Impaired Visual Emotion Recognition After Minor Ischemic Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of impaired visual emotion recognition in patients who have experienced a minor ischemic stroke in the subacute phase and to determine associated factors of impaired visual emotion recognition. DESIGN: A prospective observational study. SETTING: Stroke unit of a teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Patients with minor ischemic stroke (N=112). INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients with minor stroke underwent a neuropsychological assessment in the subacute phase for visual emotion recognition by the Ekman 60 Faces Test and for general cognition. Univariable linear regression analyses were performed to identify associated factors of emotion recognition impairment. RESULTS: In 112 minor stroke patients, we found a prevalence of 25% of impaired visual emotion recognition. This was significantly correlated with impaired general cognition. Nevertheless, 10.9% of patients with normal general cognition still had impaired emotion recognition. Mood was negatively associated. Stroke localization, hemisphere side, and sex were not associated. CONCLUSION: Impaired visual emotion recognition is found in about one-quarter of patients with minor ischemic stroke.

Remote Lower White Matter Integrity Increases the Risk of Long-Term Cognitive Impairment After Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Poststroke cognitive impairment occurs frequently in young patients with ischemic stroke (18 through 50 years of age). Accumulating data suggest that stroke is associated with lower white matter integrity remote from the stroke impact area, which might explain why some patients have good long-term cognitive outcome and others do not. Given the life expectancy of decades in young patients, we therefore investigated remote white matter in relation to long-term cognitive function. METHODS: We included all consecutive first-ever ischemic stroke patients, left/right hemisphere, without recurrent stroke or transient ischemic attack during follow-up, aged 18 through 50 years, admitted to our university medical center between 1980 and 2010. One hundred seventeen patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging scanning including a T1-weighted scan, a diffusion tensor imaging scan, and completed a neuropsychological assessment. Patients were compared with a matched stroke-free control group (age, sex, and education matched). Cognitive impairment was defined as >1.5 SD below the mean cognitive index score of controls and no cognitive impairment as ≤1 SD. Tract-Based Spatial Statistics was used to assess the white matter integrity (fractional anisotropy and mean diffusivity). RESULTS: About 11 years after ischemic stroke, lower remote white matter integrity was associated with a worse long-term cognitive performance. A lower remote white matter integrity, even in the contralesional hemisphere, was observed in cognitively impaired patients (n=25) compared with cognitively unimpaired patients (n=71). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that although stroke has an acute onset, it might have long lasting effects on remote white matter integrity and thereby increases the risk of long-term cognitive impairment.

Poststroke Epilepsy Is Associated With a High Mortality After a Stroke at Young Age: Follow-Up of Transient Ischemic Attack and Stroke Patients and Unelucidated Risk Factor Evaluation Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Poststroke epilepsy is a common complication after a young stroke. We investigated the association between poststroke epilepsy and mortality. METHODS: We performed a prospective cohort study among 631 patients with a first-ever transient ischemic attack or ischemic stroke, aged 18 to 50 years. Survival analysis and Cox proportional hazard analysis were used to estimate cumulative mortality and hazard ratios for patients with and without epilepsy. RESULTS: After mean follow-up of 12.5 years (SD 8.6), 76 (12.0%) developed poststroke epilepsy. Case fatality was 27.4% for patients with poststroke epilepsy and 2.1% for those without. Poststroke epilepsy was associated with 30-day mortality (hazard ratio, 4.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.7-14.0) and long-term mortality (hazard ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.9). CONCLUSIONS: Epilepsy is a common problem after a young stroke and is associated with an increased short-term and long-term mortality.

Ipsilateral hippocampal atrophy is associated with long-term memory dysfunction after ischemic stroke in young adults.

