摘要:

The antidotal properties of certain naturally occurring medicinal plants against central nervous system intoxication appear to have been empirically established in ancient times. Homer, in his epic poem, theOdyssey, described a plant, “moly,” used by Odysseus as an antidote against Circe's poisonous drugs. Centrally acting anticholinergic agents are thought to have been used by Circe to induce amnesia and a delusional state in Odysseus' crew. We present evidence to support the hypothesis that “moly” might have been the snowdrop,Galanthus nivalis, which contains galanthamine, a centrally acting anticholinesterase. Thus the description of “moly” as an antidote in Homer'sOdysseymay represent the oldest recorded use of an anticholinesterase to reverse central anticholinergic intoxication.

ISSN:0362-5664    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0362-5664    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID

ISSN:0362-5664    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The part played by taurine in epileptogenesis is still controversial. A cortical deficit of the amino acid has been confirmed only in certain types of human and animal epilepsy, and the effects of an artificial change of taurine cortical concentration are inconclusive. An increase is associated with a reduced susceptibility to epileptogenic agents but not with the prevention of epilepsy, while a decrease may precipitate seizure activity in genetically susceptible rats but does not bring about spontaneous epileptic activity in normal animals. The role of taurine in synaptic transmission is uncertain (specific inhibitory neurotransmitter, indirect modulator of membrane excitability), and its antiepileptic action, confirmed in several models of experimental epilepsy and in short-term clinical studies, does not seem to possess major clinical relevance since trials with a longer follow-up gave unsatisfactory results. Taurine's limited diffusibility across the blood-brain barrier may be the main factor restricting the antiepileptic effect of this compound.

ISSN:0362-5664    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Some types of intention myoclonus respond to serotonin precursor therapy (e.g., L-5-hydroxytryptophan, L-5HTP). Fluoxetine, a specific serotonin (5HT) uptake blocker, was found to have no antimyoclonic effect when administered by itself to four patients with intention myoclonus. However, in two patients with intention myoclonus responsive to L-5HTP and carbidopa, fluoxetine reduced the required dose of L-5HTP to approximately one-third, with greater antimyoclonic activity, decreased side effects, and reduction in platelet 5HT and plasma 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid and L-5HTP concentrations. These findings further support the hypothesis that some forms of intention myoclonus are caused by a deficiency of brain 5HT, and suggest that the addition of fluoxetine to L-5HTP and carbidopa may improve antimyoclonic therapy.

ISSN:0362-5664    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

An antiparkinson drug (APK) withdrawal study was carried out in 34 schizophrenic outpatients on maintenance neuroleptics. Sixty-five percent of patients were without major complaints after 2 weeks of APK discontinuation, while 35% reported adverse effects including extrapyramidal, autonomic, and behavioral symptoms. Male patients and those on higher diethazine doses before withdrawal reported more complaints. Ratings showed significant increases of parkinsonism, as well as dyskinesia following APK withdrawal. No clinical evidence was obtained in support of the notion of cholinergic hypersensitivity in patients showing “tremors” at baseline.

ISSN:0362-5664    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

A patient with Meige syndrome associated with spasmodic torticollis was treated with benztropine mesylate (Cogentin®) at doses of 12–16 mg daily. Marked suppression of both oromandibular dystonia and the torticollis was obtained. Mild impairment of recent memory was the major side effect. Peripheral anticholinergic side effects were controlled by the concomitant administration of ambenonium chloride (Mytelase®) 15 mg daily.

ISSN:0362-5664    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Hypermetabolism of phenytoin is not frequently recognized as a cause of treatment failure. We report the case of a 37-year-old male in whom detailed pharmacokinetic investigation revealed that hypermetabolism, rather than lack of compliance or poor absorption, was responsible for low plasma levels of phenytoin. An increase of his daily dose of phenytoin to 800 mg resulted in adequate plasma levels and good seizure control. Additional studies with two model drugs metabolized by the liver—aminopyrine and antipyrine—showed that he was also a fast metabolizer for these substrates, suggesting a nonspecific induction of hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes. Low plasma phenytoin levels should not be systematically ascribed to lack of compliance, and increased phenytoin metabolism should be considered as an occasional cause of treatment failure.

ISSN:0362-5664    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Urinary excretion of various catecholamine metabolites (4-hydroxy-3-methoxymandelic acid, homovanillic acid, 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol) was studied in preterm infants with idiopathic apnea treated with theophylline. Relief of apnea in these infants was not associated with significant increase in the urinary excretion of various metabolites. We suggest that theophylline does not seem to relieve apnea of prematurity by the stimulation of peripheral catecholamine systems.

ISSN:0362-5664    

出版商:OVID    

年代:1983

数据来源: OVID