PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

J J Fasler

Publications and source records attributed to J J Fasler.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Age-related changes in autonomic function: relationship with postural hypotension.

Eleven elderly subjects, six with signs and symptoms of postural hypotension, were investigated for autonomic neuropathy of their cardiovascular and pupillary systems. The results were compared with those from a group of nine young subjects to define the reductions in autonomic activity that normally occur with age. There was evidence of a decline in autonomic function in the elderly, but this was no greater in the group with postural hypotension. A positive correlation was found between the level of the supine systolic pressure and the degree of postural drop. It is suggested that pathology in the vasculature and not in the sympathetic innervation is responsible for postural hypotension in the elderly.

Adult↗

West Indian amblyopia.

A series of 21 patients admitted to St Thomas' Hospital, Medical Ophthalmology Unit, with a diagnosis of West Indian or West African amblyopia is reported. Patients were investigated for haematological, biochemical, serological, and radiological abnormalities and particular attention was paid to dietary history. Patients admitted in recent years also underwent neurophysiological investigations. No definite correlation between visual loss and dietary or family history was found, and there was no evidence that the improvement in vision which occurred in just under half the patients on follow-up was related to treatment with hydroxocobalamin or multivitamins. Visual-evoked responses in 4 patients showed a prolonged latency suggesting optic nerve demyelination, while in only one case was the electro-oculogram definitely subnormal. These findings contrast with those in 'toxic' amblyopias and suggest that the syndrome of West Indian amblyopoa may be due to bilateral optic nerve demyelination of unknown aetiology rather than the effect of toxic substances or nutritional deficiency on the retina.

Adolescent↗