Seasonal patterns and associations in the incidence of acute ischemic stroke requiring mechanical thrombectomy.

BACKGROUND: In order to identify risk periods with an increased demand in technical and human resources, we tried to determine patterns and associations in the incidence of acute ischemic stroke due to embolic large vessel occlusions (eLVO) requiring mechanical thrombectomy (MT). METHODS: We conducted a time series analysis over a 9-year period (2010-2018) based on observational data in order to detect seasonal patterns in the incidence of MT due to eLVO (n = 2628 patients). In a series of sequential negative binominal regression models, we aimed to detect further associations (e.g., temperature, atmospheric pressure, air pollution). RESULTS: There was a 6-month seasonal pattern in the incidence of MT due to eLVO (p = 0.024) peaking in March and September. Colder overall temperature was associated with an increase in MT due to eLVO (average marginal effect [AME], [95% CI]: -0.15 [-0.30-0.0001]; p = 0.05; per °C). A current increase in the average monthly temperature was associated with a higher incidence of MT due to eLVO (0.34 [0.11-0.56]; p = 0.003). Atmospheric pressure was positively correlated with MT due to eLVO (0.38 [0.13-0.64]; p = 0.003; per hectopascal [hPa]). We could detect no causal correlation between air pollutants and MT due to eLVO. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest a 6-month seasonal pattern in the incidence of MT due to eLVO peaking in spring and early autumn. This might be attributed to two different factors: (1) a current temperature rise (comparing the average monthly temperature in consecutive months) and (2) colder overall temperature. These results could help to identify risk periods requiring an adaptation in local infrastructure.

Nationwide Retrospective Analysis of Combinations of Advanced Therapies in Patients With Parkinson Disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Advanced therapies (ATs; deep brain stimulation [DBS] or pump therapies: continuous subcutaneous apomorphine infusion [CSAI], levodopa/carbidopa intestinal gel [LCIG]) are used in later stages of Parkinson disease (PD). However, decreasing efficacy over time and/or side effects may require an AT change or combination in individual patients. Current knowledge about changing or combining ATs is limited to mostly retrospective and small-scale studies. The nationwide case collection Combinations of Advanced Therapies in PD assessed simultaneous or sequential AT combinations in Germany since 2005 to analyze their clinical outcome, their side effects, and the reasons for AT modifications. METHODS: Data were acquired retrospectively by modular questionnaires in 22 PD centers throughout Germany based on clinical records and comprised general information about the centers/patients, clinical (Mini-Mental Status Test/Montréal Cognitive Assessment, Movement Disorder Society-Sponsored Revision of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale [MDS-UPDRS], side effects, reasons for AT modification), and therapeutical (ATs with specifications, oral medication) data. Data assessment started with initiation of the second AT. RESULTS: A total of 148 AT modifications in 116 patients were associated with significantly improved objective (median decrease of MDS-UPDRS Part III 4.0 points [p < 0.001], of MDS-UPDRS Part IV 6.0 points [p < 0.001], of MDS-UPDRS Part IV-off-time item 1.0 points [p < 0.001]) and subjective clinical outcome and decreasing side effect rates. Main reasons for an AT modification were insufficient symptom control and side effects of the previous therapy. Subgroup analyses suggest addition of DBS in AT patients with leading dyskinesia, addition of LCIG for leading other cardinal motor symptoms, and addition of LCIG or CSAI for dominant off-time. The most long-lasting therapy-until requiring a modification-was DBS. DISCUSSION: Changing or combining ATs may be beneficial when 1 AT is insufficient in efficacy or side effects. The outcome of an AT combination is comparable with the clinical benefit by introducing the first AT. The added AT should be chosen dependent on dominant clinical symptoms and adverse effects. Furthermore, prospective trials are needed to confirm the results of this exploratory case collection. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE: This study provides Class IV evidence that, in patients with PD, changing or combining ATs is associated with an improvement in the MDS-UPDRS or subjective symptom reporting.

