精神发育迟滞犯罪患者辨认能力的多因素分析

本文通过对１３１例精神发育迟滞患者犯罪案例资料分析，揭示了影响其作案时辨认能力的有关因素，并通过判别分析选取了作案类型、平素性格、精神发育迟滞诊断分级、作案时是否伴有精神病、是否受骗及作案动机六个因素为判别因子，建立了评定作案时辨认能力的判别方程。组内回代检查总正确率为８３．２％。     

司法精神鉴定责任能力评定多因素分析

目的探讨更科学、客观地评定责任能力的方法。方法对１７２例刑事案例资料用ＳＡＳ软件包进行等级相关及逐步判别分析，筛选出对责任能力评定有关因素及有影响的判别因子。结果委托鉴定单位、思维形式障碍、妄想、幻听、情感障碍、复鉴诊断、年龄、案情、作案场所、工具、动机、幻视、个性异常、死亡人数、作案后表现、辨认能力、控制能力等因素与责任能力有关，而前６个因素及作案时间、意识障碍共８个因素为判别因子，建立了评定责任能力的判别方程，组内回代检验总正确率为７５９％。结论多元判别分析方法，有可能提供责任能力评定更科学的依据     

251例暴力犯罪案责任能力的多因素分析

目的探讨影响暴力犯罪案责任能力评定的重要因素。方法对251例暴力犯罪案例收集的资料用SPSS8.0统计包进行相关分析和逐步判别分析，筛选出对责任能力评定有重要影响的判别因子。结果辨认能力和控制能力的判别因子稍有差异，与责任能力三者相互之间呈高度相关；委托单位、动机、自我保护能力、感知觉障碍、思维障碍、情感障碍、自知力障碍和医学诊断为责任能力评定的判别因子，组内回代检验总正确率为80.3%，组外考核总一致率为86.67%。结论暴力犯罪案责任能力评定的多元判别方程具有较好的实用价值，从而有可能提高鉴定的客观性和科学性。     

心因性精神障碍司法精神鉴定责任能力的多因素分析

目的 探讨评定心因性精神障碍司法精神鉴定责任能力的方法。方法 对72例心因性精神障碍的刑事案例资料用SPSS统计包进行等级相关和逐步判别分析，筛选出对责任能力评定有关因素及有影响的判别因子。结果 作案方式，案情，意识障碍，妄想，幻听，举鉴者，作案动机，思维形式障碍，幻视，情感障碍，作案后果，作案对象，个性等19个因素与责任能力有关，有差别作用的因素为方式，案情，意识障碍，妄想，幻听，劳动环境，适应能力共7个因子，建立了评定心因性精神障碍责任能力的判别方程。组内回代检验总体判断正确率为93．3％。结论 多元判别坷作为评定心因性精神障碍责任能力的方法。     

暴力犯罪责任能力的有关因素分析

目的 初步探讨暴力犯罪司法精神医学鉴定中具有重要意义的因子及其判别能力。方法 对１２９例鉴定资料中收集的２９个变量作主成分分析，并分别以辨认、控制和责任能力为因变量作逐步判别分析，剔选主要的参考因子。结果 辨认因子为皮类司法鉴定的第一主成分；辨认能力与控制能力的判别因子不尽相同，但其相互之间以及它们与责任能力之间一高度相关；责任能力的多元判别方程具有较好的实用价值。结论 暴力犯罪责任能力的评定是一     

精神发育迟滞者性自卫能力评定量表的初步应用

目的 为探索性自卫功能评定方法，用性自卫能力检查评定量表（ＣＳＳＤ）对５０例精神发育迟滞（ＭＰ）性被害对象作随测试评估，并与原鉴定结论比较显示：二者间呈高度正相关（ｒ＝０．７８，Ｐ〈０．００１），Ｋａｐｐａ检验呈高度一致率（Ｋ＝０．６６）。判别分析显示：该量表总分可对性自卫能力作差别，回代考核正判率达８４．０％。说明性自卫能力评定量表具有较强的判别率，中试用于ＭＲ女性性自卫能力评定。     

