Understanding the role of cerebellum in early Parkinson's disease: a structural and functional MRI study.

Increasing evidence suggests that the cerebellum may have a role in the pathophysiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Hence, the scope of this study was to investigate whether there are structural and functional alterations of the cerebellum and whether they correlate with motor and non-motor symptoms in early PD patients. Seventy-six patients with early PD and thirty-one age and sex-matched healthy subjects (HS) were enrolled and underwent a 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol. The following MRI analyses were performed: (1) volumes of 5 cerebellar regions of interest (sensorimotor and cognitive cerebellum, dentate, interposed, and fastigial nuclei); (2) microstructural integrity of the cerebellar white matter connections (inferior, middle, and superior cerebellar peduncles); (3) functional connectivity at rest of the 5 regions of interest already described in point 1 with the rest of brain. Compared to controls, early PD patients showed a significant decrease in gray matter volume of the dentate, interposed and fastigial nuclei, bilaterally. They also showed abnormal, bilateral white matter microstructural integrity in all 3 cerebellar peduncles. Functional connectivity of the 5 cerebellar regions of interest with several areas in the midbrain, basal ganglia and cerebral cortex was altered. Finally, there was a positive correlation between abnormal functional connectivity of the fastigial nucleus with the volume of the nucleus itself and a negative correlation with axial symptoms severity. Our results showed that structural and functional alterations of the cerebellum are present in PD patients and these changes contribute to the pathophysiology of PD in the early phase.

Chronic migraine in women is associated with insulin resistance: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Migraine is a common neurological disorder. It can be divided into episodic migraine (EM) and chronic migraine (CM), based on headache frequency. Some studies have shown that insulin sensitivity is impaired in migraine; moreover, hypertension, diabetes and obesity are common in patients with CM. The aim of this study was to assess serum glucose, insulin levels and insulin resistance (IR) in a sample of episodic migraineurs, chronic migraineurs and non-pain healthy controls. METHODS: Eighty-three women with EM, 83 with CM and 83 healthy controls were recruited. Headache was diagnosed according to the latest International Classification of Headache Disorders 2 criteria. Waist circumference, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure were measured. Checked metabolic parameters included fasting glucose, the 2 h 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (2 h OGTT), serum HbA1c, blood lipid profile, C-reactive protein and prolactin. The homeostasis model assessment formula was used to calculate IR. RESULTS: A significant prevalence of IR in CM was observed (P = 0.002). No significant associations were found with fasting glycaemia, the 2 h OGTT, HbA1c, blood lipid profile, C-reactive protein, prolactin and waist circumference. Obesity (BMI >30 kg/m(2)) was associated with an increased risk of CM [odds ratio (OR) 2.4]. When the outcome of interest was the association between IR and obesity, the OR was significantly increased compared with IR alone (OR = 13.2). CONCLUSION: This may suggest that CM is associated with IR status, particularly when it is in partnership with obesity.

Imaging of inner cerebral trauma.

The concept of "Inner cerebral trauma" (ICT) has been preliminary defined as a characteristic topographic pattern of deep brain lesions produced by physical forces occurring within the cranial cavity in closed head injury of the acceleration/deceleration type. The lesions, based on neuropathological examinations, are characteristically localized in the "centro-axial" regions of the brain. The extent of ICT is often underestimated by CT. Due to assess the value of MR imaging, 83 patients with ICT were examined on a 1.5 T unit in different stages after trauma. The pattern of lesions, as shown with MR imaging, correlated well with neuropathological studies, suggesting a multifocal pathogenesis of severe traumatic brain injury.

[Patients with stroke treated with TRH-T. Evaluation of electric brain activity using traditional and computerized methods]. / Pazienti affetti da ictus cerebrale in trattamento con TRH-T. Valutazione dell'attività elettrica cerebrale con metodica tradizionale e computerizzata.

This study was aimed at evaluating the EEG effects of acutely and chronically administered protirelin tartrate in patients with acute and chronic cerebrovascular disease by traditional and computerized analysis of cerebral electric activity. Our data showed: a) TRH-T did not induce EEG abnormalities; b) acute and chronic administration of TRH-T increased alpha frequency band and decreased delta and theta activities.

