Differences in memory performance and other clinical characteristics in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy with and without hippocampal atrophy

Mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) is usually accompanied by memory deficits due to damage to the hippocampal system. In most studies, however, the influence of hippocampal atrophy (HA) is confounded with other variables, such as: type of initial precipitating injury and pathological substrate, effect of lesion (HA) lateralization, history of febrile seizures, status epilepticus, age of seizure onset, duration of epilepsy, seizure frequency, and antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). To investigate the relationship between memory deficits and these variables, we studied 20 patients with MTLE and signs of HA on MRI and 15 MTLE patients with normal high-resolution MRI. The findings indicated that (1) HA, earlier onset of seizures, longer duration of epilepsy, higher seizure frequency, and AEDs (polytherapy) are associated with memory deficits; and (2) there is a close relationship between deficits of verbal memory and left HA, but not between visual memory and right HA.

MR imaging texture analysis of the corpus callosum and thalamus in amnestic mild cognitive impairment and mild Alzheimer disease

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

TA is a branch of image processing that seeks to reduce image information by extracting texture descriptors from the image. TA of MR images of anatomic structures in mild AD and aMCI is not well-studied. Our objective was to attempt to find differences among patients with aMCI and mild AD and normal-aging subjects, by using TA applied to the MR images of the CC and the thalami of these groups of subjects.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

TA was applied to the MR images of 17 patients with aMCI, 16 patients with mild AD, and 16 normal-aging subjects. The TA approach was based on the GLCM. MR images were T1-weighted and were obtained in the sagittal and axial planes. The CC and thalami were manually segmented for each subject, and 44 texture parameters were computed for each of these structures.

RESULTS

TA parameters showed differences among the 3 groups for the CC and thalamus. A pair-wise comparison among groups showed differences for AD-control and aMCI-AD for the CC; and for AD-control, aMCI-AD, and aMCI-control for the thalamus.

CONCLUSIONS

TA is a useful technique to aid in the detection of tissue alterations in MR images of mild AD and aMCI and has the potential to become a helpful tool in the diagnosis and understanding of these pathologies.

The predictive value of cerebrospinal fluid tap-test in normal pressure hydrocephalus

Eighteen patients (mean age of 66.5 years) with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) underwent a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt surgery. Prior to operation a cerebrospinal fluid tap-test (CSF-TT) was performed with measurements of gait pattern and psychometric functions (memory, visuo-motor speed and visuo-constructive skills) before and after the removal of 50 ml CSF by lumbar puncture (LP). Fifteen patients improved and 3 were unchanged after surgery. Short duration of disease, gait disturbance preceding mental deterioration, wide temporal horns and small sulci on CT-scan were associated with good outcome after shunting. There was a good correlation between the results of CSF-TT and shunt surgery (chi 2 = 4.11, phi = 0.48, p < 0.05), with gait test showing highest correlation (r = 0.99, p = 0.01). In conclusion, this version of CSF-TT proved to be an effective test to predict improvement after shunting in patients with NPH.

The effect of pelvic floor muscle training alone or in combination with electrostimulation in the treatment of sexual dysfunction in women with multiple sclerosis

Background:

Sexual dysfunction (SD) affects up to 80% of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and pelvic floor muscles (PFMs) play an important role in the sexual function of these patients.

Objectives:

The objective of this paper is to evaluate the impact of a rehabilitation program to treat lower urinary tract symptoms on SD of women with MS.

Methods:

Thirty MS women were randomly allocated to one of three groups: pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) with electromyographic (EMG) biofeedback and sham neuromuscular electrostimulation (NMES) (Group I), PFMT with EMG biofeedback and intravaginal NMES (Group II), and PFMT with EMG biofeedback and transcutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (TTNS) (Group III). Assessments, before and after the treatment, included: PFM function, PFM tone, flexibility of the vaginal opening and ability to relax the PFMs, and the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire.

Results:

After treatment, all groups showed improvements in all domains of the PERFECT scheme. PFM tone and flexibility of the vaginal opening was lower after the intervention only for Group II. All groups improved in arousal, lubrication, satisfaction and total score domains of the FSFI questionnaire.

Conclusion:

This study indicates that PFMT alone or in combination with intravaginal NMES or TTNS contributes to the improvement of SD.

Cerebellar atrophy related to chronic exposure to toluene. Case report

A 31-year-old woman presented slowly progressing ataxia and neurasthenic symptoms after 14-year occupational exposure to low concentration toluene vapour. Examination disclosed only cerebellar signs. Cognitive functions were normal except moderate visuo-spatial and constructive deficit. CT imaging showed severe pancerebellar atrophy without pathological signs in other brain structures. Two years after she was removed from workplace, CT imaging and ataxia showed no worsening, while visuo-constructive function improved. The authors warn against possible neurotoxic risk associated with this kind of exposure.

