Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache attacks with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) syndrome is a rare form of primary headache disorder, although secondary causes, particularly posterior fossa abnormalities, are well known. We report a case of SUNCT syndrome secondary to a prolactinoma. ⋯ This case, together with other similar case reports in the literature, highlight the importance of excluding a diagnosis of pituitary adenoma in all suspected cases of SUNCT syndrome, especially as the headache can precede more classical pituitary symptoms by a considerable period of time. Clinicians managing patients with suspected SUNCT syndrome should elicit a history of symptoms associated with pituitary neoplasms, perform a magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain and pituitary, and screen for serum hormonal abnormalities.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Nov 2003
Prevalence and impact of depression and pain in neurology outpatients.
We examined the prevalence and health related quality of life (HRQoL) of depression and/or pain in neurology outpatients. ⋯ Depression and pain are common in newly referred neurology outpatients and have substantial negative effects on patients' physical and mental health. Pain is more likely than depression to be recognised and treated by neurologists.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Nov 2003
Serum lipids and memory in a population based cohort of middle age women.
To assess the relation between serum lipids and memory in a healthy middle age cohort of women. ⋯ Higher serum concentrations of LDL-C, and relatively recent increases in TC and LDL-C concentrations, are associated with better memory in healthy middle age women. Possible cognitive effects of cholesterol reduction should be considered in future studies of lipid lowering agents.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Nov 2003
Case ReportsAwakenings from persistent vegetative state: report of three cases with parkinsonism and brain stem lesions on MRI.
Three patients with a persistent vegetative state after severe head injury are reported. They recovered from a prolonged disturbance of consciousness after the administration of levodopa. ⋯ On magnetic resonance imaging, the distribution of lesions implied a diffuse axonal injury involving the substantia nigra or ventral tegmental area. The existence of patients whose dopaminergic systems may have been selectively damaged by a severe head injury should be recognised because such individuals may respond to levodopa treatment.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Nov 2003
Case ReportsFamilial motor neurone disease with dementia: phenotypic variation and cerebellar pathology.
To characterise the neuropathological phenotypes of two affected individuals from a family with an unusual clinical phenotype resembling motor neurone disease and dementia. ⋯ The clinical and neuropathological findings in this family are best described as an example of familial motor neurone disease with dementia. Intraneuronal ubiquitin inclusions together with agyrophilic, neurofilament positive torpedoes were present within the cerebellar cortex, both previously unrecognised findings in this group of diseases.