Fundamentals of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease in clinical practice: part 2.

The field of neuromodulation has evolved significantly over the past decade. Developments include novel indications and innovations of hardware, software, and stimulation techniques leading to an expansion in scope and role of these techniques as powerful therapeutic interventions. In this review, which is the second part of an effort to document and integrate the basic fundamentals and recent successful developments in the field, we will focus on classic paradigms for electrode placement as well as new exploratory targets, mechanisms of neuromodulation using this technique and new developments, including focused ultrasound driven ablative procedures.

Fundamentals of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease in clinical practice: part 1.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is recognized as an established therapy for Parkinson's disease (PD) and other movement disorders in the light of the developments seen over the past three decades. Long-term efficacy is established for PD with documented improvement in the cardinal motor symptoms of PD and levodopa-induced complications, such as motor fluctuations and dyskinesias. Timing of patient selection is crucial to obtain optimal benefits from DBS therapy, before PD complications become irreversible.

Methodological Issues in Randomized Clinical Trials for Prodromal Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the first and second most common neurodegenerative disorders, respectively. Both are proteinopathies with inexorable courses and no approved disease-modifying therapies. A substantial effort has been made to identify interventions that could slow down the progression of AD and PD; to date, with no success.

Hepatitis C virus: a rare manifestation--remitting relapsing central and peripheral demyelination.

The most frequent neurologic manifestations of hepatitis C virus infection include peripheral neuropathy axonal type and central nervous system (CNS) vasculitis. Affected patients usually have cryoglobulinemia and other signs of vasculitis. Demyelinating lesions, both central and peripheral are rarely described.