Current opinion in neurology
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In the review period since February 2004 a number of papers have been published that make significant contributions to the current understanding of the epidemiology, clinical assessment, pathophysiology and treatment of restless legs syndrome. Those with the most significant findings were selected and will be reviewed. ⋯ In this paper, recent advances in the field of restless legs syndrome are reviewed. Special emphasis is placed on pathophysiology and treatment. Restless legs syndrome is still an underdiagnosed disorder. The evidence basis for its treatment has been considerably increased in the review period.
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This review focuses on recent studies assessing clinical features and laboratory findings that may help diagnose psychogenic movement disorders, and the ongoing controversy about the relationship of these disorders with preceding peripheral injury. ⋯ Psychogenic movement disorder continues to be a difficult diagnosis to make and is likely to be underrecognized. Clinical and laboratory features are emerging, however, that support this diagnosis. The controversy regarding posttraumatic movement disorders continues, but a diagnosis of a psychogenic movement disorder should be actively sought in such patients.
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Curr. Opin. Neurol. · Jun 2005
ReviewPatent foramen ovale: paradoxical connection to migraine and stroke.
In this article we aim to elucidate the relationship between patent foramen ovale, cryptogenic stroke and migraine. ⋯ At present routine percutaneous closure of isolated patent foramen ovale cannot be recommended for patients with cryptogenic stroke. Patent foramen ovale closure should not be used for the prevention of migraine.
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Curr. Opin. Neurol. · Jun 2005
ReviewGenomics, proteomics, metabolomics: what is in a word for multiple sclerosis?
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most common chronic inflammatory neurological disease. Despite major advances the aetiology of this disease it is still not completely understood. In the post-genome era, advances in global screening technologies offer an opportunity to accelerate the search of new pathological pathways and to identify new therapeutic targets. Some recent publications using novel global screening methods at the genome, transcriptome, proteome and metabolome levels are discussed. ⋯ The complexity of MS is clearly reflected in the latest findings using global profiling methods. Nevertheless, these new technologies are confirming some of the basic aspects of the disease pathophysiology, i.e. its polygenicity, the central role of neuroinflammation and the emerging neurodegenerative processes. These data are primarily the results of genomic approaches, yet promising attempts are also made using proteomics and metabolomics.
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Curr. Opin. Neurol. · Apr 2005
ReviewTherapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy in the newborn infant.
This review examines recent findings from experimental models and clinical trials of induced hypothermia as treatment after cerebral hypoxia-ischaemia in term newborn infants. ⋯ In term infants with HIE there is emerging evidence that both selective head cooling and whole body cooling are neuroprotective and safe. This is consistent with a wealth of experimental animal data and adult trials. Neuroprotection seems to be lost if cooling is started after 6 h. The challenge now is to complete ongoing trials. If meta-analysis confirms a therapeutic effect, then this may lead to selection criteria and treatment protocols for very early hypothermia in HIE at term.