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Biomedical subjects

A S Walters

Publications and source records attributed to A S Walters.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1996

Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study of Clonidine in Restless Legs Syndrome.

Ten patients with idiopathic restless leg syndrome (RLS) were asked to rate their symptoms at baseline during 2 weeks of placebo and 2 weeks of clonidine treatment by using a four-point scale. On two consecutive nights of each treatment period, polysomnography (PSG) and actigraphic studies were performed. Patients subjectively reported improvement in leg sensations (p = 0.02) and motor restlessness (p = 0.001) while receiving clonidine (mean = 0.5 mg/day). On PSG testing, sleep onset occurred faster with clonidine (12 minutes) compared with placebo (30 minutes) and baseline (47 minutes) (p = 0.006). Adverse findings associated with clonidine treatment included decreased percent REM sleep in the clonidine group (4%) compared with placebo (16%) and baseline (16%) (p = 0.001) and increased REM latency in the clonidine group (195 minutes) compared to the placebo (70 minutes) and baseline groups (89 minutes) (p = 0.028). There were no significant changes in total sleep time, stage 1 and 2 sleep, sleep efficiency, awakenings, arousals or periodic limb movements in sleep. There was a nonstatistical trend toward and increase in stage 3 and 4 sleep and a decrease in motor activity as measured by actigraphic recordings. Globally, seven out of 10 patients felt clonidine was more effective than placebo. Four patients chose to continue clonidine after the study. Clonidine may be an effective treatment for RLS patients who don't have large numbers of sleep-disrupting periodic limb movements but have delayed sleep onset due to leg sensations and subsequent motor restlessness.

Adrenergic Agonists↗
PubMed1996

A questionnaire study of 138 patients with restless legs syndrome: the 'Night-Walkers' survey.

After verifying the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome (RLS) in 105 patients who are part of a nationwide support group, we undertook a telephone survey of their symptomatology. We then compared the answers with those of 33 of our own RLS patients who had undergone a neurologic examination and had a periodic limb movement in sleep (PLMS) index of > 5 (number per hours of sleep). Although RLS has generally been considered to be a condition of middle to older age, the results for the support group, and for our patients, are similar in that more than a third of the patients in each group experienced their first symptoms before the age of 10. Initial lack of diagnosis or misdiagnosis by a physician were common and the symptoms were commonly thought to be psychogenic whatever the age of onset. In some cases, young age-onset RLS was severe from the start. For younger age-onset patients whose symptoms were severe enough to seek immediate medical attention, confounding or misdiagnosis included "growing pains" and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, medical attention was generally not sought until the fourth decade. Most respondents stated that this was because their symptoms were mild at onset and then progressed. In the older age-onset patients, misdiagnoses also included skin irritation, arthritis, and malingering. A total remission of symptoms of a month or more was present in at least 15% of the individuals in all groups surveyed. More than 50% of the respondents know of one or more first-degree relatives affected by RLS. Five of our 33 patients had RLS initially triggered either by diabetic peripheral neuropathy or lumbosacral radiculopathy.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

"Excuse me, sir? May I help you and your boyfriend?": salespersons' differential treatment of homosexual and straight customers.

An experimental field study was conducted to investigate differential treatment of same-sex versus opposite-sex couples. Over a period of four months, three couples (1 female-female, 1 male-female, 1 male-male) entered each of twenty retail stores. All couples were trained confederates. Multiple measures unequivocally showed differential treatment for heterosexual and homosexual couples. Heterosexual couples were assisted by staff in significantly less time than were homosexual couples, who often were not assisted and who were more likely to be repudiated. Results are discussed in terms of the sociopolitical climate for homosexuals.

Attitude↗
PubMed1995

Binswanger's disease presenting as levodopa-responsive parkinsonism: clinicopathologic study of three cases.

We report three cases of autopsy-proven Binswanger's disease (subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy) with unusual clinical features. Two patients had supranuclear gaze disturbances, early gait dysfunction, and speech disorders suggestive of progressive supranuclear palsy. One of these patients was not demented at the time of death. The third patient had features typical of Parkinson's disease. All three patients were responsive to treatment with levodopa. The clinical spectrum of Binswanger's disease should be expanded to include levodopa-responsive parkinsonism.

Aged↗
PubMed1995

Toward a better definition of the restless legs syndrome. The International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group.

