Micrographia with cognitive dysfunction: "minimal" sequelae of a putaminal infarct.
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Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to D Lichter.
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Although a variety of dyskinesias are known to develop during anticonvulsant therapy, carbamazepine-induced tics are rarely recognized. We report three patients with an underlying movement disorder (Huntington's disease, tardive dyskinesia, and Tourette's syndrome) who experienced the onset or exacerbation of tics after the introduction of carbamazepine. These cases confirm the phenomenon of carbamazepine-induced tics and suggest that basal ganglia neuropathology may be an important predisposing factor. The dopaminergic effects of carbamazepine may be responsible for the induction of tics.
Sensory tics are localized uncomfortable sensations for which patients attempt to obtain relief by producing movements or vocalizations. We report 3 patients with Tourette's syndrome (TS) and sensory tics to illustrate this poorly recognized symptom. A survey of 34 randomly selected TS patients indicates that sensory tics are common and should be considered part of a clinical spectrum of tics and associated sensory phenomena.
To clarify the influence of gastric emptying on levodopa-related motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease, we assessed mobility and plasma levodopa concentrations in 10 patients during five modes of levodopa administration: (1) standard intermittent oral (SIO), (2) intermittent duodenal (ID), (3) continuous duodenal infusion (CDI), (4) continuous gastric infusion (CGI), and (5) controlled-release Sinemet (CR-4). The rank order from greatest to least for both percentage of time "on" and average mobility score was CDI, CGI, ID, CR-4, and SIO. The rank order for variance of means, a measure of fluctuation, from least to greatest for mobility was CDI, CGI, CR-4, ID, SIO, and for plasma levodopa concentrations was CDI, CGI, ID, SIO, and CR-4. The results demonstrate that it is possible to produce very steady plasma concentrations of levodopa with a corresponding reduction in motor fluctuations by continuous intraduodenal administration of the drug. This mode of delivery is an ideal model for the development of optimal continuous-release preparations of levodopa. Other enteral routes have produced a more variable plasma levodopa concentration and clinical response.
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The pathogenesis of "random" fluctuations in parkinsonian mobility, which are not clearly related to the dosing schedule of levodopa, has not been determined. We rated parkinsonian mobility and assayed plasma dopa in one patient with clinically random fluctuations during two modes of administration of levodopa/carbidopa: (1) standard oral route and (2) direct duodenal delivery via nasoduodenal tube. During oral therapy, mobility varied unpredictably in relation to levodopa dosing, suggesting a clinically random pattern. During duodenal delivery, however, a predictable and dramatic pattern of recurrent end-of-dose deterioration was observed; each intraduodenal levodopa dose resulted in 60 to 90 minutes of benefit. Plasma dopa levels correlated closely with mobility ratings for both modes of administration. Our findings indicate that erratic gastric emptying of levodopa is responsible for apparently "random" oscillations in mobility in at least one patient with Parkinson's disease and probably in others.
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In this pilot study, we performed an oral yohimbine challenge in 6 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and anxiety or depression, 2 parkinsonian patients without psychiatric illness, and 2 healthy control subjects to determine whether patients with Parkinson's disease and anxiety respond to this adrenergic agent in the same way patients with idiopathic anxiety disorders respond. Given the atypical nature of depression in Parkinson's disease (characterized by prominent anxiety), we also wanted to see if patients with Parkinson's disease and depression (but no history of anxiety) are susceptible to yohimbine-induced panic. Parkinsonian patients with anxiety developed panic attacks at frequencies comparable to primary psychiatric patients with panic disorder. The one patient with PD and a history of major depression alone developed a panic attack. Regardless of their history of anxiety or depression, parkinsonian patients demonstrated a vulnerability to yohimbine-induced somatic symptoms.