ISSN:0951-7367    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Functional neuroimaging studies published since July 2000 are reviewed, with a focus on particular areas related to neuropsychology: working memory, executive functions/selective attention, language, memory, auditory mismatch, schizophrenia and dementia, and social functioning. Most of the studies give evidence of a disrupted connectivity between different brain areas in schizophrenia. In this context, the concept of hypofrontality needs to be re-evaluated, because both under- and overactivation of this region have been shown. These different findings are thought to be caused by variations in the experimental context and to depend on task performance. Future studies are necessary in order to investigate the impact of illness duration or medication status on the present findings.

ISSN:0951-7367    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Disorders of the vestibular nerve and end organs are the most common causes of vertigo. The advances in recognizing different forms of canalolithiasis and cupulolithiasis, which sometimes present with continuous positional nystagmus, have revealed a peripheral vestibular aetiology in which central nervous system lesions were previously suspected. Treatments using repositioning manoeuvres are also successful in cases in which nystagmus does not appear, and when administered by less specialized physicians. In acute vestibulopathy, suspicions of the activation of herpes virus infections as a causative agent are increasing, but no reports on the treatment of such infections are yet available. New treatments are in development for use in Ménière's disease.

ISSN:0951-7367    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

New reports implicate deviant neurodevelopment, under the influence of both genetic and early environmental factors, in the aetiology of schizophrenia. However, it is still not clear how developmental impairment in childhood is transformed into frank psychosis. Several longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging studies claim to show progression of structural brain abnormalities, and some investigators speculate that a neurodegenerative process superimposed on pre-existing abnormalities, may account for this. However, neuropathological studies do not indicate neurodegeneration over and above that of ageing, and there is little evidence that cognitive and neurological function decline dramatically over the course of schizophrenia. It is not yet necessary to disinter the corpse of Kraepelin's progressive disease model.

ISSN:0951-7367    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

During the past year significant advances have been made in our understanding of the functional significance of nitric oxide (NO) in the inner ear. NO synthase and the NO production site have now been localized using immunohistochemistry and a new fluorescence indicator for NO. The functional significance of NO in the inner ear, in particular as a neurotransmitter, is becoming increasingly clear. Increasing evidence suggests that excessive NO production may play an essential role in inner ear disorders. The production of an inducible form of NO synthase may be closely related to this phenomenon. Based on the mechanisms of inner ear disorders, new pharmacological strategies for preventing or treating inner ear disorders have been suggested.

ISSN:0951-7367    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

In the last few years there has been a great deal of interest in early intervention in schizophrenia and related disorders generating enthusiasm and hope in both clinicians and the public. In this paper we have defined early intervention in the context of a preventive strategy for schizophrenia and reviewed the most recent evidence regarding the purported relationship between delay in treatment and outcome in schizophrenia and related psychotic disorders, the primary justification for early intervention. We have also reviewed the nature and consequences of delay in treatment, evidence supporting methods to reduce such delays and the role of highly specialized treatment in improving outcome as part of an early intervention strategy. Lastly we have reviewed the current evidence for interventions in the pre-psychotic period and limitations of their application to current practice. We recommend that clinicians should concentrate on providing phase specific treatment early following the onset of psychosis and wait for more definitive evidence regarding the application of interventions in the pre-psychotic phase of the illness.

ISSN:0951-7367    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Advances in magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography have made a more detailed imaging of the inner ear possible, and magnetic resonance imaging also allows the evaluation of the auditory pathways inside the brainstem. This has led to new possibilities in patients with congenital deafness, cochlear implant candidates, patients with inner ear infection, Tullio phenomenon, acoustic schwannomas and lesions along the auditory pathway, which have been described recently. New animal studies, which have evaluated intracochlear enhancement, encourage radiologists and neuro‐otologists to push magnetic resonance imaging techniques even further than the already amazing possibilities that they offer.

ISSN:0951-7367    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Neurocognitive deficits are core features of schizophrenia, and they are also consistent predictors and correlates of functional outcome. Although the neurocognitive effects of conventional antipsychotic medications have been minimal, the story with regard to second-generation medications is more promising. Over the past year, the literature has been expanded by comprehensive overviews as well as data-based papers. Several of the newer papers are notable in that they take advantage of more specialized measures to explore the nature of neurocognitive effects. The recent overviews point out the limitations of the existing literature, as well as intriguing new avenues. There are now sufficient studies to conclude that second-generation medications convey a neurocognitive advantage compared with conventional medications administered at standard dosages. These advantages, although encouraging, do not bring patients' performance up to that of normal controls. For larger effect sizes, the field may need to consider other types of medications. In general, the literature is starting to move beyond trying to demonstrate the neurocognitive advantages of second-generation medications, and is trying to identify the boundary conditions and implications of any such differences.

ISSN:0951-7367    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

The increasing interest in the quality of life and reintegration of schizophrenic patients is a major conceptual shift in therapeutic outcome criteria. At the beginning of neuroleptic or antipsychotic treatment, symptom reduction was the most relevant outcome parameter for a long time. With the development of atypical antipsychotic agents, more ambitious success criteria, including the patient's perspective, are now considered. The effects on positive psychotic symptoms do not differ markedly between typical and atypical antipsychotic agents, but the lack of motor symptoms, the improvement of negative, affective and cognitive symptoms, and particularly the greater chance of improving subjective well-being, quality of life and reintegration are the major advantages of atypical agents, obvious especially during long-term treatment. The assessment of quality of life as well as of social reintegration are new approaches to differentiate therapeutic effects and to consider more the patient's perspective. There is strong evidence in numerous trials that in comparison with typical neuroleptics, atypical agents improve quality of life significantly. With regard to reintegration, because of the more difficult methodology, there is less evidence of the advantages of atypical agents. This review describes the development of quality of life and reintegration research in schizophrenic patients, and summarizes the methodological problems and the clinical trials.

ISSN:0951-7367    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID

摘要:

Current investigations show that two separate sets of motoneurons control the extraocular eye muscles, and that is there is a dual final common pathway. We propose that one set of motoneurons are the major source of tension generating eye movements, whereas the other may participate in a proprioceptive system concerned more with the exact alignment and stabilization of the eyes. In this article we discuss the structures that may participate in the proprioceptive circuits; and consider several recent publications in the light of this sensory feedback hypothesis, emphasizing the relevance to eye movement disorders. Curr Opin Neurol 15:35–43. © 2002 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.

ISSN:0951-7367    

出版商:OVID    

年代:2002

数据来源: OVID