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Cerebrovascular Diseases (Basel,... 2023Stroke mimics are non-vascular conditions that present with acute focal neurological deficits, simulating an acute ischemic stroke. Susumber berry (SB) toxicity is a...
BACKGROUND
Stroke mimics are non-vascular conditions that present with acute focal neurological deficits, simulating an acute ischemic stroke. Susumber berry (SB) toxicity is a rare cause of stroke mimic with limited case reports available in the literature.
OBJECTIVES
We report four new cases of SB toxicity presenting as stroke mimic, and we performed a systematic review.
METHODS
MEDLINE/EMBASE/WoS were searched for "susumber berries," "susumber," or "solanum torvum."
RESULTS
531 abstracts were screened after removal of duplicates; 5 articles and 2 conference abstracts were selected describing 13 patients. A total of 17 patients who ingested SB and became ill were identified, including our 4 patients. All but one presented with acute neurologic manifestation; 16 (94%) presented with dysarthria, 16 (94%) with unstable gait, 8 (47%) with nystagmus/gaze deviation, 10 (59%) with blurry vision, and 5 (29%) with autonomic symptoms. Six (35%) required ICU admission, and 3 (18%) were intubated. Fourteen (82%) had a rapid complete recovery, and 3 were hospitalized up to 1 month.
CONCLUSIONS
SB toxicity can cause neurological symptoms that mimic an acute stroke typically with a posterior circulation symptom complex. Altered SB toxins (from post-harvest stressors or temperature changes) might stimulate muscarinic/nicotinic cholinergic receptors or inhibit acetylcholinesterase, causing gastrointestinal, neurological, and autonomic symptoms. In cases of multiple patients presenting simultaneously to the ED with stroke-like symptoms or when stroke-like symptoms fail to localize, a toxicological etiology (such as SB toxicity) should be considered.
Topics: Humans; Acetylcholinesterase; Fruit; Ischemic Stroke; Jamaica; Poisoning
PubMed: 36282075
DOI: 10.1159/000525686 -
Cureus Sep 2023A specific type of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) falls under the omit phenotypic continuum-early childhood development of progressive... (Review)
Review
A specific type of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) falls under the omit phenotypic continuum-early childhood development of progressive pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration (PKAN). Classic PKAN is distinguished from atypical PKAN by stiffness, dystonia, dysarthria, and choreoathetosis. Pigmentary retinal degeneration is a widespread cause of classic PKAN. Atypical PKAN is distinguished by a later onset (>10 years), noticeable speech abnormalities, psychological disorders, and slower disease development. Studies designed to support various PKAN therapeutic strategies have highlighted the intricacy of coenzyme A (CoA) metabolism and the limitations of our present understanding of disease causation. Therefore, improvements in our knowledge of the causes and therapy of PKAN may have ramifications for our comprehension of other, more prevalent diseases. They may also shed fresh light on the physiological significance of CoA, a cofactor essential for the operation of several cellular metabolic processes. The existence of low but considerable PANK2 expression, which can be elevated in some mutations, provides necessary information that can justify using a hefty dose of pantothenate as a treatment. A more effective therapeutic approach can be achieved by comparing the effects of various currently available pharmacological alternatives on the pathophysiological alterations in fibroblasts and neuronal cells obtained from PKAN patients. The objective of this study is to educate and inform people about PKAN disease conditions such as treatment, diagnosis, and complications. These cell models will also help evaluate the effectiveness of future medicinal innovations. This review discusses the neurodegeneration generated by pantothenate kinase in cellular models, iron/lipofuscin in pantothenate kinase-related neurodegeneration, and treatment and diagnosis of PKAN.
PubMed: 37900501
DOI: 10.7759/cureus.46135 -
Annals of Physical and Rehabilitation... Sep 2022Although non-invasive central and peripheral stimulations are accruing support as promising treatments in different neurological conditions, their effects on dysarthria... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Although non-invasive central and peripheral stimulations are accruing support as promising treatments in different neurological conditions, their effects on dysarthria have not been systematically investigated.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this review was to examine the evidence base of non-invasive stimulation for treating dysarthria, identify which stimulation parameters have the most potential for treatment and determine safety risks.
