Dopamine, glutamic acid decarboxylase (G.A.D.) and choline acetyltransferase (C.A.T.) were measured in four regions of post-mortem brains. 41 patients with the hospital diagnosis of schizophrenia (psychotic group) were compared with a control grout normal in the putamen. G.A.D. activity was significantly reduced in the psychotic group, by about 50% in the nucleus accumbens, amygdala and hippocampus, and by about 30% in the putamen. C.A.T. activity was significantly lower in nucleus accumbens from the psychotic group, but normal in other brain regions. From an assessment of case notes, "schizophrenia" was distinguished from "schizophrenia-like psychosis". The biochemical findings for these subgroups were essentially similar, although C.A.T. activity in nucleus accumbens and hippocampus from the schizophrenic group was significantly lower than in controls. It is of brain are associated with schizophrenia and schizophrenia-like psychoses, although whether such neurochemical abnormalities are related to the illness or are a consequence of prolonged treatment with neuroleptic drugs remains unclear.

Adult↗

PubMed1977

Recurrent brain abscess: manifestation of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula and hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

A unique case of recurrent brain abscess as the primary manifestation of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula is presented. In the absence of hematologic abnormalities and characteristic physical findings, the diagnosis of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula is particularly elusive. Patients with brain abscess must be carefully evaluated for the presence of pulmonary arteriovenous fistula or hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia.

Arteriovenous Malformations↗

PubMed1977

Adrenergic desensitization in leukocytes of normal and asthmatic subjects.

Cyclic AMP was measured in leukocytes of normal and asthmatic subjects before and after one week of treatment with equal amounts of ephedrine. During the control and placebo periods, the measurements of cyclic AMP in leukocytes of asthmatic subjects were similar to those of normal individuals. After one week of treatment with ephedrine, both groups exhibited suppression of the leukocyte cyclic AMP response to adrenergic stimulation in vitro: however, the suppression of response was significantly greater in asthmatic subjects (p less than .u1). Subcutaneous administration of epinephrine was followed by further suppression of the leukocyte cyclic AMP response to in vitro stimulation which was similar in both groups during all treatment periods. The results indicate that in vivo exposure to adrenergic medications is followed by desensitization of the leukocyte responses to subsequent adrenergic stimulation in vitro. After administration of small doses of medication, the severity and/or duration of desensitization is significantly greater in asthmatic leukocytes.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1976

Compression neuropathy subsequent to renal transplantation.

Compression neuropathy occurred in 7 patients who underwent renal transplantation. The neuropathy occurred on the same side as the surgery and was associated with the use of selfretaining retractors. Other contributing factors were presence and degree of uremia and diabetes. We suggest that self-retaining retractors be used carefully and length of application reduced to a minimum. Efficient dialysis prior to transplantation may decrease the incidence and severity of neurologic deficit by reducing the extent of uremia.

Adult↗

PubMed1975