European neurology
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We know little of the current status of stroke in Tibet Autonomous Region in China. This study was designed to investigate the characteristics of acute stroke in Tibet. ⋯ ICH is the dominant stroke subtype in Tibet Autonomous Region, and can be attributed to high rates of hypertension and heavy alcohol consumption. Greater public awareness of stroke and effective management of risk factors should be implemented immediately in Tibet.
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Review Historical Article
Possible sites of therapeutic action in restless legs syndrome: focus on dopamine and α2δ ligands.
Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a common sensorimotor disorder characterized by abnormal sensations that occur primarily at rest or during sleep, which are alleviated by movement of the affected limb. The pathophysiology of RLS remains unclear, although roles for dopamine dysfunction and brain iron deficiency have been proposed. ⋯ Modulation of central and peripheral neuronal circuits may also explain the potential therapeutic sites of action of opioids, adenosine receptor ligands, and voltage-gated calcium channel α(2)δ ligands in RLS. The known and possible therapeutic benefits of these agents and their relationship to dopaminergic dysfunction in RLS are discussed in this review.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Is it always necessary to apply botulinum toxin into the lower facial muscles in hemifacial spasm?: a randomized, single-blind, crossover trial.
Botulinum toxin (BTX) injections are accepted as safe and efficacious in the treatment of hemifacial spasm (HFS), but it is still debated whether BTX treatment of lower facial muscles should be performed or not. ⋯ Our data suggest that BTX application to lower facial muscles might not be necessary in patients with mild lower facial involvement.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Effect of methylphenidate and/or levodopa combined with physiotherapy on mood and cognition after stroke: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Stimulant medications can enhance mood and cognition in stroke rehabilitation, but human clinical trial results are inconclusive. We sought to prospectively study the effects of levodopa (LD) and/or methylphenidate (MPH) in combination with physiotherapy on mood and cognition following stroke in human subjects. ⋯ A 15-day course of daily MPH + LD combined with physiotherapy over a 3-week period was safe and significantly improved mood status in ischemic stroke patients. Future studies are needed which determine the optimal therapeutic window for and dosage of psychostimulants as well as identify those stroke patients who might benefit the most from treatment.
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Multicenter Study
Effects of medial temporal atrophy and white matter hyperintensities on the cognitive functions in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
We conducted this study to investigate the independent association of medial temporal atrophy (MTA) and white matter hyperintensities (WMH) with cognitive impairments of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and the interaction between MTA and WMH. ⋯ MTA and WMH independently affected cognitive deficits in AD patients, with somewhat different patterns where MTA was associated mostly with memory and language, while WMH were associated with attention and frontal executive functions. This study also showed interactions between MTA and WMH on some cognitive deficits and dementia severity, suggesting that they synergistically contribute to cognitive impairment in AD.