Comparison of dopamine turnover, dopamine influx constant and activity ratio of striatum and occipital brain with ¹8F-dopa brain PET in normal controls and patients with Parkinson's disease.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to estimate normal ranges and test-retest measures for various parameters characterising dopamine metabolism from a prolonged (18)F-dopa positron emission tomography (PET) measurement using a reference tissue model and compare their value for the detection of early Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: Healthy volunteers (n = 9) and patients (n = 36) in an early stage of PD underwent an (18)F-dopa PET measurement lasting 4 h. The influx rate constant k(occ) and the effective distribution volume ratio (EDVR, its inverse is an indicator for dopamine turnover) were estimated by a graphical approach using dynamic data in the striatum and, as a reference region, the occipital cortex. Furthermore, ratios of activity concentrations between striatum and occipital brain taken for three time intervals completed the data analysis. All parameters were determined both in eight small volumes of interest placed in the striatum as well as averaged for caudate nucleus and putamen. For the control group, reproducibility was checked in a second study 3 months later and ranges for normal values were derived from mean ± 2 standard deviations. Receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analyses were performed to assess the value of the parameters for diagnostic purposes. RESULTS: Patients with early-stage PD and healthy volunteers could be separated by the values of the putamen, not the caudate nucleus. The normal ranges of the putamen were 0.0151-0.0216/min for the influx rate constant k(occ) and 2.02-3.00 for EDVR. For the various time intervals used the striato-occipital ratios yielded 2.24-3.06, 2.43-3.42 and 2.35-3.21, respectively. Patients were characterised by significantly lower values (p < 0.001) and significant differences between ipsi- and contralateral sides (p < 0.001) with regard to their clinical symptoms and a rostrocaudal gradient. EDVR as well as k(occ) for the putamen were able to effectively differentiate between groups (sensitivity >97%, specificity 100%). In contrast, striato-occipital ratios showed a sensitivity of about only 85%. CONCLUSION: For clinical applications, our data do not demonstrate any superiority of the EDVR determination compared to influx rate constant, while requiring long and tedious acquisition protocols. The normal range estimates do not represent absolute quantitative measures for dopamine metabolism but are specific for the chosen acquisition and processing procedures.

Health-related quality of life in multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), known as atypical parkinsonian syndromes (APS), are neurodegenerative disorders with severe disability and decreased life expectancy. Little is known about the health-related quality of life (HrQoL) and its determinants in patients with those disorders. The objective of our cross-sectional study was to evaluate the HrQoL in patients with APS and to identify the determinants of HrQoL. METHODS: A total of 101 consecutive patients with MSA (n = 54) and PSP (n = 47) were recruited in four German neurological centers. Disease severity was assessed using the Hoehn and Yahr stages and the Unified MSA Rating Scale. The HrQoL was evaluated using the EuroQol instrument (EQ-5D and EQ-VAS). Independent determinants of HrQoL were identified in multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: The mean EQ-VAS score was 52% lower than that reported for the general population (36.9 ± 18.3 vs. 77.4 ± 19.0). Of the study participants, 63% reported severe problems in at least one dimension of the EQ-5D. Cerebellar dysfunction was associated with a more considerable reduction of HrQoL. Independent determinants of reduced HrQoL were female gender, <12 years of education, disease severity, a decreased number of persons in the household and depression. CONCLUSIONS: The HrQoL in MSA and PSP is considerably reduced. While therapeutic options in the treatment of motor symptoms remain restricted, greater attention should be paid to the treatment of depression, which was identified among independent determinants of HrQoL. Independent determinants of HrQoL should be considered when developing healthcare programs aimed at improving the HrQoL in APS.

Baroreflex sensitivity and power spectral analysis during autonomic testing in different extrapyramidal syndromes.

Autonomic dysfunction has been frequently demonstrated in patients with extrapyramidal diseases by cardiovascular autonomic testing. In addition to classical testing, we applied the more detailed baroreflex and spectral analysis on three traditional cardiovascular tests in this study to get additional information on autonomic outflow. We recorded continuously blood pressure, electrocardiogram, and respiration in 35 patients with multiple system atrophy, 32 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy, 46 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease and in 27 corresponding healthy subjects during cardiovascular autonomic testing (metronomic breathing, Valsalva manoeuvre, head-up tilt). Baroreflex and spectral analyses were performed by using trigonometric regressive spectral analysis between and during the manoeuvres. Consistent with previous interpretations, our data showed an increase of sympathetic activity in head-up tilt and Valsalva test in healthy controls. This sympathetic activity was significantly decreased in patients with typical and atypical Parkinson syndromes. Significant modulation of baroreflex activity could be observed especially during metronomic breathing; again it was significantly lower in all patient groups. Baroreflex and spectral parameters could not only differentiate between patients and healthy controls, but also differentiate between clinically symptomatic (with autonomic dysfunction as eg. orthostatic hypotension) and asymptomatic patients. In conclusion, our approach allows the evaluation of autonomic variability during short and nonstationary periods of time and may constitute a useful advance in the assessment of autonomic function in both physiological and pathological conditions.

