Oscillometry of the respiratory system in Parkinson's disease: physiological changes and diagnostic use.

BACKGROUND: Lung function analysis in Parkinson's disease (PD) is often difficult due to the demand for adequate forced expiratory maneuvers. Respiratory oscillometry exams require onlyquiet tidal breathing and provide a detailed analysis of respiratory mechanics. We hypothesized that oscillometry would simplify the diagnosis of respiratory abnormalitiesin PD and improve our knowledge about the pathophysiological changes in these patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This observational study includes 20 controls and 47 individuals with PD divided into three groups (Hoehn and Yahr Scale 1-1.5; H&Y scale 2-3 and PD smokers).The diagnostic accuracy was evaluated by investigating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). RESULTS: Initial stages are related to increased peripheral resistance (Rp; p = 0.001). In more advanced stages, a restrictive pattern is added, reflected by reductions in dynamic compliance (p < 0.05) and increase in resonance frequency (Fr; p < 0.001). Smoking PD patients presented increased Rp (p < 0.001) and Fr (p < 0.01). PD does not introduce changes in the central airways. Oscillometric changes were correlated with respiratory muscle weakness (R = 0.37, p = 0.02). Rp showed adequate accuracy in the detection of early respiratory abnormalities (AUC = 0.858), while in more advanced stages, Fr showed high diagnostic accuracy (AUC = 0.948). The best parameter to identify changes in smoking patients was Rp (AUC = 0.896). CONCLUSION: The initial stages of PD are related to a reduction in ventilation homogeneity associated with changes in peripheral airways. More advanced stages also include a restrictive ventilatory pattern. These changes were correlated with respiratory muscle weakness and were observed in mild and moderate stages of PD in smokers and non-smokers. Oscillometry may adequately identify respiratory changes in the early stages of PD and obtain high diagnostic accuracy in more advanced stages of the disease.

Fatigue in Brazilian patients with Parkinson's disease.

Fatigue is a non-motor symptom of high prevalence in Parkinson's disease (PD); however, it is still unknown and neglected by health professionals. Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the prevalence of fatigue in patients with PD after excluding confounding factors, as well as its correlation with clinical and demographic data, and to find its negative impact on the quality of life of these patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 237 randomly selected patients. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected 53 patients, who were then submitted to the Fatigue Severity Scale. Clinical and demographic data were also analyzed, comparing them between patients with and without fatigue. Results: We identified fatigue in 21 (39.62%) patients. Patients with and without fatigue had similar mean scores on the UPDRS-III (p=0.36), equivalent daily dose of levodopa (p=0.94), mean disease duration (p=0.43), and mean age (p<0.99). Fatigued patients had worse quality of life scores (PDQ-39) (p=0.00). We did not observe a correlation between fatigue, duration of illness (r=0.11; p=0.43), age (r=0.00; p=0.99), and UPDRS-III (r=0.20; p=0.16). Conclusions: Fatigue is a highly prevalent and independent symptom of PD. There is no correlation between age, mean duration of disease, motor impairment, and its presence. It has a negative impact on quality of life.

A fadiga é um sintoma não motor de elevada prevalência na doença de Parkinson, no entanto ela ainda é desconhecida e negligenciada por profissionais de saúde. Objetivo: Demonstrar a prevalência de fadiga em pacientes com doença de Parkinson após a exclusão de fatores de confusão, bem como sua correlação com dados clínicos e demográficos, comprovando seu impacto negativo na qualidade de vida desses pacientes. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 237 pacientes selecionados aleatoriamente. De acordo com critérios de inclusão e exclusão, escolhemos 53 pacientes, que foram então submetidos à Escala de Gravidade de Fadiga. Analisaram-se também dados clínicos e demográficos, comparando-os entre os pacientes com e sem fadiga. Resultados: Identificamos fadiga em 21 pacientes (39,62%). Pacientes com e sem fadiga apresentaram pontuação média semelhante na Escala Unificada de Avaliação para Doença de Parkinson (UPDRS-III) (p=0,36), dose diária equivalente de levodopa (p=0,94), tempo médio de duração da doença (p=0,43) e idade média (p<0,99). Pacientes fatigados apresentaram piores índices de qualidade de vida (Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire - PDQ-39) (p=0,00). Não observamos correlação entre fadiga, tempo de doença (r=0,11; p=0,43), idade (r=0,00; p=0,99) e UPDRS-III (r=0,20; p=0,16). Conclusões: A fadiga é um sintoma de alta prevalência e independente na doença de Parkinson. Não há correlação entre idade, tempo médio de duração da doença, comprometimento motor e sua presença. Possui impacto negativo na qualidade de vida.