Memory impairment after stroke in young adults is poorly understood. In elderly stroke survivors memory impairments and the concomitant loss of hippocampal volume are usually explained by coexisting neurodegenerative disease (e.g., amyloid pathology) in interaction with stroke. However, neurodegenerative disease, such as amyloid pathology, is generally absent at young age. Accumulating evidence suggests that infarction itself may cause secondary neurodegeneration in remote areas. Therefore, we investigated the relation between long-term memory performance and hippocampal volume in young patients with first-ever ischemic stroke. We studied all consecutive first-ever ischemic stroke patients, aged 18-50 years, admitted to our academic hospital center between 1980 and 2010. Episodic memory of 173 patients was assessed using the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and the Rey Complex Figure and compared with 87 stroke-free controls. Hippocampal volume was determined using FSL-FIRST, with manual correction. On average 10 years after stroke, patients had smaller ipsilateral hippocampal volumes compared with controls after left-hemispheric stroke (5.4%) and right-hemispheric stroke (7.7%), with most apparent memory dysfunctioning after left-hemispheric stroke. A larger hemispheric stroke was associated with a smaller ipsilateral hippocampal volume (b=-0.003, P<0.0001). Longer follow-up duration was associated with smaller ipsilateral hippocampal volume after left-hemispheric stroke (b=-0.028 ml, P=0.002) and right-hemispheric stroke (b=-0.015 ml, P=0.03). Our results suggest that infarction is associated with remote injury to the hippocampus, which may lower or expedite the threshold for cognitive impairment or even dementia later in life.

Poor long-term functional outcome after stroke among adults aged 18 to 50 years: Follow-Up of Transient Ischemic Attack and Stroke Patients and Unelucidated Risk Factor Evaluation (FUTURE) study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Stroke in young adults has a dramatic effect on life; therefore, we investigated the long-term functional outcome after transient ischemic attack, ischemic stroke, or intracerebral hemorrhage in adults aged 18 to 50 years. METHODS: We studied 722 young patients with first-ever stroke admitted between January 1, 1980, and November 1, 2010. Functional outcome was assessed by stroke subtype with the modified Rankin Scale and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale. RESULTS: After a mean follow-up of 9.1 (SD, 8.2) years, 32.0% of all patients had a poor functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale, >2); for ischemic stroke, this was 36.5%, for intracerebral hemorrhage 49.3%, and for transient ischemic attack 16.8%. At follow-up, 10.8% of transient ischemic attack, 14.6% of ischemic stroke, and 18.2% of intracerebral hemorrhage patients had a poor outcome as assessed by Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (<8). CONCLUSIONS: Ten years after ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage in young adults, 1 of 8 survivors is still dependent in daily life.

Structured medication reviews in Parkinson's disease: pharmacists' views, experiences and needs - a qualitative study.

Background: Executing structured medication reviews (SMRs) in primary care to optimize drug treatment is considered standard care of community pharmacists in the Netherlands. Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) often face complex drug regimens for their symptomatic treatment and might, therefore, benefit from an SMR. However, previously, no effect of an SMR on quality of life in PD was found. In trying to improve the case management of PD, it is interesting to understand if and to what extent SMRs in PD patients are of added value in the pharmacist's opinion and what are assumed facilitating and hindering factors. Objectives: To analyse the process of executing SMRs in PD patients from a community pharmacist's point of view. Design: A cross-sectional, qualitative study was performed, consisting of face-to-face semi-structured in-depth interviews. Methods: The interviews were conducted with community pharmacists who executed at least one SMR in PD, till data saturation was reached. Interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded and analysed thematically using an iterative approach. Results: Thirteen pharmacists were interviewed. SMRs in PD were considered of added value, especially regarding patient contact and bonding, individualized care and its possible effect in the future, although PD treatment is found already well monitored in secondary care. Major constraints were time, logistics and collaboration with medical specialists. Conclusion: Although community pharmacist-led SMRs are time-consuming and sometimes logistically challenging, they are of added value in primary care in general, and also in PD, of which treatment occurs mainly in secondary care. It emphasizes the pharmacist's role in PD treatment and might tackle future drug-related issues. Improvements concern multidisciplinary collaboration for optimized SMR execution and results.

