Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Aug 2006
A modified peripheral neuropathy scale: the Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale.
A new peripheral neuropathy activities measure, the Overall Neuropathy Limitations Scale (ONLS), was derived by modifying the Overall Disability Sum Score (ODSS) slightly. Its inter-rater reliability was found to be high and its correlation with the ODSS (r = 0.97), 36-item Short Form Questionnaire Physical Component Summary Score, and participation and impairment measures was significant. ⋯ The results obtained from the questionnaire agreed closely with those obtained from observation of the tasks on the ONLS, but were not equivalent. The simplicity of the ODSS is shared by the ONLS, but the ONLS has better content validity and less ceiling effect, which may make it more useful for clinical practice and research.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Aug 2006
Multicenter StudyPositive effects of tertiary centres for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis on outcome and use of hospital facilities.
To evaluate the effects of tertiary centres for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) on ALS outcome and the use of hospital facilities. ⋯ Improved survival was seen in patients with ALS attending tertiary ALS centres, independently from all other known prognostic factors, possibly through a better implementation of supportive treatments. Moreover, because of these centres, the hospitalisation rate was markedly reduced, thus offering a cost-effective service to patients with ALS and to the community as a whole.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Aug 2006
MTHFR 677TT genotype increases the risk for cervical artery dissections.
The methylene tetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T polymorphism was studied in 174 German patients with cervical artery dissection (CAD). The results were compared with published data on 927 healthy German controls. ⋯ In patients with multiple dissections (n = 50), the proportion of TT carriers (18%) was found to be even higher and correlated with the number of events. The MTHFR C677T polymorphism was suggested to modify the risk for CAD.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Aug 2006
Randomized Controlled TrialA pilot randomised controlled trial of a home-based exercise programme aimed at improving endurance and function in adults with neuromuscular disorders.
To investigate the feasibility and effect of a home-based exercise programme on walking endurance, muscle strength, fatigue and function in people with neuromuscular disorders (NMDs). ⋯ A home-based approach aimed at improving endurance in adults with NMDs is feasible and further investigation on a larger sample is warranted.
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Brain disease psychiatric and neurologic disease combined represents a considerable social and economic burden in Europe. Data collected by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest that brain diseases are responsible for 35% of Europe's total disease burden. An analysis of all health economic studies of brain diseases in Europe, published by the European Brain Council (EBC) in June 2005, estimated the total cost of brain disease in Europe in 2004 to be Euro 386 billion. ⋯ In general, increasing funding in the brain sciences would bring enormous economic returns by lightening the burden on healthcare systems and increasing the productivity of affected individuals-and might easily pay for itself. The human and social returns of such an investment are inestimable. And the time to act is now.