Oxycodone or Higher Dose of Levodopa for the Treatment of Parkinsonian Central Pain: OXYDOPA Trial.

Background: Among the different types of pain related to Parkinson's disease (PD), parkinsonian central pain (PCP) is the most disabling.

Objectives: We investigated the analgesic efficacy of two therapeutic strategies (opioid with oxycodone- prolonged-release (PR) and higher dose of levodopa/benserazide) compared with placebo in patients with PCP.

Methods: OXYDOPA was a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, placebo-controlled, multicenter parallel-group trial run at 15 centers within the French NS-Park network.

Molecular Imaging in CANVAS: A Contribution for Differential Diagnosis?

Background: Phenotypes of CANVAS are increasingly diversified, including bradykinesia and dysautonomia, so that its primary differential diagnoses are multiple system atrophy-cerebellar type (MSA-c), and spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3). This case series aims to highlight key molecular imaging findings in CANVAS.

Cases: We report a case series of six patients with CANVAS who underwent nuclear medicine examinations in our center and 13 patients from the literature.

Plasma lysosphingolipids in GRN-related diseases: Monitoring lysosomal dysfunction to track disease progression.

GRN mutations are among the main genetic causes of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Considering the progranulin involvement in lysosomal homeostasis, we aimed to evaluate if plasma lysosphingolipids (lysoSPL) are increased in GRN mutation carriers, and whether they might represent relevant fluid-based biomarkers in GRN-related diseases. We analyzed four lysoSPL levels in plasmas of 131 GRN carriers and 142 non-carriers, including healthy controls and patients with frontotemporal dementias (FTD) carrying a C9orf72 expansion or without any mutation.

Diagnosis and Outcomes of Late-Onset Wilson's Disease: A National Registry-Based Study.

Background: Wilson's disease (WD) is usually diagnosed in children and young adults; limited data exist on late-onset forms.

Objective: The aim was to characterize the clinical and paraclinical presentations, therapeutic management, and outcomes in patients with late-onset WD.

Methods: Patients diagnosed with WD after age 40 years were identified from the French Wilson's Disease Registry (FWDR).

Heterogeneity of PD-MCI in Candidates to Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation: Associated Cortical and Subcortical Modifications.

Background: Parkinson's disease mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI) is frequent and heterogenous. There is no consensus about its influence on subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) outcomes.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of PD-MCI and its subtypes in candidates to STN-DBS.

[Promoting responsible self-medication in the context of Parkinson's disease: Development of a practical guide for drug-drug interactions and assessment by patients and community pharmacy professionals].

Context: Parkinson disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by motor and non-motor symptoms. Symptomatic treatment is based on dopaminergic medications. In case of self-medication practices, there may be drug-drug interactions between over-the-counter medication and dopaminergic medications.

Quantification of Head Tremors in Medical Conditions: A Comparison of Analyses Using a 2D Video Camera and a 3D Wireless Inertial Motion Unit.

This study compares two methods to quantify the amplitude and frequency of head movements in patients with head tremor: one based on video-based motion analysis, and the other using a miniature wireless inertial magnetic motion unit (IMMU). Concomitant with the clinical assessment of head tremor severity, head linear displacements in the frontal plane and head angular displacements in three dimensions were obtained simultaneously in forty-nine patients using one video camera and an IMMU in three experimental conditions while sitting (at rest, counting backward, and with arms extended). Head tremor amplitude was quantified along/around each axis, and head tremor frequency was analyzed in the frequency and time-frequency domains.

Decrease in the cortex/striatum metabolic ratio on [F]-FDG PET: a biomarker of autoimmune encephalitis.

Purpose: The aim of this [F]-FDG PET study was to determine the diagnostic value of the cortex/striatum metabolic ratio in a large cohort of patients suffering from autoimmune encephalitis (AE) and to search for correlations with the course of the disease.

Methods: We retrospectively collected clinical and paraclinical data of patients with AE, including brain F-FDG PET/CT. Whole-brain statistical analysis was performed using SPM8 software after activity parametrization to the striatum in comparison to healthy subjects.

A French survey on the lockdown consequences of COVID-19 pandemic in Parkinson's disease. The ERCOPARK study.

