[Functional connectivity derived from an electroencephalogram during non-REM sleep in autism spectrum disorders]. / Conectividad funcional derivada del electroencefalograma durante el sueño no REM en los trastornos del espectro autista.

AIM: To know the differences in the patterns of functional connectivity, the topological characteristics of the network and the relationship between these latter and the interictal epileptiform anomalies in children with primary and secondary autism spectrum disorder (ASD). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted with 27 children aged between 3 and 13 years diagnosed with ASD. Subjects were submitted to an electroencephalogram in a functional state of spontaneous sleep. Functional connectivity and the properties of the network were analysed using data obtained from the electroencephalogram during the N2 stage of non-REM sleep. The frequency of discharge of the interictal epileptiform activity (FDIEA) was determined and was correlated with the topological properties of the network. RESULTS: Synchronisation was diminished in patients with secondary ASD for the alpha frequency and increased for the theta and delta frequency compared with patients with primary ASD. Local alpha efficiency was higher in patients who presented interictal epileptiform activity. Additionally, in patients with secondary ASD there was a statistically significant positive and negative correlation between FDIEA and the topological properties of the network. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with secondary ASD display patterns of functional connectivity that are weaker for the alpha frequency and stronger for theta and delta than patients with primary ASD. In patients with secondary ASD, the interictal epileptiform activity is related to local and global connectivity of the network for the alpha and beta bands during non-REM sleep.

TITLE: Conectividad funcional derivada del electroencefalograma durante el sueño no REM en los trastornos del espectro autista.Objetivo. Conocer las diferencias en los patrones de conectividad funcional, las caracteristicas topologicas de la red y la relacion de estas con las anomalias epileptiformes interictales en niños con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) primario y secundario. Pacientes y metodos. Se realizo un estudio retrospectivo con 27 niños de 3-13 años diagnosticados con TEA, a los que se les realizo un electroencefalograma en estado funcional de sueño espontaneo. Se analizo la conectividad funcional y las propiedades de la red a partir de los datos obtenidos del electroencefalograma durante la etapa N2 del sueño no REM. Se determino la frecuencia de descarga de la actividad epileptiforme interictal (FDAEI) y se correlaciono con las propiedades topologicas de la red. Resultados. Los pacientes con TEA secundario tenian una disminucion de la sincronizacion para la frecuencia alfa y un incremento para la frecuencia theta y delta en comparacion con los pacientes con TEA primario. La eficiencia local alfa fue mayor en los pacientes que presentaban actividad epileptiforme interictal. Ademas, en los pacientes con TEA secundario, existia una correlacion positiva y negativa estadisticamente significativa entre la FDAEI y las propiedades topologicas de red. Conclusiones. Los pacientes con TEA secundario muestran patrones de conectividad funcional mas debiles para la frecuencia alfa y mas fuerte para la theta y delta que los pacientes con TEA primario. En pacientes con TEA secundario, la actividad epileptiforme interictal se relaciona con la conectividad local y global de la red para las bandas de frecuencia alfa y beta durante el sueño no REM.

Relación entre los resultados del Electroencefalograma digital y la evaluación clínica, neuropsicológica e imagenológica en pacientes con diagnóstico clínico de Parálisis Cerebral / Relation between digital Electroencephalogram clinic results, neuropsychological and imagenologic evaluation in patients with cerebral palsy clinic diagnostic

