Lisuride reduces involuntary periodic leg movements in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 patients.

Periodic leg movements (PLMs) are a common sleep disorder in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2) being associated to higher disease severity and altered sleep patterns. To assess the efficacy and safety of lisuride for the treatment of PLMs in SCA2 patients, an open-label clinical trial was conducted in 12 SCA2 patients suffering from PLMs associated to other subjective sleep complaints. All subjects received 0.

Efficacy and tolerance of a neurological restoration program in stroke patients.

The present paper shows the result of an open prospective study performed to evaluate the tolerance and efficacy of a program for neurological restoration (PRN) in stroke patients. The PRN is organized 4 weeks cycles - 39 hours per week - and applied by a team of physical, occupational, and speech therapists, physiatrists, psychologists, clinicians and nurses; directed by a neurologist. The first phase of treatment aims to increase the physical capacity and tolerance to exercise.

Autologous bone marrow stem cell neurotransplantation in stroke patients. An open study.

Purpose: Bone marrow stem cells (BMSC) were transplanted into the perilesional area in five patients bearing sequels of stroke, to evaluate the safety of the procedure and tolerance to the transplanted cells.

Methods: Cells were obtained from bone marrow samples taken from the same patient and stereotactically implanted into the targets, determined using a combination of images, and trans-operative recording of multiunit activity. The cells were implanted in several points along tracts in the perilesional region.

Nerve growth factor levels in Parkinson disease and experimental parkinsonian rats.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is well established for its ability to promote growth and survival for specific neuronal populations. However, its participation in the pathogenesis of human nervous system disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD) remains to be resolved. This study examined NGF levels in the serum of healthy persons, in patients with PD and in parkinsonian rats using a double site immune-enzymatic assay (EIA) with the murine 27/21 anti-beta-NGF monoclonal antibody.