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Serpentine tongue: A rare manifestation following initiation of levodopa therapy in a patient with Parkinson's diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We report an interesting observation in a patient with PD who developed abnormal movements involving only the tongue soon after the introduction of levodopa and responded well to substitution of levodopa with dopamine agonist. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: D.K. Prashantha, Pramod Kumar Pal Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

Peripheral myoclonus and muscle hypertrophy of quadriceps revealing a spinal dysraphismEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We describe a patient with peripheral myoclonus occurring in the setting of a lumbosacral dysraphism and resulting in muscle hypertrophy. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: N. Gouider-Khouja, S. Gabsi-Gherairi Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

Is heart rate variability related to gait impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease? A pilot studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Discussion and conclusions: The present findings support the idea that gait and autonomic function impairments co-exist in PD, but their etiology is based on distinct pathophysiological pathways, with minimal overlap. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: M.B. Aerts, N.E. Synhaeve, A. Mirelman, B.R. Bloem, N. Giladi, J.M. Hausdorff Tags: Short Communications Source Type: journals

Weight changes associated with unilateral STN DBS and advanced PDEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Weight gain following bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) in Parkinson disease (PD) has been characterized previously, but little is known about changes in weight following unilateral STN DBS. Weight gain of approximately 10kg at one year after bilateral STN DBS for PD has been noted in previous studies, and PD in the absence of DBS has been associated with weight loss. A case-control comparison evaluated the change in weight following unilateral STN DBS in PD. In 39 patients who underwent unilateral STN DBS for PD, we measured the weight change over 1 year versus both preoperative weig...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Harrison C. Walker, Michael Lyerly, Gary Cutter, Johnson Hagood, Natividad P. Stover, Stephanie L. Guthrie, Barton L. Guthrie, Ray L. Watts Tags: Short Communications Source Type: journals

Cardiac sympathetic denervation and its association with cognitive deficits in Parkinson's diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: These findings confirm that cognitive decline in patients with PD is associated with autonomic involvement and raises the possibility that the topographical spread of synuclein pathology involving the neocortical areas might be linked to the autonomic system in PD. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Joong-Seok Kim, Yong-Soo Shim, In-Uk Song, Ji-Yeon Yoo, Hee-Tae Kim, Yeong-In Kim, Kwang-Soo Lee Tags: Short Communications Source Type: journals

GIGYF2 mutations are not a frequent cause of familial Parkinson's diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Mutations in the Grb10-interacting GYF protein 2 (GIGYF2) gene, within the PARK11 locus, have been nominated as a cause of Parkinson's disease in Italian and French populations. By sequencing the whole GIGYF2 coding region in forty-six probands (thirty-seven Italians) with familial Parkinson's disease compatible with an autosomal dominant inheritance, we identified no mutations. Our data add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that GIGYF2 mutations are not a frequent cause of PD. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Alessio Di Fonzo, Edito Fabrizio, Astrid Thomas, Emiliana Fincati, Roberto Marconi, Michele Tinazzi, Guido J. Breedveld, Erik J. Simons, Hsin F. Chien, Joaquim J. Ferreira, Martin W. Horstink, Giovanni Abbruzzese, Barbara Borroni, Giovanni Cossu, Alessio Tags: Short Communications Source Type: journals

