Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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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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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Aug 2006
Comparative StudyEthnic differences in syringomyelia in New Zealand.
To determine the prevalence of syringomyelia in a defined population in New Zealand and measure the prevalence of syringomyelia in the three main ethnic groups (Maori, Pacific people and Caucasians/others) living in this region. ⋯ The prevalence of syringomyelia is higher in northern New Zealand than in studies carried out before the advent of magnetic resonance imaging. The prevalence is particularly high in Maori and Pacific people. The cause of the ethnic differences in the prevalence of syringomyelia identified in this study is unexplained and warrants further investigation.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Aug 2006
Clinical TrialValidation of the nerve axon reflex for the assessment of small nerve fibre dysfunction.
To validate nerve-axon reflex-related vasodilatation as an objective method to evaluate C-nociceptive fibre function by comparing it with the standard diagnostic criteria. ⋯ Small-fibre dysfunction can be diagnosed reliably with neurovascular response assessment. This response is already reduced in the early stages of peripheral neuropathy, supporting the hypothesis that small-fibre impairment is an early event in the natural history of diabetic neuropathy.
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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
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.