[Validity and Reliability Studies of Modified Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE-E) For Turkish Illiterate Patients With Diagnosis of Alzheimer Disease]. / Egitimsizler Için Modifiye Edilen Mini Mental Testin (MMSE-E) Türk Toplumunda Alzheimer Hastaligi Tanisinda Geçerlik ve Güvenilirlik Çalismasi.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the validity and reliability of modified Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE-E) for illiterate patients in a Turkish population with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHOD: A total of 107 illiterate patients with Alzheimer's Disease (women: 65, men: 42) and 68 illiterate healthy volunteer subjects (women: 36, men: 32) were included in the study. MMSE-I and Geriatrics Depression Scale were performed on all subjects, Alzheimer patients were also administered Basic Activities of Daily Living (B- ADL). Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) was used to determine the severity of disease, while a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to analyze the cut-off scores of MMSE-I, and the positive/negative predictive values that were calculated for the optimal cut-off scores. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's coefficient . Additionally, correlations between total MMSE-I score and the CDR, B-ADL, and GDS scores were examined. RESULTS: The MMSE-I scores significantly and inversely correlated with CDR (-0.82, p=0.000) and B-ADL scores (-0.051, p=0.000). The optimal cut-off points of MMSE-I were 23/24, which yielded a sensitivity of 99.0% - %100.0, a specificity of 98.5% - 97.0%, and an AUC of 1.0/1.0, respectively. Reliability of the MMSE-I was high α = 0.70). CONCLUSION: The total MMSE-I score was able to differentiate the AD group from the control group.

Correlation of Fatigue with Depression, Disability Level and Quality of Life in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Fatigue is a subjective and non-specific symptom; therefore, evaluation of fatigue is quite difficult. Fatigue has been reported in 75%-87% of patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and two-thirds of these patients indicated fatigue as one of the worst three common symptoms that they experienced. This study was conducted to measure the intensity, frequency and the characteristics of fatigue in patients with MS. Moreover, the effect of fatigue on the quality of life and its association with depression and disability were evaluated. METHODS: One hundred and twenty patients with multiple sclerosis (84 women and 36 men) were included in our study. The patients' sociodemographic characteristics and their experiences on symptoms of fatigue were questioned. Presence and degree of fatigue were assessed using the fatigue severity scale (FSS). Disability status was detected with expanded disability status scale (EDSS). The Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life (MSQoL-54) survey was conducted to evaluate the quality of life of patients and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) was used to determine the current depression status. Patients were grouped into fatigue and non-fatigue groups based on FSS. Both groups were compared according to their age, sex, MS clinical types, course of the disease and scores of EDSS, BDI and MSQoL-54. RESULTS: Seventy percent of patients reported fatigue and 38% of these patients defined fatigue as their most disabling symptom. There was no correlation of fatigue with age, sex and disease duration. The correlation of fatigue and educational level was negative and weak (p<.05, r=-.214) and the correlation between fatigue and MS clinical types were significant but weak (p<.01, r=.228). Patients with fatigue had higher EDSS and BDI scores. In addition, FSS scores were found to be statistically meaningful and positively correlated with both EDSS and BDI scores (r=.404, r=.476, p<.01). Furthermore, our findings revealed that the quality of life in patients with MS and fatigue was poor (r=-.58 p<.01). Similarly, a negative connection was found between MSQoL-54 sub-scales and fatigue. CONCLUSION: This study proved that fatigue has a positive correlation with depression and disability and a negative significant relation with the quality of life of patients with MS.

Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord due to Different Etiologies and Improvement of MRI Findings.

Subacute combined degeneration (SCD) is a rare neurological complication of vitamin B12 deficiency, characterized by demyelination of the dorsal and lateral spinal cord. Herein, we describe three cases, who presented with SCD, one related to reduced intake of vitamin B12 because of a vegetarian diet and two related to nitrous oxide exposure during surgery. MR images of our patients revealed symmetrical hyperintense signals in dorsal and lateral columns in T2 weighted series. After treatment with intramuscular B12 injections (1 mg daily for 2 weeks, once weekly thereafter for three months) all patients showed improvement of their symptoms. Abnormalities of the spinal cord on MRI resolved in three months. In conclusion, SCD either due to nitrous oxide exposure or due to reduced intake of vitamin B12 is a reversible condition, when detected and treated early.

A case of isolated neurosarcoidosis associated with psychosis.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. Isolated neurosarcoidosis without signs of systemic involvement has rarely been reported in the literature. We report a case of isolated neurosarcoidosis that presented with psychiatric symptoms and headache. Cranial MRI revealed bilateral diffuse high intensity lesions in the deep white matter, with a linear contrast enhancement of perivascular areas. Histological examination of a stereotactic brain biopsy specimen demonstrated noncaseating granulomas. Further research did not reveal any evidence of systemic disease. The patient was treated with corticosteroids and responded well to medical therapy. The diagnosis of isolated neurosarcoidosis is a challenge and may require histological examination.