Structured medication reviews in Parkinson's disease: pharmacists' views, experiences and needs Why is this research done? In Parkinson's disease (PD), drug therapy is still the most important treatment strategy. Due to disease progression, patients often face complicated medication regimens, polypharmacy, and potential drug-related problems. The execution of structured medication reviews (SMR) in primary care is considered standard care of community pharmacists in the Netherlands, aiming to optimise drug treatment. Although it might also affect clinical outcomes, we found no effect of an SMR in PD on quality of life in our previous study. In trying to improve case management of PD, we need to understand if and to what extent SMRs in PD patients are of added value in the pharmacist's opinion, and what are assumed facilitating and hindering factors. What did the researchers do? We conducted semi-structured interviews with 13 community pharmacists who recently executed ⩾1 SMR in PD. What did the researchers find? We found that SMRs in PD are considered of added value with regard to patient bonding and individualised care. By being known by the pharmacist, and vice versa, by knowing the patient's situation, future drug problems might be tackled earlier. However, executing SMRs comes with barriers, of which lack of time, logistic constraints and difficulties in cooperation with the medical specialist are the most important. What do these findings mean? Taking into account both the pharmacist's effort and additional costs when performing an SMR in the current setting, the valuable time of a pharmacist could potentially better be spent on more (cost-)effective interventions, or a structural solution should be sought for the experienced hindering factors. Since we do not doubt the importance of periodic medication optimization in complex diseases or high-risk patients, we have to focus on either improving the current setting of SMRs in PD, or searching for other strategies in which this can be achieved.

Long-term cognitive impairment after first-ever ischemic stroke in young adults.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Up to 14% of all ischemic strokes occur in young adults (<50 years). Poststroke cognitive performance is a decisive determinant of their quality of life. However, virtually no studies report on cognition after young stroke, especially not on the long term. This long-term perspective is important because young patients have a long life expectancy during which they start forming a family, have an active social life, and make decisive career moves. We aimed to evaluate the long-term cognitive outcome. METHODS: All consecutive patients between January 1, 1980, and November 1, 2010, with a first-ever young ischemic stroke were recruited for cognitive assessment, using a matched stroke-free population as a reference. Composite Z scores for 7 cognitive domains were calculated and the ANCOVA model was used (Bonferroni correction). A below average performance was defined as >1.0 SD below the age-adjusted mean of the controls and cognitive impairment as >1.5 SD. RESULTS: Two hundred seventy-seven patients and 146 matched controls completed cognitive assessment (mean follow-up, 11.0 years, SD, 8.2; age, 50.9 years, SD, 10.3). Long-term cognitive outcome after an ischemic stroke was worse in most cognitive domains compared with a nonstroke population. Up to 50% of the patients had a below average performance or cognitive impairment. Deficits in processing speed, working memory, and attention were most common. CONCLUSIONS: Even 11 years after ischemic stroke in young adults, a substantial proportion of patients must cope with permanent cognitive deficits. These results have implications for information given to patients and rehabilitation services.

Predicting Motor Outcome and Quality of Life After Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease: The Role of Standard Screening Measures and Wearable-Data.

BACKGROUND: Standardized screening for subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients is crucial to determine eligibility, but its utility to predict postoperative outcomes in eligible patients is inconclusive. It is unknown whether wearable data can contribute to this aim. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the utility of universal components incorporated in the DBS screening, complemented by a wearable sensor, to predict motor outcomes and Quality of life (QoL) one year after STN DBS surgery. METHODS: Consecutive patients were included in the OPTIMIST cohort study from two DBS centers. Standardized assessments included a preoperative Levodopa Challenge Test (LCT), and questionnaires on QoL and non-motor symptoms including cognition, psychiatric symptoms, impulsiveness, autonomic symptoms, and sleeping problems. Moreover, an ambulatory wearable sensor (Parkinson Kinetigraph (PKG)) was used. Postoperative assessments were similar and also included a Stimulation Challenge Test to determine DBS effects on motor function. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients were included (median (interquartile range) age 63 (56-68) years, 36% female). Med-OFF (Stim-OFF) motor severity deteriorated indicating disease progression, but patients significantly improved in terms of Med-ON (Stim-ON) motor function, motor fluctuations, QoL, and most non-motor domains. Motor outcomes were not predicted by preoperative tests, including covariates of either LCT or PKG. Postoperative QoL was predicted by better preoperative QoL, lower age, and more preoperative impulsiveness scores in multivariate models. CONCLUSION: Data from the DBS screening including wearable data do not predict postoperative motor outcome at one year. Post-DBS QoL appears primarily driven by non-motor symptoms, rather than by motor improvement.