Background: In 2020 the coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic imposed a total and sudden lockdown. We aimed to investigate the consequences of the first COVID-19 lockdown (mid-March - mid-April 2020) on motor and non-motor symptoms (NMS) in a cohort of French people with Parkinson's disease (PwP).

Methods: PwP were enrolled either by an on-line survey sent from the national France Parkinson association (FP) to reach the French community of PwP or as part of outpatients' telemedicine visits followed by an hospital-based Parkinson Expert Center (PEC).

Early atypical signs and insula hypometabolism predict survival in multiple system atrophy.

Objective: We aim to search for predictors of survival among clinical and brain F-FDG positron emission tomography (PET) metabolic features in our cohort of patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA).

Methods: We included patients with a 'probable' MSA diagnosis for whom a clinical evaluation and a brain PET were performed early in the course of the disease (median 3 years, IQR 2-5). A retrospective analysis was conducted using standardised data collection.

The clinical meaning of levodopa equivalent daily dose in Parkinson's disease.

Levodopa (L-dopa) remains the basis of pharmacological treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, L-dopa therapy is associated with the development of complications and presents major challenges in the long-term treatment. Thus, other medications may be suggested to delay and/or reduce the doses of L-dopa in order to prevent complications.

Prevalence and characterisation of vocal fold motion impairment (VFMI) in patients with Multiple system atrophy compared with Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disorder in which vocal fold mobility can be affected, sometimes leading to life-threatening situations. Our aim was to know if laryngeal examination could help differentiate MSA from Parkinson's disease (PD).

Materials And Methods: Between 2004 to 2014, all consecutive patients diagnosed with probable MSA were included in this retrospective, monocentric study.

Homozygous GRN mutations: new phenotypes and new insights into pathological and molecular mechanisms.

Homozygous mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) are associated with neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 11 (CLN11), a rare lysosomal-storage disorder characterized by cerebellar ataxia, seizures, retinitis pigmentosa, and cognitive disorders, usually beginning between 13 and 25 years of age. This is a rare condition, previously reported in only four families. In contrast, heterozygous GRN mutations are a major cause of frontotemporal dementia associated with neuronal cytoplasmic TDP-43 inclusions.

Multiple System Atrophy: Phenotypic spectrum approach coupled with brain 18-FDG PET.

Objective: The 2008 diagnostic criteria classify Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) patients in a predominantly parkinsonian (MSA-P) or cerebellar (MSA-C) type. Phenotypic descriptions have since highlighted a clinical heterogeneity among patients (e.g.

Effects of subthalamic nucleus stimulation and levodopa on decision-making in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is frequently associated with behavioral disorders, particularly within the spectrum of motivated behaviors such as apathy or impulsivity. Both pharmacological and neurosurgical treatments have an impact on these impairments. However, there still is controversy as to whether subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) can cause or reduce impulsive behaviors.

Subthalamic nucleus stimulation, dopaminergic treatment and impulsivity in Parkinson's disease.

Background: Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus (STN DBS) is known to increase response speed and lower response accuracy in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. It has been proposed that this speed-accuracy tradeoff is due to enhanced sensitivity of the motor system to sensory information. An alternative possibility is that this effect is due to weakened suppressive processes.

Deletion of exons 9 and 10 of the Presenilin 1 gene in a patient with Early-onset Alzheimer Disease generates longer amyloid seeds.

Presenilin 1 (PSEN1) mutations are the main cause of autosomal dominant Early-onset Alzheimer Disease (EOAD). Among them, deletions of exon 9 have been reported to be associated with a phenotype of spastic paraparesis. Using exome data from a large sample of 522 EOAD cases and 584 controls to search for genomic copy-number variations (CNVs), we report here a novel partial, in-frame deletion of PSEN1, removing both exons 9 and 10.

Exchangeable copper: a reflection of the neurological severity in Wilson's disease.

Background And Purpose: The severity of Wilson's disease (WD) is linked to free copper accumulating in the liver and brain. Exchangeable copper (CuEXC) is a new technique to determine plasmatic copper and is useful in the diagnosis of WD. It is hypothesized that it may also enable a good evaluation of extra-hepatic involvement and its severity.