Journal of neurology
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Journal of neurology · Dec 2001
Clinical TrialEffect of bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation on parkinsonian gait.
Clinical reports show that bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation is effective in improving parkinsonian gait. Quantitative analysis of the efficacy of STN stimulation on gait is of interest and can be carried out using a commercially available stride analyser. Ten parkinsonian patients (5 men, 5 women) with a mean age of 55.8, SD 9.6 years were included in our study. ⋯ When STN stimulation was switched on at the best of the levodopa induced effect, no further improvement was observed. The UPDRS motor score was significantly (p < 0.001) decreased after both stimulation and levodopa. In conclusion, STN stimulation is effective on parkinsonian gait.
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Journal of neurology · Nov 2001
Complex compulsive behaviour in the temporal variant of frontotemporal dementia.
As metabolic and structural changes in frontotemporal-subcortical pathways have been reported in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorders, we investigated the correlation between complex compulsive behaviour (CCB) and the distribution of atrophy in a group of 90 patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). ⋯ Temporal lobe atrophy appears to mediate CCB in patients with FTD, especially if asymmetry of atrophy is present. Future studies with quantitative and volumetric measurements of the cortical and subcortical structures may further clarify the aetiology of CCB in FTD.
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Journal of neurology · Nov 2001
ReviewNeurological complications of sepsis: critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy.
Sepsis may cause not only failure of parenchymal organs but can also cause damage to peripheral nerves and skeletal muscles. It is now recognized that sepsis-mediated disorders of the peripheral nerves and the muscle, called critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) and critical illness myopathy, are responsible for weakness and muscle atrophy occurring de novo in intensively treated patients. CIP represents an acute axonal neuropathy that develops during treatment of severely ill patients and remits spontaneously, once the critical condition is under control. ⋯ Specific therapies have not been discovered. Stabilization of the underlying critical condition and elimination of sepsis appear to be of major importance. Steroids and muscle relaxants should be avoided or administered at the lowest dose possible.
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Journal of neurology · Nov 2001
Letter Case ReportsNeurophysiological studies in a patient with heat stroke.