Evaluation of sympathetic skin response in Parkinson's disease.

There is no clear definition on the role of sympathetic skin response (SSR) in the evaluation of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). We recorded the SSR of the palms of 64 controls and 46 patients with PD to electrical stimulation of the median nerve at the wrist. We analyzed onset latency and peak-to-peak amplitude.

Hyperhidrosis in Parkinson's disease.

We studied the sudomotor skin response (SSR) in patients with Parkinson's disease with and without symptomatic hyperhidrosis. The study was carried out in 13 patients who complained of excessive sweating and in 37 patients who did not have excessive sweating. Patients were matched for age, sex, degree of impairment, duration of the disease, and number and severity of autonomic disturbances.

Prediction of the neurophysiological diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome from the demographic and clinical data.

Objective: To use demographic and clinical data to identify the clinical pattern that best predicts the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), as defined by neurophysiologic studies.

Methods: A diagnostic cross-sectional study in 2535 consecutive patients (3907 upper limbs) older than 12 years old who were referred for nerve conduction studies in the upper limbs between August 2001 and January 2003 in 3 university hospitals and 2 private neurophysiology services in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Results: A neurophysiologic diagnosis of CTS was established in 39.

What symptoms are truly caused by median nerve compression in carpal tunnel syndrome?

Objective: This study aims to identify the symptoms, signs and distributions which are associated with neurophysiological carpal tunnel syndrome (N-CTS), defined by the finding of a median nerve lesion at the wrist through neurophysiologic studies, and to compare them with those of patients with sensory or motor complaints in the upper limbs whose electrophysiologic investigation did not show evidence of this syndrome.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed, with prospective gathering of data, following a predetermined protocol. We included all patients older than 12 years who were referred for nerve conduction studies and electromyography of at least one of the upper limbs between August 2001 and January 2003.

Clinical features of 1039 patients with neurophysiological diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Purpose: To describe the clinical features of patients with a neurophysiologic diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Methods: We prospectively studied 1039 patients with a neurophysiologic diagnosis of CTS in southern Brazil. All patients completed a clinicoepidemiological questionnaire which included a drawing of the arm and hand, in which they were asked to paint the areas in which paresthesia and pain occurred.

Seasonal distribution and demographical characteristics of carpal tunnel syndrome in 1039 patients.

Objective: To describe the demographic characteristics of gender, age, and presence of repetitive movements, intake of alcohol and non-steroid anti-inflammatories (NSAI), medical specialties that referred patients to nerve conduction studies and electromyography (NCS-EMG), school attainment, and seasonal distribution in patients with a neurophysiological diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in the State of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.

Method: A series of 1039 patients (1549 hands) with neurophysiologically defined CTS was studied. Patients were referred for NCS-EMG in 3 universities and 2 private services, from August 2001 to January 2003.

Clozapine, but not typical antipsychotics, correct P50 suppression deficit in patients with schizophrenia.

Objective: To find out if there is a difference in P50 suppression between patients using typical antipsychotic drugs and those using clozapine, as well as to confirm the findings of abnormal P50 suppression in patients with schizophrenia, when compared to healthy volunteers.

Methods: Fifty patients with schizophrenia and 25 healthy volunteers were divided into 3 groups: group 1 - patients using typical antipsychotics; group 2 - patients using clozapine; group 3 - controls. Before the examination, all patients were interviewed by a psychiatrist using the Brief Psychiatry Rating Scale (BPRS).

[Progressive bulbar palsy (Fazio-Londe disease): case report].

Progressive bulbar palsy, also called Fazio -Londe disease, is characterized by progressive impairment of cranial nerves in children. It was first reported by Fazio in 1892 and until now only 30 cases have been published in the literature. Both sexes can be affected and clinical course can be divided on early (< 6 years age, predominance of respiratory symptoms) and late course (6-20 years of age, predominance of motor symptoms on superior limbs).