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Biomedical subjects

R L Rogers

Publications and source records attributed to R L Rogers.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Age-related reductions in cerebral vasomotor reactivity and the law of initial value: a 4-year prospective longitudinal study.

A group of 51 neurologically normal, middle-aged and elderly volunteers (aged 35-86 years; mean age 63.24 years) with and without risk factors for stroke were given annual tests of cerebral vasomotor reactivity to assess any changes in the cerebral vascular capacitance associated with advancing age that might alter cerebral vasomotor reactivity. Cerebral vasomotor reactivity was estimated as the difference in bihemisphere gray matter CBF measured by the 133Xe inhalation method in the steady state breathing room air, followed by a second measurement during inhalation of 100% oxygen. There were significant and progressive reductions in cerebral vasomotor reactivity during the 4-year longitudinal study. Positive linear correlations were apparent between initial steady-state mean bihemisphere gray matter CBF levels and degrees of vasomotor reactivity, suggesting that the Law of Initial Value plays an important role. This should be borne in mind when analyzing scores of cerebral vasomotor reactivity. In the present communication, analysis of covariance was used to correct for influences of initial CBF levels on vasomotor responses tested while breathing pure oxygen.

Aged↗

Cerebral atrophy and hypoperfusion improve during treatment of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.

Nineteen patients with sudden onset of impaired recent memory, cerebellar ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, and other signs of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome (WKS) were treated and examined prospectively for 3 months. Serial studies included histories, neurological examinations, cognitive capacity screening examinations (CCSE), computed tomography (CT) scans, and measurements of regional CBF. Patients were detoxified and withdrawn from sedatives before CBF measurements were examined. Treatment included alcohol withdrawal, nutritious diet, and 300 mg thiamine daily. Before treatment CCSE scores and blood flow values of both white and gray matter were reduced, particularly within both temporoparietal regions. After treatment of compliant patients (n = 10), white and gray matter blood flow increased concurrently with improved CCSE scores. Abnormal eye signs, ataxia, peripheral neuropathy, and performance of activities of daily living also improved. Cerebral atrophy and ventricular enlargement measured by CT decreased. Early recognition and treatment of WKS in compliant patients permit rapid reversals of cognitive and neurological impairments associated with increased blood flow of gray and white matter and improvements of brain atrophy measured by CT scanning.

Adult↗

Xenon contrast CT-CBF measurements in parkinsonism and normal aging.

Local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) and local tissue:blood partition, coefficient (L lambda) values were measured during CT scanning while patients with different types of Parkinson's syndrome (N = 14) inhaled a contrast mixture of 35-37 per cent stable xenon gas in oxygen. Single-compartment analysis fitted to infinity was used to calculate L lambda and LCBF values. Results were compared with results from normal age-matched volunteers (N = 24). Mean hemispheric (p less than 0.05) and subcortical (p less than 0.05) gray matter LCBF values were reduced in idiopathic Parkinson's disease (N = 11), compared to values from age-matched normals. Regionally, LCBF reductions included frontal (p less than 0.001), parietal cortex (p less than 0.05), caudate (p less than 0.05), lentiform nuclei (p less than 0.001) and thalamus (p less than 0.05) reductions. L lambda values were normal. Unilateral tremor and/or rigidity correlated directly with reduced LCBF in contralateral lentiform (p less than 0.01) and caudate (p less than 0.01) nuclei. In postencephalitic Parkinsonism (N = 1) LCBF reductions were diffuse, with normal L lambda values. In the akinetic form of Parkinsonism (N = 1) associated with lacunar infarcts, LCBF and L lambda reductions were patchy. In Parkinsonism following carbon monoxide poisoning (N = 1), LCBF values of gray and white matter were diffusely reduced and L lambda values were reduced in both pallidal regions. When dementia was present together with Parkinsonism (N = 3), LCBF reductions were more diffuse and severe. Dopaminergic deficiency correlated directly with reduced LCBF values, reflecting the severity of Parkinsonism.

Adult↗

Progressive cerebral ischemia antedates cerebrovascular symptoms by two years.

Prospective longitudinal cerebral blood flow values were serially plotted over a four-year interval against the course of cerebral ischemia before, during, and after onset of clinical symptoms. Of 161 normal subjects (mean age, 62 years), 86 were risk free and 75 had hypertension, heart disease, diabetes mellitus, and/or hyperlipidemia. Twenty-one subjects developed cerebrovascular symptoms during the prospective trial. Mean hemispheric cerebral blood flow values were significantly lower for at risk than for risk-free subjects. Symptomatic subjects showed lower values than those in either of the two asymptomatic groups at every session. Statistical analysis of cerebral blood flow values for symptomatic patients compared one and two years prior to onset of symptoms, at the onset of symptoms, and 1 year later showed reductions compared to asymptomatic risk-factored subjects tested in a similar prospective manner. Measurable declines in cerebral perfusion accompany development and progression of aortocerebral atherosclerosis prior to clinical appearance of signs and symptoms of cerebrovascular disease. If confirmed, these observations should permit the institution of preventive medical and/or surgical interventive measures and an evaluation of their outcome.

