In 32 patients with coma of varying intensity and aetiology the effect of light on caloric nystagmus was studied. During consciousness disturbances a light stimulus provoked or increased the intensity of induced caloric nystagmus. This reaction was thus a reverse (paradoxical reaction) of that observed in waking state. Photic stimulation may provoke the rapid phase of nystagmus through facilitating impulses coursing from the subcortical or cortical visual centres to Cajal's nuclei and then through the reticular formation to the vestibulo-oculomotor system. In waking state these impulses are inhibited while in precomatic state they may become prevalent. The paradoxical reaction disappears in deep coma together with all vestibular reactions.

Cognition Disorders↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Paroxysmal EEG changes in patients with multiple sclerosis].

The electroencephalograms (EEG) and visual evoked potentials (VEP) were recorded in 100 multiple sclerosis patients treated from 1981 to 1989. In 35 cases the EEG records were pathological and in 12 of them they showed paroxysmal changes. Pathological EEG were mostly seen in young patients, during the first relapse, with high degree of Kurtzke's disability score. Patients with paroxysmal changes showed on physical examination brain stem lesions that could be responsible for paroxysmal activity in EEG. The latencies of P100 wave and amplitudes of P100/N120 complex were analysed in two groups of patients (with and without paroxysmal activity in EEG). There was no statistically important difference between two groups, although in the group with paroxysmal changes in EEG some prolongation of the latency of P100 wave and a little higher amplitude of P100/N120 complex were recorded.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Effect of abstinence on visual evoked potentials in alcoholics].

Visual evoked potentials (VEP) were studied in 61 alcohol-dependent subjects analysing the amplitude and latency of the first major positive wave (P100) and carrying out the determinations three times, in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd weeks of abstinence. The results were compared with similar ones obtained in healthy subjects without a history of alcohol abuse. In the acute stage of alcohol withdrawal a significant rise was observed in the amplitude of the cortical P100/N120 complex. With regression of the clinical symptoms of withdrawal syndrome the amplitude of visual potentials decreased and demonstrated partial normalization. The mean P100 latency was significantly longer in relation to the control group and was not changed during the withdrawal period. Amplitude increase was regarded as an evidence of hyperexcitability of the central nervous system, and latency prolongation as a result of the toxic effects of alcohol and nicotine on the optic nerve.

Acute Disease↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Changes in rubidium and cesium levels in the blood of patients on long-term dialysis and decreased velocity of neural conduction].

In 19 patients aged 19 to 45 years on long-term dialysis treatment during 12.6 +/- 18.2 months the concentrations of Rb and Cs were determined by atomic spectrometry in whole blood before and behind the dialyser at the beginning and end of dialysis. At the same time the concentrations of these elements were determined in the dialysing fluid. In all patients the velocity of conduction in the motor fibres in the upper and lower extremities was determined before and after dialysis. Damage to the peripheral neurons was demonstrated in the lower extremities mainly in 79% of cases. Increased velocity of motor conduction in at least one nerve related directly proportionally to the Cs concentration of the serum was demonstrated in 56-70% of the patients after one dialysis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Biological maturity in the light of electroencephalographic studies].

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Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Pickwickian syndrome].

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Adolescent↗