Management of Cerebral Metastases from Malignant Melanoma: Results of a Combined,Simultaneous Treatment with Fotemustine and Irradiation

We report results of a conservative treatment for brain metastases from malignant melanoma with a combination of irradiation and chemotherapy (fotemustine and/or DTIC). To date, 12 patients have been treated. There was a complete remission of the brain metastases in four patients. In two patients a partial remission was observed. The mean survival of the responder was 8.2 months (95% confidence interval 3.8–12.6 months). The most common side effects were thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, and alopecia. Altogether, the treatment was well tolerated. As the outcome of patients with brain metastases from malignant melanoma is generally poor, this combined chemo- and radiation therapy may provide improved care for such patients.     

Oral physostigmine treatment for patients with presenile and senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial

Twelve patients aged 53 to 89 years with presenile or senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type participated in a treatment trial of oral physostigmine. Patients first received the drug during an open dose-finding phase. In a double-blind crossover design phase, the patients' memory performance during treatment with an optimal memory-enhancing dose was compared with memory performance during placebo treatment. Response to medication was assessed by the Delayed Recognition Span Test, the Selective Reminding Test, and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale. Intergroup differences in response to physostigmine were nonsignificant. Age at onset of the disease did not differentiate partial responders from nonresponders.     

No brain structure abnormalities in boys with Tourette's syndrome: A voxel‐based morphometry study

Morphometric findings in Tourette's syndrome (TS) are still inconsistent probably due to differences in analysis approaches as well as several confounders (coexisting psychiatric conditions, medication status, etc.). Our aim was to identify possible morphometric changes in a well‐defined sample of drug‐naïve boys with “pure” TS. High‐resolution structural magnetic resonance images of 38 boys with TS were compared with those of 38 healthy boys matched for age and IQ using voxel‐based morphometry (VBM). Coexisting psychiatric conditions and previous medication were excluded. The inclusion of 10‐ to 15‐year‐old boys minimized the well known compensatory changes due to tic suppression over many years. VBM analyses revealed no differences between the treatment naïve boys with “pure” TS and healthy controls. Brain morphology is not altered in boys with “pure” TS. Further studies should reveal whether previous findings might be ascribed to confounding factors like coexisting psychiatric conditions or long‐term compensatory mechanisms due to voluntary tic suppression. © 2009 Movement Disorder Society