Adult↗

Mobile cecum syndrome.

Five cases of mobile cecum syndrome are presented. These patients all presented with chronic right lower quadrant abdominal pain with associated abdominal distention and symptomatic relief after passing flatus or having a bowel movement. Three patients had preoperative barium enemas demonstrating abnormal mobility of the cecum. On exploration, all patients were found to have the cecum and ascending colon unattached to the lateral peritoneum for 15 to 18 cm. All patients were treated by cecopexy, using a lateral peritoneal flap for fixation, and all have had relief of their pain. This technique is described and illustrated. Cecopexy is an effective method of fixing the cecum and prevents subsequent cecal volvulus. The diagnosis of mobile cecum syndrome should be considered in patients with chronic right lower quadrant pain.

Adolescent↗

Xenon contrast CT-CBF scanning of the brain differentiates normal age-related changes from multi-infarct dementia and senile dementia of Alzheimer type.

Local cerebral blood flow (LCBF) and partition coefficients (L lambda) were measured during inhalation of stable xenon gas with serial CT scanning among normal volunteers (N = 15), individuals with multi-infarct dementia (MID, N = 10), and persons with senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT, N = 8). Mean gray matter flow values were reduced in both MID and SDAT. Age-related declines in LCBF values in normals were marked in frontal cortex and basal ganglia. LCBF values were decreased beyond normals in frontal and temporal cortices and thalamus in MID and SDAT, in basal ganglia only in MID. Unlike SDAT and age-matched normals, L lambda values were reduced in fronto-temporal cortex and thalamus in MID. Multifocal nature of lesions in MID was apparent. Coefficients of variation for LCBFs were greater in MID compared with SDAT and/or age-matched normals.

Age Factors↗

The effects of chronic cigarette smoking on cerebrovascular responsiveness to 5 per cent CO2 and 100 per cent O2 inhalation.

Effects of chronic cigarette smoking on cerebrovascular responsiveness of volunteers at risk for stroke and not at risk for stroke were evaluated by serial measurements of cerebral blood flow using the 133Xe inhalation method. Resting gray matter blood flow values (Fg) measured while breathing room air were compared with Fg values measured during inhalation of either 5 per cent CO2 in air or 100 per cent O2. Changes in Fg values during inhalation of 5 per cent CO2 were used to estimate cerebral vasodilator capacitance, and those during inhalation of 100 per cent O2 were used to estimate cerebral vasoconstrictor capacitance. Results indicated that chronic cigarette smokers have both reduced vasodilator (P less than 0.01) and reduced vasoconstrictor (P less than 0.02) capacitance when compared with nonsmokers of the same ages regardless of whether or not other risk factors for stroke were present. Vasodilator capacitance to 5 per cent CO2 inhalation was reduced among smokers compared with nonsmokers of the same age by 48 per cent in non-risk subjects and 56 per cent in risk-factored subjects, while vasoconstrictor capacitance to 100 per cent O2 inhalation among smokers was decreased by 24 per cent in non-risk subjects and 34 per cent in risk-factored subjects. In risk-factored subjects, combined effects of smoking and other risks appeared to be additive.

Aged↗

Effects of aging on cerebral blood flow in dementia.

Regional cerebral blood flow values were measured utilizing the 133Xe inhalation method in patients with multi-infarct dementia (MID) (n = 22, age 67.4 +/- 9.8 years), in patients with senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT) (n = 36, age 63.8 +/- 8.0) and in age-matched normal healthy volunteers (n = 50, age 67.5 +/- 9.3). Mean hemispheric gray matter flow values were significantly reduced in MID (P less than 0.01) and SDAT (P less than 0.01) patients compared with age-matched normal volunteers. In normal volunteers, mean flow values showed gradual declines with advancing age (r = -0.44, P less than 0.005). In MID patients there were significant decreases in flow values with advancing age (r = -0.43, P less than 0.05), but flow values were consistently lower than in age-matched normals. Reductions of flow were most evident in the distribution of both middle cerebral arteries. Unlike MID patients, patients with SDAT had diffusely reduced flow values over all age ranges without correlation with advancing age. Reductions of mean flow values in both dementia groups were significantly correlated with severity of dementia (P less than 0.05 for both groups). Cerebral blood flow reductions related to the aging process also contribute to decreased cerebral perfusion in patients with MID. This is not true in SDAT, where the disease process itself pre-empts cerebral blood flow reductions attributable to aging.

Age Factors↗

Cerebral blood flow changes in benign aging and cerebrovascular disease.

