Cognitive defects

The prefrontal cortex (PFQ and in particular the dorsal lateral part (DLPFQ appear to be particularly important in schizophrenia (Kerwin 1992). Lesions there are known to produce functional defects in humans reminiscent of many of the negative symptoms of schizophrenia, such as attention and cognitive defects and withdrawal. Despite this, no specific pathology is seen in the DLPFC in schizophrenics although there is some atrophy and neuronal loss which are normally old and could be congenital. That being so, it is necessary to explain why the symptoms become apparent only in adolescence. 

The consequences of being on the receiving end of an enemy attack with EA 3167 could be severe. Multiple low dose attacks over a period of several days could produce an insidious build-up of cognitive defects. Distributed attacks would also tend to result in a more homogeneous distribution of dosage, since members of the population would probably change their locations at various times and total exposure would thus tend to be more uniform. 

A large variation of the duration of the detoxification was noted (Table 1). Only five patients could be treated for less than 10 weeks, while twelve other patients had to be treated for up to 91 weeks. The treatment was discontinued in patients in whom both s-Al and the increment of s-Al after desferrioxamine treatment were below 50 pg/L at two successive occasions). The treatment duration was significantly related to the residual diuresis as all patients with a residual diuresis of a liter/day or more could be treated for less than two months (Fig. 2). Other studies have also established the protective capacity of an even minimal functioning kidney [30, 67]. None of the patients died during treatment with desferrioxamine, and six patients (patient Nos. 11-13, 22, 25, 26) died more than one year after termination of the desferrioxamine treatment, due to causes unrelated to the A1 intoxication. As of November 2001, more than five years after the intoxication episode, 12 of the 17 surviving patients (patient Nos. 11, 12, 14, 16-24) are still alive and none of the patients developed any clinical signs of Al toxicity, like speech disturbances, cognitive defects, bone fractures or dementia-like symptoms. 

Confusion and cerebral cognitive defects have been attributed to fluorouracil (271,272). 

Cognitive defects, depression, and mania can occur in patients taking interferon alfa. Interferon alfa-induced psychiatric adverse effects and their recommended management have been comprehensively reviewed (383,384,385). 

The EEG shows an Increase in slow waves, a decrease in mean frequency, a decrease In the percent time and amplitudes of alpha activity, and an Increase In the high frequencies, which can be seen to be "riding on the slow waves. There is a direct association between the amount of EEG fast waves with behavioral restlessness and the amount of EEG slow waves with stupor and cognitive defects. At "toxic" doses, patients are in stupor or coma, with rapid heart race and lowered blood pressure. The EEG demonstrates persistent high-voltage slow waves, with a minimum of alpha and high frequencies. 

Quite frequently, and typically 1-4 days after resolution of symptoms of acute exposure, the intermediate syndrome may develop, characterised by a proximal flaccid limb paralysis which may reflect muscle necrosis. Even later, after a gap of 2-4 weeks, some exposed persons exhibit the delayed polyneuropathy, with sensory and motor impairment usually of the lower limbs. Claims of chronic effects (subtle cognitive defects, peripheral neuropathy) following recurrent, low-dose exposure, as with organophosphate used as sheep dip, continues to be the subject of investigation but, as yet, no conclusive proof. 

The effects of low concentrations of epidural bupivacaine on the developing neonatal brain has been studied in infant rhesus monkeys, to decide if there was a detrimental relation between perinatal analgesia with epidural bupivacaine and later infant development (160). The monkeys, whose mothers had been given epidurals at term (but not during labor) were subjected to a battery of neurobehavioral tests for 1 year. The authors concluded that epidural bupivacaine did not cause neonatal abnormalities or specific cognitive defects, but that it may delay the normal course of behavioral development. It is difficult to extrapolate the results of this small study to human obstetrics. 

Disulfoton is readily absorbed through the skin. Daily repeated absorption may cause loss of appetite, weakness, flu-like symptoms, and malaise. Some studies report that workers continuously exposed to disulfoton can develop anxiety, irritability, delayed reaction times and cognitive defects. Chronically exposed workers may also suffer from cataract. 

Another common problem in the elderly is vitamin B12 deficiency, with the most common causes of clinically overt deficiency due to pernicious anemia, small bowel disease, and food-cobalamin malabsorption. A preclinical deficiency in vitamin B12 is seen in 5% to 30% of all seemingly healthy elderly patients and is predominantly metabolic in expression, although subtle neurologic and cognitive defects may be present. " ... 

Combined use of ChEI with neuroleptic and antidepressant medication Although the successes of most pharmacological treatments for autistic adults are limited, combining medications may prove to be more effective. A study by Wang et al., 2007 examined the synergistic effect of risperidone and galantamine on the phencyclidine-induced mouse model of schizophrenia. Similar to autism, schizophrenic patients suffer from cognitive defects and impaired memory function. 

Dick F, Semple S, Chen R, et al Neurological deficits in solvent-exposed painters a syndrome including impaired colour vision, cognitive defects, tremor and loss of vibration sensation. QJM 93 655-661, 2000 Donoghue AM, Dryson EW, Wynn-Williams G Contrast sensitivity in organic-solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy. J Occup Environ Med 37 1357-1363, 1995... 

PTH antagonists may also have diagnostic value. Since PTH plays a role in the minute-to-minute regulation of blood calcium levels, short-term administration of a PTH antagonist may cause a rapid reduction in blood calcium levels in hypercalcemic patients if the hypercalcemia is due to elevated PTH levels. Similarly, short-term amelioration of possible symptoms of hypercalcemia (such as lethargy, cognitive defects) may help pinpoint the etiology of the symptoms (i.e. hyperparathyroidism vs. other disorders). 

Endemic cretinism is a complex syndrome involving a triad of severe sensory, motor and cognitive defects. The condition is related to iodine deficiency and it can be prevented by iodine prophylaxis of the mother before or very early in pregnancy The frequency of... 

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