PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

A M Gerber

Publications and source records attributed to A M Gerber.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Structural properties of the NMDA receptor and the design of neuroprotective therapies.

NMDA receptors are linked to neuronal loss in stroke and neurodegeneration because their activation can trigger excitotoxic Ca(2+) dysregulation. Accordingly, NMDA receptor antagonists are neuroprotective, providing a rationale for their clinical application. However, side effects often outweigh benefits. Herein we highlight structural properties in receptors that are used in drug development.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1994

Improved visualization of the foramen ovale for percutaneous approaches to the gasserian ganglion. Technical note.

Percutaneous procedures for treating trigeminal neuralgia involve the penetration of foramen ovale using cutaneous landmarks and radiological guidance. The placement of radiopaque markers over the commonly used "zygomatic points" in front of the ears provides landmarks on intraoperative radiological studies that facilitate localization of the foramen ovale. Speed and safety of percutaneous trigeminal procedures should be enhanced. There is no increase in radiation exposure over that in other commonly used approaches.

Fluoroscopy↗
PubMed1991

Alcohol consumption and blood pressure in black adults: the Pitt County Study.

While there is a clear consensus in the epidemiologic literature on the direct association between alcohol consumption and blood pressure, the shape of this relation and its strength in blacks are uncertain. Therefore, the association between alcohol and blood pressure was examined in a community-based random sample of 1,784 black adults aged 25 to 50 years living in eastern North Carolina. These individuals were interviewed in 1988 for a study of psychosocial and dietary risk factors for elevated blood pressure. Alcohol consumption was estimated from responses to a food frequency questionnaire and was divided into four categories, which ranged from abstention (52% of the sample) to greater than or equal to seven drinks/week (12%). After adjustment for age and body mass, the systolic blood pressure of adults reporting greater than or equal to seven drinks/week exceeded that of nondrinkers by 6.8 mmHg for men and women (p less than 0.001). There was no evidence of a threshold effect, and similar patterns were observed for diastolic blood pressure. Being in the highest category of alcohol consumption was related to low socioeconomic status, lower social integration, and higher levels of socioeconomic stressors. These data are consistent with a graded association between alcohol and blood pressure in black adults and suggest the importance of social factors underlying this association.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Socioeconomic status and electrolyte intake in black adults: the Pitt County Study.

BACKGROUND: Although the inverse association between socioeconomic status (SES) and blood pressure has often been observed, little is known about the relationship between SES and dietary risk factors for elevated blood pressure. Therefore, this study described the distribution of dietary intakes of sodium, potassium, and calcium and examined the association between electrolyte intake and SES among 1784 Black men and women aged 25 to 50 residing in eastern North Carolina. METHODS: Household interviews were conducted in 1988 to obtain information on psychosocial and dietary correlates of blood pressure. Electrolyte intake (mg/day) was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire adapted to reflect regional and ethnic food preferences. SES was categorized into three levels defined by the participant's educational level and occupation. RESULTS: After adjustment for age and energy intake, potassium and calcium intake increased with increasing SES for both sexes. Sodium intake was high for all groups and did not vary markedly with SES, but sodium to potassium and sodium to calcium ratios decreased with increasing SES. In addition, high SES individuals were more likely to believe that diet affects risk for disease and to report less salt use at the table and less current sodium consumption than in the past. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that nutritional beliefs as well as the consumption of electrolytes are associated with SES in Black adults.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Computerized tomography studies of congenital and acquired cerebral intraventricular membranes. Report of two cases.

The role of intraventricular membranes in recurrent shunt failure is explored in two cases using computerized tomography (CT) with intraventricular metrizamide and air ventriculography. One patient who had hydrocephalus with congenital intraventricular membranes containing neurons had a good ultimate response, although he had undergone seven shunt revisions before the membranes were discovered. The other patient with postventriculitis membranes had a complicated course. The effects of shunt malposition and intraventricular antibiotic treatment are discussed. It is determined that certain clues from CT scans, plain film, and air ventriculography may indicate the presence of membranes contributing to repeated shunt failure and that the use of intraventricular metrizamide with CT facilitates the diagnosis.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Need for complementary use of air ventriculography and computerized tomographic scanning in infected hydrocephalus.

Shunt failure in a hydrocephalic infant revealed a limitation of computerized tomographic scanning in the evaluation of hydrocephalus. The possibility of unilateral hydrocephalus in the patient who has a history of ventriculitis suggests a need for air ventriculography or pneumoencephalography before treatment by ventricular shunting. Air studies are also advised before external ventricular drainage and intrathecal antibiotic treatment to prevent incomplete therapy in cases where the lateral ventricles do not communicate. (Neurosurgery, 6: 98--98, 1980)

Cerebral Ventricles↗
PubMed1980

Modification of tumor enhancement and brain edema in computerized tomography by corticosteroids: case report.

The early administration of corticosteroids to patients with a suspected brain neoplasm is common practice. We present a case that demonstrates the rapid changes in computerized tomographic (CT) images after such therapy. Because surgical approaches for biopsy or tumor resection are frequently based on the CT scan, certain CT scans should be obtained before the institution of corticosteroid therapy.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1980

Effect of phenytoin on functional recovery after experimental spinal cord injury in dogs.

We injured 26 dogs by dropping a 25-g, flat-bottomed weight directly onto the exposed dura. Dogs treated with phenytoin (PHT) were clinically superior to untreated controls when compared 6 weeks after injury. Comparison between PHT and dexamethasone reveals that PHT is at least as effective. The therapeutic effectiveness of PHT treatment begun immediately after injury and begun 30 minutes later was evaluated. The results obtained in all three treated groups of dogs were superior to the results with untreated controls at a significance level of P < 0.01.

Animals↗
PubMed1980

Pitfalls in the angiographic diagnosis of serious head injury.

The problems in interpretation of emergency cerebral arteriograms are discussed with relation to the apparent displacement of "landmark" vessels that is actually produced by rotation or by the type of anteroposterior projection of the vessels, rather than by mass lesions. Anterior cerebral artery, middle meningeal artery, and pineal displacements are reviewed, along with possible pitfalls of diagnosis and attempts at correction. Utilization of dried skulls afforded depth visualization of middle meningeal artery grooves as well as the radiographic projection. The most reliable region on each different type of anteroposterior projection is discussed with regard to the emergency situation where repeat angiographic detections or special views may not be possible.

Brain Injuries↗
PubMed1979

Effect of impounder contact area on experimental spinal cord injury.

The spinal cords of two groups of dogs were subjected to 500 gm-cm impacts using two different configurations of impounders. The impounders varied only in area of contact with the dural surface. All other parameters were kept constant. With one impounder all of the dogs injured were totally paraplegic. The impounder consistently producing total paraplegia straddled the entire width of the dorsal surface of the spinal cord in a manner corresponding to the posterior arch of a vertebra. The injury produced with this impounder is not only consistently reproducible but bears a closer resemblance to clinical injury such as anterior vertebral dislocation than that produced with a smaller impounder.

Animals↗
PubMed1977

Iatrogenic failure of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Case report.

A previous undescribed cause of ventriculoperitoneal shunt malfunction is presented. Limitation of abdominal excursion by a spica cast used to correct congenital hip dislocation reduced cerebrospinal fluid flow through a shunt. This easily correctable cause of "shunt failure" nearly resulted in replacement of a working shunt.

Casts, Surgical↗