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Biomedical subjects

R G Feldman

Publications and source records attributed to R G Feldman.

At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1977

Lead neuropathy in adults and children.

All parts of the nervous systems can be affected, depending on the level and duration of exposure, by increased levels of lead. The occurrence of motor neuron disease, peripheral neuropathy, and encephalopathy are not mutually exclusive disorders for those individuals suffering from the toxic effects of lead. We present data that support the concept that increased absorption of lead produces changes in both central and peripheral nervous systems. Clinical and electrical evidence of subclinical involvement of peripheral nerves appears to be common to adults and children who are exposed to lead. These observations, accumulated from several possible sources of environmental hazard, also suggest that measurement of motor nerve conduction velocity may serve as an additional factor in the diagnosis of otherwise unrecognized toxic effects of lead.

Adult↗
PubMed1976

The relation of anticonvulsant drug levels to complete seizure control.

This study was undertaken to determine the relationship of serum ACD levels to dosage in a group of patients who had been seizure free for at least two years. It demonstrated that some patients remain completely seizure free with DPH and/or phenobarbital serum concentrations which are well below the reported "optimal" therapeutic ranges. In addition, medicating patients with anti-convulsant drugs solely on the basis of mg/kg of body weight does not assure optimal ACD levels in any given patient. Certain patients can be maintained completely seizure free controlled with DPH and/or Pb levels of less than 10 micrograms/ml. There are several explanations for the medication concentrations observed in these patients: (1) patient noncompliance in ingestion of prescribed medication; (2) altered drug utilization; (3) a mild focus which is maintained under control with lower DPH levels than those necessary to control a more active focus; or (4) epilepsy in remission. Our observations emphasize the importance of individual regulation of medications for seizure control.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1976

Increased lead absorption with anemia and slowed nerve conduction in children near a lead smelter.

Studies to evaluate the prevalence, sources, and health consequences of lead absorption were conducted among children living near a primary lead smelter. Lead levels in air, soil, and dust were highest at the smelter and decreased with distance. Ninety-nine percent of one- to nine-year-old children living within 1.6 kilometers had blood lead levels greater than or equal 40 mug/dl, indicating increased absorption, and 22% had levels greater than or equal 80 mug/dl. The prevalence of lead levels greater than or equal 40 mug/dl decreased with distance; at 72 kilometers from the smelter it was 1%. Erythrocyte protoporphyrin levels increased with blood lead levels: 17% of children with lead levels of greater than or equal 80 mug/dl were anemic. There was no overt neurologic toxicity. Significant negative correlation was found in 202 five- to nine-year-old children between blood lead levels and motor nerve conduction velocity (r = 0.38, p less than 0.02).

Air Pollutants↗
PubMed1976

Identity of emotional triggers in epilepsy.

This communication describes a technique of stimulated recall and video replay which has reduced the frequency of seizures in five epileptic patients. Each of the patients had long standing partial epilepsy with complex symptomatology of the psychomotor type. It was generally acknowledged that emotional factors played an important role in their poor seizure control. Previous psychotherapeutic efforts had been without benefit because ictal amnesia had erased the memory of the stressful antecedent message-input which had triggered the seizures. Creation of empathetically stressful responses to presentation of audio and video tape recordings of specific problematic social interactions was sufficient to induce seizures in these patients. Video tape recording of the seizure and the antecedant events provided by means by which the patients could acquire otherwise unrecognized or forgotten information. Once equipped with the identity of the specific emotional trigger, the patient could avoid the kinds of events which might be expected to induce a seizure and be better able to cope with threatening environmental cues when encountered in the future.

Adult↗
PubMed1974

The 'subcortical dementia' of progressive supranuclear palsy.

Progressive supranuclear palsy (Steele et al.) has a characteristic pattern of dementia: (1) forgetfulness, (2) slowing of thought processes, (3) emotional or personality changes (apathy or depression with occasional outbursts of irritability), and (4) impaired ability to manipulate acquired knowledge. In many neurological disease states associated with subcortical pathology a similar pattern of dementia exists. The neurobehavioural changes of progressive supranuclear palsy thus typify a clinical pattern which may be referred to as subcortical dementia. The subcortical dementias have a striking clinical resemblance to the dementia which occurs after bifrontal lobe disease. However, the subcortical dementias can be clearly distinguished clinically from cortical dementias, other than frontal dementias. We propose as a tentative hypothesis that there may be common pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the subcortical dementias-in particular, disturbances of timing and activation. There are immediate practical implications of this hypothesis: drugs which have an effect on subcortical timing and activating mechanisms may be useful in the treatment of subcortical dementias.

Affective Symptoms↗