Monthly variation of multiple sclerosis activity in the southern hemisphere: analysis from 996 relapses in Brazil

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Seasonal variations of multiple sclerosis (MS) activity have been reported, however, most data come from studies in the northern hemisphere.

METHODS

We reviewed medical records of MS patients living in Campinas region, Brazil. The first symptoms' date was defined as the relapse month. Climatic information included UV radiation index, median temperature, rainfall, and humidity.

RESULTS

Two hundred and nine patients were included. The incidence of relapses was highest in January (11.2%) and December (10.4%) and lowest in November (5.7%) and October (7.0%) (P < 0.015). The months with highest incidence of relapses (December-January) had higher UV radiation index and humidity rates (P = 0.032 and 0.040, respectively).

CONCLUSION

Most exacerbations were in the spring/summer transition, which also showed higher UV radiation index and humidity rate. Along with other environmental factors, seasonal fluctuation contributes to MS activity.

Magnetic resonance imaging in the evaluation of patients with aseptic meningoencephalitis and connective tissue disorders

OBJECTIVE

To describe the role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the evaluation of patients with chronic and recurrent aseptic meningitis.

METHOD

A retrospective study of five patients with aseptic meningoencefalitis diagnosed by clinical and CSF findings. CT scans showed without no relevant findings.

RESULTS

MRI showed small multifocal lesions hyperintense on T2 weighted images and FLAIR, with mild or no gadolinium enhancement, mainly in periventricular and subcortical regions. Meningoencephalitis preceded the diagnosis of the underlying disease in four patients (Behçet's disease or systemic lupus erythematosus). After the introduction of adequate treatment for the rheumatic disease, they did not present further symptoms of aseptic meningoencephalitis.

CONCLUSION

Aseptic meningoencephalitis can be an early presentation of an autoimmune disease. It is important to emphasize the role of MRI in the diagnosis and follow-up of these patients.

Time perception as a complex functional system: neuropsychological approach

Ninety-two brain-damaged patients and 111 normal control subjects were tested on their orientation to date; sequencing of events; discrimination of simultaneity and succession; conditioning to time; comparison, production and reproduction of durations; conservation of velocity in clocks; construction of time units; and psychological time. Temporal disorientation was related to advanced age, low educational level, amnesia, dementia and limbic or diffuse brain lesions. Only multifocal-diffuse lesions accompanied by dementia could disintegrate the concept of metric time, while sparing psychological time, discrimination of durations and sequencing of canonically recurring events. Reproduction of durations and verbally mediated temporal conditioning were impaired in frontal and temporal-limbic lesions, which left intact the concept of time. The results support the hypothesis that temporal perception is accomplished by a complex functional system, regarding both its psychological structure and cerebral organization.

[Brain aging. The problem of differential diagnosis between normal and pathologic]

The author reports three cases of pseudodementia and discuss the difficulties in establishing limits between normality and illness in the elderly. The mental and neuropathological changes that accompany the normal ageing of the brain are similar to those of early Alzheimer's dementia (AD). These similarities often lead to difficulties in the differential diagnosis, hence the search for consensus criteria. The decline of working and secondary memory is greater than that of primary and tertiary memory, as is found in AD. On the other hand, tests of delayed recall of 10 to 15 unrelated words, logical memory, categorical thinking, visuo-motor-spatial skills, and Boston Naming Test have been pointed out as the most discriminative. Neuroimaging findings of atrophy or hypoperfusion in the entorhinal-hippocampal or temporo-parietal regions are suggestive of DA, but they can be lacking in the early stages of this disease. In the conclusion, the author suggests the diagnostic process should be based on a comprehensive neuropsychological and behavioral evaluation (including a survey of the subject's premorbid level of cognitive and socio-occupational functioning), supplemented by neuroimaging and laboratory tests. If inconclusive, the whole evaluation can be repeated after 4 to 6 months, to check the consistency of the findings.

The immunomodulator glatiramer acetate influences spinal motoneuron plasticity during the course of multiple sclerosis in an animal model

The immunomodulador glatiramer acetate (GA) has been shown to significantly reduce the severity of symptoms during the course of multiple sclerosis and in its animal model--experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Since GA may influence the response of non-neuronal cells in the spinal cord, it is possible that, to some extent, this drug affects the synaptic changes induced during the exacerbation of EAE. In the present study, we investigated whether GA has a positive influence on the loss of inputs to the motoneurons during the course of EAE in rats. Lewis rats were subjected to EAE associated with GA or placebo treatment. The animals were sacrificed after 15 days of treatment and the spinal cords processed for immunohistochemical analysis and transmission electron microscopy. A correlation between the synaptic changes and glial activation was obtained by performing labeling of synaptophysin and glial fibrillary acidic protein using immunohistochemical analysis. Ultrastructural analysis of the terminals apposed to alpha motoneurons was also performed by electron transmission microscopy. Interestingly, although the GA treatment preserved synaptophysin labeling, it did not significantly reduce the glial reaction, indicating that inflammatory activity was still present. Also, ultrastructural analysis showed that GA treatment significantly prevented retraction of both F and S type terminals compared to placebo. The present results indicate that the immunomodulator GA has an influence on the stability of nerve terminals in the spinal cord, which in turn may contribute to its neuroprotective effects during the course of multiple sclerosis.

