. The DA/L-dopa ratio was decreased 5-fold in group 2 and 16-fold in groups 3 and 4 as compared with group 1. Neither 3-OMD levels nor 3-OMD/L-dopa ratios correlated with the occurrence of on-off fluctuations. In a longitudinal study of three patients started on Madopar treatment the induction of plasma ALAAD was found to occur gradually over 3-4 weeks. Further detailed pharmacokinetic studies in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid are required in order to elucidate whether the ALAAD induction by PDI may be related to the loss of clinical efficacy of combination therapy in some patients and how it is related to end-of-dose deterioration and on-off phenomena.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1989

Pulmonary function in Parkinson's disease.

Pulmonary function was investigated in 31 consecutive patients with relatively severe Parkinson's disease. Clinical disability was assessed by Hoehn and Yahr scale, Northwestern University Disability Scale and Websterscore. All patients were on levodopa substitution therapy and used anticholinergics. Pulmonary function was investigated by spirography, determination of a maximal inspiratory and expiratory flow-volume curve and, when possible, maximal static mouth pressures were determined. Peak inspiratory and expiratory flow, maximal expiratory flow at 50% and maximal static mouth pressures were significantly below normal values. Vital capacity, forced inspiratory volume in 1 s and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s and vital capacity were relatively normal. Nine patients had upper airway obstruction (UAO) as judged by abnormal values for peak inspiratory flow, the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 s and peak expiratory flow and the ratio of maximal expiratory and inspiratory flow at 50%. Flow-volume curves were normal in eight patients; four patients demonstrated flow decelerations and accelerations (type A) and 16 had a rounded off flow-volume curve (type B). Type A can be explained by UAO and type B by a combination of decreased effective muscle strength and possible UAO. Overall results of pulmonary function tests in patients without any clinical signs or symptoms of pulmonary disease point to subclinical upper airway obstruction and decreased effective muscle strength in a significant proportion of patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Maximal expiratory and inspiratory flow-volume curves in Parkinson's disease.

In order to investigate the type and degree of upper airway obstruction (UAO) in a group of patients with Parkinson's disease in different stages of the disease, we obtained maximal expiratory and inspiratory flow-volume (MEFV and MIFV) curves and maximal static mouth pressures. The clinical disability was indicated by a Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) scale, ranging from III to V, and a more continuous Northwestern University Disability Scale (NUDS), ranging from zero to 50. Twelve patients were in H-Y Group III, and eleven and eight were in Groups IV and V, respectively. The pattern of the flow-volume curves was classified as either normal, or with superimposed regular or irregular oscillations (A), or with rounded-off and delayed expiratory peak appearance (B). Mean MEFV curves in Groups III and IV were not appreciably different from reference. In Group V, the mean curve showed a lower peak expiratory flow (PEF) and a more convex tail. Only the effort-dependent variables PEF, peak inspiratory flow (PIF), and maximal mouth pressures at RV and TLC (PmTLC and PmRV) appeared to be significantly correlated with the NUDS index and decreased with increasing clinical disability. The mean values of those variables were also significantly different between the H-Y groups. The number of normal curves decreased from H-Y Group III to Group V. The contribution of A and B curves was relatively equal in the groups, with only a small number of A curves.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Airway Obstruction↗
PubMed1987

Spatial disorientation as an early symptom of Parkinson's disease.

In 44 consecutive outpatients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) without levodopa substitution therapy, we tested spatial orientation. Spatial orientation was impaired on the rod orientation test in 43 patients, on the line orientation test in 7 patients, and on the facial recognition test in 17 patients. There was no correlation between severity of spatial disorientation and age, length of illness, verbal WAIS score, or severity of PD. Impairment of spatial orientation is part of PD even in mild cases.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Quick titration of pergolide in cotreatment with domperidone is safe and effective.

The purpose of the study was to analyze efficacy and safety of quick pergolide titration combined with domperidone. In an open-label prospective study, pergolide was titrated in 16 days to a maximum of 3 mg/d doses as adjunctive treatment to L-Dopa in 10 elderly patients with Parkinson's disease. Sixty milligrams domperidone was started 2 days before and and continued during the pergolide titration period to prevent side effects. Adverse events were studied for 6 weeks. Efficacy was measured with the motor part ("on" condition) of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), the 2-minute walking test, the Timed Up and Go test, and the Postural-Locomotor-Manual test. After quick titration of pergolide with domperidone cotreatment, no symptomatic side effects were seen except for lightheadedness in one patient, which disappeared after dose reduction. The UPDRS motor score improved significantly from 21 +/- 8 at baseline to 16 +/- 7 and 12 +/- 7 after 1 and 2 weeks, respectively. The 2-minute walking distance improved significantly from 123 +/- 36 m at baseline to 136 +/- 41 m after 6 weeks. The Timed Up and Go and Postural-Locomotor-Manual test results, overall, did not show significant changes. Quick titration of pergolide to a maximum of 3 mg/d with domperidone cotreatment is safe and effective. Therefore, we recommend domperidone cotreatment in the titration period to prevent unnecessary failure of dopamine agonist treatment because of adverse effects.

Aged↗