Calcium requirements in humans. Report of original data and a review.

Presently submitted and previously available data indicate that the recommended calcium requirement of 800 mg/day is inadequate for a large segment of the population, particularly the elderly. With an intake of 800 mg of calcium/day, calcium balance was only slightly positive, without consideration of dermal losses or other risk factors that may play a role in calcium bioavailability and calcium retention. A calcium intake of 1000-1200 mg/day is preferable, as calcium balance increased significantly when calcium intake was increased from 800 to 1200 mg/day; there was no further improvement in calcium balance on higher calcium intakes, up to 2300 mg/day.

Circadian variation in the urinary excretion of electrolytes and trace elements in men.

Three-hour urine specimens were collected over a period of 27 hours from 11 healthy adult male subjects. Each specimen was analyzed for Na, K, Ca, Mg, and Zn using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Each sample was also dialyzed, pH 7.35, and subsequently analyzed for Na, K, P, Ca, Mg, Zn, Fe, Pb, Al, Ni, Cu, Mo, Hg, Cr, Cd, and Mn using a multielemental argon-plasma emission system. The data were evaluated on conventional time plots (chronograms) and as computer-determined "cosinor" plots. A population circadian rhythm with a statistical significance was detected for total Na, K, Ca, and Mg, and for nondialyzable Na, K, P, Ca, Zn, and Mo. For almost every element studied the increase from lowest to highest 3-hour group mean along the 24-hour time scale was more than 100%. The 24-hour excretion of Na, K, Ca, Mg, and Zn appeared in good agreement with the so-called "normals." The nondialyzable levels of Fe, Pb, Al, Ni, Cu, Mo, Hg, Cr, Cd, and Mn were similar to the total urinary excretions reported in the literature.

Comparison of unmeasured versus exchange diabetic diets in lean adults. Body weight and feeding patterns in a 2-year prospective pilot study.

Thirty insulin-treated adult diabetic outpatients, within normal weight for at least 5 years, were instructed either on an unmeasured diet with the single restriction of simple sugars, or on a weight maintenance, caloric defined, exchange type American Diabetes Association diet. During the next 2 years, both groups reported similar caloric intakes, food composition, and distribution, which were remarkably close to the calculated ideals. Both groups kept body weights within normal limits. There was no difference in insulin doses or serum cholesterol. Fasting glycemia was higher, triglycerides lower, and hypoglycemic reactions less frequent in the group on the unmeasured diet. These differences were not significant. It is suggested that normal weight diabetics spontaneously regulate their intake to maintain a constant weight regardless of precise degree of glycemia control or insulin dosage.

[Laboratory tests applied to transfusion problems. Identification of dangerous universal donors and their frequency]. / L'indagine di laboratorio applicata ai problemi trasfusionali. Identificazione dei donatori universali pericolosi e loro frequenza.

We studied 504 subjects, whose blood group wes O; they were periodic or occasional blood donors from Transfusional Center A.V.I.S., Policlinico "Umberto I", Roma. Our research was based on the principle stated by Gandini: he states that the natural isoagglutinin concentration equal or superior to 1:200 and the presence of hemolytic isoantibodies may make universal donors dangerous. Our results indicated that the percentage of this kind of donors is 27.75%. Sice 17.26% of our studied subjects showed hemolytic antibodies, we consider it is sufficient to identify dangerous donors through a dosage of hemolytic isoantibodies.

[Antileukocyte antibodies. Synthetic review and experimental data]. / Contributo alla conoscenza degli anticorpi antileucociti. Rivista sintetica e dati sperimentali

An account is given about the results of investigations carried out in repeatedly transfused patients. We observed an increased presence of the antileucocyte antibodies in relation to the repeatedly transfused patients. The work was extended also to the repeatedly pregnancies; in this research it was also observed a sensibly increased presence of the antileucocyte antibodies in relation with the number of the pregnancies.