摘要:

A retroviral etiology to MS has been sought for some time, so far reports of retroviral presence have not been confirmed by other groups. DNA was isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 67 patients with MS and brain capillaries from six patients with MS. Enzymatic amplification by the polymerase chain reaction was conducted with ten primersets homologous to highly conserved HTLV‐I/HTLV‐II genetic sequences at stringent and non‐stringent annealing conditions. No HTLV I/II related DNA fragments were seen judging from hybridization to an HTLV‐I probe, even at relaxed conditions. The present study does not support a role for a HTLV‐I‐like

ISSN:0001-6314    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0404.1993.tb05364.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The frequent association of affective disorder and multiple sclerosis raises important aetiological and clinical considerations. Reported here are seven patients who presented with symptoms of multiple sclerosis and who had a preceding history of bipolar affective disorder. The hypothesis that bipolar illness may be the initial manifestation of multiple sclerosis is discussed with reference to relevant clinical and epidemiological research on the topic.

ISSN:0001-6314    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0404.1993.tb05365.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

The chronic and progressive nature of multiple sclerosis (MS) often excludes patients from neuropsychological treatment. At the Multiple Sclerosis Rehabilitation Hospital, Haslev, 40 patients with mild to moderate cognitive and behavioral impairment associated with MS were randomized to either specific cognitive treatment (20 pts) by direct training, compensatory strategies and neuropsychotherapy, or to non‐specific, deliberately diffuse mental stimulation (20 pts). Treatment was for a mean of 46 days. The effects of treatment were evaluated by neuropsychological tests before treatment, immediately after treatment (short‐term effects) and 6 months later (long‐term effects). After short‐term treatment, effects on cognitive measures were not convincing, but on the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) the specific cognitive treatment group reported significantly less depression. After 6 months only this group showed an effect, since the visuo‐spatial memory was improved. However, the depression ratings (BDI) were almost maintained from the short‐term level. Interestingly, the non‐specific treatment group rated themselves as significantly more depressed. Conclusively, it is worth while to offer specific neuropsychological treatment to MS patients with cognitive and behaviora

ISSN:0001-6314    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0404.1993.tb05366.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Two cases of multiple sclerosis associated with intractable hiccups (IH) and sleep apnea syndrome (SAS) are reported. Lesions were detected in the tegmentum of the medulla oblongata by magnetic resonance imaging. In one case, high dose methylprednisolone was remarkably effective for the IH. For the SAS, amitriptyline was effective in one case. The IH and SAS are thought to be important symptoms when a lesion occurs in the tegmentum of the medulla oblongata, including the paramedian and lateral reticular formations. If IH appears in conjunction with a lesion in the tegmentum of the medulla oblongata, one must be vigilant for the development of SAS.

ISSN:0001-6314    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0404.1993.tb05367.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

By a rapid PCR‐based method to assess the 8344 mtDNA mutation associated with MERRF disease, we have studied DNA from blood samples of 10 individuals belonging to a family spanning four generations in which one patient showed the complete MERRF phenotype, three other members were less severely affected, while the remaining were unaffected. The percentage of mutant mtDNA was quantified by laser‐densitometric scanning of the negative photographic sheets of the agarose gels. The results showed that the MERRF patient had 53% of mutated mtDNA while the two less affected patients had 62% and 14% of mutated mtDNA, respectively. However, a high percentage of mutated genomes (up to 64%) was also found in some unaffected relatives. These results show that although on one hand the mutation is probably the primary cause of the disease, on the other hand the relative amount of mutated mtDNA in blood samples is not indicative of its clinical express

ISSN:0001-6314    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0404.1993.tb05368.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Drop attacks (DA) are defined as sudden repeated falls without warning and without loss of consciousness. A variety of etiologies are known to be responsible for symptomatic DA, but the reason for idiopathic DA remains obscure. A 70‐year‐old woman who suffered from classic DA over a period of a year is described. The diagnostic work‐up revealed severe myxedema. Treatment with eltroxin resulted in complete clinical and endocrine recovery and disappearance of DA while with discontinuation of hormone replacement therapy, DA reappeared. Thus, a direct relationship between hypothyroidism and DA can be consi