Minocycline 1-year therapy in multiple-system-atrophy: effect on clinical symptoms and [(11)C] (R)-PK11195 PET (MEMSA-trial).

The aim of the study was to investigate the efficacy of the antibiotic minocycline as a drug treatment in patients with Multiple-System-Atrophy Parkinson-type (MSA-P). Sixty-three patients were randomized to minocycline 200 mg/d (n = 32) or a matching placebo (n = 31). The primary outcome variable was the change in the value of the motor score of the Unified Multiple-System-Atrophy Rating-Scale (UMSARSII) from baseline to 48 weeks. Secondary outcome variables included subscores and individual Parkinsonian symptoms as determined by the UMSARS and the Unified-Parkinson's-Disease Rating-Scale (UPDRS). Health-related quality of life (HrQoL) was assessed using the EQ-5D and SF-12. "Progression rate" was assumed to be reflected in the change in motor function over 48 weeks. At 24 weeks and 48 weeks of follow-up, there was a significant deterioration in motor scores in both groups, but neither the change in UMSARSII nor in UPDRSIII differed significantly between treatment groups, i.e. "progression rate" was considered to be similar in both treatment arms. HrQoL did not differ among the two treatment arms. In a small subgroup of patients (n = 8; minocycline = 3, placebo = 5)[(11)C](R)-PK11195-PET was performed. The three patients in the minocycline group had an attenuated mean increase in microglial activation as compared to the placebo group (P = 0.07) and in two of them individually showed decreased [11C](R)-PK11195 binding actually decreased. These preliminary PET-data suggest that minocycline may interfere with microglial activation. The relevance of this observation requires further investigation. This prospective, 48 week, randomized, double-blind, multinational study failed to show a clinical effect of minocycline on symptom severity as assessed by clinical motor function.

Comprehensive autonomic assessment does not differentiate between Parkinson's disease, multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy.

Differential diagnosis of parkinsonian syndromes is a major challenge in movement disorders. Dysautonomia is a common feature but may vary in clinical severity and onset. The study attempted to find a pattern of autonomic abnormalities discriminative for patients with different parkinsonian syndromes. The cross-sectional study included 38 patients with multiple system atrophy (MSA), 32 patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), 26 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) and 27 age-matched healthy controls. Autonomic symptoms were evaluated by a standardized questionnaire. The performance of patients and controls was compared on five autonomic function tests: deep breathing, Valsalva manoeuvre, tilt-table testing, sympathetic skin response, pupillography, and 24-h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). Disease severity was significantly lower in IPD than PSP and MSA. Except for pupillography, none of the laboratory autonomic tests distinguished one patient group from the other alone or in combination. The same was observed on the questionnaire. Receiver operating characteristic curve revealed discriminating performance of pupil diameter in darkness and nocturnal blood pressure change. The composite score of urogenital and vasomotor domains significantly distinguished MSA from IPD patients but not from PSP. Our study supports the observation that even mild IPD is frequently indistinguishable from more severe MSA and PSP. Thus, clinical combination of motor and non-motor symptoms does not exclusively point at MSA. Pupillography, ABPM and the questionnaire may assist in delineating the three syndromes when applied in combination.

Autonomic dysfunction in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy.

The most important features that characterize and differentiate progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) from other parkinsonian syndromes are postural instability, supranuclear gaze palsy, pseudobulbar palsy, and cognitive disturbances. Although it has been reported that significant autonomic dysfunction is an exclusionary feature for PSP diagnosis, we could demonstrate in this study using semiquantitative clinical interview and cardiovascular testing that both PSP and idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) patients can present with significant autonomic dysfunction. The parasympathetic cardiovascular system seems to be involved to a similar extent in PD and PSP patients, whereas sympathetic cardiovascular dysfunction is more frequent and severe in PD patients, but can also be found in PSP patients. Our findings have a profound implication on the diagnosis and treatment of PSP patients.