Plantar cutaneous sensory stimulation improves single-limb support time, and EMG activation patterns among individuals with Parkinson's diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study, the effects of a facilitatory insole that provides increased plantar sensory stimulation, was evaluated during gait, in a group of individuals with Parkinson's disease in comparison with healthy age-matched controls. Spatial–temporal parameters of gait were evaluated using an instrumented carpet, and muscle activation patterns were evaluated using surface EMG. All participants were tested with both a facilitatory (ribbed) insole and a conventional (flat) insole while walking 20 feet. Results indicated that the use of the facilitatory insole produced a significant increase in single-limb support time. Addi...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: M.E. Jenkins, Q.J. Almeida, S.J. Spaulding, R.B. van Oostveen, J.D. Holmes, A.M. Johnson, S.D. Perry Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Evaluation of gastric emptying in familial and sporadic Parkinson diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Patients with fPD showed significantly delayed gastric emptying in comparison to normal age-matched individuals. Further studies of gastrointestinal dysfunction in PD, particularly fPD, are warranted. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Anna Krygowska-Wajs, William P. Cheshire, Zbigniew K. Wszolek, Alicja Hubalewska-Dydejczyk, Barbara Jasinska-Myga, Matthew J. Farrer, Marek Moskala, Anna Sowa-Staszczak Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Enhanced cued recall and clock drawing test performances differ in Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease-related cognitive dysfunctionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study we aim to disclose the utility of pre-selected practical neuropsychological tests in differentiation of PD–D and AD, and also PD–MCI and aMCI. Consecutive cases with mild to moderate AD (n = 32) and PD–D (n = 26); aMCI (n = 34) and PD–MCI (n = 19) were evaluated. Although MMSE scores were similar in PD–D and AD or in PD–MCI and aMCI groups, memory impairment assessed by enhanced cued recall (ECR) was more apparent in AD than PD–D; and ECR scores tended to be worse in aMCI group than PD–MCI group. In contrast, clock drawing was more impaired in PD–D than AD. For differentiation of PD�...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Esen Saka, Bülent Elibol Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Integration deficiencies associated with continuous limb movement sequences in Parkinson's diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: The present study examined the extent to which Parkinson's disease (PD) influences integration of continuous limb movement sequences. Eight patients with idiopathic PD and 8 age-matched normal subjects were instructed to perform repetitive sequential aiming movements to specified targets under three-accuracy constraints: 1) low accuracy (W = 7 cm) – minimal accuracy constraint, 2) high accuracy (W = 0.64 cm) – maximum accuracy constraint, and 3) mixed accuracy constraint – one target of high accuracy and another target of low accuracy. The characteristic of sequential movements in the low accuracy con...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Jin-Hoon Park, George E. Stelmach Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

The role of rehabilitation in deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus for Parkinson's disease: A pilot studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Bilateral deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is an efficacious therapeutic option in the treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). The procedure may be however associated with functional impairment of different types and intensity. In this paper we describe the functional impairments detected in a group of 34 subjects with PD who were submitted to DBS. These patients belonged to a cohort of 75 consecutive PD patients who underwent the surgical procedure. The rehabilitation program included physiotherapy exercises for recovery/maintenance of the range of motion, active exercises, e...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Cristina Tassorelli, Simona Buscone, Giorgio Sandrini, Claudio Pacchetti, Anna Furnari, Roberta Zangaglia, Michelangelo Bartolo, Giuseppe Nappi, Emilia Martignoni Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Sleep disturbances in Malaysian patients with Parkinson's disease using polysomnography and PDSSEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: : The prevalence of sleep disorders based on PSG and PDSS in our PD patients was high, the commonest being sleep fragmentation and SDB, while EDS was the least prevalent. Problem specific sub-items of the PDSS were more accurate in predicting the relevant PSG-related changes compared to the PDSS as a whole. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: M.I. Norlinah, K. Nor Afidah, A.T. Noradina, A.S. Shamsul, B.B. Hamidon, R. Sahathevan, A.A. Raymond Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Effects of optimism/pessimism and locus of control on disability and quality of life in Parkinson's diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Low optimism or high pessimism is associated with reduced quality of life in Parkinson's disease. Patients with less internal locus of control have greater disability. Interventions that promote personal control and positive attitudes may assist in reducing disability and improving quality of life in Parkinson's disease. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Ann L. Gruber-Baldini, Jian Ye, Karen E. Anderson, Lisa M. Shulman Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Diabetes preceding Parkinson's disease onset. A case–control studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Our findings provide additional support for a potential link between diabetes and PD. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Marco D'Amelio, Paolo Ragonese, Graziella Callari, Norma Di Benedetto, Barbara Palmeri, Valeria Terruso, Giuseppe Salemi, Giorgia Famoso, Paolo Aridon, Giovanni Savettieri Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