Objetivo: Evaluar la relación existente entre los resultados del Electroencefalograma (EEG) digital y las anomalías clínicas, neuropsicológicas e imagenológicas detectadas en pacientes con el diagnóstico clínico de Parálisis Cerebral (PC). Sujetos y Métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo longitudinal retrospectivo de los informes de EEG emitidos por un especialista en Neurofisiología clínica en 64 pacientes con el diagnóstico clínico de PC. Los datos fueron registrados desde enero del año 2000 hasta diciembre del año 2005 en el Laboratorio de Neurofisiología Clínica del CIREN. Incluimos a pacientes con edades entre 2 y 15 años, con diagnóstico revisado de la historia clínica de PC. Se tabularon las variables evaluadas en los registros de EEG, y se relacionaron con variables clínicas, neuropsicológicas e imagenológicas. Todos los registros se realizaron en un Equipo MEDICID 4 Neuronic SA de producción cubana con el software Track Walker 2. Resultados: Se obtuvo que el 79 % del los registros electroencefalográficos fueron patológicos. Predominó la actividad epileptiforme en un 58%. El tipo de PC en nuestra casuística fue la espástica para un 50%. La causa de la PC fue perinatal en un 43%. Las enfermedades asociadas fueron Retardo del desarrollo psicomotor (RDP), Retraso mental (RM) y epilepsia. Se evidenció una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre la presencia de actividad epileptiforme y la epilepsia, entre los resultados del EEG y la presencia de lesión bilateral, así como entre la actividad epileptiforme y la presencia de RM, RDP y epilepsia. Conclusiones: Se constata una asociación estadísticamente significativa entre las anomalías epileptiformes y el diagnóstico clínico de epilepsia en pacientes con PC. Las anomalías del EEG se asocian mayormente con la extensión bilateral de la afectación motora, y con las lesiones detectadas mediante los estudios de Resonancia Magnética Nuclear (RMN). Existe una tendencia a la asociación entre las alteraciones Electroencefalográficas, el tipo de PC y la presencia de retardo en el desarrollo psicomotor y retraso mental. El EEG es un medio diagnóstico útil en la evaluación funcional de los pacientes con PC (AU)

Objetive: To evaluate the relation between digital Electroencephalogram (EEG) results and clinic, neuropsychological and imagenologic anomaly detected in patients with Cerebral Palsy (CP) diagnosis. Subject and method: Descriptive longitudinal retrospective study was made of EEG informs emitted by a clinical neurophysiologic specialist in 64 patients with CP diagnosis. The information was recorded from January 2000 to December 2005 in a Clinical Neurophysiologist laboratory of the International Center of Neurological Restoration. It included patients between 2 and 15 years old, with CP diagnostic checked in clinical history. The variables assessed were tabulated in EEG records and were associated to clinical, neuropsychology and imagenologic variables. All recordings were performed with the MEDICID 4 Neuronic SA equipment made in Cuba with Track Walker 2 software. Results: 79 % of the electroencephalographic records were pathological. In 58% of the cases there was a predominance of epileptiform activity. 50% suffered from spastic CP. The cause of CP was perinatal in 43%. The other associated conditions were Phychomotor Retardation (PR), Mental Delay (MD) and epilepsy. There was a statistically significant association between the presence of epileptiform activity and epilepsy between the EEG records and bilateral lesion and between the epileptiform activity and the presence of MD, PR and epilepsy. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the exististence of a statistically significant association between epileptiform anomaly and epilepsy clinical diagnosis. It was confirmed that EEG anomaly is associated with bilateral extension of motor affectation and lesions detected with Magnetic Resonance Image (MRI) studies. There was an association tendency between electroencephalographic alteration, CP type, PR and MD presence. EEG is a useful diagnostic way for the functional evaluation of CP patients (AU)

Prevalencia y factores de riesgo del trastorno de la memoria asociado a la edad en un área de salud

El envejecimiento normal se caracteriza por la alteración de las funciones cognitivas. En 1958 Kral define el ‘olvido benigno de la senescencia para designar un trastorno mnésico diferente del envejecimiento normal. En 1986 un grupo de investigadores del National Institute of Mental Health y otros centros propone una nueva entidad neuropsicológica denominada trastorno de la memoria asociado a la edad...(AU)

Normal aging is characterised by alterations affecting the cognitive functions. In 1958 Kral coined the term 'benign senescent forgetfulness' to designate a memory disorder that is different from those that occur during normal aging. In 1986, a group of researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health and other centres proposed a novel neuropsychological entity called age-related memory disorder...(AU)

Prevalencia y factores de riesgo del trastorno de la memoria asociado a la edad en un área de salud / Prevalence and risk factors of age-related memory disorder in a health district

Introducción. El envejecimiento normal se caracterizapor la alteración de las funciones cognitivas. En 1958 Kral defineel ‘olvido benigno de la senescencia’ para designar un trastornomnésico diferente del envejecimiento normal. En 1986 un grupo deinvestigadores del National Institute of Mental Health y otros centrospropone una nueva entidad neuropsicológica denominada trastornode la memoria asociado a la edad. Actualmente constituye unreto para la comunidad científica establecer la prevalencia, la evolucióny los factores de riesgo de esta entidad. Objetivos. Establecerla prevalencia y precisar algunos factores de riesgo en el trastornode la memoria asociado a la edad. Sujetos y métodos. Eluniverso estuvo constituido por todos los pacientes mayores de 50años de edad de un área de salud (234 individuos), a los que se lesaplicaron los criterios diagnósticos. Además de a los pacientes, seseleccionó un grupo control para establecer correlación con factoresde riesgo seleccionados. Resultados y conclusiones. La prevalenciaobtenida fue del 39,7%; de ellos, el 38,7% correspondía alsexo masculino y el 40,4% al femenino. También se observó que amayor edad del paciente y años de evolución, hay mayor deteriorode la memoria. Con relación a los factores de riesgo, se comprobóque el hábito de fumar y las características psicosociales constituyeronfactores predisponentes, no así la hipertensión arterial, el antecedentede demencia y la satisfacción de las necesidades básicas

