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T Betts

Publications and source records attributed to T Betts.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1998

A note on a phrase in Shakespeare's play King Lear: 'a plague upon your epileptic visage'.

In Shakespeare's play King Lear the word 'epileptic' appears (used in a derogatory manner). This is held to be the first appearance of the word in the English language (although we have found earlier English references to the word which Shakespeare may have read). Textual analysis of the lines following the use of 'epileptic' suggests that it is actually a reference to the pock-marks of syphilis, endemic in Elizabethan England, and is not actually a reference to epilepsy itself.

Drama↗
PubMed1998

John Hall and his epileptic patients--epilepsy management in early 17th century England.

John Hall, a physician, practised in Stratford in the early 17th century and was the son-in-law of William Shakespeare. During his career he kept records of his patients (in Latin) which he may have been preparing for publication when he died. Despite his instruction for them to be destroyed some were later translated into English and published by another physician. The case records were popular and have recently been reprinted with a commentaryl. We have searched the case records for descriptions of epilepsy and examined the treatments offered (and the attitudes to) this condition in early 17th century England. Treatment consisted of standard remedies ('fumes' of hartshorn and extracts of peony) related to the Galenic system of medicine, plus individual remedies. Interestingly, there is no evidence that the condition was stigmatized.

England↗
PubMed1998

Epilepsy needs revisited: a revised epilepsy needs document for the UK.

We revisit epilepsy needs in the United Kingdom, and update our previous publication to take into account new epidemiological data, changes in investigation and treatment and trends in the organization of health and other caring agencies. This document attempts to define and quantify the scope, content and standards of services required, from primary care settings to specialized centres. Reference is also made to the role of other agencies.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Learning disability and epilepsy. 2, a review of available outcome measures and position statement on development priorities.

People with epilepsy plus learning disabilities pose a challenge in terms of clinical management and research investigation, and, to date, the measurement of outcomes in this population has been limited. There have been uncertainties concerning both the 'what' and the 'how' of assessment. This paper presents a comprehensive review of available outcome measures across nine domains, i.e. relating to seizures, drugs, cognitive function, behaviour, social functioning, carer functioning, attitudes, motivation and 'quality of life'. This last domain reflects more global measures designed to encompass several assessment strands. The uses and limitations of each scale is discussed and, where data are available, psychometric properties are also presented. The paper concludes with suggestions for the further development of outcome measures in this population.

Epilepsy↗
PubMed1997

Learning disabilities: moving forward--a focus on epilepsy, Birmingham, England, 29 June 1996.

On 29 June 1996 a conference was held in Birmingham to highlight the status of epilepsy in people with learning disabilities. The conference consisted both of seminars and workshops. Dr Tim Betts, Birmingham; Dr Greg O'Brien, Northumberland; and Dr Mike Kerr addressed issues of assessment, diagnosis and drug treatment of epilepsy in this population. This meeting report summarizes the proceedings of the conference.

Anticonvulsants↗
PubMed1996

Increased plasma kynurenine and its relationship to neopterin and tryptophan in Tourette's syndrome.

Fasting plasma levels of tryptophan, kynurenine and the pteridines, neopterin and tetrahydrobiopterin were measured in seven patients with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) and 10 healthy controls. Plasma kynurenine was significantly elevated in the GTS patients. The lowest patient value was higher than the highest control value. Values for tryptophan, neopterin and tetrahydrobiopterin were similar in TS patients and controls. However, in TS patients only, there was a significant negative correlation between tryptophan and neopterin and a significant positive correlation between kynurenine and neopterin when controlling for tryptophan. This finding indicates that activation of cellular immune processes is a possible explanation for the rise in plasma kynurenine.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

Elevated plasma kynurenine in Tourette syndrome.

Fasting plasma kynurenine concentrations were significantly elevated in a group of 7 patients (4 female) conforming to DSM-III-R of the American Psychiatric Association (1987) criteria for Tourette syndrome, in comparison with 10 healthy controls (7 female). Simultaneous normal plasma biopterin and neopterin concentrations indicated that this rise was probably not a consequence of peripheral cellular immune mechanisms.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

New departures in epilepsy care: an epilepsy liaison service.

Epilepsy care in the UK is patchy, fragmented and poorly coordinated. Primary care management is appropriate for many people with epilepsy but there are practical difficulties in delivering care at this level which renders the service that patients get far below the best they could receive. Epilepsy care in a primary setting is often not audited: patients managed purely in a primary setting may be denied access to recent advances in diagnostic techniques and therapies for epilepsy. As healthcare becomes more consumer led, purchasers of epilepsy care [largely general practitioners (GPs)] must be more aware of what they need to purchase to improve care for people with epilepsy within their own practice. People with epilepsy and their relatives are already beginning to make their own demands and requests for improvement in epilepsy care, both at primary and secondary levels of care: their needs will have to be taken into account. The Birmingham University Epilepsy Liaison Project aims to bridge the gap between primary and secondary care, and provide both advice about audit of epilepsy care and educational materials for the primary care physician. It also provides for better communication between the primary care physician, the patient and secondary and tertiary facilities. We hope, if it fulfils its designed function, that it will provide a model of future care for epilepsy in this country.

Clinical Protocols↗
PubMed1993

An epilepsy needs document.

Services for epilepsy in the UK are poor in quality, fragmentary and poorly organized. We attempt to define and quantify the scope, content and standards of medical, paramedical and nursing services required, from primary health care to specialist centres. This document has been approved by the Joint Epilepsy Council of Great Britain and Ireland, representing all major patient organizations and care providers.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗
PubMed1992

Epileptic seizures induced by sexual abuse. Pathogenic and pathoplastic factors.

Previous sexual abuse is now thought to be a common cause of non-epileptic seizures (pseudoseizures). However, since sexual abuse is common, a previous history of sexual abuse may also occur in people with actual epilepsy. We present six patients in all of whom sexual abuse may, by acting as a stressor in the already predisposed, have precipitated epilepsy and in some of whom the abuse may have affected the actual experiences of the epilepsy itself: all but one of the patients had partial seizures.

Abreaction↗