Fatigue in Brazilian patients with Parkinson's disease / Fadiga em pacientes brasileiros com doença de parkinson

ABSTRACT. Fatigue is a non-motor symptom of high prevalence in Parkinson's disease (PD); however, it is still unknown and neglected by health professionals. Objective: This study aimed to demonstrate the prevalence of fatigue in patients with PD after excluding confounding factors, as well as its correlation with clinical and demographic data, and to find its negative impact on the quality of life of these patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out with 237 randomly selected patients. According to inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected 53 patients, who were then submitted to the Fatigue Severity Scale. Clinical and demographic data were also analyzed, comparing them between patients with and without fatigue. Results: We identified fatigue in 21 (39.62%) patients. Patients with and without fatigue had similar mean scores on the UPDRS-III (p=0.36), equivalent daily dose of levodopa (p=0.94), mean disease duration (p=0.43), and mean age (p<0.99). Fatigued patients had worse quality of life scores (PDQ-39) (p=0.00). We did not observe a correlation between fatigue, duration of illness (r=0.11; p=0.43), age (r=0.00; p=0.99), and UPDRS-III (r=0.20; p=0.16). Conclusions: Fatigue is a highly prevalent and independent symptom of PD. There is no correlation between age, mean duration of disease, motor impairment, and its presence. It has a negative impact on quality of life.

RESUMO. A fadiga é um sintoma não motor de elevada prevalência na doença de Parkinson, no entanto ela ainda é desconhecida e negligenciada por profissionais de saúde. Objetivo: Demonstrar a prevalência de fadiga em pacientes com doença de Parkinson após a exclusão de fatores de confusão, bem como sua correlação com dados clínicos e demográficos, comprovando seu impacto negativo na qualidade de vida desses pacientes. Métodos: Foi realizado um estudo transversal com 237 pacientes selecionados aleatoriamente. De acordo com critérios de inclusão e exclusão, escolhemos 53 pacientes, que foram então submetidos à Escala de Gravidade de Fadiga. Analisaram-se também dados clínicos e demográficos, comparando-os entre os pacientes com e sem fadiga. Resultados: Identificamos fadiga em 21 pacientes (39,62%). Pacientes com e sem fadiga apresentaram pontuação média semelhante na Escala Unificada de Avaliação para Doença de Parkinson (UPDRS-III) (p=0,36), dose diária equivalente de levodopa (p=0,94), tempo médio de duração da doença (p=0,43) e idade média (p<0,99). Pacientes fatigados apresentaram piores índices de qualidade de vida (Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire - PDQ-39) (p=0,00). Não observamos correlação entre fadiga, tempo de doença (r=0,11; p=0,43), idade (r=0,00; p=0,99) e UPDRS-III (r=0,20; p=0,16). Conclusões: A fadiga é um sintoma de alta prevalência e independente na doença de Parkinson. Não há correlação entre idade, tempo médio de duração da doença, comprometimento motor e sua presença. Possui impacto negativo na qualidade de vida.

Laryngopharyngeal motor dysfunction and obstructive sleep apnea in Parkinson's disease.

