Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · May 2013
Clinical and cognitive correlates of visual hallucinations in dementia with Lewy bodies.
The presence of recurrent complex visual hallucinations (VHs) is a core feature of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The aim of this study was to investigate which clinical and neuropsychological characteristics are associated with VHs and their predictive value over a 1 year follow-up. ⋯ Impairment of visual-spatial and perceptual abilities in DLB represents a disease related cognitive signature, independent of the presence of VHs, for which it may represent a predisposing condition. Visual attention, instead, is the main cognitive determinant for the genesis of VHs.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · May 2013
Long-term outcome of hemispheric surgery at different ages in 61 epilepsy patients.
Hemispheric neurosurgery is an established treatment for severe epilepsy caused by extended unilateral brain pathology. However, it is still an unresolved question at which age surgery should best be performed. In light of decreasing plasticity and the cumulative impact of seizures and anticonvulsants on neurodevelopment, early surgery appears preferable. ⋯ Our data confirm the efficacy and cognitive safety of hemispheric surgeries performed at different ages. Eligible older and high functioning patients can be perfect candidates. Presurgical intelligence serves as indicator of the functional integrity of the contralateral hemisphere, which mainly determines postsurgical cognition and psychosocial outcome. Seizure freedom promotes cognitive improvement. As many unknown factors determined age at surgery, our retrospective data neither question early surgeries nor suggest postponing surgery.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · May 2013
Clinical features of CIDP with LM1-associated antibodies.
LM1 is the predominant glycolipid in human peripheral nerve myelin and antibodies to LM1 and LM1-containing ganglioside complexes are detected in some patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). The clinical features of patients with such antibodies have not yet been investigated. ⋯ In humans, LM1 is contained more in the dorsal root than in the cranial nerves. The clinical features of CIDP patients with antibodies to LM1 and LM1-containing complexes may be associated with the distribution of the LM1 antigen. LM1-associated antibodies are possible markers for a subclass of CIDP.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · May 2013
CSF high-mobility group box 1 is associated with intrathecal inflammation and astrocytic damage in neuromyelitis optica.
High-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) acts as a proinflammatory mediator when released by cells. Recent studies implicate extracellular HMGB1 in the pathogenesis of various autoimmune diseases. Our main aim of this study is to determine whether HMGB1 is involved in the neuromyelitis optica (NMO) inflammatory process. ⋯ HMGB1 could play a key role in central nervous system inflammation in NMO patients.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · May 2013
Cerebrospinal fluid amyloid-β and phenotypic heterogeneity in de novo Parkinson's disease.
In Parkinson's disease (PD), the motor presentation characterised by postural instability/gait difficulties (PIGD) heralds accelerated motor, functional and cognitive decline, as compared with the more benign tremor-dominant (TD) variant. This makes the PIGD complex an attractive target for the discovery of prognostic biomarkers in PD. ⋯ Motor heterogeneity in de novo PD independently relates to CSF Aβ markers, with low levels found in patients with the PIGD presentation. This suggests that disturbed Aβ metabolism has an effect on PD beyond cognition and may contribute to the variable rate of motor and functional decline in PD.