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Biomedical subjects

J A Corbett

Publications and source records attributed to J A Corbett.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

Pharmacokinetics of lithium in patients treated with controlled release lithium formulations.

There has long been discussion as to the relative merits of the lithium formulations available in the UK. Two of these have been shown to exhibit similar pharmacokinetics in normal volunteers and both are now marketed as controlled release formulations. In this study the serum lithium profiles of these formulations were compared in patients at two centres during the first 4 h after the dose, and at 24 h. We were unable to show any significant difference between the formulations in respect of maximum serum lithium concentrations or the concentration at each time point.

Adult↗

Psychotropic drugs and mental retardation: 1. Disabilities and the prescription of drugs for behaviour and for epilepsy in three residential settings.

The Birmingham Special Needs Register, a computerized database, was used to examine the disabilities of, and the use of psychoactive (psychotropic and antiepileptic) drugs among 1825 people over the age of 20 with mental retardation. People living in three different types of residential setting (hospitals, community residential facilities and family homes) were compared. The prevalence of physical disability, impaired communication and incontinence was highest among people resident in hospital, followed by those living with their families. People resident in community residential facilities were the least disabled group. Psychotropic drugs prescribed to alter behaviour were used most frequently in hospitals (prescribed for 40.2% of people), followed by community residential facilities (19.3%). Use was lowest in family homes (10.1%). Most hospital residents who received medication to alter behaviour did not have a diagnosed psychiatric disorder. The reported prevalence of behaviour disorders among the three populations was not significantly different. Drugs for epilepsy were prescribed for 26.2% of hospital residents, 9.3% of people in community residential facilities and 18.5% of people living with their families.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Psychotropic drugs and mental retardation: 2. A comparison of psychoactive drug use before and after discharge from hospital to community.

The use of psychoactive medication was examined among 64 people with mental retardation who moved from two hospitals to the community as part of a plan of resettlement. There was no significant difference between the overall use of antipsychotic drugs 2 years before discharge, on the date of discharge and after at least 6 months (mean 25 months) of community living, although changes in drugs and doses prescribed had taken place. About 39% of people were receiving antipsychotics, 32% receiving antiepileptics, 7% receiving antidepressants and 8% receiving benzodiazepines.

Adolescent↗

Tourette-like disorder in Asperger's syndrome.

An eight-year-old boy with Asperger's syndrome was given haloperidol to control agitation and aggressive outbursts. Withdrawal of the drug after two years was followed by Tourette-like symptoms. Subsequently neither haloperidol nor a second antipsychotic drug altered the core features of Asperger's syndrome, despite suppressing the movement disorder. His first exposure to neuroleptics was in utero.

Adolescent↗

Aerosol addiction.

A case of dependency on prescribed pressurised aerosols in a patient with asthma and mild mental handicap is reported. The majority of reported cases involve young asthmatics, abuse being reported mainly using salbutamol inhalers although other inhalers have also given cause for concern. The agent of addition is uncertain although it may be the fluorinated hydrocarbons used as propellants, rather than the active substance itself.

Adult↗

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome with hypomania and mental retardation.

A case of neuroleptic malignant syndrome is described in a 37-year-old man with mental retardation, hypomania and a history of recent hepatitis B infection. The NMS is reviewed and the potential importance of this iatrogenic emergency in mental handicap practice is emphasized.

Adult↗

Self-injurious behaviour in people with mental handicap: a total population study.

A survey of self-injurious behaviour in people receiving services for mental handicap was carried out in one health region. Six hundred and sixteen adults and children were found to have engaged in self-injurious behaviour sufficient to have caused tissue damage in the previous 4 months and 596 of these were screened. Half were resident in hospital while 28% were in non-hospital residential care and the remainder (21%) were living at home. Nearly one-fifth (19%) showed self-injurious behaviour, of one or more types, at a rate of at least once per hour and a further 13% wore protective or restraining devices for all or part of the day or night. Only 2% were enrolled on formal psychological treatment programmes but nearly half were receiving psychotropic drugs (excluding anticonvulsants).

Adolescent↗

Comparison of Streptococcus mutans concentrations in non-banded and banded orthodontic patients.

The effect of orthodontic banding on the prevalence of Streptococcus mutans in plaque was evaluated by comparisons between patients wearing bands and patients just prior to banding on the basis of treatment and/or dental caries history. Banded patients had significantly higher levels of S. mutans in plaque and greater numbers of S. mutans-infected sites than did caries-free patients. Caries-free banded patients had more S. mutans-infected sample sites than did the caries-free non-banded group.

Adolescent↗

Folic acid and mental symptoms in children with epilepsy.

312 children resident at a hospital school received a neuropsychiatric examination and information was provided on their IQ status. Children with a fall in their IQ were identified. Serum and red cell folate values were estimated and the relationship between neuropsychiatric disturbances and folate disturbances explored. Patients with a fall in IQ, neurotic disturbance and depression all had significantly lower serum folic acid levels than the rest of the population, and the children with neurotic disturbances and depression had significantly lower red cell folate values. The relationship between folic acid metabolism and the neuropsychiatric disturbances is discussed in the light of these findings.

Child↗