Biomedical subjects

J A Frederiks

Publications and source records attributed to J A Frederiks.

12 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2001

[Century of dementia].

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗

PubMed2000

Inflammation of the mind. On the 300th anniversary of Gerard van Swieten.

History teaches that the ancient phrenitis concept has been used until the 19th century. After that time the concept was replaced by the word delirium. By their epigonic character the detailed descriptions of phrenitis by Van Swieten mark only the end of an uncritical use of the term. The epoch-making work of Morgagni, based on clinical-anatomical observations, provides a definitive insight into the location of the condition and into many pathologic features. Pinel is the last author who mentions phrenitis in a classification of diseases. After that time phrenitis became a vanished disease.

Delirium↗

PubMed2000

[Gerard van Swieten (1700-1772). A celebrated and faithful disciple of Boerhaave].

This article provides an overview of the life and work of the Dutchman Gerard van Swieten respectively at Leyden and Vienna. He is still well known as the founder of the first Vienna medical school and reformer of the Viennese medical faculty. During the eighteenth century his five volumes containing Commentaries upon the aphorisms of Herman Boerhaave were considered to be the best medical reference work. In his organizational work Van Swieten can be characterized as a medical manager avant la lettre and at the same time as a (brilliant) epigone of his master Boerhaave and the Leyden clinic. In his writings too he closely followed the ideas and papers of Boerhaave and others, and also here he was an epigone, be it a great one. His Commentaria are at the present time still valuable to inform us about the state of the art in eighteenth century medicine. These books really deserve a timely overall study.

Aphorisms and Proverbs as Topic↗

PubMed1997

The first lumbar puncture.

In this article it is argued that Heinrich Irenäus Quincke who should be credited with the discovery of lumbar puncture. Although some authors mention the names of James Leonard Corning and Walter Essex Wynter as well, it is demonstrated, by comparing the relevant publications, that the discovery, the application for diagnostic purposes and the introduction in clinical practice of the lumbar puncture were done by Quincke. At first, the purposes for performing a lumbar puncture were purely therapeutic, for instance CSF-drainage in hydrocephalus and meningitis. But, soon after, it was applied for diagnostic aims as well.

Germany↗

PubMed1993

Transient global amnesia.

Transient global amnesia (TGA) is a transient, benign neurological syndrome, characterized by global loss of memory, preserved consciousness and self-awareness, associated with some behavioral changes (in particular, repetitive questioning). It generally resolves within 24 h. Mild brain stem symptoms can often be demonstrated during the attack, but major neurological abnormalities never occur. The only sequel is a permanent amnesic gap for the duration of the episode. The episode is often preceded by typical precipitating events, such as physical activity, emotional stress, acute pain, comprising haemodynamic changes of the body. The diagnosis is easy provided one is acquainted with the syndrome. The prevalence of vascular risk factors is low and the risk for stroke is not increased. Although much evidence indicates the possibility of a causative ischaemia in the inferomedial parts of the temporal lobes, an atherothrombo-embolic TIA is not the cause of TGA, and TGA is unrelated to cerebrovascular disease in general. In the author's view, the cause of TGA is a transient ischemic attack (TIA) but a haemodynamic one of the vertebrobasilar system, producing a transient dysfunction of inferomedial parts of the temporal lobes, regions that are particularly sensitive to impaired blood supply. For a full pathogenetic explanation of TGA, clarification of the underlying mechanisms is a prerequisite. This touches on the genesis of migraine and Leao's spreading depression phenomenon. The term 'amnesic TIA' would reflect the pathogenesis more appropriately.

Amnesia↗

PubMed1985