Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2018
Review Meta AnalysisThe cognitive profile of behavioural variant FTD and its similarities with ALS: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Approximately 30% of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have cognitive impairment and 8%-14% fulfil the criteria for behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia (bv-FTD). The cognitive profiles of ALS and bv-FTD have been reported to be comparable, but this has never been systematically investigated. We aimed to determine the cognitive profile of bv-FTD and examine its similarities with that of ALS, to provide evidence for the existence of a cognitive disease continuum encompassing bv-FTD and ALS. ⋯ When social cognition, verbal memory, fluency, executive functions, language and visuoperception were considered, i.e. the cognitive profile of ALS, Pearson's r was 0.73 (p=0.09), which raised to 0.92 (p=0.03), when language was excluded in this systematic analysis of patients with a non-language subtype of FTD. The cognitive profile of bv-FTD consists of deficits in social cognition, verbal memory, fluency and executive functions and shows similarities with the cognitive profile of ALS. These findings support a cognitive continuum encompassing ALS and bv-FTD.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2018
Clinical outcome of Guillain-Barré syndrome after prolonged mechanical ventilation.
Patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) may suffer from respiratory failure for months or longer. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, clinical course and outcome of patients with GBS requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (MV). ⋯ Prolonged ventilation in GBS is associated with poor prognosis, yet patients requiring prolonged ventilation may show slow but persistent recovery for years and even reach the ability to walk and live independently.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2018
Meta Analysis Comparative StudySystematic review and meta-analysis on outcome differences among patients with TICI2b versus TICI3 reperfusions: success revisited.
A reperfusion quality of thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (TICI)≥2b has been set as the therapeutic angiography target for interventions in patients with acute ischaemic stroke. This study addresses whether the distinction between TICI2b and TICI3 reperfusions shows a clinically relevant difference on functional outcome. ⋯ TICI3 reperfusions are associated with superior outcome and better safety profiles than TICI2b reperfusions. This effect seems to be independent of time and collaterals. As reperfusion quality is the most important modifiable predictor of patients' outcome, a more conservative definition of successful therapy and further evaluation of treatment approaches geared towards achieving TICI3 reperfusions are desirable.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2018
Split hand muscle echo intensity index as a reliable imaging marker for differential diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The objective of this study was to investigate the usefulness of muscle ultrasound in evaluating dissociated small hand muscle atrophy, termed 'split hand', and its feasibility in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ⋯ The SHImEI was more sensitive in evaluating dissociated small hand muscle atrophy compared with the SHICMAP and may be a reliable diagnostic marker for differentiating ALS from other neuromuscular disorders and healthy controls.