The Effect of a Structured Medication Review on Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: Drug therapy is important for controlling symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, it often results in complex medication regimens and could easily lead to drug related problems (DRP), suboptimal adherence and reduced treatment efficacy. A structured medication review (SMR) could address these issues and optimize therapy, although little is known about clinical effects in PD patients. OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether an SMR improves quality of life (QoL) in PD. METHODS: In this multicenter randomized controlled trial, half of the 202 PD patients with polypharmacy received a community pharmacist-led SMR. The control group received usual care. Assessments at baseline, and after three and six months comprised six validated questionnaires. Primary outcome was PD specific QoL [(PDQ-39; range 0 (best QoL) - 100 (worst QoL)]. Secondary outcomes were disability score, non-motor symptoms, general health status, and personal care giver's QoL. Furthermore, DRPs, proposed interventions, and implemented modifications in medication schedules were analyzed. RESULTS: No improvement in QoL was seen six months after an SMR, with a non-significant treatment effect difference of 2.09 (-0.63;4.80) in favor of the control group. No differences were found in secondary outcomes. In total, 260 potential DRPs were identified (2.6 (±1.8) per patient), of which 62% led to drug therapy optimization. CONCLUSION: In the current setting, a community pharmacist-led SMR did not improve QoL in PD patients, nor improved other pre-specified outcomes.

Risk factors and prognosis of young stroke. The FUTURE study: a prospective cohort study. Study rationale and protocol.

BACKGROUND: Young stroke can have devastating consequences with respect to quality of life, the ability to work, plan or run a family, and participate in social life. Better insight into risk factors and the long-term prognosis is extremely important, especially in young stroke patients with a life expectancy of decades. To date, detailed information on risk factors and the long-term prognosis in young stroke patients, and more specific risk of mortality or recurrent vascular events, remains scarce. METHODS/DESIGN: The FUTURE study is a prospective cohort study on risk factors and prognosis of young ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke among 1006 patients, aged 18-50 years, included in our study database between 1-1-1980 and 1-11-2010. Follow-up visits at our research centre take place from the end of 2009 until the end of 2011. Control subjects will be recruited among the patients' spouses, relatives or social environment. Information on mortality and incident vascular events will be retrieved via structured questionnaires. In addition, participants are invited to the research centre to undergo an extensive sub study including MRI. DISCUSSION: The FUTURE study has the potential to make an important contribution to increase the knowledge on risk factors and long-term prognosis in young stroke patients. Our study differs from previous studies by having a maximal follow-up of more than 30 years, including not only TIA and ischemic stroke but also hemorrhagic stroke, the addition of healthy controls and prospectively collect data during an extensive follow-up visit. Completion of the FUTURE study may provide better information for treating physicians and patients with respect to the prognosis of young stroke.

