Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Dec 2003
Case ReportsAuditory disturbance as a prodrome of anterior inferior cerebellar artery infarction.
To investigate the clinical and radiological features of patients presenting with an acute auditory syndrome as a prodromal symptom of anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) infarction. ⋯ Acute auditory syndrome may be a warning sign of impending pontocerebellar infarction in the distribution of the AICA. The acute auditory syndrome preceding an AICA infarct may result from ischaemia of the inner ear or the vestibulocochlear nerve.
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The advent of molecular biology has changed the way in which neurological illnesses are classified, and the single genes causing a number of disorders have been identified. In addition, techniques such as linkage analysis and DNA sequencing have resulted in greater understanding of multi-gene diseases. This review covers some of the molecular tools and animal models used for genetic analysis and for DNA based diagnosis, and a brief survey of information available on the internet.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Dec 2003
Evaluation of the modifying effects of unfavourable genotypes on classical clinical risk factors for ischaemic stroke.
Ischaemic stroke is a frequent heterogeneous multifactorial disease that is affected by a number of genetic mutations and environmental factors. We hypothesised the clinical importance of the interactions between common, unfavourable genetic mutations and clinical risk factors in the development of ischaemic stroke. ⋯ In certain combinations, pairing of common unfavourable genetic factors, which alone confer only minor or non-significant risk, with clinical risk factors can greatly increase the susceptibility to ischaemic stroke.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Dec 2003
Limitations of sniff nasal pressure in patients with severe neuromuscular weakness.
Inspiratory muscle strength in patients with neuromuscular disorders can be assessed using sniff inspiratory nasal pressure (Pn(sn)) and maximum inspiratory mouth pressure (PI(max)). However, the relative merits of Pn(sn) against PI(max) are not known in patients with severe neuromuscular disease. ⋯ PI(max) is greater than Pn(sn) in patients with a severe restrictive ventilatory defect caused by neuromuscular disease. Pn(sn) may not accurately reflect inspiratory muscle strength in such patients and it is thus advisable to use both tests.