Publications by authors named "Saskia Kools"
Ther Adv Neurol Disord
August 2024
Article Synopsis
- Vagal atrophy is a significant feature of Parkinson's disease and is linked to autonomic dysfunction, prompting a study on the vagus nerve in atypical Parkinsonian syndromes like multiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
- The study compared vagus nerve characteristics across MSA and PSP patients, Parkinson's disease patients, and healthy individuals to explore their potential as biomarkers for orthostatic dysregulation.
- Results showed a high prevalence of abnormal autonomic responses in MSA and PSP, with a correlation between the size of the vagus nerve and autonomic function in these patients, highlighting differences in vagal atrophy compared to healthy controls.
Article Synopsis
- A study found that polyneuropathy (PNP) is common in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), affecting around 65.85% of participants at the start and deteriorating in 21.95% over 2 years.
- The research included comprehensive evaluations and nerve conduction studies to assess PNP, which was linked to older age and more severe PD symptoms.
- The findings highlight the need for more extensive studies to understand the relationship between PD and PNP, particularly the progression and underlying mechanisms involved.
Brain Commun
January 2023
Article Synopsis
- - This study aimed to explore autonomic function in Parkinson's disease by using various methods such as clinical assessments, a head-up tilt test, and ultrasound imaging of the vagus nerve among 80 patients.
- - Results showed that Parkinson's patients had a significantly smaller cross-sectional area of the vagus nerve compared to healthy individuals and those with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, with the right nerve being larger than the left in all groups.
- - The head-up tilt test revealed that 43 patients had autonomic dysfunction, with specific conditions like orthostatic hypertension and chronotropic incompetence, and the vagal nerve size was related to heart rate and parasympathetic function during the test.
Article Synopsis
- - The study focuses on the prevalence and characteristics of peripheral neuropathies (PNP) in patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), two types of atypical parkinsonian syndromes (APS), highlighting their increasing recognition in Parkinson's disease.
- - The research involved 14 patients (8 with MSA and 6 with PSP) who underwent detailed analysis, including nerve conduction studies and ultrasounds, revealing that a significant number experienced neuropathic symptoms, with about half having electrophysiologically confirmed PNP.
- - The findings indicate a substantial burden of PNP symptoms affecting motor function in these patients, suggesting a need for more extensive studies to better understand the role
