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Biomedical subjects

P Rondot

Publications and source records attributed to P Rondot.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

Mood disorders in left and right brain-damaged patients: comparison between ratings and self-ratings on the same adjective mood scale. Some methodological problems.

In the context of recent developments of the lateralization model of emotions, this study investigates the intensity of depressive mood in left (LBD) and right (RBD) unilateral brain-damaged patients, comparing expression and experience of negative emotion through rating and self-rating scales. Seventeen BD inpatients (6 LBD, 8 RBD and 3 neurological patients without lesions) completed the Zerssen 28-item mood scale a few days after their admission to hospital. During the same period, 2 nurses, one working during the morning, the other during the afternoon and 1 clinician, a neuropsychiatrist, under the instruction of rating the patient mood state, completed independently the same mood scale. Results show that there is a strong agreement among the self-rating and the observers' total scores, which is high between the clinician and the patient but less strong between the 2 nurses and each nurse and the patient. Morever, self-rating scores are significantly different from those attributed by observers. The comparison between LBD and RBD showed that LBD rated themselves as more depressed than RBD, but the differences were statistically significant in the case of the clinician ratings only. These results have been interpreted with reference to methodological problems rather than in terms of a possible discrepancy between expression and experience of affect.

Affect↗

[Familial dementia of the Neumann type (subcortical gliosis)].

The case of a 70 year-old patient with familial dementia is reported. A cerebral biopsy and neurotransmitters dosages in CSF and brain tissue ruled out a primary dementia as Pick's or Alzheimer's disease. Our case may be related to Neumann's cases of subcortical gliosis.

Aged↗

EMG patterns in abnormal involuntary movements induced by neuroleptics.

Electromyographic (EMG) activity of abnormal involuntary movements and their modifications after Piribedil, a dopaminergic agonist, were analysed in patients presenting with tremor or tardive dyskinesia induced by treatment with neuroleptics. Quantitative analysis of EMG bursts and of their phase relationships with bursts of antagonist muscles revealed differences between tremor and tardive dyskinesia; three separate EMG types of the latter were found. In tremor, EMG activity was coordinated between agonists and antagonists. Length and frequency of bursts are characteristic. In tardive dyskinesia, phase histograms of antagonist muscle bursts showed an absence of reciprocal organisation of EMG activity. This activity was made up of either rhythmical bursts (type I and II according to the frequency) or irregular discharges (type III). Piribedil decreased tremor but facilitated EMG activity in tardive dyskinesia. These results give an objective measurement or classification of tremor and tardive dyskinesia induced by neuroleptics.

Adult↗

Comparative study of posturography and electrooculography in at-risk subjects for Huntington's disease.

A simultaneous blind study of posture and eye movements was undertaken in 9 subjects at risk for Huntington's disease. After quantitative evaluation of the postural and electrooculographic abnormalities, the subjects were subdivided into subgroups, and the results were compared to test the relationship between the two methods. There was a significant correlation between the two evaluations. 5 of the 9 patients had evaluation scores which reflected abnormalities similar to those observed in patients suffering from Huntington's disease. These preliminary results suggest that posture and eye movement recordings could be tested for their predictive value in Huntington's disease.

Adolescent↗

[Aphasia caused by left paramedian thalamic infarction. Anatomo-clinical case].

A 67 year-old right-handed man presented with an aphasia of acute onset associated to paralysis of vertical eye movements, mild cerebellar right dysmetria and right hemiparesis without hemianopia. CT scan showed two low density areas in the left thalamus and left occipital lobe. Neuropsychological examination revealed a non fluent aphasia with normal repetition, semantic paraphasias, perseverations and good comprehension of verbal and written commands. There was no alexia. Writing was impaired only by motor disturbances. Three weeks after the onset, tetraparesis and impairment of consciousness followed by a locked in syndrome supervened. Death occurred four months after onset. Neuropathological examination showed a left paramedian thalamic infarct involving the ventrolateral, dorso-medial and intralaminar nuclei, sparing the pulvinar. There was an occipital infarct sparing the calcarine scissura and multiple infarctions in the pons and the cerebellum. Broca's and Wernicke's areas were spared. We suggest that the involvement of medial nuclei could be partly responsible of language disturbances in thalamic aphasia.

