Effects of dopaminergic medications on psychosis and motor function in dementia with Lewy bodies

Dopaminergic treatment in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) requires balancing risk of worsened psychosis and potential motor benefit. We assessed the effects of increased dopaminergic medication on psychosis and motor function in DLB. We studied 19 subjects fulfilling probable DLB Consensus criteria before and after increased dopaminergic medications. Standard clinical measures included: Thought Disorder score from the Unified Parkinson's disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part I, total motor score (UPDRS Part III), and Hoehn–Yahr (H&Y) stage. Motor benefit defined as >10% improvement over baseline UPDRS Part III score, occurred in only one‐third of subjects. In this group, worsened hallucinations or psychosis developed in one‐third. Considering motor benefit without exacerbation of psychosis as our aim, only 4 DLB subjects (22%) achieved this goal. Our results suggest that dopaminergic medications have limited benefit in DLB because of the low likelihood of motor improvement and the risk of psychosis exacerbation. © 2008 Movement Disorder Society     

Association of <Emphasis Type="Italic">RGS4</Emphasis> variants with schizotypy and cognitive endophenotypes at the population level

Background  

While association studies on schizophrenia show conflicting results regarding the importance of the regulator of the G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4) gene, recent work suggests that RGS4 may impact on the structural and functional integrity of the prefrontal cortex. We aimed to study associations of common RGS4 variants with prefrontal dependent cognitive performance and schizotypy endophenotypes at the population level.     

Variations in mortality of the coloured white and Asian population groups in the RSA, 1978-1982. Part III. Rheumatic heart disease

An analysis was undertaken of mortality from rheumatic heart disease in the RSA between 1978 and 1982 in whites, coloureds and Asians. This article details the age-specific mortality rates (MRs) for each group and also comparisons between groups based on age-standardised MRs. The rates for Asians and coloureds markedly exceed those for whites, particularly in the lower age groups (under 45 years).     

Osteosarcoma: use of MR imaging and MR spectroscopy in clinical decision making

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed on 14 patients with histologically proved osteosarcoma (mean age, 14.4 years). There was excellent correlation of intramedullary tumor extent as determined with MR imaging and pathologic examination (r = 99%). This was facilitated by the presence of a chemical shift artifact at the tumor-marrow interface on the T1-weighted images. The correlation between CT and pathologic findings was not as good (r = 84%). In a single patient, however, a 10-cm length of sclerotic bone was incorrectly interpreted as being tumor. If this case is excluded, the correlation between CT and pathologic findings improves significantly (r = 96%). T2-weighted images were optimal in demonstrating soft-tissue bulk and breach of the epiphysis or cortex. Vascular involvement was also readily defined. The T2 value of the tumor soft-tissue component decreased in patients who were deemed to have responded well to therapy. Two patients with very high T2 values after chemotherapy developed wide-spread metastatic disease and died. Phosphorus-31 MR spectroscopy of five patients with osteosarcoma showed elevated levels of phosphomonoesters (PMEs), inorganic phosphate (Pi), and phosphodiesters (PDEs). PME and PDE peak areas decreased in three patients after chemotherapy, while Pi peak areas increased.     

Carotid artery: percutaneous transbrachial selective arteriography with a 4-F catheter

Bilateral selective common carotid artery catheterization was attempted in 72 patients by means of percutaneous placement of a 4-F catheter from a right brachial artery puncture site in the antecubital fossa. The success rate was high (95.8%) and the complication rate low (6.9%), and there were no instances of brachial artery spasm or thrombosis. The experience, while small, suggests that selective common carotid arteriography can be done safely and efficaciously from the right brachial artery approach.     

Variations in mortality of the coloured, white and Asian population groups in the RSA, 1978-1982. Part II. Cerebrovascular disease

An analysis was undertaken of mortality from cerebrovascular disease in the RSA between 1978 and 1982 in whites, coloureds and Asians. This article details the age-specific mortality rates for each group and also comparisons between groups based on age-standardised mortality rates. Marked differences are seen between the various population groups, the rates for Asians and coloureds (particularly females) far exceeding that for whites. Comparison of these data with those published previously by Wyndham suggest that while mortality from this cause may be falling among whites and Asians, the rate is remaining relatively static in the coloured population.     

Relationship of gingival thickness and bleeding to loss of probing attachment in shallow sites following nonsurgical periodontal therapy

Periodontal sites of shallow initial probing depth often seem to lose probing attachment following various types of periodontal therapy, including nonsurgical therapy. The susceptibility to this treatment-associated probing attachment loss may conceivably be related to gingival architecture as well as to the inflammatory status of the tissues. This study was designed to study the relationship of buccolingual gingival thickness and bleeding on probing in shallow buccal sites (less than or equal to 3.5 mm probing depth) to loss of probing attachment following nonsurgical therapy. 3 months following treatment consisting of oral hygiene instruction and supra- and subgingival debridement, thin (less than or equal to 1.5 mm), initially non-bleeding sites displayed a mean loss of probing attachment of 0.3 mm. Thick (greater than or equal to 2.0 mm), non-bleeding sites displayed a less noticeable mean loss of probing attachment, whereas bleeding sites of both categories of gingival thickness showed a tendency towards gains in probing attachment levels. It may be concluded that the mean loss in probing attachment levels, commonly seen for shallow sites post-therapy, may be primarily due to the changes in shallow, thin healthy areas.     

Migraine-associated vertigo

A retrospective analysis was performed on consecutive series of 363 patients presenting with vertigo; 32% had migraine. Of the 224 patients with no pathology other than migraine or vestibular dysfunction, migraineurs had a significantly higher prevalence of normal, central, and combined central and peripheral vestibular dysfunction compared to non-migraineurs. The combination of central and peripheral vestibular signs was a feature of migraine with aura. The results support the hypothesis that migraine-associated vertigo is a diagnostic entity.