Autonomic dysfunction in different subtypes of multiple system atrophy.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) can clinically be divided into the cerebellar (MSA-C) and the parkinsonian (MSA-P) variant. However, till now, it is unknown whether autonomic dysfunction in these two entities differs regarding severity and profile. We compared the pattern of autonomic dysfunction in 12 patients with MSA-C and 26 with MSA-P in comparison with 27 age- and sex-matched healthy controls using a standard battery of autonomic function tests and a structured anamnesis of the autonomic nervous system. MSA-P patients complained significantly more often about the symptoms of autonomic dysfunctions than MSA-C patients, especially regarding vasomotor, secretomotor, and gastrointestinal subsystems. However, regarding cardiovascular, sudomotor pupil, urogenital, and sleep subsystems, there were no significant quantitative or qualitative differences as analyzed by autonomic anamnesis and testing. Our results suggest that there are only minor differences in the pattern of autonomic dysfunction between the two clinical MSA phenotypes.

A longitudinal study of olfactory function in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

Olfactory function is diminished in patients with idiopathic Parkinson disease (IPD). Because previous work almost exclusively relied upon cross-sectional studies, the present investigation aimed to address the correlation between olfactory loss and duration of disease within the context of a longitudinal study, accompanying well-diagnosed patients over an average period of 4.4 years. A group of 27 IPD patients was examined (5 women, 22 men; age range 27-64 years; duration of disease: 0 to 19 years). Psychophysical olfactory testing was performed after 3-6 years (mean 4.4 years) using the "Sniffin' Sticks" test battery which consists of subtests for odor thresholds, odor discrimination, and odor identification. The study yielded the following major results: (1) olfactory function in IPD patients changes in an unpredictable manner, (2) especially when considering results from the second session relatively few IPD patients were completely anosmic; none of the patients, however, were normosmic. One possible explanation for these findings may lie in the hypothesis based on results by Huisman et al. (2004) who reported an increase of dopaminergic neurons in the olfactory bulb in IPD patients. In this scenario, olfactory loss seen early in the disease may be based on an incomplete inhibition of olfactory input at the level of the olfactory bulb.

Frequency and treatment of depressive symptoms in a Parkinson's disease registry.

Purpose of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the occurrence of depressive symptoms, as related to other clinical data, in a sample of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients (n=226). Furthermore, we examined the medical care of depressive symptoms in this sample. H&Y stages, cognitive status, sleeping disorders, and dysphagia resulted as significant predictors for depression. Prevalence of depressive symptoms was 35.4%. Only 25.0% of patients suffering from moderate to severe depressive symptoms were prescribed antidepressants. This study supports the view that depression may be underrecognized and undertreated in PD patients. A significant proportion of patients continues to experience depressive symptoms despite antidepressive medication. Recognition and treatment of depression remains a challenge for management of PD. Possible coexisting depressive symptoms should be revealed and assessed by standardized interviews in everyday clinical routine. Large scale randomized controlled trials examining efficacy and safety of antidepressants in PD patients are urgently required.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial on symptomatic effects of coenzyme Q(10) in Parkinson disease.

BACKGROUND: Major hallmarks in the pathophysiology of Parkinson disease are cellular energy depletion and oxidative stress leading to cellular dysfunction and death. Coenzyme Q(10) (CoQ(10)) is an electron acceptor bridging mitochondrial complexes I and II/III and a potent antioxidant that consistently partially recovers the function of dopaminergic neurons. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether nanoparticular CoQ(10) is safe and displays symptomatic effects in patients with midstage Parkinson disease without motor fluctuations. DESIGN: Multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, stratified, parallel-group, single-dose trial. SETTING: Academic and nonacademic movement disorder clinics. PATIENTS: One hundred thirty-one patients with Parkinson disease without motor fluctuations and a stable antiparkinsonian treatment. Intervention Random assignment to placebo or nanoparticular CoQ(10) (100 mg 3 times a day) for a treatment period of 3 months. Stratification criterion was levodopa treatment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The subjects underwent evaluation with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) at each visit on a monthly basis. The primary outcome variable was the change of the sum score of the UPDRS parts II and III between the baseline and 3-month visits. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-one subjects were randomized according to the protocol. The mean changes of the sum UPDRS parts II/III score were -3.69 for the placebo group and -3.33 for the CoQ(10) group (P = .82). Statistical analysis according to the stratification did not result in significant changes of the primary outcome variable. No secondary outcome measure showed a significant change between the placebo group and the CoQ(10) group. The frequency and quality of adverse events were similar in both treatment groups. CONCLUSIONS: Nanoparticular CoQ(10) at a dosage of 300 mg/d is safe and well tolerated and leads to plasma levels similar to 1200 mg/d of standard formulations. Add-on CoQ(10) does not display symptomatic effects in midstage Parkinson disease.