轻度精神发育迟滞犯罪者的责任能力评定因素分析

为探讨轻度精神发育迟滞（ＭＭＲ）刑事犯罪者的责任能力评定的决定因素，对７９例ＭＭＲ刑事犯罪案例的司法精神病学鉴定资料进行一项多因素分析，统计采用逐步的Ｌｏｇｉｓｔｉｃ回归分析方法。结果显示，在责任能力评定中起决定意义的是辨认能力和控制能力、精神病史、作案类型、作案手段、判断力、情感障碍和自我保护等因素也具有明显影响。说明在对ＭＭＲ刑事犯罪进行责任能力评定时，需充分考虑除生物学以外的多种社会学、法学等因素。     

伤害案件中影响精神病人辨认能力和控制能力的多因素分析

目的探讨伤害案件中精神病人辨认能力和控制能力的影响因素,以期对精神病人伤害行为责任能力的评定或标准化检查提供科学依据。方法采用自行编制的凶杀案精神疾病鉴定资料登记表,对符合纳入标准的243例伤害案的司法鉴定资料进行收集、整理和归纳。然后对辨认能力和控制能力与案发时精神状态、作案动机、作案类型等因素之间的关系做统计分析。结果作案动机(X~2=102．26,P=0．003)、幻觉妄想(X~2=64．63,P =0．034)、有无精神病(X~2=75．28,P=0．008)、情绪低落(X~2=110．29,P=0．001)4个因素与辨认能力的关系具有统计学意义,作案动机(X~2=98．51,P=0．001)、有无精神病(X~2=85．34,P=0．004)、情绪低落(X~2=97．35,P =0．002)、精神状态(X~2=76．58,P=0．005)、意识障碍(X~2=69．86,P=0．024)、人格改变(X~2=84．36,P=0．031)、情绪高涨(X~2=60．38,P=0．027)7个因素与控制能力的关系具有统计学意义。用判别方程进行组内回代检验表明,判别方程对作案时违法行为的辨认能力的总判断准确率为91．77%。对案发时违法行为的控制能力的总判断正确率为98．35%。结论作案动机、幻觉妄想、有无精神病、情绪低落4个因素可作为辨认能力的判别因子,作案动机、有无精神病、情绪低落、精神状态、意识障碍、人格改变、情绪高涨7个因素可作为控制能力的判别因子。     

性自我防卫能力的有关因素分析

对１０６例女性精神发育迟滞（ＭＲ）性被害人司法鉴定的资料进行了分析，结果显示除智商外，被鉴定人的婚姻、职业、文化程度、性知识、自我保护、性行为主动性、索要钱财等因子，均与性自我防卫能力密切相关。提示在作出ＭＲ诊断和评定其法定能力时，需充分考虑多种社会学、法学因素。多元判别分析模型可以为这种全面考察各种因素的标准化鉴定模式提供有价值的工具。     

家庭内伤害案司法鉴定资料分析

目的探讨家庭内部伤害案中精神病患者作案时辨认能力、控制能力及责任能力的影响因素。方法采用自行编制的家庭内部伤害案件鉴定资料登记表,对符合标准的95例家庭内伤害案件司法鉴定资料进行收集、整理,然后对辨认能力和控制能力与案发时的精神状态等因素的关系进行统计分析。结果幻觉、被害妄想、嫉妒妄想、其它（人格改变、被控制感等）与辨认能力和控制能力的关系具有统计学意义（P〈0.05）。结论幻觉、被害妄想、嫉妒妄想、其他（人格改变、被控制感等）可作为判别辨认能力和控制能力的因子。     

