Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Feb 2013
Clinical features of dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome in a movement disorders clinic.
Recently, symptoms similar to addictive drug withdrawal have been reported in a structured longitudinal study of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's Disease (PD) withdrawing from dopamine agonists (DA): the dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome (DAWS). ⋯ DAWS is a disabling complication of DA use. Critical features of the syndrome are the strong link with impulse control disorders, possibly the independence of DA dosage and type, and the resistance to treatment, including levodopa. Further studies are required to characterise those at risk as well as to define an effective treatment.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Feb 2013
Recognition of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures: a curable neurophobia?
Diagnosing psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) remains challenging. The majority of 'PNES status' cases are likely to be seen in the emergency department or similar non-specialised units, where patients are initially assessed and managed by physicians of varying expertise in neurology. ⋯ Diagnosing PNES can be improved by clinical experience in neurology and focussed teaching interventions.