bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuropsychological correlates of brain atrophy in Parkinson's disease: A CT‐scan study
Authors: Starkstein Sergio E. , Leiguarda Ramón 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe examined the presence of cortical or subcortical brain atrophy (as shown by CT scans) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and assessed whether there were significant correlations between CT measurements and the presence of cognitive deficits. There were three main findings. First, patients with bilateral symptoms of PD showed more severe cortical and subcortical atrophy than age‐matched normal controls. Second, the presence of unilateral symptoms of PD was significantly associated with contralateral brain atrophy only in patients with right hemi‐PD. Third, there was a significant correlation between neuropsychological deficits and atrophy in specific brain areas.
Effectiveness of piracetam in cortical myoclonus
Authors: Brown P. , Steiger M. J. , Thompson P. D. , Rothwell J. C. , Day B. L. , Salama M. , Waegemans T. , Marsden C. D. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractTwenty‐one patients with disabling spontaneous, reflex, or action myoclonus due to various causes, who had shown apparent clinical improvement on introduction of piracetam, entered a placebo‐controlled double‐blind crossover trial of piracetam (2.4– 16.8 g daily). All but one patient had electrophysiological evidence of cortical myoclonus. Patients were randomly allocated to a 14‐ day course of piracetam followed by identical placebo, or placebo followed by piracetam. Nineteen patients received piracetam/placebo in addition to their routine antimyoclonic treatment (carbamazepine, clonazepam, phenytoin, primidone, sodium valproate, or tryptophan plus isocarboxazid, alone or in combination) and two received piracetam/placebo as monotherapy. All patients were rated at the end of each treatment phase using stimulus sensitivity, motor, writing, functional disability, global assessment, and visual analogue scales. Ten of the 21 patients had to be rescued from the placebo phase of the trial because of a severe and intolerable exacerbation of their myoclonus. No patients required rescue from the piracetam phase of the double‐blind trial. When the 21 patients were considered together, there was a significant improvement in motor, writing, functional disability, global assessment, and visual analogue scores during treatment with piracetam compared with placebo. The total rating score also improved significantly with piracetam, by a median of 22%. Piracetam, usually in combination with other antimyoclonic drugs, is a useful treatment for myoclonus of cortical origin.
PCR Analysis of platelet mtDNA: Lack of specific changes in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Sandy Martha S. , Langston J. William , Smith Martyn T. , di Monte Donato A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractAn alteration within the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) has been hypthesized to underlie the deficiencies in mitochondrial complex I activity observed in the platelets, striatal muscle, and brain tissue of individuals with Parkinson's disease. Here we utilized the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to analyze mtDNA obtained from the platelets of nonmedicated patients with early Parkinson's disease (n =8) and aged‐matched cantrols (n =6) for the presence of deletion(s) or addition(s) equal to or greater than 50–100 base pairs. Initial attention was focused upon detecting a 4.977 kb deletion previously found in the brains of parkinsonian patients and some aged controls. Indeed, a large deletion of approximately 5.0 kb was observed in the platelet mtDNA from all parkinsonian individuals. However, this defect was also found in all age‐matched controls as well as in a group of young healthy subjects (n = 5). In addition, we searched for the presence of smaller changes in platelet mtDNA from parkinsonian patients by PCR analysis of four mtDNA segments that code for seven of the complex I polypeptides. No large deletions or additions were detected within these four regions of mtDNA in any of the disease or age‐matched control samples. We conclude that (a) a 4.977 kb deletion is apparently present in a subpopulation of platelet mtDNA from all individuals, and (b) no macrosequence alteration in mtDNA is likely to underlie the deficiency in complex I activity reported in platelet mitochondria from parkinsonian patients.
Gastrointestinal symptoms in parkinson disease: 18‐month follow‐up study
Authors: Edwards L. , Quigley E. M. M. , Hofman R. , Pfeiffer R. F. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractIn a recent study we identified abnormal salivation, dysphagia, nausea, constipation, and defecatory dysfunction as those gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms associated with Parkinson disease (PD) and characterized their relationship to PD severity and therapy. In this study, we re‐evaluated these symptoms and their relationship to parameters of PD 18 months later. Sixty‐six percent of the original participants responded. Over the 18 months, 68% of originally untreated PD subjects commenced anti‐PD therapy. Abnormal salivation, dysphagia, nausea, constipation, and defecatory dysfunction were again identified as those GI symptoms more common in PD. Constipation increased both in severity and frequency. Comparison of GI symptom scores and parameters of PD dysfunction failed to reveal significant progression of either GI symptomatology or PD dysfunction, or the development of new GI symptoms over the 18‐month period. This study validates our GI dysfunction assessment system and confirms abnormal salivation, dysphagia, nausea, constipation, and defecatory function as those GI symptoms truly associated with PD. A direct relationship between PD and its related GI symptoms is again supported.
