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Biomedical subjects

G Coccagna

Publications and source records attributed to G Coccagna.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Epidemiologic study on the effectiveness and safety of dihydroergocristine in impaired memory and behavioral functions in aged humans].

Aim of the study was to assess the activity of dihydroergocristine (DHEC, CAS 17479-19-5) in aged patients with impaired cognitive function. Twenty-five university hospital centres and 250 physicians participated in the study. 2,600 patients (1,104 males and 1,496 females, age range 50-80 years) were admitted to the study. Each patient was administered 6 mg/d DHEC for 120 days. Clinical evaluation was made through the SCAG Rating Scale registered at basal time, after 60 and 120 days. Responsivity to treatment was considered high when the final score was reduced by 30% and none if less than 10%. Analysis of results demonstrated that at the end of the study responsivity was high in 73% of cases, moderate in 20.4% and absent in 6.5%. Tolerability was very good as side effects were reported only in 3.16% of patients. Most frequent side effects were: nausea (1.23%), gastralgia (1.11%), headache (0.29%), hypotension (0.12%), vertigo (0.12%) and rash (0.08%). Drop-outs for gastralgia were reported only in 0.53% of the patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Sneddon syndrome presenting with hemicranic attacks: a case report.

The case of a young woman suffering from a rare cerebrovascular disease associated with livedo reticularis (Sneddon syndrome) is reported. Hemicranic attacks were the first symptom detected. The patient had a progressive clinical course of neurologic symptoms. Cerebral CT scan, NMR and cerebral arteriography revealed a progressive cerebral multifarctual feature involving middle-size arteries.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

Drug-induced tremor of the tongue.

Two cases are reported in which a transient tremor of the tongue followed treatment with thioridazine and flunarizine. The finding of this kyperkinesia as the only extrapyramidal side-effect of drug therapy is uncommon.

Female↗
PubMed1987

Sleep-related breathing impairment in myotonic dystrophy.

Respiratory failure has been described in myotonic dystrophy; it worsens during sleep but its central or peripheral origin has yet to be determined. Moreover, patients may present severely disturbed sleep and daytime somnolence. Eight patients with mild to moderate myotonic dystrophy were studied to assess breathing function while awake and during sleep by means of the pulmonary function tests, nocturnal polysomnographic examination and the multiple sleep latency test (MSLT). Three patients had restrictive respiratory defects; none had signs of airway obstruction. All patients had very disrupted nocturnal sleep. Of six patients who underwent the MSLT only two showed a mild tendency to sleep during the day. Six patients had pathological apnoea plus hypopnoea index [(A+H)I] and there was a prevalence of central apnoeas. The apnoeas occurred while resting but awake and throughout all sleep stages. Only two patients (the ones with the least vital capacity) had episodes of progressive oxygen desaturation during rapid eye movement sleep, similar to those found in other restrictive disorders and in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It is concluded that the breathing pattern characteristic of our myotonic dystrophy patients was the occurrence of central apnoeas both at rest while awake and during sleep.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

Nocturnal myoclonus and restless legs syndrome.

Nocturnal myoclonus (or periodic movements in sleep) consists of stereotyped sleep-related movements of the lower limbs and occasionally also upper limbs, ranging from simple dorsiflexion of the big toe and foot to a triple flexion of the entire leg. It is characterized by a typical periodicity, often occurring in association with sleep arousal phenomena. As an isolated finding (essential nocturnal myoclonus), it represents a paraphysiological phenomenon, also found in normal subjects and developing with advancing age. On the other hand, symptomatic nocturnal myoclonus is typically associated with restless legs syndrome; in this condition, it is usually severe and present also during wakefulness. The exact site of origin of nocturnal myoclonus is unknown. It is almost certainly a subcortical phenomenon, probably modulated in its periodicity by reticular influences. It has frequently been confused with, and should be clearly differentiated from, other normal jerking movements of sleep, such as partial myoclonic jerks and massive myoclonic jerks, or sleep starts. Other abnormal movements that may be confused with nocturnal myoclonus are the startles of hyperekplexia, the syndrome of painful legs and moving toes, nocturnal leg cramps, and the numerous varieties of epileptic myoclonus.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Sleep-related respiratory and haemodynamic changes in Shy-Drager syndrome: a case report.

The sleep-related respiratory and blood pressure changes in a patient with Shy-Drager syndrome associated with the sleep apnoea syndrome are reported. Polygraphic recordings showed repeated apnoeic episodes during both sleep and wakefulness. Systemic arterial pressure values during sleep tended to be lower than in two other patients with Shy-Drager syndrome, and, unlike observations in the sleep apnoea syndrome, nocturnal swings of arterial pressure related to obstructive apnoea were markedly reduced. As a result, the total sleep time was reduced; a sleep with several features similar to REM stage was identified; during this stage the arterial pressure reached the lowest levels recorded. A review of the literature revealed that nocturnal respiratory disturbances were detectable in a high percentage of patients with Shy-Drager syndrome. We suggest that such an association is not a chance one.

Aldosterone↗
PubMed1985

Neuropsychological and EEG evaluation in exposure to trichloroethylene.

After 1 year of exposure to trichloroethylene, reversible neuropsychological impairment and persistent EEG paroxysms were observed in one patient. The improvement of neuropsychological performances and the persistence of severe EEG abnormalities after withdrawal of the toxin suggest "functional" cerebral damage after prolonged exposure to trichloroethylene.

Brain Diseases↗
PubMed1984

Colpocephaly.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Nocturnal headache: systemic arterial pressure and heart rate during sleep.

In order to evaluate autonomic nervous system changes occurring before nocturnal headache attacks, we studied three subjects (one male, two females) suffering from chronic migraine. All three patients underwent a nocturnal polygraphic recording including continuous monitoring of systemic arterial pressure and heart rate. Two subjects showed increases and irregularities of arterial pressure before awakening with headache. These changes began during N-REM sleep and lasted during REM sleep preceding the awakening with headache. Heart rate did not change before the attacks. These findings do not support the hypothesis that autonomic instability during REM sleep represents the precipitating factor of the attacks.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Changes in systemic arterial pressure during sleep in Shy-Drager syndrome.

Polygraphic findings during spontaneous nocturnal sleep of 2 patients suffering from Shy-Drager syndrome are reported. In both patients, total sleep time was reduced--sleep latency and awakening periods during the night being increased. Considerable reductions of rapid eye movement (REM) stage and, in 1 patient, also of deep non-REM (NREM; stages 3-4) were found. No apneas were recorded. In normal subjects, systemic systolic and diastolic pressure decreases during all the sleep stages; in our patients, arterial pressure values rose progressively during NREM sleep stages and showed a further increase in REM sleep. In all the sleep stages, sudden phasic swings of systemic arterial pressure were observed.

Aged↗