Rhabdomyolysis: a manifestation of cyclobenzaprine toxicity

A case of cyclobenzaprine (flexeril) overdose and the resultant rhabdomyolysis is presented. A review of the range of clinical toxicity, management of overdose is described. The similarity of cyclobenzaprine to the tricyclic antidepressant class is emphasized; this report attempts to disseminate related information on this commonly prescribed centrally acting muscle relaxant.     

Vaginal stenosis in patients treated with radiotherapy for carcinoma of the cervix

The aim of our study was to determine the incidence, timing, and severity of vaginal stenosis in patients with carcinoma of the cervix who had received pelvic and/or vaginal radiotherapy as part of their treatment. We also sought to determine if there were any predisposing factors for the development of stenosis. A retrospective chart review was undertaken for all the patients diagnosed with carcinoma of the cervix between January 1, 1990, and December 31, 2000 and treated with pelvic and/or vaginal radiation at Westmead Hospital. Since January 1, 1990, data regarding vaginal stenosis has been prospectively recorded on all the patients. Data collected included patient demographics, stage of disease, treatments administered, and incidence, timing, and severity of vaginal stenosis. One hundred and eighty-eight patients were treated. Mean age was 58.6 years. Thirteen percent of patients had stage IB disease, 45% had stage II disease, 39.5% had stage III disease, and 1.5% had stage IV disease. One hundred and seventy-nine patients returned for follow-up, and data regarding vaginal toxicity were available in 98%. Twenty-seven percent had grade 1 toxicity (partial stenosis or shortening but not complete occlusion), and 11% had grade 2 (complete occlusion). Stenosis of any grade was noted at a mean of 9.6 months and median of 7.5 months (range, 26 days-5.6 years) from completion of treatment. The only prognostic factor associated with increased risk of stenosis was age greater than 50 years (odds ratio 2.26). Vaginal stenosis is a common complication of pelvic and vaginal radiotherapy, occurring in 38% of patients. Stenosis occurs most often in the first year after treatment. Patients over the age of 50 are most at risk.     

Differential role for the striatum and cerebellum in response to novel movements using a motor learning paradigm.

The aim of this pilot study was to examine the role of the striatum and cerebellum in the adaptation to a novel movement within a sequence of practiced movements using a motor learning paradigm. The performance of patients in the early or advanced stages of Parkinson's disease (PD) and of patients with damage to the cerebellum (CE) was compared, respectively to a group of aged and young matched controls on an adapted version of the Mirror-Tracing Test. In this task, subjects were required to trace a series of complex figures in two conditions: (1) a Practiced condition, in which the figures were composed of the juxtaposition of three simple designs that were extensively practiced before; and (2) a Mixed condition in which triads were created by replacing the last simple figure of the triads in the Practiced condition by a new simple figure that had never been traced individually before. Results showed that all clinical groups were slower than controls at tracing the Practiced triads. Most interestingly, however, only patients in the advanced stages of PD showed increased completion time to trace the triads in the Mixed condition. This suggests that a bilateral striatal dysfunction affects the ability to adapt to a novel motion within a sequence of practiced movements. Although exploratory, these results support a functional dissociation between the striatum and cerebellum in acquiring visuomotor skilled behaviors.     

Angiotensin Converting Enzyme Inhibitors: Animal Experiments Suggest a New Pharmacological Treatment for Alcohol Abuse in Humans

The prevalence of heavy alcohol consumption is a major problem of increasing proportions throughout the world. Although alcohol sensitizing drugs and more recently serotonin uptake inhibitors are drug interventions with some following, their long term beneficial consequences have yet to be demonstrated. In recent years, we have demonstrated that manipulating activity in the renin-angiotensin system will dramatically alter voluntary alcohol consumption in rats. Based on these findings, the present study evaluated the ability of a class of drugs known as the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors to reduce voluntary alcohol drinking in laboratory animals. These drugs prevent the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II. They have been licensed for use in Europe and North America and are indicated in the treatment of hypertension. Our experiments showed that both captopril (Capoten, Squibb) and enalapril (Vasotec, Merck Sharpe & Dohme) can reduce alcohol drinking in both normotensive and hypertensive animals regardless of whether the pattern of intake is in a bout or of a less exaggerated nature. Furthermore, this change in alcohol intake can occur without concomitant changes in blood pressure, plasma renin activity, overall fluid balance, or the distribution and metabolism of alcohol. Taken together these findings suggest that the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors should be evaluated in a clinical setting for they may prove to be a useful new treatment or treatment adjunct for alcohol abuse in humans.