Neurophysiological assessment for evaluating residual cognition in vegetative and minimally conscious state patients: a pilot study.
Authors: De Salvo S, Caminiti F, Bonanno L, De Cola MC, Corallo F, Caizzone A, Rifici C, Bramanti P, Marino S
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess residual cognitive function and perform outcome evaluation in vegetative state (VS) and minimally conscious state (MCS) patients, using Neurowave, a system able to monitor event-related potentials (ERPs) induced by neurosensory stimulation. Eleven VS and five MCS patients underwent neurological examination and clinical evaluation performed using validated clinical and behavioral scales; they also underwent neurosensory stimulation, which consisted of adm...
Source: Functional Neurology - January 15, 2016 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Multi-channel registration of fractional anisotropy and T1-weighted images in the presence of atrophy: application to multiple sclerosis.
Authors: Roura E, Schneider T, Modat M, Daga P, Muhlert N, Chard D, Ourselin S, Lladó X, Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott C
Abstract
Co-registration of structural T1-weighted (T1w) scans and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-derived fractional anisotropy (FA) maps to a common space is of particular interest in neuroimaging, as T1w scans can be used for brain segmentation while DTI can provide microstructural tissue information. While the effect of lesions on registration has been tackled and solutions are available, the issue of atrophy is still open to discussion. Multi-channel (MC) registration algorithms have th...
Source: Functional Neurology - January 15, 2016 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Cortical excitability changes over time in progressive multiple sclerosis.
Authors: Ayache SS, Créange A, Farhat WH, Zouari HG, Lesage C, Palm U, Abdellaoui M, Lefaucheur JP
Abstract
In 25 patients with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), motor cortex excitability was longitudinally studied over one year by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The following TMS parameters were considered: resting and active motor thresholds (MTs), input-output curve, short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and intracortical facilitation. Clinical evaluation was based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). In the 16 patients not receiving disease-modifying ...
Source: Functional Neurology - January 15, 2016 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Measurement of urinary copper excretion after 48-h d-penicillamine cessation as a compliance assessment in Wilson's disease.
We examined consecutive patients treated with d-penicillamine (DPA) undergoing routine follow-up studies at our center. We performed 24-h urinary copper excretion analysis 48 h after interruption of chelating therapy. Thirty-two patients were enrolled. After DPA cessation, normalization of copper excretion was observed in 91% of reportedly compliant patients. The specificity and sensitivity values of this test were 87% and 77%, respectively. Measurement of 24-h urinary copper excretion after a 48-h interruption of DPA therapy in patients with WD is a reliable method for confirming patients' compliance.
PMID: 26727...
Source: Functional Neurology - January 15, 2016 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Acute effects of high-frequency microfocal vibratory stimulation on the H reflex of the soleus muscle. A double-blind study in healthy subjects.
This study in healthy subjects examined the effects of a system delivering focal microvibrations at high frequency (Equistasi®) on tonic vibration stimulus (TVS)-induced inhibition of the soleus muscle H reflex. Highfrequency microvibrations significantly increased the inhibitory effect of TVS on the H reflex for up to three minutes. Moreover, Equistasi® also significantly reduced alpha-motoneuron excitability, as indicated by the changes in the ratio between the maximumamplitude H reflex (Hmax reflex) and the maximumamplitude muscle response (Mmax response); this effect was due to reduction of the amplitude of the H ref...
Source: Functional Neurology - January 15, 2016 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Acute effects of high-frequency microfocal vibratory stimulation on the H reflex of the soleus muscle. A double-blind study in healthy subjects.
This study in healthy subjects examined the effects of a system delivering focal microvibrations at high frequency (Equistasi®) on tonic vibration stimulus (TVS)-induced inhibition of the soleus muscle H reflex. Highfrequency microvibrations significantly increased the inhibitory effect of TVS on the H reflex for up to three minutes. Moreover, Equistasi® also significantly reduced alpha-motoneuron excitability, as indicated by the changes in the ratio between the maximumamplitude H reflex (Hmax reflex) and the maximumamplitude muscle response (Mmax response); this effect was due to reduction of the amplitude of the H ref...
Source: Functional Neurology - December 19, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Multi-channel registration of fractional anisotropy and T1-weighted images in the presence of atrophy: application to multiple sclerosis.
Authors: Roura E, Schneider T, Modat M, Daga P, Muhlert N, Chard D, Ourselin S, Lladó X, Gandini Wheeler-Kingshott C
Abstract
Co-registration of structural T1-weighted (T1w) scans and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI)-derived fractional anisotropy (FA) maps to a common space is of particular interest in neuroimaging, as T1w scans can be used for brain segmentation while DTI can provide microstructural tissue information. While the effect of lesions on registration has been tackled and solutions are available, the issue of atrophy is still open to discussion. Multi-channel (MC) registration algorithms have th...
Source: Functional Neurology - December 19, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Cortical excitability changes over time in progressive multiple sclerosis.
