Reflexive and voluntary saccadic eye movements as biomarker of Huntington's Disease.

Introduction: Subtle abnormalities in the preclinical stage of Huntington's Disease (HD) can be detected using saccadic eye movement assessment reflecting disease progression. This study was aimed to evaluate abnormalities in saccade parameters in asymptomatic carriers and symptomatic HD patients at various stages of HD.

Material And Methods: The study enrolled 104 participants, including 14 asymptomatic carriers of HTT mutations, 44 symptomatic HD patients, and 46 control subjects.

A Unique Multiplex ELISA to Profile Growth Factors and Cytokines in Cerebrospinal Fluid.

Multiplex arrays designed for enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are robust and cost-effective for profiling biomarkers. Identification of relevant biomarkers in biological matrices or fluids helps in the understanding of disease pathogenesis. Here, we describe a sandwich ELISA-based multiplex assay to assess growth factor and cytokine levels in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples derived from multiple sclerosis patients, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients, and control subjects without any neurological disorder.

Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial of the Corticosteroid-Sparing Effects of Immunoglobulin in Myasthenia Gravis.

Background And Objectives: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disease characterized by dysfunction at the neuromuscular junction. Treatment frequently includes corticosteroids (CSs) and IV immunoglobulin (IVIG). This study was conducted to determine whether immune globulin (human), 10% caprylate/chromatography purified (IGIV-C) could facilitate CS dose reduction in CS-dependent patients with MG.

Randomized phase 2 study of FcRn antagonist efgartigimod in generalized myasthenia gravis.

Objective: To investigate safety and explore efficacy of efgartigimod (ARGX-113), an anti-neonatal Fc receptor immunoglobulin G1 Fc fragment, in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis (gMG) with a history of anti-acetylcholine receptor (AChR) autoantibodies, who were on stable standard-of-care myasthenia gravis (MG) treatment.

Methods: A phase 2, exploratory, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 15-center study is described. Eligible patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive 4 doses over a 3-week period of either 10 mg/kg IV efgartigimod or matched placebo combined with their standard-of-care therapy.

The influence of motor ability rehabilitation on temporal-spatial parameters of gait in Huntington's disease patients on the basis of a three-dimensional motion analysis system: An experimental trial.

Objective: There is no existing standard, evidence-based, scientific model for motor ability improvement in Huntington's Disease (HD) patients aimed at maintaining independent gait for as long as possible, or performing activities of daily living, the effectiveness of which would be supported by the results of studies using objective research tools. Under these circumstances, the aim of this study was to analyze the influence of motor ability rehabilitation on the spatial-temporal parameters of gait in HD patients.

Design: It was an experimental trial.

Virtual Reality for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Subacute and Chronic Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of reinforced feedback in virtual environment (RFVE) treatment combined with conventional rehabilitation (CR) in comparison with CR alone, and to study whether changes are related to stroke etiology (ie, ischemic, hemorrhagic).

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Setting: Hospital facility for intensive rehabilitation.

The relation between plasma α-synuclein level and clinical symptoms or signs of Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Parkinson disease (PD) is the common neurodegenerative disease. α-Synuclein (ASN), main aggregating protein in neural cells of CNS in PD, was found in peripheral fluids. Testing ASN in plasma is potential test for diagnose PD, but previous studies are controversial.

Alpha-2-antiplasmin Arg407Lys polymorphism and cryptogenic ischemic cerebrovascular events: Association with neurological deficit.

Objective: Genetic background of cryptogenic ischemic stroke (IS) and transient ischemic attack (TIA) remains uncertain. Alpha-2-antiplasmin (α2AP) Arg407Lys polymorphism has been shown to be less common in patients with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) compared with healthy controls. We investigated associations of α2AP Arg407Lys polymorphism with cryptogenic IS and TIA.

Three-Dimensional Trunk and Lower Limbs Characteristics during Gait in Patients with Huntington's Disease.

A number of studies on gait disturbances have been conducted, however, no clear pattern of gait disorders was described. The aim of the study was to characterize the gait pattern in HD patients by conducting analysis of mean angular movement changes the lower limb joints and trunk (kinematics parameters). The study group consisted of 30 patients with HD (17 women and 13 men).

Eye movements in essential tremor patients with parkinsonian and cerebellar signs.

Unlabelled: Apart from intention tremor essential tremor (ET) patients may display other cerebellar signs, like dysmetria or tandem gait disturbances as well as parkinsonian signs like resting tremor, cogwheel sign, subtle bradykinesia. Previous reports claimed the occurrence of the eye movement abnormalities characteristic for dysfunction of cerebellar dorsal vermis in ET patients with concomitant cerebellar signs. There are no previous reports evaluating the eye movement abnormalities in ET patients with concomitant parkinsonian signs.

Opposite effects of l-dopa and DBS-STN on saccadic eye movements in advanced Parkinson's disease.

Objective: To assess the effects of l-dopa and deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (DBS-STN) on saccadic eye movements in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: Visually and internally guided horizontal saccades were evaluated using a saccadometer in 64 patients with advanced PD and 48 healthy controls. Forty-four pharmacologically treated patients were assessed in their "med-off" (OFF) and "med-on" (ON) status, whereas 20 DBS-STN treated patients were assessed in their "med-off, stim-off" (OFF) and "med-off, stim-on" (ON) status.