A large International Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Study Group has been formed. As its first task, the group has taken upon itself the role of defining the clinical features of the RLS. As minimal criteria for diagnosis, the group proposes the following four features: (a) desire to move the extremities, often associated with paresthesias/dysesthesias; (b) motor restlessness; (c) worsening of symptoms at rest with at least temporary relief by activity, and (d) worsening of symptoms in the evening or night. Other features commonly seen in RLS include sleep disturbance, periodic limb movements in sleep and similar involuntary movements while awake, a normal neurological examination in the idiopathic form, a tendency for the symptoms to be worse in middle to older age, and, in some cases, a family history suggestive of an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance.

Age of Onset↗
PubMed1994

Restless legs syndrome in childhood and adolescence.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is believed to be a condition primarily of middle to older age. However, it can have its onset in childhood. Five illustrative case histories with an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance are described. A mother and her 3 children (age: 6 1/2, 4 and 1 1/2 years) as well as a 16-year-old patient from a second family have typical RLS signs of leg discomfort (paresthesias) and motor restlessness prevalent at night and at rest, with temporary relief by activity. Polysomnography or videotaping revealed periodic limb movements in sleep (PLMS) and, in some cases, involuntary jerking of the legs was present during wakefulness as well. Clinicians should be aware that RLS can occur in childhood and adolescence and may be more common than heretofore recognized. "Growing pains" and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are in the differential diagnosis of RLS in childhood.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Painless legs and moving toes: a syndrome related to painful legs and moving toes?

The syndrome of painful legs and moving toes consists of continuous or semicontinuous involuntary writhing movements of the toes associated with pain in the affected extremity. We report a 57-year-old man with a 33-year history of painless and semicontinuous involuntary movements of the toes of the left foot similar to those seen in painful legs and moving toes. There was no family history of movement disorder. The history and physical examination were negative for significant trauma, radiculopathy, or peripheral neuropathy. There were no other neurological findings or involuntary movements. It is unlikely that the involuntary movements were precipitated by neuroleptics or psychosis. CT scan of the head; EEG, CT, and MRI scans of the lumbosacral spine; and EMG and nerve conduction studies of the legs showed no significant abnormalities except for a predominant cocontraction of the left foot flexors and extensors at 0.6-1.2 Hz in a pattern sometimes seen in painful legs and moving toes. We conclude that there is a condition clinically and electrophysiologically similar to painful legs and moving toes that we call painless legs and moving toes, the etiology of which remains undetermined.

Diagnosis, Differential↗
PubMed1993

Successful treatment of the idiopathic restless legs syndrome in a randomized double-blind trial of oxycodone versus placebo.

In a double-blind randomized crossover trial, oxycodone or placebo was given in divided night-time doses to 11 patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS) for 2 weeks prior to appropriate polysomnographic studies. Under double-blinded conditions, patients were asked to do daily ratings of their leg sensations, motor restlessness and daytime alertness on a 1-4 scale for the 2 weeks prior to the polysomnographic studies and for the nights of the polysomnographic studies as well. Leg sensations (p < 0.009), motor restlessness (p < 0.006) and daytime alertness (p < 0.03) were significantly improved on oxycodone as compared to baseline or placebo. Patients were studied polysomnographically under double-blinded conditions for 2 nights in each phase of the protocol. On an average dose of 15.9 mg oxycodone (equivalent to approximately three 5-mg tablets of commercial preparation), there was a statistically significant reduction in the number of periodic limb movements in sleep [(PLMS)/hour sleep (p < 0.004)] and in the number of arousals/hour sleep (p < 0.009) on drugs as compared to baseline or placebo. A statistically significant improvement was also noted in sleep efficiency (p < 0.006) and 10 of the 11 patients preferred oxycodone over placebo. We conclude that oxycodone is an effective treatment for RLS and PLMS.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

Noise-induced psychogenic tremor associated with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Tremors in post-traumatic stress disorders have not been previously well characterized. A 67-year-old man has a 46-year history of a noise-induced exaggerated startle reflex followed by a large amplitude rest, postural and kinetic tremor that may persist for up to 3 days. This tremor is superimposed on a continuous mild organic postural/kinetic tremor whose electrophysiological characteristics are different from those of the overlying tremor. We attribute the exaggerated startle reflex and the noise-induced tremor to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and postulate a psychogenic origin for the noise-induced tremor. The patient also believes the noise-induced tremor to be psychologically based and to be produced by the fear and anxiety he experiences when he hears loud, unexpected noises. The sudden onset of the noise-induced tremor, its intermittent character, its temporary disappearance on distraction despite the patient's inability to suppress it, inconsistencies in handwriting and figure drawing, and the fact that the noise-induced tremor is stimulus specific and persists long after the offending stimulus (noise) is no longer present all suggest a tremor of psychogenic origin.