The current prevalence and factors associated with tardive dyskinesia among Filipino schizophrenic patientsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Despite the predominant use of first-generation antipsychotic agents, the prevalence of TD among Filipino schizophrenic patients is similar to that reported among Asians, but lower than that reported among our Western counterparts. The results may be affected by differences in methodological, racial and genetic determinants. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Criscely L. Go, Raymond L. Rosales, Rico J. Caraos, Hubert H. Fernandez Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

A chemical chaperone, sodium 4-phenylbutyric acid, attenuates the pathogenic potency in human α-synuclein A30P+A53T transgenic miceEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
We examined the efficacy of sodium 4-phenylbutyric acid (PBA), one of the chemical chaperons, in transgenic (Tg) mice overexpressing human α-synuclein containing a double mutation (A30P+A53T). To evaluate the therapeutic efficacy, bradykinesia and motor coordination were assessed using a pole test and a rotarod treadmill task, respectively. After PBA treatment, these motor deteriorations gradually improved. In immunohistochemical examinations, both a loss of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neurons and an increase of phosphorylated α-synuclein in the substantia nigra were inhibited, resulting in no depletion of the striatal...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Kazuhiko Ono, Miyuki Ikemoto, Takeshi Kawarabayashi, Masaki Ikeda, Takuya Nishinakagawa, Masato Hosokawa, Mikio Shoji, Mitsuo Takahashi, Manabu Nakashima Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Health-related quality of life and alternative forms of exercise in Parkinson diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Parkinson disease (PD) reduces health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but exercise may improve HRQoL. This pilot study compared the effects of Tango, Waltz/Foxtrot, Tai Chi and No Intervention on HRQoL in individuals with PD. Seventy-five persons with PD (Hoehn and Yahr I-III) were assigned to 20 lessons of Tango, Waltz/Foxtrot, Tai Chi, or an untreated No Intervention group. Participants completed the PDQ-39 before and after participation in 20 classes or within 13weeks in the case of the No Intervention group. Two-way repeated measures ANOVAs determined differences between interventions. Tango significantly im...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Madeleine E. Hackney, Gammon M. Earhart Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Performance on an Alzheimer-selective odor identification test in patients with Parkinson's disease and its relationship with cerebral dopamine transporter activityEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Background: Previous studies have shown selective deficits of odor identification in both Parkinson's disease (PD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). Brief, selective AD smell screening tests have been developed to identify subjects at risk of AD. The disease specificity of such screening tests has not been formally evaluated.Objective: To evaluate the performance of an Alzheimer-selective odor identification test in patients with PD and its relationship with cerebral dopamine transporter (DAT) activity.Methods: PD patients (n=44; Hoehn and Yahr stages I–III; 13f/31m; mean age 59.3±10.1) and 44 controls matched for...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Kelvin L. Chou, Nicolaas I. Bohnen Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Histopathological analysis of skeletal muscle in patients with Parkinson's disease and ‘dropped head’/‘bent spine’ syndromeEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: ‘Dropped head’ and ‘bent spine’ symptoms in association with PD appear to be accompanied by a wide spectrum of histopathological abnormalities in skeletal muscle. A muscle biopsy should be performed to identify potentially treatable conditions (i.e. inflammatory myopathies). (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Hans-Jürgen Gdynia, Anne-Dorte Sperfeld, Alexander Unrath, Albert C. Ludolph, Michael Sabolek, Alexander Storch, Jan Kassubek Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