Parkinson's disease mortality and the industrial use of heavy metals in Michigan
Authors: Rybicki Benjamin A. , Johnson Christine Cole , Uman Jane , Gorell Jay M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractParkinson's disease (PD) mortality rates in Michigan counties for 1986–1988 were calculated with respect to potential heavey metal exposure (iron, zinc, copper, mercury, magnesium, and manganese) from industry based on recent census data. Individuals were counted as a PD death if the diagnosis was listed as an “underlying” or “related” cause of death on the death certificate. Counties with an industry in the paper, chemical, iron, or copper related‐industrial categories (ICs) had statiscally significantly (p < 0.05) higher PD death rates than counties without these industries. Significant correlations of chemical (rs =0.22;p = 0.05), paper (rs =0.22;p = 0.05) and iron (rs =0.29;p = 0.008) industry densities with PD death rates were also present. Counties were divided into high (>15/100,000 individuals 45 years old and over) and low (< = 15/100.000) PD death rate counties by cluster analysis. Geographically, counties with high PD mortality were located mainly in the southern half of the lower peninsula and eastern half of the upper peninsula; low PD death rate counties formed two distinct clusters in the western edge of the upper peninsula and the north‐central portion of the lower peninsula. Other possible risk factors that may explain the varied distribution of PD death rates in Michigan were examined. Those significantly correlated with PD mortality included population density (rs =0.31;p= 0.005), farming density (rs= 0.25;p =0.02), and well water use (rs =−0.24;p =0.03). These ecologic findings suggest a geographic association between PD mortality and the industrial use of heavy metals.
Tardive and chronically recurrent oculogyric crises
Authors: Sachdev Perminder 
Published: December 2004

AbstractSix patients with chronically recurrent oculogyric crises (OGC) are reported. Four of these were derived from a study of 100 schizophrenic patients on maintenance neuroleptic medication, thereby giving a prevalence of 4% in such patients. Three of the six had the OGC develop as a tardive sideeffect, and in one patient the episodes persisted for some months after the cessation of the offending neuroleptic drug. The episodes of ocular dystonia were associated with other dystonic movements and a number of psychiatric symptoms, with obsessional thoughts and hallucinations being the outstanding features in one patient each. This paper argues for an increased recognition of chronically recurrent and tardive OGC. It also draws attention to the fact that drug‐induced OGC may be a multifaceted disorder with disturbances of movement, thought, behavior, and emotion, reminiscent of the OGC described in association with epidemic encephalitis lethargica.
Movement disorders with cerebral toxoplasmosis and AIDS
Authors: Nath Avindra , Hobson Douglas E. , Russel Anne 
Published: December 2004

AbstractMovement disorders occur in some patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis with HIV‐1 infection. Such movement disorders have not been described in patients with cerebral toxoplasmosis without HIV‐1 infection. This report discusses their diagnostic features, aspects of management, and possible mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of the movement disorders.
Akinetic‐rigid syndrome in a 13‐year‐old girl with HIV‐related progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy
Authors: Singer Carlos , Berger Joseph R. , Bowen Brian C. , Bruce Jocelyn H. , Weiner William J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA 13‐year‐old HIV‐ infected girl presented with a rapidly progressive akineticrigid syndrome. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging revealed bilateral centrum semiovale lesions extending into the basal ganglia. Detailed histopathological study of a biopsy specimen from the involved regions resulted in a diagnosis of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). This case illustrates that an akinetic‐rigid syndrome may be a rare presentation of PML. HIV‐related PML may have unusual radiological features. Brain biopsy may be necessary to confirm PML in cases associated with atypical clinical and radiological presentations.
