Journal of neurology
-
Journal of neurology · Jun 2008
Lipid profile, statin use, and outcome after intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischaemic stroke.
Low cholesterol levels have been associated with an increased risk of haemorrhagic stroke. This study investigated whether lipid levels or prior statin use influence outcome in patients with acute ischaemic stroke treated with IV thrombolysis. ⋯ High admission triglyceride levels were independently associated with a higher risk of sICH, but were not associated with a reduced chance of a favourable functional outcome at 3 months. Total cholesterol levels, LDL levels and statin use had no influence on both the occurrence of sICH or functional outcome.
-
Journal of neurology · Jun 2008
What should be defined as good outcome in stroke trials; a modified Rankin score of 0-1 or 0-2?
Good outcome in stroke trials has been defined as a modified Rankin scale (mRs) score of 0-1 or 0-2. The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical meaning of these two dichotomies. ⋯ If good outcome is defined as the ability to perform outdoor activities mRs 0-1 should be chosen. If complex ADL are considered as good outcome mRs 0-2 is the outcome measure of choice. Independent of which outcome measure is chosen, the treatment effect in clinical trials must be large before good outcome is achieved. Therefore, it is likely that clinically important treatment effects can be missed in clinical trials with both these mRs endpoints.
-
Journal of neurology · Jun 2008
Interpretation of electrodiagnostic findings in sporadic progressive muscular atrophy.
We present the electrophysiologic data at baseline of 37 patients who were included in our prospective study on sporadic adult-onset progressive muscular atrophy (PMA). The aim was to correlate electrophysiological signs of lower motor neuron (LMN) loss with clinical signs of LMN loss, and to determine the prognostic value of the distribution of electrophysiological abnormalities in patients who presented clinically with only lower motor neuron signs. ⋯ Our electrophysiological data in patients recently diagnosed with sporadic progressive muscular atrophy are consistent with widespread LMN loss. Progression in patients with a segmental or distal onset of PMA may be likely if denervation is found in clinically unaffected regions, including the thoracic region.
-
Journal of neurology · May 2008
Comparative StudyClinical characteristics of patients with late-onset multiple sclerosis.
We evaluated clinical presentation, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with late-onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS). Fifty-two patients with definitive multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosed after the age of 50 years were identified between 1991 and 2002. Data pertaining to clinical characteristics, CSF analysis, and cerebral and spinal MRI were compared with those of 52 young-onset MS (YOMS) patients matched for sex and disease duration. ⋯ YOMS patients responded to corticosteroids (93 %) to a significantly greater degree than LOMS patients (73 %; p = 0.004). For individuals who develop LOMS, a primary progressive course is frequent, with motor symptoms as the prominent feature. Vigilance is necessary to recognise MS in this population because of its unusual presentation.
-
Journal of neurology · May 2008
Virchow-Robin spaces relate to cerebral small vessel disease severity.
Virchow-Robin spaces (VRs) are perivascular spaces surrounding the deep perforating brain arteries. VRs dilatation is pathologic, and it could be a manifestation of cerebral small vessel disease. In the present study we assessed the relation between VRs and silent ischemic lesions in a cohort of patients with cerebral small vessel disease. ⋯ Dilated VRs in the basal ganglia relate to the severity of cerebral small vessel disease and might be a manifestation of the same small vessel abnormality that causes silent ischemic lesions. This adds a role for VRs as a potential marker for small vessel disease.