Aged↗

[Adrenomyeloneuropathy. 4 cases developing with the features of familial spasmodic paraplegia].

Four cases of adrenomyelopathy, the adult form of adrenoleukodystrophy, three of which were familial, were reported. The neurological disease consisted of progressive spasmodic paraplegia, sphincter disorders, peripheral neuropathy, occasional deep sensibility impairment and psychiatric disturbances in one case. Adrenal insufficiency was confirmed after the appearance of the neurological signs in two cases; in another case it had been diagnosed in childhood. Gonadal insufficiency was present in all cases and clinically apparent in two patients. Detailed genetic studies were carried out in two patients of the same family. Histocompatibility tests showed A2 and B15 antigens in three out of four cases. The diagnosis was confirmed in three cases by measurement of serum long chain fatty acid with increased C26 levels and C26/C22 ratios. Peripheral nerve biopsy in 1 patient showed characteristic inclusion bodies in the Schwann cells. The authors discuss the relationship between ALD and familial spasmodic paraplegia, the mode of genetic transmission of the disease and the diagnostic value of neuromuscular biopsy and measurement of serum long chain fatty acid levels.

Adrenoleukodystrophy↗

Menzel's hereditary ataxia with slow eye movements and myoclonus. A clinico-pathological study.

The patient we describe had cerebellar ataxia, slow eye movements, myoclonus, facial dystonia and signs of spinal cord and peripheral nerve involvement. The patient's mother, brother and sister died from the same disease. Neuropathological examination revealed lesions of olivo-ponto-cerebellar atrophy (OPCA) associated with spinal cord degenerative changes characteristic of Menzel's hereditary ataxia. Although myoclonus was similar to Hunt's dyssynergia cerebellaris myonica, pathological findings did not show significant involvement of the dentate nucleus or superior cerebellar peduncle and physiopathological hypotheses for myoclonus are discussed. Slow eye movement is emphasized in the propositus and we suggest that it could be specific of one type of OPCA. Its pathological significance is discussed, but a primitive and unique involvement of the paramedian pontine reticular formation is unlikely.

Adult↗

Involuntary movements and neurotransmitters.

The clinical study of involuntary movements is helped by neurophysiological and neuropharmacological methods which are very useful for defining the different components of complex movements. Two main groups of involuntary movements can be contrasted according to whether or not they display a rhythm. The defect of a neurotransmitter or the hypersensitivity of the receptors are considered for the different types of movements.

Athetosis↗

Dystonia caused by putamino-capsulo-caudate vascular lesions.

Three cases of unilateral dystonia of vascular origin are presented and compared with those in the literature. Damage in the region of the lenticulostriate arteries accounted for ischaemic lesions of the putamino-capsulo-caudate region, the external pallidum probably also being involved. This syndrome appears if the ischaemic accident took place during childhood. The functions of each of these structures and the possible role of the anterior limb of the internal capsule are discussed.

Adolescent↗

Dystonia--L-dopa responsive or juvenile parkinsonism?

Four cases of dystonia occurring in two families are reported. The first symptoms consisting of dystonia and rigidity appeared early in childhood, in the first months in one family and of ages two and five years respectively in the other. In two cases, transient tremor was noted. These four children have been treated with L-dopa with prompt spectacular results, in cases 1 and 2, with more gradual less complete results in the others. L-dopa treatment was continued twelve, eleven, six, and five years, respectively, without any developmental problems. Motor function remains satisfactory and school work is normal. The only secondary effect observed was the occurrence of dyskinesia. The relation between L-dopa responsive dystonia and Parkinson's disease is discussed.

Adolescent↗

[Spinal subdural hematoma. An unusual complication of lumbar puncture (author's transl)].

