Biomedical subjects

M C Fernández-Miranda

Publications and source records attributed to M C Fernández-Miranda.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2002

[Epilepsy and sleep as seen on video encephalographic recordings].

INTRODUCTION: The relation between epilepsy and sleep has been known for some time. Seizures are often not observed by the examiner and it is necessary to make prolonged recordings during sleep, both slow or no REM sleep and paradoxical or REM sleep. Objective. To show the way in which a video recording may be made of a patient s seizures, together with an electroencephalogram recorded on a suitable disk and both sets of data be synchronised and studied as often as necessary. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We describe some of the epileptic seizures, recorded by this technique, during sleep. At the same time we show other paroxystic non epileptic episodes occurring during sleep which may be needed to be ruled out of the differential diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: We show that as a general rule the basic activity of paroxystic disorders seen on an electroencephalogram occurs during slow sleep phases and particularly during their early stages. These studies are especially relevant in children and in neonates a prolonged recording is essential

Child↗

PubMed2002

[Society, law and epilepsy].

INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is an important problem from a medical, social and legal point of view. Proof of this is the fact that it constitutes the second most commonly alleged cause for absolution of responsibility in Spain, according to the jurisprudence from the Supreme Court (1976 1995). METHOD: Throughout history it has been classified as a magical, supernatural disease and has been studied within psychiatry as an endogenous psychosis. It has therefore been considered a form of madness, which has led to court decisions that have taken this concept into account. The supposed dangerousness of suffers from epilepsy must be the exception, and their supposed epileptic characters and personalities that drive them to commit atrocious murders are no longer of any relevance. The problems stemming from epileptic seizures are to be seen in civil, penal, military, canonical and labour law, very often in an exclusive fashion. CONCLUSION: We think it is worthwhile reviewing these concepts with a view to their undergoing a later modification, which would lead to the full integration of these patients and to their being considered as suffering from a neurological illness.

Crime↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Epilepsy equivalents: a term in disuse?].

The term 'epileptic equivalent' has had different meanings in recent years, for both doctors and lawyers (who have copied their reports). Our interest is due to finding that in the jurisprudence of the Supreme Court that we have reviewed, these terms are still taken into consideration when passing judgement or declaring a defendant immune from prosecution. This might mean a complete or partial defence, according to the grade of psychological illness of the person who commits the punishable act. Thus, there are still references to dysthymia, residual or larvate epilepsy, etcetera, and medical experts relate them directly to epileptic disorders, to judge from the references made in many of the sentences reviewed. This has influenced penal classification in one way or another. People who have never had an epileptic crisis have been considered to be epileptics. The same may also be said of the well-known epileptic character or epileptic personality. Therefore this paper considers the importance of language in this disorder. It invites relevant persons or institutions to unify opinions and modernize the terminology in accordance with modern scientific knowledge [REV NEUROL 1999; 28: 524-8].

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Epilepsy and permission to drive].

INTRODUCTION: At the present time it has become a social necessity for most people to be able to drive a motor vehicle. For this reason, obtention of a driving license is continuously regulated so as to be adapted to the psychophysical aptitudes required at any given moment, since these vary with medical and social advances. DEVELOPMENT: We review the doctrine on this subject in some of the major countries, finding that far from having similar criteria, there is disparity even between different jurisdictions of the same country. In Spain epilepsy is regulated regarding the difficulty in obtaining a driving license in the General Regulation for Drivers (RD 772/1997). We consider this in detail. CONCLUSIONS: We try to unify criteria regarding the periods free of seizures, modifying the language with respect to some of these, validity of the license, analysis of the medical report and its responsibility in case of third party injury in a road accident. We propose open debate to clarify these terms.

Accidents, Traffic↗