Biomedical subjects

F Alóe

Publications and source records attributed to F Alóe.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1998

Pontine tegmentum hematoma. Report of a case with pure hemiplegia.

The authors report the case of a 50 year-old hypertensive male patient with a pontine hematoma. The clinical presentation was characterized by pure pyramidal deficit signs (no other signs or symptoms were present). A pure hemiplegia syndrome, although common in supratentorial lesions, is considered to be a rare event in pontine vascular lesions. The pathophysiologic mechanisms of these neurological findings are unclear. The exclusive involvement of the pyramidal tract in this case is likely due to a variation in the vascular anatomy of the pons but, in some cases, a vascular malformation may be the cause.

Cerebral Hemorrhage↗

PubMed1997

Epworth Sleepiness Scale outcome in 616 Brazilian medical students.

The Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) measures daytime sleepiness in adults. This paper reports the following data in 616 medical students: 1-ESS scores, 2-its correlation with the declared night sleep time, 3-comparison with ESS values obtained from Australia, 4-comparison of ESS values in a sub-population of 111 students tested early and late 1995. There were 387 males, 185 females and 4 not specified. Age = 20.16 +/- 2.23 (SD), ESS score = 10.00 +/- 3.69 (SD), declared sleep time = 7.04 +/- 1.03 (SD). ESS scores did not statistically correlate with sleep time. Average ESS score was statistically higher than in the Australian sample. Retesting of the medical students showed an increase in ESS values from March to November 1995. Sleep time difference was non-significant. Higher ESS scores in this sample seem to be related to shorter sleep time, but fatigue effects can not be ruled out.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1994

Yawning.

The ubiquitousness of normal yawning and the existence of abnormal yawning warrant an understanding of this reflex. Its mechanisms and functional role are not entirely known. A review of the literature reveals that yawning is a brain stem arousal reflex with both peripheral and central loops subserving reversal of brain hypoxia or hypoxemia. Behaviorally, yawning is a semi-involuntary act that occurs also because of loss of interest in the surroundings and it is not necessarily associated with fatigue. Socio-environmental factors can influence the emergence of yawning. Dopaminergic, acetylcholinergic, ACTHergic and oxytocinergic systems are involved in the generation and modulation of yawning in animal experimentation.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Nocturnal eating syndrome: a case report with therapeutic response to dexfenfluramine.

A woman with nocturnal eating syndrome responsive to dexfenfluramine (DXF) is reported. Eating consisted of nightly ingestion of large amounts of high-calorie meals and often sloppy meal consumption or preparation. Amnesia for the episodes was total. Anorexigenic medications produced partial control of her daytime carbohydrate craving and no nocturnal eating change. DXF stopped her eating behavior completely. Nocturnal eating herein meets all 4 DSM-III-R diagnostic criteria for binge eating disorder. 5-HT role in neural process controlling sleep-wakefulness (SW) has been widely shown. A 5-HT agonist like DXF could determine changes in the SW processes producing the therapeutic outcome reported herein. However, a specific DXF effect on the behavioral control of carbohydrate ingestion can not be dismissed.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Neurological complications of coronary arteriography.

The authors report a 46 year-old female who was submitted to a right femoral artery coronary arteriography. During the procedure she presented an upward, downward and convergence gaze paresis; an upbeating nystagmus. A NMRI showed a change in T-2 weighted signal of the left paramedian mesencephalic region. A diagnosis of stroke was made and dextran 40 was prescribed. Vertical gaze paresis progressively disappeared. Convergence paresis and nystagmus improved partially only. The possible pathophysiological basis underlying this clinical picture are: catheter-induced dislodgement of an atheromatous plaque; small thrombi formation and release from the catheter tip; catheter-induced vascular lesion with subsequent thromboembolism or dissection of the intima; cardiac arrhythmia; catheter-induced or contrast medium-induced arterial spasm; a combination of two or more of these.

Cerebrovascular Circulation↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Excessive somnolence.

Excessive somnolence can be quite a incapacitating manifestation, and is frequently neglected by physicians and patients. This article reviews the determinant factors, the evaluation and quantification of diurnal somnolence, and the description and treatment of the main causes of excessive somnolence.

Disorders of Excessive Somnolence↗