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At least 1,351 records · Page 75Linked to original sources
PubMed1992

[Lack of specificity of single photon emission computerized tomography in dementia--results of a case of progressive paralysis].

In a 53-year old male suffering from paretic neurosyphilis, SPECT-investigations were performed before and after treatment with high doses of Penicillin G. The patient was admitted for disturbances of speech and concentration, memory disorder and tonic-clonic seizures. Mental examination showed a mild dysphoria and irritability in mood, but no disturbance of orientation, no euphoria or expansive delusions, and no paranoia. Mini-Mental-State examination was within the normal range (28 points); no abnormalities were found on neurologic examination, and CT and MRI investigations showed normal findings. The diagnosis was verified by CSF-examination (pleocytosis, elevated protein, positive Lues reactions). SPECT investigation with Tc 99m HMPAO (20 mCi, single-head rotating camera) revealed a pronounced bilateral parieto-temporal uptake deficiency as observed in patients with dementia of Alzheimer's type. After 18 months the clinical symptoms had remitted, and laboratory findings were improved. On the other hand, the bilateral parieto-temporal uptake deficiency in SPECT remained unchanged. Possible causes of these findings are discussed in relation to neuropathologic findings. It can be concluded that bilateral parieto-temporal uptake deficiency in SPECT is a nonspecific finding and that there is no correlation between clinical improvement and SPECT pattern in paretic neurosyphilis.

Dementia↗
PubMed2006

[Alcohol dependence syndrome and Before-Discharge Intervention Method (BDIM)--No. 5. Patients' evaluation of BDIM by questionnaire survey].

One (A.I) of the authors has developed BDIM (Before-Discharge Intervention Method) for the purpose of making alcoholics aware of their drinking problems. 153 patients were treated by BDIM. After the practiced BDIM, the patients underwent a 52 month observational period. 82 patients (53.6%) continued with either treatment as outpatient or inpatients, or attendance of a self-help group. We administered these 82 patients our questionnaire that asked for their assessment about the therapeutic effects of BDIM. 76 patients (49.7%) completed our questionnaire. Regarding the impression of family members' letters in BDIM, 70 patients (92.1% of 76) answered that the letter have had a positive impression on them. 52 patients (68.4% of 76) answered that they have had very strong or strong impressions. The numbers of patients who have [very strong or strong] impression are significantly more in the abstinence group than in the drinking group. Also, we asked patients about which messages of spouses, daughters and sons in BDIM gave the strongest impression to these patients. The result showed that their daughter gave the strongest impression to many patients. We believe that their children, especially the patients' daughter's messages, have therapeutic effects as impact messages even though alcoholics have cognitive or memory disorder. Patients positively assessed that BDIM strengthened motivation for treatment or attendance of self-help group meetings, for abstinence and for the consequence to their lives. Many patients assessed that BDIM has effect on awareness of their drinking problems. But the ratio of positive answers about motivation of awareness of drinking problem is smaller than the ratio of positive answers about other questions. As a result, we surmised that BDIM will have the effect of empowerment, including the effect of awareness.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1991

[Mitochondrial encephalopathy affecting only the central nervous system].

A 32 year-old diabetic woman presented with an acute coma followed by epileptic seizures, aphasia and constructive apraxia. No ischemic lesion was demonstrated by CT scan and carotid angiograms. The other investigations showed sensorineural hearing loss, retinal degeneration, calcifications of the basal ganglia and lactic acidosis. The follow-up was marked by pseudo-dementia with personality disorders, memory deficits, behavioural changes, migrainous and epileptic features. Although there was no sign of muscular deficiency, a muscular biopsy showed characteristic ragged-red fibers and mitochondrial abnormalities at electron microscopy. The muscular biopsy enables us to classify this case as a mitochondrial encephalopathy similar to the MELAS syndrome. The stroke-like episodes are probably caused by a specific angiopathy involving the mitochondria of brain vessels.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Effects of a novel cholinergic M1 agonist, AF102B, on ambulation and water drinking behavior in rats.

