Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 2011
Predictive ability of preinjury stressful life events and post-traumatic stress symptoms for outcomes following mild traumatic brain injury: analysis in a prospective emergency room sample.
A subset of persons with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) experience long-term difficulties. Preinjury stress has been hypothesised to play a role in long-term maintenance of symptoms. ⋯ A history of stressful events may predispose persons with mTBI to have poor outcomes. History of stress should be assessed during the early stages after mTBI to help identify those who could benefit from therapies to assist with adjustment and maximise recovery.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 2011
Phenotypic heterogeneity of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a population based study.
Different amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) phenotypes have been recognised, marked by a varying involvement of spinal and bulbar upper and lower motor neurons. However, the differential characteristics of these phenotypes are still largely unknown. ⋯ Our epidemiological findings suggest that ALS phenotypes carry distinctive and easily distinguishable clinical and prognostic characteristics, strongly related to a complex interplay between gender and age. The categorisation of ALS patients according to more homogenous clinical groups is relevant in identifying biological markers for ALS and should be considered for the design of clinical trials.