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Biomedical subjects

N Callaghan

Publications and source records attributed to N Callaghan.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1986

A comparative study of the relative influence of different anticonvulsant drugs, UV exposure and diet on vitamin D and calcium metabolism in out-patients with epilepsy.

The biochemical parameters associated with vitamin D metabolism, calcium, 25-hydroxy-vitamin D (25OHD) and alkaline phosphatase levels were assessed in 226 out-patients with epilepsy. Patients were grouped depending on the drug treatment; carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbitone and sodium valproate used alone as monotherapy and a combination of these drugs as polytherapy. The most severe alterations occurred in the polytherapy group. Hypocalcaemia was more severe in the phenobarbitone monotherapy group than the carbamazepine or the phenytoin groups. No patient on sodium valproate monotherapy had subnormal levels of calcium (less than 2.1 mmol/l). 25OHD levels were similarly reduced in the carbamazepine, phenytoin and the phenobarbitone groups with no reduction in the sodium valproate group. Significant elevations in alkaline phosphatase levels were evident in all patient groups except the sodium valproate group. This study confirms biochemical evidence for anticonvulsant osteomalacia when the enzyme-inducing drugs are used, the degree of severity depending on the drug regimen.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

An improvement in cognitive function following polypharmacy reduction in a group of epileptic patients.

18 epileptic patients on polypharmacy were assessed, using a battery of psychometric tests including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, Benton Visual Retention Test and Alertness and Concentration tests. The same patients were reassessed one year later following a trial to reduce their polypharmacy. The results for 12 patients whose treatment was reduced to monotherapy were statistically analysed, using the Wilcoxon Matched Pairs Test. Significant changes were found on a number of test scores which included Full Scale WAIS I.Q., W.A.I.S. Performance I.Q., Digit Symbol, Block Design and Object Assembly, Benton Visual Retention Test Error Score and Concentration Test Score. The other tests showed no improvement over baseline. The results point to the improvement in some areas of cognitive function which follows a reduction in polypharmacy to monotherapy.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

A prospective study between carbamazepine, phenytoin and sodium valproate as monotherapy in previously untreated and recently diagnosed patients with epilepsy.

One hundred and eighty one patients with previously untreated epilepsy were randomised to sodium valproate, phenytoin or carbamazepine as monotherapy and followed up for a median period which ranged from 14 to 24 months. All three drugs were highly effective in the control of generalised seizures but less effective for partial seizures. Excellent or good control was achieved with therapeutic levels of sodium valproate and carbamazepine, but with subtherapeutic levels of phenytoin.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Unnecessary polypharmacy in patients with frequent seizures.

35 patients with a mean seizure frequency of 15 attacks per months were studied. 19 were taking a 2-drug combination, 13 a 3-drug combination and 3 patients a 4-drug combination. Treatment was reduced to monotherapy in 21 patients and to a 2-drug combination in 8 patients. There was an increase in seizure frequency in 6 patients taking a 2-drug combination when an attempt was made to reduce the treatment to monotherapy. Reduction in polypharmacy resulted in an improvement in seizure control in 54% of patients. Carbamazepine replaced polypharmacy as monotherapy in 19 patients and phenytoin and sodium valproate in 2 other patients. Improvement in seizure control was associated with optimal blood levels in 17 patients taking carbamazepine and in the 2 patients taking sodium valproate and phenytoin. Serum levels in all patients taking 2-drug combination were within the optimal range.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Plasma prolactin concentrations following epileptic and pseudoseizures.

Serial plasma prolactin levels were measured following eighteen generalised seizures, ten partial seizures and eight pseudoseizures. Prolactin levels were elevated following generalised seizures, but were normal following the other seizure types. Plasma prolactin levels may, therefore, be helpful in differentiating between generalised and pseudoseizures. The optimal time for estimating the prolactin level was 15-20 minutes following the seizure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Serum elevation of high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol in epileptic patients taking carbamazepine or phenytoin.

Serum lipids and the cholesterol concentration in the high density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction were measured in epileptic patients taking either carbamazepine or phenytoin as single drug treatment. There was a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol levels in patients taking both phenytoin and carbamazepine. Serum total-cholesterol concentrations in patients taking both drugs did not differ significantly from those of controls. The ratio of HDL-cholesterol/total cholesterol was increased in both drugs and the increase reached significance in patients taking phenytoin. There was a significant increase in serum triglycerides in females taking carbamazepine.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

Brain transmitter precursors and metabolites in diabetic ketoacidosis.

Patients studied during recovery from an episode of ketoacidotic diabetes had raised blood glucose, plasma free fatty acid and plasma free tryptophan concentrations. Plasma total tryptophan was decreased. Well controlled diabetics showed normal values. The ketoacidotic patients had increased lumbar CSF tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid concentrations. Plasma tyrosine and CSF tyrosine and homovanillic acid concentrations were normal in both diabetic groups. The results are discussed in relation to somewhat similar findings in uraemic and hepatic encephalopathy and to changes in rats with streptozotocin diabetes.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Epilepsy and coeliac disease.

A number of neurological disorders have been described in association with coeliac disease, including epilepsy. A review of 177 patients with coeliac disease failed to show an increased prevalence of epilepsy. This is contrary to the findings of other workers, and requires further investigation.

Adolescent↗