Effects of a novel M1 agonist, AF102B (cis-2-methylspiro(1,3-oxathiolane-5,3')quinuclidine HCl), on ambulation and water drinking behavior were examined using an Ambulo-Drinkometer. AF64A-treated rats, an animal model for senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT), and non-treated control rats were used. AF102B was administered orally via tap water at a concentration of 0.01% and 0.1% for an experimental therapeutic dose and a supramaximal dose, respectively. Four-week administration of 0.01% AF102B did not affect either ambulatory activity or water drinking activity in non-treated rats. Successive 0.1% AF102B administration for 4 weeks produced a significant decrease in drinking activity as compared with non-treated control rats. In AF64A-treated rats, AF102B did not change the cholinotoxin AF64A-induced high activity in ambulation. However, a decrease in water drinking activity was observed after 0.1% AF102B administration, as in non-treated rats. These results suggest that therapeutic dose of AF102B do not produce any changes in the spontaneous moter activity and water drinking behavior in normal rats or the animal model for SDAT. Several investigators reported that AF102B (FSK-508; cis-2-methylspiro (1,3-oxathiolane-5,3') quinuclidine HCl) had the property of a relatively specific muscarinic agonist of the M1-type This novel M1 agonist, AF102B, also exerted and ameliorating effect on experimental amnesia; in a T-maze, radial-arm maze task and passive avoidance tasks. AF102B improves the cognitive impairment in various animal models for memory disorders including senile dementia of the Alzheimer type (SDAT). Based on these observations, AF102B has been proposed for the treatment of SDAT.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗
PubMed1991

Segregation analysis reveals evidence of a major gene for Alzheimer disease.

In an attempt to resolve the relative influences of major genes, multifactorial heritability, and cohort effects on the susceptibility to Alzheimer disease (AD), complex segregation analysis was performed on 232 nuclear families. All families were consecutively ascertained through a single proband who was referred for diagnostic evaluation of a memory disorder. The results suggest that susceptibility to AD is determined, in part, by a major autosomal dominant allele with an additional multifactorial component. Single-locus, polygenic, sporadic, and no-transmission models, as well as recessive inheritance of the major effect, were significantly rejected. Excess transmission from the heterozygote was marginally significant and probably reflects the presence of phenocopies or perhaps the existence of two or more major loci for AD. The frequency of the AD susceptibility allele was estimated to be .038, but the major locus accounts for only 24% of the transmission variance, indicating a substantial role for other genetic and nongenetic mechanisms in the causation of AD.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1990

Age-related differences in the recovery rate of brain cholinesterases, choline acetyltransferase and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor sites after a subacute intoxication of rats with the anticholinesterase agent, isofluorophate.

The recovery rate of brain cholinesterase activity (ChE) and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor sites (MAChRs) following a reduction due to a repeated treatment (2 weeks) with the antiChE agent, isofluorophate (diisopropyl fluorophosphate, DFP) was studied in young (3 months) and aged (24 months) male Sprague-Dawley rats. At the end of DFP treatment the inhibition of ChE in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and striatum did not differ between young and aged rats (about 70%); the down-regulation of MAChRs (without changes in affinity) varied from 20 to 40% for various areas of brains of rats belonging to the two age-groups, and was the most pronounced in the cerebral cortex of aged rats. As assessed by factorial analysis of variance (2 ages x 2 recoveries ANOVA) there were age-related differences in the recovery rate of both ChE and MAChRs during 5 weeks from the end of DFP treatment. The impairment of recovery observed in aged rats was present in three brain areas and was the most pronounced in the cerebral cortex. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) was not influenced by the age and/or treatment in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus while in the striatum an age-related decline was observed. The overall data appear of interest in relation to the recent use of antiChE organophosphorus compounds in the therapy of age-related memory disorders.

Aging↗
PubMed1990

[Effects of zinc deficiency in pregnancy on the mother and the newborn infant].