Introduction. Normal aging is characterised by alterations affecting the cognitive functions. In 1958 Kral coinedthe term ‘benign senescent forgetfulness’ to designate a memory disorder that is different from those that occur during normalaging. In 1986, a group of researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health and other centres proposed a novel neuropsychologicalentity called age-related memory disorder. The determination of the prevalence, progression and risk factors ofthis condition currently represents an important challenge for the scientific community. Aims. To establish the rate of prevalenceand to identify some of the risk factors involved in age-related memory disorders. Subjects and methods. The universeconsisted of all the patients over 50 years of age from a health district (234 individuals); the diagnostic criteria were appliedto the whole sample. In addition to the patients, a control group was also chosen in order to be able to establish a correlationwith selected risk factors. Results and conclusions. The prevalence rate was found to be 39.7%, of which 38.7% were malesand 40.4% were females. It was also observed that the impairment was greater as the patient’s age and the length of thedisease history increased. As far as risk factors are concerned, it was observed that smoking and psychosocial characteristicsconstitute predisposing factors, while this was not the case for arterial hypertension, a history of dementia and the satisfactionof basic needs

[Prevalence and risk factors of age-related memory disorder in a health district]. / Prevalencia y factores de riesgo del trastorno de la memoria asociado a la edad en un area de salud.

INTRODUCTION: Normal aging is characterised by alterations affecting the cognitive functions. In 1958 Kral coined the term 'benign senescent forgetfulness' to designate a memory disorder that is different from those that occur during normal aging. In 1986, a group of researchers at the National Institute of Mental Health and other centres proposed a novel neuropsychological entity called age-related memory disorder. The determination of the prevalence, progression and risk factors of this condition currently represents an important challenge for the scientific community. AIMS: To establish the rate of prevalence and to identify some of the risk factors involved in age-related memory disorders. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The universe consisted of all the patients over 50 years of age from a health district (234 individuals); the diagnostic criteria were applied to the whole sample. In addition to the patients, a control group was also chosen in order to be able to establish a correlation with selected risk factors. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence rate was found to be 39.7%, of which 38.7% were males and 40.4% were females. It was also observed that the impairment was greater as the patient's age and the length of the disease history increased. As far as risk factors are concerned, it was observed that smoking and psychosocial characteristics constitute predisposing factors, while this was not the case for arterial hypertension, a history of dementia and the satisfaction of basic needs.

[Frontal dysfunction in idiopathic Parkinson's disease]. / Disfunción frontal en la enfermedad de Parkinson idiopática.

INTRODUCTION: In his description of the disease in his original work, James Parkinson claimed that the 'senses remained intact', but later reports began to identify cognitive impairment that ranged from dementia to barely identifiable subclinical deteriorations. Research carried out in recent decades has revealed that cognitive disorders form part of the clinical symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) and point to the frontal lobes as being the most affected areas; a great deal of controversy, however, still surrounds their definition, epidemiology and pathology. AIM: To determine and classify the frontal deficits associated to this disease and to relate this cognitive performance with certain characteristics of the disease. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The sample utilised in the study was made up of 222 subjects divided into two groups according to their diagnosis: 111 subjects with idiopathic PD and 111 control subjects. The neuropsychological examination was performed using the Frontal Assessment Battery, the copy of the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure and the digit test for determining frontal functioning. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We prove the existence of a frontal dysfunction that is characterised by impaired working memory, with visuospatial and executive dysfunction, which suggests greater involvement of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and cingulate. According to our findings, because working memory and visuospatial functioning are correlated to the motor status and the time elapsed since the onset of the disease, they could share the same underlying neuroanatomical foundations--the nigrostriatal denervation. This is not the case of executive function, which was not found to be related to the characteristics of the disease under study.

