Biomedical subjects

E Pourcher

Publications and source records attributed to E Pourcher.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMedDate not supplied

[Value of visual evoked potentials in multiple sclerosis (MS). Comparative study of results obtained by light flash and checkerboard reversal stimulation].

Evoked visual potentials were studied in 12 subjects diagnosed or suspected of having MS. A comparison was made between these subjects and results obtained with single eye stimulation using a flash of light (101 subjects) or by using a reversible checker-board pattern (58 subjects). Reversible checker-board pattern simulation showed pathological unilateral or bilateral increase in the latency of the main positive spike in the response of 80% of the verified MS cases and 50% of the probable or possible MS cases. These percentages were 25% lower when flashes of light were used as stimulation. 58% of those patients who have never presented ophtalmological symptoms have abnormal latency in responses invoked by the reversible checker-board pattern, as opposed to 20% using flashes of light for stimulation. Study of E.V.P. in normal subjects indicates that the better results obtained with reversible checker-board stimulation can be attributed to greater reproductibility of the response. Analysis of the overall morphology of the responses significantly increases E.V.P. examination efficiency when using flashes of light as stimulation. However, in our series, it does not change the results obtained by only calculating the latency of response to reversal of a checker-board pattern.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Evaluation of the EMIT Tox enzyme immunoassay for toxicological analysis of benzodiazepines in serum.

Immunoenzymatic test, EMIT Tox, proposed for qualitative and semi quantitative determination of toxicological levels of benzodiazepines in serum is compared with gas chromatography. When used for qualitative purposes in 102 sera, the EMIT Tox test gave 5% error. In semi quantitative determinations, the EMIT Tox test was applied to 139 sera with one or more of the three benzodiazepines (oxazepam, desmethyldiazepam, diazepam), showing a significant correlation with levels measured by gas chromatography; but the EMIT Tox test frequently yields values too low for elevated oxazepam and desmethyldiazepam concentrations.

Benzodiazepines↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of two dosages of tolcapone added to levodopa in nonfluctuating patients with PD.

The efficacy and safety of two dosages of tolcapone were compared in a 12-week crossover trial involving 118 nonfluctuating patients with PD on a stable dose of levodopa (L-Dopa). At trial onset, all patients received open-label tolcapone 100 mg three times daily for 4 weeks. At week 4, 116 eligible patients entered an 8-week double-blind treatment period and were randomized to receive tolcapone three times daily at either 100 mg (group 1; n = 58) or 200 mg (group 2; n = 58) until week 8, followed by the alternative tolcapone dosage until week 12. Ratings included Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Schwab & England, and patient diaries, assessed at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks. At week 4, the investigator's global assessment (IGA) of efficacy showed improvement in 76% of patients. The mean total daily L-Dopa dose and mean UPDRS scores for subscales II and III decreased significantly (p < 0.001). During the double-blind treatment period, IGA showed improvements at either or both dosages in 61% of patients; further changes in other efficacy variables were minimal and were similar with both tolcapone dosages. The most frequent adverse events were dopaminergic (nausea and dyskinesia); the most frequent nondopaminergic adverse event was diarrhea. The incidence of adverse events during double-blind treatment was slightly higher with tolcapone 200 mg three times daily (33%) than with tolcapone 100 mg three times daily (24%). The authors conclude that tolcapone dosages of 100 mg three times daily and 200 mg three times daily are well tolerated and equally effective in improving function in L-Dopa-treated nonfluctuating patients with PD.

Adult↗