Archivos de neurobiologia最新文献

There is no precise documentation about an universal nuclear composition of the depressive syndrome. Moreover, secondary manifestations of depression are even more controversial. In this paper the symptomatic profile of a sample of depressive patients attended in the Hospital Universitario de Canarias is analyzed. The characteristics, profiles and frequencies of the symptomatic pattern are discussed and commented.

Outcome of a maintenance treatment with naltrexone (350 mg/week) are examined in a sample of 365 patients with opiate dependence disorder. Treatment was followed in an outpatient facility, in a setting similar to patient's own environment. The average attendance rate was of 198 days. Six months after the onset of the treatment, 52% of the patients still remained drug-free. Results of treatment was correlated with family support, HIV, work adjustment, use of other drugs and partner using drugs.

In our study we have analyzed the influence of family environment on adjustment of renal patients to the HD as well as on the attitude towards kidney transplantation. The study included 57 patients (34 M, 23 F), mean age 52.3 years, and they had been on dialysis for an average of 34.5 months. We obtained information about adaptation and behavior in the care unit, and attitude and motivation towards renal transplantation. Biochemical variables were used to register disruption of medical compliance or dietetic transgression (K, PRC, BUN, weight gain, etc.). The patient's family climate was assessed through use of the Family Environment Scale (FES, Moos and Moos, 1981). The results showed that patients with aggressiveness and noncompliance during HD sessions tended to have high family conflict in family members. The most positive attitudes towards renal transplantation were found in the patients that came from families with the greatest degree of cohesion and expressiveness. In summary, family social climate is a variable influencing outcome of these patients. Its routine assessment would permit the prediction of adaptation to the therapeutic program as much as better efficacy of HD treatment.

The present study has the purpose of relating the capacities of visual retention with the Benton Visual Retention Test and the level of coma depth, which is measured with the GCS (Glasgow Coma Scale). 31 subject suffering cranioencephalic damage admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) have been studied. GCS scores were obtained during their stay in the intensive care unit and the Benton Visual Retention Test was administered after hospital discharge. The procedure followed consists in comparing the performance of subjects with higher GCS scores to subjects with lower values when executing administration. A of form C of BVRT. We could conclude as follows: firstly that BVRT is a useful tool to detect the existence of brain damage; secondly, indexes of brain damage presence with BVRT are: a low figure in correct design, more errors, less errors in distortion and rotation; more errors in the left visual hemifield. Thirdly, the depth of coma is a good prognosis index on BVRT execution and in consequence of visuo-constructive abilities.

MPTP administration induces a fairly selective lesion of substantia nigra dopaminergic neurons both in animals and humans. This characteristic of MPTP has led to the best available model of Parkinson's disease and neuronal degenerations. MPTP toxicity is actually provoked by MPP+ which results after oxidation by MAO-B. Possible mechanism of action of MPP+ include: 1) Mitochondrial lesion. 2) Free radicals generation. 3) Trapping of MPP+ by highly melanized neurons. This article reviews the mechanisms of toxicity by MPTP and its neuropathological characteristics.

Spontaneous intracerebellar haematomas are a relatively unusual cause of haemorrhagic stroke. The uncommon variety of vermian haematomas (5%) represents a serious diagnostic and treatment challenge and its outcome is generally poor, being the result of rapid elevation of intracranial pressure and brainstem compression. A rare case of spontaneous vermian haematoma with benign course without surgery is reported, including the results of neuroimaging tests.

Alcohol-induced brain damage is known since long, with classical descriptions of lesions. There is no constant correlation between them and any of the clinical presentations of chronic intoxication. New neuroimaging techniques, neuropsychology and basic investigation have supplied with new data. The so-called alcoholic dementia and its possible reversibility are major issues of this problem. This paper reviews radiological, pathological, vascular and neuropsychological studies related to this point.

The nuclear syndrome of the third nerve was first described in 1981. It has the very characteristic disturbance of an ophthalmoplegia with complete ipsilateral third nerve palsy associated with paresis of elevation in contralateral eye. This particularly presentation is due to the innervation of the superior rectus which comes mainly from the contralateral oculomotor nucleus. As associated signs were described contralateral cerebellar and or pyramidal syndromes, uni or bilateral parasympathetic disfunction and sometimes gaze disorders. The etiology es usually a vascular damage (ischemic most frequently) located in mesencephalon. We report on a case of a 60 years old man who developed acute nuclear ophthalmoplegia of the third right nerve accompanied with cerebellar and pyramidal syndrome and focal asterixis in left extremities. MRI showed an ischemic lesion in right paramedial mesencephalic territory with extension to the ipsilateral thalamic region. Pyramidal and cerebellar syndromes and asterixis disappeared in a few weeks, while ophthalmoplegia remained unchanged. Semiologic characteristics and anatomic basis of the nuclear oculomotor syndrome which allow to make the differential diagnosis between this syndrome and intra-axial fascicular disturbances of the third nerve (Weber, Claude and Benedikt syndromes) are discuss.