ISSN:0001-6314    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0404.1993.tb05369.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Neurophysiological assessments of central motor pathways were conducted of 11 Spanish subjects with varying degrees of spastic paraparesis (lathyrism). The disease has been induced more than 40 years ago by subsistance on the neurotixic chick peaLathyrus sativus.Patient evolution was carried out by magnetic cortical and electric spinal stimulations and recordings of the contralateral muscle responses. Central motor conduction times corresponding to lower limbs were clearly more prolonged in those severely affected patients with marked difficulty walking (Stages 4 and 3). Central conduction times corresponding to upper limbs were delayed in only 1 patient. Taken together with clinical and published neuropathological data, these findings suggest that established lathyrism is essentially a central motor system disorder primarily affecting corticospinal tracts regulating the lower limbs.

ISSN:0001-6314    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0404.1993.tb05370.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Introduction— Lithium salts are widely used in treatment of affective disorders, but lithium may cause electrophysiologically detectable changes in peripheral nervous system even with lithium concentrations within recommended therapeutic limits. The risk of lithium treatment against other risks to peripheral nervous system in psychiatric patients with affective psychoses was tested in our study.Material and method— Electrophysiologic parameters of motor and sensory peripheral nerve fibre function were measured in two age‐matched groups of psychiatric patients (20 lithium‐treated and 20 affective psychotic patients without lithium treatment) and a group of 20 healthy age‐matched volunteers.Results— Lower amplitudes of M waves (p<0.015) and sensory nerve action potentials (p<0.020) on stimulation of the median nerve have been found in both groups of patients. On peroneal nerve stimulation lower M wave amplitudes have been found only in the group of lithium‐treated patients (p<0.055). No significant differences in conduction parameters of motor and sensory fibres were demonstrated.Conclusion— Our results demonstrate subclinical involvement of motor and sensory axons in affective‐psychotic patients, which is only slightly more pronounced in lithium‐treated patients. We suggest that lithium (within therapeutic plasma concentrations) is just one among the factors leading towards minor axonopathy in p

ISSN:0001-6314    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0404.1993.tb05371.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

All available twin pairs with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) derived from the Finnish Twin Cohort were studied by clinical evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), anticardiolipin (aCL), and antineurofilament (ANFA) antibodies. One of the five monozygotic and one of the eight dizygotic pairs were concordant for SLE. 10 of the 15 patients showed clinical neurological abnormalities, and 11 had abnormal MRI of the brain. Altogether, 12 patients were considered to have neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE). Seven of the 11 patients with long‐term corticosteroid treatment had either central or cortical atrophy. High or moderate aCL level was found in eight patients and two co‐twins. Of them, six patients had at least two manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome. ANFAs were found in five patients and four co‐twins. Five co‐twins fulfilled some of the SLE criteria. Of them, three MZ twins and one additional DZ co‐twin with no ARA criteria had findings suggesting central nervous system (CNS) involvement. The results indicate that the majority of SLE patients has cerebral abnormalities either as a result of SLE, or concomitant risk factors. The co‐twins without clinical SLE often have minor signs of SLE, and even they may have neurological and MRI abnormalities. However, their aCL and ANFA levels seem not to correlate with MRI ab

ISSN:0001-6314    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0404.1993.tb05372.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Neurological and neurophysiological examinations were conducted in 77 former chloralkali workers previously exposed to mercury vapour and 53 referents. The exposure had ceased on average 12.3 years prior to the study. There was a higher prevalence of reduced distal sensation (13.0%vs1.9%), postural tremor (18.2%vs7.5%) and impaired coordination (10.4%vs1.9%) among the exposed subjects as compared to the referents. Abnormal Romberg's test (6.5%vs0%) and line walking (7.8%vs0%) were also more prevalent. The first negative peak in visual evoked response (N75) was bilaterally prolonged, and the median motor (55.9 m/svs58.0 m/s) and sensory nerve conduction velocity (55.6 m/svs59.0 m/s) were slightly reduced among the highly exposed subjects. The results indicate that slight neurological abnormalities, which in most cases could not be classified as disease, may persist many years after exposure cessation.

ISSN:0001-6314    

DOI:10.1111/j.1600-0404.1993.tb05373.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1993

数据来源: WILEY