Change In State Of Consciousness Research Articles

Comparison of triazolam v. diazepam as an oral preanaesthetic medication for outpatient paediatric surgery

Summary Diazepam, in combination with pethidine and atropine, has proved to be an effective oral pre-anaesthetic medication for paediatric outpatient surgery. Triazolam is a benzodiazepine with a short half-life and rapid oral absorption, and causes amnesia and sedation. The results of a prospective, randomized, double-blind study substituting triazolam for diazepam in this regimen are described. One hundred and nineteen healthy paediatric outpatients older than 1 year of age were randomized to receive either our routine oral outpatient premedication (pethidine 1.5 mg·kg-1, diazepam 0.15 mg·kg-1 and atropine 0.02 mg·kg-1), an oral premedicant where triazolam (0.005 mg·kg-1) was substituted for diazepam or an oral premedicant containing pethidine and atropine only. Children given triazolam had a more rapid onset of pre-anaesthetic medication effect (change in state of consciousness) compared with patients in the other two groups (P < 0.01). Patients receiving traizolam showed more evidence of sedation within 45 min of receiving the oral premedication (P < 0.003). There were no other differences between the three groups.

Operationalizing Pattern Approaches to Consciousness: An Analysis of Phenomenological Patterns of Consciousness among Individuals of Differing Susceptibility

Pattern differences in subjective experience, as assessed by a self-report inventory, the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI), were compared across low, low-medium, high-medium, and high hypnotically susceptible individuals during hypnosis and eyes-closed. A hierarchical factor analytic approach was utilized that allowed for the determination of pattern differences among PCI dimensions as a function of hypnotic susceptibility. The factor analyses found that the four suspectibility groups were “pattern equivalent” during eyes-closed, partially pattern dissimilar during hypnosis, and partially pattern dissimilar when comparing hypnosis against eyes-closed. The nature of these results support previous analyses [1] which compared pattern structure differences as a function of correlational matrices. The results suggest the complementarity of Bieber's [2] and Pekala's [3] approaches for assessing pattern differences in consciousness and are congruent with the theorizing of Tart [4], Izard [5], and the PDP researchers on the importance of pattern structure changes in understanding states of consciousness.

Neuroleptic catatonia and its relationship to psychogenic catatonia

Neuroleptics are among those pharmacological agents that can cause a nonpsychogenic catatonic state. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is marked by a change in state of consciousness, ranging from withdrawal through stupor to coma. In addition, it is characterized by autonomic dysfunction, hyperthermia, mutism, and rigidity. It is included in the differential diagnosis of the catatonic syndrome. Evidence is reviewed to suggest that agents responsible for improving NMS act on the dopamine (DA) gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) connections in the mesostriatal and mesolimbic systems and also in the hypothalamus. In addition, based on symptomatology, pathophysiology, and therapeutic mechanisms, the relationship between nonpsychogenic neuroleptic-induced catatonia and psychogenic catatonia is examined.

Sleep-Wake Patterns of Intact and Carotid Sinus Nerve Sectioned Rats During Hypoxia

Six male rats breathed 21 an 10% O2 before and after carotid sinus nerve (CSN) section. Polygraphic recording techniques were used to monitor sleep and wakefulness. The effects that these gas mixtures had on the rats' sleep-wake pattern (SWP) were studied. The SWP of CSN sectioned rats breathing 21% O2 was unchanged compared with that of intact rats. While breathing 10% O2, the intact rats' SWP was altered dramatically. Paradoxical sleep (PS) was absent on the first day's exposure to hypoxia. After CSN section, the SWP approximated that of rats in normoxic conditions. The amount of PS increased considerably. It is concluded that the peripheral chemoreceptor reflex pathway contributes, in part, to disruption of the SWP under hypoxic conditions, but not under normoxic conditions. Mechanisms underlying changes in states of consciousness due to hypoxia are discussed.

Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (T.T.P.) and systemic lupus erythematosus (S.L.E.)

