[Diagnosis of narcolepsy-cataplexy: importance of continuous recording in ambulatory EEG. Report of 20 cases]. / Diagnostic de la narcolepsie-cataplexie: intérêt de l'enregistrement continu sous EEG ambulatoire. A propos de 20 observations.

Ambulatory EEG (A-EEG) allows longterm polygraphic recording over 24 hours or more and proves to be particularly useful in the diagnosis of narcolepsy-cataplexy (N/C). We performed A-EEG using the Medilog 9000-8 channel system over a total of 36 24-hour periods in 20 consecutive N/C patients and recorded an average of 3.5 daytime sleep episodes, of which 2.2 were with SOREMP, AND 21 evening SOREMP (58%). A MSLT was performed using A-EEG in 16 cases. Continuous A-EEG proved to be more informative than the MSLT, and may represent a valid alternative to the classic continuous polygraphic recordings performed in the sleep lab, that are more cumbersome and costly. Although a full-night polysomnographic recording is still necessary whenever other sleep disorders are suspected in association with N/C, A-EEG is a first-line, practical method for the confirmation of N/C, which remains a clinical diagnosis.

[Evaluation of severity in partial intractable epilepsy]. / Evaluation de la gravité de l'épilepsie partielle pharmaco-résistante.

A large number of factors have to be taken into consideration to evaluate the severity of intractable partial epilepsy. These inter-related factors change with compliance and with the frequency of seizures as well as the psycho-social context. We discuss here the different factors which are directly or indirectly related with epilepsy. In clinical practice, only some of these factors are used as criteria of severity. The only truly effective method of determining the real consequences of epilepsy are quality of life could measurements.

[Isolated ipsilateral lateropulsion caused by bulbar hematoma]. / Latéropulsion ipsilatérale isolée par hématome bulbaire.

A case of hematoma involving probably the reticular formation of the medulla oblongata is reported. Examination showed a soft palate paresis and an ipsilateral axial lateropulsion without vertigo or oculomotor disorders. The mechanism of the lateropulsion is discussed. During the spontaneous recovery a transient hydrocephalus was observed.

[Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease: neuropsychological differentiation]. / Maladie d'Alzheimer et maladie de Parkinson. Difféferenciation neuropsychologique.

54 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD), 26 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 18 control subjects, all over 55, have performed neuropsychological tests, evaluating global intellectual function (Rosen's cognitive scale, WAIS digit symbol, WAIS similitude and WMS logical memory tests) and visuospatial functions (Rey lacunar pictures, Poppelreuter and Benton line orientation tests). AD group results were distinctly different from those of the PD and the control groups (p less than 0.001). In the PD group, only the Rosen's scale total score and the visuospatial tests were slightly altered (p less than 0.05). In a PD subgroup with a normal Rosen's scale result, the Benton line orientation test was different from controls (p less than 0.05). In another PD subgroup with Rosen's scale score comparable to a midly impaired AD subgroup, all the neuropsychological tests were abnormal. Only the WAIS digit symbol test, altered in this PD subgroup, was different comparing these 2 subgroups (p less than 0.05). With regard to the PD total group, the neuropsychological perturbed PD subgroup was older, had a longer duration of disease, a higher depression's score, less tremor and a worse equilibrium. These results might reflect a neuropsychological defect heterogeneity among PD patients, related to various pathophysiological hypothesis which are discussed in this paper.