Melanocyte-stimulating hormone in tardive dyskinesia

Seborrheic dermatitis, increased sebum excretion, and Parkinson's disease: a survey of (im)possible links

The concept of skin as a mirror of parkinsonism, dates back at the beginning of the last century. Since then, much evidence has been accumulated supporting a causal association between the neurological disturbance and changes detectable on areas of the integument with the richest sebaceous gland supply, namely seborrheic dermatitis and/or seborrhea. However, the many persisting sources of perplexity weighing on some general aspects of the skin condition itself (lack of standardized diagnostic criteria, high variability of estimates of prevalence, and controversies on etiology and pathomechanisms) must have to date hampered assessment of the real nature, and significance (if any) of the links observed. The three major pathogenical pathways so far conceived in this context will be critically reviewed on the basis of evidences provided in the literature.

Is seborrhea a sign of autonomic impairment in Parkinson's disease?

An increase of sebum excretion rate (SER) is frequently observed in patients suffering from Parkinson's disease (PD). Some authors attribute it to the hyperactivity of the parasympathetic system, while others consider the possible action of androgens or of MSH-hormone. The aim of our study was to verify and quantify SER in 70 parkinsonian patients and compare it with SER in 60 normal subjects. We found higher values of SER in male subjects, both in normal and in parkinsonian patients. The highest rate of excretion was observed in parkinsonian males, in agreement with the possible main role of androgens or testosterone in sebum excretion, while the phenomenon did not appear to be related to abnormalities of the autonomic nervous system. The association of PD and sex hormones might therefore be crucial for the developing of seborrhea.

Neuroradiological covariates of drug-induced parkinsonism and tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenia

Computed tomographic (CT) studies have demonstrated structural brain abnormalities including cortical atrophy and enlarged lateral ventricles in a subset of schizophrenic patients including those with abnormal involuntary movements. In the following series of studies, we present our findings pertaining to neuroradiological covariates of drug-induced Parkinsonism and Tardive dyskinesia in schizophrenic patients. In these studies we have explored the relationship of Parkinsonism and Tardive dyskinesia to pineal and choroid plexus calcification. In addition, we also investigated the relationship of pineal calcification to schizophrenia, and specifically to the paranoid and nonparanoid subgroups. In a further series of studies, we investigated the neuroradiological covariates of disorders of gait and posture as well as tremor in schizophrenic patients with drug-induced Parkinsonism. In addition, we explored the relationship of Tardive dyskinesia and its subsyndromes to CT scan measurements of cortical and subcortical atrophy in schizophrenia. Our findings highlight the significance of the pineal gland in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and drug-induced movement disorders. Furthermore, these studies underscore the heterogeneity of Parkinsonism and Tardive dyskinesia.