PURPOSE: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common sleep disorder in Parkinson's disease (PD), but the relationship between these two conditions remains uncertain. Upper airway (UA) dysfunction in PD is well documented in some patients and is believed to be a reflex of the motor involvement of laryngopharyngeal muscles. The aim of this study is to determine whether UA dysfunction and laryngopharyngeal motor dysfunction (LMD) are involved in the obstructive phenomenon of OSA in PD. METHODS: Forty-eight PD patients underwent polysomnography for OSA diagnosis, functional evaluation of the UA by spirometry and a clinical protocol for analysis of laryngopharyngeal muscles and physical examination. RESULTS: Thirty-one participants (64.6%) fulfilled the criteria for OSA according to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders- third edition (at least respiratory disturbance index of five or higher per hour of sleep plus specific symptoms). UA obstruction was observed in 25% of participants and LMD in 60.4%. Among the clinical indicators of LMD, hypophonia was the most common (58.3%). Participants with LMD had a threefold greater chance of presenting with OSA than those without LMD did (OR = 3.49; 95% CI, 1.01-12.1; p = 0.044). Individuals with LMD had more UA dysfunction (37.9 vs 10.5%, p = 0.037), higher scores on UPDRS III (20 vs 15, p = 0.0005) and the Hoehn-Yahr scale (2.5 vs 2.0, p = 0.008), and higher frequencies of postural changes (51.7 vs 21.1%, p = 0.033) and motor phenomena (65.5 vs 31.6%, p = 0.021). Obesity, snoring, neck circumference, and the Mallampati score did not correlate with OSA in PD. CONCLUSION: LMD should be considered a factor that is involved in the obstructive phenomenon of UA in patients with OSA and PD.

Electrostimulation of the posterior tibial nerve in individuals with overactive bladder: a literature review.

[Purpose] This study aims to gather scientific evidence to identify whether clinical trials on Electrostimulation of the Posterior Tibial Nerve (ESPTN) in individuals with overactive bladder present an adequate methodological standard according to the PEDro (Physiotherapy Evidence Database) criteria. [Methods] Integral literature review, including randomized controlled clinical trials found in PEDro. [Results] We found 16 articles, of which only one did not meet the inclusion criteria. This article has shown that ESPTN is a conservative tool of physiotherapy that is less invasive than other therapies, is well tolerated by patients and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of overactive bladder. However, few standardized clinical studies have been conducted, and only 26.6% of the articles included in this review obtained a score of more than five items on the PEDro scale. [Conclusion] This article has shown that ESPTN is a conservative tool of physiotherapy that is less invasive than other therapies, is well tolerated by patients and has been shown to be effective in the treatment of overactive bladder. Thus, there is a need for more clinical articles that follow the quality criteria for randomized clinical trials, allowing more reliable scientific results.

Volumetric brain analysis as a predictor of a worse cognitive outcome in Parkinson's disease.

Cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) results in significant morbidity and mortality being early diagnosis essential. Identification of patients who are at higher risk of developing cognitive impairment based only on clinical data is not sufficient. To this end, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with automatic segmentation, such as FreeSurfer, could be a useful tool with high accuracy because it has histological validation. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to evaluate clinical, neuropsychological and FreeSurfer variables that may be related to worse cognitive outcomes over 18 months in PD patients compared with controls. METHODS: PD patients were recruited according to established inclusion and exclusion criteria as well individuals without any neurological or psychiatric diagnosis and were submitted to the same protocol: neurological, neuropsychological and neuroimaging evaluations. After 18 months, the study subjects were reassessed by neurological and neuropsychological evaluations. RESULTS: Of 171 individuals selected for first evaluation, 96 concluded the study during 18-month follow-up. The PD group presented worse performance in the neuropsychological assessment during both the initial and final evaluations. The results obtained by FreeSurfer revealed a significant reduction (unilateral or bilateral) in the volume of thalamus, caudate nucleus, putamen, hippocampus, amygdala, accumbens, corpus callosum and cerebral gray matter in the PD group. A worse cognitive outcome was more prevalent in the PD group. CONCLUSIONS: Worse cognitive performance documented by neuropsychological assessment in the PD group was correlated with reduced volume of several structures by FreeSurfer analysis and may be a biomarker of cognitive decline.

