In this practically oriented review, we will outline the clinical approach of patients with falls due to an impairment or loss of consciousness. Following a set of definitions, we describe the salient clinical features of disorders leading to such falls. Among falls caused by true loss of consciousness, we separate the clinical characteristics of syncopal falls (due to reflex syncope, hypovolemia, orthostatic hypotension or cardiac syncope) from falls due to other causes of transient unconsciousness, such as seizures. With respect to falls caused by an apparent loss of consciousness, we discuss the presentation of cataplexy, drop attacks, and psychogenic falls. Particular emphasis will be laid upon crucial features obtained by history taking for distinguishing between the various conditions that cause or mimic a transient loss of consciousness.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00415-009-0108-y | DOI Listing |
J Head Trauma Rehabil
January 2025
Author Affiliations: Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts (Ms Sherman Rosa); Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts (Mr Nadal); and Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts (Dr Saadi).
Objective: This study assessed (1) the feasibility and usability of traumatic brain injury (TBI) assessment using the Ohio State University TBI Identification Method (OSU-TBI-ID) in a sample of English and Spanish-speaking refugees and asylum seekers (hereafter refugees), and (2) the prevalence and characteristics of TBI in this population.
Setting And Participants: Refugees seeking care from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Asylum Clinic, the MGH Chelsea HealthCare Center, and other asylum programs in the Greater Boston Area.
Design And Main Measures: Bilingual clinical research coordinators screened 158 English and Spanish-speaking refugees using the OSU-TBI-ID.
Cardiol Young
January 2025
Department of Pediatric Cardiovasology, Children's Medical Center, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China.
Psychogenic pseudosyncope is one of the primary causes of transient loss of consciousness in children and adolescents, essentially classified as a conversion disorder that significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Clinically, psychogenic pseudosyncope shares certain similarities with vasovagal syncope in terms of pre-syncope symptoms and triggers, making it sometimes difficult to differentiate and easily misdiagnosed. Therefore, placing emphasis upon the characteristics of psychogenic pseudosyncope is crucial for early identification and treatment, which holds significant importance for the mental and psychological health of children and adolescents.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnesthesiology
January 2025
Key Laboratory of Brain Science, Key Laboratory of Anesthesia and Organ Protection of Ministry of Education (In Cultivation), Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, 563100, Guizhou Province, China.
Background: The medial prefrontal cortex plays a crucial role in regulating consciousness. However, the specific functions of its excitatory and inhibitory networks during anesthesia remain uncertain. Here we explored the hypothesis that somatostatin interneurons in the medial prefrontal cortex enhance the effects of sevoflurane anesthesia by increasing GABA transmission to pyramidal neurons.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFImportance: Childhood maltreatment (CM) is associated with the early onset of psychiatric and medical disorders and accelerated biological aging.
Objective: To identify types of maltreatment and developmental sensitive periods that are associated with accelerated adult brain aging.
Design: Participants were mothers of infants recruited from the community into a study assessing the effects of CM on maternal behavior, infant attachment, and maternal and infant neurobiology.
Cureus
December 2024
Psychiatry, Dr. Kamal Psychiatric Hospital, Bethlehem, PSE.
Dissociation is a cognitive process that disrupts consciousness, identity, or memory. It is frequently used as a form of defense in response to significant stress or trauma. In serious situations, it might show as a dissociative disorder, which extremely impairs psychological functioning.
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