Books Received

Mc. Alpine, D., C. E. Lumsden, E. D. Acheson , A re-appraisal.
Smith, B. H. , Principles of Clinical Neurology
M. Mumenthaler, H. Schliack, Torben Fog , Läsionen periphärer Nerven
E. Ettlinger , Functions of the Corpus Callosum
J. C. Scotto , L'hyperostose frontale interne
D. Ingvar, N. Lassen , Regional Cerebral Blood Flow
Michaelis, L. , Orthopaedic surgery of the limbs in paraplegia
Adolf Juba , Pathologie des Ballismus
I. Taylor , The neurological mechanisms of hearing and speech in Children
F. Mellerio , L'electroencéphalographie dans les intoxications aigués
T. W. Farmer , Pediatric Neurology
P. Bourret, R. Louis , Anatomie du systéme nerveux central
M. Brazier , Brain Function. Vol. II. RNA and brain function; memory and learning
E. Gutmann, P. Hnik , The effect of use and disuse on neuromuscular functions
R. G. Siekert, J. P. Whisnant , Cerebral Vascular Disease
Excerpta Medica Foundation , Third International Congress of Neurological Surgery, Copenhagen, August 1965
H. W. Delank , Das Eiweissbild des Liquor cerebrospinalis und seine klinische Bedeutung
Schadé, J. P., D. H. Ford , Basic Neurology
C. Bernhard, E. Bohm , Local Anaesthetics as Anticonvulsants
M. Singer, J. Schadé , Degeneration Patterns in the Nervous System
K. Akert, C. Bally, J. Schadé, H. Pakkenberg , Sleep Mechanisms     

IIIrd International Symposium On Neural Transplantation from Molecular Bases to Clinical Application

IIIrd International Symposium On Neural Transplantation from Molecular Bases to Clinical Application(6th - 11th August 1989, Cambridge, U.K.)International Organising Committee: A. Aguayo, A. Bj?rklund, S.B. Dunnett, WJ. Freed, F.H. Gage, D.M. Gash, S.D. Iversen, R.D. Lund, C.D. Marsden, L. Olson, J. Sladek, C. Sotelo.Local Organising Committee: L.E. Annett, DJ. Clarke, S.B. Dunnett, P.C. Emson, B.J. Everitt, O. Isacson, S.D. Iversen, S.-J. Richards, J.D. Rowell, D.J.S. Sirinathsinghji.     

Brainstem neurons with descending projections to the spinal cord of two elasmobranch fishes: Thornback guitarfish,Platyrhinoidis triseriata,and horn shark,Heterodontus francisci

We studied two cartilaginous fishes and described their brainstem supraspinal projections because most nuclei in the reticular formation can be identified that way. A retrogradely transported tracer, horseradish peroxidase or Fluoro-Gold, was injected into the spinal cord of Platyrhinoidis triseriata (thornback guitarfish) or Heterodontus fransisci (horn shark). We described labeled reticular cells by their position, morpohology, somatic orientation, dendritic processes, and laterality of spinal projections. Nineteen reticular nuclei have spinal projections: reticularis (r.) dorsalis, r. ventralis pars α and β, r. gigantocellularis, r. magnocellularis, r. parvocellularis, r. paragigantocellularis lateralis and dorsalis, r. pontis caudalis pars α and β, r. pontis oralis pars medialis and lateralis, r. subcuneiformis, r. peduncularis pars compacta, r. subcoeruleus pars α, raphe obscurus, raphe pallidus, raphe magnus, and locus coeruleus. Twenty nonreticular nuclei have spinal projections: descending trigeminal, retroambiguus, solitarius, posterior octaval, descending octaval, magnocellular octaval, ruber, Edinger-Westphal, nucleus of the medial longitudinal fasciculus, interstitial nucleus of Cajal, latral mesencephalic complex, periventricularis pretectalis pars dorsalis, central pretectal, ventromedial thalamic, posterior central thalamic, posterior dorsal thalamic, the posterior tuberculum, and nuclei B, F, and J. The large number of distinct reticular nuclei with spinal projections corroborates the hypothesis that the reticular formation of elasmobranches is complexly organized into many of the same nuclei that are found in frogs, reptiles, birds, and mammals. J. Comp. Neurol. 403:534–560, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Post-stroke depression: research methodology of a large multicentre observational study (DESTRO)

