The progression of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease and their contribution to motor disability and quality of life.

Non-motor symptoms are gaining relevance in Parkinson's disease (PD) management but little is known about their progression and contribution to deterioration of quality of life. We followed prospectively 707 PD patients (62 % males) for 2 years. We assessed non-motor symptoms referred to 12 different domains, each including 1-10 specific symptoms, as well as motor state (UPDRS), general cognition, and life quality.

Influence of anatomical factors on the feasibility and safety of carotid stenting in a series of 154 consecutive procedures.

Objective: The present study assessed the impact of unfavourable vascular anatomy on the feasibility and safety of carotid angioplasty and stenting (CAS).

Methods: Between 2000 and 2005, 154 CAS procedures (46% in symptomatics) were performed in 138 consecutive patients (mean age 72 +/- 7 years, 63% males), followed for a median period of 16 months by a neurologist performing clinical and duplex scan examination. The impact on outcome of tortuous supra-aortic vessels, tortuous internal carotid artery (ICA), calcified stenosis and contralateral ICA occlusion were assessed.

[Malformations of the cranio-cervical junction in patients with Down syndrome].

Cranio-cervical junction abnormalities are frequently demonstrated in persons with Down's Syndrome. This paper describes two cases discovered by chance, of complex craniocervical junction malformations studied by HRCT.

[Comparative study between cerebral seizure and the climatic trend in the province of Brescia].

This study seeks to identify which of the various climatic parameters is the most significant causative factor for the onset of cerebral ictus or TIA in subjects clinically "at risk". The research was conducted in the province of Brescia, where it was discovered that the most stressful climatic factor was a warm, dry south-westerly wind (SW). It was postulated that such climatic conditions may favour platelet aggregation by means of an increase in the charge of positive ions in the air.