Motor unit number estimation and quantitative needle electromyography in stroke patients.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of upper motor neuron damage upon motor units' function by means of two separate and supplementary electrophysiological methods.

Methods: The abductor digiti minimi muscle of the non-paretic and the paretic side was studied in forty-six stroke patients with (a) motor unit number estimation (MUNE) - adapted multiple point stimulation method and (b) computerized quantitative needle electromyography (EMG) assessing the configuration of voluntary recruited motor unit potentials. Main outcome comparisons were focused on differences between non-paretic and paretic side.

The role of ghrelin, neuropeptide Y and leptin peptides in weight gain after deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease.

Background: The exact mechanism of weight gain (WG) after deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease remains unknown.

Objectives: To investigate a possible involvement of ghrelin, neuropeptide Y (NPY) and leptin in WG after DBS.

Methods: Twenty-three Parkinson patients were submitted for body composition measurements and blood sampling 3 days before, and 3 and 6 months after STN DBS.

Effects of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation on sweating function in Parkinson's disease.

Purpose: To assess the impact of subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) on the sweating function in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: Nineteen patients with idiopathic PD (mean age+/-SD, 61.58+/-9.

Interictal alterations of cardiovagal function in chronic epilepsy.

Aim: To assess the function of parasympathetic heart control in patients with epilepsy by means of clinical routine neurophysiology.

Materials And Methods: Seventy-one consecutive epileptic patients (mean age+/-S.D.

Evaluation of conduction properties of somatic and sympathetic sudomotor fibers in patients with epilepsy.

To assess the function of fast somatic nerve fibers and sympathetic sudomotor system in patients with partial or generalized seizures, receiving various therapeutic regimes. The authors studied 60 patients (mean age 36.7 +/- 12.