Acta neurologica Scandinavica
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Dec 2013
Dysphagia in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: prevalence and clinical findings.
To characterize swallowing deficits in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); investigate the delay in dysphagia onset; estimate correlations between dysphagia severity and patients' functional status; identify the symptom(s) most likely to predict dysphagia. ⋯ Dysphagia in patients with ALS correlates significantly with bulbar onset and with oral swallowing impairment. Fiberoptic swallowing evaluation is a useful tool for detecting swallowing deficits and laryngeal sensitivity in patients with ALS. An impaired cough reflex is an unexpected finding in many patients with ALS.
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Dec 2013
Neurofilament light and heavy subunits compared as therapeutic biomarkers in multiple sclerosis.
Neurofilaments are promising biomarkers in multiple sclerosis (MS) and increased levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) indicate axonal damage or degeneration. In a previous study, neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels in CSF of relapsing remitting (RR) patients with MS were normalized by natalizumab treatment. ⋯ We confirm previous findings, indicating reduced axonal damage under natalizumab treatment by measuring NfH(SMI) (35) , using an assay with independent methodology. In comparison with NfH(SMI) (35) , NfL changes were more pronounced and the treatment effect also included patients in remission. Our results suggest that NfL is superior over NfH(SMI) (35) as therapeutic biomarker and is a promising candidate to measure neuroaxonal damage in MS treatment trials.
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The identification of patients at highest risk for adverse outcome who are presenting with acute ischemic stroke to the emergency department remains a challenge. This study firstly investigates the long-term prognostic value of the stress marker copeptin in Chinese patients with acute ischemic stroke. ⋯ Copeptin levels are a novel and complementary biomarker to predict functional outcome and mortality 1 year after acute ischemic stroke.