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Biomedical subjects

F Cabrera-Valdivia

Publications and source records attributed to F Cabrera-Valdivia.

31 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1993

Serum levels of beta-carotene and other carotenoids in Parkinson's disease.

To elucidate the possible role of carotenoids in the risk for developing Parkinson's disease (PD), we compared serum levels of beta-carotene, alpha-carotene and lycopene, measured by high performance liquid chromatography, of 61 PD patients using their spouses as the control group. The serum levels of these 3 carotenoids did not differ significantly between PD patients and control groups. There was no influence of antiparkinsonian therapy on serum carotenoids levels, and these did not correlate with age, age at onset, scores of the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale or the Hoehn and Yahr staging in the PD group. These results show that serum carotenoids concentrations are apparently unrelated to the risk for developing PD.

Aged↗
PubMed1993

Serum levels of ascorbic acid (vitamin C) in patients with Parkinson's disease.

To elucidate the possible role of vitamin C in the risk for developing Parkinson's disease (PD), we compared serum levels of ascorbic acid (vitamin C), measured by a fluorometric method, of 63 PD patients using their spouses as the control group. The serum levels of vitamin C did not differ significantly between the groups (47.13 +/- 0.89 micrograms/ml for PD and 47.60 +/- 0.60 micrograms/ml for controls). There was no influence of antiparkinsonian therapy on vitamin C. Serum levels of vitamin C did not correlate with age, age at onset and duration of the disease, scores of the Unified PD Rating Scale or the Hoehn and Yahr staging in the PD group. These results suggest that serum vitamin C concentrations are apparently unrelated to the risk of developing PD.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1993

Parkinsonism unmasked by verapamil.

We report the case of a 55-year-old man who had a parkinsonian syndrome unresponsive to levodopa for 5 years and had been taking verapamil during the past 8 years. Parkinsonian signs improved markedly after withdrawal of verapamil, suggesting its role in unmasking the parkinsonism. To our knowledge, this side effect of verapamil has not been described previously.

Antiparkinson Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Do antioxidants in the diet affect the risk of developing Parkinson disease?].

OBJECTIVE: A number of studies suggest the existence of 'oxidative stress' in the substantia nigra from parkinsonian patients. If 'oxidative stress' should be relevant in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD), the consumption of antioxidant or prooxidant substances in the diet could theoretically influence the risk for this disease. DEVELOPMENT: A critical up to date review of the literature regarding premorbid consumption of antioxidants or prooxidants by PD patients and controls has been done. Most studies have been retrospective, they have been performed following different designs, and disclosed contradictory results. CONCLUSION: From the current literature, it is unlikely that dietetic consumption of prooxidants and antioxidant, specially vitamin E (the most frequently studied antioxidant) have any influence on the risk for PD.

Antioxidants↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Bilateral hand dystonia secondary to a bilateral opercular syndrome or Foix-Chavany-Marie syndrome].

INTRODUCTION: The main clinical feature of the opercular syndrome (Foix Chavany Marie) is the automatic voluntary dissociation of the facio glosso pharyngeal movements (that is, the alteration of voluntary motility with preservation of authomatic movements). Less frequently, it is presented with movement disorders as dystonia. CASE REPORT: We report a male patient aged 40 years who developed a biopercular syndrome of vascular etiology (confirmed by neuroimaging), in the context or a clinical picture of global hipoxemia, for which the most outstanding clinical manifestation was the presence of dystonic posturing. CONCLUSION: Although dystonia is usually related with damage or dysfunction of the basal ganglia or thalamus, in some case it can be caused by lesions in other locations, such as in some patients with biopercular syndrome as in the present case

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Dysfunction of the upper respiratory airways in patients with essential tremor].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate pulmonary function abnormalities in essential tremor. METHODS: We obtained maximal inspiratory and expiratory flow-volume curves in 41 unselected patients with essential tremor (14 males, 27 females, age 61.7 +/- 2.14 years). Severity of essential tremor was evaluated using the Fahn, Tolosa and Marin clinical scale. RESULTS: Sixteen patients (39.0%) had flow oscillations on the flow-volume curves (8 only during inspiration, 7 during inspiration and expiration, and 1 with flow oscillations during inspiration and obstructive pattern). The duration and severity of the essential tremor did not influence the pattern of the curve, but abnormal curves were more frequent in patients with voice tremor. Although there were a number of significant correlations between essential tremor scales and spirographic parameters, they were of very low range. Four patients (9.8%) fulfilled criteria for physiological upper airway obstruction: 2 had smooth flow-volume loop contour and 2 had flow oscillations in inspiration and expiration. CONCLUSION: Abnormalities in flow-volume loop contour are a usual finding in essential tremor. This probably reflects involvement of the upper airway musculature, that in some patients can produce clinical upper airway obstruction.

Female↗