Peri-lead edema (PLE) after deep brain stimulation may mimic brain infection on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We present a case of symptomatic PLE with annular contrast enhancement on MRI suggestive of an infectious cause. We show that careful clinical evaluation and laboratory testing, in addition to neuroimaging, are essential to guide treatment and to avoid unnecessary interventions in PLE cases with a favorable spontaneous course.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFParkinson's disease (PD) is the second-fastest growing neurodegenerative disease in the world. The major clinical symptoms rigor, tremor, and bradykinesia derive from the degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway. However, PD is a multi-system disease, and neurodegeneration extends beyond the degradation of the dopaminergic pathway.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRhythmic brain activity is critical to many brain functions and is sensitive to neuromodulation, but so far very few studies have investigated this activity on the cellular level in vitro in human brain tissue samples. This study reveals and characterizes a novel rhythmic network activity in the human neocortex. Using intracellular patch-clamp recordings of human cortical neurons, we identify large rhythmic depolarizations (LRDs) driven by glutamate release but not by GABA.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Levodopa (LD) is the most effective drug to treat Parkinson's disease (PD). The recently concluded multinational Parkinson's Real-World Impact Assessment (PRISM) trial revealed highly variable prescription patterns of LD monotherapy across six European countries. The reasons remain unclear.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDeep brain stimulation (DBS) of the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is standard care for severe motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). However, a challenge of DBS remains improving gait. Gait has been associated with the cholinergic system in the pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN).
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