Restless legs syndrome in Parkinson's disease: relationship with quality of life and medication.

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to disclose the relationship between restless leg syndrome (RLS) and antiparkinsonian treatment, and its effect on quality of life (QoL) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). BACKGROUND: Previous studies documented the prevalence of RLS among patients with PD to be higher than in the general population, but conclusions regarding the aetiology and impact were contradictory. METHODS: We examined 101 patients with idiopathic PD. All participants completed the five-dimension/five-level-EuroQoL questionnaire (EQ-5D-5L) and the International Restless-Legs-syndrome-study-group rating Scale (IRLS). RESULTS: The prevalence of RLS was 22.77 %. There were no statistically significant differences in levodopa or dopamine agonists (DA) doses between RLS-positive and negative participants. However, the use of levodopa as the last night-time medication was connected with a higher risk of RLS (OR=2.049, p=0.041). There was significantly lower prevalence of RLS in patients after surgical treatment for PD (p=0.024). Participants with RLS were at a greater risk for sleep disturbances (OR=3.866, p=0.023) and excessive daytime sleepiness (OR=7.202, p<0.001). Greater RLS symptoms were associated with worse QoL (higher IRLS score predicted higher EQ5D5L score, p=0.023). CONCLUSION: RLS is prevalent among PD patients and night-time dopaminergic over-excitation with levodopa plays an important role in its pathogenesis. Since the symptoms of RLS are associated with decreased QoL, early accurate diagnosis and appropriate adjustment of dopaminergic therapy can lead to immediate relief from RLS symptoms and to QoL improvement (Tab. 4, Fig. 1, Ref. 34).

Effects of running on adiponectin, insulin and cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid in healthy young individuals.

Exercise can prevent the sedentary lifestyle-related risk of metabolic and cognitive decline, but mechanisms and mediators of exercise effects on human brain are relatively unexplored. We measured acute exercise-induced changes in adiponectin, insulin and other bioactive molecules in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum from young lean individuals. Samples of serum and CSF were obtained before and 1-h after the 90-min run (75-80% HRmax; maximal heart rate), additional serum was taken at finish-line. Body composition, physical fitness, metabolic rate, cognitive functions, food preference, glucose, insulin and albumin were measured. The spectrum of 174 cytokines was assessed by protein arrays, adiponectin was also determined by ELISA and immunoblotting. CSF adiponectin decreased post-exercise by 21.3% (arrays) and 25.8% (ELISA) (p < 0.009). Immunoblotting revealed reduction in a low-molecular-weight-adiponectin (p < 0.005). CSF adiponectin positively correlated with CSF/serum albumin ratio (p < 0.022), an indicator of blood-brain-barrier permeability. CSF and serum adiponectin were positively associated with memory and running-induced changes in insulinemia and CSF insulin. Additionally, running modulated CSF levels of 16 other cytokines. Acute running reduced CSF adiponectin and modulated insulin and albumin in CSF and serum. Associations of adiponectin with memory and metabolism indicate the potential role of this bioactive molecule in mediating exercise-induced adaptive response in human brain.

DNA versus RNA oxidation in Parkinson's disease: Which is more important?

BACKROUND: 8-hydroxy-2 deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) and the 8-hydroxyguanosine (8-OHG) are the most widely used biomarkers of nucleoside oxidation affecting DNA and RNA and are considered reliable markers of oxidative stress. Increased levels of these markers are found in the various biological fluids of patients with neurodegenerative disorders. OBJECTIVE: The primary aim of our study was to assess the differences of investigated markers between patient groups and subsequently study the influence of clinical factors that might modify the levels of investigated markers during the disease progression. METHODS: In this study, we analysed the 8-OHdG and 8-OHG levels in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum from 44 patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 32 controls using an ELISA. RESULTS: There were significantly higher CSF levels of both investigated markers in Parkinson's disease patients as compared to controls (p=0.02 and p=0.04). Significantly higher CSF values of 8-OHdG were found in PD patients without dementia (p=0.05), whereas patients with dementia recorded lower 8-OHG CSF levels compared to controls (p=0.04). The disease duration and age influenced the levels of both markers within investigated groups. CONCLUSION: Oxidative DNA damage plays an important role in the early stages of PD, whereas during the progression of the disease the process is more complex, and other mechanisms are in the foreground. The measurement of 8-OHdG might be used as an "early-stage marker", whereas the decrease of 8-OHG in CSF might reflect the degree of neurodegeneration during the disease progression, suggesting its utility as a prognostic marker of advanced PD stages.

Prevalent placement error of deep brain stimulation electrode in movement disorders (technical considerations).