Abstract. The heterogeneity of published data regarding post-stroke depression (PSD) prompted an Italian multicenter observational study (DESTRO), which took place in 2000–2003. The investigation involved 53 Italian neurology centers: of these, 50 treat acute patients and 3 provide rehabilitation care; 21 centres are in Northern Italy, 20 are in Central Italy, and 12 are in Southern Italy. The time schedule was articulated into three phases: registration of 6289 stroke patients; selection of 1817 cases and enrolment of 1074 patients; and follow-up for two years (1064 patients). Mood assessment was performed by evaluating depressive symptoms according to DSM IV and the Beck depression inventory (visual analog mood scale for aphasic patients). Depressed patients were also administered the Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale. Scores were related to function (Barthel index, modified Rankin scale), cognition (MMSE), quality of life (SF-36), and clinical data. Data analysis will provide information on PSD prevalence, onset and evolution, correlation with ischemic clinical syndrome, impact on activities of daily living, cognitive level and quality of life. The few data available at the present time concern PSD prevalence in the first six months after stroke (33.6%). DESTRO is a longitudinal investigation of a large patient sample and is expected to provide insights into the relationship of PDS with the functional and clinical consequences of stroke.* Participants in the DESTRO study include: G. Lagalla, M.G. Manicone, M. Del Gobbo, S. Paolini, Ancona; E. Bottacchi, G. Corso, Aosta; F. Federico, D. Martino, Bari; F. Salsa, E. Turinese, Bassano Del Grappa (VI); M. Gentile, S. Bogo, Belluno; M. Crisci, T. Sacquegna, Bologna; V. Santamato, G. Pietrarossa, Carbonara (BA); G. Coppola, G. Trianni, Casarano (LE); G. Pennisi, R. Bella, Catania; S. Ricci, K. Amantini, Città Della Pieve (PG); S. Buzzelli, L. Di Francesco, Città S. Angelo (PE); B. Antonelli, G. Pelliccia, Fermo (AP); E. Paolino, E. Iezzi, Ferrara; P. Nencini, C. Sarti, Florence; W. Neri, G. Galletti, Forli; S. Pretta, M. Del Sette, Genoa; E. Giaccaglini, C. Sconocchini, Iesi (AN); A. Carolei, C. Capannolo, LAquila; F.A. De Falco, R. Santangelo, Naples; R. Musolino, S. Gangemi, G. Vita, R. Di Leo, Messina; M. Comola, S. Mammi, M.A. Zamperetti, C.A. Defanti, S. Sommacal, G. Rudelli, Milan; V. Scarano, G. Coppola, Naples; M.T. Giordana, R. Sciolla, Orbassano (TO); G. Meneghetti, M. Ottina, Padua; A. Ponari, R. Castiglia, Palermo; D. Mancia, C. Zanferrari, Parma; G. Micieli, E. Zambrelli, Pavia; G. Cardaioli, V. Gallai, Perugia; R. Badino, T. Tassinari, Pietra Ligure (SV); G. Orlandi, S. Fanucchi, Pisa; G. Ciucci, G. Padoan, Ravenna; F. Gasparini, D. Guidetti, Reggio Emilia; D. De Angelis, G.A. Amabile, G. Fiermonte Rome; C. Roberti, A. Foti, Roma; L. Cainelli, M. Chiusole, Rovereto (TN); S. Pasqualino, D. Intiso, S. Giovanni Rotondo (FG); M. Tonizzo, A. Basile, S. Vito al Tagliamento (PN); P. Viviani, SantArsenio (SA); M.L. Stromillo, A. Federico, Siena; W. Liboni, E. Pavanelli, B. Bergamasco, P. Cerrato, A. Boghi, A. Cicolin, C. Berra, Turin; M. Zorzon, M.A. Tommasi, F. Chiodo Grandi, N. Koscica, Trieste; B. Micoli, R. Lorio, Venice; P. Bovi, G. Trabucco, Verona; D. Consoli, F. Galati, Vibo Valentia; F. Bortolon, M. Morra, Vicenza; V. Crespi, M. Braga, Vimercate (MI).     

