Parkinsonism & related disorders
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Parkinsonism Relat. Disord. · Aug 2008
Deep brain stimulation of CM/PF of thalamus could be the new elective target for tremor in advanced Parkinson's Disease?
Aim of this study was to investigate whether Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) of the Centre Median Nucleus/Parafascicular (CM/PF) Complex is useful in reducing extrapyramidal symptoms in advanced Parkinson's Disease (PD) patients. In particular, we compared the action of CM/PF and subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS on resting hand tremor using EMG surface of ulnar and radial right-hand muscles. Our results show that C/M DBS is very effective in reducing tremor, indicating this complex as a new target in advanced PD patients.
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Parkinsonism Relat. Disord. · Jan 2008
Clinical and psychosocial factors associated with fatigue in patients with Parkinson's disease.
Fatigue is an important contributor to poor quality of life. The aim of our research was to identify factors associated with fatigue among patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The sample consisted of 150 patients. ⋯ T-test, chi(2)-test and general linear regression were used. Fatigue was reported in 81% of the patients, with the worst scores in physical fatigue. Mood disorders and worse UPDRS scores were associated with fatigue.
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Parkinsonism Relat. Disord. · Jan 2008
Anxiety and depression: main determinants of health-related quality of life in Brazilian patients with Parkinson's disease.
Determinants of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) were assessed in 115 Brazilian patients (56.5% males; mean age 62.5 years) with Parkinson's disease (PD). Hoehn and Yahr (H&Y) staging, Scales for Outcomes in Parkinson's Disease-Motor Scale (SCOPA-MS), Cumulative Illness Rating Scale-Geriatrics, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), and SCOPA-Psychosocial Questionnaire (SCOPA-PS) were applied. ⋯ In the multivariate model, HADS-Anxiety or HADS-Depression (p<0.0001), disability (SCOPA-MS II) (p=0.0001) and comorbidity (p=0.0005) were independently associated to PDQ-39 and SCOPA-PS. Mood disturbances were the main determinants of HRQoL.
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Parkinsonism Relat. Disord. · Dec 2007
How many parkinsonian patients are suitable candidates for deep brain stimulation of subthalamic nucleus? Results of a questionnaire.
We used a CAPSIT-based questionnaire to estimate the percentage of parkinsonian patients suitable for subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) in a movement disorders clinic. We found that out of 641 consecutive PD patients only 1.6% fulfilled strict STN-DBS criteria. ⋯ Items related to disease severity were responsible for the largest number of exclusions. This knowledge will help make decisions on resource allocation in centres wishing to start DBS surgery.