Spinal subdural hematoma following lumbar puncture occurred in a patient with embolic hemiplegia. The authors discuss the possible responsibility of heparin administered immediately after the tap. Physiological mechanisms of spinal subdural hematoma are reviewed. The authors emphasize the poor prognosis associated with this rare complication. They suggest that anticoagulant therapy be discontinued during and after a spinal tap. The first signs of medullary and radicular compression should be promptly recognized and an emergency neurosurgical procedure undertaken in order to forestall definitive paraplegia.

Female↗

[Carotid bruit due to increased blood flow without stenosis: report on two cases (author's transl)].

Initial reaction to the discovery of a carotid bruit in an adult is that a local atheromatous lesion exists. This sign may arise, however, when more distal lesions are present, such as an angioma provoking an increased rate of blood flow. All patients presenting with neurological signs of a lesion in one hemisphere should, therefore, in the absence of contra-indications, be investigated by arteriography.

Adolescent↗

[Extrapyramidal rigidity with dystonia, optic atrophy and bilateral putaminal lesions in an adolescent. Juvenile form of Leigh's disease (author's transl)].

A 19-year-old man presented with an apparently non-familial neurological disorder that had progressed from the age of 6 years. Dystonia of the trunk and limbs with extrapyramidal rigidity, dysarthria, a pyramidal syndrome with spasticity of the lower limbs, bilateral optic atrophy, and nystagmiform ocular movements were present. CT scan demonstrated symmetrical putaminal lesions. The different aetiologies of bilateral striatal lesions are considered, the final diagnosis being a juvenile form of Leigh's disease.

Adult↗

[Electrophysiological and pharmacological analysis of L-dopa-induced dyskinesia and tardive dyskinesia (author's transl)].

Electrophysiological and pharmacological analysis of L-Dopa-induced dyskinesia and tardive dyskinesia (L.DD) due to neuroleptics was performed on 12 patients with Parkinson's disease and on 12 others with psychotic diseases. This analysis included the examination of spinal reflexes, monosynaptic H reflex, polysynaptic cutaneous reflex of the lower limb, muscular responses to passive movement [stretch reflex and shortening reaction (SR)] and the study of the motor response to a dopaminergic stimulus (I.V. injection of Piribedil (PBD), a dopamine agonist). There was no difference in EMG activity between L.DD and TD. Three EMG patterns can be distinguished: anarchic discharge pattern (ADA), tonic grouping discharge pattern (AST) and rhythmic burst pattern (ABR). PBD effects indicate a possible relationship between the EMG patterns and the sensitivity level of the motor dopamine receptors. During L-Dopa dyskinesia and tardive dyskinesia, the same changes in spinal reflexes were observed. Muscle tone tested by muscular responses to passive movement (shortening and myotatic reaction) was normal. Monosynaptic excitability explored by H/M ratio was within the normal range. In contrast, the polysynaptic nociceptive reflex was increased in every case. In Parkinsonian patients with L-Dopa dyskinesia, this pattern of the spinal reflexes was significantly different in comparison to the rigid phase. Intravenous infusion of PBD suppressed tremor and provoked the occurrence of dyskinetic activity in Parkinsonian patients with L-Dopa dyskinesia during the rigid phase. During the dyskinetic phase, as in tardive dyskinesia, PBD increases these phenomena and changes EMG activity in rhythmic pattern. It is suggested that L-Dopa dyskinesia and tardive dyskinesia can be determined by testing EMG activity, spinal reflexes and dopaminergic reactivity. There is evidence to suggest that the various types of involuntary abnormal movement represent a single entity, and that dopamine receptor supersensitivity may be involved.

Antipsychotic Agents↗

[The basal ganglia. A clinical and physiopathological approach (author's transl)].

Clinical, anatomical and physiological observations reveal four principal syndromes in the pathology of the basal ganglia: a nigral or putamino-nigral syndrome, a caudate nucleus syndrome, a pallidal syndrome and a luysian syndrome. It seems necessary to make a distinction between those lesions of the neostriatum which are predominately of the putamen.

Basal Ganglia↗