Depression and Parkinson's disease.

Depression occurs in approximately 45% of all patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), reduces quality of life independent of motor symptoms and seems to be underrated and undertreated. Characteristics of symptoms differ from major depression. Because of overlapping clinical symptoms, diagnosis is based on subjectively experienced anhedonia and feeling of emptiness. Available rating scales for major depression may not be adequate to correctly measure severity of depression in PD. Anxiety and depression may manifest as first symptoms of PD many years before motor symptoms. Serotonergic, noradrenergic and dopaminergic mechanisms play key roles in the etiology of depression in PD. Tricyclic and newer, selective antidepressants including serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SSRI, SNRI) appear to be effective in treating depression in PD. Selective reuptake inhibitors seem to have a favorable side effect profile. Recent controlled studies show antidepressant effects of pramipexole in bipolar II depression. New dopamine agonists pramipexole and ropinirole appear to ameliorate depressive symptoms in PD in addition to effects on motor symptoms. There is a lack of appropriate rating scales and controlled studies regarding depression in PD.

Dementia in idiopathic Parkinson's syndrome.

Approximately 25% of patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD) later develop dementia, with the typical characteristics as detailed in ICD-10 and DSM-IV. Differential diagnosis has to exclude dementia due to Lewy bodies, subcortical vascular encephalopathy and subcortical dementia due to progressive supranuclear paralysis or corticobasal degeneration. Several studies showed promising results for cholinesterase inhibitors such as donepezile, rivastigmine and galantamine. The demented Parkinsonian patients then present with improvement in cognitive function while motor skills do not deteriorate.

Effects of dopaminergic treatment on striatal dopamine turnover in de novo Parkinson disease.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of levodopa and the dopamine D2 agonist cabergoline on striatal dopamine turnover estimated as the inverse of the effective dopamine distribution volume ratio (EDVR) measured by (18)F-dopa PET in de novo Parkinson disease (PD). METHODS: Single-center, parallel-group, randomized, observer-blinded study of cabergoline (3 mg/day) and levodopa (300 mg/day) over 12 weeks in patients with de novo PD. Primary efficacy measure was the change of the side-to-side averaged putaminal EDVR comparing baseline and end-of-maintenance period. RESULTS: Thirty-five out of 39 randomized patients were assigned to the primary efficacy analysis (cabergoline, n = 17; levodopa, n = 18). At the end of treatment period, mean EDVRs were significantly lower compared to baseline solely in the levodopa group (relative change -1.0 ± 13.0% in cabergoline [p = 0.525 when compared to baseline], -8.3 ± 11.8% in levodopa group [p = 0.006]) with a nonsignificant trend between groups (mean relative difference: 7.3% (95% confidence interval -1.2% to 15.8%; p = 0.091). There was significant clinical improvement in both groups at 12 weeks compared to baseline, but no significant differences between groups in clinical and PET secondary outcome measures. Both pharmacologic treatments and PET scanning were well-tolerated and safe. CONCLUSION: Putaminal dopamine turnover is increased by levodopa treatment in de novo PD. The nonsignificant trend toward a larger influence by levodopa compared to cabergoline is supported by ancillary statistical analyses. This augmentation of early compensatory events by levodopa might contribute not only to its symptomatic effects, but also to its induction of motor complications.

Treatment of postinfectious olfactory disorders with minocycline: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: Infection of the upper respiratory tract is one of the most common causes of olfactory loss. One of the possible underlying pathologic pathways is an increase of apoptosis of olfactory receptor neurons. Therefore, treatment with the antibiotic minocycline, which has been shown to act as an antiapoptotic agent, is thought to accelerate improvement of olfactory function. To investigate this idea, 55 patients with postinfectious olfactory dysfunction were tested for their olfactory ability. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled. METHODS: Olfactory function was examined by means of a standardized psychophysical method (Sniffin' Sticks) before and 7 months after a 3-week treatment with either minocycline (2 × 50 mg/d) or a placebo. RESULTS: Statistical analyses did not reveal any influence of the treatment on the progress of olfactory function, possibly indicating that pathologic changes other than apoptosis contribute to postinfectious olfactory loss, either on a peripheral level (e.g., scarring/reorganization of the olfactory epithelium) or on a central nervous level. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the present results indicate that minocycline in the given dosage has little or no effect on the recovery of human olfactory function following postinfectious olfactory loss. However, spontaneous recovery is found in approximately 20% of the patients over an observation period of 7 months.

