Journal of neurology
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Journal of neurology · Jun 2008
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEvaluating the efficacy of acupuncture in defined aspects of stroke recovery: a randomised, placebo controlled single blind study.
To investigate the efficacy of acupuncture on stroke recovery compared to an inert placebo. ⋯ Acupuncture did not demonstrate specific efficacy over placebo and both groups did as well as normally expected with this condition.
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Journal of neurology · Jun 2008
Lipid profile, statin use, and outcome after intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke.
Low cholesterol levels have been associated with an increased risk of haemorrhagic stroke. This study investigated whether lipid levels or prior statin use influence outcome in patients with acute ischaemic stroke treated with IV thrombolysis. ⋯ High admission triglyceride levels were independently associated with a higher risk of sICH, but were not associated with a reduced chance of a favourable functional outcome at 3 months. Total cholesterol levels, LDL levels and statin use had no influence on both the occurrence of sICH or functional outcome.
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Journal of neurology · Jun 2008
Case Reports Comparative StudyAccuracy of perfusion-CT in predicting malignant middle cerebral artery brain infarction.
We performed a prospective study on patients with middle cerebral artery(MCA) ischemic stroke to evaluate the accuracy of perfusion-CT imaging(PCT) to predict the development of malignant brain infarction (MBI). ⋯ PCT allows the discrimination of patients without a relevant risk for MBI from those having a 50 % risk of MBI development. Due to the high sensitivity and specificity, PCT is a reliable tool in detecting MBI. Because of PCT's better availability, it is the method of choice at present for an early risk stratification of acute stroke patients.
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Journal of neurology · Jun 2008
What should be defined as good outcome in stroke trials; a modified Rankin score of 0-1 or 0-2?
Good outcome in stroke trials has been defined as a modified Rankin scale (mRs) score of 0-1 or 0-2. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical meaning of these two dichotomies. ⋯ If good outcome is defined as the ability to perform outdoor activities mRs 0-1 should be chosen. If complex ADL are considered as good outcome mRs 0-2 is the outcome measure of choice. Independent of which outcome measure is chosen, the treatment effect in clinical trials must be large before good outcome is achieved. Therefore, it is likely that clinically important treatment effects can be missed in clinical trials with both these mRs endpoints.
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Journal of neurology · Jun 2008
Interpretation of electrodiagnostic findings in sporadic progressive muscular atrophy.
We present the electrophysiologic data at baseline of 37 patients who were included in our prospective study on sporadic adult-onset progressive muscular atrophy (PMA). The aim was to correlate electrophysiological signs of lower motor neuron (LMN) loss with clinical signs of LMN loss, and to determine the prognostic value of the distribution of electrophysiological abnormalities in patients who presented clinically with only lower motor neuron signs. ⋯ Our electrophysiological data in patients recently diagnosed with sporadic progressive muscular atrophy are consistent with widespread LMN loss. Progression in patients with a segmental or distal onset of PMA may be likely if denervation is found in clinically unaffected regions, including the thoracic region.