The International journal of neuroscience
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We performed a cross-sectional study of 82 Chinese patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) enrolled during an 18-month period. We used a clinical interview to evaluate a Chinese version of the nonmotor symptoms questionnaire (NMSQuest) as an instrument for measuring the nonmotor symptoms (NMS) in Chinese patients with PD. The patients' cognitive deficit, depression/sleep, disease severity and motor status were assessed based on the mini-mental state examination (MMSE), the Hamilton depression scale (HAMD)/Parkinson's disease sleep scale (PDSS), the modified Hoehn and Yahr staging scale (H&Y) and the unified Parkinson's disease rating scale part III (UPDRS III), respectively. ⋯ Our results indicate that the Chinese version of the NMSQuest, a useful screening tool, can be considered as a comprehensive, practical measure for NMS evaluation in Chinese PD patients. The NMSQuest highlights the prevalence of the wide range of NMS and indicated good responsiveness and interpretability. We strongly recommend routine use of the simplified Chinese version of NMSQuest in this country.
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Neurological complications are common in general medical and surgical intensive care units (ICU); they can prolong ICU and hospital stay and worsen outcome, including mortality. We performed a descriptive analysis of neurological consultations in non-neurological ICUs to determine the frequency of various neurological complications and to assess the diagnostic yield, therapeutic implications and prognostic benefit of these consultations. This is a retrospective single group cohort study of all neurological consultations for patients admitted to non-neurological (medical, respiratory care unit, cardiac, cardiothoracic, surgical and trauma) ICUs at Saint Marys Hospital (Mayo Clinic, Rochester) over a 24-month period (01 January 2010 to 31 December 2011). ⋯ Encephalopathy, stroke, seizure and anoxic brain injury were the most common causes of neurological complications in non-neurological ICUs with sedatives and opiates being the most common cause of encephalopathy. Almost half of the patients had change in treatment following neurological consultation. Neurological consultations in non-neurological ICU's are beneficial for patient's care in terms of diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
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Recent data suggest how adverse events occur more frequently after Implantable Pulse Generator (IPG) replacement than during the deep electrode positioning in patients treated with Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). For instance, erroneous extension adjustment to change in laterality and inaccurate lead connection represent problems, which strongly affect patients' outcome. We analyzed our data after 13 years of IPG replacement. ⋯ Our surgical and postoperative management demonstrates how to avoid some important adverse events with some easy steps, without any discomfort for the patients in terms of duration of surgery or longer hospitalization. Thus, stability of symptoms after the IPG replacement may be easily guaranteed during the first postoperative period.
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Chronic relapsing inflammatory optic neuropathy (CRION) is an inflammatory optic neuropathy, characterized by relapses and remissions in patients with normal brain and spinal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Discrepancy from other demyelinating diseases is important, and it is still uncertain whether CRION is restricted to the optic pathways or it affects other brain white matter (WM) structures. ⋯ WM appearing normal on brain MRI shows widespread abnormalities in a cohort of CRION patients as assessed by DTI.
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This study is to investigate the effects of etomidate and propofol on memory and possible involved mechanisms using immature rats. Forty-eight rats randomly received intraperitoneal injection of 5 mg/kg etomidate (n = 16), 50 mg/kg propofol (n = 16) or normal saline (control, n = 16). Three hours after awakening, memory was assessed by Y-maze test using 10 rats in each drug group. ⋯ Propofol group also showed less number of correct response ( p < 0.05) and more hippocampal GABA concentration ( p < 0.01) compared with etomidate group. Etomidate does not show significant effects on memory in rat and further investigation is required. Propofol can affect memory in rat possibly via increasing the synthesis and/or secretion of GABA as one of the factors.