Treatment of dysautonomia in extrapyramidal disorders.

Although extrapyramidal diseases are commonly thought to solely affect the (extrapyramidal) motor system, non-motor symptoms such as behavioural abnormalities, dysautonomia, sleep disturbances and sensory dysfunctions are also frequently observed. Autonomic dysfunction is an important clinical component of extrapyramidal disease, but it is often not formally assessed, and thus frequently misdiagnosed. Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction can impact more on quality of life than motor symptoms. Appropriate symptom-oriented diagnosis and symptomatic treatment as part of an interdisciplinary approach can greatly benefit the patient. This review elaborates a limited overview on the treatment of cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, urogenital and sudomotor autonomic dysfunction in various extrapyramidal syndromes.

Cost-of-illness in multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy.

Multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy are disabling neurodegenerative disorders, also known as atypical parkinsonian syndromes. Currently, no health economic evaluations of these diseases are available. The objective of this study was to evaluate disease-related costs in German patients with multiple system atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy and to identify cost-driving factors. We recruited 101 consecutive patients with multiple system atrophy (n = 54) and progressive supranuclear palsy (n = 47) in four German specialised movement disorder clinics. The health economic data were collected using comprehensive health economic questionnaires ("bottom-up" approach). Costs were calculated from the societal perspective in 2010 Euros. Independent cost-driving factors were identified in multiple regression analysis. The total semi-annual costs of atypical parkinsonian syndromes were EUR 16,670 (95% CI: 13,470-21,850). Direct costs accounted for 73% (inpatient care 31%, special equipment 24%, copayments of patients 21%, others 24%) and indirect costs for 27% of total costs. The economic burden imposed on patients by atypical parkinsonian syndromes accounted for 36% of their income. Independent cost-driving factors were younger age, disease severity, living without a partner and depression. The disease-related costs of atypical parkinsonian syndromes in Germany are high and above the costs reported for idiopathic Parkinson's disease. Disease-specific patterns of cost distributions in atypical parkinsonian syndromes and independent cost-drivers should be considered in future health economic evaluations and healthcare programs. The early diagnosis and treatment of depression in patients with atypical parkinsonian syndromes as well as programs aimed to improve social support will reduce disease-related costs.

Prefrontal cortex dysfunction and depression in atypical parkinsonian syndromes.

Depressive symptoms are common in patients with neurodegenerative disorders. Imaging studies suggest that a disruption of frontal-subcortical pathways may underlie depression associated with basal ganglia disease. This pilot study tested the hypothesis that frontal dysfunction contributes to depression associated with multiple system atrophy (MSA) and progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Depressed patients with MSA (n = 11), PSP (n = 9), and age-matched controls (n = 25) underwent measures of cerebral glucose metabolism applying positron emission tomography with (18)F-fluorodeoxyglucose. Regional metabolism in the patient groups was compared to the normal subjects using the voxel-based statistical parametric mapping. Depressive symptom severity (Hamilton Depression Rating) and degree of locomotor disability (Hoehn & Yahr) were assessed in the patient groups. The association between prefrontal metabolism and the occurrence of depressive symptoms and the degree of locomotor disability was investigated. When compared to controls, MSA patients revealed significant metabolic decreases in bilateral frontal, parietal, and cerebellar cortex and in the left putamen. In PSP patients, significant hypometabolism was demonstrated in bilateral frontal cortex, right thalamus, and midbrain. Depression severity but not the patients' functional condition was significantly associated with dorsolateral prefrontal glucose metabolism in both patient groups. The findings of this pilot study support the hypothesis that depressive symptoms in MSA and PSP are associated with prefrontal dysfunction.

Pupil diameter in darkness differentiates progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) from other extrapyramidal syndromes.

The most important features that characterize and differentiate progressive supranuclear palsy from other Parkinsonian syndromes are postural instability, supranuclear gaze palsy, pseudobulbar palsy, parkinsonism, and cognitive disturbances. In this article, we demonstrate that progressive supranuclear palsy patients exhibit pathologically decreased pupil diameters after dark adaptation recorded by TV pupillography. A cut off value of 3.99 mm was defined to differentiate progressive supranuclear palsy patients from patients with other extrapyramidal disorders like Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy with a specificity of 86.4% and a sensitivity of 70.8%. Other pupil abnormalities could not be described in patients with extrapyramidal syndromes.