A Swedish family with de novo α-synuclein A53T mutation: Evidence for early cortical dysfunctionEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: A de novo α-synuclein A53T (p.Ala53 Th; c.209G > A) mutation has been identified in a Swedish family with autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD). Two affected individuals had early-onset (before 31 and 40 years), severe levodopa-responsive PD with prominent dysphasia, dysarthria, and cognitive decline. Longitudinal clinical follow-up, EEG, SPECT and CSF biomarker examinations suggested an underlying encephalopathy with cortical involvement. The mutated allele (c.209A) was present within a haplotype different from that shared among mutation carriers in the Italian (Contursi) and the Greek-American Family ...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Andreas Puschmann, Owen A. Ross, Carles Vilariño-Güell, Sarah J. Lincoln, Jennifer M. Kachergus, Stephanie A. Cobb, Suzanne G. Lindquist, Jørgen E. Nielsen, Zbigniew K. Wszolek, Matthew Farrer, Håkan Widner, Danielle van Westen, Douglas Hägerström, Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Spinocerebellar ataxia 8: Variable phenotype and unique pathogenesisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Spinocerebellar ataxia 8 (SCA8), a triplet repeat expansion disorder, is genetically distinct from the other inherited ataxias, but its unusually variable phenotype can make its diagnosis difficult. In this review we describe 3 new cases of genetically verified SCA8 to highlight the broad clinical spectrum of symptoms observed with this disorder and to draw attention to the features of myoclonus and migraine headaches, which in the context of cerebellar ataxia warrants the clinician to consider SCA8 as a potential diagnosis. We also address the controversy surrounding the genetic testing approach for diagnosing S...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Amitabh Gupta, Joseph Jankovic Tags: Review Source Type: journals

No need to droop your head in Parkinson's disease?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Over the last years increasing numbers of patients with dropped head/bent spine syndrome have been reported. Neuromuscular specialists observed this syndrome in a wide range of disorders including motor neurone disease, inflammatory neuropathies, neuromuscular junction disorders and inflammatory and hereditary myopathies . Some movement disorder specialists proposed axial dystonia as underlying mechanism of dropped head/bent spine syndrome in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) or atypical parkinsonian disorders such as multiple system atrophy (MSA) . A partial or rarely complete response to high-dose dopaminergic treat...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Wolfgang N. Loscher, Gregor K. Wenning Tags: Editorial Source Type: journals

The XVIII WFN World Congress on Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders: Improving long-term outcomeEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This year the XVIII WFN World Congress on Parkinson's Disease and Related Disorders celebrates 50 years as a leading international summit that unites over 3,000 clinicians, researchers, and allied healthcare professionals to exchange basic and clinical science ideas to improve long-term outcomes for Parkinson's patients. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Tags: Announcement Source Type: journals

Editorial BoardEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - October 27, 2009 Category: Neurology Source Type: journals

Successful use of botulinum toxin for post-irradiation unilateral jaw neuromyotoniaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Local botulinum toxin injections have proven to be an effective therapeutic intervention for a variety of movement disorders. Myokymic movements are included within this therapeutic spectrum. Types of myokymia treated with this agent include; facial myokymia secondary to MS, orbicularis myokymia sometimes seen in cases of hemifacial spasm, blepharospasm and myokymia of the extraocular muscles. Botulinum toxin is also the treatment of choice for a variety of oromandibular dystonias. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Douglas E. Hobson, Paul Kerr, Shaun Hobson Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

Focal brain glucose hypermetabolism in myoclonus-dystonia syndrome caused by an epsilon-sarcoglycan gene mutationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In vivo functional imaging investigating regional brain meta-bolism has greatly expanded our understanding of the pathophy-siologies contributing dystonia and related disorders. Position emission tomography (PET) with 18-fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (18FDG) in the resting state has been used in the pathophysiological characterization of several dystonia states . Myoclonus-dystonia syndrome (MDS) is one of the dystonia-plus syndromes, characterized by a childhood onset of dystonia in the cervical and brachial regions, myoclonic jerks, and psychiatric symptoms . MDS is an autosomal dominant disorder caused by mutations in ɛ-sarcog...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Chun-Hwei Tai, Ruoh-Fan Yen, Chin-Hsien Lin, Kuo-Yang Yen, Ping-Keung Yip, Ruey-Meei Wu, Ming-Jen Lee Tags: Letters to the Editor Source Type: journals

