Neurology International

539 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Diastolic Function in Steinert’s Disease

by Abdallah Fayssoil, Olivier Nardi, Djillali Annane and David Orlikowski

Neurol. Int. 2014, 6(1), 5140; https://doi.org/10.4081/ni.2014.5140 - 31 Mar 2014

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 489

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (MD) is the most common autosomal dominant muscular dystrophy in adults. Cardiac involvement is mainly characterized by conduction abnormalities and arrhythmias. We sought to assess diastolic function in MD patients. Echocardiography-Doppler was performed in Steinert’s patients and in a control group completed by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). Twenty-six patients with Steinert’s disease were included in the study and were compared to a control group. Mean age was similar in the 2 groups (45.1 years ±10.9 in Steinert’s patients vs 42.1 years ±11 in control group P 0.4). 6 /26 patients with Steinert’s disease disclosed a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction <50%. Mean left atrial (LA) diameter was statistically different between Steinert‘s patients and patients in group control (27.8 mm ±8.5 vs 19.7 mm ±4; P=0.0018). Mean peak E/A mitral ratio was 1.29±0.45 in Steinert’s patients vs 1.36±0.4 in control group (P=0.6). We found an increase of the mitral E deceleration time in Steinert’s patients in comparison with patients in control group (219 ms ±53 vs 176 ms ±29; P=0.013). Mean peak lateral early diastolic velocity Ea was similar in the 2 groups (12.3 cm/s ±3 vs 13.1 cm/s ±3.8; P=0.50). Mean peak septal early diastolic velocity was sim- ilar in the 2 groups (11.2 cm/s ±2 vs 10.4±2; P=0.51). We found an increase of the LA diameter and an increase of the mitral deceleration time in Steinert’s patients that suggest diastolic abnormalities. Full article

577 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome: Differences between Pregnant and Non-Pregnant Patients

by Luiz Carlos Porcello Marrone, Giovani Gadonski, Luciano Passamani Diogo, João Pedro Farina Brunelli, William Alves Martins, Gabriela de Oliveira Laguna, Laura Fuchs Bahlis, João Rubião Hoefel-Filho, Bartira Ercilia Pinheiro da Costa, Carlos Eduardo Poli-de-Figueiredo, Antônio Carlos Huf Marrone and Jaderson Costa da Costa

Neurol. Int. 2014, 6(1), 5376; https://doi.org/10.4081/ni.2014.5376 - 24 Mar 2014

Cited by 21 | Viewed by 403

Abstract

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) is a clinical-radiologic entity not yet understood, that presents with transient neurologic symptoms and particular radiological findings. Few papers show the differences between pregnant and non-pregnant patients. We review the cases of 38 women diagnosed with PRES, in order to find significant differences between pregnant (18) and non-pregnant (20) patients. We found differences among the age of patients (25.83 years old in pregnant and 29.31 years old in non pregnant; P=0.001); in the mean of highest systolic blood pressure, that was higher in non-pregnant group (185:162 mmHg; P=0.121); and in creatinine levels that was higher in non-pregnant group (3.47:1.04 mg/dL; P=0.001). To our knowledge, just a few papers analyzed whether PRES syndrome presented in the same way in pregnant and non-pregnant patients. The differences and the possible pathophisiology of this syndrome still remain enigmatic. Full article

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Open AccessCase Report

Methomyl Poisoning Presenting with Decorticate Posture and Cortical Blindness

by Chih-Ming Lin

Neurol. Int. 2014, 6(1), 5307; https://doi.org/10.4081/ni.2014.5307 - 17 Feb 2014

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 410

Abstract

Methomyl is a potent pesticide that is widely used in the field of agriculture. The systemic toxic effects of methomyl have been well described. However, the neurological effects of methomyl intoxication are not well understood. In this study, we report a 61-year-old Taiwanese man sent to our emergency department because of altered mental status. His family stated that he had consumed liquid methomyl in a suicide attempt. He was provided cardiopulmonary resuscitation because of unstable vital signs. He was then sent to an intensive care unit for close observation. On the second day of admission, he regained consciousness but exhibited irregular limb and torso posture. On the sixth day, he started to complain of blurred vision. An ophthalmologist was consulted but no obvious abnormalities could be identified. On suspicion of cerebral disease, a neurologist was consulted. Further examination revealed cortical blindness and decorticate posture. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was arranged, which identified bilateral occipital regions lesions. The patient was administered normal saline and treated with aspirin and piracetam for 3 weeks in hospital. During the treatment period, his symptom of cortical blindness resolved, whereas his decorticate posture was refractory. Follow-up brain MRI results supported our clinical observations by indicating the disappearance of the bilateral occipital lesions and symmetrical putaminal high signal abnormalities. In this article, we briefly discuss the possible mechanisms underlying the cerebral effects of methomyl poisoning. Our study can provide clinicians with information on the manifestations of methomyl intoxication and an appropriate treatment direction. Full article

559 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Using the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus Platform in the Sensorimotor Training of Gait Disorders in Parkinson’s Disease

by Giovanna Barros Gonçalves, Marco Antônio A. Leite, Marco Orsini and João Santos Pereira

Neurol. Int. 2014, 6(1), 5048; https://doi.org/10.4081/ni.2014.5048 - 17 Jan 2014

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 684

Abstract

The use of the Nintendo Wii has been considered a good alternative in the motor rehabilitation of individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD), requiring simultaneous interaction to develop strategies for physical, visual, auditory, cognitive, psychological and social activities in the performing of virtual activities, resulting in improvement in functional performance and gait. The aim of this study was to analyze the effect of virtual sensorimotor activity on gait disorders in people with PD. Fifteen subjects with a clinical diagnosis of PD were submitted to the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS III), Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale (SE), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), and biomechanical gait analysis using digital images taken with a video camera before and after the treatment program. The activities with the Nintendo Wii virtual platform were standardized into three categories: aerobics, balance and Wii plus exercises. Participants carried out separate virtual exercises for 40 min, twice a week, for a total of 14 sessions. The program improved sensorimotor performance in PD gait, with an increase in stride length and gait speed, in addition to a reduction in motor impairment, especially in items of rigidity and flexibility of the lower limbs evaluated by UPDRS III, and greater functional independence, as evidenced in the SE and FIM scales. Improvements in items related to locomotion and stair climbing were also observed. The training was effective in motor recovery in chronic neurodegenerative diseases, showing improvement in motor performance and functional independence in individuals with PD. Full article

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Neurol. Int., Volume 6, Issue 1 (January 2014) – 4 articles

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