Suppressive effect of L‐dopa on dopamine cells remaining in the ventral tegmental area of rats previously exposed to the neurotoxin 6‐hydroxydopamine
Authors: Blunt S. B. , Jenner P. , Marsden C. D. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractEver since the introduction of levo‐3, 4‐dihydroxyphenylalanine (L‐dopa) for the treatment of Parkinson's disease, there has been concern that it might accelerate the degeneration of dopamine neurones. Using rats with a unilateral 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA) lesion of the medial forebrain bundle (MFB), we have studied the effect of chronic L‐dopa treatment on the survival of dopamine cells which remain in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) ipsilateral to a 6‐OHDA lesion. Following lesion surgery, rats were treated with L‐dopa and carbidopa administered in the drinking water for 27 weeks. At the end of the treatment period, the number of dopamine cells remaining in each of the lesioned and intact substantia nigra (SN) and VTA were assessed, using tyrosine hydroxylase immunohistochemistry. Chronic L‐dopa treatment resulted in an apparent reduction in the number of dopamine neurones remaining in the VTA ipsilateral to the lesion, whereas it had no effect on the number of dopamine cells remaining in the intact SN and VTA. This finding suggests a possible suppressive effect in vivo of L‐dopa on dopamine cells in the midbrain of adult animals that have been previously exposed to 6‐OHDA.
PET study on striatal dopamine D2 receptor changes during the progression of early parkinson's disease
Authors: Rinne J. O. , Laihinen A. , Rinne U. K. , Någren K. , Bergman J. , Ruotsalainen U. 
Published: December 2004

Abstract[11C] Raclopride uptake to dopamine D2 receptors was investigated with positron emission tomography (PET) in patients with early Parkinson's disease at the time of the diagnosis and after a half‐year interval. During this progressive period of the disease, the patients received no antiparkinsonian medication. The upregulation of striatal D2 receptors, which was seen in all patients already at the time of the diagnosis, persisted. Although the patients initially showed unilateral disease, they had developed bilateral symptoms by the time of the second PET scan, but the disease was still asymmetric. The present results show that the relative increase in [11C]raclopride uptake in the striatum contralateral to the symptoms as compared with the opposite striatum will be preserved even during the progression of the disease, provided that the symptoms show clear‐cut asymmetry.
Effect of adding the D1 agonist CY 208–243 to chronic bromocriptine treatment. I: Evaluation of motor parameters in relation to striatal catecholamine content and dopamine receptors
Authors: Gomez‐Mancilla Baltazar , Boucher René , Gagnon Céline , Di Paolo Thérèse , Markstein Rudolf , Bédard Paul J. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA group of four cynomolgus monkeys previously rendered parkinsonian by the toxin 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl, 1, 2, 3, 6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) were observed in locomotion cages equipped with photocells during four periods of 7 days during which they received saline or two doses of the D1 agonist CY 208–243. The larger dose of 0.5 mg/kg produced a singificant increase in locomotion in three of four animals. A second group of eight monkeys also previously rendered parkinsonian by MPTP and having received no other treatment were given a daily treatment of bromocriptine 1.66 mg/kg orally daily during 4 weeks. In four of the animals, after a week on bromocriptine alone, the D1 agonist CY 208–243 was added in increasing doses of 0.05, 0.1, and 0.5 mg/kg. The motor response as measured by locomotion, hand dexterity, and a disability score improved progressively at least in some of the animals on bromocriptine alone. The addition of CY 208–243 produced a more striking improvement of all three parameters, which appeared to be dose dependent. Biochemical analysis of the brain of these animals plus one control and one MPTP untreated monkey showed a<90% loss of dopamine in the striatum in six of the eight treated monkeys. Both D2 and D1 dopamine receptors were increased in density by denervation, but both treatments abolished this increase for the D2 receptors while increasing the affinity of the D1 receptors.
