Acta neurologica Scandinavica
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Mar 2002
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialA transcranial magnetic stimulation study evaluating methylprednisolone treatment in multiple sclerosis.
To investigate the efficacy of two different high doses of intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP) during Multiple Sclerosis (MS) relapses. ⋯ The dose of 2 g/day of IVMP is more effective in MS relapse.
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Feb 2002
Clinical TrialLong-term intrathecal Baclofen infusion in supraspinal spasticity of adulthood.
To evaluate long-term results of chronic intrathecal Baclofen infusion on the spasticity, on the spasms and to evaluate the side-effects of the intrathecal Baclofen in patients with supraspinal spasticity. ⋯ The intrathecal infusion of Baclofen seems to be an effective treatment in patients with supraspinal spasticity.
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Jan 2002
Clinical TrialCerebrovascular reactivity in patients under long-term acetazolamide treatment.
The acetazolamide (AZA) test is a well-accepted method for measuring the vascular reactivity of the cerebral arteries. In order to investigate the nature of this reactivity after long-term daily AZA treatment, the cerebral blood velocity (CBV) was measured using transcranial Doppler in patients under continuous AZA treatment after a single AZA 1 g intravenous (IV) dose. ⋯ A mild elevation of blood velocity in the MCAs concomitant with a highly significant decrease of velocity in the BA was present in all examined patients. These patterns of CBV changes indicate the presence of a 'steal phenomenon' from the posterior to the anterior circulation and stress the necessity for caution when evaluating the indications for performance of the AZA test in patients under continuous AZA therapy.
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Jan 2002
Contribution of cerebellum and brainstem in the control of eye movement: evidence from a functional study in a clinical model.
The idiopathic cerebellar ataxias (IDCA) comprise a wide spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases with heterogeneous neuropathology, characterized by the negativity of search for any known genetic mutation. On the basis of both their clinical presentation and their magnetic resonance imaging pattern, patients with IDCA can be subdivided into patients with a purely cerebellar syndrome and atrophy of the cerebellum (IDCA-C) and patients with additional noncerebellar symptoms and atrophy of both cerebellum and brainstem (IDCA-P). The aim of the present study was to evaluate the disaggregated contribution of brainstem and cerebellum in the control of eye movements, by means of an extensive battery of quantitative tests covering most oculomotor subfunctions related to lesions of the cerebellum and the brainstem. ⋯ No statistically significant difference was observed between the two subgroups in the analysis of saccadic movements or in the other parameters investigated. The distinction between IDCA-P and IDCA-C subgroups has clinical implications, as a poorer prognosis is related to brainstem involvement, which may occur late in the course of the disease. Thus, the possibility to detect the brainstem involvement, also in association with cerebellar impairment, by a relatively simple eye-movement analysis, potentially useful mainly in follow-up investigations, needs to be evaluated further.
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Acta Neurol. Scand. · Sep 2001
Case ReportsAbulia and cognitive impairment in two patients with capsular genu infarct.
An internal capsule genu infarct has been rarely reported to cause cognitive impairment and behavioral changes. This clinical picture can be explained on anatomical and functional basis because important subcortical-cortical pathways traverse the internal capsule genu. We report 2 previously non-demented patients who developed acute confusional state, abulia, and moderate cognitive decline after the occurrence of an infarct in the capsular genu. ⋯ We hypothesize that co-existing lesions, possibly associated with a sub-clinical reduction of cognitive functions, facilitate the development of a persistent clinically evident mental deficit after the occurrence of an infarct in the capsular genu.