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Biomedical subjects

E Sinforiani

Publications and source records attributed to E Sinforiani.

51 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Effects induced by vincamine teprosilate on chronic cerebrovascular disease: preliminary results.

A group of 90 patients suffering from chronic cerebrovascular disease (CCVD) were selected on the basis of definite clinical criteria and pretests indicating a well-preserved general level of the higher functions. The purpose was to perform a clinical and neuropsychological assessment of CCVD sufferers during treatment with vincamine teprosilate (Teproside) for 90 days. Each selected patient was submitted to neurological examination and neuropsychological testing before treatment, after 45 days and at the termination of treatment. Neuropsychological examination included the reaction-time task, memory tests, verbal fluency test, trail making test, PM 38, MACL and STAI depression scales. Preliminary results are discussed and compared with previous data reported in the literature.

Aged↗
PubMed1983

Beta-endorphin, beta-lipotropin and adrenocorticotropic hormone levels in cerebrospinal fluid, and brain damage in chronic alcoholics.

In 34 chronic alcoholics, subdivided into two groups according to the state of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), beta-lipotropin (beta-LPH), beta-endorphin (beta-EP), ACTH and cortisol levels were determined in basal conditions in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Hormonal concentrations were correlated with brain damage and mnesic function. The results indicate the reduced CSF beta-EP content in chronic alcoholics and suggest that peripheral beta-EP may penetrate into the CSF compartment when there is BBB damage. They also sustain the different origins of central and peripheral pro-opiocortin-related peptides, and support the concept that beta-EP, beta-LPH and ACTH may be autonomously regulated at the central level. Moreover, both morphological brain damage and mnesic impairment in chronic alcoholics are unrelated to CSF peptide levels. The role of opioid peptides in the nature of alcohol-seeking behavior is supported.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1983

Blood cells glutathione peroxidase activity and selenium in multiple sclerosis.

In the present study, the plasma and erythrocyte Se concentration and the erythrocyte and leukocyte glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in 20 patients affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) were compared with those of a group of healthy controls. The Se concentration in the food was also studied and found to be less than the minimum values suggested by the US Food and Nutrition Board. The erythrocyte Se levels were found to be similar in both MS patients and in controls, while the plasma Se values were higher in the MS patients. The Se-dependent GSH-Px activity in the erythrocytes was found to be lower in the MS patients while no difference was found in the two groups as far as the leukocytes were concerned. Our data confirm that of other authors and indicate that the modified GSH-Px activity found in erythrocytes of MS patients is independent from the Se concentration and probably due to genetic factors.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Central deficiency of beta-endorphin in alcohol addicts.

Alcohol addiction may induce its dependence through a mechanism involving opiate receptors and opioid peptides. For these reasons, we measured ACTH, beta-lipotropin, and beta-endorphin in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of 29 alcohol addicts and compared these values with those found in 8 normal volunteers. Although no significant differences existed in peripheral concentrations of the 3 peptides, alcohol addicts had beta-endorphin levels in CSF (mean +/- SE, 29.4 +/- 4.5 fmol/ml) that were 3-fold lower than those of the controls (98.4 +/- 10.5 fmol/ml; P less than 0.001) and ACTH levels 4 times higher than control values (30.0 +/- 1.8 vs. 7.4 +/- 1.1 fmol/ml in controls; P less than 0.001), while no difference was found in beta-lipotropin levels. These results suggest that alcohol addiction is associated with a marked alteration in the CSF content of proopiocortin-related peptides which may play a role in the alcohol-seeking behavior typical of the syndrome.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pramiracetam effects on scopolamine-induced amnesia in healthy volunteers.

Pramiracetam has been evaluated for its potential antiamnesic properties in scopolamine-induced amnesia in healthy volunteers. Two groups of twelve males, 18-42 and 55-65 years old, respectively, were randomly assigned to oral treatment with pramiracetam (600 mg twice a day) or with placebo for 10 consecutive days. On day 11 each subject was injected intramuscularly with scopolamine hydrobromide (0.5 mg). Before scopolamine injection and then 1, 3 and 6 h after it, subjects were administered the following psychometric tests: simple and choice visual reaction times, digit symbol substitution test, Rey's 15 words test for short and long term verbal memory. Scopolamine significantly impaired episodic memory and selective attention tests in both scopolamine and placebo groups. Instead visuo-motor and incidental learning measures were unaffected. Pramiracetam, when compared to placebo, was able to partially reduce the amnesic effects induced by scopolamine both in young and old subjects.

