Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2003
CSF galanin and cognition after shunt surgery in normal pressure hydrocephalus.
"Normal" pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is associated with injury to neurotransmitter and neuropeptide systems that recovers after surgery. This could be linked to changes in galanin, a neuropeptide with inhibitory effects on basal forebrain cognitive function. ⋯ The cognitive and clinical improvement after shunt implantation correlated with CSF galanin levels, suggesting that the distribution or function of this agent involves cerebral structures that have some potential for recovery. In this study, galanin was related to several cognitive functions that may be associated with the fronto-subcortical deficits underlying cognitive dysfunction in normal pressure hydrocephalus.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2003
Diffusion tensor imaging detects corticospinal tract involvement at multiple levels in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Histopathological studies of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are of end stage disease. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) provides the opportunity to investigate indirectly corticospinal tract pathology of ALS in vivo. ⋯ These findings provide insights into the pathological processes of ALS. Differences in diffusion characteristics at different anatomical levels may relate to underlying tract architecture or the distribution of pathological damage in ALS. Further development may permit monitoring of progression and treatment of disease.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2003
Comparative StudyIntrathecal inflammation precedes development of Alzheimer's disease.
To analyse the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) values of the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin 1beta (IL1beta), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha), GM-CSF, of the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGFbeta, of tau protein, a marker for neurodegeneration, and of beta amyloid (Abeta), a protein involved in the formation of senile plaques, in prospectively followed up patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). ⋯ These results demonstrate increased production of the proinflammatory cytokine, TNFalpha and decreased production of the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGFbeta in patients with MCI at risk to develop AD, suggesting a propensity towards inflammation in this patient group and indicating that CNS inflammation is a early hallmark in the pathogenesis of AD.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2003
Clinical TrialEffects of levodopa on upper limb mobility and gait in Parkinson's disease.
Most clinicians rely on clinical scales such as the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale (UDPRS) for evaluating parkinsonian patients and assessing their response to levodopa. Gait analysis is not commonly used, probably because of the equipment required and the time needed. Few data have been published on the relations between gait variables and measures of arm and hand mobility. ⋯ There was a dissociation between the effect of levodopa on upper limb and gait. The findings suggest that simple measures like the finger tapping test and a walking test should be included in the usual evaluation of patients with Parkinson's disease.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2003
Case ReportsHereditary diffuse leucoencephalopathy with spheroids.
Hereditary diffuse leucoencephalopathy with spheroids (HDLS) is a rare inherited progressive leucoencephalopathy characterised by giant neuroaxonal swellings (spheroids) within the CNS white matter. The case is reported of a 45 year old woman with a rapidly progressive fulminant illness course characterised by progressive cognitive decline with depressive features. A presumed dominant inheritance pattern was elicited. This report reviews the literature on HDLS and the relation of this disorder to other conditions with giant neuroaxonal swellings.