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Biomedical subjects

E C Laterre

Publications and source records attributed to E C Laterre.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Somatosensory evoked potentials and jerk-locked EEG back-averaging in myoclonic epilepsy.

Median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and jerk-locked EEG back-averaging (JLA) were performed in 2 patients with left-hand myoclonus. Both SEPs were characterized by a normal parietal N20 and an enhanced N27-P27 fronto-parietal complex, but the giant central N40 described by most authors was only observed in case 1. Similarily, the aspect of JLA clearly differed in both patients. We hypothetize that both patients exhibited signs of an increased drive of the motor cortex by inputs coming from the sensory cortex. This increased drive could be mediated by the cortico-cortical connexions from areas 1-3 to area 4. In contrast, we suggest that signs of primary hyperexcitability of the motor cortex were only present in case 1, as suggested by the presence of an enhanced N40 in SEPs and the results of JLA studies.

Afferent Pathways↗
PubMed1993

Serum and CSF levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptors in MS and other neurological diseases: a reappraisal.

Soluble interleukin-2 receptors (sIL-2-R) were determined longitudinally in sera from 59 patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), from 20 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and from patients with other non-inflammatory disorders of the nervous system, as well as in 147 CSF samples collected for diagnostic purposes. Significantly increased serum levels of sIL2-R were observed early in the course of GBS and in progressive (relapsing or chronic) MS, but not in patients with clinically stable MS or with an acute relapse followed by complete remission. CSF levels were high in infections of the central nervous system and in meningeal carcinomatosis, as a result of an intrathecal production, but were normal in GBS and in most (94%) MS patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Anti-Purkinje cells antibodies in two cases of paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration.

The serum and CSF of two women with a severe subacute pancerebellar syndrome contained high titers of antibodies directed against antigens present in the perikaryon of Purkinje cells. In Western blots performed on human Purkinje cells extracts these antibodies reacted with two groups of proteins the molecular weights of which were estimated to 34-38 and 62 kilodaltons (anti-Yo antibodies). Complementary investigations revealed a tubar adenocarcinoma in the first case, an ovarian carcinoma in the second. The tubar tumoral cells also contained the protein of the highest molecular weight. Compared to the serum, the CSF contained a higher proportion of anti-Yo antibodies per mg IgG, and a fraction of the latter was likely synthesized intrathecally. These antibodies may be involved in the almost total disappearance of the Purkinje cells, as observed at autopsy of both cases.

Adenocarcinoma, Papillary↗
PubMed1991

[3H]MK-801 binding to NMDA glutamatergic receptors in Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy.

The interactions existing between glutamatergic and dopaminergic systems, notably in the basal ganglia, suggest that glutamatergic antagonists may have therapeutic interest in extrapyramidal disorders characterized by impaired dopaminergic transmission. The binding of [3H]dizocilpine maleate (MK-801) to glutamate receptors of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-subtype was characterized in temporal and frontal cortex, in hippocampus and in subcortical areas (caudate nucleus and putamen) from controls and patients with Parkinson's disease or progressive supranuclear palsy. The binding affinity (KD) and the maximal specific binding capacity (Bmax) of [3H]MK-801 were unchanged in all the cerebral regions studied in both diseases. This indicates the existence of preserved NMDA glutamate receptors, which is required for potential therapeutic efficacy of specific antagonists.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Clinical and serological studies in a series of 45 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome.

We retrospectively reviewed the clinical files of 45 Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) patients admitted to our Department between 1979 and 1989. The age distribution was bimodal with a first peak in young adults (20-40 years), and a second one between 60 to 70 years. Seasonal distribution showed a late fall and a hivernal predominance. Three patients experienced a second attack of GBS 2-9 years after the first one. Thirty-one (69%) presented antecedent events, most often a respiratory tract infection (n = 20) or enteritis (n = 6). Serological studies were systematically performed, including antibody titers against herpes simplex virus, Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus (CMV), respiratory syncytial virus, human immunodeficiency virus, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Campylobacter jejuni/coli and cardiolipin. These studies showed the presence of antibodies indicative of a CMV primary infection in 22% cases and of a Campylobacter jejuni/coli infection in 13%. Co-infection was observed in 3 cases. Serology remained negative in 12 patients with a preceding respiratory infection. There was no correlation between serology and the severity of the disease. Absence of antecedent events and of positive anti-infectious serology was observed in only 10 patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Oligoclonal free kappa and lambda bands in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with multiple sclerosis and other neurological diseases. An immunoaffinity-mediated capillary blot study.

