Acta neurologica Scandinavica
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Jan 2017
ReviewGuidelines for the use of magnetic resonance imaging in diagnosing and monitoring the treatment of multiple sclerosis: recommendations of the Swedish Multiple Sclerosis Association and the Swedish Neuroradiological Society.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with inflammatory lesions in the brain and spinal cord. The detection of such inflammatory lesions using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is important in the consideration of the diagnosis and differential diagnoses of MS, as well as in the monitoring of disease activity and predicting treatment efficacy. Although there is strong evidence supporting the use of MRI for both the diagnosis and monitoring of disease activity, there is a lack of evidence regarding which MRI protocols to use, the frequency of examinations, and in what clinical situations to consider MRI examination. ⋯ The aim of this consensus statement is to provide practical advice for the use of MRI in this setting. The recommendations are based on a review of relevant literature and the clinical experience of workshop attendees. It is our hope that these recommendations will benefit individuals with MS and guide healthcare professionals responsible for their care.
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Jan 2017
Observational StudyRefractory and super-refractory status epilepticus in adults: a 9-year cohort study.
While status epilepticus (SE) persisting after two antiseizure agents is called refractory (RSE), super-refractory status epilepticus (SRSE) defines SE continuing after general anaesthesia. Its prevalence and related clinical profiles have received limited attention, and most studies were restricted to intensive care facilities. We therefore aimed at describing RSE and SRSE frequencies and identifying associated clinical variables. ⋯ Super-refractory status epilepticus appears clearly less prevalent in this cohort than previously reported, probably as it is not restricted to intensive care unit. SRSE emerges in younger patients with marked consciousness impairment, pointing to the underlying severe clinical background, but these variables do not predict most SRSE developments. There is currently a knowledge gap for prediction of SRSE occurrence that needs to be filled.
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Dec 2016
Anxiety in Multiple Sclerosis: psychometric properties of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory.
The aims of the present study were to examine psychometric properties of the Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI-Y-1 and STAI-Y-2, respectively) in a Multiple Sclerosis (MS) population and to identify a cut-off score to detect those MS patients with high level of state and/or trait anxiety who could be more vulnerable to development of depression and/or cognitive defects. ⋯ The findings showed that the STAI-Y-1 and the STAI-Y-2 are a valid tool for clinical use in MS patients and can be useful to measure the severity of anxiety and to identify those patients with high anxiety to introduce them in specific non-pharmacological intervention.
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Sep 2016
Sequential brief neuropsychological evaluation of migraineurs is identical to controls.
Evidence of attack-related cognitive dysfunction in migraine is growing. Controversy exists on whether cognitive dysfunction, mainly executive, may persist between attacks. Measuring the impact of cognitive function is gaining importance in clinical and research settings in migraine. ⋯ Interictal migraineurs and controls performance is identical in a brief cognitive battery focused on executive functions. Repeated applications produced a practice effect that was quantified.
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Sep 2016
Plasma thrombospondin-1 and clinical outcomes in traumatic brain injury.
Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) acts as an anti-angiogenic factor, and its expression in rat brain is upregulated after intracerebral hemorrhage. The current study was designed to investigate the change of plasma TSP-1 levels and assess the prognostic predictive effect of plasma TSP-1 level and it is associated with head trauma severity in the patients with severe traumatic brain injury (STBI). ⋯ Plasma TSP-1 levels are elevated and are highly associated with head trauma severity and short-term and long-term outcomes of STBI. TSP-1 may be a good prognostic biomarker of STBI.