Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 1997
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialClozapine versus placebo in Huntington's disease: a double blind randomised comparative study.
To establish the effect of the atypical neuroleptic clozapine on chorea, voluntary motor performance, and functional disability in patients with Huntington's disease. ⋯ Clozapine has little beneficial effect in patients with Huntington's disease, although individual patients may tolerate doses high enough to reduce chorea. Because adverse reactions are often encountered, clozapine should be used with restraint in this patient group.
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 1997
Limitations of using a cancer registry to identify incident primary intracranial tumours.
The completeness and accuracy of registration of primary intracranial tumours in the Scottish Cancer Registry was compared with a detailed incidence study performed over a two year period (1989-90). Of 228 patients with any primary intracranial tumour in the incidence study, 124 (54%) were identified as intracranial tumours in the cancer registry. The registry excluded benign tumours (although this was not consistent) and so the sensitivity of the registry varied with tumour type (84% for neuroepithelial tumours, 22% meningeal, 29% sellar, 0% cranial nerve). ⋯ The cancer registry therefore significantly underestimated the incidence of all primary intracranial tumours, and of malignant intracranial tumours. Incidence studies must use additional methods to identify all primary tumours. Cancer registries should consider registering all primary intracranial tumours and may improve case ascertainment by screening neuroradiology data.
-
To investigate the cause of sporadic motor neuron disease (MND) by twin study, so allowing (1) estimation of the genetic contribution, and (2) collection of matched pairs for a case-control study of possible environmental factors. ⋯ This "death discordant" method for twin collection has proved to be viable, and has allowed the ascertainment of a large population sample in a rare disease. The genetic role in sporadic MND is substantial, and higher than expected. Exposure to industrial chemicals, particularly constituents of petrochemicals and paints, may contribute to the aetiology of MND.
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jun 1997
Comparative StudyCytomegalovirus infections and anti-GM2 antibodies in Guillain-Barré syndrome.
To investigate whether antecedent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome are associated with the presence of specific antiganglioside antibodies, acute phase serum samples from 130 patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome and 200 controls were tested. Anti-GM2 IgM antibodies were found more often in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome with CMV infection (22%) than in patients without the infection (2%) (P = 0.003). CMV infections may elicit anti-GM2 antibodies in susceptible patients, which may contribute to the pathogenesis of Guillain-Barré syndrome associated with CMV.
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jun 1997
Neuropsychological disorders after coronary bypass surgery.
A prospective assessment of neuropsychological impairment in the early postoperative stage after coronary bypass surgery. ⋯ Simple preoperative neuropsychological assessment may be helpful and clinically applicable in identifying patients at risk for postoperative cognitive dysfunction and may contribute to improve postoperative management aiming at the prevention of delirium or other transient neuropsychological disorders.