Journal of neurosurgery
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2004
Alpha2-adrenergic receptor subtype specificity of intrathecally administered tizanidine used for analgesia for neuropathic pain.
Intrathecally administered alpha2-adrenergic receptor subtype-specific antagonists were used to determine which alpha2-adrenergic receptor subtype mediates the analgesic effect of intrathecally administered tizanidine in a chronic constriction injury (CCI) rat model of neuropathic pain. ⋯ The antagonist profile from the current study is most consistent with the theory that the alpha2B-adrenergic receptor subtype mediates the analgesic effect of intrathecally administered tizanidine on CCI-associated neuropathic pain.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2004
Case ReportsDeep brain stimulation of the ventral caudate nucleus in the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and major depression. Case report.
Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder associated with recurrent intrusive thoughts and repetitive behaviors. Although conventional pharmacological and/or psychological treatments are well established and effective in treating OCD, symptoms remain unchanged in up to 30% of patients. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the anterior limb of the internal capsule has recently been proposed as a possible therapeutic alternative in treatment-resistant OCD. ⋯ Remission of OCD (Y-BOCS < 16) was also delayed after 12 or 15 months of DBS. The level of functioning pursuant to the GAF scale progressively increased during the 15-month follow-up period. No neuropsychological deterioration was observed, indicating that DBS of the ventral caudate nucleus could be a promising strategy in the treatment of refractory cases of both OCD and major depression.
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Journal of neurosurgery · Oct 2004
Clinical TrialThe effect of nimodipine on cerebral oxygenation in patients with poor-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Nimodipine has been shown to improve neurological outcome after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH); the mechanism of this improvement, however, is uncertain. In addition, adverse systemic effects such as hypotension have been described. The authors investigated the effect of nimodipine on brain tissue PO2. ⋯ Although nimodipine use is associated with improved outcome following SAH, in some patients it can temporarily reduce brain tissue PO2.