Eye movement abnormalities in essential tremor.

Essential tremor (ET) is the most prevalent movement disorder, characterized mainly by an action tremor of the arms. Only a few studies published as yet have assessed oculomotor abnormalities in ET and their results are unequivocal. The aim of this study was to assess the oculomotor abnormalities in ET patients compared with the control group and to find the relationship between oculomotor abnormalities and clinical features of ET patients.

Computational models and motor learning paradigms: Could they provide insights for neuroplasticity after stroke? An overview.

Computational approaches for modelling the central nervous system (CNS) aim to develop theories on processes occurring in the brain that allow the transformation of all information needed for the execution of motor acts. Computational models have been proposed in several fields, to interpret not only the CNS functioning, but also its efferent behaviour. Computational model theories can provide insights into neuromuscular and brain function allowing us to reach a deeper understanding of neuroplasticity.

Is hypertension a risk factor of hemifacial spasm?

Objectives: The published data on the relation between arterial hypertension (AH) and hemifacial spasm (HFS) are controversial. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of AH in HFS patients and the relation of AH and compression of the brainstem at the region of vasomotor center.

Materials And Methods: The study included 60 of primary HFS patients and 60 healthy controls matched by age.

A case report of patient with cerebellar variant of stiff person syndrome.

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder with antibodies against antigens involved in neurotransmission of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). About 10% of patients with SPS may develop ataxia. This cerebellar variant is a distinct subset of SPS with more severe and complex clinical phenotype.

The effect of the rehabilitation program on balance, gait, physical performance and trunk rotation in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive, neurodegenerative disease which leads to postural and gait disorders, limitation in mobility, activities of daily living and disability.

Aims: The aim of the study is to assess the effects of the rehabilitation program on balance, gait, motor performance and trunk rotations in PD patients.

Methods: Sixty-four patients with 1.

The effects of physiotherapy with PNF concept on gait and balance of patients with Huntington's disease - pilot study.

Background And Purpose: Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative, progressive disorder of the central nervous system which causes significant gait and balance disturbances. This is a pilot study which aims to determine the effects of a physiotherapy programme with use of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) on gait and balance in HD patients.

Material And Methods: 30 HD patients aged 21-60 with genetically confirmed diagnosis participated in the study.

Depressogenic medications and other risk factors for depression among Polish patients with epilepsy.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of depression among patients with epilepsy and to establish the risk factors of depression in that group, with special focus on the use of potentially depressogenic medications.

Patients And Methods: We studied 289 consecutive patients who visited epilepsy outpatient clinic (University Hospital of Krakow) and met inclusion criteria. All patients were screened with Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and those with BDI score ≥12 were further evaluated by a psychiatrist.

Neurological presentation of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis.

Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is an inflammatory disorder arising from defects in critical regulatory pathways responsible for termination of inflammatory response. We are presenting a case report of a 20-year-old male, admitted to the Department of Neurology because of left lower limb weakness and balance disturbances. After a few days of hospitalization, fever occurred.

The Evaluation of Abnormal Voice Qualities in Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Objective: Voice abnormalities are among the symptoms occurring in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). They are divergent and range from hoarseness, through the excessive adduction of false folds, up to the weakness of the vocal folds. The aim of the study was to analyze the phonatory function of the larynx in ALS patients.

Subtypes of interictal depressive disorders according to ICD-10 in patients with epilepsy.

Background And Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the frequency of interictal depressive symptoms and different subtypes of depressive disorders according to 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria in patients with epilepsy and its association with the type of epilepsy.

Material And Methods: 289 outpatients with epilepsy (169 females, 120 males) aged 18-82 years completed Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Subjects who scored >11 in BDI were further evaluated by the psychiatrist according to the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria.

Diagnosis and management of neuropathic pain: review of literature and recommendations of the Polish Association for the Study of Pain and the Polish Neurological Society - Part Two.

Neuropathic pain may be caused by a variety of lesions or diseases of both the peripheral and central nervous system. The most common and best known syndromes of peripheral neuropathic pain are painful diabetic neuropathy, trigeminal and post-herpetic neuralgia, persistent post-operative and post-traumatic pain, complex regional pain syndrome, cancer-related neuropathic pain, HIV-related neuropathic pain and pain after amputation. The less common central pain comprises primarily central post-stroke pain, pain after spinal cord injury, central pain in Parkinson disease or in other neurodegenerative diseases, pain in syringomyelia and in multiple sclerosis.

Small volume of the posterior cranial fossa and arterial hypertension are risk factors of hemifacial spasm.

Objectives: So far, there are only two studies evaluating the relation between the small volume of the posterior cranial fossa (VPCF) and the occurrence of HFS, both on Asian population. The aim of the study was to determine small VPCF and arterial hypertension (AH), as risk factors for hemifacial spasm (HFS) and their relation to neurovascular conflict (NVC) in Polish Caucasian-origin patients.

Materials And Methods: The study included 60 patients with idiopathic HFS and 60 healthy volunteers matched by sex and age.