Risk factors of heterotopic ossification in traumatic spinal cord injury.

Objective: Heterotopic ossification (HO) is a complication of the spinal cord injury (SCI). It can result in anchylosis, harming the rehabilitation and quality of life. Previous publications had not elucidated the relation between possible independent variables, the aim of this study.

[Chronic central nervous system histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent patient].

Introduction: Histoplasma capsulatum is an endemic fungus in America that may present as a lung self-limiting infection or be asymptomatic. Disseminated histoplasmosis can occur in cell-mediated immunity disorders and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Isolated central nervous system (CNS) histoplasmosis is uncommon, furthermore in immunocompetent patients.

[Ritual use of Anadenanthera seeds among South America natives].

Introduction: Several South-American native societies snuff psychoactive seeds in magic-religious rituals since ancient times.

Objectives: To describe archeological, historical and ethnographical evidences regarding the ritual use of vilca or yopo (Anadenanthera sp).

Development: Anadenanthera seeds were used in South America 3,000 years ago.

[Factors determining hyperhomocysteinemia in the chronic phase of strokes].

Introduction: Several prospective and case-control studies have pointed to an association between hyperhomocysteinemia and ischaemic stroke.

Aim: To analyse the main factors determining hyperhomocysteinemia in the chronic phase of strokes.

Patients And Methods: We studied 280 patients with ischaemic stroke (130 subjects < 45 years old; 150 > 45 years old; 50.

[Thrombophilia and patent foramen ovale in young stroke patients].

Introduction: Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a vascular risk factor in young stroke patients.

Objective: [corrected] We sought to analyze the prevalence of thrombophilia in young stroke patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO).

Methods: Prospective study; a total of 130 consecutive young stroke patients (female: 58.

[Deletions of the mitochondrial DNA associated to chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia with ragged-red fibers in 2 Brazilian patients].

Background And Objective: Our purpose was to report the neurological manifestations and molecular-genetic analysis of mitochondrial DNA associated with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO) and raged red fibers (RRFs).

Patients And Method: Two patients, a male and a female (32 and 28 year-old, respectively), were studied due to progressive palpebral ptosis associated with RRFs in muscle biopsy. Both patients were subjected to neurological, histochemical and enzymatic analysis of muscular biopsy, analysis of cerebro-spinal fluid, and molecular analysis of mitochondrial DNA.

[Post-stroke depression (II): its differential diagnosis, complications and treatment].

Aim: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is the most frequent neuropsychiatric condition after a stroke. We review the differential diagnosis of PSD, PSD complications and the different therapeutic approaches to PSD.

Development: Differential diagnosis includes post-stroke fatigue and the pseudo-depressive manifestations of strategic infarctions (apathy, aprosody, lack of self psychic activation syndrome, pathological crying syndrome).

[Post-stroke depression (I). Epidemiology, diagnostic criteria and risk factors].

Aim: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is the most frequent neuropsychiatric condition after a stroke. We review the diagnostic criteria, differential diagnosis, type of scales applied, the epidemiological studies and associated risk factors in PSD.

Development: PSD may be considered early when appear in the first three months after a stroke or late.

[Abnormalities of interatrial septum and ischemic stroke in young people].

Objective: To verify the frequency of patent foramen ovale (PFO) among patients with ischemic stroke (cryptogenic or with a known cause) investigated by transcranial doppler (TCD) and transesophageal echocardiography. Secondarily, to determine the diagnostic validity of the former, compared with the later method.

Method: Retrospectively, 124 patients (<51 years old) with ischemic stroke were submitted to TCD and or transesophageal echocardiography.

[Ethnographic study of neurological and mental diseases among the Uru-Chipaya peoples of the Andean Altiplano].

Introduction: The Uru-Chipaya people are an ethnic group of about 2,500 people, descendants of primitive Andean cultures. Their isolation (they live at an altitude of 4,000 metres in southern Bolivia), their non-written language (Chipaya-Puquina) and their traditional way of life, clothing and customs, which are similar to those used for thousands of years, make this an unusual culture. The aim of our work was to carry out an ethnographic study of the neurological diseases experienced by these people, the way they conceive such disorders and their therapeutic approaches to them.

[Specific scales for rating quality of life after stroke].

Aims: The purpose of this study was to survey the different specific scales used for measuring the quality of life after a stroke and to compare their sensitivity with that of the traditional generic instruments.

Development: Most of the studies about quality of life after strokes have employed generic measures, such as the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP), the SF-36, the EuroQOL, the Well-being Scale or the Nottingham health profile. These scales allow comparisons to be made between patients with different diseases, but are less sensitive when it comes to exploring the specific effects of a particular disease, such as stroke, on the patient's quality of life (QL) or assessing the response to a certain treatment.