Sympathetic skin response and R–R interval variation in parkinson's disease
Authors: Wang Shuu Jiun , Fuh Jong Ling , Shan Ding E , Liao Kwong Kum , Lin Kon Ping , Tsai Ching Piao , Wu Zin An 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe investigated autonomic function in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) by measuring sympathetic skin response (SSR) and R‐R interval variation (RRIV). Sixty‐two PD patients and 62 age‐matched normal subjects were recruited. Abnormal SSR was noted in nine (14.5%) PD patients, including three in Stage II, three in Stage III, and Three in Stage IV, but not in Stage I patients or normal subjects. Four of these nine patients had postural hypotension. Abnormal SSR was correlated with duration of illness and impotence. In PD patients, abnormal SSR may be due to intermediolateral column dysfunction. After logarithmic transformation and age adjustment, 19 (31.6%) of 60 PD patients had abnormal RRIV during rest and deep breathing. Abnormal RRIV was not related to staging or duration of illness. Patients with constipation had significantly lower RRIV, indicationg parasympathetic dysfunction. RRIV was not affected by acute or chronic L‐dopa treatment. The agreement between RRIV and SSR in PD patients was poor (k = −0.07). It appears that abnormal SSR, but not RRIV, may be associated with more autonomic disturbances in PD patients.
Apomorphine test for dopaminergic responsiveness: A dose assessment study
Authors: Bonuccelli U. , Piccini P. , Dotto P. Del , Rossi G. , Corsini G. U. , Muratorio A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe clinical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) remains difficult and is supported by a favorable response to levodopa, while failure to respond represents an exclusion criterion. Recently, the response to subcutaneous apomorphine has been suggested as a tool in predicting levodopa responsiveness in parkinsonian syndromes. We administered apomorphine at doses of 10, 50, and 100 μg/kg dose. Because of the high frequency of side effects with the dose of 100 μg/kg, 50 μ/kg seems more useful. After an adequate period of levodopa/carbidopa therapy (12‐month follow‐up), 29 patients improved; 25 of these had demonstrated a positive response to the apomorphine test. The final diagnosis of IPD, made on the basis of an exhaustive clincal and neuroradiological evaluation and on the response to chronic levodopa therapy, was in good agreeement with the response to the apomorphine test (predictivity of diagnosis, 86.4%). Our data indicate that subcutaneous apomorphine at the dose of 50 μg/kg is a useful tool in the differential diagnosis of parkinsonian syndromes.
Subcutaneous apomorphine in parkinson's disease: Response to chronic administration for up to five years
Authors: Hughes A. J. , Bishop Susan , Kleedorfer Birgit , Turjanski Nora , Fernandez W. , Lees A. J. , Stern G. M. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractSubcutaneous apomorphine, administered by continuous waking‐day infusion with boluses, or by repeated intermittent injection, was given to 71 parkinsonian patients with severe refractory levodopa related on‐off flutuations for 1–5 years. A mean reduction in daily off period time of ∼50% was maintained, and the incidence of neuropsychiatric toxicity remained low on long‐term follow‐up. No clinically significant tolerance or loss of therapeutic effect was seen, although increasingly severe on‐phase dyskinesias and postural instability marred the long‐term therapeutic response in many patients. Despite these drawbacks, apomorphine, when combined with the peripheral dopamine receptor agonist domperidone, represents a significant therapeutic advance in the management of late‐stage Parkinson's disease and should certainly be considered before experimental implantation procedures.
Nocturnal akathisia in parkinson's disease: Treatment with clozapine
Authors: Linazasoro G. , Massó J. F. Martí , Suárez J. A. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe present the results obtained using low doses of clozapine (mean dose 26.4 mg at bedtime) in the treatment of noctural akathisia in nine patients with Parkinson's disease for a mean period of 12.5 months. The results were excellent in all the patients. Furthermore, three patients experienced a remarkable improvement in rest tremor and in five patients the confusional state that accompanied the akathisia also disappeared. No serious side‐effects were observed. We believe that clozapine is a very useful drug for the relief of nocturnal akathisia in parkinsonian subjects.
Assessment of adaptive functioning in huntington's disease
Authors: Bylsma Frederick W. , Rothlind Johannes , Hall Michelle R. , Folstein Susan E. , Brandt Jason 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe Huntington's Disease Activities of Daily Living (HD–ADL) scale is a 17‐item informant‐completed instrument for rating adaptive functioning in Huntington's disease (HD) patients. To assess the reliability and clinical correlates of the HD–ADL, it was administered along with the Mini‐Mental State Exam (MMSE) and Quantified Neurological Exam (QNE) to 93 HD patients. The HD‐ADL has high internal consistency (coefficient alpha = 0.91). Principal components factor analysis of the HD‐ADL revealed four factors (General Functioning, Domestic Activities, Home Upkeep, and Family Relationships) accounting for 72% of the total variance. MMSE score, motor impairment score, and duration of disease were the best predictors of HD‐ADL score. Similar results were obtained in an independent replication sample of patients. The HD‐ADL scores correlate with Shoulson and Fahn's total functional capacity (TFC) index (r = −0.89). The HD‐ADL scale is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing adaptive function in HD patients.