There seems to be a zinc deficiency during pregnancy in view of the low serum zinc levels, but especially low zinc levels in hair and leucocytes. The need for zinc supplements is still ill-defined but represents at least 5 mg per day which are not covered by the diet and taken from the maternal reserves. Therefore the risk of deficiency is real and its manifestations are numerous. There is a risk of spontaneous abortion, gravidic toxemia, treatment-resistant anemia, abnormally prolonged gestation and difficult delivery for the mother. As for the fetus, with zinc deficiency there is a risk of hypotrophism and malformations with potentialization of the teratogenic effect of alcohol and many medications. Besides, in animals, zinc deficiency during pregnancy results in late effects several months after birth: decrease immunity, learning or memory disorders. In view of all these consequences, administration of supplements is imperative and must be evaluated providing that it does not exceed 50 mg of zinc per day. Besides, it seems preferable to provide balanced multisupplements in minerals and vitamins, since supplement in iron alone results in zinc deficiency.

Congenital Abnormalities↗
PubMed1990

Learning disabilities and behavioural problems in children with epilepsy.

Children with epilepsy, as a group, are at special risk of developing learning and behavioural problems, but many individual biological and environmental factors are contributary. In general, 60% of children with epilepsy have normal intelligence. The intellectual capacities are determined by genetic factors, by frequency of fits and type of epilepsy, and, especially by the presence of brain damage. In cases with learning disabilities, difficulties with written or spoken language memory disorders or behavioural disturbances, left temporal lobe epilepsy is found to a greater extent than expected. Many behavioural traits described in the so-called epileptic personality can also be encountered in non-epileptic persons, and, therefore, are non-specific. Confronted with learning and behavioural problems in children with epilepsy it can be stated that, in general, brain damage is more important than transient epileptic dysfunctions. Because many aspects of cognitive and emotional behaviour are more or less influenced by antiepileptic drug treatment, one should be very careful in prescribing drugs for chronic use in a developing individual. As important as the organic aspects are the many non-organic or psychological factors. Non-acceptance, misunderstanding and frustration of the parents have a direct impact on the self-concept of the child with epilepsy.

Child↗
PubMed1990

[A controlled study of recent memory disturbance in patients with cerebral arteriosclerosis].

"The Clinical Memory Test" was administered to 40 elderly patients with cerebral arteriosclerosis (group A), compared with 40 aged subjects as control (group B), all subjects of both groups were over 60 year old. The results indicate: MQ, directed memory, free recall of pictures and paired-association learning in group A were found significantly less than in group B. This shows the ability of active recall, memory and learning of abstract ideas decreased in the patients of cerebral arterlosclerosis, but it's only quantitative difference between groups A and B, there was not qualitative difference.

Aged↗
PubMed1990

[Reading and writing deficit in cases of localized infarction of the left anterior thalamus].

We have observed two cases with marked reading and writing deficits, in which speech and oral comprehension were generally intact. Detailed symptomatological study was performed on these cases, and the lesions were examined organically (X-ray computed tomography [X-ray CT], magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] and functionally (positron emission tomography [PET]. In addition to the marked reading and writing deficits, mild naming and memory disorders were found. X-ray CT and MRI revealed that the lesions were limited to the regions fed by the polar and paramedian arteries in the left thalamus. In one case, PET demonstrated a functional disturbance of the left parietal and temporal lobes in addition to the left thalamus. Most previous cases have shown lesions in the anterior portion of the thalamus. It is possible that the reading and writing deficits in these cases may be due to the thalamic lesion itself, but the PET findings strongly suggest that a secondary cortical lesion may be involved in producing the higher cognitive disorders.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Age-related changes in human memory: normal and abnormal.

The evaluation of memory complaints in the elderly is one of the major challenges in geriatric medicine. Determining this deficit as either age-related change or dementia is a frequent problem in primary care practice. A careful history, an interview of a collateral source, and neuropsychological tests will shed light on the seriousness of the memory complaint. Several factors affect memory function of the elderly: anxiety, depression, and failure to use specific learning strategies commonly used by younger age groups. Memory training programs using mnemonics, lists, categorization, visual aids, rehearsal, and imagery may improve memory function.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Clinico-pathologic case of slowly progressive herpes simplex encephalitis without temporal necrosis].