Symptoms of depression in patients with mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the most frequent depressive symptoms and their association with cognition in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: 48 patients with PD and 44 controls (CG), aged between 50 and 80 years and with at least 4 years of formal education, all with MCI and none diagnosed with depression, were assessed. Patients and controls were matched for age, education, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. Participants underwent clinical evaluation with a neurologist followed by neuropsychological assessment employing the instruments: MMSE, Clock Drawing Test, Verbal Fluency Test (semantic and phonemic), Figures Memory Test (FMT), Stroop Test, Trail Making Test, Digit Span (WAIS III), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Hooper Visual Organization Test, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: The most frequent depressive symptoms in the PD group were: difficulty working, fatigue and sleep disorders (the latter also being present in CG). BDI score correlated negatively with learning and recognition memory in both groups. Episodic memory, evaluated by the FMT and RAVLT tests, was the cognitive function showing greatest impairment. CONCLUSION: Some of the depressive symptoms observed in PD patients with MCI seem to be attributable to complications of PD, while others are common to both PD and MCI, making differential diagnoses complex but crucial.

OBJETIVO: Investigar os sintomas depressivos mais frequentes e sua associação com a cognição de indivíduos com doença de Parkinson (DP) e declínio cognitivo leve (DCL). MÉTODOS: Foram avaliados 48 pacientes com DP e 44 Controles (GC), com idade entre 50 e 80 anos e escolaridade superior a 4 anos, todos com DCL e sem diagnóstico de depressão. Pacientes e controles foram pareados quanto à idade, escolaridade e pontuação do Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM). Os participantes foram submetidos à avaliação clínica com neurologista seguida de avaliação neuropsicológica com os instrumentos MEEM, Teste do Desenho do Relógio, Teste de Fluência Verbal Semântica e Fonêmica, Teste de Memória de Figuras (FMT), Teste Stroop de Cores e Palavras, Teste das Trilhas (TMT), Span de Dígitos WAIS III, Teste de Aprendizagem Auditivo-Verbal de Rey (RAVLT), Teste de Organização Visual de Hooper e Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI). RESULTADOS: Os sintomas depressivos mais frequentes no grupo DP foram dificuldade para trabalhar, fatigabilidade e distúrbios do sono, sendo este comum ao grupo controle. A pontuação do BDI correlacionou-se negativamente com aprendizagem e memória de reconhecimento em ambos os grupos. Neste estudo, a memória episódica, avaliada pelos testes FMT e RAVLT, apresentou-se como a função cognitiva com maior comprometimento. CONCLUSÃO: Alguns sintomas depressivos prevalentes nos Parkinsonianos com DCL podem ser atribuídos à DP, dificultando o diagnóstico diferencial.

The role of diffusion magnetic resonance imaging in Parkinson's disease and in the differential diagnosis with atypical parkinsonism.

Parkinson's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Clinically, it is characterized by motor symptoms. Parkinson's disease should be differentiated from atypical parkinsonism conditions. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging is the primary imaging method employed in order to facilitate the differential diagnosis, and its role has grown after the development of advanced techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging. The purpose of this article was to review the role of magnetic resonance imaging in Parkinson's disease and in the differential diagnosis with atypical parkinsonism, emphasizing the diffusion technique.

A doença de Parkinson é uma das doenças neurodegenerativas mais comuns. Clinicamente, é caracterizada por sintomas motores, devendo ser diferenciada com outras doenças que cursam com parkinsonismo, definidas como parkinsonismo atípico. A ressonância magnética convencional é o principal método de imagem para auxiliar este diagnóstico diferencial e, atualmente, seu papel tem crescido com as técnicas avançadas, como a difusão. O objetivo deste artigo é revisar o papel da ressonância magnética na doença de Parkinson e no diagnóstico diferencial com parkinsonismo atípico, com ênfase na técnica de difusão.

