Hematological changes in an elite climber over 18 years.

Aims: To evaluate the influence of repeated exposure to high altitude over a period of 18 years in an elite climber, red blood cell related parameters were analyzed. Red blood cell levels, hemoglobin concentration, and hematocrit were taken before and after expedition.

Results: The analysis, revealed an average increase of 15% in red blood cell related parameters, and showed a negative correlation (p<0.

Aprosodic speech with insular hyperintensities and 4R Tau pathology on autopsy.

We describe a 46-year-old woman who presented with a 2-year history of aprosodic speech together with apathy and disinhibition. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed subcortical hyperintensities over both insular regions that later extended to both frontal and temporal cortices. The post-mortem exam showed a massive tau protein deposition throughout the brain.

The COMT Val158 Met polymorphism as an associated risk factor for Alzheimer disease and mild cognitive impairment in APOE 4 carriers.

Background: The aim of this study is to examine the influence of the catechol-O-methyltranferase (COMT) gene (polymorphism Val158 Met) as a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment of amnesic type (MCI), and its synergistic effect with the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE).A total of 223 MCI patients, 345 AD and 253 healthy controls were analyzed. Clinical criteria and neuropsychological tests were used to establish diagnostic groups.

Isolated and reversible lesions of the corpus callosum: a distinct entity.

The Reversible Splenial Lesion Syndrome represents a distinct clinicoradiological syndrome, associated with several disorders, including infection, high altitude cerebral edema, antiepileptic drug withdrawal, and severe metabolic disturbances (hypoglycemia and hypernatremia). Clinical presentation is nonspecific, most frequently as an encephalopathy or encephalitis. Outcome is favorable in most patients unless there is a severe underlying disorder.

Response to intravenous lidocaine in a patient with SUNCT syndrome.

Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) syndrome represents a serious therapeutic and diagnostic challenge, since it is usually refractory to most drugs and lacks biological markers. Response to intravenous lidocaine administration has been reported in some patients while it has failed in others. We report a patient with SUNCT syndrome who showed a clear-cut and consistent response to intravenous lidocaine therapy, which proved superior to placebo in a single-blinded fashion.

Reversible splenial lesion syndrome (RESLES): what's in a name?

Background: The presence of transient lesions involving the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC) has been described in patients with encephalitis or encephalopathy of varied etiology. We have termed it RESLES (reversible splenial lesion syndrome).

Purpose: To describe 3 additional patients (2 encephalitis, 1 hypoglycemia) and review the literature to define this syndrome, its etiology, presentation, prognosis, and possible pathophysiological mechanisms.

Infectious meningitis with atypical cerebrospinal fluid cells.

Cytologic evaluation of the CSF is often difficult when trying to distinguish between truly neoplastic and reactive cells. Several non-neoplastic conditions may be associated with atypical cells in the CSF, a fact the clinician has to consider to avoid inadequate aggressive theraphies. We report here three patients with infectious meningitis (due to Herpes zoster virus in two, and neuroborreliosis in one) and cytologically atypical cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytes.

Early cystic thoracic cord cavity complicating decompressive surgery for spondylotic spinal canal stenosis. Case report.

This is a report of a patient who developed thoracic cystic myelopathy immediately following an otherwise successful decompression operation for spondylotic stenosis secondary to osteophyte formation of the thoracic spinal canal. As this case shows, thoracic laminectomy is not without risks, and cystic myelopathy is a potential complication that should be borne in mind when surgery for spondylosis is being planned. Cavitation of the spinal cord may be associated with trauma secondary to extramedullary cord compression.

Neuropsychological differences but comparable regional cerebral blood changes in asymptomatic HIV-1-positive and -negative drug addicts.

The objective of this study was to characterize the cognitive status of a population of asymptomatic HIV-positive drug addicts (patient group) to document the relationship between neuropsychological results and cerebral blood flow defects as measured by single photon emission computed tomography. As a control group we employed an age-matched population of HIV-seronegative drug addicts. Some neuropsychological differences were found between patients and controls and between drug addicts and normal population.