Modulation of the default-mode network and the attentional network by self-referential processes in patients with disorder of consciousness.

Disorders of consciousness (DOC) are related to an altered capacity of the brain to successfully integrate and segregate information. Alterations in brain functional networks structure have been found in fMRI studies, which could account for the incapability of the brain to efficiently manage internally and externally generated information. Here we assess the modulation of neural activity in areas of the networks related to active introspective or extrospective processing in 9 patients with DOC and 17 controls using fMRI.

Short apraxia screening test.

Background: Limb apraxia comprises many different and common disorders, which are largely unrecognized essentially because there is no easy-to-use screening test sensitive enough to identify all types of limb praxis deficits.

Method: We evaluated 70 right-handed patients with limb apraxia due to a single focal lesion of the left hemisphere and 40 normal controls, using a new apraxia screening test. The test covered 12 items including: intransitive gestures, transitive gestures elicited under verbal, visual, and tactile modalities, imitation of meaningful and meaningless postures and movements, and a multiple object test.

Decision-making impairment in patients with multiple sclerosis: a case-control study.

Objectives: To assess decision-making under explicit risk conditions in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients and its relationship to decisions made under conditions of ambiguity. To assess cognitive functions related to decision-making performance in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Setting: MS center in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Lateralization of brain activity during motor planning of proximal and distal gestures.

Praxis functions are predominantly processed by the left hemisphere. However, limb apraxia is found in less than 50% of patients with left hemisphere damage, and also, although infrequently, in patients with right hemisphere damage. We studied brain representation of preparation/planning of tool-use pantomime separating the gestures involving mostly distal limb control (e.

[Moderate control of hyperglycemia after acute stroke in the intensive care unit].

Hyperglycemia following an ischemic stroke has been associated with poor clinical outcome. We retrospectively assessed the effect of moderately controlled plasma glucose (correction from 135mg/dl) compared to conservative treatment (correction from 200 mg/dl), as regards neurological evolution, duration of hospitalization, at discharge and at 30 days post-discharge, also complications associated with the treatment in patients admitted to the intensive care unit. We studied 208 patients, 103 (24% diabetics) with moderate therapy and 105 (23% diabetics) with conservative treatment.