A case of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is reported. The patient experienced short term memory disorders and irritability progressing over 3 months, without seizures or fever. The CSF was normal. CT showed a small low density area in the right posterior orbito-frontal region. At post-mortem examination, one month later, the temporal cortex appeared largely spared by necrosis, which involved the posterior orbito-frontal areas. Cowdry type A inclusions, herpes virus like particles and fluorescent reaction with HSV1 monoclonal antibodies strongly supported the diagnostic. Such atypical cases of long duration have apparently seldom been reported. They suggest that HSE should be considered in the differential diagnosis of a subacute encephalopathy.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

Genetically-determined responses of central cholinergic markers: the effects of ethanol on inbred strains of mice.

The present study investigated differences in cholinergic function which might contribute to genetic differences in the effects of ethanol on inbred mice. Choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity and [3H]-quinuclidinyl benzilate (QNB) binding were assessed in several brain areas after administration of ethanol (4.6 g/Kg). ChAT in striatum and septum of C57BL/6 mouse strain exhibit greater sensitivity to ethanol as compared to BALB/c mouse strain. While BALB/c limbic system and related structures showed greater sensitivity to ethanol as compared to C57BL/6 strain. Our previous studies indicated that acute ethanol administration in C57BL/6 mice increased striatal ChAT activity (up to 22% with 60 min latency, Durkin et al., 1982). This augmentation in ChAT activity induced by ethanol was associated with non-synchronous decreases in kinetic characteristics of QNB binding in striatum. In contrast, no such changes were seen in BALB/c striatum (except we noted an increase in Kd up to 90 min after acute ethanol treatment). Similar significant increases in ChAT activity were also observed in C57BL/6 septum 165 min after ethanol administration. However, the septum in BALB/c mice did not exhibit comparable changes. Ethanol did increase ChAT activity in several brain areas of both strains. The areas included the hippocampus, temporal limbic cortex and piriform cortex or paleocortex. Interestingly, the latencies to increased ChAT activity in these areas were much shorter in BALB/c than in C57 mice. The kinetic characteristics of QNB binding sites (Bmax and Kd) and AChE activity were unchanged in all brain areas and did not differ by strain except as otherwise indicated. These data indicate that genetic differences in ethanol preference and sensitivity in these strains are accompanied by differential sensitivity of ChAT to acute ethanol. Genotypic variations in dopaminergiccholinergic interactions in striatum and hippocampus (Durkin et al., 1983), and septum (Kempf et al., 1985), temporal limbic and piriform cortex, could contribute to genetic differences in cholinergic sensitivity to ethanol. In addition, different blood-brain barrier and membrane properties might also contribute to genetic differences in the sensitivity of cholinergic function to ethanol. The differential effects on ChAT activity might participate in genetic differences in memory disorders (limbic system and related structures) and motor incoordination (basal ganglia) following high dose alcohol administration.

Acetylcholinesterase↗
PubMed1989

[Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease].

An early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is nowadays required for a better assistance of the patient and his family, and also to carry out therapeutic trials at that stage. This early diagnosis rests on a systematic study of disorders of memory and behaviour in an elderly subject, on the demonstration of a deficient cognition and on the use of accurate diagnostic criteria.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMed1989

Memory processes and aging: a defect of automatic rather than controlled processes?

The effect of age (20-86) and/or cultural level is investigated from the point of view of Cognitive Psychology. The study was carried out with 75 subjects distributed into 5 age-ranges and 3 cultural levels. It involved the following memory tests: forced choice recognition of faces (Warrington, 1984) and of abstract paintings; Rey Figure; immediate free recall; final free recall; learning and retention of paired associates; learning with AB-AC-AB design to test for interference; Selective Reminding test of Buschke (1973); repeated free recall. Data where analysed, taking into account dozens of variables. As far as age is concerned, all the analyses converge toward the same conclusion: short-term memory is not significantly affected by age, while a clear distinction appears between two kinds of secondary memory. Secondary memory involved in the course of learning or in the retention of learning is unaffected by age. By contrast, secondary memory involved in the retention of an initial or single confrontation with test material is very much affected by age. Age might, therefore, differentially affect two kinds of secondary memory. It is suggested that, contrary to the view of certain authors, age mainly affects automatic secondary memory, whereas voluntary, conscious, controlled and effortful secondary memory, which could require a greater amount of 'mental energy' or attentional resource, is relatively well preserved with age.

Adult↗