Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 2008
Controlled Clinical TrialSkin wrinkling for diagnosing small fibre neuropathy: comparison with epidermal nerve density and sympathetic skin response.
To compare simple tests of small nerve fibre function with intraepidermal nerve fibre density (IENFD) in the evaluation of small fibre neuropathy (SFN). ⋯ Stimulated skin wrinkling was nearly as sensitive as IENFD in diagnosing SFN, whereas SSR was of less use. Stimulated skin wrinkling is a useful supportive test when IENFD or other tests of small nerve fibre function are not available.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 2008
Blood-brain barrier disruption in post-traumatic epilepsy.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an important cause of focal epilepsy. Animal experiments indicate that disruption of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE). ⋯ Lasting BBB pathology is common in patients with mild TBI, with increased frequency and extent being observed in patients with PTE. A correlation between disrupted BBB and abnormal neuronal activity is suggested.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 2008
Haplotypes of the fibrinogen gene and cerebral small vessel disease: the Rotterdam scan study.
Fibrinogen levels and fibrinogen clot structure have been implicated in the pathogenesis of vascular disease. We examined fibrinogen levels and variation in fibrinogen genes (fibrinogen gamma (FGG), alpha (FGA) and beta (FGB)), which have been associated with fibrin clot structure and fibrinogen levels, in relation to cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). ⋯ Our study provides evidence for an association of common variation in the FGG and FGA genes with cerebral SVD. It is possible that the structure of the fibrin clot rather than plasma fibrinogen levels plays a role in the pathogenesis of cerebral SVD.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jun 2008
Comparative StudyComparison of indices of traumatic brain injury severity: Glasgow Coma Scale, length of coma and post-traumatic amnesia.
Classification of traumatic brain injury (TBI) severity guides management and contributes to determination of prognosis. Common indicators of TBI severity include Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores, length of coma (LOC) and duration of post-traumatic amnesia (PTA). ⋯ Predictors for estimating LOC, PTA and PTA-LOC intervals were determined and simple equations were developed. These equations will be helpful to clinicians, researchers and those counselling family members of patients with TBI.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jun 2008
Impact of collateral flow on tissue fate in acute ischaemic stroke.
Collaterals may sustain penumbra prior to recanalisation yet the influence of baseline collateral flow on infarct growth following endovascular therapy remains unknown. ⋯ Our data suggest that angiographic collateral grade and penumbral volume interactively shape tissue fate in patients undergoing endovascular recanalisation therapy. These angiographic and MRI parameters provide complementary information about residual blood flow that may help guide treatment decision making in acute cerebral ischaemia.