Search PubMed⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P Caffarra

Publications and source records attributed to P Caffarra.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

Effect of substance P on basal and thyrotropin-releasing hormone-stimulated thyrotropin release in humans.

To test the possible effects of intravenous administration of substance P (SP) on basal and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-stimulated thyrotropin (TSH) release, SP was infused alone (0.5 or 1.5 pmol/kg-1/min-1 for 60 minutes) or after TRH (20 or 400 micrograms in an intravenous bolus) in 21 normal male subjects (aged 26 to 36 years) and in 18 normal women (aged 25 to 32 years). Women were studied during follicular (day 6 to 8) and luteal (day 21 to 23) phases of following regular menstrual cycles. In addition, plasma cortisol levels during SP infusion were measured. In agreement with previous findings, significant increments in plasma cortisol levels were observed in men and women when the higher (1.5 pmol/kg-1/min-1) but not the lower (0.5 pmol/kg-1/min-1) amount of SP was administered. In contrast, in both men and women basal and TRH (20 or 400 mg)-induced TSH releases were not modified by SP at any tested amount. Results in the follicular and luteal phase were similar. These data suggest that in normal men and women plasma SP is not involved in the control of TSH release, at least not outside the blood-brain barrier.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Low-dose ovine corticotropin-releasing hormone stimulation test in diabetes mellitus with or without neuropathy.

The function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis was evaluated in insulin-dependent diabetics without (group I, n = 10) or with (group II, n = 10) established symptomatic neuropathy and in age- and weight-matched normal controls (n = 11). Since the corticotropin (ACTH)/cortisol response to the minimal-effective dose of corticotropin-releasing hormone ([CRH] 0.03 microgram/kg body weight) represents a useful tool for HPA axis examination, all subjects were tested with the low-dose ovine CRH stimulation test. Experiments started at 8:30 AM, when CRH was injected after two basal blood samples were withdrawn, and lasted 2 hours. Basal serum levels of ACTH were similar in the three groups. Administration of CRH induced a small but significant increase in ACTH levels in all subjects; however, the CRH-induced ACTH increase was significantly higher in normal controls than in diabetic groups I and II. Furthermore, a significantly lower ACTH response was observed in group II than in group I. In contrast, basal and CRH-induced cortisol levels were significantly higher in diabetics than in normal controls. Comparisons between diabetic groups showed that both basal and stimulated cortisol secretion was significantly higher in group II than in group I. When peak ACTH responses to CRH and basal cortisol levels were combined, a significant negative correlation was found (r = .545, P < .02). These data show that even uncomplicated diabetes mellitus is associated with adrenal hyperfunction. Such an alteration is more pronounced in the presence of neuropathy.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1994

Differing patterns of psychiatric impairment in Alzheimer and demented parkinsonian patients.

Psychiatric symptoms were investigated and compared in 95 patients with Alzheimer type dementia (DAT) and in 39 patients with Parkinson's disease with dementia (PD-D). The diagnosis of the dementia and psychiatric disorders was based on DSM III R criteria; dementia stage was assessed using the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR). PD-D were significantly older than DAT patients. Delirium was more frequent in the advanced stages of both PD-D and DAT, being mainly of the hypoactive type in PD-D and the hyperactive type in DAT. Delusions and hallucinations predominated in the early CDR stages of both illnesses and did not differ between groups; the same was true for depression. The results revealed different psychopathological profiles in DAT and PD-D patients.

Aged↗
PubMed1994

Perseverative dysgraphia: a selective disorder in writing double letters.

Models of writing processes postulate that abstract graphemic representations contain information about letter doubling independent of letter identity. We describe a patient, R.T., who made perseverative errors only in handwriting geminate letters, [e.g.: "CORTECCIA" (cortex)-->"CORTECCCIA"]. Perseveration was specific to orthography. To explain R.T.'s errors, we argue that after the selection of the correct graphic motor programs, the geminate feature induced a perseverative graphic behaviour. This form of dysgraphia supports the notion that graphemic representations contain specific information about letter doubling.

Agraphia↗
PubMed1993

Lack of ACTH/cortisol and GH responses to intravenously-infused substance P in Parkinson's disease.

