Utility of a patient survey in identifying fluctuations in early stage Parkinson's disease.

Motor and non-motor fluctuations are well known sequelae of dopaminergic therapies for Parkinson's disease (PD), particularly during the advanced stages. However, the prevalence of fluctuations early in the treatment course has been less well recognised and may be missed clinically if not specifically probed. We examined the used of a survey for this purpose.

Frequency doubling illusion VEPs and automated perimetry in multiple sclerosis.

We examined frequency doubling (FD) illusion based automated perimetry (FDT) and dichoptic FD multifocal visual evoked potentials (FDmfVEPs) in Normal and multiple sclerosis (MS) subjects. Contrast thresholds were determined at 17 visual field locations using an FDT perimeter. The stimuli presented to each location were 0.

Cerebrovascular disease associated with antiphospholipid antibodies: more questions than answers.

Neurological syndromes occur in a significant number of patients with antiphospholipid antibodies. The optimal management for these patients however remains uncertain. Our study is a descriptive analysis looking retrospectively at 45 patients who presented to the principal tertiary referral centre in the Australian Capital Territory, with either cerebral arterial or venous thrombosis for which there was no obvious cause for their presentation when initially reviewed.

Sparse multifocal stimuli for the detection of multiple sclerosis.

We compared the diagnostic capabilities of contrast reversal and sparse pattern pulse stimulation for dichoptic multifocal visual evoked potentials (mfVEPs) measured in normal subjects and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Multifocal responses were obtained from 27 normal subjects and 50 relapsing-remitting patients, 26 of whom had experienced optic neuritis (ON+). The patient groups were matched for length of disease and number of clinical attacks.

Efficacy and safety of levetiracetam 1000-3000 mg/day in patients with refractory partial-onset seizures: a multicenter, open-label single-arm study.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of levetiracetam as add-on therapy in patients with refractory partial-onset seizures in a protocol designed to reflect clinical practice.

Methods: All patients in this open-label, single-arm study entered an 8-week baseline period followed by a 4-week titration period and a 12-week maintenance period. Patients initially received levetiracetam 1000 mg/day (administered bid) and could increase to 2000 mg/day after 2 weeks, and to 3000 mg/day after another 2 weeks, to obtain adequate seizure control.