We describe an affinity-mediated capillary blotting technique for the detection of free kappa or lambda light chains in native cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) after isoelectric focusing in agarose gel. Interferences by light chains bound to immunoglobulins were carefully excluded. An absolute amount of 20-50 ng of free kappa or lambda Bence-Jones proteins were detectable by this method, under the form of several discrete bands with isoelectric points between 5 and 8.5. No free light chains were observed in CSF and sera from patients without neurological disorders (n = 26). Such bands were present in most CSF samples in the case of central nervous system (CNS) infections, except in aseptic meningitis. In a group of 48 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, 44 (92%) displayed oligoclonal free kappa bands restricted to the CSF; oligoclonal IgG bands were observed in 40 cases, and oligoclonal free lambda bands in 33. In this group, the presence of CSF free light chain bands was highly correlated with their absolute levels (p less than 0.001). In other neurological diseases (n = 44), oligoclonal free kappa and free lambda bands were detected much more rarely, in seven (16%) and four (9%) cases respectively. Surprisingly, the CSF from three unrelated patients with Huntington's disease (out of five tested) contained both oligoclonal IgG and free kappa bands.

Humans↗
PubMed1988

Functional dihydropyridine binding site associated with slow calcium channel in rat cultured neurones.

There is a high affinity binding of [3H]PN 200-110 (Kd = 0.21 nM) to slow calcium channels in cultured neurones. Several calcium antagonists, which recognize the [3H]PN 200-110 binding site, did not affect the K+-induced calcium uptake. The calcium channel activator BAY K 8644 increased the calcium uptake in depolarizing conditions and this effect was antagonized by pharmacological concentrations of calcium entry blockers. We conclude that the dihydropyridine binding site is involved in the modulation of calcium entry through the voltage-sensitive channel in depolarized cultured neurones.

3-Pyridinecarboxylic acid, 1,4-dihydro-2,6-dimethy↗
PubMed1988

Benzodiazepine receptors in normal human brain, in Parkinson's disease and in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Benzodiazepine receptors have been characterized in human brain. They have been localized mainly in the cerebral cortex and a synaptosomal enrichment was observed after brain fractionation by differential centrifugation. Benzodiazepine receptors were studied in Parkinson's disease and in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). In both diseases, the [3H]flunitrazepam specific binding was unchanged when compared to control groups (Bmax and KD values) except in the caudate nucleus of parkinsonian patients where an increase of the specific binding was observed. The subcellular distribution profile of benzodiazepine receptors in Parkinson's disease was similar to that of controls. gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) still enhanced the [3H]flunitrazepam-specific binding (increase of binding affinity), indicating that the functional link between GABA and benzodiazepine receptors remained intact in Parkinson's disease. The present results suggest that benzodiazepine receptors in human striatum are localized on neuronal elements which do not degenerate in Parkinson's disease and PSP.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Decrease of serotonin-S2 receptors in temporal cortex of patients with Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy.

The number of serotonin-S2 receptors was decreased in the temporal cortex of patients with Parkinson's disease and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). There was no significant modification of these receptors in the frontal cortex or in the hippocampus and putamen in both diseases. The decrease in number of receptors in PSP was unexpected, because the cerebral cortex is thought to be spared in this disease. There was no correlation between the decrease in number of serotonin-S2 receptors and the degree of dementia in Parkinson's disease, suggesting that these receptors are not directly involved in the deterioration of cognitive functions.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Subacute sensory neuronopathy associated with Sjögren's sicca syndrome.

Sensory subacute neuropathies associated with sicca syndrome without any systemic involvement have been reported rarely. A sixth case is described with what appears to be the first report of muscle and nerve biopsy findings. The histological studies revealed axonal degeneration without vasculitis in the sural nerve, and a slight denervation process and a discrete myositis in the gastrocnemius muscle, reflecting a subtle systemic disorder. The clinical course of a long-standing subacute sensory neuropathy, the biopsy-documented axonal degeneration, and the neurophysiological findings suggest involvement of the dorsal root ganglia.

Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory↗
PubMed1988

Brain glucose metabolism in thalamic syndrome.

