Revista de neurologia
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Reflex seizures are provoked by a specific sensory stimulus. Approximately 6% of all epileptic patients have reflex seizures. For identification of these seizures it is necessary to take a directed history and make an EEG study whilst the patient is being exposed to the stimulus, which will confirm the diagnosis. ⋯ The diagnostic importance of reflex seizures is that when some formerly drug-resistant patients can control the mechanism which triggers off their seizures they attain good control of them.
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The subthalamic nucleus (STN) plays a crucial part in the pathophysiology of Parkinsonism. Its inactivation improves all the main signs and symptoms of Parkinson's disease. Surgery of the STN in patients with the disease is effective and the benefit/risk relationship very favorable. Although the dyskinesias are not a definite limitation, it seems most reasonable to use techniques of deep cerebral stimulation until greater experience has been obtained with subthalamotomy. The long term efficacy is being studied and preliminary data indicate that the clinical benefit obtained is maintained in the long term. ⋯ More studies are necessary to determine the mechanism of action of surgery on the STN. The potential neuroprotector effect of subthalamic surgery requires more extensive study.
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Revista de neurologia · Jun 2000
Review[Agitation in head injury. II. Treatment with antidepressant, sympathomimetic, beta blocker , dopaminergic and other drugs].
To review the literature of the past 20 years, using the articles indexed in MEDLINE, on the drug treatment of agitation in traumatic head injury. ⋯ Many drugs are used and there is little agreement on the subject. However, with regard to certain characteristics of the agitation, different pharmacological treatments may be recommended.