In order to test possible changes in the stimulating effect of intravenously-infused substance P (SP) on ACTH/cortisol and GH secretion in Parkinson's disease, 10 male parkinsonian patients and 10 age-matched normal controls were infused intravenously for 60 min with SP (1.0 or 1.5 pmol/kg-1/min-1 SP) or normal saline. The circulating levels of ACTH, cortisol and GH were measured during and for 20 min after SP or saline infusion. No untoward side effects or changes in blood pressure were observed during SP infusion in any subjects. In basal conditions and during saline infusion, plasma ACTH and cortisol levels were similar in normal and parkinsonian patients. During SP infusions, ACTH/cortisol concentrations in normal controls rose significantly vs baseline and saline test in a dose-dependent fashion. In contrast, at both SP infused amounts, parkinsonian patients showed ACTH/cortisol levels similar to those observed in the saline test. All subjects showed similar basal concentrations of GH. GH levels rose significantly in the normal controls when the higher dose of SP was infused, but they were not modified by the infusion of the lower dose of SP or saline. At both tested amounts of SP and during saline infusion, GH levels remained unchanged in the parkinsonian subjects. In agreement with previous observations in the literature showing SP abnormalities in the parkinsonian brain, these data fail to show significant effects of plasma SP on the ACTH/cortisol and GH secretory systems in Parkinson's disease.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1993

Abnormal serotonergic control of prolactin and cortisol secretion in patients with seasonal affective disorder.

The effects of the serotonergic agent d,l-fenfluramine (60 mg PO) or a placebo on serum prolactin (PRL) and cortisol levels were evaluated in seven patients (five men and two women) with seasonal affective disorders (SAD) and in eight normal controls (eight men and two women). Both groups were tested in fall/winter when patients with SAD suffered depressive symptoms and in spring/summer, when patients were euthymic. Spring/summer and fall/winter tests gave similar results. PRL and cortisol patterns were similar in all subjects after placebo, whereas both hormonal responses to d,l-fenfluramine were significantly lower in patients with SAD than in normal controls. Correlation studies between the two hormonal responses revealed that on both periods the amplitudes of PRL and cortisol increments were significantly and positively correlated in patients with SAD. These data show diminished serotonergic responsiveness in SAD regardless of the actual depressive status of the patients. They are consistent with a decrease of central serotonergic activity in SAD.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Differential hemispheric asymmetries in depression and anxiety: a reaction-time study.

Several lines of evidence suggest impaired right hemisphere function in depression. In order to further investigate this phenomenon, simple reaction times (RTs) to lateralized visual stimuli were studied in patients with mild unipolar depression, in patients with chronic anxiety, and in medical patients free of psychiatric symptoms. The results showed a marked slowing of RTs to left visual field (right hemisphere) stimuli in depressed patients. Anxious patients showed a trend toward an opposite asymmetry, with slower responses to right field (left hemisphere) stimuli. In the nonpsychiatric group no visual field differences were present. The results are discussed in light of two alternative interpretations: depression may engage the right hemisphere's mechanisms, interfering with its functioning at a premotor level, or it may influence the regulation of performance by arousal and vigilance mechanisms lateralized to the right hemisphere, possibly operating at an earlier sensory stage.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Reduced ACTH/cortisol responses to naloxone in men with Parkinson's disease.

In order to establish whether the inhibitory control exerted by endogenous opioid peptides on ACTH/cortisol secretion changes in patients affected by Parkinson's disease, ten parkinsonian male subjects and eight age matched normal controls were tested with naloxone (4 mg an i.v. bolus plus 10 mg infused in two hours). In a different occasion all subjects were tested with normal saline. Experiments started at 09.00 h. Plasma ACTH and cortisol concentrations showed a slight physiological decline during saline test in both groups. In the normal controls and in the parkinsonian patients both ACTH and cortisol levels were significantly higher after naloxone administration than during saline test. However, both naloxone induced ACTH and cortisol responses were significantly higher in normal than in parkinsonian subjects. In agreement with the well-known opioid deficiency characterizing the parkinsonian brain, these data show a reduced opioid inhibitory control of ACTH/cortisol secretion in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone↗
PubMed1991

Failure of the gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) derivative, baclofen, to stimulate growth hormone secretion in Parkinson's disease.