Benign neonatal sleep myoclonus: Clinical features and video‐polygraphic recordings
Authors: Di Capua Matteo , Fusco Lucia , Ricci Stefano , Vigevano Federico 
Published: December 2004

AbstractBenign neonatal sleep myoclonus is a syndrome characterized by the occurrence of repetitive myoclonic jerks of the extremities exclusively during non–rapid eye movement sleep in the early life of healthy newborns. No etiological factors are present. The onset is within the first 15 days of life with spontaneous disappearance within 3–4 months. These myoclonic events are commonly diagnosed as epileptic seizures. We observed 12 newborns with this clinical pattern; the follow‐up ranges from 12 to 60 months. Long‐term videopolygraphic electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring demonstrated normal EEG activity, thus confirming that these unusual events were nonepileptic.
Adult onset myoclonic Huntington's disease
Authors: Carella F. , Scaioli V. , Ciano C. , Binelli S. , Oliva D. , Girotti F. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractA patient with adult onset Huntington's disease (HD) and prominent action myoclonus is described. Neither epileptiform activity nor electroencephalography (EEG) correlates of the movements was found. Unlike the case with most (nonmyoclonic) HD patients, centro‐parietal components of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were well defined and a clear V2 response was found. Treatment with valproic acid greatly reduced myoclonus suggesting that the σ‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) system might be involved in the pathophysiology of myoclonus in HD.
A case of posttraumatic tremor treated by chronic stimulation of the thalamus
Authors: Broggi G. , Brock S. , Franzini A. , Geminiani G. 
Published: December 2004

AbstractWe describe a case in which tremor associated with unilateral bradykinesia due to craniocerebral trauma was successfully treated by chronic stimulation of the thalamic ventralis intermedius nucleus.
MR imaging findings of tremors associated with lesions in cerebellar outflow tracts: Report of two cases
Authors: Nakamura Ryohji , Kamakura Keiko , Tadano Yutaka , Hosoda Yoshito , Nagata Naokazu , Tsuchiya Kazuhiro , Iwata Makoto , Shibasaki Hiroshi 
Published: December 2004

AbstractTwo cases with severe tremors were studied by means of electromyograms using surface electrodes and also by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The first case was associated with multiple sclerosis and demonstrated a severe postural cerebellar tremor and an alternate activation of antagonist muscles in the right arm. The second case, with hemorrhage in the brainstem, demonstrated a severe tremor at rest and mixed synchronous and alternating activation of antagonist muscles in the left forearm. MR imaging studies localized lesions possibly responsible for these tremors. In the first case a lesion was located in the superior cerebellar peduncle just under the decussation, and in the second case a lesion was found between the red nucleus and the thalamus, with possible involvement of both the cerebellothalmic and nigrostriatal pathways. The first case accords with the theory that a lesion located in the dentate nucleus and its projection can cause severe postural cerebellar tremor. The lesion demonstrated in the second case may be responsible for “cerebellar tremor at rest” or “static (resting) cerebellar tremor.”
Function of dopamine receptors in young‐onset parkinson's disease: Prolactin response
Authors: Kostic Vladimir S. , Marinkovic Zorica , Filipovic Sasa , Momcilovic Dragana 
Published: December 2004

AbstractThe basal levels of prolactin (PRL) and their changes after i. v. thyrotropin releasing hormone (TRH) administration after bromocriptine (BCT) pretreatment (BCT/TRH test) were monitored in 12 patients with young‐onset Parkinson's disease (PD) (before 40 years of age) and 10 patients with older‐onset PD (after 40 years of age), as well as in two groups of healthy subjects (10 persons in each), age‐matched with older‐onset (control A) and young‐onset (controlB) parkinsonians. The basal PRL levels were normal in both groups of patients. When given after BCT, TRH induced a significantly lower PRL increase in older‐onset parkinsonians than in controls. This response was even more blunted in young‐onset patients, being significantly more attenuated than in older‐onset PD patients.