The process of care in residential facilities

Background Although residential facilities (RFs) have largely replaced mental hospitals (MHs) in most developed countries for the long-term residential care of severely impaired patients, the process of care in RFs has not been well studied. The aim of this paper is to investigate the process of care in 265 RFs, representing 19.3% of all RFs in Italy, and to devise a classification of RFs based on process characteristics.Methods Structured interviews were conducted with the manager and staff of each RF. Residents were evaluated using standardized rating instruments.Results Most RFs had specific admission criteria, with one third having a waiting list that averaged about 3 months. There was no formal limitation to the length of stay in three quarters of RFs, and turnover rates were very low. Although a homelike atmosphere was found in many RFs, most facilities had restrictive rules on patients’ daily lives and behaviours. RFs carried out several external activities targeted at integrating patients within the local community. Standardized assessment instruments and written treatment plans were rarely used. A cluster analysis based on the levels of restrictiveness and the standardization of the process of care classified RFs into five groups that differed with respect to daily staff coverage, size, geographical distribution and proportion of former MH residents. No significant intercluster differences were associated with the current clinical and psychosocial characteristics of residents, or with several other outcome variables.Conclusions This study provides naturalistic evidence of the heterogeneity of the process of residential care on a large scale. Future efforts should focus on developing an empirical classification of RFs, as well as on national and international standards of care and staffing to address patients’ needs.The PROGRES Group includes: National Coordinators: G. de Girolamo, A. Picardi, P. Morosini (National Mental Health Project, National Institute of Health); Biostatistician: R. Micciolo (University of Trento); Regional Coordinators: P. Argentino, M. Casacchia, P. Ciliberti, G. Civenti, A. Colotto, G. Dell’Acqua, W. Di Munzio, G. Fagnano, A. Fioritti, N. Longhin, M. Miceli, M. Nicotera, M. Pisetta, R. Putzolu, E. Rossi, M. E. Rotunno, G. Borsetti, D. Semisa, R. Tomasi, P. Tulli, E. Zanalda; Researchers: C. Barbini, F. Basile, G. Bazzacco, R. Bracco, A. Calvarese, G. Canuso, E. Caroppo, L. Caserta, M. Colangione, S. Damiani, T. De Donatis, F. Di Donato, V. Di Michele, R. Esposito, M. Facchini, S. Ferraro, P. Fracchiolla, P. Gabriele, D. Gallicchio, G. Giardina, A. Greco, F. Grilletti, S. Guzzo, A. M. Lerario, M. R. Marinelli, C. Marino, E. Monzani, F. Picoco, L. Pinciaroli, C. A. Rossetti, P. Rubatta, G. Santone, F. Scorpiniti, V. Scrofani, M. Stefani, A. Svettini, A. Zaffarano, M. Cellini, A. Galli, K. Pesaresi, G. Pitzalis, L. Tarantino; Scientific Consultants: F. Amaddeo, I. Falloon     

