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Araújo R, van Alfen N, Middeldorp S, Bloem BR. Islands and bridges in healthcare: the importance of general neurology. Pract Neurol 2024:pn-2023-004080. [PMID: 38789257 DOI: 10.1136/pn-2023-004080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Rui Araújo
- Neurology, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de São João, Porto, Portugal
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Nens van Alfen
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Saskia Middeldorp
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Bastiaan R Bloem
- Department of Neurology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
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2
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Anderson NE. In defence of general neurology. Pract Neurol 2022; 22:448-449. [PMID: 36162854 DOI: 10.1136/pn-2022-003567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
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Movement disorders and neuropathies: overlaps and mimics in clinical practice. J Neurol 2022; 269:4646-4662. [PMID: 35657406 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11200-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Movement disorders as well as peripheral neuropathies are extremely frequent in the general population; therefore, it is not uncommon to encounter patients with both these conditions. Often, the coexistence is coincidental, due to the high incidence of common causes of peripheral neuropathy, such as diabetes and other age-related disorders, as well as of Parkinson disease (PD), which has a typical late onset. Nonetheless, there is broad evidence that PD patients may commonly develop a sensory and/or autonomic polyneuropathy, triggered by intrinsic and/or extrinsic mechanisms. Similarly, some peripheral neuropathies may develop some movement disorders in the long run, such as tremor, and rarely dystonia and myoclonus, suggesting that central mechanisms may ensue in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Although rare, several acquired or hereditary causes may be responsible for the combination of movement and peripheral nerve disorders as a unique entity, some of which are potentially treatable, including paraneoplastic, autoimmune and nutritional aetiologies. Finally, genetic causes should be pursued in case of positive family history, young onset or multisystemic involvement, and examined for neuroacanthocytosis, spinocerebellar ataxias, mitochondrial disorders and less common causes of adult-onset cerebellar ataxias and spastic paraparesis. Deep phenotyping in terms of neurological and general examination, as well as laboratory tests, neuroimaging, neurophysiology, and next-generation genetic analysis, may guide the clinician toward the correct diagnosis and management.
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Pandey S, Chouksey A, Pitakpatapee Y, Srivanitchapoom P. Movement Disorders and Musculoskeletal System: A Reciprocal Relationship. Mov Disord Clin Pract 2021; 9:156-169. [DOI: 10.1002/mdc3.13390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2021] [Revised: 11/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Sanjay Pandey
- Department of Neurology Govind Ballabh Pant Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research New Delhi India
| | - Anjali Chouksey
- Department of Neurology Christian Medical College Vellore India
| | - Yuvadee Pitakpatapee
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University Bangkok Thailand
| | - Prachaya Srivanitchapoom
- Department of Medicine, Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University Bangkok Thailand
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Parakkal Unni M, Menon PP, Livi L, Wilson MR, Young WR, Bronte-Stewart HM, Tsaneva-Atanasova K. Data-Driven Prediction of Freezing of Gait Events From Stepping Data. FRONTIERS IN MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY 2020; 2:581264. [PMID: 35047881 PMCID: PMC8757792 DOI: 10.3389/fmedt.2020.581264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 10/22/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Freezing of gait (FoG) is typically a symptom of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) that negatively influences the quality of life and is often resistant to pharmacological interventions. Novel treatment options that make use of auditory or sensory cues might be optimized by prediction of freezing events. These predictions might help to trigger external sensory cues—shown to improve walking performance—when behavior is changed in a manner indicative of an impending freeze (i.e., when the user needs it the most), rather than delivering cue information continuously. A data-driven approach is proposed for predicting freezing events using Random Forrest (RF), Neural Network (NN), and Naive Bayes (NB) classifiers. Vertical forces, sampled at 100 Hz from a force platform were collected from 9 PD subjects as they stepped in place until they at least had one freezing episode or for 90 s. The F1 scores of RF/NN/NB algorithms were computed for different IL (input to the machine learning algorithm), and GL (how early the freezing event is predicted). A significant negative correlation between the F1 scores and GL, highlighting the difficulty of early detection is found. The IL that maximized the F1 score is approximately equal to 1.13 s. This indicates that the physiological (and therefore neurological) changes leading to freezing take effect at-least one step before the freezing incident. Our algorithm has the potential to support the development of devices to detect and then potentially prevent freezing events in people with Parkinson's which might occur if left uncorrected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Midhun Parakkal Unni
