Clinical and pharmacological studies in post-encephalitic Parkinsonism

Onuaguluchi, Gilbert (1962) Clinical and pharmacological studies in post-encephalitic Parkinsonism. PhD thesis, University of Glasgow.

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Abstract

Chapter I. General Introduction This chapter deals mainly with the control of skeletal muscle tone and the physiology of tremor. The clinical features and treatment of Parkinsonism are also discussed. Chapter II. Crises in Post-Encephalitic Parkinsonism. A study of 67 patients with post-encephalitic Parkinsonism revealed three types of crises: they can be described as oculogyric, sweating and breath-holding. The clinical accompaniments of oculogyric and sweating crises are described. Chapter III. Drug Therapy in the Crises of Post-Encephalitic Parkinsonism. The treatment of severe oculogyric and sweating crises in 11 patients with post-encephalitic Parkinsonism has been studied. The value of 200 mg. sodium phenobarbitone given intramuscularly or sodium amylobarbitone 200 to 300 mg. given orally was assessed. Neither of these forms of treatment affected the natural course of crises when these were in the category classified as "severe". Chapter IV. The Electroencephalogram in Post-Encephalitic Parkinsonism. Electroencephalographic study of 30 patients suffering from post-encephalitic Parkinsonism showed that over half of them have low voltage alpha rhythms. It would appear that in postencephalitic Parkinsonism the phenomenon of low voltage E.E.G.s is most frequently seen in patients who are known to be liable to oculogyric crises and in those who suffer from severe rigidity and who are incidentally often bedfast. Chapter V, Deformities in Post-Encephalitic Parkinsonism. The deformities of the hand in post-encephalitic Parkinsonism have been classified as Types I, II and III. Type I is the most common form. Talipes equino varus deformity is the common deformity of the foot in Parkinsonism. Scoliotic deformity of the spine, especially of the cervical spine, is common. The scoliosis is usually concave to the less rigid side. Chapter VI, Assessment of Drug Therapy in Parkinsonism. The relative therapeutic value of orphenadrine and "UK, 738" (Sandoz) were studied by means of a double blind trial, Orphenadrine 100 mg, thrice daily was found to be about three times as effective as "UK, 738" 4 mg, t,d,s. The methods of assessment of the efficacy of drug therapy in Parkinsonism are reviewed and the value of objective measurements is demonstrated. Chapter VII, The sites and mode of action of orphenadrine and other drugs used for the relief of rigidity and muscle weakness in Parkinsonism. Pharmacological studies with orphenadrine show that it has a definite neuromuscular blocking action in the frog and in the rat. In the cat, however, the neuromuscular blocking action is veiy much less. It is suggested that one of the ways by which orphenadrine reduces Parkinsonian rigidity is through its peripheral skeletal muscular relaxant property. The euphoric action noted in human subjects and the peripheral skeletal, muscular relaxant property contribute to the favourable effect of this drug on the muscle weakness and easy fatiguability in patients suffering from Parkinsonism. (Abstract shortened by ProQuest.).

Item Type: Thesis (PhD)
Qualification Level: Doctoral
Additional Information: Adviser: Stanley Alstead
Keywords: Pharmacology
Date of Award: 1962
Depositing User: Enlighten Team
Unique ID: glathesis:1962-72503
Copyright: Copyright of this thesis is held by the author.
Date Deposited: 11 Jun 2019 11:06
Last Modified: 17 Nov 2022 14:56
URI: https://theses.gla.ac.uk/id/eprint/72503

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