Intranasal sumatriptan for the acute treatment of migraine

Two double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised, multicenter, multinational, parallel-group studies were carried out to identify the optimum dose of intranasal sumatriptan for the acute treatment of migraine. Study medication was taken as a single dose through one nostril in the first study, and as a divided dose through two nostrils in the second study. Totals of 245 and 210 patients with a history of migraine were recruited into the one-and two-nostril studies, respectively. In both studies, headache severity had significantly improved at 120 min after doses of 10–40 mg sumatriptan compared to placebo (P < 0.05) and the greatest efficacy rates were obtained with 20 mg sumatriptan. With 20 mg sumatriptan 78% and 74% of patients experienced headache relief in one- and two-nostril studies respectively. Sumatriptan was generally well tolerated, the most frequently reported event being taste disturbance. The results of the two studies are similar and indicate that administering sumatriptan as a divided dose via two nostrils confers no significant advantage over single-nostril administration. The publication committee members were as follows: Prof. C. Dahlöf Gothenburg; Prof. N. E. Gilhus, Bergen; Dr. V. Lüben, Giessen; Dr. R. Salonen, Tampere; Prof. J. M. Warier, Strasbourg; Ms E. Ashford, Glaxo Group Research Limited, Greenford; Mr. R. Dawson, Glaxo Group Research Limited, Greenford; Mrs D. Noronha Glaxo Group Research Limited, Greenford.Principal investigators were as follows: One nostril study France: Dr. N. Brion, Le Chesnay; Prof. G. Chazot, Lyon; Dr. P. Dano, Marseille; Prof. A. Destee, Lille; Dr. M. Schwob, Paris; Prof. J.M. Warter, Strasbourg. Germany: Dr. J. Brand, Konigstein; Dr. R. Enkelmann, St. Goar; Prof H. D. Langohr, Fulda; Dr. V. Lüben, Giesssen; Dr. M. Mockesch, Weinheim; Dr. H Pistauer, Preetz; Dr. Schimek, Giegen; Dr. E. Siegel, Munich. Norway: Dr. J. S. Aasen, Fredrikstad; Prof. N. E. Gilhus, Bergen; Dr. I. Monstad, Elverum; Dr. T. Mörland, Skien; Dr. K. Nestvold, Nordbyhagen; Dr. O. Roald, Oslo; Dr. R. Salvesen, Bodö; Prof. O. Sjaastad, Trondheim; Dr. B. Stadnes, Drammen; Dr. K. A. Tjörstad, Stavager.Two Nostril study Eire: Dr. A. Rynne, Dublin. Finland: Dr. M. Farkkila, Helsinki; Dr. H. Havanka, Kemi; Dr. T. Jolma, Pori; Dr. H. Kilpelainen, Savonlinna; Dr. E. Koivunen-Tapio, Jyvaskyla; Reunanen, Oulu; Dr. E. Sako, Turku; Dr. R. Salonen, Tampere. Sweden: Dr. B. Andersson, Gävle; Dr. C. Behring, Vasteras; Prof. C. Dahldf, Gothenburg; Dr. S. E. Eriksson, Falun; Dr. Hindfelt, Malmö; Dr. H. Hultberg, Osmo; Dr. F. Johansson, Umea; Dr. C. Muhr, Uppsala     

Book reviews

Norris JW, Hachinski VC, eds. Prevention of stroke.
Currier RD, Crowell RM, eds. The year book of neurology and neurosurgery 1991.
Gutin PH, Leibel SA, Sheline G, eds. Radiation injury to the nervous system.
Takeshita H, Siesjö BK, Miller JD, eds. Advances in brain resuscitation.
Freymoyer JW, Ducker TB, Hadler NM, Kostuik JP, Weinstein JN, Whitecloud HI TS, eds. The adult spine, Principles and practice.
Glasscock III ME, Cueva RA, Thedinger BA. Handbook of vertigo.
Ganten D, Pfaff D, eds. Behavioral aspects of neu-roendocrinology.
Leech RW, Brumback RA, eds. Hydrocephalus.
Yanagihara T, Petersen RC, eds. Memory disorders.
Eggermont JJ. The correlative brain.     

Methods to induce primary and secondary traumatic damage in organotypic hippocampal slice cultures

