Arch Neurol Chicago
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Autoantibodies directed against glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD-Ab) have recently been described in a few patients with progressive cerebellar ataxia, suggesting an autoimmune physiopathologic mechanism. ⋯ The presence of PAN and the response to baclofen provide a unique opportunity to suggest a direct role of GAD-Ab in cerebellar dysfunction in this patient.
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Arch Neurol Chicago · Aug 2005
Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging in symptomatic vertebrobasilar atherosclerosis and dissection.
Acute multiple brain infarction (AMBI) pattern on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) is associated with arterial and cardiac sources of embolism. The DWI characteristics of patients with stroke due to vertebrobasilar arterial dissection and atherosclerotic disease have not been reported in detail. ⋯ Large arterial disease is frequently associated with AMBI in the posterior circulation. The incidence of AMBI was comparable to that reported in the anterior circulation. This DWI study supports the importance of embolism as the main mechanism of infarction in patients with vertebrobasilar occlusive disease. On the basis of our experience, large-vessel vertebrobasilar disease rarely causes isolated small-vessel thalamic infarction.
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Arch Neurol Chicago · Aug 2005
Multicenter StudyManagement of referred deep brain stimulation failures: a retrospective analysis from 2 movement disorders centers.
Since the Food and Drug Administration approved DBS, there has been a surge in the number of centers providing the procedure. There is currently no consensus regarding appropriate screening procedures, necessary training of individuals providing the therapy, the need for an interdisciplinary team, or guidelines for the management of complications. An increasing number of patients come to experienced DBS centers after unsatisfactory results from DBS surgery. An attempt is made herein to evaluate the reasons for DBS failure in a series of such patients and to make recommendations to improve overall DBS outcomes. ⋯ With appropriate intervention, 51% of patients who complained of "failed" DBS procedures ultimately had good outcomes. Thirty-four percent of these patients had persistently poor outcomes despite maximal intervention. This case series provides important insights into reasons for "DBS failure" and proposes strategies to manage patients with DBS more effectively.
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Occlusion of the polar or the paramedian arteries of the thalamus usually leads to distinct infarcts with specific clinical and imaging correlates. However, vascular variation is such that in up to one third of humans, the polar artery is missing and its territory taken over by the paramedian arteries. ⋯ Key features of this syndrome included amnesia preceded by a period of altered consciousness, and vertical eye movement disturbances. The severe and persistent amnesia may be due to coexisting damage to the anterior and dorsomedial nuclei.