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Biomedical subjects

B Gilligan

Publications and source records attributed to B Gilligan.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Comparison of enteric-coated levodopa with levodopa-carbidopa combination. A double-blind crossover trial.

Twenty-seven patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease completed a double-blind crossover trial which compared enteric-coated levodopa (Prodopa) with levodopa-carbidopa combination (Sinemet). It was easy to stabilize the patients' condition with either drug, and the dose-sparing effect both of the enteric-coated preparation, and of the levodopa-carbidopa combination was again noted. At the dosages used, the levodopa-carbidopa combination was objectively shown to be more effective in 71% of the patients investigated, although there was no clear personal preference for either preparation when patients compared the two parts of the trial. Both drugs play a valuable role in the treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Adult

Epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a common disorder affecting approximately one in every two hundred people, from all walks of life, and presenting in addition to the seizure disorder itself, varying social, psychological and economic problems. A simple classification of epilepsy is described, and the concept of 'seizure threshold' introduced. Having diagnosed epilepsy, the need for investigation to separate the symptomatic epilepsies from idiopathic epilepsy is stressed. Accurate diagnosis of seizure type ensures that optimal therapy can be offered. The various drugs used to control epilepsy are discussed, and comments on the general management of the patient are offered.

Adult

Bromocriptine in lieu of levodopa for Parkinson's disease.

Thirteen patients with Parkinson's disease, whose disability was increasing and on long-term levodopa therapy (both with and without carbidopa), had the levodopa fully replaced by bromocriptine. At three months, eight of the 13 patients (62%) were less disabled on bromocriptine and none became worse. The present indications for the use of bromocriptine are discussed.

Adult

Epilepsy.

Epilepsy is a common disorder affecting approximately one in every two hundred people, from all walks of life, and presenting in addition to the seizure disorder itself, varying social, psychological and economic problems. A simple classification of epilepsy is described, and the concept of 'seizure threshold' introduced. Having diagnosed epilepsy, the need for investigation to separate the symptomatic epilepsies from idiopathic epilepsy is stressed. Accurate diagnosis of seizure type ensures that optimal therapy can be offered. The various drugs used to control epilepsy are discussed, and comments on the general management of the patient are offered.

Automobile Driving

Enteric-coated L-dopa (prodopa). A new approach to L-dopa therapy in Parkinson's disease.

Seventeen patients treated for a mean period of 9-4 months with an enteric-coated form of L-dopa (Prodopa), obtained the usual spectrum of benefit as from conventional L-dopa. There was a significant dose-sparing effect with the use of the enteric-coated prepartion of the order of 40% to 50%, whilst reducing gastrointestinal side effects to a minimum, at the same time as achieving optimal clinicl benefit. Enteric-coated L-dopa appears to be a useful and welcome addition to the therapeutic armamentarium for Parkinson's disease.

Female