Botulinum toxin-A injections vs radiotherapy for drooling in ALS.

OBJECTIVES: Botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injections in the salivary glands and radiotherapy (RT) on these glands are commonly used to alleviate severe drooling in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study compares BoNT type A with RT based on patient-rated evaluations. MATERIALS & METHODS: A prospective randomized controlled pilot study to compare RT (n = 10; on the parotid and the posterior part of the submandibular glands) with BoNT-A treatment (n = 10; in the parotid glands only, because of the risk of increasing oropharyngeal weakness) in patients with ALS. The primary outcome was the drooling status (burden of drooling), and our secondary interests were the degree of salivation, global change of drooling after treatment, and level of satisfaction with the treatment and negative experiences. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant between-treatment differences for the drooling status after treatment. Only at twelve weeks more saliva reduction was achieved by RT (P = 0.02). Patients treated with RT also described more transient negative experiences (like pain in mandible) directly after treatment. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with very severe dysphagia (no oral intake) were less satisfied and experienced a lower global change of drooling after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study showed no significant difference in the burden of drooling between the treatments. However, with RT more saliva reduction was achieved, including negative experiences directly after treatment, but without the risk of decreasing oropharyngeal function. In addition, patients with very severe dysphagia do not seem to benefit from either treatment.

Prospective analysis of falls in dominant ataxias.

In a previous retrospective study, we demonstrated that falls are common and often injurious in dominant spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) and that nonataxia features play an important role in these falls. Retrospective surveys are plagued by recall bias for the presence and details of prior falls. We therefore sought to corroborate and extend these retrospective findings by means of a prospective extension of this fall study. 113 patients with SCA1, SCA2, SCA3 or SCA6, recruited from the EuroSCA natural history study, were asked to keep a fall diary in between their annual visits to the participating centres. Additionally, patients completed a detailed questionnaire about the first three falls, to identify specific fall circumstances. Relevant disease characteristics were retrieved from the EuroSCA registry. 84.1% of patients reported at least one fall during a time period of 12 months. Fall-related injuries were common and their frequency increased with that of falls. The presence of nonataxia symptoms was associated with a higher fall frequency. This study confirms that falls are a frequent and serious complication of SCA, and that the presence of nonataxia symptoms is an important etiological factor in its occurrence.

Radiotherapy-induced cerebral abnormalities in patients with low-grade glioma.

Abnormalities on CT or MRI and neuropsychological performance in patients with low-grade glioma, with (n = 23) or without (n = 16) prior cerebral radiotherapy, were evaluated. Cerebral atrophy was observed in 14 of 23 patients (61%) treated with prior radiotherapy, and in 1 of 16 patients (6%) without prior radiotherapy. White matter abnormalities were observed in six patients, all of whom were treated with prior radiotherapy. These radiologic cerebral abnormalities correlated with cognitive performance.

Lack of neuroprotection by an ACTH (4-9) analogue. A randomized trial in patients treated with vincristine for Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

PURPOSE: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluates the effect of the corticotropin (4-9) analogue Org 2766 on the neuropathy-free interval in patients receiving vincristine (VCR) containing chemotherapy for Hodgkin's or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a longitudinal design, 150 patients were evaluated by interview, neurological examination, and neurophysiological techniques. Patients with an expected cumulative VCR dose of at least 8 mg received a single dose of Org 2766 or placebo before and after each intravenous VCR injection and 3-4 weeks after cessation of VCR. The final patient assessment was performed 1 month after discontinuation of study medication. The neuropathy-free interval as the major end point of this study was defined as the first occurrence of bilateral paresthesias and expressed as the administered cumulative VCR dose. This bi-center study represents the largest cohort of patients monitored for the effect of an ACTH-analogue on VCR neurotoxicity. RESULTS: A total of 147 patients were included in the final analysis. No significant differences were observed between the placebo and actively treated group for the major and secondary endpoints. CONCLUSION: Contrary to a single previous pilot study in patients receiving VCR-based chemotherapy, in our study the ACTH (4-9) analogue Org 2766 did not provide protection from VCR-induced neuropathy.

The natural history of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, 2, 3, and 6: a 2-year follow-up study.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain quantitative data on the progression of the most common spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) and identify factors that influence their progression, we initiated the EUROSCA natural history study, a multicentric longitudinal cohort study of 526 patients with SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, or SCA6. We report the results of the 1- and 2-year follow-up visits. METHODS: As the primary outcome measure we used the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA, 0-40), and as a secondary measure the Inventory of Non-Ataxia Symptoms (INAS, 0-16) count. RESULTS: The annual increase of the SARA score was greatest in SCA1 (2.18 ± 0.17, mean ± SE) followed by SCA3 (1.61 ± 0.12) and SCA2 (1.40 ± 0.11). SARA progression in SCA6 was slowest and nonlinear (first year: 0.35 ± 0.34, second year: 1.44 ± 0.34). Analysis of the INAS count yielded similar results. Larger expanded repeats and earlier age at onset were associated with faster SARA progression in SCA1 and SCA2. In SCA1, repeat length of the expanded allele had a similar effect on INAS progression. In SCA3, SARA progression was influenced by the disease duration at inclusion, and INAS progression was faster in females. CONCLUSIONS: Our study gives a comprehensive quantitative account of disease progression in SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, and SCA6 and identifies factors that specifically affect disease progression.

