Cognitive changes in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2.

Objectives: Cognitive disorders and dementia occur in 19 to 42% of patients with spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2). Neuropsychological tests can reveal executive dysfunction, impaired visual and verbal memory, tongue and speech impairment, attention disorders and impaired verbal fluency.

Methods: We performed psychiatric and neuropsychological examinations in 12 patients diagnosed with genetically confirmed SCA2 and 12 healthy volunteers matching the patients in age, gender, and length of education.

Comparison between gadolinium and iodine contrast for percutaneous intervention in atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis: clinical outcomes.

Background: Percutaneous angiography with iodinated contrast in patients with chronic kidney disease carries a risk of contrast nephropathy, which is independently associated with renal disease progression and increased mortality. Gadolinium contrast is a potential alternative to iodinated contrast for percutaneous transluminal renal angioplasty (PTRA), and appears to be safe and well tolerated. The aim of this study was to assess the results of gadolinium use to facilitate PTRA in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Prolactin as a factor for increased platelet aggregation.

Administration of antipsychotics appears to be related to increased risk of venous thromboembolism and cerebrovascular side effects. The biological mechanism responsible for this possible adverse drug reaction is unknown, but there is a growing number of elucidating hypotheses. Treatment with antipsychotics is associated with elevation of prolactin level.

Treatment with rosuvastatin for severe dyslipidemia in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder.

Background: Mortality rates in patients with schizophrenia are double compared to those in the general population, with cardiovascular disease causing 50% of the excess. Lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is recognized as a primary target for the prevention of cardiovascular mortality according to the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III. Use of lipid-lowering drugs such as statins is recommended when lifestyle changes are not sufficient to reach the LDL goal.

Pharmacological treatment of severe dyslipidaemia in patients with schizophrenia.

Mortality rates in patients with schizophrenia are double compared with the general population, with cardiovascular disease causing 50% of the excess. Lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is recognized as a primary target for the prevention of cardiovascular mortality. The effects of lipid-lowering treatment were evaluated in patients with schizophrenia.

Body weight and self-esteem in patients with schizophrenia evaluated with B-WISE.

Background: Metabolic abnormalities and weight gain are an important problem in patients with schizophrenia. An instrument to evaluate body image and self-esteem related to weight has recently been developed (B-WISE). The first objective was to evaluate whether the findings of the original validation study could be confirmed in a European sample.