Resist-as-Needed ADL Training With SPINDLE for Patients With Tremor.

Individuals with neurological disorders often exhibit altered manual dexterity and muscle weakness in their upper limbs. These motor impairments with tremor lead to severe difficulties in performing Activities of Daily Living (ADL). There is a critical need for ADL-focused robotic training that improves individual's strength when engaging with dexterous ADL tasks. This research introduces a new approach to training ADLs by employing a novel robotic rehabilitation system, Spherical Parallel INstrument for Daily Living Emulation (SPINDLE), which incorporates Virtual Reality (VR) to simulate ADL tasks. The study results present the feasibility of training individuals with movements similar to ADLs while interacting with the SPINDLE. A new game-based robotic training paradigm is suggested to perform ADL tasks at various intensity levels of resistance as needed. The proposed system can facilitate the training of various ADLs requiring 3-dimensional rotational movements by providing optimal resistance and visual feedback. We envision this system can be utilized as a table-top home device by restoring the impaired motor function of individuals with tremor and muscle weakness, guiding to improved ADL performance and quality of life.

Whole brain CT perfusion deficits using 320-detector-row CT scanner in TIA patients are associated with ABCD2 score.

BACKGROUND: Transient ischemic attacks (TIA) are cerebral ischemic events without infarction. The uses of CT perfusion (CTP) techniques such as cerebral blood volume (CBV), time to peak (TTP), mean transit time (MTT) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) provide real time data about ischemia. It has been shown that CTP changes occur in less sensitive CTP scanners in patients with TIA. Larger detector row CTP (whole brain perfusion studies) may show that CTP abnormalities are more prevalent than previously noted. It is also unclear if these changes are associated with TIA severity. OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate that TIA patients are associated with perfusion deficits using whole brain 320-detector-row CT perfusion, and to determine an association between ABCD2 score and perfusion deficit using whole brain perfusion. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all TIA patients for CTP deficits from 2008-2010. Perfusion imaging was reviewed at admission; and it was determined if a perfusion deficit was present along with vascular territory involved. RESULTS: Of 364 TIA patients, 62 patients had CTP deficits. The largest group of patients had MCA territory involved with 48 of 62 patients (77.42%). The most common perfusion abnormality was increased TTP with 46 patients (74.19%). The ABCD2 score was reviewed in association with perfusion deficit. Increased age >60, severe hypertension (>180/100 mmHg), patients with speech abnormalities, and duration of symptoms >10 min were associated with a perfusion deficit but history of diabetes or minimal/moderate hypertension (140/90-179/99 mmHg) was not. There was no association between motor deficit and perfusion abnormality. CONCLUSION: Perfusion deficits are found in TIA patients using whole brain CTP and associated with components of the ABCD2 score.

Reversible diffusion weighted imaging changes in propionic acidemia.

Propionic acidemia is an inborn error of metabolism with neurologic manifestations. We describe a 3-year-old boy with propionic acidemia presenting with a metabolic crisis including headache, vomiting, and altered mental status with metabolic acidosis. Electroencephalography showed focal slowing in right temporal region. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain showed restricted diffusion with apparent diffusion coefficient correlate in the right parietooccipital region. Correction of metabolic acidosis led to clinical improvement and normalization of MRI diffusion weighted imaging/apparent diffusion coefficient changes. This article suggests that restricted diffusion resulting from metabolic crises in propionic acidemia may be reversible in some cases.