Exploring the relation between REM sleep behavior disorder onset and striatal dopaminergic dysfunction in Parkinson's Disease.

Background: The α-Synuclein Origin and Connectome (SOC) model recently proposed two different Parkinson's Disease (PD) phenotypes clinically based on the relationship between REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) and motor symptoms' onset: a "body first" phenotype and a "brain first" phenotype in which RBD precedes or may follow the motor onset, respectively. A higher burden of non-motor symptoms as well as a more symmetrical clinical presentation have also been predicted in the body-first phenotype. This point has been poorly assessed through semi-quantitative striatal dopaminergic functional imaging to date.

Different patterns of acute saccadic response to levodopa in de novo Parkinson's disease.

Background: L-dopa (LD) effects on visually guided saccades (VGS) have been poorly investigated in de novo Parkinson's disease (PD) patients through a standardized acute challenge test.

Objectives: To assess the acute saccadic effects of LD as well as possible different patterns of VGS response to LD in a consistent population of de novo PD.

Methods: VGS were assessed among de novo PD at baseline and 2 h after the administration of LD/carbidopa 250/25 mg.

Incidence of late onset multiple sclerosis in Italy: a population-based study.

Late onset multiple sclerosis (LOMS) represents between 0.6 and 12% of all MS patients. However, little is known on the incidence of LOMS in the general population.

Coronary Arteries Lesions in Kawasaki Disease: Risk Factors in an Italian Cohort.

: Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic vasculitis of medium arteries, particularly involving coronary arteries. Coronary artery lesions (CALs) is the most serious complication in the acute stage, potentially leading to ischemic cardiomyopathy, myocardial infarction and sudden death. Environmental factors and genetic background contribute to individual susceptibility to develop CALs.