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Biomedical subjects

D C Buchanan

Publications and source records attributed to D C Buchanan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1982

Long-term outcome of jejuno-ileal bypass surgery for superobesity: a psychiatric assessment.

In this study of the long-term psychosocial consequences of jejuno-ileal bypass, 24 patients were assessed with psychiatric interviews and psychological tests 4-12 years after the procedure. Twenty patients had had a good overall response to the surgery, and 4 had had a poor response. Most complications, physical and psychiatric, occurred during the first 3 years. Most patients with a good postoperative result maintained it for many years, gained occupationally and vocationally, were pleased with the results of the operation, and were willing to recommend it to others. Even those who had experienced complications tended to underrate their seriousness and to express satisfaction.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Intellectual function in Duchenne muscular dystrophy: the influence of penicillamine.

No effect of penicillamine upon intelligence was found in boys with Duchenne muscular dystrophy when compared to placebo administered in a double-blind fashion. All children, however, showed a significant progressive decline in intelligence quotient. An analysis of mental age showed no change over a 24-month period, suggesting that a static intellectual deficit exists. These data support other findings of a central nervous system dysfunction in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Agenesis of the corpus callosum.

A father and son with agenesis of the corpus callosum are described. An 11-year-old boy underwent clinical examination because of poor school performance. On physical and mental examinations he was normal, except for an enlarged head. Computerized tomographic (CT) scan showed agenesis of the corpus callosum. The patient's father also had an enlarged head. Although he had never had any symptoms, he underwent CT scanning, which revealed agenesis of the corpus callosum. Psychological tests showed good communication between the two cerebral hemispheres. All-night sleep EEGs showed asynchronous sleep spindles.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Jaw-wiring for obesity.

Fourteen of nineteen-self referred obese women were treated for weight reduction by jaw-wiring. Most were immature, passive-dependent or passive-aggressive personalities. Only one-third of the group completed the study, which was six months in length. All lost weight initially, but about two-thirds later regained some weight. At first all responded with enthusiasm, but later most felt discouraged and found jaw-wiring difficult to accept. Only two patients derived significant benefit. There were no dental complications. Jaw-wiring appears to be a safe but ineffective means of controlling weight, especially if applied to patients with poor motivation and immature personalities.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

A proposed neurophysiological basis of alexithymia.

The possibility that alexithymia respresents a symptom of subtle brain dysfunction is discussed. Several lines of research have shown that emotional thought, behavior and, in particular, the use of affect-laden speech are influenced by impaired function of the right hemisphere or a disconnection between the two hemispheres. A patient with agenesis of the corpus callosum is presented demonstrating severe alexithymia.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Treatment of Duchenne's muscular dystrophy with penicillamine. Results of a double-blind trial.

Eleven boys with Duchenne's muscular dystrophy, randomly assigned to placebo (group A, n = 6) or penicillamine treatment (group B, n = 5), received three capsules per day containing lactose or 250 mg of penicillamine. All patients received pyridoxine, 50 mg daily. Mean age at entrance into study was similar for both groups (group A , 86.7 +/- 31.6 months; group B, 95.4 +/- 43.4 months). Clinical status was assessed with timed functional activities, manometric measurements of muscle force, and manual muscle testing. After 14 to 16 months of treatment, statistical analysis (analysis of variance) of data disclosed no significant differences in the overall performance of the two groups. A longer-duration trial, involving younger patients, is needed to determine whether there are palliative effects of penicillamine or other potentially therapeutic agents.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1979

Reactions of families to children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy.

Twenty-five families were interviewed to examine their adjustments to having a child with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Chronic emotional stress experienced by families of DMD children was found to be a significant problem in the overall management of the illness. Based on information obtained from the assessment of families' adaptation to their child's illness, recommendations are made concerning parent education, school placement, facilitation of marital harmony, informing the child about his illness, and sensitivity to the responses of other family members.

Adaptation, Psychological↗
PubMed1975

Voodoo in the general hospital. A case of hexing and regional enteritis.

We have observed the case of a hexed patient that emphasizes the interplay between modern medical practice and the influence of a supernatural voodoo subculture. Psychosocial stresses involved in the patient's illness (regional enteritis) added to the complexity of the clinical problem. The presence of ambivalence in the patient and her mother concerning their systems of belief, and their unwillingness to accept totally the treatment modalities of either modern medicine or voodoo, probably prevented the patient's predicted death.

Adult↗
PubMed1975

Effects of differential rearing condition on heart rate conditioning and response suppression.

Rats were reared in either an enriched or isolated environment for 60 days following weaning. Neither rearing environment nor sex affected heart rate conditioning. However, when the CS used during conditioning was subsequently presented in a drinking situation, males reared in isolation showed a greater degree of response suppression than did similarly reared females. Males and females reared in the enriched environment did not differ in degree of response suppression.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1975

Group therapy for kidney transplant patients.

A short-term, open membership group therapy program for kidney transplant patients and their families is described. The content and process of this group is related to the ten curative factors described by Yalom for psychiatric patients. The primary benefits for the patients seemed to be the opportunity to observe others cope with similar problems and to learn of the adaptive strategies used by others. The patients were able to offer advice to others, to overcome their tendency toward seclusion and in general, experience a feeling of hope for the future. The family members gained more from a sense of group cohesiveness than did the patients. Both family and patients utilized the meetings to ventilate their anger and frustrations associated with chronic illness and to learn more about transplantation. A more realistic expectation of the future was provided. The group did not seem long enough to measurably improve the interpersonal relations between patients and their families nor did the group members comment upon maladaptive behaviors exhibited between family members within the meetings.

Adult↗