Publications by authors named "Asya Ekmen"
Background: Monoallelic pathogenic variants of often result in paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD). Little is known about health-related quality of life (HrQoL), non-motor manifestations, self-esteem, and stigma in patients with PKD.
Objectives: We investigated non-motor symptoms and how they related to HrQoL in a genetically homogeneous group of -PKD patients.
Background: Cervical dystonia (CD) is a form of isolated focal dystonia typically associated to abnormal head, neck, and shoulder movements and postures. The complexity of the clinical presentation limits the investigation of its pathophysiological mechanisms, and the neural networks associated to specific motor manifestations are still the object of debate.
Objectives: We investigated the morphometric properties of white matter fibers in CD and explored the networks associated with motor symptoms, while regressing out nonmotor scores.
Article Synopsis
- The study investigates the role of the cerebellum in paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD), a condition causing involuntary movements, highlighting the limited understanding of its underlying mechanisms.
- Twenty-two patients with a specific genetic variant and matched controls participated in a comprehensive neuroimaging study to assess brain structures and connections related to PKD.
- Results showed significant gray and white matter changes in the cerebellum and other related brain areas, with cerebellar stimulation improving the communication within motor networks, suggesting a potential therapeutic avenue.
Somatotopy of cervical dystonia in motor-cerebellar networks: Evidence from resting state fMRI.
Parkinsonism Relat Disord
January 2022
Introduction: Cervical dystonia is the most frequent form of isolated focal dystonia. It is often associated with a dysfunction in brain networks, mostly affecting the basal ganglia, the cerebellum, and the somatosensory cortex. However, it is unclear if such a dysfunction is somato-specific to the brain areas containing the representation of the affected body part, and may thereby account for the focal expression of cervical dystonia.
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- The study investigates the relationship between early-onset hyperkinetic movement disorders, specifically dyskinesia, and disturbances during sleep, aiming to determine if sleep issues are a primary disorder or a result of the movements.
- Using video polysomnography, researchers analyzed sleep patterns and movements in 7 dyskinesia patients compared to 14 healthy controls, finding that abnormal movements were more common during specific sleep stages and morning awakenings.
- Results indicated that while dyskinesia patients experienced lower sleep efficiency due to prolonged awakenings linked to abnormal movements, their sleep onset was quick and they did not show violent movements at that time, suggesting the sleep architecture remained normal.
Purpose: The DAWN trial (Diffusion weighted imaging or CT perfusion Assessment with clinical mismatch in the triage of Wake-up and late presenting strokes undergoing Neurointervention with Trevo) has demonstrated the benefits of thrombectomy in patients with unknown or late onset strokes, using automated software (RAPID) for measurement of infarct volume. Because RAPID is not available in all centers, we aimed to assess the accuracy and repeatability of visual infarct volume estimation by clinicians and the consequences for thrombectomy decisions based on the DAWN criteria.
Materials And Methods: 18 physicians, who routinely depend on MRI for acute stroke imaging, assessed 32 MR scans selected from a prospective databaseover two independent sessions.