Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Aug 2014
Fcγ receptor IIIA genotype is associated with rituximab response in antimyelin-associated glycoprotein neuropathy.
Treatment with anti-B cell antibody rituximab may ameliorate the disease course in a subgroup of patients with polyneuropathy associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy. Polymorphisms of leukocyte IgG receptors (FcγR) that influence efficiency of antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity determine rituximab efficacy in patients with lymphoma and autoimmune disease. ⋯ FcγRIIIA polymorphisms are potential biomarkers for response to rituximab treatment in polyneuropathy associated with IgM monoclonal gammopathy.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Aug 2014
Comparative StudySpecialist inpatient treatment for severe motor conversion disorder: a retrospective comparative study.
Gold standard protocols have yet to be established for the treatment of motor conversion disorder (MCD). There is limited evidence to support inpatient, multidisciplinary intervention in chronic, severe cases. ⋯ Patients with severe, long-standing MCD can achieve significant improvements in functioning after admission to a neuropsychiatry unit.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Aug 2014
Memory in multiple sclerosis is linked to glutamate concentration in grey matter regions.
Glutamate is the principal excitatory neurotransmitter and is involved in normal brain function. Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS), and understanding its mechanisms is crucial for developing effective treatments. We used structural and metabolic brain imaging to test two hypotheses: (i) glutamate levels in grey matter regions are abnormal in MS, and (ii) patients show a relationship between glutamate concentration and memory performance. ⋯ The relationship between memory and glutamate concentration, which is unique to MS patients, suggests the reliance of memory on glutamatergic systems in MS.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Aug 2014
Mutation profile of the GNE gene in Japanese patients with distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles (GNE myopathy).
GNE myopathy (also called distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles or hereditary inclusion body myopathy) is an autosomal recessive myopathy characterised by skeletal muscle atrophy and weakness that preferentially involve the distal muscles. It is caused by mutations in the gene encoding a key enzyme in sialic acid biosynthesis, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine 2-epimerase/N-acetylmannosamine kinase (GNE). ⋯ Here, we report the mutation profile of the GNE gene in 212 Japanese GNE myopathy patients, which is the largest single-ethnic cohort for this ultra-orphan disease. We confirmed the clinical difference between mutation groups. However, we should note that the statistical summary cannot predict clinical course of every patient.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Aug 2014
Structural brain changes associated with depressive symptoms in the elderly with Alzheimer's disease.
To examine neuroanatomical changes associated with depressive symptoms in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the relationship between brain structure and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers in depressed and non-depressed patients. ⋯ Our findings suggest that depressive symptoms in AD patients are associated with cortical thinning in temporal and parietal regions. In addition, our findings suggest that τ protein pathology in these areas may contribute to the development of depressive symptoms in AD.