Análise dos sintomas motores na Doença de Parkinson em pacientes de hospital terciário do Rio de Janeiro / Analysis of motor symptoms in patients with Parkinson's disease from a tertiary hospital in Rio de Janeiro

A doença de Parkinson (DP) é a segunda doença neu-rodegenerativa mais comum. Caracteriza-se clinicamente por tremor de repouso, rigidez, bradicinesia e instabilidade postural. O presente estudo busca caracterizar clinicamente uma população com DP em nosso meio. Objetivos: Descrever o perfil clínico de pacientes com DP de um hospital terciário do Rio de Janeiro, com foco nos sinais e sintomas motores da doença, para caracterização local da mesma. Métodos: Análise retrospectiva de 115 prontuários de pacientes com DP acompanhados no ambulatório de Distúrbios do Movimento do Hospital Universitário Pedro Ernesto da Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro. Os parâmetros avaliados incluíram: idade, sexo, tem-po de doença, sinais motores predominantes, dimídio mais afetado, complicações motoras e tratamento utilizado. Resultados: Foram selecionados 95 participantes com DP, sendo a média de idade da amostra de 64,7 anos, com tempo médio de doença de 9,9 anos, pre-dominando no sexo masculino, em uma proporção de 2.5 homens para 1 mulher. Em relação ao tratamento utilizado, predominou o uso da levodopa /inibidor da dopa-descarboxilase, seguindo-se o pramipexole em monoterapia ou a associação de ambos. Conclusão: Apesar da grande variação na faixa etária, observou-se maior acome-timento da doença entre 60 e 80 anos, chamando atenção o tremor como sinal predominante. Entre as complicações motoras destaca-mos o "wearing off", seguido pelas discinesias. (AU)

Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. The main clinical features are rest tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia and postural instability. The present study aims to characterize clinically a population with PD in our commu-nity. Objective: To describe the clinical profile of PD patients from a tertiary hospital in Rio de Janeiro, with emphasis on motor signs and symptoms, for its local characterization. Methods: Retrospective analysis of 115 files from PD patients followed at the Movement Disorders Outpatient Clinic at Pedro Ernesto University Hospital from the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Parameters evaluated included: age, sex, disease duration, predominant motor signs, most affected side, motor complications and treatment prescribed. Results: Ninety five PD patients were selected, with an average age of the sample of 64.7 years, average disease duration of 9.9 years, male predominance, in a proportion of 2.5 men:1 woman. Regarding treatment, levodopa/dopa decarboxylase inhibitor was the most common drug prescribed, followed by pramipexol monotherapy or both in association. Conclusion: In spite of the wide age range, the disease affected mainly individuals between 60 and 80 years old. Tremor was the pre-dominant sign. Among motor complications, wearing off and dyskinesias should be highlighted. (AU)

The role of diffusion magnetic resonance imaging in Parkinson's disease and in the differential diagnosis with atypical parkinsonism / O papel da difusão por ressonância magnética na doença de Parkinson e no diagnóstico diferencial com parkinsonismo atípico

Abstract Parkinson's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases. Clinically, it is characterized by motor symptoms. Parkinson's disease should be differentiated from atypical parkinsonism conditions. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging is the primary imaging method employed in order to facilitate the differential diagnosis, and its role has grown after the development of advanced techniques such as diffusion-weighted imaging. The purpose of this article was to review the role of magnetic resonance imaging in Parkinson's disease and in the differential diagnosis with atypical parkinsonism, emphasizing the diffusion technique.