Recent advances in functional neuroimaging of gait.

In this review, we discuss the contribution of functional neuroimaging to the understanding of the cerebral control of gait in humans, both in healthy subjects and in patients with Parkinson's disease. We illustrate different approaches that have been used to address this issue, ranging from the imaging of actual gait performance to the study of initiation and imagery of gait. We also consider related approaches focused on specific aspects of gait, like those addressed by repetitive foot movements. We provide a critical discussion of advantages and disadvantages of each approach, emphasizing crucial issues to be addressed for a better understanding of the neural control of human gait.

Diagnostic value of asymmetric striatal D2 receptor upregulation in Parkinson's disease: an [123I]IBZM and [123I]FP-CIT SPECT study.

INTRODUCTION: Striatal postsynaptic D2 receptors in Parkinson's disease (PD) are thought to be upregulated in the first years of the disease, especially contralateral to the clinically most affected side. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the highest striatal D2 binding is found contralateral to the most affected side in PD, and whether this upregulation can be used as a diagnostic tool. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey was undertaken of 81 patients with clinically asymmetric PD, without antiparkinsonian drugs and with a disease duration of < or = 5 years and 26 age-matched controls. Striatal D2 binding was assessed with [123I]IBZM SPECT, and severity of the presynaptic dopaminergic lesion with [123I]FP-CIT SPECT. RESULTS: The mean striato-occipital ratio of [123I]IBZM binding was significantly higher in PD patients (1.56 +/-0.09) than in controls (1.53 +/-0.06). In PD patients, higher values were found contralateral to the clinically most affected side (1.57 +/-0.09 vs 1.55 +/-0.10 ipsilaterally), suggesting D2 receptor upregulation, and the reverse was seen using [123I]FP-CIT SPECT. However, on an individual basis only 56% of PD patients showed this upregulation. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms asymmetric D2 receptor upregulation in PD. However, the sensitivity of contralateral higher striatal [123I]IBZM binding is only 56%. Therefore, the presence of contralateral higher striatal IBZM binding has insufficient diagnostic accuracy for PD, and PD cannot be excluded in patients with parkinsonism and no contralateral upregulation of D2 receptors, assessed with [123I]IBZM SPECT.

Dumbbell trigeminal schwannoma in a child: complete removal by a one-stage pterional surgical approach.

OBJECTIVE: The objective was to describe a rare case of a trigeminal schwannoma in a child and the surgical procedure performed for therapy. PATIENT AND METHODS: A 6-year-old girl presented with tiredness, dysarthric speech and cerebellar symptoms. Imaging studies revealed a unilateral dumbbell-shaped tumour, extending into both the middle and posterior fossa, centred over Meckel's cave. One-stage surgery was performed by pterional craniotomy. The tumour was first debulked in the middle fossa, then peeled from the wall of the cavernous sinus, followed by extirpation of the tumour from the posterior fossa. The tumour extended to the caudal cranial nerves and was completely removed. Trigeminal fascicles were distributed throughout the tumour. Histopathological examination revealed a schwannoma. CONCLUSION: Trigeminal schwannoma is a tumour that occurs rarely in childhood. Although several, often multistaged surgical strategies have been reported in the literature, this tumour was eradicated by a one-stage pterional approach.

Dose-related vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy with unexpected off-therapy worsening.

This study describes the natural course of vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with lymphoma (n = 114) receiving vincristine in two different dose intensities. Neuropathic changes were observed in both dose intensity groups, but the higher dose intensity group reported significantly more symptoms during therapy, whereas neurologic signs were significantly more prominent after a cumulative dose of 12 mg vincristine. Furthermore, off-therapy worsening of symptoms (24%) and signs (30%) occurred unexpectedly.

Peripheral neuropathy due to therapy with paclitaxel, gemcitabine, and cisplatin in patients with advanced ovarian cancer.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the peripheral neuropathic changes induced by combination chemotherapy including paclitaxel (taxol), gemcitabine and cisplatin (TGC regimen). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eighteen patients with primary or recurrent ovarian cancer were treated with paclitaxel 150 or 110 mg/m2, respectively, together with gemcitabine 800 mg/m2 and cisplatin 75 mg/m2, 3 weekly for 6 cycles. Neurologic evaluation and quantitative assessment by vibration perception threshold (VPT) and grip strength took place before therapy, after 3 and 6 cycles of chemotherapy, and thereafter when possible. RESULTS: Both neuropathic symptoms and signs developed in all patients (100%), becoming most prominent 3 months after the last course of chemotherapy. Grade 3 peripheral neuropathy developed in one patient during chemotherapy, and in 3 additional patients after cessation of therapy. No significant differences were observed between chemo-naive patients and pretreated patients. CONCLUSION: This TGC combination is well tolerated in terms of peripheral neuropathy during therapy, although the off-therapy worsening caused by cisplatin remains a problem.