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Biomedical subjects

D R Wood

Publications and source records attributed to D R Wood.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Treatment of attention deficit disorder with DL-phenylalanine.

Nineteen patients meeting the criteria for attention deficit disorder, residual type (adult hyperactivity), were given a 2-week double-blind crossover of DL-phenylalanine versus placebo. Thirteen subjects completed the study; the mean global rating of improvement approached significance as compared with placebo. A significant improvement was noted on mood and mood lability. The phenylalanine responders were then continued on open drug, but lost all positive benefits within 3 months. A later open trial of L-phenylalanine produced no clinical effect.

Adult↗

A review and critique of the strategic management literature on not-for-profit community hospitals.

Research on the use of strategic management in community not-for-profit hospitals is limited. In this article, both the research and other literature on strategic management practices in community not-for-profit hospitals are reviewed. Key issues and conclusions associated with each category are summarized, and suggestions for future research are detailed. A modified Robinson and Pearce framework is used to categorize the literature.

Health Services Research↗

Cerebrospinal fluid homovanillic acid and 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid in adults with attention deficit disorder, residual type.

Following the hypothesis that attention deficit disorder in adults (attention deficit disorder, residual type; ADD, RT), as well as in children, is associated with decreased central dopaminergic activity, the authors measured lumbar cerebrospinal fluid monoamine metabolites in a group of adults with ADD, RT and matched control subjects. Patients were then entered into a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of methylphenidate. It was predicted that the patients would have lower levels of homovanillic acid (HVA), the major dopamine metabolite in humans. Patients who had a significant response to methylphenidate showed a trend in this direction. Nonresponding patients had significantly higher levels of HVA than controls.

Adult↗

Adult gonococcal ophthalmia.

It is important to consider Neisseria gonorrhoeae as a possible pathogen in any case of purulent conjunctivitis. Gram stains and cultures should be obtained and appropriate therapy initiated immediately to reduce the potential for severe and irreversible complications.

Adolescent↗

An open trial of pargyline in the treatment of attention deficit disorder, residual type.

Twenty-two patients who met the Utah criteria for attention deficit disorder, residual type (hyperactivity, minimal brain dysfunction in adults) received an open trial of pargyline (Eutonyl). Of these 22 patients, 13 (59%) showed a moderate to marked therapeutic response. Clinically useful features of pargyline in the treatment of attention deficit disorder, residual type are that its duration of action is greater than 24 hours and that it has not been abused. Pargyline inhibits monoamine oxidase, type B, and its therapeutic efficacy is compatible with the hypothesis that decreased phenethylaminergic function, dopaminergic function, or both play a role in the etiology of the disorder.

Adult↗

Attention deficit disorder ('minimal brain dysfunction') in adults. A replication study of diagnosis and drug treatment.

This study replicated an earlier one dealing with the diagnosis and treatment of attention deficit disorder (ADD, or minimal brain dysfunction) in adults. Subjects who met provisional operational criteria for adult ADD were entered in a random-assignment, parallel, double-blind trial of placebo and pemoline, a noneuphorigenic psychostimulant drug effective in children with ADD. There was improvement in both the pemoline group and the placebo group, but the difference in improvement was not statistically significant. When the analyses were confined to that subgroup of patients whose parents had described them in the 95th percentile of childhood "hyperactivity" or when the hyperactivity score was partialled out statistically, pemoline was demonstrably more effective than placebo. Revised operational criteria for adult ADD are proposed.

Adult↗

An open clinical trial of L-dopa and carbidopa in adults with minimal brain dysfunction.

MBD has long been considered a childhood disorders. Recent research suggests that in some it persists into adult life and that at least one form is a consequence of reduced activity of dopaminergic systems in the brain. To test this hypothesis, three adults with "presumptive" MBD were given L-dopa plus carbidopa. Although overall this combination was less effective than stimulant medication, all the patients showed an initial response, and in one patient L-dopa seemed to potentiate the effect of methylphenidate. The authors point out that various dopamine agonists have different effects and that the possible potentiation effect is consistent with a dopaminergic hypothesis.

Adult↗

Behavioural science in general practice.

Dr Peter Sowerby has written an important criticism of Michael Balint's work based on his understanding of Karl Popper's writings. I dispute Sowerby's interpretation of Popper and disagree with his conclusions, which I suggest would lead general practice into a retreat. I believe Balint made a major contribution to general practice and has helped us towards practising whole-person medicine.

Behavioral Sciences↗

Diagnosis and treatment of minimal brain dysfunction in adults: a preliminary report.

Minimal brain dysfunction (MBD) has long been considered a disorder limited to childhood. A number of longitudinal and adoption studies suggest that MBD may persist into adult life where its existence is concealed by the application of a variety of diagnostic labels. In order to test the hypothesis that MBD does persist into adulthood, 15 putative MBD adults were identified on the basis of current MBD-like complaints, self-description of MBD characteristics in childhood, and a parental rating (on a standardized form) of "hyperactivity" in childhood. Eleven of the 15 subjects were given a double-blind trial of methylphenidate hydrochloride, and all 15 were given an open trial of pemoline, imipramine hydrochloride, or amitryptiline hydrochloride. Eight of the 11 showed a significant response to the double-blind trial of methylphenidate. Of the 15, eight showed a good response to stimulants or tricyclic antidepressants, two showed a moderately favorable response, and five were unresponsive to drug therapy.

Adult↗