PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

V S Carroll

Publications and source records attributed to V S Carroll.

11 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1993

Use of heparinoids to treat acute ischemic stroke.

Low molecular weight heparinoids (LMWHs) offer a new treatment option to patients experiencing acute ischemic stroke. These heparin sub-fractions provide an increased risk/benefit ratio when compared to standard heparin, and allow patients to achieve better functional outcomes with fewer neurologic deficits. Because LMWHs separate the antithrombotic activity of standard heparin from its anticoagulant and antiplatelet-aggregating effects, they are safer, but equally or more effective than heparin.

Cerebrovascular Disorders↗
PubMed1991

The cutting edge: neurotransmitters and brain tissue transplant.

Neural tissue transplant represents one of the most exciting and controversial areas of current basic neuroscience research. It offers enormous therapeutic promise for patients with degenerative and traumatic neurologic disorders. This article reviews the functions of several common neurotransmitters and examines the clinical applications of tissue transplant into the human nervous system.

Animals↗
PubMed1990

The rabbit syndrome.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed1989

Agonist substitution in advanced Parkinson's disease.

We studied whether Parkinson's disease patients who had lost efficacy from pergolide (PERG) could benefit if transferred to bromocriptine (BCT) therapy. Using paired t-tests, we compared motor scores at baseline (when patients were still on PERG) and after 6 months of BCT therapy in 11 patients. No significant improvement occurred in any measure on BCT therapy (mean dose 33.6 mg/day), although patients remained stable. In 6 patients on whom "on/off" data were obtained, decreased "off" time and increased "on" time without chorea occurred, but these changes were not statistically significant. The side effect profile was similar with the 2 drugs.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Controlled-release carbidopa/levodopa (CR4-Sinemet) in Parkinson's disease patients with and without motor fluctuations.

Sixteen patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) and motor fluctuations were evaluated throughout 12 months of open label therapy on CR4-Sinemet. Reduced dosage frequency and significant motor improvement with reduced fluctuation occurred and were maintained with CR4-Sinemet compared with baseline on Sinemet. In a double-blind protocol using CR4-Sinemet in 20 stable PD patients, CR4-Sinemet was given twice daily and compared with Sinemet given four times daily. Patients remained stable without improvement or deterioration when the long-acting drug was substituted at 50% frequency. Plasma levodopa levels with CR4-Sinemet were smoother than with Sinemet. Although some patients receiving CR4-Sinemet found they functioned more slowly in the morning, the easier dosing schedule and improved amount of "on" time in fluctuators suggest that this formulation may become increasingly useful in managing PD.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Clonidine and Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome: double-blind study using objective rating methods.

Clonidine has been suggested to be effective in Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (GTS), but no double-blind study has ever evaluated its effects using objective measures. Thirty patients with GTS completed a 6-month placebo-controlled crossover study of the effectiveness of clonidine. Videotapes were obtained at each 3-week visit and were evaluated randomly at the end of the study for distribution, frequency, and severity of motor and vocal tics. Quantifiable psychometric examinations were performed as well. The use of clonidine did not significantly (p less than 0.05) reduce motor tics, vocalizations, or behavior. The effect of a low dose (0.0075 mg/kg/day) was no different from that of a high dose (0.015 mg/kg/day); children's responses were no different from adults'; and those also receiving neuroleptic agents showed the same lack of efficacy as seen in patients on no other medication. Dosing schedule did not affect the objective ratings; scores from clonidine given twice a day were equivalent to those for three times a day.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

The autonomic nervous system in Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome.

Twenty-three patients with Gilles de la Tourette's syndrome (GTS) underwent noninvasive investigation of autonomic nervous system (ANS) function, as did 23 age-matched controls. ANS function in GTS patients was no different from that of controls, and patients receiving neuroleptic drugs had the same ANS function as untreated patients. All 23 patients later received clonidine and were retested. The ANS values before administration of clonidine were compared with those while patients were taking clonidine. The only significant change (p less than 0.01) with clonidine was a reduced resting pulse rate. The combination of clonidine and neuroleptic drugs did not induce significant autonomic changes compared with neuroleptic therapy alone. These results indicate that the ANS in GTS patients is normal and that the drugs used to abate tics do not produce clinically significant changes in ANS when chronically given. The findings suggest that the pathophysiology and treatment of GTS do not directly involve the nuclei or tracts of autonomic regulation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Amantadine and motor fluctuations in chronic Parkinson's disease.

Twenty patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and motor fluctuations received open-label amantadine (100-200 mg/d) in addition to their other antiparkinson medications. One patient had unpredictable motor fluctuations (on-off) and the others had end-of-dose wearing-off. The effect of amantadine on motor fluctuations and parkinsonian disability was tested at 1, 2, and 3 months. Moderate improvement in motor fluctuations occurred in 55% of the patients at 2 months and 65% of patients at 3 months of treatment (p less than 0.01). There was also significant improvement in parkinsonian disability. The duration of improvement averaged 5.7 months, and all patients deteriorated to their baseline level of function within 12 months. This study suggests that the addition of amantadine can transiently improve motor fluctuations and have a significant impact on overall disability in patients with chronic PD.

Adult↗
PubMed1987

Parkinson's disease and motor fluctuations: long-acting carbidopa/levodopa (CR-4-Sinemet).

Long-acting levodopa/carbidopa combination (CR-4-Sinemet) was compared with traditional levodopa/carbidopa (Sinemet) open label in 20 patients with Parkinson's disease and "wearing-off" phenomena. After 4 to 6 weeks of therapy with CR-4-Sinemet, the number of daily doses of medication dropped significantly compared with traditional Sinemet, disability improved, and "on" time increased. In nine patients receiving CR-4-Sinemet for 3 months, the number of daily doses and the on time without chorea remained significantly improved. CR-4-Sinemet peaked in plasma after 2 hours, and moderately high levels remained at 4 hours after the dose. Side effects were similar between traditional Sinemet and CR-4 Sinemet.

Adult↗