Organotypic brain slice cultures have been used in a variety of studies on neurodegenerative processes [K.M. Abdel-Hamid, M. Tymianski, Mechanisms and effects of intracellular calcium buffering on neuronal survival in organotypic hippocampal cultures exposed to anoxia/aglycemia or to excitotoxins, J. Neurosci. 17, 1997, pp. 3538-3553; D.W. Newell, A. Barth, V. Papermaster, A.T. Malouf, Glutamate and non-glutamate receptor mediated toxicity caused by oxygen and glucose deprivation in organotypic hippocampal cultures, J. Neurosci. 15, 1995, pp. 7702-7711; J.L. Perez Velazquez, M.V. Frantseva, P.L. Carlen, In vitro ischemia promotes glutamate mediated free radical generation and intracellular calcium accumulation in pyramidal neurons of cultured hippocampal slices, J. Neurosci. 23, 1997, pp. 9085-9094; L. Stoppini, L.A. Buchs, D. Muller, A simple method for organotypic cultures of nervous tissue, J. Neurosci. Methods 37, 1991, pp. 173-182; R.C. Tasker, J.T. Coyle, J.J. Vornov, The regional vulnerability to hypoglycemia induced neurotoxicity in organotypic hippocampal culture: protection by early tetrodotoxin or delayed MK 801, J. Neurosci. 12, 1992, pp. 4298-4308.]. We describe two methods to induce traumatic cell damage in hippocampal organotypic cultures. Primary trauma injury was achieved by rolling a stainless steel cylinder (0.9 g) on the organotypic slices. Secondary injury was followed after dropping a weight (0.137 g) on a localised area of the organotypic slice, from a height of 2 mm. The time course and extent of cell death were determined by measuring the fluorescence of the viability indicator propidium iodide (PI) at several time points after the injury. The initial localised impact damage spread 24 and 67 h after injury, cell death being 25% and 54%, respectively, when slices were kept at 37 degrees C. To validate these methods as models to assess neuroprotective strategies, similar insults were applied to slices at relatively low temperatures (30 degrees C), which is known to be neuroprotective [F.C. Barone, G.Z. Feuerstein, R.F. White, Brain cooling during transient focal ischaemia provides complete neuroprotection, Neurosci. Biobehav. Rev. 1, 1997, pp. 31-44; V.M. Bruno, M.P. Goldberg, L.L. Dugan, R.G. Giffard, D.W. Choi, Neuroprotective effect of hypothermia in cortical cultures exposed to oxygen glucose deprivation or excitatory aminoacids, J. Neurochem. 4, 1994, pp. 387-392; G.C. Newman, H. Qi, F.E. Hospod, K. Grundhmann, Preservation of hippocampal brain slices with in vivo or in vitro hypothermia, Brain Res. 1, 1992, pp. 159-163; J.Y. Yager, J. Asseline, Effect of mild hypothermia on cerebral energy metabolism during the evolution of hypoxic ischaemic brain damage in the immature rat, Stroke, 5, 1996, pp. 919-925.]. Low temperature incubation significantly reduced cell death, now being 9% at 24 h and 14% at 67 h. Our results show that these models of moderate mechanical trauma using organotypic slice cultures can be used to study neurodegeneration and neuroprotective strategies.     

Book reviews

Book Reviewed in this article:
Llinas R, ed The workings of the brain. Development, memory and perception.
Thomas D, ed. Neuro-oncology. Primary malignant brain tumours.
Sandler M, Collins G, eds. Migraine. A spectrum of ideas.
Kazner E, Wende S, Grumme T, Stochdorph O, Felix R, Clausen C, eds. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance tomography of intracranial tumors. A clinical perspective.
Winlow W, ed. Neuronal communications.
Hofferberth H, Brune A A, Sitger G, Weger H D, eds. Vascular brain stem diseases.
Dolenc V. Anatomy and surgery of the cavernous sinus.
Kolb B, Whishaw I O, eds. Fundamentals of human neuropsychology.
Scherzer A L, Tscharnuter I, eds. Early diagnosis and therapy in cerebral palsy.
Bartako D, Gerttenbrandt F, Turcani P , eds. Neurology in Europe I.     

Risk of cancer in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS)

