Cognitive manifestations of Huntington disease in relation to genetic structure and clinical onset.

Objective: To examine the cognitive manifestations of Huntington disease (HD) with respect to age, clinical onset, progression, and genetic analyses.

Design: Case series of people with HD or at risk (AR) for HD.

Setting: Movement disorders and medical genetics clinics.

Acute effects on neuropsychological function and quality of life by high-dose multiple daily fractionated radiotherapy for malignant astrocytomas: assessing the tolerability of a new radiotherapy regimen.

Cognitive and other quality of life measures were assessed in 29 patients with supratentorial malignant astrocytomas before and after high-dose (8000 cGy) multiple daily fractionated radiotherapy. Assessments were done immediately before and after radiotherapy. Patients completed a neuropsychological evaluation and the Functional Living Index: Cancer (FLIC).

Failure of metacontrol: breakdown in behavioural unity after lesion of the corpus callosum and inferomedial frontal lobes.

A right-handed man suffered aneurysmal haemorrhage with lesions of the genu and body of the corpus callosum and the inferomedial frontal lobes bilaterally (right more than left). He exhibited remarkable breakdown in behavioural unity characterized by conflict between the two sides of the body, actions inconsistent with verbalizations, and internal conflict over control of the left hand. A major feature of the deficit was its temporal variability.

Psychiatric morbidity in patients with HIV infection.

A psychiatric examination was conducted on 144 patients at various stages of HIV infection and on 29 controls found to be seronegative. One-half of the control group had at least one DSM-III-R Axis I diagnosis, most commonly cannabis abuse, alcohol abuse, or adjustment disorder. Compared to this baseline, HIV-infected subjects had higher rates of adjustment disorder.

High-altitude mountaineering and brain function: neuropsychological testing of members of a Mount Everest expedition.

Concern has been raised regarding the possibility that hypoxic conditions encountered during high-altitude mountaineering may have lasting harmful effects on the human brain. Members of an expedition to Mount Everest completed a series of neuropsychological tests before and after the expedition. Exposure to altitudes above 7,200 m was limited to a maximum of four consecutive nights, separated by rest periods at lower altitudes.