METHODS
A systematic review with meta-analysis, when possible, involving publications indexed in MEDLINE, PsychINFO, EMBASE CINHAL the Linguistics and Language Behavioral Abstracts, Web of Science, Cochrane Register of Control Trials and 2 trial registries was completed. Articles were searched in December 2018 and updated in June 2021 using keywords related to brain and electrical stimulation, dysarthria and research design. We included trials with randomised, cross-over or quasi-experimental designs; involving a control group; and investigating treatment of neurogenic dysarthria with non-invasive stimulation. Methodological quality was determined with the Cochrane's Risk of Bias-2 tool.
RESULTS
In total, 6186 studies were identified; 10 studies (6 randomised controlled trials and 4 cross-over studies) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All 10 trials (268 adults with Parkinson's disease, stroke and neurodegenerative cerebellar ataxia) focused on brain stimulation (6 repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation; 3 transcranial direct current stimulation; and 1 repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation). Adjunct speech-language therapy was delivered in 2 trials. Most trials reported one or more positive effects of stimulation on dysarthria-related features; however, given the overall high risk of bias and heterogeneity in participant, trial and outcome measurement characteristics, no conclusions can be drawn. Post-treatment size effects for 2 stroke trials demonstrated no statistically significant differences between active and sham stimulation across 3 dysarthria outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence for use of non-invasive brain stimulation in treating dysarthria remains inconclusive. Research trials that provide reliable and replicable findings are required.
Topics: Adult; Brain; Dysarthria; Humans; Speech Therapy; Stroke; Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation
PubMed: 34626861
DOI: 10.1016/j.rehab.2021.101580 -
Neurological Sciences : Official... Feb 2022Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and incurable neurodegenerative disease. There is still no established cost-effective treatment that can improve... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal and incurable neurodegenerative disease. There is still no established cost-effective treatment that can improve functional status and survival of ALS patients. Perampanel, by inhibiting neuronal calcium ion influx and preventing dyslocalization of nuclear proteins, has the potential to ameliorate ALS neurodegeneration.
OBJECTIVES
This study aims to determine the efficacy and safety of perampanel among ALS patients in terms of improvement in functional status using a review of relevant studies.
METHODS
MedLine, Cochrane Central Register for Controlled Trials, Scopus, Embase, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde, ClinicalTrials.gov website, and HERDIN databases were searched from inception to August 2021 for relevant studies.
RESULTS
The search yielded 132 articles; 3 studies were included in the analysis. Pooled evidence shows that perampanel compared to placebo significantly improves cortical motor hyperexcitability but not the ALS functional rating scale-revised score. Perampanel is associated with adverse events such as aggression, somnolence, anger, and dysarthria.
CONCLUSION
There is no sufficient evidence to support the role of perampanel in improving functional status of ALS patients. Although it can ameliorate motor cortical hyperexcitability, its clinical benefit has not yet been elucidated. Perampanel is not well tolerated among ALS patients as it is associated with adverse events such as aggression, somnolence, anger, and dysarthria. Further studies investigating the role of perampanel early in the ALS disease course, excluding ALS patients with frontotemporal lobe degeneration features and C9ORF72 repeat expansion, and using gradual drug titration schedule are needed to evaluate the potential benefit of perampanel in ALS.
Topics: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Nitriles; Pyridones
PubMed: 34994876
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-05867-6 -
Evidence-based Complementary and... 2020This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acupuncture intervention and manipulation types on poststroke dysarthria. Electronic database, including PubMed, CENTRAL,... (Review)
Review
This study aimed to evaluate the effect of acupuncture intervention and manipulation types on poststroke dysarthria. Electronic database, including PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus, RISS, and CNKI, were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT), treating dysarthria using acupuncture, speech-language therapy (SLT), and general management (GM), published before April 2019. The number, distribution, intensity, depth, and repetition of acupuncture and bleeding therapy on the sublingual veins were considered as manipulation types. Risk of bias of the included trials was evaluated, and their efficacy was assessed using risk ratio (RR) and the standard mean differences in the Frenchay Dysarthria Assessment and Speech Function Grading, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).Fifteen RCT trials involving 1453 patients were isolated. Electroacupuncture plus SLT and manual acupuncture plus SLT were more effective than SLT only, respectively (RR = 1.520, 95% CI [1.183-1.952], RR = 1.380, 95% CI [1.281-1.488]). The clinical efficacy of acupuncture plus GM was higher than that of GM alone (RR = 1.165, 95% CI [1.050-1.293]). Meta-ANOVA showed that none of the manipulation types increased the clinical efficacy of acupuncture on dysarthria. The methodological quality was low. In conclusion, our study suggests that the effect of acupuncture on poststroke dysarthria may be maximized when manual acupuncture or electroacupuncture is combined with SLT, irrespective of manipulation types.