De novo psychogenic seizures after epilepsy surgery: case report

The occurrence of de novo psychogenic seizures after epilepsy surgery is rare, and is estimated in 1.8% to 3.6%. Seizures after epilepsy surgery should be carefully evaluated, and de novo psychogenic seizures should be considered especially when there is a change in the ictal semiology. We report a patient with de novo psychogenic seizures after anterior temporal lobe removal for refractory temporal lobe epilepsy. Once psychogenic seizures were diagnosed and psychiatric treatment was started, seizures stopped.

[Magnetic resonance imaging and clinical features in adults with monophasic demyelinating disease. Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis or a variant of multiple sclerosis?]

Acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) is a widespread monophasic inflammatory disease affecting the central nervous system, that usually follows an infection or vaccination. In this study, we present an analysis of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and clinical aspects in four patients with clinical diagnosis of ADEM. The presence of MRI demyelinating lesions was crucial, but not in itself sufficient for definitive diagnosis. Clinical and MRI follow up, in order to exclude new lesions and to reevaluate the former ones, as well as CSF, were important for the differential diagnosis with other demyelinating diseases, particularly multiple sclerosis. In addition, we have shown that early treatment with methylprednisolone after the initial symptoms was effective for improving clinical manifestations as well as for reducing MRI lesions.

Pattern of cytokine secretion by peripheral blood cells of patients with multiple sclerosis in Brazil

Autoimmune T cells play a key role as regulators and effectors of organ-specific autoimmune disease. In multiple sclerosis (MS), activated T cells specific for myelin components produce a plethora of inflammatory cytokines and mediators that contribute to myelin damage. The production of proinflammatory and regulatory cytokines by peripheral blood cells from patients with active and stable MS and healthy controls were examined. The results show that TNF alpha production was somewhat elevated in active MS with no significant increase in the level IFN gamma, whereas in the chronic phase the anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF beta increased, accompanied by a reduction in IFN gamma when stimulated by myelin basic protein. Multiple Sclerosis (2000) 6 293 - 299

Decerebrate rigidity with preserved cognition and gait: a possible role of anoxic-ischemic brain damage

A case of stable decerebrate posture in the upper limbs following sudden loss of consciousness and prolonged coma is described. The patient recovered most of her cognitive functions and gait, without clinical, neurophysiological or neuroradiological evidence of brainstem lesion. MRI shows borderzone infarcts. It is suggested that anoxic-ischemic cortical damage, affecting specially corticoreticular neurons, could explain the development of decerebrate rigidity in patients without apparent brainstem lesion.

[Clinical treatment of resistant epilepsy]

The authors analysed 34 cases of resistant epilepsy (20 males and 14 females, mean age 23 years), treated clinically between February/1984 and May/1986. The patients underwent neurological, neuropsychological, psychological, psychiatric, cerebrospinal fluid, electroencephalographic, tomographic and/or angiographic examination. Most of the patients had complex partial seizures. The etiology was unknown in 19 patients (55.8%), probable neurocysticercosis in 6, perinatal hypoxia in 5, delivery trauma in 3 and probable sequelae of encephalitis in 2 patients. There was a clear past history of infantile febrile convulsion in 2 patients. Most patients received carbamazepine (mean dose 24.5 mg/kg/day), phenytoin (5 mg/kg and valproic acid (28 mg/kg) as monotherapy or in association. Twenty-two patients (64.7%) had more than 80% decrease of the seizure frequency. Nine resistant epilepsy cases (24.5%) were evaluated as candidates for surgical therapy. The authors concluded that the resistant epilepsy is best managed by a specialised, multidisciplinary team, and pointed out the need of a correct diagnosis of the seizure type, an adequate drug therapy and a good engagement of the patient and his family in the treatment.