- Department of Mathematics, College of Engineering Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Midhun Parakkal Unni
| | - Prathyush P. Menon
- Department of Mathematics, College of Engineering Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Lorenzo Livi
- Department of Computer Science, College of Engineering Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Departments of Computer Science and Mathematics, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Mark R. Wilson
- Sport & Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - William R. Young
- Sport & Health Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Helen M. Bronte-Stewart
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Krasimira Tsaneva-Atanasova
- Department of Mathematics, College of Engineering Mathematics and Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Department of Bioinformatics and Mathematical Modeling, Institute of Biophysics and Biomedical Engineering, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Sofia, Bulgaria
- Living Systems Institute, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
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Stunnenberg BC, LoRusso S, Arnold WD, Barohn RJ, Cannon SC, Fontaine B, Griggs RC, Hanna MG, Matthews E, Meola G, Sansone VA, Trivedi JR, van Engelen BG, Vicart S, Statland JM. Guidelines on clinical presentation and management of nondystrophic myotonias. Muscle Nerve 2020; 62:430-444. [PMID: 32270509 PMCID: PMC8117169 DOI: 10.1002/mus.26887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2020] [Revised: 04/01/2020] [Accepted: 04/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The nondystrophic myotonias are rare muscle hyperexcitability disorders caused by gain-of-function mutations in the SCN4A gene or loss-of-function mutations in the CLCN1 gene. Clinically, they are characterized by myotonia, defined as delayed muscle relaxation after voluntary contraction, which leads to symptoms of muscle stiffness, pain, fatigue, and weakness. Diagnosis is based on history and examination findings, the presence of electrical myotonia on electromyography, and genetic confirmation. In the absence of genetic confirmation, the diagnosis is supported by detailed electrophysiological testing, exclusion of other related disorders, and analysis of a variant of uncertain significance if present. Symptomatic treatment with a sodium channel blocker, such as mexiletine, is usually the first step in management, as well as educating patients about potential anesthetic complications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bas C. Stunnenberg
- Department of Neurology, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Samantha LoRusso
- Department of Neurology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - W. David Arnold
- Department of Neurology, Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Richard J. Barohn
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
| | - Stephen C. Cannon
- Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California
| | - Bertrand Fontaine
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaix de Paris, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Service of Neuro-Myology and UMR 974, Institute of Myology, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Robert C. Griggs
- Department of Neurology, University of Rochester, Rochester, New York
| | - Michael G. Hanna
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neuromuscular diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Matthews
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, Department of Neuromuscular diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni Meola
- Department of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa Cura Policlinico, Milan, Italy
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria A. Sansone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
- Neurorehabilitation Unit, University of Milan, NEuroMuscular Omnicentre (NEMO), Fondazione Serena Onlus, Milan, Italy
| | - Jaya R. Trivedi
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | | | - Savine Vicart
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaix de Paris, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, Service of Neuro-Myology and UMR 974, Institute of Myology, University Hospital Pitié-Salpêtrière, Paris, France
| | - Jeffrey M. Statland
- Department of Neurology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas
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Abstract
The idiopathic inflammatory myopathies are a group of heterogeneous autoimmune connective tissue diseases. Despite increase in the understanding of these conditions, securing a timely diagnosis and accurate subtype classification remains difficult in some cases. This has important implications for patients, where delayed or inappropriate treatments can have a negative effect on outcomes. Several conditions can mimic myositis, including metabolic myopathies, genetic myopathies and neurological disease. In addition, the heterogeneity within the idiopathic inflammatory myopathy spectrum can also create diagnostic confusion, referred to here as 'myositis chameleons'. This includes inclusion body myositis, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, hypomyopathic variants of anti-synthetase syndrome and overlap disease. We highlight the importance of a thorough diagnostic workup, refer to updated classification criteria and emphasize the importance of myositis autoantibody testing. Where diagnostic doubt exists, the involvement of a specialist centre and a multidisciplinary team is vital.
