Rev Neurol France
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Editorial Historical Article
Twenty-four years of deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus.
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Biography Historical Article
The medical itineraries of Blaise Cendrars. Neuropsychiatry marks life and literature.
Neuropsychiatry had a profound impact on the life and work of one of the most influential French writers of the 20th century, Frédéric Sauser, better known by his pen name Blaise Cendrars (1887-1961). Cendrars, whose right writing hand was amputated after a battlefield wound in 1915, described with acuity his stump pain and phantom limb syndrome. He became a left-handed writer. ⋯ His theories were greatly enriched by his observations of fellow World War I soldiers, victims of neuropsychiatric disorders. In his novels, many of his characters had borderline conditions, including two spectacularly mad serial killers, Moravagine and Fébronio. The case of Moravagine, fashioned after a patient with a brain tumor, allowed Cendrars to examine the nebulous frontier between neurological and psychiatric diseases.
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On February 2, 2016, the French parliament adopted legislation creating new rights for the terminally ill. The text modifies and reinforces the rights of patients to end-of-life care and strengthens the status of surrogate decision makers. Under the new regulations, advance directives become legally binding though not unenforceable. ⋯ Professional guidelines will be needed. Several issues relevant to the field of neurology remain unresolved or are introduced by the new regulations. Further in-depth reflection and research are need.
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Review Case Reports
RYR1-related rhabdomyolysis: A common but probably underdiagnosed manifestation of skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor dysfunction.
Mutations in the skeletal muscle ryanodine receptor (RYR1) gene are associated with a wide spectrum of inherited myopathies presenting throughout life. Malignant hyperthermia susceptibility (MHS)-related RYR1 mutations have emerged as a common cause of exertional rhabdomyolysis, accounting for up to 30% of rhabdomyolysis episodes in otherwise healthy individuals. Common triggers are exercise and heat and, less frequently, viral infections, alcohol and drugs. ⋯ Heat intolerance and cold-induced muscle stiffness may be a feature. Recognition of this (probably not uncommon) rhabdomyolysis cause is vital for effective counselling, to identify potentially malignant hyperthermia-susceptible individuals and to adapt training regimes. Studies in various animal models provide insights regarding possible pathophysiological mechanisms and offer therapeutic perspectives.
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Review Historical Article
Guillain-Barré syndrome: What have we learnt during one century? A personal historical perspective.
We are approaching the centenary of the first description of Guillain-Barré syndrome. The past 30 years had witnessed an amazing progress in the understanding of the immunological and pathological mechanisms of this disorder. We now recognize that Guillain-Barré syndrome is remarkably heterogeneous and under this umbrella term are several variants and subtypes with distinct clinical, electrophysiological and immunopathological features. This review is a historical journey, through a personal perspective, following the milestones that led to the current substantial knowledge of Guillain-Barré syndrome.