Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Dec 2004
Comparative StudySimilar early clinical presentations in familial and non-familial frontotemporal dementia.
It is unclear whether there are early clinical features that can distinguish between patients with familial and non-familial frontotemporal dementia (FTD). ⋯ In comparison with other neurodegenerative conditions such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, neither tau gene mutations nor strong familial associations confer earlier disease susceptibility.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Nov 2004
Multicenter Study Clinical TrialLong term effect (more than five years) of intrathecal baclofen on impairment, disability, and quality of life in patients with severe spasticity of spinal origin.
To evaluate long term change in impairment, disability, and health related functional status in patients with severe spasticity who received intrathecal baclofen. ⋯ Long term administration of intrathecal baclofen delivered by an implanted programmable pump resulted in improved clinical efficacy but not in improvement in disability or perceived health status.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Nov 2004
Inappropriate emergency management of status epilepticus in children contributes to need for intensive care.
To characterise the clinical features, emergency pre-paediatric intensive care (PIC) treatment, and course of status epilepticus (SE) in children admitted to PIC. This may provide insight into reasons for admission to PIC and provide a framework for the development of strategies that decrease the requirement for intensive care. ⋯ As the risk of respiratory depression is greater with more than two doses of benzodiazepines, clinicians should not disregard prehospital treatment of SE. As pre-PIC treatment of SE is inadequate in many cases, appropriate audit and modifications of standard guidelines are required.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Nov 2004
A cross sectional study on determinants of quality of life in ALS.
Understanding the determinants of quality of life (QoL) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has become increasingly important with the recent emphasis on the comprehensive management of patients. ⋯ With both QoL scales, the most important explicatory variable of QoL was the self perceived quality of social support. Physical status was not relevant in determining QoL. This study indicates that health related QoL measures are not adequate to assess QoL in patients with ALS, because their appreciation of QoL mainly relies on psychological, supportive, and spiritual factors. Therapeutic interventions should consider the psychological needs of patients and pay greater attention to caregivers' issues.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Nov 2004
The longer term outcome of children born to mothers with epilepsy.
To determine the prevalence of cognitive delay and possible associated dysmorphic features in children exposed to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in utero. ⋯ This study identifies valproate as a drug carrying potential risks for developmental delay and cognitive impairment and is the first to suggest that frequent tonic-clonic seizures have a similar effect. Our results need to be interpreted with caution given their retrospective nature. Women with epilepsy need careful counselling about individual risk benefit of AED treatment before pregnancy.