Clinical Trial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neuropsychological changes after carotid endarterectomy.

Carotid endarterectomy (CEA), performed to prevent stroke, could lead to changes in cognitive functions. Sixty-four patients with severe carotid stenosis undergoing CEA treatment were evaluated by means of a detailed neuropsychological assessment before (baseline), from one to two weeks (1st follow up) after and 3 months (2nd follow up) after surgical operation. A significant post-CEA improvement was found in verbal memory and attention (p<0.05), while other cognitive functions showed no significant changes.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Cognitive and neuroradiological findings in myotonic dystrophy.

Cognitive functions were investigated in 37 patients with myotonic dystrophy (MD) and correlated with clinical and neuroradiological variables. The whole cognitive performance was at a low-average level; in about 1/3 of the subjects, in fact, the scores at the neuropsychological tests were below the normal range. There was a consistent trend for patients with inheritance on maternal side to perform worse on Wechsler verbal score and to present cerebral atrophy. In 7 out of 12 subjects focal white matter lesions were found at nuclear magnetic resonance. The significance of these findings and its relation to cognitive performance are discussed.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lateralization of visual attention in patients with classic migraine and unilateral prodromes.

The present study is aimed to investigate whether and how mechanisms of visual attention are changed into conditions of monohemispheric disorders. For this purpose, Posner's paradygm was applied to classic migraine patients with prodromal phenomena localized in one hemisphere. The subjects were examined in acute phase (within 24 h of the episode end) and after a week or more from the episode (interparoxysmal phase). The patients in interparoxysmal phase behaved as normal subjects. In acute phase, we observed a selective involvement of attentional behaviour in migraineurs with left hemispheric symptoms. A possible explanation might be based on the well-known tendency of this hemisphere to prevail in performing attentive tasks.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Analysis of higher nervous functions in migraine and cluster headache.

Three groups of patients, long-time sufferers from classic migraine, common migraine, and cluster headache respectively, and three control groups, age- education- and sex-matched, underwent a set of neuropsychological tests and tachistoscope tasks in order to evaluate cognitive functions and interhemispheric balance. Migraineurs and cluster headache patients were selected on the basis of the constant (90%) unilaterality of both pain and focal neurological deficits. No significant differences emerged between patients and controls in any of the neuropsychological and tachistoscopic tasks administered, thus indicating that between attacks of migraine as well as of cluster headache no evidence of cortical dysfunction is detectable.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Functional opioid activity variates according to the different fashion of alcohol abuse.

Two groups of alcohol addicts (total of 14 subjects), were submitted to Traditional Manual Acupuncture and pituitary hormone plasma levels, including B-Endorphin (B-EP), were measured in basal condition and after 1, 5, 20 and 60 minutes from needle withdrawal. Group A patients had a polarity towards negative affective tone presenting signs of dysphoria while group B was composed of the so-called "social drinkers". No difference existed in basal hormonal values, except slightly elevated plasma B-EP levels in group A. No significant responses to TMA were recorded in plasma ACTH, Cortisol, Prolactin or GH levels in groups A and B. Social drinkers showed an increase of B-EP plasma levels in response to TMA (128 +/- 62.1%, mean +/- SD) which on the contrary was absent in dysphoric alcoholics (2.8 +/- 38.6%, p less than 0.01). The same was true for B-Lipotropin plasma levels. These preliminary results suggest that different fashions of alcohol abuse may be associated with different reactivity of the endogenous opioid system.

Acupuncture Therapy↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Neurological symptoms of the sick building syndrome: analysis of a questionnaire.

Sick building syndrome (SBS) is an excess of work-related irritations of the skin and mucous membranes and of symptoms such as headache and fatigue in those working in modern air-conditioned buildings. We aimed to analyse the neurological symptoms, especially headache, in workers with potential SBS. The most frequent symptoms were headache and dry eyes. Sex was a major factor of difference: women report more symptoms than men. A positive correlation emerged between the number of symptoms and the asthenia scale score. Only 11 (8.2% of the whole sample) and 37 (27.4%) workers met all the IHS criteria for migraine and tension-type headache respectively. At least one symptom of SBS was present in 92.6% of workers. A negative correlation emerges between air conditioning and headache during working hours. No correlation emerges between the workplace comfort indicator and SBS and asthenic symptoms while a negative correlation was found between migraine and tension-type headache and comfort in the workplace. SBS symptoms are very frequent among all workers but headache is the primary symptom.

Adult↗