Resumo A doença de Parkinson é uma das doenças neurodegenerativas mais comuns. Clinicamente, é caracterizada por sintomas motores, devendo ser diferenciada com outras doenças que cursam com parkinsonismo, definidas como parkinsonismo atípico. A ressonância magnética convencional é o principal método de imagem para auxiliar este diagnóstico diferencial e, atualmente, seu papel tem crescido com as técnicas avançadas, como a difusão. O objetivo deste artigo é revisar o papel da ressonância magnética na doença de Parkinson e no diagnóstico diferencial com parkinsonismo atípico, com ênfase na técnica de difusão.

rs3851179 Polymorphism at 5' to the PICALM Gene is Associated with Alzheimer and Parkinson Diseases in Brazilian Population.

Alzheimer's (AD) and Parkinson's diseases (PD) share clinical and pathological features, suggesting that they could have common pathogenic mechanisms, as well as overlapping genetic modifiers. Here, we performed a case-control study in a Brazilian population to clarify whether the risk of AD and PD might be influenced by shared polymorphisms at PICALM (rs3851179), CR1 (rs6656401) and CLU (rs11136000) genes, which were previously identified as AD risk factors by genome-wide association studies. For this purpose, 174 late-onset AD patients, 166 PD patients and 176 matched controls were genotyped using TaqMan® assays. The results revealed that there were significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies for the SNP PICALM rs3851179 between AD/PD cases and controls, but none for CR1 rs6656401 and CLU rs11136000 intronic polymorphisms. After stratification by APOE ε4 status, the protective effect of the PICALM rs3851179 A allele in AD cases remains evident only in APOE ε4 (-) carriers, suggesting that the APOE ε4 risky allele weakens its protective effect in the APOE ε4 (+) subgroup. More genetic studies using large-sized and well-defined matched samples of AD and PD patients from mixed populations as well as functional correlation analysis are urgently needed to clarify the role of rs3851179 in the AD/PD risk. An understanding of the contribution of rs3851179 to the development of AD and PD could provide new targets for the development of novel therapies.

Symptoms of depression in patients with mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease / Sintomas de depressão em pacientes com declínio cognitivo leve na doença de Parkinson

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate the most frequent depressive symptoms and their association with cognition in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Methods: 48 patients with PD and 44 controls (CG), aged between 50 and 80 years and with at least 4 years of formal education, all with MCI and none diagnosed with depression, were assessed. Patients and controls were matched for age, education, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. Participants underwent clinical evaluation with a neurologist followed by neuropsychological assessment employing the instruments: MMSE, Clock Drawing Test, Verbal Fluency Test (semantic and phonemic), Figures Memory Test (FMT), Stroop Test, Trail Making Test, Digit Span (WAIS III), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Hooper Visual Organization Test, and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: The most frequent depressive symptoms in the PD group were: difficulty working, fatigue and sleep disorders (the latter also being present in CG). BDI score correlated negatively with learning and recognition memory in both groups. Episodic memory, evaluated by the FMT and RAVLT tests, was the cognitive function showing greatest impairment. Conclusion: Some of the depressive symptoms observed in PD patients with MCI seem to be attributable to complications of PD, while others are common to both PD and MCI, making differential diagnoses complex but crucial.

