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Biomedical subjects

G Tedeschi

Publications and source records attributed to G Tedeschi.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1991

Saccadic eye movements analysis in the early diagnosis of myasthenia gravis.

Saccadic eye movements were examined by electro-oculography in 21 patients with suspected myasthenia gravis. The presence of dissociated nystagmus and quiver eye movements was also assessed. The aim of the study was to assess the diagnostic value of saccadic abnormalities in the early stage of the disease. Pathological oculographic findings consisted of intra and post saccadic disorders and intersaccadic variability. A fatigue test was useful in detecting latent disorders in most patients. A Tensilon test was positive in 11 out of 16 patients with oculographic abnormalities. Diagnostic problems, apparently paradoxical findings and differential involvement of extraocular muscle fibers are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Multisystem involvement of the central nervous system in Strümpell's disease. A neurophysiological and neuropsychological study.

The multisystem involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) in familial spastic paraplegia (FSP) has not been fully investigated by means of complete neurophysiological and neuropsychological examinations. The classification which distinguishes pure and complicated forms of FSP, is based on clinical features and does not take into account the possibility that clinically silent lesions of the CNS can be identified by means of adequate tests. The study was intended to assess the subclinical and multisystem involvement of the CNS in a group of 11 patients affected by FSP, clinically distinguished in 7 pure forms and 4 complicated forms. Neurophysiological tests included saccadic eye movements analysis, visual and auditory brain stem evoked responses. Neuropsychological examination was devised by means of a special purpose mental deterioration battery. Our results, showing a high incidence of multisystemic subclinical involvement of the CNS, confirm and extend the concept that FSP is a multisystemic degenerative disease of the CNS, and that the existence of "pure" forms should be reconsidered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Tremor in Parkinson disease: acute response to oral levodopa.

A single blind placebo-controlled study has been performed in order to investigate objectively the acute tremorolytic effect of oral L-Dopa in ten parkinsonians chronically treated with L-Dopa. Finger tremor was assessed by means of a computerized accelerometer method, at rest and during maintenance of a fixed posture. Both resting and postural tremor were significantly influenced by L-Dopa. An "acute test" with oral L-Dopa, especially when different tremor components are investigated, may be useful for identifying objectively parkinsonians whose tremor does not respond to drug therapy or shows a deterioration of drug-responsiveness.

Administration, Oral↗
PubMed1990

[The role of inflammatory infiltrate as a prognostic criterion in cerebral metastases. Preliminary results].

Data concerning a preliminary study on the prognostic significance of inflammatory infiltration in cerebral metastases are reported. Seventeen cases of operated cerebral metastases have been studied to investigate their histotype and grade of necrosis, stromal reaction, and inflammatory infiltration. Finally, the results obtained are discussed in relation to the postoperative survival rate of the patients.

Brain↗
PubMed1989

Computer analysis of saccadic eye movements: assessment of two different carbamazepine formulations.

The central effects of two different formulations of Carbamazepine (CBZ) have been examined by analysis of saccadic eye movements (SEM) in 6 healthy volunteers, who took part in a double-blind, latin-square, placebo controlled study. Both a conventional- and a controlled-release formulation of CBZ produced a significant effect on peak saccadic velocity and saccade accuracy, but only the former affected saccade latency. Computer analysis of SEM confirmed it to be a highly sensitive method for detection of subclinical drug effects on the CNS.

Adult↗
PubMed1989

The contribution of saccadic eye movements analysis, visual and auditory evoked responses to the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

A number of tests have been used to identify paraclinical evidences of central nervous system (CNS) lesions in multiple sclerosis (MS). The present study was aimed to test and compare the diagnostic value of saccadic eye movements (SEM) analysis, and visual and auditory brain stem evoked responses (VER, ABER) in MS, and to study the correlation between electrophysiologic findings and clinical data. The reference group for epidemiological and statistical analysis was selected from the group of 109 suspected MS patients included in the study. SEM analysis resulted at least as sensitive as VER and ABER. SEM analysis showed good sensitivity and positive predictive value. Saccade latency resulted the most sensitive SEM parameter. Subclinical internuclear ophthalmoparesis resulted highly specific. We suggest that SEM analysis could be included into the electrophysiologic tests for identifying paraclinical evidences of CNS lesions in MS. Correlations between electrophysiologic findings and clinical data are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Role of saccadic analysis in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in the era of magnetic resonance imaging.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has recently been recognised as the most sensitive method with which to detect clinically silent lesions in patients affected by multiple sclerosis. Visually guided horizontal saccadic eye movements (SEM) were studied, together with MRI, in 57 multiple sclerosis patients. A very similar sensitivity was found for both MRI (78.2%) and SEM analysis (76.3%). Significant associations between peak saccadic velocity and brain stem signs and between saccadic latency and visual signs were observed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Pathogenesis and prevention of central pontine myelinolysis: a case report.

Central pontine myelinolysis (CPM) is a demyelinating disease producing serious or even fatal illness. The cause of the disease has been primarily attributed to alcoholism. Recently hyponatremia and its rapid correction have been related to CPM. We describe an alcoholic patient who developed the disease. The case has given us the opportunity of reflecting on CPM pathogenesis and management.