BACKGROUND: Deep brain stimulation is an effective and safe technique. Displacement of the electrode relative to the optimal stimulation site can lead to insufficient effect and sometimes to the need of operative electrode re-position. OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed to analyse targeting accuracy of deep brain stimulation electrode implantation to subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus internus (Gpi). It detected possible causes of inaccuracy and prevalent shift to certain direction. METHODS: Targeting accuracy was analysed in 47 patients with Parkinson´s disease (PD) and 11 patients with dystonia with bilateral implantation of deep brain stimulation electrodes between years 2009 and 2016. RESULTS: A shift of electrode to prevalent direction was observed on the left side to medial and posterior and on the right side to lateral direction. Greater shift was observed on the left side and in a higher angulation of trajectory laterally. Movement of the electrode, because of its traction in anchoring device, was identified as a possible factor for prevalent electrode shift. Calibration of stereotactic coordinates to correct prevalent shift was used. CONCLUSION: Targeting inaccuracy is the result of accumulation of errors in individual steps of electrode implantation. Direction of the shift can be random or it can be toward a prevalent direction. A correction of prevalent error can prevent a suboptimal electrode placement (Tab. 3, Fig. 11, Ref. 29).

Higher prevalence of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease in multiple sclerosis patients is related to spinal cord lesions.

BACKGROUND: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is connected with higher prevalence of secondary restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom disease (RLS/WED). Aim of this study was to determine risk factor for developing symptoms of RLS in MS patients. METHODS: In cross-sectional study we examined 200 random MS patients. After obtaining informed consents, patients undervent a structured interview based on RLS and MS symptoms and characteristics, demographic, and health-related data. Than we collected results of brain/spinal cord magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Blood samples were examined for blood count and biochemistry. RESULTS: From all 200 subjects, 26% were RLS-positives (95% CI: 20-32%). From positive patients, 44% had negative family history for RLS, and developed secondary RLS after onset of MS. Compared to RLS-negatives, the positives had significantly higher prevalence of spinal cord lesions (p=0.01). Presence of spinal pathology was connected with higher risk of RLS development (OR=3.846, 95%CI:1.304-11.346). There were no statistically significant differences in the levels of red blood cells, iron metabolism parameters, or levels of B or D vitamins. CONCLUSION: Risk of RLS/WED in MS increases with presence of lesions in spinal cord. The role of decreased dopamine delivery to lower spinal regions as the pathological background must be proved by more detailed research.

Postural stability and responses to vibrations in patients after anterior cruciate ligament surgical reconstruction.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of surgical reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) on postural stability and responses to lower limb (LL) muscles vibrations. Centre of pressure (CoP) was measured in 17 subjects during stance on firm/foam surface with eyes open/closed and during unilateral vibrations of LL muscles (m. triceps surae - TS, m. quadriceps femoris - Q, m. quadriceps femoris and hamstrings simultaneously - QH). The measurements were performed: 1) preoperatively, 2) six weeks and 3) three months after the reconstruction. Decreased postural stability was documented six weeks after the reconstruction compared to preoperative measurement. Three months after the reconstruction significant improvement was observed during stance on foam surface with eyes closed. Preoperatively, altered reactions of LL with ACL lesion compared to intact LL were manifested by slower response in first 3 s of TS vibration and by increased CoP shift in last 5 s of QH vibration. After the reconstruction, we observed slower CoP reaction and decreased CoP shift during TS vibration of LL with ACL lesion compared to preoperative level. Posturography during quiet stance and during TS vibration reliably detect postural changes due to ACL reconstruction and can be potentially useful in clinical practice.

Impact of kidney transplantation on restless legs syndrome.

AIM: Our study was to assess the impact of kidney transplantation on restless legs syndrome (RLS) in end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. METHODS: A total of 75 patients after a successful kidney transplantation (39 males, 36 females) were assessed consecutively. All patients completed the self reported questionnaire focused on RLS 6 months after kidney transplantation with investigation of selected laboratory parameters. The questionnaire met the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group criteria for RLS diagnosis. RESULTS: 30 (40.54%) out of 75 patients met the RLS diagnostic criteria. From this RLS positive group, 8 (26.7%) of them reported a complete regression of symptoms, 13 (43.3%) reported symptoms relief, 6 (20.0%) were without any change and 3 (10.0%) reported worsening of symptoms after kidney transplantation. In the RLS positive group, the majority of patients (26-86.7%) reported the occurrence of the symptoms in the evening and 21 (70.0%) of RLS positive patients reported the onset of symptoms after the onset of renal disease. CONCLUSION: Although the secondary RLS in EDRS patients is very common, it is often unrecognized or misdiagnosed. We concluded that kidney transplantation, except the primary benefit to kidney replacement and to its function, has a secondary impact on other conditions such as RLS (Tab. 5, Fig. 4, Ref. 17).

Dynamic changes in the common bile duct after laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a prospective longitudinal sonographic study.