RESUMO Objetivo: Investigar os sintomas depressivos mais frequentes e sua associação com a cognição de indivíduos com doença de Parkinson (DP) e declínio cognitivo leve (DCL) Métodos: Foram avaliados 48 pacientes com DP e 44 Controles (GC), com idade entre 50 e 80 anos e escolaridade superior a 4 anos, todos com DCL e sem diagnóstico de depressão. Pacientes e controles foram pareados quanto à idade, escolaridade e pontuação do Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM). Os participantes foram submetidos à avaliação clínica com neurologista seguida de avaliação neuropsicológica com os instrumentos MEEM, Teste do Desenho do Relógio, Teste de Fluência Verbal Semântica e Fonêmica, Teste de Memória de Figuras (FMT), Teste Stroop de Cores e Palavras, Teste das Trilhas (TMT), Span de Dígitos WAIS III, Teste de Aprendizagem Auditivo-Verbal de Rey (RAVLT), Teste de Organização Visual de Hooper e Inventário de Depressão de Beck (BDI). Resultados: Os sintomas depressivos mais frequentes no grupo DP foram dificuldade para trabalhar, fatigabilidade e distúrbios do sono, sendo este comum ao grupo controle. A pontuação do BDI correlacionou-se negativamente com aprendizagem e memória de reconhecimento em ambos os grupos. Neste estudo, a memória episódica, avaliada pelos testes FMT e RAVLT, apresentou-se como a função cognitiva com maior comprometimento. Conclusão: Alguns sintomas depressivos prevalentes nos Parkinsonianos com DCL podem ser atribuídos à DP, dificultando o diagnóstico diferencial.

Correlation of MRI Visual Scales with Neuropsychological Profile in Mild Cognitive Impairment of Parkinson's Disease.

Few studies have evaluated magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) visual scales in Parkinson's disease-Mild Cognitive Impairment (PD-MCI). We selected 79 PD patients and 92 controls (CO) to perform neurologic and neuropsychological evaluation. Brain MRI was performed to evaluate the following scales: Global Cortical Atrophy (GCA), Fazekas, and medial temporal atrophy (MTA). The analysis revealed that both PD groups (amnestic and nonamnestic) showed worse performance on several tests when compared to CO. Memory, executive function, and attention impairment were more severe in amnestic PD-MCI group. Overall analysis of frequency of MRI visual scales by MCI subtype did not reveal any statistically significant result. Statistically significant inverse correlation was observed between GCA scale and Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), semantic verbal fluency, Stroop test, figure memory test, trail making test (TMT) B, and Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). The MTA scale correlated with Stroop test and Fazekas scale with figure memory test, digit span, and Stroop test according to the subgroup evaluated. Visual scales by MRI in MCI should be evaluated by cognitive domain and might be more useful in more severely impaired MCI or dementia patients.

Parkinsonism in HIV infected patients during antiretroviral therapy - data from a Brazilian tertiary hospital.

INTRODUCTION: Advances in the treatment of HIV infection in the last decades have increased life expectancy of these patients and raise the question of what kind of effect chronic infection and its treatment might exert on the behavior of age-related conditions such as neurodegenerative diseases. PATIENT DATA: We performed a retrospective analysis of patients' records to assess the frequency of the association between HIV infection and parkinsonian symptoms in our hospital population. Among 249 records we identified four individuals with reported parkinsonian symptoms initiated after HIV diagnosis. Three of them had no other identifiable cause of secondary parkinsonism. All had symptom onset before the age of 60. Based on this study sample one could estimate an incidence rate of nearly 101 per 100.000 person/year, which is similar to the risk of Parkinson's disease in the general population above 70 years. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that HIV infected individuals might be at a higher risk for developing parkinsonism as a manifestation of early neurodegeneration. Prospective and larger studies are needed to address this particular association and its characteristics.

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation: A case report / Neurodegeneração com acúmulo cerebral de ferro: relato de caso

ABSTRACT Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutation in the PANK2 gene. It is characterized by abnormal brain iron accumulation, mainly in the globus pallidus. PKAN is included in a group of disorders known as neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA). We report a case of atypical PKAN with its most characteristic presentation, exhibiting marked psychiatric symptoms, speech disorder and focal dystonia. Brain MRI has great diagnostic importance in this group of disorders and, in this case, disclosed the eye-of-the-tiger sign. Genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis.

