Biomedical subjects

C Mercier-Guyon

Publications and source records attributed to C Mercier-Guyon.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Clinical and behavioral approach].

During decades, the detection of alcohol related impairments was the main target for behavioral examination in drivers. The implementation of legislations on illegal drugs and driving, mainly cannabis, has led to an adaptation of the procedures by requiring, from the policemen, an evaluation of external signs of consumption, signs not anymore searched in case of alcohol. The current procedure in France consists in a medical evaluation by a required medical doctor, and based on the Field Sobriety test. This battery was nevertheless established for policemen and used by them in more than 40 countries. A present trend in the French authorities pushes to a back step to a chemical detection of drugs by policemen, by using saliva tests. This approach should have, in their opinion, the advantage of testing drivers without asking them to leave their car for an external evaluation. In our opinion, only a behavioral approach, could help the policemen to have at their disposal, relevant procedures for all situations, especially to face the increasing consumption of cannabis in drivers.

Automobile Driving↗

PubMed2004

The role of captodiamine in the withdrawal from long-term benzodiazepine treatment.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Discontinuation of benzodiazepines can be associated with the emergence of a withdrawal syndrome which compromises successful termination of treatment. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether a six week administration of captodiamine during benzodiazepine discontinuation could prevent emergence of a benzodiazepine withdrawal syndrome and thus facilitate discontinuation of these drugs. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: A controlled, randomised, double-blind trial of captodiamine versus placebo was conducted in 81 subjects presenting mild to moderate anxiety and treated for at least 6 months with a stable dose of benzodiazepine. Each subject was gradually weaned from benzodiazepines over a 14 day period using a tapering dose schedule and received captodiamine (150 mg/d) or placebo for 45 days from the beginning of the weaning period. OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome criterion was the extent of withdrawal symptoms assessed using the Tyrer Benzodiazepine Withdrawal Symptom Questionnaire. Secondary outcome criteria were; self-evaluation of tension, anxiety, drowsiness and slowing of physical and mental performance using visual analogue scales; quality of sleep using the Spiegel questionnaire; anxiety using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale; and cognitive function using a driving stimulation test. RESULTS: Analysis of the primary study criterion revealed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.0001) in the emergence of withdrawal symptoms between the two groups in favour of captodiamine at two, six and eight weeks following initiation of therapy. These results were supported by significant beneficial effects of captodiamine on the majority of secondary outcome measures. The switch to captodiamine was associated with an improvement in vigilance, which may be an advantage for the overall safety of the anxiolytic treatment, for example with regard to road safety. Discontinuation of captodiamine was not associated with the emergence of rebound anxiety. CONCLUSION: Captodiamine represents an interesting strategy for achieving benzodiazepine substitution with a low risk of dependence or impairment of cognitive function. Further clinical studies addressing the anxiolytic activity and safety of captodiamine in such subjects are merited.

Adult↗

PubMed1996

Evaluation of alcohol consumption level in drivers when regranting licences after driving while intoxicated in France.

Biological markers form an important part of the decision-making process for regranting of driving licences in France. A major criterion in this respect is the need to distinguish between acute alcohol use and chronic abuse by applicants. Current markers reflect more hepatic damage than alcohol consumption and this stresses the need for more reliable markers.

Alcoholism↗

PubMed1994

[Medication, narcotics and behavior at the wheel].

Consumption of illicit drugs is generally underestimated as cause of road accidents. French legislation does not give the police authority to carry out their detection at once. If the regulation concerning driving and drinking is on the way of an hardening, a debate comes into being about the suppression of the penalization for consumption of some drugs whereas their involvement in road fatalities seems to be important. The influence of medicinal drugs on driver's behaviour forms the subject matter of many experimental studies, but the lack of a common methodology for testing their side effects prevents any possibility of categorization of the medicinal drugs depending of their risk for driving. This common methodology should include tests for the evaluation of risk taking and not only test for the detection of sedative effects. If self prescription and misuse of some medicinal drugs is often involved, if the prescription of some others should be allowed only for non drivers, it should be suitable to take into account the notions of therapeutical benefits and of preservation of social and professional integrity by the way of driving.

Accidents, Traffic↗