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Biomedical subjects

B Bergamasco

Publications and source records attributed to B Bergamasco.

At least 163 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors and diazepam binding inhibitor-like immunoreactivity distribution in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.

Peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors (pBZr) in human lymphocytes have been detected only in mixtures of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). The present investigation was designed to describe precisely the location of pBZr in the various sets and subsets of PBMC, purified using monoclonal antibodies to specific PBMC surface markers. Site densities and affinities of pBZr were measured in the intact cells by conventional binding, using 3H-PK 11195 as a ligand. Moreover, we used a specific radioimmunoassay to identify in these cells the presence of the polypeptide diazepam binding inhibitor (DBI), a putative endogenous ligand for various benzodiazepine receptors including the peripheral type. Two major findings are derived from these studies: first, the coexistence of pBZr and DBI, or closely related immunoreactive material, in all major lymphocyte sets and subsets, as well as in monocytes. And second, the significant correlation (r = 0.87, p < 0.001) observed between the density of pBZr in a given cell type and its abundance of DBI like-immunoreactivity (DBI-LI). For both pBZr and DBI-LI content the cell distribution was monocytes > B cells and large granular lymphocytes > T cells (CD3+ set or CD4+ and CD8+ subsets) (ANOVA: pBZr: F = 114.11, p < 0.001; DBI-LI: F = 20.79, p < 0.001). The results are discussed in terms of the possibility that DBI and pBZr might share a relevant interaction in immunocompetent elements, thereby contributing to a new route of connection between the immune and the nervous systems.

B-Lymphocytes↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Idebenone in the treatment of multi-infarct dementia: a randomised, double-blind, placebo controlled multicentre trial.

A controlled double blind randomised open multicentre study was carried out on 104 patients with multi-infarct dementia (MID) from a mild to a moderate degree. The patients were randomly assigned to balanced blocks in each center and treated for 90 days either with idebenone (CV-2619) 90 mg/daily or placebo, after a 2-week turn-in period. The Gottfries Rating Scale, SCAG, Rey's A Figure Test, Rey's 15 Words Test, Token Test, Verbal Fluidity Test and the Blessed Dementia Test were used for assessment. The data were statistically analyzed using parametric and non-parametric tests. Seven patients were excluded (5 idebenone + 2 placebo) after a few days treatment, for reasons not related to drug administration; therefore, 97 patients were assessed for efficacy and 104 for tolerability. A certain placebo effect was found in the examination results but it never achieved the efficacy levels of idebenone. The latter is particularly effective for improving recent and remote memory, attention, orientation, vigilance and verbal comprehension and the effects continued even after a month of placebo treatment. There were no important adverse reactions and neither laboratory parameters nor clinical vital signs were significantly altered.

Clinical Trial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Effects of idebenone in elderly subjects with cognitive decline. Results of a multicentre clinical trial.

A randomized, multicentre study on idebenone vs. oxiracetam was carried out in order to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of idebenone in subjects with senile cognitive decline. Seventy-nine patients were enrolled: 39 treated with idebenone 45 mg twice daily p.o. and 40 treated with oxiracetam 800 mg twice daily p.o. Idebenone proved to be more effective and was shown to be statistically significant in the following test: SCAG, Rey's 15 Words, Gottfries Rating Scale. The greater efficacy of idebenone was confirmed by the efficacy judgement given by the investigators. The tolerability of both treatments can be said to be most satisfactory: none of the patients left the study because of side-effects. No significant variations were observed in the vital signs.

Clinical Trial↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Autonomic nervous function in de novo parkinsonian patients in basal condition and after acute levodopa administration.

The aims of this study were to assess autonomic nervous function in subjects with recently diagnosed Parkinson's disease (de novo patients) and to evaluate its changes following acute levodopa administration. In 13 patients (8 males, 5 females) and 13 age-matched control subjects, three cardiovascular autonomic function tests (Deep Breathing, Valsalva, Lying to Standing) were performed, the QT interval was calculated on a 12-lead electrocardiogram, and the response of plasma norepinephrine to standing was assessed in basal conditions. The cardiovascular tests and the measurement of the QT interval were repeated in de novo Parkinsonian patients 90 minutes after the administration of levodopa 200 mg per os. The results of the Deep Breathing and Valsalva tests were worse and the QT interval longer in patients than in control subjects (although the differences were not statistically significant). The heart rate increase at 30 seconds after standing up was significantly higher in Parkinsonian patients than in the control group. The response of plasma norepinephrine to standing was similar in both groups. Levodopa administration produced a slight improvement in the Deep Breathing test, a shortening of the QT interval and increased tachycardia on standing. Our data suggest that a mild subclinical impairment of parasympathetic function can be a feature of de novo Parkinsonian patients and that levodopa therapy could have a beneficial effect on this autonomic dysfunction.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Nicardipine in the therapy of arterial hypertension in elderly patients with the psycho-organic syndrome. Report on the results of the clinical study].

Elderly hypertensive patients with psycho-organic syndrome were treated with nicardipine (40-60 mg daily) alone or combined with hydrochlorothiazide (30 mg). This treatment led not only to a significant reduction in blood pressure but also to improvement in the score of the scales used for psychogeriatric evaluation (SCAG = Sandoz Geriatric Assessment Scale and HAM-D = Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression). These findings appear to confirm the possibility to consider nicardipine a drug of first choice for the treatment of arterial hypertension in the elderly with psycho-organic syndrome.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Pharmacological treatment of epilepsy today.

The pharmacological treatment of epilepsy has not gone through remarkable changes in recent years. Treatment is based on few first choice drugs, the mechanism of action of which we do not yet know exactly. These include: phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin, carbamazepine, valproic acid, ethosuximide, clonazepam. Choice of drug is determined by the kind of seizures presented by the patient, while successful treatment is determined by the kind of epilepsy. The present trend is the use of first line drugs in monotherapy, fixing individually the dosage according to the plasma levels. The results obtained with the GABA-agonists (progabide, gamma-vinyl GABA) and with some of the calcium-antagonists (flunarizine) seem promising.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Flunarizine as add-on therapy in epilepsy. Crossover study vs placebo.

The anticonvulsive effect of flunarizine was studied in a multicenter trial, by means of a randomized, double-blind, single crossover design. The subjects who entered the study were 51 males and 39 females, aged 15 to 73 years. They were epileptic patients who suffered from at least two generalized seizures per month or more than 4 partial seizures per month. The patients were already being treated with major antiepileptic drugs. Flunarizine was administered in a single evening dose of 10 mg/die in patients who weighed less than 70 kg and of 15 mg/die in patients who weighed more 70 kg. Our results show that flunarizine, given as add-on therapy, produced a slight but significant decrease in the number of monthly seizures at the end of a 3-month period, while placebo did not significantly change the seizures frequency.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Biogenic amines in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of patients with dementia of Alzheimer type.

The involvement of monoaminergic neurons in Dementia of Alzheimer Type (D.A.T.) is still a matter for debate. In a selected group of patients with D.A.T. we evaluated monoamine levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma and found a significant decrease in serotonin and dopamine metebolite levels. Dopamine levels were reduced in both CSF and plasma. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the duration of the illness and the decrease in monoamine levels. These findings suggest that there is systemic damage to monoaminergic neurons in D.A.T.

Alzheimer Disease↗