Serum carnitine levels and levocarnitine supplementation in institutionalized Huntington's disease patients.

Along with antioxidant properties, carnitine is an important regulator of lipid metabolism in humans. While beneficial effects of carnitine have been demonstrated in animal models of Huntington's disease (HD), metabolism of carnitine has not been studied in humans with this illness. In this retrospective database review from 23 patients admitted to a HD-specialized nursing home unit, we found a relatively high prevalence of hypocarnitinemia (6 cases, 26%).

Blood Pressure Success Zone: You Auto Know. A worksite-based program to improve blood pressure control among auto workers.

Worksite-based wellness programs can be a means to improve employee health awareness and potentially reduce health care costs. The "BP Success Zone: You Auto Know" program was a worksite-based intervention to reduce the incidence of hypertension among auto workers at Chrysler LLC. This 6-month program comprised an intervention consisting of education, awareness, and support intended to intensify the engagement of Chrysler employees at moderate-to-high cardiovascular risk who were not adequately controlling their blood pressure.

Sleep patterns in patients with Huntington's disease and their unaffected first-degree relatives: a brief report.

Polysomnographic sleep patterns in Huntington's disease (HD) have been studied sporadically in small groups of patients, providing variable results. In this study, by comparing the polysomnographic sleep patterns of HD patients and their unaffected relatives, identifying sleep traits more specifically related to the HD gene was attempted. The results corroborated previously reported findings of prolonged sleep latency and the virtual absence of nocturnal respiratory disturbances in early HD.

Utilization of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Services in Stroke Patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate biographical and medical factors associated with utilization of speech-language pathology and audiology services provided to stroke patients in the hospital setting. Moreover, the study sought to identify possible sub-groups of stroke patients that might be under served by speech-language pathologists and audiologists. Discharge data for over 91,000 stroke patients from the years 1996 to 2000 were examined.

Repeated tongue and hand strength measurements in normal adults and individuals with Parkinson's disease.

Changes in tongue and hand strength measurements of men with Parkinson's Disease and aged-matched controls across multiple days were examined. The Iowa Oral Performance Instrument measured tongue and hand strength during four consecutive days and at day 11. Peak tongue strength measurements occurred on day 3 with a small decrease on day 4, which was maintained at day 11, indicating a significant increase in tongue strength measurements with task repetition in multiple days.