Biomedical subjects

J Burcet-Dardé

Publications and source records attributed to J Burcet-Dardé.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[Evoked potentials and their application in epilepsy].

INTRODUCTION: Evoked potentials (PE) are used in a technique for functional exploration of the central nervous system which allows a response to be generated following repeated sensory stimulation. There are different modalities according to the stimulus used. The most frequently used are visual, auditory and somestesic stimuli. There are also cognitive endogenous potentials. Each response requires the use of specific methods to obtain it. DEVELOPMENT: In this paper we present a summary of the methodology for obtaining evoked potentials and also a review of their application in the field of epilepsy. There are different findings in studies using PE which are characteristic of certain syndromes in which epileptic seizures occur. Correlation of alterations in PE with the clinical findings may be of help in studying the physiopathology of epilepsy and subsequent follow up, especially for the study of cognitive functions.

Epilepsy↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Medicine and law. Legal aspects of the epilepsies].

In this paper we review the relation between epilepsy and the law, more precisely with regard to penal and civil law. Since the new Spanish penal code came into effect in 1996, and especially in view of recent advances in medical knowledge, it is important for doctors and lawyers to make an effort to develop a language which is common to both professions. We particularly refer to the psychiatric comorbidity of epilepsy, especially the association between violence and epilepsy, in the context of psychotic changes in epilepsy. The subject is still under discussion. In the future a consensus must be reached between all the professions involved to ensure correct practice when managing the psychiatric comorbidity of epilepsy.

Comorbidity↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[The relation between the HLA-DRB1*1501 allele and the severity of multiple sclerosis in a sample of the Spanish population from the Balearic Islands: the influence exerted by sex].

INTRODUCTION: There is some controversy about the possible relation between HLA-DR2 (DRB1*1501-DRB5*0101-DQA1*0102-DQB1*0602) and the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS), which could be due, at least in part, to methodological differences among the different studies dealing with this subject and/or to a lack of phenotypic homogeneity within the series of patients. AIMS: This study aims to contribute information about the possible relation between DR2 (more specifically the HLA-DRB1*1501 allele) and the severity of MS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a study of 43 individuals with clinically defined MS, whose degree of severity was determined using Kurtzke's EDSS, and 107 controls from a similar ethnic origin. DETERMINATIONS: HLA typing by PCR-SSO and PCR-SSP, analysis of oligoclonal IgG bands in CSF by isoelectric focusing, and quantification of the intrathecal synthesis of IgG (IgG index, IgG ratio, Reiber's formula and Tourtellotte's formula). STATISTICS: Chi2 test, Mann-Whitney test and Kendall correlation coefficient. RESULTS: DRB1*1501 is associated with the presence of MS only in females and with lower severity of the disease only in males. These associations do not appear to depend on any kind of effect exerted by DRB1*1501 on the intrathecal synthesis of IgG that differs between the two sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The absence of a relation between DRB1*1501 and the severity of MS reported in many studies could be due to not stratifying the patients according to sex. Our findings emphasise how important it is in genetic studies of complex traits to reduce the phenotypic heterogeneity of patients as much as possible.

Adolescent↗