PubMed: 33005199
DOI: 10.1155/2020/4981945 -
Neurology. Clinical Practice Dec 2023The objective of this study was to explore the clinical spectrum of movement disorders and associated neurologic findings in hypomagnesemia and challenges in diagnosis... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
The objective of this study was to explore the clinical spectrum of movement disorders and associated neurologic findings in hypomagnesemia and challenges in diagnosis and treatment.
RECENT FINDINGS
Sixty patients were identified in the literature for analysis. Movement disorders observed were postural tremor (23.3%, n = 14), resting tremor (8.3%, n = 5), intention tremor (10%, n = 6), ataxia involving the trunk (48.3%, n = 29) or limbs (25%, n = 15) and dysarthria (21.7%, n = 13), athetosis (8.3%, n = 5), myoclonus (6.7%, n = 4), and chorea (1.8%, n = 1). Symptoms may be accompanied by downbeat nystagmus, tetany, drowsiness, vertigo, and proximal muscle weakness. Residual deficits were noted in 16 (26.67%) patients. Serum magnesium was 1.3 mg/dL or lower in 53 patients (88.3%). Imaging findings include bilateral cerebellar (20%, n = 11) and vermis hyperintensities (9.09%, n = 5) and normal imaging. Proton pump inhibitors are the commonest etiology.
SUMMARY
The movement disorders linked with hypomagnesemia can be associated with varied neurologic symptoms. A high degree of suspicion will enable early diagnosis to prevent residual deficits.
PubMed: 37795503
DOI: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200202 -
Cancer Treatment and Research... 2023Radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM) is one of the common toxic reactions from ionizing radiation and normal tissue injuries as a complication of radiation therapy... (Review)
Review
Radiation-induced oral mucositis (RIOM) is one of the common toxic reactions from ionizing radiation and normal tissue injuries as a complication of radiation therapy and chemotherapy. Radiation therapy is an option for the treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC). The use of natural products is an alternative therapy for RIOM. This review aimed to describe the effectiveness of natural-based products (NBPs) in reducing the severity, pain score, incidence, oral lesion size, and other symptoms such as dysphagia, dysarthria, and odynophagia. This systematic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Pubmed, ScienceDirect, and Ebscohost-CINAHL Plus databases were used for article searches. The inclusion criteria were studies published from 2012 to 2022 with full text available, in English, a study in humans, and a Randomized Clinical Trial (RCT) that evaluate the effect of NBPs therapy in RIOM patients diagnosed with HNC. This study's population was HNC patients who had oral mucositis after receiving radiation or chemical therapy. The NBPs were manuka honey, thyme honey, aloe vera, calendula, zataria multiflora, Plantago major L., and turmeric. Eight of the twelve included articles showed significant effectiveness against RIOM in various parameters, such as a decrease in severity, incidence rate, pain score, oral lesion size, and the other symptoms of oral mucositis such as dysphagia and burning mouth syndrome. This review concludes that NBPs therapy is effective for RIOM in HNC patients.
Topics: Humans; Deglutition Disorders; Head and Neck Neoplasms; Radiation Injuries; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Stomatitis
PubMed: 37209466
DOI: 10.1016/j.ctarc.2023.100720 -
PM & R : the Journal of Injury,... Mar 2021To define methods to measure dysarthria due to stroke and guide physicians in delineating a diagnostic protocol using the best current strategies.
OBJECTIVE
To define methods to measure dysarthria due to stroke and guide physicians in delineating a diagnostic protocol using the best current strategies.
DESIGN
Systematic review.
LITERATURE SURVEY
A search was conducted on PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science to identify measurement methods for dysarthria severity in adults after stroke.
METHODS
Two reviewers independently reviewed articles and came to a consensus about which ones to include. The authors excluded all duplicates, articles involving individuals with aphasia or other speech problems other than dysarthria, and articles unrelated to stroke. Articles were included if diagnostic measures were used to examine the effectiveness of speech rehabilitation in stroke patients.
SYNTHESIS
The search identified 1154 articles with the keywords "stroke" OR "ictus" OR "cerebral vascular accident" AND "dysarthria" OR "Speech and Language Disorders" AND "diagnosis" OR "assessment." The reviewers analyzed 86 full texts. There were 37 publications that met the criteria and were included in the systematic review. These articles were used to describe the main methods used for measuring the severity of stroke-related dysarthria before and after speech rehabilitation.
