Responses of benthic diatoms to waters affected by post-fire contamination.

Wildfire effects go beyond direct impact in terrestrial ecosystems. Specifically, the periphytic communities of aquatic ecosystems standing within and downstream the burnt areas are relevant ecological receptors of post-fire runoff contamination. Nevertheless, the off-site impacts of wildfires in these communities are limitedly studied so far.

[Portuguese Consensus on the Diagnosis and Management of Lewy Body Dementia (PORTUCALE)].

Lewy body dementia is a common cause of dementia leading to the progressive deterioration of cognitive function and motor skills, behavioral changes, and loss of autonomy, impairing the quality of life of patients and their families. Even though it is the second leading cause of neurodegenerative dementia, diagnosis is still challenging, due to its heterogenous clinical presentation, especially in the early stages of the disease. Accordingly, Lewy body dementia is often misdiagnosed and clinically mismanaged.

Tracking Cognitive Performance in the General Population and in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment with a Self-Applied Computerized Test (Brain on Track).

Repeated measurements could be helpful to identify patients with early cognitive decline. We compare the variation of cognitive performance over one year in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and healthy individuals using the Brain on Track self-applied computerized test (BoT). The study was initiated 30 patients with probable MCI and 377 controls from a population-based cohort, who performed the BoT test from home every three months for one year.

Prevalence and Causes of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in a Population-Based Cohort From Northern Portugal.

Background: Vascular disease may play an important role in the epidemiology of dementia in countries with high stroke incidence, such as Portugal.

Objective: To assess the prevalence and etiology of cognitive impairment in a population-based cohort from Portugal.

Methods: Individuals ≥55 years (n = 730) from the EPIPorto cohort were assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment.

Development of a self-administered web-based test for longitudinal cognitive assessment.

Sequential testing with brief cognitive tools has been recommended to improve cognitive screening and monitoring, however the few available tools still depend on an external evaluator and periodic visits. We developed a self-administered computerized test intended for longitudinal cognitive testing (Brain on Track). The test can be performed from a home computer and is composed of several subtests, expected to evaluate different cognitive domains, all including random elements to minimize learning effects.

InMS: Chronic insomnia disorder in multiple sclerosis - a Portuguese multicentre study on prevalence, subtypes, associated factors and impact on quality of life.

Background: Sleep may be disrupted in Multiple Sclerosis (MS), but the prevalence of chronic insomnia disorder (CID) using standard diagnostic criteria is unknown.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of CID in an MS population, the frequency of CID subtypes, associated factors and impact on quality of life (QoL).

Methods: Multicentre, hospital-based cross-sectional study.

Motor task performance under vibratory feedback early poststroke: single center, randomized, cross-over, controlled clinical trial.

Stroke rehabilitation is far from meeting patient needs in terms of timing, intensity and quality. This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of an innovative technological tool, combining 3D motion analysis with targeted vibratory feedback, on upper-limb task performance early poststroke (<4 weeks). The study design was a two-sequence, two-period, randomized, crossover trial (NCT01967290) in 44 patients with upper-limb motor deficit (non-plegic) after medial cerebral artery ischemia.

Implementation and Outcomes of a Collaborative Multi-Center Network Aimed at Web-Based Cognitive Training - COGWEB Network.

Background: Cognitive care for the most prevalent neurologic and psychiatric conditions will only improve through the implementation of new sustainable approaches. Innovative cognitive training methodologies and collaborative professional networks are necessary evolutions in the mental health sector.

Objective: The objective of the study was to describe the implementation process and early outcomes of a nationwide multi-organizational network supported on a Web-based cognitive training system (COGWEB).

Web-based cognitive training: patient adherence and intensity of treatment in an outpatient memory clinic.

Background: Cognitive training has been playing an increasing role in the treatment of patients with cognitive deficits. This type of intervention, namely its intensity, can be optimized by incorporating information technology-based systems.

Objective: The intent of the study was to determine the treatment intensity and patient adherence to home-based cognitive training strategies (Web-based cognitive training).

Monozygotic twin sisters discordant for familial hemiplegic migraine.

Background: The high concordance rate of migraine in monozygotic twin pairs has long been recognised. In the current study, we present a monozygotic twin pair discordant for familial hemiplegic migraine (FHM).

Case Presentations: We evaluated 12 adult family members in 2012.

Ischemic vagus nuclei lesions and hyperglycemia: a study in 26 patients with lateral medullary infarction and matched controls.

Background: Hyperglycemia is common after stroke in diabetic and nondiabetic patients. Furthermore, it has been associated with infarct expansion, worse functional outcomes and higher mortality. In a previous study, infarction of the insular region was related to higher poststroke glucose levels than infarcts in other cortical areas.

Superficial siderosis and anticoagulation therapy: different presentations, different outcomes.

Superficial siderosis is a potentially manageable neurodegenerative disorder, caused by chronic subarachnoid haemorrhage and iron deposition along the central nervous system surfaces. Association with oral anticoagulant therapy is well known, but its definite role as a causative agent is yet to be clarified. Two Caucasian women, both under long-term oral anticoagulation: a 74 year old woman with slowly progressive hearing loss and mild cerebellar ataxia; a 72 year old woman suffering from behavioural changes, rapidly progressive cognitive decline and latter developing paraparesis.