1,721,032 research outputs found
Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease
No full textBACKGROUND:Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as motor neuron disease, is a fatal neuromuscular disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness resulting in paralysis, which might be treated with ciliary neurotrophic factor.
OBJECTIVES: The objective of this review was to examine the efficacy of ciliary neutrophic factor in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
SEARCH STRATEGY: We searched the Cochrane Neuromuscular Disease Group trials register (searched June 2003) for randomized trials, MEDLINE (from January 1966 to October 2003) and EMBASE (from January 1980 to October 2003), checked the reference lists of papers identified and contacted the authors of studies identified to get additional unpublished results.
SELECTION CRITERIA: We considered the following selection criteria: Types of studies: randomized controlled clinical trials; Types of participants: adults with a diagnosis of either probable or definite amyotrophic lateral sclerosis according to the El Escorial criteria; Types of interventions: treatment with ciliary neurotrophic factor for at least six months, in a placebo-controlled randomized format; Types of outcome measures Primary: survival; Secondary: muscle strength, respiratory function, changes in bulbar functions, changes in quality of life, proportion of patients with adverse side effects (such as cough, asthenia, nausea, anorexia, weight loss and increased salivation).
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: We identified two randomized trials. The data were extracted and examined independently by the reviewers. Some missing data were obtained from investigators.
MAIN RESULTS: Two trials, with a total population of 1,300 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients treated with subcutaneous injections of recombinant human ciliary neurotrophic factor, were examined in this review. The methodological quality of these trials was considered adequate. No significant difference was observed between ciliary neurotrophic factor and placebo groups for survival, the primary outcome measure. The relative risk was 1.07 (95% CI 0.81 to 1.41). No significant differences between the groups were observed for most of the secondary outcomes. However, a significant increase of the incidence of several adverse events was noted in groups treated with higher doses of CNTF.
REVIEWERS' CONCLUSIONS: Ciliary neurotrophic factor treatment has no effect on amyotrophic lateral sclerosis progression. At high concentration, several side effects were observed. A combination of ciliary neurotrophic factor with other neurotrophic factors (as suggested by results on animal models), and more efficient delivery methods should be tested
Platelet phenolsulphotransferase activity, monoamine oxidase activity and peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding in demented patients
No full textBlood platelet phenolsulphotransferase and monoamine oxidase activities, as well as platelet peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding have been studied in several neuropsychiatric disorders, in order to identify biochemical markers for altered brain functioning. In the present work, we determined platelet phenolsulphotransferase and monoamine oxidase activities in demented patients: they showed significantly higher phenolsulphotransferase and monoamine oxidase activities than controls. A significant positive correlation was found between enzyme activities and severity of illness. In the same subjects, we evaluated platelet peripheral-type benzodiazepine binding: a significant reduction of Bmax values was observed in demented patients, whereas Kd values did not substantially differ between the two subject groups. These findings are discussed with reference to central nervous system biochemical abnormalities of demented subjects: it may be that in Dementia of Alzheimer type either some central biochemical changes are reflected in certain peripheral tissues (such as platelets), or a systemic derangement occurs together with a cerebral involvement
Un caso di sindrome atassica in polineuropatia sensitivo-motoria di origine dismetabolica trattato efficacemente con agopuntura e con trattamento di mindfull e di imageryness
No full textsi descrive l'approccio multimodale nel trattamento riabilitativo di un caso di polineuropatia e s, dismetabolic
Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) modulators for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/motor neuron disease
No full textImbalance of gamma amynobutyric acid (GABA) and related modulators has been indicated as an important factor in the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this context, the role and mechanism of action of gabapentin and baclofen (GABA agonistI). This is the first systematic review addressing the benefit of gabapentin or baclofen by means of clinical trials for the treatment of ALS
Monoamine oxidase molecular activity in platelets of parkinsonian and demented patients
No full textPlatelet monoamine oxidase activity levels have been evaluated in several neuropsychiatric disorders, to identify biochemical markers for pathological brain functioning. In the present work, we assayed both total and molecular monoamine oxidase activity in platelets of parkinsonian and demented patients: both showed significantly higher enzyme activity values than healthy controls. Thus, high platelet monoamine oxidase activity levels seem to be related to an increased intrinsic activity of single enzyme molecules. A significant positive correlation was found between platelet monoamine oxidase activity and severity of illness in both disorders: monoamine oxidase activity, therefore, may be considered as a state-dependent marker for neuro-degeneration. Such findings are discussed with reference to central nervous system biochemical abnormalities in parkinsonian and demented subjects; it might be that in both Parkinson's Disease and in dementia of Alzheimer type some central biochemical changes are reflected in certain peripheral tissues (thrombocytes, for instance), or that a systemic derangement accompanies the cerebral involvement
Ruolo della terapia intradermodistrettuale nel management del dolore in pazienti affetti da distonia cervicale idiopatica
No full textsi descrive una nuova tecnica di trattamento del dolore nocicettivo nelle distonie focal
Trattamento integrato della nevalgia trigeminale con agopuntura e terapia intradermodistrettuale: descrizione di un caso clinico
No full textEffetti combinati di tecniche di medicina complementare nel trattamento della nevralgia trigeminal
Deficit di tiamina: rara causa di ipotermia in paziente con grave cerebrolesione acquisita: descrizione di un caso clinico
No full textsi descrivono gli approcci terapeutici in un caso di ipotermia protratt
Using wearable sensor systems for objective assessment of parkinson's disease
No full textThis paper presents a novel wearable sensor system based on the integration of miniaturised IMUs for fine hand movement analysis. The system, named SensHand V1, is composed of full 9-axis inertial sensors, placed on the fingers and wrist, which are managed by a cortex-M3 microcontroller. The acquired data are sent to a data logger through the use of Bluetooth communication. In this paper, the system is used for the objective diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, which is commonly assessed by neurologists through visual examination of motor tasks and semi-quantitative rating scales. Here, these motor tasks are also assessed using the SensHand V1, and then compared with the subjective metrics. Results demonstrate that the system is adequate to support neurologists in diagnostic procedures and allows for an objective evaluation of the disease
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