PURPOSE: The aim of this prospective study was to assess the dynamics of potential common bile duct (CBD) dilatation and to find the best predictors in patients after laparoscopic cholecystectomy due to gallstones. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty patients (36 women, 14 men) with gallstones scheduled for laparoscopic cholecystectomy underwent preoperative sonography one day prior to surgery and again within 24 hours of cholecystectomy. In all patients, the diameter of the CBD was measured again on the 7 (th), 90 (th) and 180 (th) day after cholecystectomy. The luminal diameter was measured just below the bifurcation of hepatic ducts, at the level of intersection with the hepatic artery and at the level of the pancreatic head. The control group consisted of 50 healthy individuals (35 women and 15 men) with normal biochemistry and sonography, and without a history of hepatobiliary disease, clinical symptoms or surgery. RESULTS: The mean preoperative CBD diameter at three locations was 2.27 ± 0.18, 3.49 ± 0.23 and 4.31 ± 0.30, respectively. The mean diameter of the common bile duct measured within 24 hours of surgery and on the seventh postoperative day did not significantly change with respect to the preoperative measurement. Three months after cholecystectomy, the CBD was statistically wider at all three locations (p < 0.05). Six months after cholecystectomy, the CBD remained significantly wider at the proximal and distal part when compared to the preoperative measurements. CONCLUSION: The CBD showed an overall trend towards a slight, but significant, dilatation after cholecystectomy. The common bile duct dilates significantly 3 months after cholecystectomy. Familiarity with these patterns prevents ultrasound misdiagnosis when examining patients within 6 months of cholecystectomy.

8-OHdG in cerebrospinal fluid as a marker of oxidative stress in various neurodegenerative diseases.

BACKGROUND: The 8-hydroxy-2 deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG) is a product of nucleoside oxidation of DNA and a reliable marker of oxidative stress markers. Increased levels of oxidative stress have been reported in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with various neurodegenerative disorders. OBJECTIVE: In search of a biochemical indicator of Parkinson's disease (PD), we analyzed the levels 8-OHdG in the CSF of 99 patients, using ELISA to assess the differences between various neurodegenerative disorders. RESULTS: Statistically significant higher CSF levels (p = 0.022) of 8-OHdG in non-demented PD patients as compared to the control group were observed. No differences between CSF 8-OHdG levels and age at the time of lumbar puncture, presence or severity of dementia, or gender were found. CONCLUSIONS: 8-OHdG levels could be potentially useful in the neurochemically supported diagnosis of PD.

Parkinsonian patients show impaired predictive smooth pursuit.

To determine if patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are able to use a visual contextual cue to induce a predictive change in smooth pursuit direction and if this ability depends on the state of the dopaminergic system, we measured predictive smooth pursuit in nine patients with mild to moderate PD during OFF and ON medication. These values were compared with those of nine age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls.Our focus was on the horizontal smooth pursuit when subjects pursued a downward moving target entering a+/-90 deg curve. The target moved on a homogeneous background or on a static "street" that indicated the future trajectory of the target. Our main result is that PD patients were impaired in eliciting predictive smooth pursuit using the context information of the street compared to healthy subjects. The control group elicited predictive pursuit 250 ms before target onset. In contrast, PD patients showed significantly longer latency (100-120 ms) and reduced maximal pursuit velocity. However, without the street guiding pursuit, a delay of about 250 ms was seen in both groups. There was no significant difference in the smooth pursuit performance between OFF and ON medication in the patient group.These results show that early stage PD patients are impaired in the use of static visual information as a cue for predictive pursuit compared to controls and that this deficit does not depend on dopaminergic medication. In the context of predictive eye movement, the involvement of the striatal-frontal pathway and the spatial working memory is discussed.

Giant anterior sacral meningocele presenting as bacterial meningitis in a previously healthy adult.

Meningocele may be asymptomatic and incidentally discovered. Presenting as a retrorectal mass, sacral meningocele may produce urinary, rectal, and menstrual pain. Anterior sacral meningocele may be the cause of tethered cord syndrome. This article presents a case of a previously healthy 39-year-old man with large meningeal herniation that occupied the entire pelvis who developed symptoms of bacterial meningitis. A 39-year-old man was admitted with fever, chills, headache and photophobia. Escherichia coli was isolated from cerebrospinal fluid culture. Moderate improvement regarding meningeal symptoms was noted due to intravenous antibiotic therapy, but intense pain in the lower back associated with constipation, fecal and urinary incontinence, and saddle anesthesia developed. Abdominal ultrasound was negative. Plain radiographs and computed tomography demonstrated sacral bone defect and retrorectal expansive mass. MRI confirmed anterior sacral meningocele with cord tethering. After posterior laminectomy and dural opening, communication between meningocele and intrathecal compartment was obliterated. Computed tomography-guided percutaneous drainage through the ischiorectal fossa was performed to treat residual presacral cyst. Delayed diagnosis in our patient was related to misleading signs of bacterial meningitis without symptoms of intrapelvic expansion until the second week of illness. In our patient, surgical treatment was unavoidable due to resistive meningitis, acute back pain, and symptoms of space-occupying pelvic lesion. Neurosurgical approach was successful in treatment of meningitis and neurological disorders. Computed tomography-guided evacuation of the residual retrorectal cyst was less invasive than laparotomy, resulting in normalization of defecation and miction despite incomplete evacuation. Further follow-up studies may provide insight into the most effective treatment of such conditions.