Differential contributions of subthalamic beta rhythms and 1/f broadband activity to motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease.

Excessive beta oscillatory activity in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) is linked to Parkinson's Disease (PD) motor symptoms. However, previous works have been inconsistent regarding the functional role of beta activity in untreated Parkinsonian states, questioning such role. We hypothesized that this inconsistency is due to the influence of electrophysiological broadband activity -a neurophysiological indicator of synaptic excitation/inhibition ratio- that could confound measurements of beta activity in STN recordings.

Horner syndrome in ipsilateral lenticulostriate stroke: a novel localization for a classic stroke syndrome.

Horner's syndrome has important localizing and etiological value in acute ischemic stroke. In a prospective series of consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients, we identified three patients with Horner's syndrome and contralateral hemiparesis due to ipsilateral small deep infarction in the middle cerebral artery territory (lenticulostriate arteries). Lacunar stroke was the most likely stroke mechanism in all three patients.

Prevalence of functional (psychogenic) parkinsonism in two Swiss movement disorders clinics and review of the literature.

Background: Functional parkinsonism (FP) is considered rare but no studies have looked at its frequency. Case series have described high rates of comorbidity with Parkinson's disease (PD), suggesting a possible association between these conditions.

Objectives: To study the prevalence, epidemiology and clinical features of FP and its association with PD.

[Neurology].

Aducanumab reduces the burden of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease, with significant improvement of clinical scores. Endovascular thrombectomy is recommended in patients with acute stroke with proximal occlusion of the anterior circulation. CGRP antagonists and botulinum toxin are effective in migraine.

Testing Head Rotation and Flexion Is Useful in Functional Limb Weakness.

Background: Functional (psychogenic) neurological disorders (FNDs) are common and should be diagnosed using positive diagnostic features of internal inconsistency. However, there is a lack of objective data regarding motor signs and a lack of signs relating to motor disorders that affect the upper body and neck. The objective of this study was to provide specificity and sensitivity data on 2 axial motor signs: the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and platysma signs.

[Neurology].

In 2015, cerebral stimulation becomes increasingly established in the treatment of pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Efficacy of endovascular treatment has been demonstrated for acute ischemic stroke. Deep brain stimulation at low frequency improves dysphagia and freezing of gait in Parkinson patients.

DBS in Dystonia and Other Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders.

The diagnosis and appropriate treatment of hyperkinetic movement disorders require a work up of potentially reversible metabolic, infectious and structural disorders as well as side effects of current medication. In pharmacoresistant movement disorders with a disabling impact on quality of life, deep brain stimulation (DBS) should be considered. At different targets, DBS has become an established therapy for Parkinson's disease (GPi-STN), tremor (VIM) and primary dystonia (GPi) with reasonable perioperative risks and side effects, established guidelines and some clinical and radiological predictive factors.

Efficacy of brief interdisciplinary psychotherapeutic intervention for motor conversion disorder and nonepileptic attacks.

Objective: The objective was to compare a brief interdisciplinary psychotherapeutic intervention to standard care as treatments for patients recently diagnosed with severe motor conversion disorder or nonepileptic attacks.

Methods: This randomized controlled trial of 23 consecutive patients compared (a) an interdisciplinary psychotherapeutic intervention group receiving four to six sessions by a consultation liaison psychiatrist, the first and last sessions adding a neurological consultation and a joint psychiatric and neurological consultation, and (b) a standard care group. After intervention, patients were assessed at 2, 6 and 12 months with the Somatoform Dissociation Questionnaire (SDQ-20), Clinical Global Impression scale, Rankin scale, use of medical care, global mental health [Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale, Beck Depression Inventory, mental health component of Short Form (SF)-36] and quality of life (SF-36).

[Deep brain stimulation for movement disorders: indications, results and complications].

Movement disorders such as Parkinson's disease (PD), essential tremor (ET) and dystonia can benefit from deep brain stimulation (DBS). DBS is considered when symptoms are disabling despite optimal medical therapy. Contraindications include dementia, uncontrolled psychiatric disease and/or comorbid conditions with potential for evolution.

[Deep brain stimulation: past, present time and future].

Recently awarded by the prestigious Lasker Foundation, high-frequency deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been used for the first time in 1987 in tremor and in 1993 in Parkinson's disease (PD) by the Grenoble group. So far, over 100 000 patients have been operated on worldwide. In PD, DBS induces an almost complete abatement of tremor, motor fluctuations and dyskinesias along with a reduction in levodopa dose.

Handwriting and pre-frailty in the Lausanne cohort 65+ (Lc65+) study.

Background: Frailty is detected by weight loss, weakness, slow walking velocity, reduced physical activity or poor endurance/exhaustion. Handwriting has not been examined in the context of frailty, despite its functional importance.

Objective: Our goal was to examine quantitative handwriting measures in people meeting 0, 1, and 2 or more (2+) frailty criteria.

Interobserver agreement and validity of bedside 'positive signs' for functional weakness, sensory and gait disorders in conversion disorder: a pilot study.

Background: Conversion disorder (CD) is no longer a diagnosis of exclusion. The new DSM-V criteria highlight the importance of 'positive signs' on neurological examination. Only few signs have been validated, and little is known about their reliability.

Investigation of memory, executive functions, and anatomic correlates in asymptomatic FMR1 premutation carriers.

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a late-onset movement disorder associated with FMR1 premutation alleles. Asymptomatic premutation (aPM) carriers have preserved cognitive functions, but they present subtle executive deficits. Current efforts are focusing on the identification of specific cognitive markers that can detect aPM carriers at higher risk of developing FXTAS.

[News in neurology 2013].

In 2013, perampanel is approved as an add-on treatment for generalised and focal seizures in pharmaco-resistant epilepsy. New anticoagulants are superior to antivitamin K in stroke secondary prevention in case of atrial fibrillation. DBS remains a valid therapeutic option for advanced Parkinson's disease.

[2012: news in neurology].

In 2012, intramuscular midazolam appears as effective as intravenous lorezepam for the first line treatment of convulsive status epilepticus. Perampanel, a new anti-epileptic drug, will be soon available. Two oral treatments are now available for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation setting.

Early intervention for conversion disorder: neurologists and psychiatrists working together.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of an early multidisciplinary (neurology and psychiatry) intervention for conversion disorder (CD).

Methods: Consecutive patients newly diagnosed with CD from 2005 to 2007 were compared to a control group of newly diagnosed CD patients receiving usual care. At 3 years, a questionnaire evaluated self-rated subjective outcome, symptom severity, SF-36 scores, employment status and medical care use.

Brain structure in asymptomatic FMR1 premutation carriers at risk for fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome.

Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), a late-onset movement disorder affecting FMR1 premutation carriers, is associated with cerebral and cerebellar lesions. The aim of this study was to test whether computational anatomy can detect similar patterns in asymptomatic FMR1 premutation carriers (mean age 46.7 years) with qualitatively normal -appearing grey and white matter on brain MRI.