PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

F R Ames

Publications and source records attributed to F R Ames.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1996

Cannabis and the brain.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the paper is to review the effects of Cannabis sativa on the human brain. METHOD: A selective literature review was undertaken. RESULTS/CONCLUSIONS: Cannabis sativa causes an acute and, with regular heavy ingestion, a subacute encephalopathy. There is no evidence of irreversible cerebral damage resulting from its use, although impairment of information processing might be a long-term consequence of heavy prolonged use. The precise relationship of cannabis to the functional psychoses such as schizophrenia has yet to be clarified.

Brain Damage, Chronic↗
PubMed1991

Sex and the brain.

Differences between the sexes in perception and cognition have been extensively documented and widely accepted as applicable to the majority of humans. Understanding of their aetiology can only be achieved by investigation of both hormonal and social factors. A significant recent advance, supporting the role of hormones, is presented. This study correlated corpus callosum size, sex and handedness. It showed that all females have a significantly larger isthmus (part of the corpus callosum) than consistently right-handed males. The inference is that women tend to use both hemispheres and most males only one. This has important educational and work-deployment implications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Temporal lobectomy in epilepsy. A report of 2 cases.

Two South African patients with frequent drug-resistant complex partial seizures arising from the left temporal lobe were referred to the UK for anterior temporal lobectomy. Both patients are now seizure-free, the first 3 1/2 years and the second 2 1/2 years after operation. Clinical details are presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Adult aqueduct stenosis and diencephalic epilepsy. A case report.

A white male developed severe headaches at the age of 31 years. Aqueduct stenosis with hydrocephalus was diagnosed. Some months after surgery (shunt) his behaviour altered and eventually he became mute and akinetic. Frequent episodes of marked autonomic over-activity occurred. The clinical and necropsy findings of aqueduct stenosis, hydrocephalus and periaqueductal gliosis, led us to believe that these indicated diencephalic epilepsy.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Thallium poisoning. A case report.

A 21-year-old Black male with painful neuropathy, abdominal pain, tachycardia and encephalopathy developed striking scalp alopecia 1 week after admission. Thallium poisoning was suspected and confirmed by urinalysis. The clinical course, investigations and management are presented.

Abdomen↗
PubMed1983

The sunflower syndrome. A new look at "self-induced" photosensitive epilepsy.

The stereotyped, episodic abnormal behaviour manifested by a child and her mother on exposure to a particular sort of sunlight is described in detail. The child is the first fully documented patient with this so-called "self-induced" form of photosensitive epilepsy in whom for several years no electroencephalographic sensitivity to flickering light could be demonstrated. The probability that the cingulate circuit may be the anatomical substrate involved in the pathogenesis of these patients' unusual response to sunlight is discussed. Both patients also exhibited remarkably persistent habit rhythmias--the one common to both being that of circling.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

The evoked epilepsies.

Epileptic activity may be strongly influenced by events occurring outside the central nervous system. At least 6% of recurrent seizures are evoked by specific afferent stimuli, and these are reviewed. The commonest environmental stimulus is light; photosensitive epilepsy occurs not only in humans but also in the baboon (Papio papio). Recognition and hence avoidance of factors which evoke seizures is an important part of the management of the epilepsies.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed1980

Gelastic epilepsy and hypothalamic hamartoma.

The clinical, electro-encephalographic and neuroradiological findings in 2 boys with gelastic epilepsy are described. Both patients had hypothalamic masses thought to be hamartomas, and 1 had precocious puberty. These 2 cases are compared with a previously published case of gelastic epilepsy with a left temporal focus. It was not possible to differentiate the hypothalamic lesions from the left temporal lesion on clinical grounds. The laughter in the hypothalamic group did not lack affect, as described by some other authors. Interictal EEGs in the patients with hypothalamic lesions showed generalized wave-spike activity, whereas localized abnormality was present in the patient with a left temporal EEG focus. Ictal recordings were the same in both groups. The combination of gelastic epilepsy and precocious puberty is rare. Only 10 cases have been reported in the literature, our patient being the 11th.

Cerebellar Neoplasms↗
PubMed1979

Effects of the oral administration of Cannabis sativa (dagga) on chacma baboons (Papio ursinus).

Eighteen adult chacma baboons were fed Cannabis sativa, the plant material being incorporated into their food. They were divided into three equal groups. Group 1 animals were fed on 2% cannabis in food for 4 months, after which 2 animals remained on 2%, 2 were given 4% and 2 6% cannabis in food for the next 4 months. They became mildy apathetic. Five gained weight. Serum glucose, potassium and CO2 values decreased. Neuropathological examination of their brains did not show any significant abnormality. Group 2 animals were fed 10% cannabis for several weeks. They ate less and lost weight, and later became very apathetic. Right temporal biopsies were done in all and in 3 the tissue was analysed for glutamine, glutamate, tryptophan, ammonia and cyclic AMP. No significant change was found. Serum glucose and CO2 levels rose and potassium levels fell. Blood cholesterol values decreased in 3 of the 9 males. Group 3 animals were fed 6% cannabis for 2--4 months. Radio-immunoassay of sera and urine showed the presence of cannabinoids. They became apathetic, and 5 lost weight. Serum glucose and potassium levels (measured in the males) decreased. No neuropathological lesions were found in the brains, apart from an incidental leptomeningitis in 1 animal which died suddenly. The question of cannabis encephalopathy is discussed.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1979

Measles antibodies and histocompatibility types in multiple sclerosis.

Measles antibody titres and HLA antigens were determined in 71 White and 11 Coloured multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and 71 White and 11 Coloured age and sex-matched controls. Measles antibody titres were determined by the hemagglutination inhibition test and HLA antigens were determined serologically by a micro-lymphocytotoxicity test. Measles antibody titres were significantly higher in MS than in control cases and this was true for both female and male patients. No association was observed between the HLA antigens, especially HLA-A3 or HLA-B7 and measles antibody titres in the sera of MS patients or controls.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1977

Multiple sclerosis in Coloured South Africans.

Detailed case histories of seven Coloured South Africans with multiple sclerosis are presented; the summary of one South African-born Indian is included. Apart from an isolated case report in 1947, this is the first time that multiple sclerosis has been reported in detail in this South African racial group. All the Coloured patients presented for the first time during the last 12 years.

Adult↗