The Impact of Non-dopaminergic Medication on Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Quality of life (QoL) in Parkinson's disease (PD) depends on multiple factors. Due to PD treatment and accompanying, age-related or independent comorbidities, pill burden is often high. The relation of QoL and pharmacotherapy for comorbidities in PD has not been widely studied. This study investigated if and to what extent non-dopaminergic drugs are related to QoL in PD. Second, the impact of demographics and non-motor symptoms were evaluated. A better understanding of the impact of different non-dopaminergic drugs and polypharmacy on QoL will have added value in selecting appropriate (medication) interventions. METHODS: In a cross-sectional analysis, medication prescription data of 209 PD patients were analyzed and grouped according to the Rx-Risk comorbidity index. QoL was measured using the PDQ-39 questionnaire. Non-motor symptoms were analyzed with the Non-Motor Symptoms questionnaire. Independent factors associated with a reduced QoL were identified with a multivariate linear regression analysis. RESULTS: Non-dopaminergic drugs, subdivided into Rx-Risk comorbidity categories, were not associated with reduced QoL, except for the use of anti-epileptic drugs. However, using more daily non-dopaminergic drugs was also negatively associated with QoL, as well as female sex, increased PD severity, and more non-motor symptoms. Contraindicated non-dopaminergic medication was barely prescribed (0.4%). CONCLUSION: Non-dopaminergic drugs are frequently prescribed, and higher numbers are associated with impaired QoL in PD. However, when divided in drug types, only anti-epileptic drugs were negatively associated with QoL. In these patients, physicians might improve QoL by further optimizing the condition it was prescribed for (e.g., pain or anxiety), or managing of side effects. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Register; NL4360.

A Parkinson's Disease Patient without Corpus Callosum.

The authors report of a patient with Parkinson's disease in whom imaging revealed a complete agenesis of the corpus callosum. Although this co-occurrence is probably coincidental, this finding suggests that the bilateral degenerative changes in Parkinson's disease may occur independent of the interhemispheric connections.

Rivastigmine in Wernicke-Korsakoff's syndrome: five patients with rivastigmine showed no more improvement than five patients without rivastigmine.

AIMS: To evaluate whether rivastigmine, an achetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEl), may be effective in restoring memory in Wernicke-Korsakoff's syndrome (WKS). METHODS: Five patients treated with rivastigmine for a period of 6 months were compared with five matched control patients, who received 6 months' conventional treatment, but without rivastigmine. Memory tests were administered at baseline and after 6 months. RESULTS: Slight improvements were observed in both rivastigmine and control patients, but no significant differences in improvements were found between the study groups. CONCLUSION: Treatment with rivastigmine may not be effective in restoring memory in WKS patients.

Feasibility of external rhythmic cueing with the Google Glass for improving gait in people with Parkinson's disease.

New mobile technologies like smartglasses can deliver external cues that may improve gait in people with Parkinson's disease in their natural environment. However, the potential of these devices must first be assessed in controlled experiments. Therefore, we evaluated rhythmic visual and auditory cueing in a laboratory setting with a custom-made application for the Google Glass. Twelve participants (mean age = 66.8; mean disease duration = 13.6 years) were tested at end of dose. We compared several key gait parameters (walking speed, cadence, stride length, and stride length variability) and freezing of gait for three types of external cues (metronome, flashing light, and optic flow) and a control condition (no-cue). For all cueing conditions, the subjects completed several walking tasks of varying complexity. Seven inertial sensors attached to the feet, legs and pelvis captured motion data for gait analysis. Two experienced raters scored the presence and severity of freezing of gait using video recordings. User experience was evaluated through a semi-open interview. During cueing, a more stable gait pattern emerged, particularly on complicated walking courses; however, freezing of gait did not significantly decrease. The metronome was more effective than rhythmic visual cues and most preferred by the participants. Participants were overall positive about the usability of the Google Glass and willing to use it at home. Thus, smartglasses like the Google Glass could be used to provide personalized mobile cueing to support gait; however, in its current form, auditory cues seemed more effective than rhythmic visual cues.

Increased risk of ischemic stroke after radiotherapy on the neck in patients younger than 60 years.

