Parkinson's Disease Gene Screening in Familial Cases from Central and South America.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease following Alzheimer's disease. Nearly 30 causative genes have been identified for PD and related disorders. However, most of these genes were identified in European-derived families, and little is known about their role in Latin American populations.

Yerbamate Tea Consumption: A Protective Factor in Parkinson Disease.

Introduction: Little is known about the association between Yerbamate (YMT) tea consumption and Parkinson disease (PD). We determined whether there was an association between YMT tea consumption and PD.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter case-control study in 3 countries (Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay).

Impulsivity is associated with firing regularity in parkinsonian ventral subthalamic nucleus.

Impulsive-compulsive behaviors (ICB) are over-represented in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. Neurons in the ventral subthalamic nucleus (STN) might play a predominant role in the modulation of impulsivity. We characterized the firing regularity of 742 subthalamic neurons from 24 PD patients (12 ICB+ and 12 ICB-) in an OFF medication state.

Adherence to treatment in Parkinson's disease: A multicenter exploratory study with patients from six Latin American countries.

Background: Adherence to treatment in Parkinson's disease (PD) is compromised due to the need for multiple therapies, comorbidities related to aging, and the complexity of therapeutic schemes. In the present study, we aimed to explore adherence to treatment in groups of PD patients from six Latin-American (LA) countries and identify its associated demographic and clinical parameters.

Methods: A multicenter, cross-sectional, exploratory study was conducted from September 2016 to March 2017.

Consensus guidelines for botulinum toxin therapy: general algorithms and dosing tables for dystonia and spasticity.

Botulinum toxin (BT) therapy is a complex and highly individualised therapy defined by treatment algorithms and injection schemes describing its target muscles and their dosing. Various consensus guidelines have tried to standardise and to improve BT therapy. We wanted to update and improve consensus guidelines by: (1) Acknowledging recent advances of treatment algorithms.

Impulsivity Markers in Parkinsonian Subthalamic Single-Unit Activity.

Background: Impulsive-compulsive behaviors are common in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. However, the basal ganglia dysfunctions associated with high impulsivity have not been fully characterized. The objective of this study was to identify the features associated with impulsive-compulsive behaviors in single neurons of the subthalamic nucleus (STN).

Successful Unilateral Surgical Approach to Internal Globus Pallidus and Ventral Intermediate Nucleus of the Thalamus in 3 Cases of Myoclonus-Dystonia Syndrome.

Surgical approaches of internal globus pallidus (GPi) and ventral intermediate thalamic nucleus (Vim) have been used to treat different movement disorders. Three subjects with myoclonus-dystonia syndrome were surgically treated, one of them with GPi and Vim stimulation, while radiofrequency ablation of these structures was performed in the other 2 subjects. Surgical approach of both targets was performed simultaneously on each subject.

Cannabis in patients with Parkinson's disease in Argentina. A cross sectional study.

We made an observational cross-sectional study to evaluate the prevalence of cannabis use, characteristics and results perceived by a group of PD patients. Semi-structured questionnaire was applied to patients. Until obtaining more information we suggest to incorporate into regular medical practice the question about the use of cannabis.

Blepharospasm as a Manifestation of Peak of Dose Dyskinesia in Parkinson Disease.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to report 4 patients with Parkinson disease (PD) and On-period blepharospasm (BS).

Methods: We analyzed patients with PD and motor fluctuations who developed BS in several different centers in Latin America.

Results: Four patients had BS while in the ON periods.

Weight Loss in Parkinson's Disease: The Relationship with Motor Symptoms and Disease Progression.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of weight loss (WL) in PD patients, its relationship to the severity of motor manifestations and appetite changes.

Methods: 144 PD patients and 120 controls were evaluated in a single session. All subjects were asked about changes in body weight and appetite.

Defining spasticity: a new approach considering current movement disorders terminology and botulinum toxin therapy.

Spasticity is a symptom occurring in many neurological conditions including stroke, multiple sclerosis, hypoxic brain damage, traumatic brain injury, tumours and heredodegenerative diseases. It affects large numbers of patients and may cause major disability. So far, spasticity has merely been described as part of the upper motor neurone syndrome or defined in a narrowed neurophysiological sense.

A Multicenter Comparative Study of Impulse Control Disorder in Latin American Patients With Parkinson Disease.

Objectives: Impulse control disorder (ICD) is a common adverse effect in patients with Parkinson disease who receive dopamine agonists; however, other factors are involved in its manifestations. To study the frequency and factors involved in the development of this adverse effect in a Latin American population, we conducted a cross-sectional multicenter study.

Methods: Two hundred fifty-five patients in 3 Latin American centers were evaluated by examination and application of scales (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Questionnaire for Impulsive-Compulsive Disorders in Parkinson's Disease-Rating Scale, Hoehn and Yahr, Clinical Impression of Severity Index for Parkinson's Disease).

Alcohol-Sensitive Generalized Dystonia.

We report the case of a 29-year-old male patient with a generalized and progressive dystonia that led him unable to stand. Multiple antidystonic treatments were tried without benefit. Alcohol test was positive with a dramatic improvement.

Botulinum toxin therapy for treatment of spasticity in multiple sclerosis: review and recommendations of the IAB-Interdisciplinary Working Group for Movement Disorders task force.

Botulinum toxin (BT) therapy is an established treatment of spasticity due to stroke. For multiple sclerosis (MS) spasticity this is not the case. IAB-Interdisciplinary Working Group for Movement Disorders formed a task force to explore the use of BT therapy for treatment of MS spasticity.

Paroxysmal Nonkinesigenic Dyskinesias Responsive to Carbamazepine in Fahr Syndrome: A Case Report.

Objective: This study aimed to report the case of a patient with paroxysmal nonkinesigenic dyskinesias and Fahr syndrome who had a marked response to carbamazepine.

Methods: We present the case of a 57-year-old female patient with episodes of paroxysmal choreoathetoid dyskinesias in the oromandibular region and distal region of upper and lower extremities, with fluctuating dystonic postures in the same distribution; duration was variable ranging from 30 minutes to 3 hours. Laboratory studies were consistent with primary hyperparathyroidism with bilateral brain calcifications.

Holmes tremor: Clinical description, lesion localization, and treatment in a series of 29 cases.

Objective: To describe the clinical features, etiology, findings from neuroimaging, and treatment results in a series of 29 patients with Holmes tremor (HT).

Methods: A retrospective study was performed based on review of medical records and videos of patients with HT diagnosis.

Results: A total of 16 women and 13 men were included.

[Community acquired bacterial meningitis in patients over 60].

Acute bacterial meningitis has a global mortality rate of 135000 cases per year. In Argentina over the last 12 years, the annual incidence rate has been 5.5/100 000.