Can J Neurol Sci
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We analyzed the charts and CT scans of 49 cases of civilian .22 caliber gunshot wounds of the brain admitted to the University of Alberta and Royal Alexandra Hospitals between 1975 and 1985. The average age of the patients was 30 years, 88% were males, 88% were suicide attempts. There were no deaths among patients with an initial coma score above 12 whereas the mortality rate was 85% for those admitted with a score of 7 or less. ⋯ We recommend that no treatment be given those cases with an admission coma score of 3 and/or fixed pupils and that simple scalp wound debridement be employed with those having a coma score of 7 or less. Tract exploration and retrieval of bullet fragments is not indicated, as retained fragments carry a very low incidence of complications (e.g. abscess formation). In patients in good condition (GCS greater than or equal to 12) the management of intracranial hematomas should be independent of their etiology and approached aggressively.
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In this brief review it will be possible to mention only superficially the bioclinical, behavioral, neurochemical, neuropharmacological and neurophysiological evidence to support the view that some of the trace amines [meta- and paratyramine (m-TA, p-TA), beta-phenylethylamine (PE) and tryptamine (T)] may play a significant role in the propagation of nervous impulses and perhaps be involved in the etiology of certain mental disorders. More detailed comments will be found in some recent papers and reviews (Axelrod et al., 1976; Boulton, 1974, 1976, 1978, 1979; Boulton and Baker, 1975; Boulton and Juorio, 1979, Faurbye, 1968; Mosnaim and Wolfe, 1978, Sandler and Reynolds, 1976; Wyatt et al., 1977).