Abstract. The possible relationship between Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) and cancer is still controversial and the existence of a paraneoplastic GBS remains unconfirmed. To better define whether there is a relationship between GBS and malignancy, we compared the observed and the expected number of patients with tumours in a population-based cohort of subjects with GBS. Clinical differences between GBS patients with or without malignancies were analysed. Data were obtained from the Piemonte and Valle dAosta Register for GBS (PARGBS) (years 1990–1998). GBS was diagnosed according to NINCDS criteria. The number of expected cases of malignancy in the PARGBS population was calculated using the incidence rate of all types of cancer (ICD codes 140–208) in Piemonte [1985–1987], and in the most important town of this region, that is Turin (years 1993–1997). In the nine-year period, 435 incident patients with GBS were found. Nine of them developed cancer in the six months preceding or following GBS; in seven of them, the diagnosis of cancer and GBS was concomitant. The expected number of malignant tumours was 3.7 (using the incidence in Piemonte) and 3.8 (using the incidence in Turin); therefore, the odds ratios were 2.43 (95 % CI, 1.11–4.62) and 2.37 (95% CI, 1.09–4.50), respectively (p < 0.01). Although the cases with malignancies were clinically similar to the other cases of GBS observed through the Register, the mortality in GBS patients with cancer was higher and was the final cause of death in two patients affected by severe cancer. These results suggest a possible correlation between some cases of GBS and cancer. However, GBS in cancer patients does not meet all the criteria for paraneoplastic diseases.* Piemonte and Valle dAosta Register for GBS (PARGBS): Coordinating center: 2^nd Division of Neurology, Department of Neuroscience, University of Torino, Italy. Project coordinator: A. Chiò, MD. Study monitors: A. Calvo, MD, N. Di Vito, MD, M. Vercellino, MD. Scientific Committee: A. Bertolotto, MD, E. Bottacchi, MD, A. Chiò, MD, D. Cocito, MD, M. T. Giordana, MD, M. Leone, MD, L. Mazzini, MD, G. Mora, MD. Collaborating centers: A. Chiò, MD, A. A. Terreni, MD, D. Schiffer, MD, R. Mutani, MD, D. Cocito, MD, B. Bergamasco, MD, I. Rainero, MD (Department of Neuroscience, Section of Neurology, University of Torino, and Azienda Ospedaliera San Giovanni Battista, Torino), A. Bertolotto, MD, A. Tribolo, MD, R. Sciolla, MD, F. Mondino, MD, M. T. Giordana, MD (Department of Neuroscience, Section of Neurology, University of Torino, and Azienda Ospedaliera San Luigi Gonzaga, Orbassano), M. Leone, MD, P. Gaviani, MD, F. Monaco, MD (Department of Neurology, Amedeo Avogadro University, Novara), M. De Mattei, MD, E. Morgando, MD (Department of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliera San Giovanni, Torino), L. Sosso, MD, M. Gionco, MD (Department of Neurology, Ospedale Mauriziano, Torino), U. Morino, MD, M. Nobili, MD (Department of Neurology, Ospedale Martini, Torino), L. Appendino, MD (Department of Neurology, Ospedale Maria Vittoria, Torino), D. Piazza, MD (Department of Neurology, Ospedale S. Giovanni Bosco, Torino), E. Oddenino, MD, W. Liboni, MD (Department of Neurology, Ospedale Gradenigo, Torino), G. Vaula, MD, G. Ferrari, MD (Department of Neurology, Ivrea), M. Favero, MD, C. Doriguzzi Bozzo, MD (Department of Neurology, Pinerolo), P. Santamaria, MD (Department of Neurology, Vercelli), U. Massazza, MD, E. Bollani, MD (Department of Neurology, Biella), A. Villani, MD, R. Conti, MD (Department of Neurology, Domodossola), G. Mora, MD, C. Balzarini, MD (Department of Neurological Rehabilitation, Fondazione S. Maugeri, Clinica del Lavoro e della Riabilitazione, IRCCS, Scientific Institute of Veruno), M. Palermo, MD (Department of Neurology, Alessandria), F. Vergnano, MD (Department of Neurology, Casale Monferrato), S. Cordera, MD, C. Buffa, MD (Department of Neurology, Novi Ligure), M. T. Penza, MD (Department of Neurology, Tortona), F. Fassio, MD (Department of Neurology, Asti), P. Meineri, MD (Department of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliera Santa Croce e Carle, Cuneo), A. Cognazzo, MD, C. Mocellini, MD, A. Dutto, MD, A. Cucatto, MD (Department of Neurology, Savigliano), C. Cavestro, MD, W. Troni, MD (Department of Neurology, Alba), G. Corso, MD, E. Bottacchi, MD (Department of Neurology, Aosta).