Cross-sectional analysis of CBF values was carried out among 668 volunteers and patients. Subjects were subdivided according to age, gender, and degree of cerebrovascular disease, ranging from healthy volunteers with or without risk factors for stroke to patients with multi-infarct dementia. Four-year longitudinal analysis was also carried out on 230 individuals from the original sample. Decrements in CBF values were evidenced by both cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis in relation to advancing age, progressive cerebrovascular disease, and dementia. Regional, age-related CBF declines in healthy volunteers were heterogeneous, possibly related to changes in levels of functional activity within different brain regions.

Aged↗

Cigarette smoking decreases cerebral blood flow suggesting increased risk for stroke.

Effects of chronic cigarette smoking on cerebral blood flow were investigated by measuring gray matter blood flow (Fg) using xenon 133 inhalation among 192 volunteers without cerebrovascular symptoms. There were 108 normal, healthy volunteers; 84 had risk factors for stroke (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and/or heart disease). Of both risk and nonrisk groups, 75 were habitual smokers (0.5 to 3.5 packs per day for 25 years). Comparisons of mean Fg values for both hemispheres showed significant reductions related to tobacco consumption and risk factors for stroke. Multiple-regression equations using smoking, age, risk, and alcohol consumption indicated a combined R2 value of 0.22. Smoking seems to be a potent risk factor decreasing cerebral blood flow probably by enhancing cerebral arteriosclerosis. Chronic cigarette smoking in persons with other risk factors further reduced Fg values in an additive manner when compared with subjects who had corresponding risk factors who did not smoke.

Cerebrovascular Circulation↗

Reductions in regional cerebral blood flow associated with chronic consumption of alcohol.

Neurotoxic effects of habitual alcohol consumption were investigated by correlating the subjects' estimates of abstinence or frequency and amount of alcohol consumed with measurements of gray matter blood flow utilizing the 133Xe inhalation method. Two hundred and twenty-two subjects were studied, including 136 healthy subjects, 82 subjects with well-established risk factors for stroke (hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus), and four subjects with chronic alcoholic dementia of the Wernicke-Korsakoff type. Subjects were classified according to average quantitative amounts of alcohol consumed per day, week, or month for the past five years. Comparisons of mean values for hemispheric gray matter blood flow indicated significant inverse relationships with the average amounts of alcohol consumed. This linear relationship occurred regardless of whether or not other risk factors were present and indicated that alcohol itself was a risk factor reducing gray matter blood flow and had additive effects of reducing cerebral blood flow further when combined with other risk factors. Patients who had chronic Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome had the most severely reduced blood flow levels, as might be predicted from extrapolation of the regression line comparing cerebral blood flow values with the degree of chronic alcohol consumption.

Aged↗

Nerve conduction time in Bell's palsy.

This paper deals with the problem of idiopathic Bell's palsy. One hundred thirty seven cases of Bell's palsy were analyzed. It is shown that the use of E.M.G., facial nerve conduction time, and stimulating thresholds necessary to achieve supramaximal stimulation reduced the number of patients with complete paralysis in the poor prognosis group to 20.6% as compared to 37.5% when the nerve excitability test alone was utilized.

Audiometry↗

Stimulus complexity and rate of alternation in binocular rivalry.

Pairs of random figures representing four levels of complexity were presented in a binocular-rivalry situation to 12 student volunteer observers. The effect of different levels of complexity on the rate at which complete alternations of the rivalry stimuli occurred was assessed. Rate of alternation was significantly inversely related to the level of stimulus complexity.

Form Perception↗

Preliminary validation of a short-term morphological assay to evaluate adverse effects on amphibian metamorphosis and thyroid function using Xenopus laevis.

Short-term static-renewal studies were performed on Xenopus laevis embryos with 16 selected test materials from day 50 (stage 60) to day 64 (stage 66) (14-day test) to evaluate effects on tail resorption and thyroid function. Of the 16 test materials, nine were found to inhibit significantly the rate of tail resorption, four were found to stimulate metamorphosis and three had no appreciable effect on the rate of metamorphosis. In an effort to determine if the morphological effects observed were related to alteration in thyroid activity, measurement of triiodothyronine (T3) in the test organisms and coadministration studies using thyroxine (agonist) or propylthiouracil (antagonist) were performed based on the morphological response noted during tail resorption. Of the nine compounds found to inhibit the rate of tail resorption, six were found to reduce the levels of T3. In each case, the inhibitory response could be at least partially alleviated by the co-administration of thyroxine. Larvae exposed to the four stimulatory agents had somewhat elevated levels of T3 and were responsive to propylthiouracil antagonism. These results suggest that 12 of the 14 compounds tested in this study that altered the rate of tail resorption did so via the thyroid axis. Overall, the X. laevis model appeared to be a suitable system for evaluating the impact of environmental agents and chemical products on thyroid function.

Animals↗