Congenital destructive hemispheric lesions and epilepsy: clinical features and relevance of associated hippocampal atrophy

We studied the clinical, EEG and MRI findings in 19 patients with epilepsy secondary to congenital destructive hemispheric insults. Patients were divided in two groups: 10 with cystic lesions (group 1), and 9 with atrophic lesions (group 2). Seizure and EEG features, as well as developmental sequelae were similar between the two groups, except for the finding that patients of group 2 more commonly presented seizures with more than one semiological type. MRI showed hyperintense T2 signal extending beyond the lesion in almost all patients of both groups, and it was more diffuse in group 2. Associated hippocampal atrophy (HA) was observed in 70% of group 1 patients and 77.7% of group 2, and it was not correlated with duration of epilepsy or seizure frequency. There was a good concordance between HA and electroclinical localization. The high prevalence of associated HA in both groups suggests a common pathogenesis with the more obvious lesion. Our findings indicate that in some of these patients with extensive destructive lesions, there may be a more circumscribed epileptogenic area, particularly in those with cystic lesions and HA, leading to a potential rationale for effective surgical treatment.

[From death concepts to brain death diagnostic criteria]

The authors present considerations about death and brain death concepts, as well the legal aspects for its diagnosis in Brazil. They also present the UNICAMP Protocol for the Diagnosis of Brain Death, revised and according with the current law, with standard techniques for the diagnostic exam. They emphasize the importance of a mature ethical position for this frequent and challenging situation.

[Unusual association of Kallmann syndrome and arachnoid cyst of the middle fossa. Report of a case]

Hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism can result from different abnormalities in the central nervous system. The clinical picture depends upon the time of onset the deficiency, the magnitude of the gonadotropins deficiency and whether there are other pituitary hormone deficiencies as well. We report on a 18-year-old boy, who was investigated because of pubertal and growth delay. He also had learning disabilities. On physical examination he exhibited mild eunuchoid aspect, 162 cm height (z score = 2.17), pubertal development on stage G II, P II, and 4 cm3 testis. Laboratory investigation revealed pre-pubertal levels of testosterone and normal results of the combined test of anterior pituitary function, except for in GnRH acute and prolonged test. Brain CT showed an arachnoid cyst on left middle fossa with expansion to suprasellar cisterna. He was diagnosed as having hypogonadotrophic hypogonadism secondary to compression by the cyst, and a cyst-peritoneal derivation was performed. After surgery there was no improvement of the pubertal state and bilateral anosmia was discovered, so Kallmann's syndrome was then diagnosed and was confirmed by MRI, even though the hormonal results are not totally matched with the referred syndrome. We did not find in the literature any description of the association between Kallmann's syndrome and arachnoid cyst and we believe that in this case the results of the hormonal measurement may be due to such association that provoked an additional hypophysis dysfunction.

Inherited thrombophilia as a risk factor for the development of ischemic stroke in young adults

INTRODUCTION

Several recent studies have analyzed a possible effect of thrombophilia risk factors such as factor V Leiden, the prothrombin variant (allele 20210 A), and homozygosity for thermolabile methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR-T) on the development of ischemic stroke (IS). In the present study, we determined the role of these prothrombotic polymorphisms in the early onset of arterial IS or cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) in a group of young Brazilian adults of Caucasian and African descent.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 167 survivors of IS (153 patients with arterial IS and 14 cases of CVT; 66 men: 101 women; 124 of Caucasian and 43 of African origin; median age: 32.6 years; range: 15 to 45 years) and compared the prevalence of inherited thrombophilia risk factors with a control group of 225 sex and age matched individuals of the same ethnic background. To determine the interaction with atherogenic risk factors, the following diagnoses were considered: hypertension, hyperlipoproteinemia, diabetes mellitus, smoking status and use of oral contraceptives.

RESULTS

In the arterial IS group, no significant variation was found between patients and controls of Caucasian origin regarding the prevalence of factor V Leiden (P = 0.92), the prothrombin variant (P = 0.13) or homozygosity for MTHFR-T (P = 0.61). Among Brazilians of African descent, 10.3% were homozygous for MTHFR-T, which was significantly elevated, odds ratio of 5.9 (95% CI: 0.88 to 49.15). In the CVT group, two Caucasian patients (20%) were heterozygous for the prothrombin variant, odds ratio of 9.7 (95% CI: 0.95 to 89.71) and one patient was carrier of factor V Leiden (P = 0.49). No prothrombotic polymorphism was identified in patients with CVT of African descent. All women in the CVT group were in use of oral contraceptives or in the post-partum state.

DISCUSSION

Inherited thrombophilia risk factors were not found to increase the risk of arterial IS among young patients of Caucasian descent. However, a potential role of homozygosity for MTHFR-T was observed in a small group of patients of African origin. The analysis of patients with CVT revealed an increased risk due to the prothrombin gene variant or oral contraceptive use. Further studies including all incoming patients with IS are necessary to evaluate the impact of inherited thrombophilia risk factors on early mortality.