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Biomedical subjects

L Pinessi

Publications and source records attributed to L Pinessi.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

[Tardive dyskinesia].

Neuroleptic drug treatment can produce tardive dyskinesia of which the incidence, risk factors, clinical characteristics and problems of differential diagnosis are described. Possible therapeutic approaches are then considered in the light of the hypothesis that the condition may derive from a physiopathological hypersensitivity of the dopamine receptors.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed1984

[Neuroendocrinologic aspects of epilepsy].

Although the literature recognises the involvement of neuropeptide structures in the genesis of epilepsy, only tentative preliminary data are available at present. Experiments indicate that neuropeptides primarily involved in the genesis of epilepsy are leuencephalin, metencephalin and beta-endorphin. Their convulsion properties are apparently related to the specific levels, locations and convulsive potential of the individual substances. A qualitative and/or quantitative change to the GABA-neuropeptide balance may also be involved in convulsive disorders; decreased GABA fluid levels have been identified in both severely epileptic patients and infants with febrile convulsions. Neuropeptide modulation and GABAergic neurotransmission clearly therefore play a major role in the regulation of cortical bioelectrical activity. It is therefore likely that their interaction is involved in the genesis of epilepsy.

Epilepsy↗
PubMed1984

[Neuroendocrine correlations in the pathogenesis and pathology of Parkinson disease].

In Parkinson's disease the decrease of dopamine in the nigro-striatal pathway is allied to modifications of other neuromodulation systems. The biochemical disorder of cholinergic, gabaergic and epinephrinergic pathways is present. Moreover the alteration of certain neuropeptides such as endorphins or enkefalins have been found. The Authors analyse the functional repercussions of these important biochemical modifications in the T.I.D.A. tract. In particular the variation of PRL synthesis and secretion due to dopamine deficiency during basal conditions and after pharmacological treatment is discussed.

Benserazide↗
PubMed1984

[Sexuality in elderly men].

The era when the sexuality of the elderly male was a taboo subject to be avoided is long past. In fact a growing number of doctors, sociologists and psychoanalysts are investigating the sexuality of the elderly, partly in an attempt to counteract the mistaken view that all sexuality is pathological at that age. All authorities in fact agree that the elderly male may have a sex life, even though genital activity may diminish. Data are presented on the sexuality of a group of elderly men in good health and with an active interest in life. The survey indicates that sociological old age may not necessarily be synonymous in man with sexual old age.

Aged↗
PubMed1984

Primary dementias: epidemiological and sociomedical aspects.

An epidemiological survey of primary dementia syndromes was conducted in the city of Bra (26287 residents) in the Piedmont region. All the patients for whom a diagnosis of senile dementia had already been recorded together with the cases coming to light as a result of a questionary circulated to general practitioners and neuropsychiatrists were subjected to a broad battery of neuropsychological tests. The prevalence rate proved to be 255 (+/- 61) per 100 000 of the population and 2028 (+/- 476) per 100 000 of the over 65s. Close attention was paid to dements living in nursing facilities. Factors favoring institutionalisation were: advanced age, severe motor impairment and female sex. No correlation between severity or dementia and institutionalisation was found.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1982

Myotonia congenita and myotonic dystrophy: descriptive epidemiological investigation in Turin, Italy (1955-1979).

A descriptive epidemiological survey of Myotonia Congenita (MC) and Myotonic Dystrophy (MD) was carried out on the resident population of the City of Turin, Italy. Cases were collected from the Archives of the Neurological Clinic, University of Turin, and from other neurological departments in the city's hospitals. Every patient (and the "healthy" relatives of MD subjects) underwent clinical and EMG re-examination, in order to confirm the initial diagnosis and to investigate the familial distribution of the diseases. The point prevalence rate was 0.9 (+/- 0.6) X 10(-5) for MC and 2.1 (+/- 0.8) X 10(-5) for MD. During the period 1955-1979 the mean annual incidence was 0.3 (+/- 0.2) X 10(-6) for MC and 0.7 (+/- 0.3) X 10(-6) for MD. The incidence-at-birth rate was 1.4 (+/- 1.2) X 10(-5) for MC and 2.9 (+/- 1.8) X 10(-5) for MD. The modalities of inheritance and sex distribution of MC and MD were also studied. Knowledge of epidemiological features of these myopathies is of vital importance for genetic counselling.