Fluoroscopic, EMG-guided injection of botulinum toxin into the longus colli for the treatment of anterocollisEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Incomplete muscle selection may be one cause of treatment failures in anterocollis. Deep cervical flexors such as the longus colli represent an under-recognized potential target for symptomatic treatment of anterocollis. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Graham A. Glass, Stephen Ku, Jill L. Ostrem, Susan Heath, Paul S. Larson Tags: Short Communications Source Type: journals

Grammar improvement following deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic and the pedunculopontine nuclei in advanced Parkinson's disease: A pilot studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Combined deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic (STN) and pedunculopontine (PPN) nuclei has been recently proposed as surgical treatment of advanced Parkinson's disease. STN stimulation alone has been shown to provide selective improvement of the grammatical aspect of language. We studied five advanced Parkinson's disease patients who underwent combined deep brain stimulation (STN + PPN). Overall cognitive profile did not change. On the contrary, an interesting trend towards reduction of ungrammatical errors (particularly substitution of free and inflectional morphemes) was found when stimulating the STN, an...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Sergio Zanini, Vincenzo Moschella, Alessandro Stefani, Antonella Peppe, Mariangela Pierantozzi, Salvatore Galati, Alberto Costa, Paolo Mazzone, Paolo Stanzione Tags: Short Communications Source Type: journals

Action tremor of the legs in essential tremor: Prevalence, clinical correlates, and comparison with age-matched controlsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: The hallmark feature of essential tremor (ET) is action tremor of the arms. Leg tremor may also occur yet it has not been the central focus of previous studies. Its prevalence has only rarely been reported, its clinical correlates have yet to be explored. Our aims were to report the prevalence and analyze the clinical correlates of leg action tremor in patients with ET and, given the propensity for normal elderly individuals to manifest mild limb tremors, compare the prevalence with that in age-matched controls. Kinetic leg tremor rated ≥1 occurred in 28/63 (44.4%) ET cases and in only 9/63 (14.3%) controls (p ...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Kathleen L. Poston, Eileen Rios, Elan D. Louis Tags: Short Communications Source Type: journals

Prevalence of restless legs syndrome in a Japanese elderly populationEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: The overall prevalence of RLS among inhabitants of Ajimu aged ≥65years is 0.96%. Most of the subjects identified were women. The prevalence of RLS is lower in Japan than in studies conducted in European and North American populations. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Yoshio Tsuboi, Akiko Imamura, Mika Sugimura, Seigo Nakano, Shuichiro Shirakawa, Tatsuo Yamada Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