Authors: Ayache SS, Créange A, Farhat WH, Zouari HG, Lesage C, Palm U, Abdellaoui M, Lefaucheur JP
Abstract
In 25 patients with progressive forms of multiple sclerosis (MS), motor cortex excitability was longitudinally studied over one year by means of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The following TMS parameters were considered: resting and active motor thresholds (MTs), input-output curve, short-interval intracortical inhibition (SICI), and intracortical facilitation. Clinical evaluation was based on the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). In the 16 patients not receiving disease-modifying ...
Source: Functional Neurology - November 28, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Measurement of urinary copper excretion after 48-h d-penicillamine cessation as a compliance assessment in Wilson's disease.
We examined consecutive patients treated with d-penicillamine (DPA) undergoing routine follow-up studies at our center. We performed 24-h urinary copper excretion analysis 48 h after interruption of chelating therapy. Thirty-two patients were enrolled. After DPA cessation, normalization of copper excretion was observed in 91% of reportedly compliant patients. The specificity and sensitivity values of this test were 87% and 77%, respectively. Measurement of 24-h urinary copper excretion after a 48-h interruption of DPA therapy in patients with WD is a reliable method for confirming patients' compliance.
PMID: 266027...
Source: Functional Neurology - November 28, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
A review of cognitive impairment and differential diagnosis in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus.
Authors: Picascia M, Zangaglia R, Bernini S, Minafra B, Sinforiani E, Pacchetti C
Abstract
Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is a complex and still underestimated pathology. In the early stages, the cognitive profile is characterized mainly by impairments of attention, psychomotor speed and memory, suggesting frontal involvement; patients with more advanced iNPH show overall cognitive deterioration. The memory impairment, however, seems to be milder than that seen in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Clinical and neuroimaging data are crucial for the diagnosis of iNPH, but the presence of different v...
Source: Functional Neurology - November 28, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Neurophysiological assessment for evaluating residual cognition in vegetative and minimally conscious state patients: a pilot study.
Authors: De Salvo S, Caminiti F, Bonanno L, De Cola MC, Corallo F, Caizzone A, Rifici C, Bramanti P, Marino S
Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess residual cognitive function and perform outcome evaluation in vegetative state (VS) and minimally conscious state (MCS) patients, using Neurowave, a system able to monitor event-related potentials (ERPs) induced by neurosensory stimulation. Eleven VS and five MCS patients underwent neurological examination and clinical evaluation performed using validated clinical and behavioral scales; they also underwent neurosensory stimulation, which consisted of adm...
Source: Functional Neurology - November 17, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Pathophysiology of knee jerk reflex abnormalities in L5 root injury.
Authors: Ginanneschi F, Mondelli M, Piu P, Rossi A
Abstract
Although the knee jerk reflex is mediated by the L3 and L4 nerve roots, evidence exists that altered knee jerk expression may occur with exclusively L5 radiculopathy. The present study set out to identify the factors responsible for knee jerk reflex abnormalities in L5 monoradiculopathy. We analyzed clinical and electrophysiological data in 56 subjects affected by L5 monoradiculopathy. Seventeen patients (30.3%) showed an abnormal knee reflex. L5 patients with an abnormal knee reflex differed significantly, in severity of pretibial muscle damage, ...
Source: Functional Neurology - November 17, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Thermal nociception using a modified Hargreaves method in primates and humans.
Authors: Ma Z, Li Y, Zhang YP, Shields LB, Xie Q, Yan G, Liu W, Chen G, Zhang Y, Brommer B, Xu XM, Lu Y, Chen X, Shields CB
Abstract
Nociception is an important protective mechanism. The Hargreaves method, which involves measuring withdrawal latency following thermal stimulation to Thermal nociception using a modified Hargreaves method in primates and humans the paw, is commonly used to measure pain thresholds in rodents. We modified this technique to measure pain thresholds in monkeys and humans. The modified Hargreaves method was used to quantitate pain sensitivity in eight normal rhesus monkeys, 55 huma...
Source: Functional Neurology - November 11, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
Why is nitric oxide important for our brain?
Authors: Džoljić E, Grabatinić I, Kostić V
Abstract
The freely diffusible gaseous compound nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to be an important messenger in many organ systems throughout the body, and particularly in the central nervous system (CNS). The importance of NO as an intermediary in cell communication in the brain is highlighted by the fact that the excitatory amino acid glutamate, the most abundant CNS neurotransmitter, is an initiator of the reaction that forms NO. Because of its numerous physiological and pathophysiological roles, the impact of NO on clinical medicine is developing. NO can ...
Source: Functional Neurology - October 14, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
High angular resolution diffusion imaging in a child with autism spectrum disorder and comparison with his unaffected identical twin.
Authors: Conti E, Pannek K, Calderoni S, Gaglianese A, Fiori S, Brovedani P, Scelfo D, Rose S, Tosetti M, Cioni G, Guzzetta A
Abstract
In recent years, the use of brain diffusion MRI has led to the hypothesis that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) show abnormally connected brains. We used the model of disease-discordant identical twins to test the hypothesis that higher-order diffusion MRI protocols are able to detect abnormal connectivity in a single subject. We studied the structural connectivity of the brain of a child with ASD, and of that of his unaffected identical twin, using high angular...
Source: Functional Neurology - October 9, 2015 Category: Neurology Tags: Funct Neurol Source Type: research