PURPOSE: To estimate the risk of ischemic stroke in patients irradiated for head and neck tumors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The incidence of ischemic stroke was determined in 367 patients with head and neck tumors (162 larynx carcinomas, 114 pleomorphic adenomas, and 91 parotid carcinomas) who had been treated with local radiotherapy (RT) at an age younger than 60 years. Relative risk (RR) of ischemic stroke was determined by comparison with population rates from a stroke-incidence register, adjusted for sex and age. Other risk factors for stroke (hypertension, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus [DM]) were registered. The median follow-up time after RT was 7.7 years (3,011 person-years of follow-up). RESULTS: Fourteen cases of stroke occurred (expected, 2.5; RR, 5.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.1 to 9.4): eight in patients with laryngeal carcinoma (expected,1.56; RR, 5.1; 95% CI, 2.2 to 10.1), four in pleomorphic adenoma patients (expected, 0.71; RR, 5.7; 95% CI, 1.5 to 14.5), and two in parotid carcinoma patients (expected, 0.24; RR, 8.5, 95% CI, 1.0 to 30.6). Five of six strokes in patients irradiated for a parotid tumor occurred at the ipsilateral side. Analysis of other risk factors for cerebrovascular disease showed hypertension and DM to cause an increase of the RR after RT. After more than 10 years' follow-up, the RR was 10.1 (95% CI, 4.4 to 20.0). The 15-year cumulative risk of stroke after RT on the neck was 12.0% (95% CI, 6.5% to 21.4%). CONCLUSION: This is the first study to demonstrate an increased risk of stroke after RT on the neck. During medical follow-up, preventive measures should be taken to reduce the impact of the risk factors for cerebrovascular disease, to decrease stroke in these patients.

Increased carotid wall thickening after radiotherapy on the neck.

Patients treated for head and neck tumours with local radiotherapy (RT) on the neck harbour an increased risk of stroke. This may be due to accelerated atherosclerotic changes within the RT-field; however, the real impact of local RT on the carotid artery remains debatable. The aim of the present study was to assess the difference in carotid wall thickness (intima-media thickness) in 42 unilaterally irradiated parotid tumour patients by performing B-mode ultrasonography. A mean difference in intima-media thickness (IMT) of the irradiated compared with the non-irradiated carotid artery of 0.30 mm (P=0.031) was found. A significant correlation was established with a longer post-RT interval (P=0.008). RT on the neck is associated with increased thickening of carotid IMT. Screening and treatment of additional cerebrovascular risk factors which contribute to further IMT thickening and stroke development is recommended, especially in radiotherapy patients with a favourable prognosis.

Cognitive performance and poor long-term functional outcome after young stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the influence of cognitive performance on long-term functional outcome after ischemic stroke (IS) in young adults aged 18 through 50 years (young IS). METHODS: This study is part of a prospective cohort study among 277 stroke survivors with a young IS admitted to our department between January 1, 1980, and November 1, 2010. Functional outcome was assessed during follow-up between 2009 and 2012 with the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale (IADL). Extensive neuropsychological investigation was performed. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for a poor functional outcome (mRS >2 or IADL <8) for the 7 cognitive domains adjudicated for confounders. Cognitive function (continuous) as well as cognitive impairment (dichotomous) were studied. RESULTS: Only decline in working memory (OR 0.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.1-0.6) was associated with poor functional outcome on the mRS. Except for decline in processing speed (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.3-0.8) and working memory (OR 0.4, 95% CI 0.2-0.7), no relation was found with poor functional outcome on IADL. Impairment in none of the individual cognitive domains was related to long-term functional outcome, although impairment in global cognitive function was related to a poor functional outcome on the IADL (OR 4.8, 95% CI 1.7-14.0). CONCLUSIONS: On average, 11 years after young IS there was no clear relationship between long-term cognitive deficits and long-term functional outcome or IADL, stressing the need for further prospective studies with further development of sensitive measures of functional prognosis.