In order to evaluate whether the stimulating effect of GABA on growth hormone (GH) secretion changes in patients affected by Parkinson's disease, ten male parkinsonian patients and ten age matched normal controls were tested with the GABA derivative and GABAergic agent Baclofen (10 mg in a single oral administration at 09.00 h) (experimental test). In a different occasion, normal men and parkinsonian patients were tested with a placebo (control test). Basal GH levels were similar in normal controls and parkinsonian patients and remained unmodified during the control test. Plasma GH levels rose three times within 120 min after the administration of baclofen in the normal subjects. In contrast, plasma GH concentrations remained unmodified after baclofen treatment in the parkinsonian patients. In agreement with previous reports in the literature showing alterations of GABAergic neurotransmission in the parkinsonian brain, these data show a reduced GABAergic control of GH secretion in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Aged↗
PubMed1988

Semiquantitative assessment of regional cerebral perfusion using 99mTc HM-PAO and emission tomography.

A method for the relative quantification of 99mTc-HM-PAO distribution in brain SPECT is described. The method, applied in 12 normal volunteers and 150 patients suffering from different cerebral diseases, uses circumferential profiles to quantify the relative radionuclide distribution in the brain tomograms as an angular function with the origin at the center of the brain slice. Abnormal 99mTc-HM-PAO distribution is evaluated by comparing the count content of symmetrical selected parts of the profile curve and comparing each patient's profile with the corresponding limits of normal ones, determined from the pooled profiles of 12 normal subjects. This computerized method allows an accurate, reproducible and objective assessment of the relative HM-PAO distribution in the brain.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

Transient global amnesia and migraine.

Formal neuropsychological evaluation in patient with transient global amnesia (TGA) associated with migraine was performed 6 days and 17 months after the episode. Verbal learning difficulties and verbal IQ deficit were observed in line with the neuropsychological profile seen in the follow-up of TGA. A common origin for the TGA-Migraine episode and isolated TGA is discussed.

Amnesia↗
PubMed1988

Dementia and cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease.

The frequency of dementia, the clinical characteristics and the pattern of cognitive impairment were studied in 147 unselected Parkinsonian patients. Twenty-one patients (14.28%) were judged to be demented. They had a more severe and widespread cognitive deficit although they were affected particularly in those tests that already discriminated Parkinsonian patients from controls. A direct comparison of Parkinsonian dementia with other types of dementia is needed to validate the concept of subcortical dementia.

Aged↗
PubMed1987

Alexia without agraphia or hemianopia.

The case of a right-handed man with pure alexia without hemianopia due to intraparenchymal haematoma is reported. Ct scan and nuclear magnetic resonance showed a lesion in the lateral temporo-occipital area confirming the assumption that the anatomic pathways responsible for reading run close to the lateral temporo-occipital or inferior temporal gyrus.

Agraphia↗
PubMed1987

Oxytocin enhances thyrotropin-releasing hormone-induced prolactin release in normal menstruating women.

The effects of oxytocin (OT) on basal thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-stimulated thyrotropin (TSH) and prolactin (PRL) secretion were evaluated in normal menstruating women during follicular, periovulatory, and luteal phases. Two different studies were performed. In one study, 15 subjects were treated with OT or saline; in the other study, 20 women were tested with TRH alone or in combination with OT. Results during follicular, periovulatory, and luteal phases were similar. OT did not produce any effect on basal serum TSH and PRL levels and on the TRH-stimulated TSH secretion, whereas it significantly enhanced the PRL response to TRH. At all examined phases during the menstrual cycle, the mean peak PRL response was reached within 20 minutes after TRH injection, and the peak was about three times higher than basal value when TRH was given alone and about four times when OT was present. These data suggest that in normal women OT is not involved in the control of basal and TRH-stimulated TSH secretion and of basal PRL release. In contrast, the enhancement of the TRH-induced PRL release suggests that OT plays a role in the control of the acutely stimulated PRL secretion. Because results were similar regardless of the phase of the menstrual cycle, estrogen and/or progesterone do not appear to be involved in the effect of OT on the TRH-induced PRL release.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

[Hemispheric differences of simple reaction times in non-psychotic unipolar depressed patients].

Simple reaction times to visual stimuli were studied in 8 patients affected by depression and in 8 normal subjects. Regardless of the hand used, the condition of depression produced a specific lengthening of the responses to stimuli located in the left visual field. It is concluded that the right hemisphere plays a major role in modulation of negative emotional behaviour.

Depressive Disorder↗
PubMed1981

[Complicated migraine].

Three cases of complicated migraine are reported. A few days after neurological accidents, one patient showed an angiographic evidence of diffuse cerebral vasospasm. This finding possibly bears out vasomotor hypothesis of migraine.

Adult↗