European journal of neurology : the official journal of the European Federation of Neurological Societies
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Review Meta Analysis
Migraine and risk of ischaemic heart disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.
Several studies have assessed the risk of ischaemic heart diseases in migraineurs, drawing different conclusions. To define and update the issue, a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available observational studies was performed. ⋯ Based on our data indicating an association of migraine with myocardial infarction and angina and on previous data showing an association of migraine, and particularly migraine with aura, with an increased risk for stroke, migraine can be appropriately considered an overall risk factor for cardiovascular diseases.
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Cerebral infarction is a frequent and serious complication of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). This study aimed to identify independent predictors of the timing of cerebral infarction and clarify its impact on disease course and patients' outcome. ⋯ Early cerebral infarction after SAH is associated with severe clinical course and unfavorable outcome and can be reliably predicted by poor initial clinical condition, thick subarachnoid clot, early angiographic vasospasm and sustained elevations of intracranial pressure.
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Comparative Study
Elevation of plasma 1-deoxy-sphingolipids in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a susceptibility to neuropathy?
Diabetic distal sensorimotor polyneuropathy (DSPN) is a frequent, disabling complication of diabetes mellitus. There is increasing evidence that sphingolipids play a role in insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Whether neurotoxic 1-deoxy-sphingolipids are elevated in DSPN patients' plasma and whether levels correlate to the DSPN stage were examined. ⋯ 1-deoxy-sphingolipid plasma levels are significantly elevated in DSPN. They are already detectable in early disease stages but do not correlate with the clinical course. Further knowledge on 1-deoxy-sphingolipids might lead to a better pathophysiological understanding and future treatment options in DSPN.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Effect of opicapone on levodopa pharmacokinetics, catechol-O-methyltransferase activity and motor fluctuations in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Opicapone (OPC) is a novel third generation catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor that enhances levodopa availability. This study investigated the effects of OPC in comparison with placebo on levodopa pharmacokinetics, tolerability and safety, COMT activity and motor response to levodopa in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with motor fluctuations. ⋯ OPC is a promising new COMT inhibitor that significantly decreased COMT activity, increased systemic exposure to levodopa and improved motor response.
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Most epidemiological studies on traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI) have not included patients who die before hospitalization. The aim of the research was to study the incidence of TSCI by including the individuals who die at the scene of the accident in addition to data retrieved from all hospitals in Estonia. ⋯ Our study shows that, when the cases that die at the scene of the accident are included, the incidence of TSCI in Estonia rises from 39.7 to 97.0 per million population.