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Biomedical subjects

P Lerman

Publications and source records attributed to P Lerman.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1987

Effect of valproic acid therapy on zinc metabolism in children with primary epilepsy.

The effect of long-term treatment with valproic acid (VPA) on zinc (Zn) metabolism was studied in 15 children with absence seizures. During treatment with VPA the erythrocyte Zn content was significantly lower than that found in controls matched for sex and age. Plasma and urine values of Zn and of copper were within normal limits. It is suggested that the anticonvulsive action of VPA may be mediated through its effect on the metabolism of Zn in the brain and the concomitant changes in the activity of the enzymes glutamic acid decarboxylase and carbonic anhydrase.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Low erythrocyte zinc content in acquired aphasia with convulsive disorder (Landau-Kleffner syndrome).

Abnormal zinc metabolism in a 6-year-old male patient with Landau-Kleffner syndrome (acquired aphasia and convulsive disorder) is the subject of our report. We describe a significant decrease of erythrocyte and plasma zinc levels in the patient as compared with normal. Red blood cell zinc content is normally 38.5 +/- 2.7 micrograms/g hemoglobin v 16.5 micrograms/g hemoglobin found in the patient. Plasma zinc level is 94.6 +/- 10.4 micrograms/dL in normal in comparison with 50.4 micrograms/dL in the patient. Normal oral zinc tolerance test performed on the patient precludes altered zinc absorption or increased urinary loss. The possible connection between abnormal zinc metabolism and the pathophysiology of Landau-Kleffner syndrome is discussed.

Aphasia↗
PubMed1985

Deinstitutionalization and welfare policies.

Before America began creating a federally based welfare state in the 1930s, most publicly funded responses to social problems had an institutional bias. The ways in which the welfare programs initiated 50 years ago have helped to influence institutional trends, and are likely to continue doing so in the future, constitute the major focus of this analysis. Four special problem groups are assessed from a historical perspective: (1) the dependent aged and the movement from local almshouses and state insane asylums to nursing homes; (2) the mentally ill and the movement from state hospitals to a variety of local medical and nonmedical residences; (3) the developmentally disabled--formerly the mentally retarded--and the movement from state schools to private community residential facilities; and (4) the dependent/neglected and delinquent youth and the movement away from orphan asylums and training schools to group homes, treatment centers, adolescent psychiatric units, halfway houses, and outdoor camps. Recent trends and projections, as well as present and future policy issues, are assessed.

Aid to Families with Dependent Children↗
PubMed1984

Phenytoin pharmacokinetics in catamenial epilepsy.

It is not known why the frequency of seizures sometimes increases in the perimenstrual period (catamenial epilepsy). We have examined the possibility that changes in anticonvulsant pharmacokinetics may be responsible. Seventeen women with seizures who were taking phenytoin (DPH) and whose seizures were more frequent perimenstrually were examined twice each, once on the first or second menstrual day and again after 2 weeks. Mean serum DPH levels were lower during the menses. In seven women with seizures unrelated to menses, the fall of DPH levels was much smaller. In catamenial epilepsy, the fall was due to increased DPH clearance. At the time of ovulation, hepatic DPH metabolism may be slowed by competition from steroid hormones.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1981

Focal epileptic EEG discharges in children not suffering from clinical epilepsy: etiology, clinical significance, and management.

Epileptic discharges in the EEG record may be found in children not suffering from convulsive seizures. Such discharges often consist of spiking in the rolandic and midtemporal areas (labelled centrotemporal spikes) and less often in the occipital region. They may be multifocal. These focal discharges seem to be age-dependent, tending to disappear during the teenage years. Children displaying such discharges are discovered either through large-scale EEG studies of asymptomatic children or among those who are referred for EEG because of various nonrelated complaints such as headaches, bed-wetting, syncope, behaviour problems, and learning difficulties. Many of them are labelled as suffering from "masked epilepsy" and are considered as epileptics. One hundred such cases are reviewed, and the clinical and EEG data are analysed. Three illustrative case reports are presented, and the literature is critically reviewed. It is maintained that these children are not to be considered as epileptic and should not be treated with anticonvulsant drugs.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1975

Benign focal epilepsy of childhood. A follow-up study of 100 recovered patients.

Benign focal epilepsy of childhood is an entity that includes characteristic clinical and electroencephalographic manifestations. Clinically, it consists of typical brief, hemifacial seizures that tend to become generalized when they occur nocturnally. The EEG findings include slow, diphasic, high-voltage, centro-temporal spikes, often followed by slow waves. Retrospective and prospective studies were carried out on 100 such patients, all of whom recovered before reaching adulthood, with the disappearance of both the clinical manifestations and the EEG findings.

Adolescent↗