Randomised controlled trial of escitalopram for cervical dystonia with dystonic jerks/tremor.

OBJECTIVE: Trials for additional or alternative treatments for cervical dystonia (CD) are scarce since the introduction of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT). We performed the first trial to investigate whether dystonic jerks/tremor in patients with CD respond to the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) escitalopram. METHODS: In a randomised, double-blind, crossover trial, patients with CD received escitalopram and placebo for 6 weeks. Treatment with BoNT was continued, and scores on rating scales regarding dystonia, psychiatric symptoms and quality of life (QoL) were compared. Primary endpoint was the proportion of patients that improved at least one point on the Clinical Global Impression Scale for jerks/tremor scored by independent physicians with experience in movement disorders. RESULTS: Fifty-threepatients were included. In the escitalopram period, 14/49 patients (29%) improved on severity of jerks/tremor versus 11/48 patients (23%) in the placebo period (P=0.77). There were no significant differences between baseline and after treatment with escitalopram or placebo on severity of dystonia or jerks/tremor. Psychiatric symptoms and QoL improved significantly in both periods compared with baseline. There were no significant differences between treatment with escitalopram and placebo for dystonia, psychiatric or QoL rating scales. During treatment with escitalopram, patients experienced slightly more adverse events, but no serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSION: In this innovative trial, no add-on effect of escitalopram for treatment of CD with jerks was found on motor or psychiatric symptoms. However, we also did not find a reason to withhold patients treatment with SSRIs for depression and anxiety, which are common in dystonia. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NTR2178.

The ParkinsonNet concept: development, implementation and initial experience.

The quality and efficiency of allied health care in Parkinson's disease (PD) must be improved. We have developed the ParkinsonNet concept: a professional regional network within the catchment area of hospitals. ParkinsonNet aims to: (1) improve PD-specific expertise among allied health personnel, by training a selected number of therapists according to evidence-based guidelines; (2) enhance the accuracy of referrals by neurologists; (3) boost patient volumes per therapist, by stimulating preferred referral to ParkinsonNet therapists; and (4) stimulate collaboration between therapists, neurologists, and patients. We describe the procedures for developing a ParkinsonNet network. Our initial experience with this new concept is promising, showing an increase in PD-specific and a steady rise in the patient volume of individual therapists.

Integrated multidisciplinary care in Parkinson's disease: a non-randomised, controlled trial (IMPACT).

BACKGROUND: A multidisciplinary approach is thought to be the best way to manage the motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease, but how such care should be delivered is unknown. To address this gap in knowledge, we assessed the effectiveness of an integrated multidisciplinary approach compared with usual care. METHODS: We recruited patients for our non-randomised controlled trial from six community hospitals in the Netherlands (two in regions where the integrated care intervention was available and four in control regions that administered usual care). Eligible patients were those with Parkinson's disease, aged 20-80 years, and without severe cognitive impairment or comorbidity. Patients in the intervention group were offered an individually tailored comprehensive assessment in an expert tertiary referral centre and subsequent referrals to a regional network of allied health professionals specialised in Parkinson's disease. Primary outcomes were activities of daily living (Academic Medical Center linear disability score [ALDS]) and quality of life (Parkinson's disease quality of life questionnaire [PDQL]) measured at 4, 6, and 8 months. Secondary outcomes included motor functioning (unified Parkinson's disease rating scale, part III [UPDRS III], at 4 months), caregiver burden (belastungsfragebogen Parkinson angehörigen-kurzversion [BELA-A-k] at 4 and 8 months), and costs (during whole study period). Primary analysis was by intention to treat and included scores over 4, 6, and 8 months, with correction for baseline score. The trial is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov, number NCT00518791. FINDINGS: We recruited 301 patients (150 patients in the intervention group and 151 in the control group) between August, 2007, and December, 2009, of whom 285 completed follow-up (last follow-up was July, 2010). 101 (67%) patients in the intervention group visited the expert centre; 49 (33%) opted not to visit the expert centre. The average ALDS score from months 4, 6, and 8, with correction for baseline score, was greater in the intervention group than in the control group (difference 1·3 points, 95% CI -2·1 to 2·8; corresponding raw logit score difference 0·1, 95% CI 0·003 to 0·2) as was the average PDQL score (difference 3·0 points, 0·4 to 5·6). Secondary analysis with correction for baseline disease severity showed no differences between groups for ALDS (difference 0·9 points, 95% CI -0·6 to 2·4; corresponding raw logit score difference 0·1, -0·02 to 0·3) or PDQL (difference 1·7 points, -1·2 to 4·6). Secondary outcomes did not differ between groups (UPDRS III score difference 0·6 points, 95% CI -1·4 to 2·6; BELA-A-k score difference 0·8 points, -0·2 to 1·8; cost difference €742, -€489 to €1950). INTERPRETATION: This integrated care approach offered only small benefits to patients with Parkinson's disease, and these disappeared after correction for baseline disease severity. These results suggest that different approaches are needed to achieve more substantial health benefits. FUNDING: NutsOhra Foundation, Stichting Parkinson Nederland, National Parkinson Foundation.

Dystrophin analysis in carriers of Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy.

Associations between clinical phenotype (muscle weakness, dilated cardiomyopathy) and dystrophin abnormalities in muscle tissue among definite carriers of Duchenne (DMD) and Becker muscular dystrophy (BMD) were investigated. No associations between dystrophin abnormalities and clinical variables in DMD/BMD carriers were found. Because 26% of nonmanifesting carriers have dystrophin-negative fibers, this might be used in suspected DMD/BMD carriers in whom DNA analysis fails to give an answer about their carrier risk.