RESUMO
We explored the question of genetic overlap between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) because evidence suggests clinical, pathologic, and epidemiologic overlap between the two disorders. We compared the frequency of AD and PD between the first-degree relatives of probands with AD and PD and first-degree relatives of spouse control subjects. Using life-table methods, we found increased risk of AD in first-degree relatives of patients with AD and an increased risk of PD in first-degree relatives of patients with PD. The risk of PD in first-degree relatives of patients with AD was not increased, nor was the risk of AD in first-degree relatives of patients with PD increased. These data do not support the hypothesis that important genetic overlap exists between AD and PD.
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer/genética , Doença de Parkinson/genética , Idoso , Doença de Alzheimer/epidemiologia , Feminino , Humanos , Tábuas de Vida , Masculino , Doença de Parkinson/epidemiologia , Prevalência , Fatores de RiscoRESUMO
The ability of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or global amnesia (AMN) to acquire skill for tracing a pattern seen in mirror-reversed view and to retain that skill over 24-h intervals was examined. Both patient groups had poor recall and recognition of their mirror-tracing experience, but they acquired and retained mirror-tracing skill as well as normal control subjects. One AMN patient (H.M.) retained the skill over a year-long interval. Furthermore, the patients transferred their skill normally to an alternate pattern. These results indicate that the memory system underlying mirror-tracing skill learning is separable from medial-temporal structures compromised in AMN and AD and from neocortical areas compromised in AD. Brain regions relatively spared in early AD, such as the basal ganglia or cerebellum, may mediate critical aspects of the learning of novel sensorimotor associations that underlie skilled mirror tracing.
Assuntos
Doença de Alzheimer/fisiopatologia , Amnésia/fisiopatologia , Dominância Cerebral/fisiologia , Orientação/fisiologia , Desempenho Psicomotor/fisiologia , Retenção Psicológica/fisiologia , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Doença de Alzheimer/diagnóstico , Doença de Alzheimer/psicologia , Amnésia/diagnóstico , Amnésia/psicologia , Aprendizagem por Associação/fisiologia , Encéfalo/fisiopatologia , Mapeamento Encefálico , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Rememoração Mental/fisiologia , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Testes Neuropsicológicos , Prática Psicológica , Tempo de Reação/fisiologia , Transferência de ExperiênciaRESUMO
Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is an inheritable clinical disorder in which very long chain fatty acids accumulate in several tissue types. ALD is underrepresented in the psychiatric literature, although the disorder may cause an organic brain syndrome, often misdiagnosed as another psychiatric problem. A survey of 109 reported cases of ALD revealed that 39% presented with some psychiatric sign or symptom, whereas 17% presented exclusively as a psychiatric problem. A computed axial tomogram (CAT) head scan is recommended to rule out ALD in psychiatric patients suspected of having organic brain disease, as a characteristic image may be found in ALD patients who have brain involvement.
Assuntos
Adrenoleucodistrofia/diagnóstico , Esclerose Cerebral Difusa de Schilder/diagnóstico , Transtornos Neurocognitivos/diagnóstico , Diagnóstico Diferencial , HumanosRESUMO
The use of aerosolized anticholinergics has not previously been emphasized as a cause of pharmacologic pupillary dilation. The diagnosis can be confirmed by instillation of 1 percent pilocarpine hydrochloride in the affected eye, thereby preventing needless neurologic studies and evaluation. We report one patient who had transient asymmetric pupillary dilation secondary to aerosolized anticholinergic treatment. Also, we looked at the incidence of the above complication in 40 outpatients who were treated for acute asthmatic exacerbation.