Female↗
PubMed1982

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials in postconcussion syndrome.

Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were recorded from 55 patients with postconcussion syndrome (PCS) to elicit evidence of an organic and subclinical brainstem disorder. Fifteen patients (27.3%) showed abnormal responses unilaterally or bilaterally, especially for one or more interpeak latencies prolonged beyond the upper 99% confidence limits. Other 9 patients had borderline responses. The BAEP alterations were not correlated either with dizziness at the time of recording, or with vestibular troubles in the routine caloric test. Though BAEP abnormalities may be present a long time after injury, we found an improvement of responses in the majority of 14 re-tested patients. These data show that BAEP can give an objective demonstration of a reversible brainstem disorder in patients with PCS.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Association between the interleukin-1alpha gene and Alzheimer's disease: a meta-analysis.

Inflammatory processes are involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several studies have addressed the effects of interleukin-1 (IL-1) genes polymorphisms on the risk of developing AD. The results are not in full agreement on whether these polymorphisms are associated with the disease. To clarify this issue, we performed a meta-analysis of all the association studies between IL-1 genes and AD. Due to the relatively small number of published articles, the meta-analysis was restricted to the association of the IL-1alpha -889 C/T gene polymorphism and AD. Under a random effects model, the risk for the disease was significantly higher in subjects with the T/T genotype in comparison with both C/T (OR: 1.51; 95% C.I.: 1.15-1.99) and C/C (OR: 1.49; 95% C.I.: 1.09-2.03) subjects. There was modest heterogeneity for these effect estimates. Analysis of subgroups showed a significant association in patients with early-onset AD but not in late-onset AD. Our data support a significant but modest association between the T/T genotype of the IL-1alpha gene and AD.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Chronic Helicobacter pylori infection and migraine: a case-control study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether chronic Helicobacter pylori infection is a risk factor for migraine. BACKGROUND: Preliminary studies have shown a high prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in patients with primary headaches. METHODS: One hundred three consecutive patients with migraine were enrolled in the study and compared with a group of 103 matched controls. Helicobacter pylori infection was diagnosed by means of both (13)C-urea breath test and serology. RESULTS: Of patients with migraine, 30.1% were positive for Helicobacter pylori, compared with 31.1% of controls (P = NS). The odds ratio for migraine associated with chronic Helicobacter pylori infection was 0.96 (95% confidence interval, 0.51 to 1.80). Demographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics of Helicobacter pylori-positive migraineurs were compared with those of migrainous patients without infection. Helicobacter pylori-positive patients had a significantly (P<.05) lower incidence of food sensitivity than Helicobacter pylori-negative patients. No significant difference was found in any other feature examined. CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that chronic Helicobacter pylori infection is not more frequent in patients with migraine than in controls and that infection does not modify clinical features of the disease.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The genetics of Alzheimer's disease].

This paper examines recent epidemiological and molecular genetic studies on the genetic basis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent epidemiological studies have shown the existence of a genetic etiology in some cases of Alzheimer's disease. Several pedigrees with an increased incidence of AD (familial Alzheimer's disease--FAD) have been described in the literature. Some of these contain sufficient numbers of affected individuals in multiple generations to provide a rigorous argument for an autosomal dominant inheritance of the AD phenotype. FAD pedigrees show several evidences of as phenotypic heterogeneity of the disease. Molecular genetic studies have shown a linkage between several polymorphic DNA markers specific for the pericentromeric region of chromosome 21 and early-onset FAD. In late-onset FAD pedigrees preliminary reports showed evidence for a linkage with chromosome 19 markers. Molecular genetic studies have clearly demonstrated the genetic heterogeneity of familial Alzheimer's disease. The analysis of new, multigenerational pedigrees with FAD and the study of patients with Down's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease should provide useful informations for the characterization of the gene(s) responsible for familial Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer Disease↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Biogenic amines in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma of patients with dementia of Alzheimer type.

The involvement of monoaminergic neurons in Dementia of Alzheimer Type (D.A.T.) is still a matter for debate. In a selected group of patients with D.A.T. we evaluated monoamine levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma and found a significant decrease in serotonin and dopamine metebolite levels. Dopamine levels were reduced in both CSF and plasma. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the duration of the illness and the decrease in monoamine levels. These findings suggest that there is systemic damage to monoaminergic neurons in D.A.T.

Alzheimer Disease↗