Benign food-borne type B botulism presenting as unilateral internal ophthalmoplegia: a case report.

Background: Food-borne botulism is a rare neuromuscular junction disorder due to the effect of toxins released from Clostridium botulinum ingested by eating improperly stored food. Its classic manifestation is a rapidly evolving descending symmetrical flaccid paralysis with dysautonomia.

Case Presentation: We have described a case of type B food-borne botulism with a benign clinical course characterized by an initially unilateral tonic mydriatic pupil.

The progression of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease and their contribution to motor disability and quality of life.

Non-motor symptoms are gaining relevance in Parkinson's disease (PD) management but little is known about their progression and contribution to deterioration of quality of life. We followed prospectively 707 PD patients (62 % males) for 2 years. We assessed non-motor symptoms referred to 12 different domains, each including 1-10 specific symptoms, as well as motor state (UPDRS), general cognition, and life quality.

Risk of recurrent cerebrovascular events in patients with cryptogenic stroke or transient ischemic attack and patent foramen ovale: the FORI (Foramen Ovale Registro Italiano) study.

Background: The optimal management of patients with cryptogenic ischemic stroke found to have a patent foramen ovale (PFO) at diagnostic workup remains unclear. The aims of this observational multicenter study were to evaluate: (1) the risk of recurrent cerebrovascular events in patients with cryptogenic minor ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and PFO who either underwent percutaneous PFO closure or received only medical treatment, and (2) the risk factors associated with recurrent events.

Methods: Consecutive patients (aged 55 years or less) with first-ever cryptogenic minor ischemic stroke or TIA and PFO were recruited in 13 Italian hospitals between January 2006 and September 2007 and followed up for 2 years.

Possible Anandamide and Palmitoylethanolamide involvement in human stroke.

Background: Endocannabinoids (eCBs) are ubiquitous lipid mediators that act on specific (CB1, CB2) and non-specific (TRPV1, PPAR) receptors. Despite many experimental animal studies proved eCB involvement in the pathogenesis of stroke, such evidence is still lacking in human patients. Our aim was to determine eCB peripheral levels in acute stroke patients and evaluate their relationship with clinical disability and stroke volume.

Acute Akinesia, an unusual complication in Parkinson's Disease: a case report.

Acute akinesia (AA) is a rare but serious complication of Parkinson's Disease (PD) 0,3% of all patients with PD). It can be related to infectious condition, surgery, or treatment changes. AA can completely recover or result in some motor deficits, and, in the most severe forms, it may lead to untreatable complications and death.