Relationship between electrodiagnostic severity and neuropathic pain assessed by the LANSS pain scale in carpal tunnel syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the presence of neuropathic pain assessed by the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) scale and electrophysiological findings in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS: We studied 124 hands with idiopathic CTS with pain complaints involving hand and wrist. All hands were assessed by the LANSS with which a score of 12 or more is defined as pain dominated by neuropathic mechanisms. These hands were assigned to minimal, mild, moderate, severe, or extreme severe groups according to the results of the median nerve conduction studies. RESULTS: A LANSS score ≥ 12, suggestive of pain dominated by neuropathic mechanisms, was defined in 59 (47.6%) CTS hands. Pain intensity was significantly higher in CTS hands with a LANSS score ≥ 12 (P < 0.001). Among electrophysiological findings, compound muscle action potential amplitude was significantly lower in hands with a LANSS score ≥ 12 compared with hands with a LANSS score < 12 (P = 0.020). Severity of CTS was not significantly different between LANSS ≥ 12 and LANSS < 12 groups. Electrophysiological severity was significantly higher in CTS hands with evoked pain (P = 0.005) and allodynia (P < 0.001) in LANSS subscore analysis. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the presence of pain dominated by neuropathic mechanisms in CTS is not related to electrophysiological CTS severity. Neuropathic pain should be assessed carefully in patients with CTS, and an appropriate treatment plan should be chosen, taking into account the clinical and electrophysiological findings together with the true pain classification.

Clinical and polysomnographic features of a large Turkish pedigree with restless leg syndrome and periodic limb movements.

PURPOSE: Restless leg syndrome (RLS) and periodic limb movements (PLMS) are common neurological diseases often associated with insomnia. A familial aggregation in RLS has been identified since it was first described; however, inheritance patterns of RLS/PLMS are poorly understood and their exact pathophysiology is not well-known. We have identified a Turkish pedigree with RLS/PLMS, which is a rare condition, in five generations of a family, including nine affected family members. METHODS: A detailed clinical evaluation of the family was conducted with the help of polysomnographic recording, electrophysiological findings, and biochemical parameters. RESULTS: The proband is a 38-year-old male member of the family who first started to show symptoms at the age of 29. All the patients from this family have been diagnosed with RLS, according to the criteria of the International RLS Study Group. Disease onset was early in all cases and even earlier in the younger generation. Three affected individuals also had PLMS on polysomnographic recordings. CONCLUSION: To our knowledge, this is the first Turkish family in which nine individuals in five generations are affected. We suggest an important effect of anticipation and genetic impact of the diseases and describe specific clinical features. Further investigation of clinical, genetic, and biochemical similarities between PLMS and RLS may yield important clues, adding to our understanding of the pathophysiology of these common diseases.

COST: Cognitive State Test, a brief screening battery for Alzheimer disease in illiterate and literate patients.

BACKGROUND: The aim was to develop a brief screening battery, Cognitive State Test (COST), for detecting the presence of dementia in both illiterate and literate patients and to assess its validity and reliability. METHODS: COST is a cognitive screening tool that consists of almost all cognitive domains. It takes 5-7 minutes to administer, and has a maximum score of 30. Data were obtained from 114 healthy volunteers and 74 Alzheimer dementia (AD) patients. Subjects' age divided into two groups: A1: <65 years; and A2: ≥65 years and their education level divided into three groups: E1: illiterate; E2: 1-5 years; and E3: ≥6 years. For assessing concurrent validity, total COST score was compared to the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Basic Activities of Daily Living (BADL). Sensitivity and specificity were determined through a discriminant analysis using the Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves. Internal consistency was measured using Cronbach's coefficient α. RESULTS: For normal and AD subjects, mean age was 64.9±9.8 years (50 women and 64 men) and 67.2±13.2 years (55 women and 19 men), respectively. Schooling ranged from 0-15 years (mean 5.7±4.2 and 3.3±3.8 years, respectively), and 21 and 37 subjects were illiterate, respectively. The COST significantly and positively correlated with MMSE and MoCA, and significantly and inversely correlated with CDR, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and BADL. In the E1, E2, and E3 education groups, the optimal cut-off points of COST chosen for diagnosis of AD were 23/24 (sensitivity: 81%, specificity: 99%), 24/25 (sensitivity: 75%, specificity: 86%), and 26/27 (sensitivity: 77%, specificity: 84%), respectively. When illiterate and literate subjects were then pooled, the optimal cut-off score of COST was 24/25, which yielded a sensitivity of 81% and a specificity of 87%. Reliability of the COST was good (0.86). CONCLUSION: The COST is a valid and reliable screening battery for detection of dementia both in the illiterate and the literate Alzheimer patients.

Restless legs syndrome responsive to rasagiline treatment: a case report.

We describe a patient with idiopathic restless legs syndrome (iRLS) who was responsive to rasagiline treatment. A 70-year-old woman presented with an 8-year history of iRLS symptoms and a 1-year history of resting tremor. The patient met the UK Parkinson's Disease Society Brain Bank Clinical Diagnostic Criteria (UK Parkinson Disease [PD] Brain Bank criteria) for the diagnosis of idiopathic PD and the criteria of the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group for the diagnosis of iRLS. One milligram of rasagiline once daily was started with the diagnosis of early PD as monotherapy. At week 8, the patient was almost iRLS symptoms free. Rasagiline has also been shown to mildly improve PD symptoms. Rasagiline was well tolerated during the follow-up. We suggest that rasagiline could represent a useful therapeutic option in the treatment of iRLS.