Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Mar 2005
Historical ArticleHistorical note. Neuralgic amyotrophy.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Mar 2005
White matter hyperintensities are related to physical disability and poor motor function.
To determine the impact of white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) on physical health and cognitive function in 60-64 year old individuals residing in the community. ⋯ WMHs are common, albeit mild, in middle adult life. They are associated with physical disability, possibly through reduced speed, fine motor coordination, and muscular strength. They are also related to slowed information processing speed but not other cognitive functions.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Feb 2005
Axonal damage accumulates in the progressive phase of multiple sclerosis: three year follow up study.
Neurofilament phosphoforms (Nf) are principal components of the axoskeleton released during axonal injury. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of Nf phosphoforms might be useful surrogate markers for disability in multiple sclerosis (MS), aid in distinguishing clinical subtypes, and provide valuable prognostic information. ⋯ The increase in NfH during the progressive phase of the disease together with the correlation of NfH(SMI35) with all clinical scales at follow up suggests that cumulative axonal loss is responsible for sustained disability and that high NfH(SMI35) levels are a poor prognostic sign.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Feb 2005
Clinical TrialSubthalamic nucleus stimulation in tremor dominant parkinsonian patients with previous thalamic surgery.
Before the introduction of high frequency stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN), many disabled tremor dominant parkinsonian patients underwent lesioning or chronic electrical stimulation of the thalamus. We studied the effects of STN stimulation in patients with previous ventral intermediate nucleus (VIM) surgery whose motor state worsened. Fifteen parkinsonian patients were included in this study: nine with unilateral and two with bilateral VIM stimulation, three with unilateral thalamotomy, and one with both unilateral thalamotomy and contralateral VIM stimulation. ⋯ The UPDRS motor score, tremor score, difficulties in performance of activities of daily living, and levodopa equivalent daily dose significantly decreased after STN stimulation. Neither axial symptoms nor neuropsychological status significantly worsened after the implantation of the STN electrodes. The parkinsonian motor state is greatly improved by bilateral STN stimulation even in patients with previous thalamic surgery, and STN stimulation is more effective than VIM stimulation in tremor dominant parkinsonian patients.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Feb 2005
Clinical TrialApomorphine in idiopathic restless legs syndrome: an exploratory study.
Dopaminergic and opioidergic drugs have been found to be effective in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS). ⋯ Apomorphine may be an effective treatment for idiopathic RLS. Its effectiveness may reflect both to its dopaminergic and its opioidergic activity, and is not diminished significantly by blocking only one of these pathways. The trend to a worsening of the PLMW index with metoclopramide hints at a primarily dopaminergic effect of apomorphine in idiopathic RLS.