Transcranial sonography of the substantia nigra in Japanese patients with Parkinson's disease or atypical parkinsonism: clinical potential and limitations.

Objective: There is growing interest in the use of transcranial sonography (TCS) of the substantia nigra (SN) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), as it has been reported that SN hyperechogenicity may be present in about 90% of PD patients. However, TCS of the SN has not been applied in Japanese patients, and its clinical potential has not been determined.

Patients And Methods: TCS of the SN was performed in patients with PD, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and essential tremor (ET), and age-matched controls.

[Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated with extrapyramidal symptoms or signs].

This investigation was conducted to clarify the frequency and characteristics of ALS associated with extrapyramidal symptoms or signs in Wakayama prefecture. The questionnaires to survey ALS cases were mailed to all medical centers in Wakayama prefecture. A total of 252 cases were found to have motor neuron diseases.