Journal of neurology
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Journal of neurology · Aug 2013
Dalfampridine in patients with downbeat nystagmus--an observational study.
We investigated the effects of dalfampridine, the sustained-release form of 4-aminopyridine, on slow phase velocity (SPV) and visual acuity (VA) in patients with downbeat nystagmus (DBN) and the side effects of the drug. In this proof-of-principle observational study, ten patients received dalfampridine 10 mg bid for 2 weeks. Recordings were conducted at baseline, 180 min after first administration, after 2 weeks of treatment and after 4 weeks of wash-out. ⋯ The most common reported side effects were abdominal discomfort and dizziness. Dalfampridine is an effective treatment for DBN in terms of SPV. It was well-tolerated in all patients.
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Journal of neurology · Aug 2013
Validation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Self-Assessment Disability Scale in patients with Parkinson's disease in Serbia.
The symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) worsen over time affecting performance and causing disability. The purpose of this study was to translate the Self-Assessment Disability Scale in patients with Parkinson's disease (SADS-PD) into the Serbian language and assess its validity and reliability. From January to July 2012, 114 consecutive PD patients were recruited at the Neurology Clinic in Belgrade. ⋯ Duration of the disease, Hoehn & Yahr (H&Y) stage, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) motor score, history of falls, Hamilton's Depression and Anxiety Rating Scales (HDRS and HARS) scores were significantly correlated with the total SADS-PD score. On factor analysis 25 items in the SADS-PD questionnaire were separated in two clusters with total matrix variance of 79.7 %. The psychometric properties of the cross-culturally adapted SADS-PD questionnaire (Serbian version) have outstanding validity and reliability as an instrument for evaluation of the extent of disability in patients with PD.
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Journal of neurology · Aug 2013
Antiplatelet therapy, but not intravenous thrombolytic therapy, is associated with postoperative bleeding complications after decompressive craniectomy for stroke.
Intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is an established treatment in patients suffering from acute ischemic stroke (AIS). IVT might increase the risk of postoperative complications if applied prior to decompressive craniectomy (DC). Therefore, we analyzed the management of patients with and without IVT prior to DC. ⋯ IVT prior to DC did not predict unfavourable outcome. There was no evidence in this observational study that IVT prior to DC places patients at undue risk of bleeding complications after subsequent DC. Patients with or without IVT prior to DC suffered significantly more often from postoperative bleeding complications if antiplatelet therapy was applied before onset of AIS.