Accidents↗
PubMed1991

Review and videotape recognition of idiopathic restless legs syndrome.

The motor phenomena associated with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS) are infrequently seen in the physician's office because they are present only after prolonged sitting or lying and usually at night. These motor phenomena are captured on videotape in four unrelated patients with idiopathic RLS. The clinical features of idiopathic RLS are reviewed in detail, and therapeutic advances in its treatment are summarized.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed1991

A clinical and polysomnographic comparison of neuroleptic-induced akathisia and the idiopathic restless legs syndrome.

Neuroleptic-induced akathisia (NIA) is motor restlessness caused by dopamine receptor blocking antipsychotic agents. Nine patients with NIA and 11 patients with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (RLS) were studied polysomnographically. The sleep disturbances were milder in NIA than idiopathic RLS but increased numbers of awakenings and decreased sleep efficiencies were common to both groups. In addition, RLS patients demonstrated prolonged sleep latencies. Periodic movements in sleep (PMS) were present in only 5 of 9 patients with NIA but in all 11 patients with idiopathic RLS. In no NIA patient did we see the multiple, large amplitude, violent, resting myoclonic jerks of the legs that we saw during wakefulness in some of our more severe cases of idiopathic RLS. NIA patients tended to experience inner restlessness and idiopathic RLS patients tended to experience leg paresthesias as an antecedent to motor restlessness. Idiopathic RLS patients had symptoms that were worse at night and in repose far more frequently than patients with NIA. NIA and idiopathic RLS have similarities and differences. Because both NIA and idiopathic RLS are characterized by motor restlessness and sleep disturbances, the pharmacodynamics of antipsychotic medications may give clues as to both the cause and treatment of idiopathic RLS.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Variable expressivity in familial restless legs syndrome.

A 62-year-old man with a 20-year history of excessive daytime somnolence and kicking during sleep was an obligate carrier of the restless legs syndrome gene because his paternal grandfather, father, and all three of his children had symptoms of restless legs syndrome. The patient himself, however, denied motor restlessness after a careful and exhaustive medical history and he was originally believed to have periodic movements in sleep without restless legs. Close clinical observation did reveal nighttime motor restlessness, although the patient continued to deny its importance. Polysomnography showed frequent periodic movements in sleep. We conclude that there can be variable expressivity of the clinical features in familial restless legs syndrome and that there are probably some relatively nonrestless patients with prominent periodic movements in sleep who are carriers of the restless legs syndrome gene. Some sleep-disordered patients who are believed to have only periodic movements in sleep may have a forme fruste of autosomal dominant restless legs syndrome. If one does not examine these patients carefully at night and take an adequate family history, one may miss the diagnosis of restless legs syndrome.

Gene Expression↗
PubMed1990

A case report of naltrexone treatment of self-injury and social withdrawal in autism.

The endogenous opiate release theory of self-injurious behavior (SIB) was investigated through double-blind placebo-controlled administration of naltrexone hydrochloride (Trexan) to a 14-year-old autistic and mentally retarded male for treatment of severe SIB. Results yielded a marked decrease in SIB during two phases of active drug treatment, though SIB did not revert to originally observed placebo levels during a second placebo phase. An increase in social relatedness also was observed during phases of active drug treatment. Opiate theories of self-injury and the possible interrelationship of self-injury with pituitary-adrenal arousal and with social relatedness are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Social relatedness and autism: current research, issues, directions.

Social relatedness has recently become a primary focus of investigators in the field of autism. This shift to regarding disturbances in social relatedness as one of the defining manifestations of the disorder marks the movement of research on autistic disorder back to its origins, when Kanner first noted the "social and affective" symptoms of autism as pathognomonic. Currently, social impairment in autism is viewed as more pervasively characteristic of the disorder than any other single symptom. Further, there has been a recent proliferation of research designed to document the nature of social deficit in autism, and whether it is primarily affective, communicative, or cognitive in nature, or involves some combination of these three variables. This review summarizes recent research focusing on social relatedness in autism and discusses the implications of these findings.

Autistic Disorder↗