Regional brain glucose metabolism was studied in a case of postischaemic thalamic syndrome. Despite a normal density of the thalamus on MRI and CT images, a 17% relative hypometabolism was found in the posterior thalamus on the affected side. This observation of functional anomalies in the posterior thalamic complex in case of thalamic syndrome is compatible with a deregulated processing of pain-related information at this level.

Blood Glucose↗
PubMed1986

Spinal arachnoiditis due to aspergillus meningitis in a previously healthy patient.

A 30-year-old, previously healthy, non-addicted man presented with a chronic spinal meningitis complicated by arachnoiditis and spinal cord compression. Biopsy showed a chronic granulomatous leptomeningitis, in which some cells contained branching septate organisms that were immunostained with an antiserum to Aspergillus fumigatus. Precipitins to A. fumigatus were detected in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), but not in blood, and aspergillus infection was apparently restricted to the leptomeninges. Clinically successful treatment led to the disappearance of CSF precipitins and oligoclonal bands.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Monitoring and tentative diagnosis of herpetic encephalitis by protein analysis of cerebrospinal fluid. Particular relevance of the assays of ferritin and S-100.

The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 9 patients with herpetic encephalitis was analyzed by particle counting immunoassay of ferritin, S-100, immunoglobulins, anti-herpes antibodies and immune complexes and by electrophoresis for the detection of oligoclonal bands. The main conclusions are: first, the simultaneous increase of both ferritin and S-100 in the presence of symptoms of encephalitis suggests strongly the infection is herpetic; second, high and increasing levels of S-100, probably related to the extent of the necrotic process, indicate a poor prognosis. In addition, 8-14 days after onset, locally produced anti-herpes antibodies were detectable, the IgG index increased and oligoclonal bands became visible.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

C-reactive protein in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in various neurological disorders. Apparent local consumption during bacterial meningitis.

The level of C-reactive protein (CRP) was determined in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by particle counting immunoassay. In non-neurological patients (N = 24), CRP was detectable only in 10 samples at concentrations ranging from 1.5 to 37 micrograms/l. The multiple sclerosis group did not differ from the controls. The highest CRP levels were found in viral and bacterial, including tuberculous, infections of the nervous system, with overlapping results for the various types of infections. However, in serum, the levels of CRP were much higher in pyogenic than in viral meningitis. We compared the CSF CRP/serum CRP ratio to the same ratio for albumin and found a significant correlation between the two ratios in viral, but not in bacterial, infections. These results suggest a local consumption of CRP during bacterial meningitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

IgE in the cerebrospinal fluid.

The level of IgE in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was determined by particle counting immunoassay. With a limit of sensitivity of 0.2 IU/ml, this immunoglobulin was detected neither in CSF of non-neurological patients (n = 27) nor of patients with sciatica (n = 13). IgE was present in samples from some patients with either multiple sclerosis (MS) or various infections of the central nervous system. In these cases, an IgE index [CSF IgE/serum IgE: CSF albumin/serum albumin] was calculated as 0.29 (SD 0.12). This value is not abnormal as the mean IgG and monomeric IgA indices are 0.45 and 0.34, respectively. Therefore, the IgE detected in most of the CSF samples was not locally produced. However, most patients with tuberculous meningitis had clearly an increased IgE index suggesting a local biosynthesis, but we failed to detect any IgE antibody activity against purified protein derivatives.

Antibody Specificity↗
PubMed1984

Immune complexes in cerebrospinal fluid and serum of neurological patients. Possible intrathecal formation in bacterial meningitis and herpetic encephalitis.

We assayed immune complexes (IC) by Particle Counting ImmunoAssay in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with various neurological disorders. In pyogenic meningitis, the levels of IC sharply increased 4-8 days after onset with a fall before the 10th day of the disease. In herpetic encephalitis the IC and antibody levels started to increase about 12 days after onset. The IC persisted at high values for 3-4 weeks, whereas the high antibody titers persisted for several months during the follow-up. In these 2 groups of patients IC were probably locally produced as indicated by the lack of correlation with the IC levels in the serum. We did not detect any significant increase of IC in the serum and CSF of patients with multiple sclerosis (N = 48) or with acute idiopathic polyradiculoneuritis (N = 11). Using another technique based on the determination of IgG and C4 in polyethylene glycol precipitates we also failed to detect any significant increase of IC in multiple sclerosis sera.

Antigen-Antibody Complex↗