The prognosis of fixed dystonia: A follow-up studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Our findings revealed that the prognosis of this syndrome is poor, with improvement in less than 25% of patients, major remission in only 6% and continued worsening in a third. A high rate of neuropsychiatric findings was noted and new neuropsychiatric features had occurred in some. Average health status was poor. Of the baseline parameters, only CRPS predicted poorer outcome. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: N.M. Ibrahim, D. Martino, B.P.C. van de Warrenburg, N.P. Quinn, K.P. Bhatia, R.J. Brown, M. Trimble, A. Schrag Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Long-term effects of bilateral deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus on depression in patients with Parkinson's diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: The improvement in motor symptoms resulting from STN–DBS can improve depression in PD patients, but its long-term effects were unremarkable. Within the treatment range, the higher the mean value of bilateral voltages then the more severe was the depression in PD patients. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Xuelian Wang, Chongwang Chang, Ning Geng, Nan Li, Julei Wang, Jiuhong Ma, Weining Xue, Wei Zhao, Heming Wu, Peng Wang, Guodong Gao Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Metabolic changes in 37 newly diagnosed Wilson's disease patients assessed by magnetic resonance spectroscopyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Wilson's Disease (WD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder. The literature about proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) in WD is based mostly on data derived from patients undergoing treatment. The aim of this study was to identify brain metabolic changes in newly diagnosed WD patients using MRS to elucidate the pathomechanism of the cerebral pathology of WD. The globus pallidus and thalamus of 37 patients with WD were examined bilaterally with MRS. The calculations were performed for: myoinositol (mI), choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), N-acetyl-aspartate (NAA), lipid (Lip), glutamine, and glutamate (Glx). In all WD patients...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: B. Tarnacka, W. Szeszkowski, M. Gołębiowski, A. Członkowska Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Anhedonia and cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease: Italian validation of the Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale and its application in the clinical routine practice during the PRIAMO studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Objective: To assess the psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Snaith–Hamilton Pleasure Scale (SHAPS) and to study the relationship between anhedonia, depression and cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods: The SHAPS (14 items) was translated into Italian and pre-tested in a pilot study. Two items evaluating physical anhedonia related to sexual issues were added. The Italian version of SHAPS was validated in 274 consecutive PD patients, divided into patients with major depression according to DSM-IV criteria (dPD) and patients without depression (nPD), and in healt...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: G. Santangelo, L. Morgante, R. Savica, R. Marconi, L. Grasso, A. Antonini, D. De Gaspari, D. Ottaviani, D. Tiple, L. Simoni, P. Barone, on behalf of the PRIAMO study group Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Parkinson's disease dementia – A diminished role for the Lewy bodyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: The literature currently views Lewy bodies as central in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD) when Alzheimer's disease (AD) or vascular pathology is not present. Because the neuropathology of PDD is not well understood, the pathological features of PDD were characterized in eighteen PD brain specimens using published criteria for AD, Diffuse Lewy Body Disease (DLBD), and Vascular Disease as a framework. Among the PD dementia (n=16) subjects, 3 (19%) did not have LBs outside of the brain stem, nor AD or vascular pathology. In two additional cases, one did have rare LBs in the neocortex and cingul...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Leslie S. Libow, Pasquale G. Frisina, Vahram Haroutunian, Daniel P. Perl, Dushyant P. Purohit Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

128-Channel somatosensory evoked potentials in the differential diagnosis of parkinsonian disordersEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusion: Despite the use of 128-channel SEP recordings and analysis techniques, which are more accurate than conventional techniques, sensitivity and specificity of cortical median nerve SEP asymmetry and parietal amplitude for differentiating CBGD from other parkinsonian disorders were low at an early stage of the disease. A possible reason for this may be that the hand area of the primary somatosensory cortex was not yet affected in most CBGD patients. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: W.J.G. van de Wassenberg, J.H. van der Hoeven, K.L. Leenders, N.M. Maurits Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Levodopa-induced striatal activation in Parkinson's disease: A functional MRI studyEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Our results indicate that the putamen and thalamus are the regions within the cortico-subcortical motor-circuit with most prominent response to levodopa. In our study, cortical motor areas did not respond to levodopa as one could have expected from previous studies. These findings contribute to the increasing evidence that an extended model of the underlying pathophysiology of motor dysfunctions in PD is warranted. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Eduard Kraft, Wolfgang Loichinger, Michael Diepers, Dorothée Lule, Johannes Schwarz, Albert C. Ludolph, Alexander Storch Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Predictors of loneliness in caregivers of persons with Parkinson's diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study examined loneliness among caregivers of individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). The sample included 70 caregivers (74% female; 96% spouses) who were currently living with the patient. A postal survey was sent to caregivers of persons with PD on the mailing list of a regional Parkinson association; response rate was 39%. Assessment instruments included the UCLA Loneliness Scale, Social Provisions Scale, Hoehn and Yahr (caregiver version), a perceived Self-Efficacy Scale developed previously for use with PD caregivers, and questions related to both patient and caregiver characteristics. Caregivers reported more...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Cynthia McRae, Emily Fazio, Gina Hartsock, Livia Kelley, Shawna Urbanski, Dan Russell Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Parkinson's disease, levodopa-use and the risk of melanomaEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Since the early 1970s, the literature has suggested an association between Parkinson's Disease (PD) and/or levodopa-use and an increased risk for the development of malignant melanoma. In some countries, this possible association has even led to a warning in the drug insert leaflet of the possible risk. Recently, five studies have been published that have investigated both associations and three conclusions can be drawn. Firstly, there appears to be an increased risk in the development of melanomas in patients with PD. Secondly, this increased risk is already present before the PD is diagnosed. Finally, it is unl...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: J.-D. Vermeij, A. Winogrodzka, J. Trip, W.E.J. Weber Tags: Review Source Type: journals

