Neurology
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Placebo-controlled trial of lubiprostone for constipation associated with Parkinson disease.
To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of lubiprostone (Amitiza) for constipation in Parkinson disease (PD) in a double-blind, randomized, controlled study. ⋯ In this randomized controlled trial, lubiprostone seemed to be well tolerated and effective for the short-term treatment of constipation in PD.
-
Comparative Study
Clinical assessment of noninvasive intracranial pressure absolute value measurement method.
To assess prospectively the accuracy and precision of a method for noninvasive intracranial pressure (ICP) measurement compared with invasive gold standard CSF pressure measurement. ⋯ The proposed noninvasive ICP measurement method is precise and accurate compared with gold standard CSF pressure measured via lumbar puncture.
-
Case Reports
Nav1.7-related small fiber neuropathy: impaired slow-inactivation and DRG neuron hyperexcitability.
Although small fiber neuropathy (SFN) often occurs without apparent cause, the molecular etiology of idiopathic SFN (I-SFN) has remained enigmatic. Sodium channel Na(v)1.7 is preferentially expressed within dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and sympathetic ganglion neurons and their small-diameter peripheral axons. We recently reported the presence of Na(v)1.7 variants that produce gain-of-function changes in channel properties in 28% of patients with painful I-SFN and demonstrated impaired slow-inactivation in one of these mutations after expression within HEK293 cells. Here we show that the I739V Na(v)1.7 variant in a patient with biopsy-confirmed I-SFN impairs slow-inactivation within DRG neurons and increases their excitability. ⋯ These observations provide support, from a patient with biopsy-confirmed SFN, for the suggestion that functional variants of Na(v)1.7 that impair slow-inactivation can produce DRG neuron hyperexcitability that contributes to pain in SFN. Na(v)1.7 channelopathy-associated SFN should be considered in the differential diagnosis of cases of SFN in which no other cause is found.
-
To determine whether statin use is associated with improved discharge disposition after ischemic stroke. ⋯ Statin use is strongly associated with improved discharge disposition after ischemic stroke.
-
Case Reports
High frequency of spinal involvement in patients with basal subarachnoid neurocysticercosis.
To determine the frequency of spinal neurocysticercosis (NCC) in patients with basal subarachnoid NCC compared with that in individuals with viable limited intraparenchymal NCC (≤20 live cysts in the brain). ⋯ The spinal subarachnoid space is commonly involved in patients with basal subarachnoid NCC, compared with those with only intraparenchymal brain cysts. Spinal cord involvement probably explains serious late complications including chronic meningitis and gait disorders that were described before the introduction of antiparasitic therapy. MRI of the spine should be performed in basal subarachnoid disease to document spinal involvement, prevent complications, and monitor for recurrent disease.