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Biomedical subjects

J Taber

Publications and source records attributed to J Taber.

6 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Computerised evaluation of cognitive and motor function.

In this paper, we present a clinical study of computerised tracking in the evaluation of cognitive and motor function. We investigate its use in the assessment of effectiveness of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) as well as in the process of following the progress of Alzheimer's disease (AD). To simplify the experiments, we introduce real-time adaptation of the target speed. In the study with epileptic patients, three result groups are compared: blood levels of AEDs, scores on standard neuropsychological tests, and scores on computerised tracking and reaction time tests. It is found that the computerised tests are repeatable, reliable and sensitive and may therefore be useful in the evaluation of epilepsy treatment. For example, while the blood levels associated with AEDs lie in the therapeutic range, variations in the optimal speed (OS) between 0.9 and 1.1 (expressed in relative units) are recorded. To significantly simplify the protocol for AD patients while preserving its main features, we introduce signal-processing techniques into the data analysis. Local signal property characteristics for AD are found which indicate that the preview tracking of an AD patient is similar to the non-preview tracking of a healthy control. This result is expected since the working memory, which is involved in movement planning, is impaired in AD. In non-preview tracking, healthy control subjects are mostly in tracking mode 1 and have a mean mode duration of 600 ms. In preview tracking, AD patients are mostly in mode 2 with a mean mode duration of 600 ms.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

TRI-PLEDs: a case report.

This case report shows an example of TRI-PLEDs, periodic discharges occurring independently on 3 different areas. The phenomenon of the PLED is briefly discussed.

Aged↗
PubMed1992

Cranial computed tomographic observations in multi-infarct dementia. A controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We compared cranial computed tomography findings among 58 multi-infarct dementia index cases and 74 multi-infarct control subjects without cognitive impairment to identify potential determinants of multi-infarct dementia. METHODS: The cranial computed tomography records of acute ischemic stroke patients with a history of multiple cerebral infarcts were compared to determine the number, location, and size of cerebral infarcts; the pattern of infarction; brain volume loss; and the degree of white matter lucency, sulcal enlargement, and ventricular enlargement. Multi-infarct patients were divided into two groups: 1) index cases were defined as those with multi-infarct dementia as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, edition 3 (DSM-III) criteria; and 2) control subjects were defined as those multi-infarct patients without dementia or multi-infarct dementia according to DSM-III criteria. RESULTS: Overall, multi-infarct index cases had more cerebral infarcts, more cortical and subcortical left hemisphere infarcts, higher mean ventricular volume to brain volume ratio, more extensive enlargement of the body of the lateral ventricles and cortical sulci, and a higher prevalence of white matter lucencies. Among multi-infarct cases and control subjects the most frequent site of infarction was the subcortical region, and the most frequent pattern of infarction was lacunar. Stepwise logistic regression analysis examined cranial computed tomography as well as other factors and showed that level of education, stroke severity, left cortical infarction, and diffuse enlargement of the left lateral ventricle were the best overall predictors of multi-infarct dementia. CONCLUSIONS: Level of education, stroke severity, and left hemisphere infarction may be predictors of multi-infarct dementia.

Brain↗
PubMed1988

Clinical and angiographic comparison of asymptomatic occlusive cerebrovascular disease.

We compared clinical and arteriographic features in 106 patients with symptomatic unilateral carotid territory occlusive disease to determine the frequency and distribution of occlusive arterial lesions in asymptomatic vessels. Among black patients who were predominantly from Chicago, young, and female, there were fewer transient ischemic attacks and myocardial infarcts, less claudication, and more asymptomatic lesions of the supraclinoid internal carotid artery, anterior cerebral artery stem, and the middle cerebral artery stem. Among white patients predominantly from New England, elderly, and male, there was more frequent and severe occlusive asymptomatic disease at extracranial carotid and vertebral artery sites. Knowledge of the distribution of asymptomatic lesions will help guide evaluation and treatment strategies for patients with occlusive cerebrovascular disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Personality profiles of hospitalized pathological gamblers: the California Personality Inventory.

Studies of the personality of the pathological gambler have consisted primarily of case reports and findings on the MMPI. This article presents data on a sample of 70 pathological gamblers, 70 alcoholics in treatment, and 70 medical/surgical controls on the California Personality Inventory (CPI). Gamblers and alcoholics differed significantly from hospitalized controls on a number of scales, particularly on measures of socialization, ego control, and flexibility. Differences between the gamblers and alcoholics were few, with a trend for the alcoholics to be similar to the gamblers and intermediate between the other two groups. Implications for the treatment of the pathological gambler are discussed.

Adult↗