RESUMO Neurodegeneração associada à pantotenato-quinase (PKAN) é uma entidade autossômica recessiva causada pela mutação do gene PANK2. Caracteriza-se por depósito cerebral anormal de ferro, particularmente nos globos pálidos. PKAN faz parte de um grupo de desordens conhecidas como neurodegeneração com acúmulo cerebral de ferro (NBIA). Relatamos um caso de PKAN atípica com sua apresentação mais característica, sendo evidentes sintomas psiquiátricos marcados, distúrbio da fala e distonia focal. A ressonância magnética de crânio possui grande importância diagnóstica neste grupo de desordens, e neste caso, demonstrou o sinal do olho de tigre. O teste genético confirmou o diagnóstico.

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation: A case report.

Pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutation in the PANK2 gene. It is characterized by abnormal brain iron accumulation, mainly in the globus pallidus. PKAN is included in a group of disorders known as neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA). We report a case of atypical PKAN with its most characteristic presentation, exhibiting marked psychiatric symptoms, speech disorder and focal dystonia. Brain MRI has great diagnostic importance in this group of disorders and, in this case, disclosed the eye-of-the-tiger sign. Genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis.

Neurodegeneração associada à pantotenato-quinase (PKAN) é uma entidade autossômica recessiva causada pela mutação do gene PANK2. Caracteriza-se por depósito cerebral anormal de ferro, particularmente nos globos pálidos. PKAN faz parte de um grupo de desordens conhecidas como neurodegeneração com acúmulo cerebral de ferro (NBIA). Relatamos um caso de PKAN atípica com sua apresentação mais característica, sendo evidentes sintomas psiquiátricos marcados, distúrbio da fala e distonia focal. A ressonância magnética de crânio possui grande importância diagnóstica neste grupo de desordens, e neste caso, demonstrou o sinal do olho de tigre. O teste genético confirmou o diagnóstico.

Parkinson's disease dementia: Diagnostic criteria and risk factor review.

Cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) greatly affects the morbidity and mortality rates of the disease and can be present as mild executive dysfunction even in the early stages. In advanced PD, the prevalence of dementia (PDD) reaches more than 80%. The Movement Disorders Society (MDS) has proposed diagnostic criteria for PDD and Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) in PD, raising the sensibility and specificity of those diagnoses compared with DSM IV, for example. Cognition impairment is an important issue to determine in PD because of therapeutic, epidemiologic, and prognostic factors. These guidelines should be applied to a diagnosis of PD-MCI and PDD as soon as possible in order to provide a correct diagnosis. Another important topic to discuss regarding cognition in PD is which patient would be more likely to develop PDD. There are some risk factors for cognitive impairment in PD with cumulative risk. Important risk factors related to PDD are age, time of diagnosis, rigid-akinetic phenotype, severe impairment, impairment of semantic fluency, genetic factors, low education level, and postural instability. Recognizing them is also important for early diagnosis. We discuss the diagnostic criteria of PD cognitive impairment and some aspects of risk factors related to it in this review.

Resilience of a semi-deciduous shrub, Cistus salvifolius, to severe summer drought and heat stress.

Shrubs often form the understorey in Mediterranean oak woodlands. These shrubs are exposed to recurrent water deficits, but how they will respond to predicted future exacerbation of drought is not yet understood. The ecophysiology of the shrub Cistus salvifolius L. was studied over the summer of 2005, which was during a heat-wave superimposed on the most severe drought in the Iberian Peninsula in the last 140 years. Branch water potential fell drastically during the summer, accompanied by stomatal closure and downregulation of PSII, with a concomitant loss of chlorophyll in the leaves. A parallel increase in the ratio of light-dissipating to light-capturing pigments and the proportion of xanthophyll cycle pigments in the de-epoxidated state, along with alterations in the structure of the light harvesting complex, may have reduced the potential for damage to leaves. Substantial increases in leaf tocopherol content during high radiation may have reduced damage from free radicals. Following autumn rains, leaves of the same shrubs showed physiological recovery, indicating the resilience of this Mediterranean species, for which an extremely dry hydrological year with 45% less rainfall than average, did not prevent healthy leaf functioning in response to renewed soil moisture availability.