Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Dec 2013
Randomized Controlled TrialA randomised double-blind, cross-over trial of 4-aminopyridine for downbeat nystagmus--effects on slowphase eye velocity, postural stability, locomotion and symptoms.
The effects of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on downbeat nystagmus (DBN) were analysed in terms of slow-phase velocity (SPV), stance, locomotion, visual acuity (VA), patient satisfaction and side effects using standardised questionnaires. ⋯ 4-AP reduced SPV of DBN, improved near VA and some locomotor parameters. 4-AP is a useful medication for DBN syndrome, older patients in particular benefit from the effects of 5 mg 4-AP on nystagmus and postural stability.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Dec 2013
Multicenter StudyNeck weakness is a potent prognostic factor in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients.
To clarify the emergence of muscle weakness in regions of the body that affect survival, and deterioration in activities of daily living (ADL) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. ⋯ Neck weakness is an independent prognostic factor for survival and deterioration in ADL in Patients with ALS.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Dec 2013
Early neuropsychological discriminants for Lewy body disease: an autopsy series.
To determine which neuropsychological test measures and which symptoms at presentation might best differentiate dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) from Alzheimer's disease (AD). ⋯ Visuospatial function was more affected in pure DLB than in AD while memory retrieval deficit was more affected in AD than in pure DLB, in the early stages of dementia. However, DLB+AD did not show significant neuropsychological difference from pure AD.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Dec 2013
Intensity of human prion disease surveillance predicts observed disease incidence.
Prospective national screening and surveillance programmes serve a range of public health functions. Objectively determining their adequacy and impact on disease may be problematic for rare disorders. We undertook to assess whether objective measures of disease surveillance intensity could be developed for the rare disorder sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) and whether such measures correlate with disease incidence. ⋯ Routine national surveillance methods adjusted as population rates allow objective determination of surveillance intensity, which correlates positively with reported incidence for human prion disease, especially sporadic CJD, largely independent of national context. The predictive relationship between surveillance intensity and disease incidence should facilitate more rapid delineation of aberrations in disease occurrence and assessment of the adequacy of disease monitoring by national registries.