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Biomedical subjects

M R Trimble

Publications and source records attributed to M R Trimble.

At least 145 records · Page 8Linked to original sources
PubMed1984

Prolactin and gonadotrophin changes following partial seizures in epileptic patients with and without psychopathology.

Postictal serum prolactin, follicle-stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone were assessed in 22 epileptic patients with partial seizures. On the basis of their past history they were divided into those with (Group A) and those without (Group B) psychopathology. The results show more significant changes from baseline in Group B. These data suggest that psychopathology may be associated with partial seizures in those patients where spread of seizure activity through limbic system to the diencephalon preferentially occurs.

Depressive Disorder↗
PubMed1983

Flupenthixol in depression. A study of serum levels and prolactin response.

The relationship between improvement in symptomatology and changes in prolactin and serum cis-flupenthixol levels has been evaluated in 16 patients with a clinical diagnosis of depression, who were treated with 1 or 2 mg of flupenthixol in a once daily morning dose. No significant differences in clinical response were noted between those on 1 and 2 mg, and side effects were few. The presentation of some side effects, in particular extrapyramidal symptoms, were related to higher serum levels and prolactin levels particularly in the early stages of the study. Improvements in depressive symptoms were unrelated to serum levels, but at day 56 of the trial were positively correlated to changes in prolactin levels. Improvements in anxiety symptoms were positively related to serum levels at day 3 but negatively related at day 56. These results are discussed in the light of possible influences of dopamine antagonism in relation to an antidepressant effect.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Anticonvulsant drugs, cognitive function, and behavior.

Healthy volunteers as well as patients with epilepsy were studied for 2 weeks in a double-blind crossover design to determine the effect of anticonvulsant drugs on cognitive function and behavior. The healthy volunteers experienced significant deficits in performance with the four drugs examined, phenytoin, carbamazepine, sodium valproate, and clobazam. The most widespread changes were seen with phenytoin; carbamazepine, sodium valproate, and clobazam did not interfere with tests of memory function. The results of the patients' studies showed that (1) when anticonvulsants are reduced, patients receiving polytherapy improve their cognitive function; (2) patients with high serum levels of anticonvulsant drugs demonstrated more cognitive impairment than those with low levels; (3) when carbamazepine is substituted for another anticonvulsant, cognitive function is improved; and (4) in patients receiving monotherapy, high serum levels are linked to greater cognitive impairment than lower levels and the profile of changes differs between the drugs.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed1983

Schizophrenic psychosis associated with aqueduct stenosis in adults.

The case histories of five adult patients with hydrocephalus and aqueduct stenosis are presented. All the cases were associated with prominent psychotic symptoms (delusions, hallucinations or thought disorder). In the three cases where operative intervention was carried out the diagnosis was made in adult life. Using the Present State Examination all five cases were classified as having schizophrenic psychosis. The possible reasons for this association are discussed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Anticonvulsant serum levels: relationship to impairments of cognitive functioning.

Twenty-eight patients with epilepsy were seen on two occasions at an interval of three months. On one session anticonvulsant serum levels were high and on the other session the serum levels were lower. On each of the two sessions patients performed a series of psychological tests and had a blood sample taken for the analysis of anticonvulsant serum concentrations. Seizure frequency in the previous three months was documented and several patients had an EEG recording made. Deficits in psychological test performance were found at high serum concentrations. Furthermore, lower serum level concentrations did not appear to be accompanied by worsened seizure control.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

An interictal study of partial epilepsy using positron emission tomography and the oxygen - 15 inhalation technique.

Data from ten patients with complex partial seizures who underwent positron emission tomography using the 15-0 inhalation technique are presented. Decreased flow and metabolism are noted in the hemisphere ipsilateral to the EEG focus, but, in patients with unilateral foci, bilateral changes in temporal cortex are detected. Other areas maximally affected include the basal ganglia, and the cerebellum. The possible role of anticonvulsant drugs in these findings is discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Major tranquillisers used as antidepressants. A review.

The use of major tranquillisers as antidepressants is reviewed and 34 double-blind trials evaluating this were found. Results suggest that some neuroleptics have antidepressant properties, although most studies have been conducted on mixed anxiety-depressive states. Advantages over the tricyclic antidepressants are the early onset of action and relative lack of side-effects. Post psychotic depression following major tranquilliser therapy is considered, and it is concluded that it is likely to be part of the underlying illness and not a drug-induced effect. It is suggested that further work with major tranquillisers in depression may be of value in exploring the mechanism of action of antidepressant drugs.

Antipsychotic Agents↗
PubMed1982

Non-MAOI antidepressant drugs and cognitive functions: a review.

Little is known about the effects of non-MAOI antidepressants on cognitive functions, despite their wide application to ambulant patients. Evidence from studies involving healthy volunteers suggests that differences exist between drugs, with imipramine, amitriptyline and mianserin being associated with the most marked detrimental effects. However, these findings have generally not been supported by the few studies using clinical populations, for which improvements in cognitive functions are often recorded following treatment. The reasons for this discrepancy are discussed, and the need for further research suggested.

Amitriptyline↗
PubMed1982

Anticonvulsant drugs and cognitive functions.

Thirty-five patients with epilepsy were seen before and 3 and 6 months following changes in their anticonvulsant regimes. Patients either underwent a reduction in the number of different drugs prescribed (n = 20) or had at least one drug changed to carbamazepine (n = 15). A third group of patients was seen at the same time intervals but remained on stable anticonvulsant therapy (n = 10). On each assessment session patients performed a series of specially designed tests of cognitive and motor functions, completed rating scales of mood, had a blood sample taken for the analysis of anticonvulsant serum levels, and had their seizure frequency for the previous 3 months documented. In addition, 24 patients had a routine EEG recording made. The overall results obtained suggested that a reduction in polypharmacy and the use of carbamazepine both had beneficial effects on cognitive functioning and mood.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

The lateralising significance of hypergraphia in temporal lobe epilepsy.

Six patients with hypergraphia and epilepsy are presented and their clinical features compared with other patients reported in the literature. It is suggested that hypergraphia occurs more frequently in patients with right-sided non-dominant temporal lobe lesions, in contrast for example to the schizophreniform presentation of left-sided lesions. Other features of psychopathology possibly associated with non-dominant lesions, including elation, hypereligiosity and déjà vu experiences, are also discussed.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Sodium valproate and cognitive functioning in normal volunteers.

1 The effects of sodium valproate on the performance of a series of psychological tests and mood was studied. 2 Ten healthy male volunteers received sodium valproate and placebo, each for a period of 2 weeks, in a double-blind cross-over design. Dosage of sodium valproate was increased to 800 mg/day in the first week and to 1 g/day in the second week of treatment. 3 Psychological testing took place on three occasions, before and on completion of each of the two treatment periods. 4 The few significant differences between drug and placebo conditions indicated impairment on sodium valproate. 5 The findings are discussed in relation to those from a similarly designed study of the anticonvulsant phenytoin. Implications for epilepsy are also considered.

Adult↗