Sleep microstructure in Parkinson's disease: cycling alternating pattern (CAP) as a sensitive marker of early NREM sleep instability.

Background: Sleep disorders are frequent in Parkinson's disease (PD). Apart from the occurrence of REM behavior disorders, in the early phase of the disease standard sleep macrostructure evaluation was inconclusive.

Objective: We analyzed non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep microstructure (CAP) in a group of PD patients to provide an objective measure of sleep disruption.

On the origin of sensory impairment and altered pain perception in Prader-Willi syndrome: a neurophysiological study.

Introduction: High pain threshold is a supportive diagnosis criterion for Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), but its pathogenesis is poorly understood. In this study we investigate sensory pathways in PWS, in order to evaluate peripheral or central involvement in altered sensory perception.

Methods: 14 adult PWS patients, 10 obese non-diabetic people and 10 age-matched controls underwent: (a) motor/sensory nerve conduction velocities at the upper and lower limbs; (b) palmar/plantar sympathetic skin response; (c) somatosensory evoked potentials from upper/lower limbs; (d) quantitative sensory testing to measure sensory threshold for vibration, warm and cold sensation, heat and cold-induced pain and (e) blood sample analysis to evaluate glucose and insulin levels and to calculate the quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI).

Leukocyte and platelet lowering by some interferon types during viral hepatitis treatment.

Background/aims: The hematologic toxicity (leukothrombocytopenia) of interferon therapy is well known and frequently observed; it may vary, however, according to the type of interferon administered.

Methodology: We retrospectively assessed 158 patients with chronic viral hepatitis treated for 6-12 months with alpha (recombinant, lymphoblastoid or leukocyte) or beta interferon to monitor leukothrombocytopenia.

Results: During treatment, a significant decrease in leukocyte and platelet counts was detected in 48% and 43% of patients, respectively.