Editorial BoardEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - August 18, 2009 Category: Neurology Source Type: journals

AnnouncementEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
(Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - July 16, 2009 Category: Neurology Tags: Announcement Source Type: journals

Hiccups and parkinsonismEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In his letter, regarding our case of Parkinson's disease presenting as intractable hiccups , Dr Foley, points out that the association between parkinsonism and hiccups is not new and draws attention to the encephalitis lethargica epidemic in 1920s as the etiology of hiccups. We appreciate his comments but also have some disagreements. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - July 16, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Nilgul Yardimci, Sibel Benli, Turgut Zileli Tags: Correspondence Source Type: journals

Comment on “A diagnostic challenge of Parkinson's disease: Intractable hiccups”Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
I was interested to read the recent paper by Yardimci et al. regarding intractable hiccups in a case of Parkinson's disease. “Epidemic hiccup” (or “singultus epidemicus”) was not infrequent in the 1920s, particularly in France, Switzerland and Italy; Budapest experienced a similar epidemic in 1919 (reviewed: ). Epidemic hiccup was generally regarded as being etiologically related to encephalitis lethargica (EL), even in the absence of other signs typical of EL, such as oculogyric crises and parkinsonism. Respiratory tics and other breathing abnormalities were, however, also common in cases of post-encephalitic par...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - July 16, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Paul Foley Tags: Correspondence Source Type: journals

Handedness associated to side of onset of Parkinson's disease?Email this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
With great interest we read the article “Handedness as a predictor of side of onset of Parkinson's disease” by Yust-Katz et al. , which was published online in this journal on March 15, 2008. The authors assessed the relation between side of onset and handedness in 307 Parkinson's disease (PD) patients, where handedness was determined by the hand used for writing. Although more patients in this study experienced their first symptoms on the dominant side, the association between handedness and side of onset was not significant. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - July 16, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: S.M. van Rooden, M. Visser, D. Verbaan, J. Marinus Tags: Letter to the Editor Source Type: journals

Movement irregularities in atypical parkinsonian syndromesEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
This study examined discrete motor irregularities in ballistic aiming movements in patients with atypical parkinsonian syndromes (APS). Nine patients with APS were compared to 9 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) and 9 controls on ballistic arm extension movements performed on a digitizing tablet without visual feedback and without accuracy constraints. Patients with APS showed a higher number of irregularities in the acceleration and jerk time series compared to PD patients and controls. No difference was found between PD patients and controls. These discrete irregularities were not associated with general ...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - July 16, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Maxime Philibert, Francois Richer, Pierre J. Blanchet, Sylvain Chouinard, Anne-Sophie Dubarry, Eric Fimbel Tags: Short Communications Source Type: journals