Alcoholism↗
PubMed1986

Saccadic eye movements analysis as a measure of drug effect on central nervous system function.

Peak velocity (PSV) and duration (SD) of horizontal saccadic eye movements are demonstrably under the control of specific brain stem structures. Experimental and clinical evidence suggest the existence of an immediate premotor system for saccade generation located in the paramedian pontine reticular formation (PPRF). Effects on saccadic eye movements have been studied in normal volunteers with barbiturates, benzodiazepines, amphetamine and ethanol. On two occasions computer analysis of PSV, SD, saccade reaction time (SRT) and saccade accuracy (SA) was carried out in comparison with more traditional methods of assessment of human psychomotor performance like choice reaction time (CRT) and critical flicker fusion threshold (CFFT). The computer system proved to be a highly sensitive and objective method for measuring drug effect on central nervous system (CNS) function. It allows almost continuous sampling of data and appears to be particularly suitable for studying rapidly changing drug effects on the CNS.

Amobarbital↗
PubMed1986

The effects of repeated doses of temazepam and nitrazepam on several measures of human performance.

The effects of six nightly doses of temazepam (20 mg), nitrazepam (10 mg) and placebo on saccadic eye movements, critical flicker fusion threshold, choice reaction time and mood were studied in eight volunteers. Performance was measured on nights 1 and 6 of each treatment. Nitrazepam produced a residual performance impairment on night 1 that disappeared by night 6, despite higher serum concentrations of the drug on the sixth night of treatment. Temazepam, with a shorter elimination half-life, produced no significant performance impairment on night 1, but by night 6 a significant impairment of saccadic eye movements (p less than 0.05) was seen 1 hour after drug intake. We conclude that tolerance to the sedative action of nitrazepam developed over the 6-night period of the study. No evidence of tolerance was seen with temazepam. No residual effects of temazepam (20 mg) were seen the morning after the night-time drug administration.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed1985

The effect of repeated doses of temazepam and nitrazepam on human psychomotor performance.

The effects of six nightly doses of temazepam (20 mg), nitrazepam (10 mg) and placebo on saccadic eye movements, critical flicker fusion, choice reaction time and on subjective feelings were studied in a double blind cross-over study in eight volunteers. Testing was performed on nights 1 and 6 of treatment. Nitrazepam, a benzodiazepine with a long elimination half-life produced a residual performance impairment on night 1 that had disappeared by night 6, despite higher serum concentrations of the drug on the sixth night of treatment. Temazepam, with a shorter elimination half-life produced no significant performance impairment on night 1, but by night 6 a significant impairment of saccadic eye movements (P less than 0.05), was seen 1 h after drug intake. We conclude that tolerance developed to the sedative action of nitrazepam over the 6 night period of the study. No evidence of tolerance was seen with temazepam.

Anti-Anxiety Agents↗
PubMed1984

Transient occlusion of intracranial blood vessels. Presentation of one clinical and preliminary considerations.

The authors suggest that some cerebral ischaemic lesions depend upon a transient obstruction of intracranial blood vessels (particularly the trunk and the branches of the middle cerebral artery). This explains (as in the patient described here) the cases in which an ischaemic lesion does not correspond with the vascular lesions found on arteriography and/or at autopsy. Furthermore the authors indicate the importance of blood flow in the spontaneous relief of obstruction which is favoured by an undamaged vascular bed. Consequently they recommend, if possible, early surgical treatment of the carotid lesions, in order to reduce the risk of emboli and to improve cerebral blood flow in general.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Effect of meptazinol and ethanol on human psychomotor performance and mood ratings.

The effect of meptazinol and/or ethanol on human psychomotor performance and mood ratings has been investigated in 8 healthy volunteers in a double blind randomised study. Meptazinol (200 mg 3 hourly for 4 doses) or placebo were administered orally and ethanol (0.8 g/kg) or placebo were given 30 min after the last tablet. Peak saccadic velocity (PSV), saccade duration at 30 degrees of amplitude (SD), smooth pursuit velocity (SPV), critical flicker fusion threshold (CFF), choice reaction time (CRT) and visual analogue scales were assessed. PSV (p less than 0.01), SD (p less than 0.001) and SPV (p less than 0.01) were significantly impaired after ethanol, while CFF, CFT and visual analogue scales showed no significant effect. None of the tests was affected by the meptazinol treatment alone. No changes were observed in the ethanol-induced impairment of PSV, SD and SPV when meptazinol was given in combination with ethanol.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Specific oculomotor deficits after amylobarbitone.

Five healthy volunteers received a single oral dose of amylobarbitone sodium (200 mg) and placebo in a double blind randomized fashion. Peak velocity of horizontal saccadic eye movements, saccade duration and smooth pursuit velocity were measured at intervals up to 6 h after drug administration. The active treatment produced a statistically significant decrease of both saccadic and smooth pursuit eye velocity. The maximum effect was observed 2 h after drug administration. The effect on peak saccadic velocity was still statistically significant 6 h after treatment. The maximum impairment in eye movement performance ranged between 25 and 29%. These results demonstrate that both saccadic and smooth pursuit systems are unable to generate the required eye velocity under the influence of a therapeutic dose of amylobarbitone sodium.

Adult↗