Disfunciòn frontal en la enfermedad de Parkinson idiopàtica / Frontal dysfunction in idiopathic Parkinson's disease

In his description of the disease in his original work, James Parkinson claimed that the 'senses remained intact', but later reports began to identify cognitive impairment that ranged from dementia to barely identifiable subclinical deteriorations. Research carried out in recent decades has revealed that cognitive disorders form part of the clinical symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD) and point to the frontal lobes as being the most affected areas; a great deal of controversy, however, still surrounds their definition, epidemiology and pathology. AIM: To determine and classify the frontal deficits associated to this disease and to relate this cognitive performance with certain characteristics of the disease. The sample utilised in the study was made up of 222 subjects divided into two groups according to their diagnosis: 111 subjects with idiopathic PD and 111 control subjects. The neuropsychological examination was performed using the Frontal Assessment Battery, the copy of the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure and the digit test for determining frontal functioning. We prove the existence of a frontal dysfunction that is characterised by impaired working memory, with visuospatial and executive dysfunction, which suggests greater involvement of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and cingulate. According to our findings, because working memory and visuospatial functioning are correlated to the motor status and the time elapsed since the onset of the disease, they could share the same underlying neuroanatomical foundations--the nigrostriatal denervation. This is not the case of executive function, which was not found to be related to the characteristics of the disease under study(AU)

Disfunción frontal en la enfermedad de Parkinson idiopática / Frontal dysfunction in idiopathic Parkinson’s disease

Introducción. Al describir la enfermedad, James Parkinson planteó en su obra original que los sentidos permanecían indemnes, pero descripciones posteriores comenzaron a identificar el deterioro cognitivo, que abarcaba desde una demencia hasta deterioros subclínicos apenas identificables. Las investigaciones realizadas en las últimas décadas han revelado que los trastornos cognitivos forman parte de la sintomatología clínica de la enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) y señalan a los lóbulos frontales como los más afectados; pero todavía es controvertida su definición, epidemiología y patología. Objetivo. Determinar y caracterizar los déficit frontales asociados a esta enfermedad y relacionar este rendimiento cognitivo con algunas características de la enfermedad. Sujetos y métodos. La muestra utilizada estaba compuesta por 222sujetos, divididos en dos grupos en función de su diagnóstico: 111 sujetos con EP idiopática y 111 sujetos controles. La exploración neuropsicológica se constituyó por la batería de evaluación frontal(FAB), la copia de la figura compleja del Rey-Osterrieth y el test de dígitos para determinar la función frontal. Resultados y conclusiones. Se demuestra una disfunción frontal que se caracteriza por disminución de la memoria de trabajo, disfunción visuoespacial y ejecutiva, lo que sugiere una mayor afectación de la corteza prefrontaldorsolateral y cingulada. Según nuestros resultados, la memoria de trabajo y la función visuoespacial, al correlacionarse con el estado motor y el tiempo de evolución de la enfermedad, podrían compartir un mismo sustrato neuroanatómico, la denervación nigroestriatal. No así la función ejecutiva, que no se relacionó con las características de la enfermedad estudiada (AU)

Introduction. In his description of the disease in his original work, James Parkinson claimed that the 'senses remained intact', but later reports began to identify cognitive impairment that ranged from dementia to barely identifiable subclinical deteriorations. Research carried out in recent decades has revealed that cognitive disorders form part of the clinical symptoms of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and point to the frontal lobes as being the most affected areas; a great deal of controversy, however, still surrounds their definition, epidemiology and pathology. Aim. To determine and classify the frontal deficits associated to this disease and to relate this cognitive performance with certain characteristics of the disease. Subjects and methods. The sample utilised in the study was made up of 222 subjects divided into two groups according to their diagnosis: 111 subjects with idiopathic PD and 111 control subjects. The neuropsychological examination was performed using the Frontal Assessment Battery, the copy of the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure and the digit test for determining frontal functioning. Results and conclusions. We prove the existence of a frontal dysfunction that is characterised by impaired working memory, with visuospatial and executive dysfunction, which suggests greater involvement of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex and cingulate. According to our findings, because working memory and visuospatial functioning are correlated to the motor status and the time elapsed since the onset of the disease, they could share the same underlying neuroanatomical foundations –the nigrostriatal denervation. This is not the case of executive function, which was not found to be related to the characteristics of the disease under study (AU)