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Araújo R, van de Warrenburg B, Lang A, Lees A, Bloem B. The Waiting Room: neurological observations made outside the movement disorder specialist's consulting office. Pract Neurol 2019; 19:295-301. [PMID: 30872358 DOI: 10.1136/practneurol-2018-002110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2018] [Revised: 01/07/2019] [Accepted: 01/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The neurological examination should always begin before the patient enters the doctor's office. Movement disorders in particular lend themselves to a spot diagnosis. In today's busy buzzing world, it seems wasteful not to make use of the various diagnostic clues that can be picked up readily while the patient is still in the waiting room. We present several illustrative examples, drawn from the literature and from our own experience. These are divided according to the different waiting room 'stages': the patient sitting in the waiting room, the response on being summoned to enter the consulting room-including rising from the chair, exchanging initial pleasantries and the way of walking. We also discuss the importance of paying attention to the patient's behaviour, clothing, posture, breathing patterns, facial expression and major gait abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Araújo
- Neurology, Centro Hospitalar e Universitario de Coimbra EPE, Coimbra, Portugal
| | | | - Anthony Lang
- Morton and Gloria Shulman Movement Disorders Clinic and the Edmond J Safra Program in Parkinson's Disease, Toronto Western Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Andrew Lees
- Reta Lila Weston Institute of Neurological Studies, University College London, London, UK
| | - Bastiaan Bloem
- Neurology, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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Berlot R, Bhatia KP, Kojović M. Pseudodystonia: A new perspective on an old phenomenon. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2019; 62:44-50. [PMID: 30819557 DOI: 10.1016/j.parkreldis.2019.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 01/30/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Pseudodystonia represents a wide range of conditions that mimic dystonia, including disorders of the peripheral nervous system, spinal cord, brainstem, thalamus, cortex and non-neurological conditions such as musculoskeletal diseases. Here, we propose a definition of pseudodystonia and suggest a classification based on underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. We describe phenomenology of different forms of pseudodystonia and point to distinctions between dystonia and pseudodystonia as well as challenging issues that may arise in clinical practice. The term pseudodystonia can be used to describe abnormal postures, repetitive movements or both, in which results of clinical, imaging, laboratory or electrophysiological investigations provide definite explanation of symptoms which is not compatible with dystonia. Pseudodystonia can be classified into non-neurological disorders of the musculoskeletal system, disorders of sensory pathways, disorders of motor pathways and compensatory postures in other neurological diseases. Presence of associated neurological findings in the affected body part is the key towards diagnosis of pseudodystonia. Additional supporting features are the presence of fixed postures, the absence of sensory trick, acute mode of onset and severe pain. Worsening on eye closure, traditionally considered typical for pseudodystonia, is not always present and can also appear in dystonia. It is challenging to separate dystonia and pseudodystonia in patients with thalamic lesions or corticobasal syndrome, where abnormal postures coexist with sensory loss. Many cases of pseudodystonia are treatable. Therefore, it is essential to consider pseudodystonia in a differential diagnosis of abnormal postures until a detailed neurological examination rules it out.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rok Berlot
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Kailash P Bhatia
- Sobell Department of Motor Neuroscience and Movement Disorders, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Maja Kojović
- Department of Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Zaloška 2, 1000, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Saidi T, Sivarasu S, Douglas TS. Open source modular ptosis crutch for the treatment of myasthenia gravis. Expert Rev Med Devices 2018; 15:137-143. [PMID: 29271663 DOI: 10.1080/17434440.2018.1421455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Pharmacologic treatment of Myasthenia Gravis presents challenges due to poor tolerability in some patients. Conventional ptosis crutches have limitations such as interference with blinking which causes ocular surface drying, and frequent irritation of the eyes. To address this problem, a modular and adjustable ptosis crutch for elevating the upper eyelid in Myasthenia Gravis patients has been proposed as a non-surgical and low-cost solution. AREAS COVERED This paper reviews the literature on the challenges in the treatment of Myasthenia Gravis globally and focuses on a modular and adjustable ptosis crutch that has been developed by the Medical Device Laboratory at the University of Cape Town. EXPERT COMMENTARY The new medical device has potential as a simple, effective and unobtrusive solution to elevate the drooping upper eyelid(s) above the visual axis without the need for medication and surgery. Access to the technology is provided through an open source platform which makes it available globally. Open access provides opportunities for further open innovation to address the current limitations of the device, ultimately for the benefit not only of people suffering from Myasthenia Gravis but also of those with ptosis from other aetiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Trust Saidi
- a Department of Human Biology , Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Sudesh Sivarasu
- a Department of Human Biology , Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa
| | - Tania S Douglas
- a Department of Human Biology , Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cape Town , Cape Town , South Africa
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