Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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In this manuscript we summarize the role of chronic stress as a potential trigger factor for Parkinson's disease. Underlying mechanisms and stress-induced changes to the neuronal networks have been highlighted. Examples of stress induced reversible symptoms that resemble parkinsonism in humans and in animal models raise the question whether emotional stress can cause striatal degeneration in susceptible patients. ⋯ Articles were also identified through searches of the authors' own files. Only papers published in English were reviewed. The final reference list was generated on the basis of originality and relevance to the broad scope of this viewpoint.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Aug 2014
Multicenter Study Observational StudyApolipoproteins are associated with new MRI lesions and deep grey matter atrophy in clinically isolated syndromes.
There is increasing evidence that serum lipoprotein cholesterol biomarkers are associated with disease progression in clinically isolated syndromes (CIS). Apolipoproteins (Apo) are recognition ligands that mediate the physiological interactions of cholesterol-containing lipoproteins. The objective of this study was to investigate whether serum Apo levels are associated with CIS disease progression. ⋯ Serum ApoB levels are associated with new lesion accumulation whereas ApoE levels are associated with deep grey matter atrophy in high risk CIS patients treated with interferon β-1a.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Aug 2014
Multicenter StudyAlleviating manoeuvres (sensory tricks) in cervical dystonia.
There is limited information on the phenomenology, clinical characteristics and pathophysiology of alleviating manoeuvres (AM), also called 'sensory tricks' in cervical dystonia (CD). ⋯ In this large and comprehensive study of CD, we found no clinical predictors of effective AM. Further studies of sensorimotor integration in dystonia are needed to better understand the pathophysiology of AM.
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Over the past 20 years, the most notable advance in understanding Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has been the identification of an axonal variant. This advance arose chiefly through studies undertaken in East Asian countries and comprised two major aspects: first, the immunopathogenesis of axonal GBS related to anti-ganglioside antibodies and molecular mimicry of Campylobacter jejuni; and second, the observation that distinct electrophysiological patterns of axonal GBS existed, reflecting reversible conduction failure (RCF). As a consequence, the pathophysiology of acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) has perhaps become better understood than acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy. ⋯ Recent collaborative approaches between Europe and Asia have suggested that both the electrophysiological pattern of AMAN and the seropositivity for anti-ganglioside antibodies develop similarly. Separately, however, current electrodiagnostic criteria for AMAN limited to a single assessment appear inadequate to identify the majority of cases. As such, diagnostic criteria will need to be revised to improve the diagnostic sensitivity for AMAN.