Genetic factors influencing age at onset in LRRK2-linked Parkinson diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Patients with Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) linked Parkinson's disease (PD) clinically present with typical idiopathic PD. However, LRRK2-linked PD displays a pleomorphic neuropathology and high variability in age at disease onset (AAO) which suggests that environmental and/or genetic factors other than the mutation itself influence the course of the disease. We investigated the modulation of AAO by genetic factors including the mutation-containing domain and PD associated polymorphisms in the gene coding alpha-synuclein (SNCA) and tau (MAPT) in 44 patients from 19 affected families. Using this limited num...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - July 16, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Yulia Golub, Daniela Berg, Donald B. Calne, Ronald F. Pfeiffer, Ryan J. Uitti, A. Jon Stoessl, Zbigniew K. Wszolek, Matthew J. Farrer, Jakob C. Mueller, Thomas Gasser, Julia Fuchs Tags: Short Communications Source Type: journals

Embarrassment in essential tremor: Prevalence, clinical correlates and therapeutic implicationsEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Conclusions: Embarrassment may be a source of disability in ET. Even among clinic patients with mild tremor, nearly one-half reported embarrassment. We identified a number of patient characteristics linked to embarrassment. Embarrassment alone (i.e., independent of tremor severity) was responsible for a doubling of tremor medication usage. The majority of clinical trials do not assess the therapeutic effects of medication on embarrassment. These trials may benefit from scaled assessments of level of embarrassment. (Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders)
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - July 16, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Elan D. Louis, Eileen Rios Tags: Short Communications Source Type: journals

PARK11 gene (GIGYF2) variants Asn56Ser and Asn457Thr are not pathogenic for Parkinson's diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: The GIGYF2 (Grb10-Interacting GYF Protein-2) gene has recently been proposed to be the responsible gene for the PARK11 locus. Ten different putative pathogenic variants were identified in cohorts of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients from Italy and France. Among these variants Asn56Ser and Asn457Thr were found repeatedly. In the present study we screened 669 PD patients (predominantly of central European origin) and 1051 control individuals for the presence of these two variants. Asn56Ser was found in one patient with a positive family history of the disease and in one control individual. The affected sister of th...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - July 16, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Alexander Zimprich, Claudia Schulte, Eva Reinthaler, Dietrich Haubenberger, Jörg Balzar, Peter Lichtner, Salwa El Tawil, S. Edris, Thomas Foki, Walter Pirker, Regina Katzenschlager, Gerhard Daniel, Thomas Brücke, Eduard Auff, Thomas Gasser Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Expression QTL and regulatory network analysis of microtubule-associated protein tau geneEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
In this study, we combined array analysis and quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping approaches (genetical genomics) to characterize the expression variation and the regulatory network of Mapt in mouse. Through examining the probe sets for overlapping single nucleotide polymorphysms (SNPs), two probe sets without overlapping SNPs were selected for QTL mapping. Interval mapping results showed that expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) mapping for Mapt had a significant linkage score (LRS) of 27.2. Moreover, the QTL was mapped to within 3 Mb of the location of the gene itself (Mapt) as a cis-acting QTL. Through mapping th...
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - July 16, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Qin Shen, Xusheng Wang, Ying Chen, Lingli Xu, Xiaodong Wang, Lu Lu Tags: Papers Source Type: journals

Hippocampal atrophy predicts conversion to dementia after STN-DBS in Parkinson's diseaseEmail this article to a colleague. Save this article to My Clippings. Discuss or comment on this article.
Abstract: Background: Hippocampal atrophy (HA) is a known predictor of dementia in Alzheimer's disease. HA has been found in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD), but no predicting value has been demonstrated yet. The identification of such a predictor in candidates for subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) would be of value. Our objective was to compare preoperative hippocampal volumes (HV) between PD patients who subsequently converted to dementia (PDD) after STN-DBS and those who did not (PDnD).Methods: From a cohort of 70 consecutive STN-DBS treated PD patients, 14 converted to dementia over 25.6±20.2months (PDD)....
Source: Parkinsonism and Related Disorders - July 16, 2009 Category: Neurology Authors: Selma Aybek, Francois Lazeyras, Aline Gronchi-Perrin, Pierre R. Burkhard, Jean-Guy Villemure, Francois J.G. Vingerhoets Tags: Papers Source Type: journals