Lower Ipsilateral Hippocampal Integrity after Ischemic Stroke in Young Adults: A Long-Term Follow-Up Study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Memory impairment after stroke is poorly understood as stroke rarely occurs in the hippocampus. Previous studies have observed smaller ipsilateral hippocampal volumes after stroke compared with controls. Possibly, these findings on macroscopic level are not the first occurrence of structural damage and are preceded by microscopic changes that may already be associated with a worse memory function. We therefore examined the relationship between hippocampal integrity, volume, and memory performance long after first-ever ischemic stroke in young adults. METHODS: We included all consecutive first-ever ischemic stroke patients, without hippocampal strokes or recurrent stroke/TIA, aged 18-50 years, admitted to our academic hospital between 1980 and 2010. One hundred and forty-six patients underwent T1 MPRAGE, DTI scanning and completed the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test and were compared with 84 stroke-free controls. After manual correction of hippocampal automatic segmentation, we calculated mean hippocampal fractional anisotropy (FA) and diffusivity (MD). RESULTS: On average 10 years after ischemic stroke, lesion volume was associated with lower ipsilateral hippocampal integrity (p<0.05), independent of hippocampal volume. In patients with a normal ipsilateral hippocampal volume (volume is less than or equal to 1.5 SD below the mean volume of controls) significant differences in ipsilateral hippocampal MD were observed (p<0.0001). However, patients with a normal hippocampal volume and high hippocampal MD did not show a worse memory performance compared with patients with a normal volume and low hippocampal MD (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with average ipsilateral hippocampal volume could already have lower ipsilateral hippocampal integrity, although at present with no attendant worse memory performance compared with patients with high hippocampal integrity. Longitudinal studies are needed to investigate whether a low hippocampal integrity after stroke might lead to exacerbated memory decline with increasing age.

Arterial stiffness is increased in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors treated with radiotherapy.

Radiotherapy has been associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors (HLS). Identifying subjects most likely to develop these complications is challenging. Arterial stiffness has been frequently used as an early marker of CVD, but has never previously been investigated in patients treated with radiotherapy. The carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (PWV) and the distensibility coefficient (DC) of the common carotid artery were used as markers of arterial stiffness. Eighty-two HLS and 40 age- and gender-matched control subjects were studied. The aorta and the carotid arteries were situated within the radiation field in 50 and 39 patients. Mean PWV was not significantly different in HLS treated with radiotherapy on the mediastinum when compared to HLS treated without mediastinal radiotherapy and to controls. If HLS were 40 years or older at radiotherapy their PWV was significantly higher (8.54 m/s) than patients irradiated at a younger age (7.14 m/s, p = 0.004) and controls (6.91 m/s, p < 0.001), after adjusting for current age and other CVD risk factors. Mean DC was lower, indicative of stiffer arteries, in HLS treated with radiotherapy on the common carotid artery (2.79) than in HLS without radiotherapy (3.35, p = 0.029) and versus controls (3.60, p = 0.001). DC was lowest in HLS treated at 35 years of age or later (2.05), compared to HLS irradiated at a younger age (2.98, p = 0.046). In HLS, radiotherapy is associated with increased arterial stiffness. The effect of radiotherapy seems most evident when radiotherapy is administered at ages above 35-40 years.

Progressive muscle atrophy and weakness after treatment by mantle field radiotherapy in Hodgkin lymphoma survivors.

PURPOSE: To describe the damage to the muscles and propose a pathophysiologic mechanism for muscle atrophy and weakness after mantle field radiotherapy in Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) survivors. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We examined 12 patients treated by mantle field radiotherapy between 1969 and 1998. Besides evaluation of their symptoms, the following tests were performed: dynamometry; ultrasound of the sternocleidomastoid, biceps, and antebrachial flexor muscles; and needle electromyography of the neck, deltoid, and ultrasonographically affected arm muscles. RESULTS: Ten patients (83%) experienced neck complaints, mostly pain and muscle weakness. On clinical examination, neck flexors were more often affected than neck extensors. On ultrasound, the sternocleidomastoid was severely atrophic in 8 patients, but abnormal echo intensity was seen in only 3 patients. Electromyography of the neck muscles showed mostly myogenic changes, whereas the deltoid, biceps, and antebrachial flexor muscles seemed to have mostly neurogenic damage. CONCLUSIONS: Many patients previously treated by mantle field radiotherapy develop severe atrophy and weakness of the neck muscles. Neck muscles within the radiation field show mostly myogenic damage, and muscles outside the mantle field show mostly neurogenic damage. The discrepancy between echo intensity and atrophy suggests that muscle damage is most likely caused by an extrinsic factor such as progressive microvascular fibrosis. This is also presumed to cause damage to nerves within the radiated field, resulting in neurogenic damage of the deltoid and arm muscles.