Arch Neurol Chicago
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Arch Neurol Chicago · Jun 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialBuspirone, a 5-hydroxytryptamine1A agonist, is active in cerebellar ataxia. Results of a double-blind drug placebo study in patients with cerebellar cortical atrophy.
To establish the antiataxic effect of buspirone hydrochloride, a serotonergic 5-hydroxytryptamine1A (5-HT1A) agonist, in a homogenous group of patients characterized by the same well-defined single condition, cerebellar cortical atrophy. ⋯ Buspirone is active in cerebellar ataxia of patients with cerebellar atrophy. These results confirm the data suggested by open-label studies with buspirone. However, the effect is partial and not clinically major. These pharmacological results might be due to serotonergic mechanisms and confirm a possible link between cerebellar ataxia and the metabolism of serotonin.
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Arch Neurol Chicago · May 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialNeuromuscular blocking drugs do not alter the pupillary light reflex of anesthetized humans.
To test the hypothesis that systemically administered neuromuscular blocking drugs acutely alter resting pupil size or the direct reflex response to light in anesthetized humans. ⋯ We conclude that systemically administered neuromuscular blocking drugs (vecuronium and pancuronium) do not acutely affect the pupillary light reflex in healthy, anesthetized patients.
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Arch Neurol Chicago · May 1997
Does modification of the Innsbruck and the Glasgow Coma Scales improve their ability to predict functional outcome?
The accurate prediction of functional outcome requires the development of multivariate models. To enhance their contribution to such models, the predictive power of each component must be optimized. ⋯ By deleting items with low reliability from the ICS and the GCS we achieved improved reliability and predictive validity. The improvement in predictive power, however, was inadequate to accurately predict functional outcome. Combining clinical scales with other demographic, physiological, functional, and radiographic data will be needed to achieve useful predictions of functional outcome.
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Arch Neurol Chicago · Dec 1996
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialAcute treatment of migraine with dihydroergotamine nasal spray. Dihydroergotamine Working Group.
Despite the benefits of antimigraine medications for patients with migraines, parenteral administration of these drugs has certain disadvantages for at-home patient use. ⋯ The present results suggest that intranasal administration of dihydroergotamine represents an important new therapeutic option for migraine sufferers.
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Arch Neurol Chicago · Dec 1996
Clinical TrialUse of intrathecal baclofen in the treatment of patients with dystonia.
Continuous infusion of intrathecal (IT) baclofen is a highly effective standard therapy for severe spasticity of spinal origin. By contrast, there is limited clinical experience regarding the use of IT baclofen in treating patients with dystonia, and little is known regarding the indications for treatment, efficacy, and safety of IT baclofen in this disorder. ⋯ Despite recent reports that have described the benefit in small numbers of patients with dystonia, we concluded that the role of IT baclofen in treating severe dystonia remains uncertain. Intrathecal baclofen may be more effective when dystonia is associated with spasticity or pain. In the present series, we detected no significant difference in the response to IT baclofen in patients with or without spasticity or pain, perhaps owing to the small sample size.