T.T.P. and S.L.E. are both multisystem diseases and the latter may manifest a wide range of haemopoietic abnormalities that may mimic T.T.P. This has led to diagnostic confusion and reports of the two diseases occurring in the one patient. We describe an illustrative case of a 15-yr-old girl who presented at the age of 12 with purpura, fever, headaches and changes in conscious state. She had thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, and despite the absence of renal disease T.T.P. was diagnosed. ANA and LE cells were negative then, and when repeated 1 yr later. In 1979 she presented again with the nephrotic syndrome with a positive ANA (1:100) and elevated DNA antibodies (79 U/ml, N < 25). Platelet count was 270,000, PTTK 61 sec (N 25-40) and a circulating anticoagulant was present. Renal biopsy confirmed the presence of lupus nephritis. Up to 20% of cases of T.T.P. have features of S.L.E. This case is presented to illustrate this overlap between the two entities, both of which are associated with immune complexes, and the possible diagnostic difficulties. T.T.P. and S.L.E. are both multisystem diseases and the latter may manifest a wide range of haemopoietic abnormalities that may mimic T.T.P. This has led to diagnostic confusion and reports of the two diseases occurring in the one patient. We describe an illustrative case of a 15-yr-old girl who presented at the age of 12 with purpura, fever, headaches and changes in conscious state. She had thrombocytopenia, microangiopathic haemolytic anaemia, and despite the absence of renal disease T.T.P. was diagnosed. ANA and LE cells were negative then, and when repeated 1 yr later. In 1979 she presented again with the nephrotic syndrome with a positive ANA (1:100) and elevated DNA antibodies (79 U/ml, N < 25). Platelet count was 270,000, PTTK 61 sec (N 25-40) and a circulating anticoagulant was present. Renal biopsy confirmed the presence of lupus nephritis. Up to 20% of cases of T.T.P. have features of S.L.E. This case is presented to illustrate this overlap between the two entities, both of which are associated with immune complexes, and the possible diagnostic difficulties.

Necropsy-proved multiple sclerosis: Clinical characteristics, diagnostic scores and clinical-anatomic correlations

Three necropsy-proved groups of patients with multiple sclerosis, one from Poland, one from England, the United States and Norway, and one from other countries, were compared to each other. Most common symptoms and signs in Polish as well as in other groups were pyramidal signs, cerebellar symptoms, urinary disturbance and signs of the affection of optic nerves. Lower incidence of some symptoms and signs in the Polish group than in the Anglo-American and Scandinavian collection was mainly due to the selection of the material and to differences in clinical evaluation, not to geographic differences. Headaches, changes in state of consciousness and the alteration of superficial sensation were more frequently recorded in acute cases in other areas than in Polish subjects ( p < 0.05). Clinical-anatomic correlations showed remarkable consistency between the symptomatology of the disease and the distribution of plaques.

Changes in state of consciousness and patterns of eye movements.

ArticlesCHANGES IN STATE OF CONSCIOUSNESS AND PATTERNS OF EYE MOVEMENTSHoward P. Krieger, Irving H. Wagman, and Morris B. BenderHoward P. Krieger, Irving H. Wagman, and Morris B. BenderPublished Online:01 May 1958https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.1958.21.3.224MoreSectionsPDF (1 MB)Download PDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesGet permissionsTrack citations ShareShare onFacebookTwitterLinkedInWeChat Previous Back to Top Next Download PDF FiguresReferencesRelatedInformation Cited ByEffects of drugs on the characteristics of cat's saccadic eye movementsNeuroscience Letters, Vol. 8, No. 4Characteristics of cat's eye saccades in different states of alertnessBrain Research, Vol. 103, No. 3Oculomotor function in patients with Parkinson's diseaseJournal of the Neurological Sciences, Vol. 15, No. 3 More from this issue > Volume 21Issue 3May 1958Pages 224-230 https://doi.org/10.1152/jn.1958.21.3.224PubMed13539659History Published online 1 May 1958 Published in print 1 May 1958 Metrics