1,721,016 research outputs found
Chronic cerebrovascular disorders: hemorheological and psychobehavioral aspects.
No full textIn order to evaluate the existence of a correlation between the hemorheological and the psychobehavioral pattern in chronic cerebrovascular disorder (CCVD) patients, 54 elderly CCVD patients were enrolled in the study. After a thorough clinical and instrumental examination they underwent a hemorheological and psychobehavioral assessment. The results showed a clear correlation between the severity of the psychobehavioral disorder and the hemorheological alterations, particularly with regard to the cellular factors. A hypothesis to explain these findings and future research trends are also discussed
Glycosaminoglycan polysulfate in primary degenerative dementia. Pilot study of biologic and clinical effects.
No full textTo test the hypothesis that the therapeutic effects of glycosaminoglycan polysulfate (GAP) in primary degenerative dementia of the Alzheimer type (PDD) is associated with a reversal of biochemical changes seen in PDD, a two-phase, clinical-biochemical study was conducted. In the first phase of this study a number of biochemical parameters were compared in 12 patients with PDD and their sex- and age-matched controls, and it was found that platelet monamine oxidase B activity was significantly higher and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) homovanillic acid levels significantly lower in the PDD than in the normal control group. In the second phase of this study the same 12 PDD patients were treated with GAP at a daily dosage of 250 lipasemic-releasing units for a period of 1 month and it was found that all four biochemical parameters shifted towards normal values during therapy with the changes in CSF 5-hydroxy-indole acetic acid levels attaining statistical significance. Although clinical changes were minimal, in light of prior clinical findings in studies conducted with GAP in similar populations, the possibility was entertained that clinical improvement with GAP in PDD patients is preceded by biochemical changes
The role of haemorheological factors in the ageing brain: long-term therapy with pentoxifylline ('Trental' 400) in elderly patients with initial mental deterioration.
No full textSixty elderly patients suffering from initial mental deterioration (less than 6 months) were divided at random into two groups, homogeneous for age, sex and life habits. For 28 weeks Group I was given a placebo and Group II was given 400 mg pentoxifylline ('Trental' 400) 3-times daily for two 3-month periods interrupted by a 4-week wash-out period. Neuropsychological performance and haemorheological parameters were evaluated at the beginning and at the end of each phase of the study. The results showed that pentoxifylline medication significantly improved the psycho-intellectual performance, decreased whole blood viscosity and increased red cell filterability. The results indicate a need to concentrate further study on haemorheological factors in the clinical aspects of the ageing brain, also with a view to allowing for sufficiently long treatment periods
Pathogenetic mechanisms in vascular dementia
Full text linkVascular dementia accounts for approximately 20% of all cases of dementia and for about 50% in subjects over 80 years. Thromboembolism with multiple cerebral infarcts was considered to be almost the only pathogenetic pathway of vascular dementia, with multi-infarct dementia as its clinical manifestation. However, there is a great heterogeneity of vascular dementia syndromes and pathological subtypes, as documented by the number of pathogenetic mechanisms now known to underlie the clinical picture. They include thromboembolism and extracerebral and cerebral factors. Among the extracerebral factors are ischemic hypoxic dementia (i.e., dementia due to hypoperfusion), vasculitis, hyperviscosity and abnormalities of hemostasis. Among the cerebral factors are lipohyalinosis, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, disruption of the blood-brain barrier and altered regulation of cerebral blood flow. Therefore, the approach to vascular dementia should take the heterogeneity into account. In this context, the importance of non-infarct type should be considered; subcortical white matter disorder seems to be a noteworthy common pathway of vascular dementia produced by various vascular mechanisms. Finally, the heterogeneity of the vascular mechanisms involved in vascular dementia-namely hypoperfusion-might be a factor that can be positively influenced by targeted therapeutic intervention
Hemostasis abnormalities in patients with vascular dementia and Alzheimer's Disease
No full textSince it has not been established to what extent abnormalities of hemostasis contribute to the occurrence and development of dementia, selected measurements of coagulation and fibrinolysis were obtained in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease (n = 22) or vascular dementia (n = 29), compared with healthy individuals in the same age range (n = 61). Hemostasis abnormalities were more frequent and marked in vascular dementia, being expressed as significant increases of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1, von Willebrand factor, D-dimer and activated factor VII. However, some hemostasis measurements (von Willebrand factor, activated factor VII) were abnormally high also in the patients with Alzheimer's disease, a condition in which vascular damage is not considered to play a major pathogenetic role. It could not be established in this study whether or not these hemostatic abnormalities play a causal role in the pathogenesis of dementia, or whether they are secondary to inflammation and chronic vascular disease. Nevertheless, their presence may contribute to aggravating vascular disease
Serum and cerebrospinal fluid galanin levels in senile dementia: a comparison between Alzheimer's disease, senile dementia of Alzheimer type and vascular dementia.
No full textNitric oxide inhibits cathepsin B, UPA and plasmin activity via S-nitrosylation in vitro and in vivo.
No full text
- …