CONCLUSION
Despite the range of diagnostic tools available, robust trials are lacking, and the diagnostic approaches are always different. More research is needed to find the best diagnostic methodologies and delineate a definitive diagnostic protocol.
Topics: Adult; Aphasia; Dysarthria; Humans; Speech Disorders; Speech Therapy; Stroke
PubMed: 32818305
DOI: 10.1002/pmrj.12469 -
Disability and Rehabilitation Jun 2022This review aimed to evaluate the evidence for group therapy in improving speech production in adults with acquired dysarthria. Secondary outcomes included communication...
PURPOSE
This review aimed to evaluate the evidence for group therapy in improving speech production in adults with acquired dysarthria. Secondary outcomes included communication effectiveness and/or wellbeing.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A review protocol was prospectively published on PROSPERO. Fourteen electronic databases were searched to identify experimental studies investigating adults with acquired dysarthria participating in group intervention with outcomes related to communication and/or wellbeing. The quality of included studies was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) or the McMaster University's Critical Review Form, and the TIDieR template for intervention description and replication.
RESULTS
21 studies were identified involving 330 individuals with dysarthria, from mostly Parkinson's disease (PD) (97%; 321). Treatment approaches included singing therapy ( = 10), loudness therapy ( = 5) and multi-components therapy (including a combination of impairment and/or compensatory approaches) ( = 4). Studies varied in intensity and outcome measures used. Statistically significant improvements to speech production and/or wellbeing were reported following most approaches.
CONCLUSION
There is some preliminary moderate-quality evidence to suggest that group therapy may improve speech production and in some cases communication effectiveness or wellbeing in people with dysarthria following PD, with more consistent improvements being found for loudness approaches. Singing approaches were frequently studied in PD with some improvements to intelligibility evident. Further well-designed controlled studies including individuals with non-progressive aetiologies is warranted to establish the effectiveness of group treatment.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONGroup therapy may be an effective means of improving speech production and/or wellbeing in individuals with dysarthria following Parkinson's disease.Studies' employing loudness-based group therapy for PD demonstrated more consistent improvements to intensity measures.Some controlled studies utilising singing group therapy resulted in improved intelligibility in PD. CRD42015029374.
Topics: Adult; Dysarthria; Humans; Language Therapy; Parkinson Disease; Singing; Speech Therapy
PubMed: 33356634
DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2020.1859629 -
Chinese Medicine Jan 2021Hereditary ataxia (HA) represents a group of genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative diseases caused by dysfunction of the cerebellum or disruption of the connection... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Hereditary ataxia (HA) represents a group of genetically heterogeneous neurodegenerative diseases caused by dysfunction of the cerebellum or disruption of the connection between the cerebellum and other areas of the central nervous system. Phenotypic manifestation of HA includes unsteadiness of stance and gait, dysarthria, nystagmus, dysmetria and complaints of clumsiness. There are no specific treatments for HA. Management strategies provide supportive treatment to reduce symptoms.
OBJECTIVES
This systematic review aimed to identify, evaluate and summarise the published literature on the therapeutic roles of natural remedies in the treatment of HA to provide evidence for clinical practice.
METHODS
A systematic literature search was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Web of Science, PubMed and Science Direct Scopus were thoroughly searched for relevant published articles from June 2007 to July 2020.
RESULTS
Ten pre-clinical and two clinical studies were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. We identified the therapeutic roles of medicinal plants Brassica napus, Gardenia jasminoides, Gastrodia elata, Ginkgo biloba, Glycyrrhiza inflata, Paeonia lactiflora, Pueraria lobata and Rehmannia glutinosa; herbal formulations Shaoyao Gancao Tang and Zhengan Xifeng Tang; and medicinal mushroom Hericium erinaceus in the treatment of HA. In this review, we evaluated the mode of actions contributing to their therapeutic effects, including activation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, activation of antioxidant pathways, maintenance of intracellular calcium homeostasis and regulation of chaperones. We also briefly highlighted the integral cellular signalling pathways responsible for orchestrating the mode of actions.
CONCLUSION
We reviewed the therapeutic roles of natural remedies in improving or halting the progression of HA, which warrant further study for applications into clinical practice.
PubMed: 33509239
DOI: 10.1186/s13020-020-00414-x