-
Neurology Nov 2021To perform literature review of clinical, radiographic, and anatomical features of posterior circulation ischemia (PCI) and systematic review of the literature on the...
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
To perform literature review of clinical, radiographic, and anatomical features of posterior circulation ischemia (PCI) and systematic review of the literature on the management of basilar artery occlusion (BAO) and associated outcomes.
METHODS
Review of literature was conducted to identify publications describing the risk factors, etiology, clinical presentation, and imaging for PCI. A systematic review was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis statement. PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE were searched from 2009 to 2020 for articles relating to management of BAO. A synthesis was compiled summarizing current evidence on management of BAO.
RESULTS
PCI accounts for 15%-20% of strokes. Risk factors are similar to anterior circulation strokes. Dizziness (47%), unilateral limb weakness (41%), and dysarthria (31%) are the most common presenting symptoms. A noncontrast head CT will identify PCI in 21% of cases; diffusion-weighted MRI or CT perfusion increase sensitivity to 85%. Recent trials have shown endovascular therapy can achieve >80% recanalization of BAO. In select patients, 30%-60% who receive endovascular treatment can achieve favorable outcome vs without. A total of 13% achieve good outcome and there is an 86% mortality rate.
DISCUSSION
PCI can present with waxing and waning symptoms or clinical findings that overlap with stroke mimics and anterior circulation ischemia, making diagnosis more heavily dependent on imaging. Recanalization is an important predictor of improved functional outcome and survival. In this endovascular era, trials of BAO are fraught with deterrents to enrollment. Despite limitations, endovascular treatment has shown improved outcome in select patients.
Topics: Endovascular Procedures; Humans; Ischemia
PubMed: 34785614
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000012808 -
Oral Diseases Jan 2023The objective of this systematic literature review was to provide a complete panorama of the oral manifestations of Huntington's disease (HD). (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
The objective of this systematic literature review was to provide a complete panorama of the oral manifestations of Huntington's disease (HD).
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Databases were searched, and original research studies or case report manuscripts up to May 2021 were included using keywords that describe HD combined with words related to oral health; MeSH terms were used exclusively. No time or language restrictions were applied.
RESULTS
Twenty-two investigations (12 original articles and 10 case reports) regarding oral manifestations of HD were included. The subjects examined in the selected research articles were dental health, coordination of oral structures, speech, dysphagia, and swallowing alterations. The case reports described dental treatment procedures, oromandibular dyskinesia, dysphagia, and speech alterations.
CONCLUSIONS
The oral manifestations of HD were found to be associated with the advance of the disease in that the more severe the HD, the worse the alterations affecting the oral cavity. Dysphagia, dysarthria, masticatory problems, oral health impairment, and choreiform movements involving the tongue and other orofacial muscles were the main manifestations of HD in the oral cavity. The PROSPERO systematic review registration number of this study is CRD42021238934.
Topics: Humans; Huntington Disease; Deglutition Disorders; Prevalence; Deglutition
PubMed: 34773332
DOI: 10.1111/odi.14076 -
Clinical Microbiology and Infection :... May 2022Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) presenting with encephalitis is rare and scarcely described. (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Lyme neuroborreliosis (LNB) presenting with encephalitis is rare and scarcely described.
OBJECTIVES
To describe the available literature on LNB encephalitis and to characterize this patient group through a Scandinavian retrospective cohort study.
DATA SOURCES
Medline, Embase, Scopus, Cochrane library.
STUDY ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
There was no discrimination on study type, time of publication or language.
PARTICIPANTS
Review: All articles with definite LNB and confirmed/possible encephalitis.
COHORT
LNB cohorts from Denmark, Sweden and Norway 1990-2019 were screened for patients with encephalitis.
METHODS
Review: Adhering to PRISMA guidelines; two authors extracted reviews and assessed quality of studies.
COHORT
Data on demography, symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid findings, differential diagnostic examinations, treatment, residual symptoms, 1-year mortality were registered.
RESULTS
Review: 2330 articles screened on title/abstract, 281 full texts, yielding 42 articles (case reports/series or cohort studies), including 45 patients from 18 countries spanning 35 years. Altered mental status ranged from personality changes and confusion to unconsciousness. Common focal symptoms were hemiparesis, ataxia and dysarthria; seven patients had seizures. Median time from symptom onset to hospital was 2 weeks (IQR 2-90 days). Of 38 patients with available follow-up after median 12 months (IQR 5-13), 32 had fully or partially recovered, two had died.
COHORT
Thirty-five patients (median age 67 years, IQR 48-76) were included. The encephalitis prevalence was 3.3% (95% CI 2.2-4.4%) among 1019 screened LNB patients. Frequent encephalitis symptoms were confusion, personality changes, aphasia, ataxia. EEGs and neuroimaging showed encephalitis in 93.8% and 20.6%, respectively. Median delay from symptom onset to hospital was 14 days (IQR 7-34), with further 7 days (IQR 3-34) delay until targeted therapy. At follow-up (median 298 days post-treatment; IQR 113-389), 65.6% had residual symptoms. None had died.
CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that encephalitis is an uncommon, but likely overlooked clinical manifestation of LNB. As the high frequency of residual symptoms may be related to prolonged treatment delay, prompt LNB testing of patients with encephalitis in Borrelia burgdorferi-endemic areas should be considered.
Topics: Aged; Ataxia; Cohort Studies; Encephalitis; Humans; Lyme Neuroborreliosis; Retrospective Studies
PubMed: 34768019
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2021.11.001 -
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 -
Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery Sep 2021Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common neurosurgical cases, especially in elderly individuals. Secondary parkinsonism due to CSDH is a rare entity....
BACKGROUND
Chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is one of the most common neurosurgical cases, especially in elderly individuals. Secondary parkinsonism due to CSDH is a rare entity. The mechanism of parkinsonism symptoms in chronic subdural hematoma has been suggested to include direct mechanical compression of the basal ganglia due to hematoma or indirectly through brain structure changes due to space lesions and vascular disorders. Surgery on the subdural hematoma provides a favorable outcome for parkinsonism symptoms.
OBJECTIVES
To systematically review the literature on CSDH-induced parkinsonism.
SEARCH METHODS
This is a systematic review on case reports. Literature search was performed using the predefined keywords on PubMed, ProQuest, and Google Scholar. We also provided our own case report and compared it with published studies.
RESULT
Sixteen cases from 13 case reports/series were identified, predominantly consisting of male patients with the mean age of 66.5 ± 9.73 years. The most common symptoms were rigidity, gait disturbance, and bradykinesia, observed in 12 (75%) cases each. The second and third most common symptoms were tremor (11; 68.75%) and facial masking (8; 50%), respectively. Other reported symptoms were dysphasia (3; 18.75%), dysarthria (3; 18.75%), and urinary incontinence (2; 12. 5%). Time gap between the symptom onset and CSDH diagnosis and unilateral location seemed to influence the outcome.
CONCLUSION
Only 16 CSDH-induced parkinsonism were identified since the 1960s. This condition is thought to occur due to basal ganglia compression. Surgery on the subdural hematoma provides a favorable outcome for parkinsonism symptoms. Timely CSDH diagnosis might yield better outcome. However, further research on CSDH-induced parkinsonism is needed, especially in the mechanisms and treatment outcomes.
Topics: Aged; Basal Ganglia; Female; Hematoma, Subdural, Chronic; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Parkinsonian Disorders
PubMed: 34314946
DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106826 -
Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and... Aug 2021Acyclovir and valacyclovir are commonly used antivirals with good general tolerance. Despite their good safety profile, they can cause systemic adverse effects, such as...
WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE
Acyclovir and valacyclovir are commonly used antivirals with good general tolerance. Despite their good safety profile, they can cause systemic adverse effects, such as neurotoxicity, which are less frequent and known. The objective of this review was to collect all the reported cases of neurotoxicity associated with acyclovir and valaciclovir published in the literature and characterize their clinical course and interventions.
METHODS
A systematic review of cases was carried out following the guidelines established by "Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses" (PRISMA). The research was carried out using the PubMed-Medline and Embase databases, between July 1984 and March 2021.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
A total of 119 cases with neurotoxicity mainly related to acyclovir (n = 88; 73.9%), followed by valaciclovir (n = 35; 29.4%) were analysed. 49.6% (n = 59) were men with a mean age of 59.5 years ± 21.1 (0.5-88). In 83.3% of the cases, renal impairment was documented and 57.1% (n = 68) with end-stage renal disease. The administered dose was higher than the renal adjustment recommendations in 59.7% of the cases. The global mean of onset of symptoms was 3.1 days ± 4.3 (0.2-28) after the start of antivirals. The mean recovery time was 9.8 days ± 21.7 (0.2-180). 74.4% of the patients had a recovery of ≤7 days, 15.9% between 8 and 15 days and 9.8% > 15 days.
WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION
The neurotoxicity induced by acyclovir and its derivative valacyclovir is a poorly known and rare adverse effect that can occur mainly in patients with advanced age and impaired renal function. The most characteristic symptoms are confusion, altered level of consciousness, hallucinations, agitation and dysarthria. The basis of treatment is the discontinuation of the antiviral, and in some cases, it may require additional clearance by dialysis.
Topics: Acyclovir; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Antiviral Agents; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Humans; Kidney Function Tests; Male; Middle Aged; Neurotoxicity Syndromes; Renal Insufficiency; Time Factors; Valacyclovir; Young Adult
PubMed: 34146428
DOI: 10.1111/jcpt.13464 -
Journal of Voice : Official Journal of... Jul 2023Hyperkinetic dysarthria is characterized by atypical involuntary movements within the speech mechanism that may affect the respiratory, laryngeal, pharyngeal-oral, or... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Hyperkinetic dysarthria is characterized by atypical involuntary movements within the speech mechanism that may affect the respiratory, laryngeal, pharyngeal-oral, or velopharyngeal-nasal subsystems and may alter speech production. Although articulatory impairments are commonly considered in hyperkinetic dysarthria, speakers with hyperkinetic dysarthria may also present with changes in voice quality, pitch, and loudness. In approximately 70% of speakers with hyperkinetic dysarthria, these voice alterations are associated with tremor or dystonia. The purpose of this systematic review was to investigate the association between behavioral therapy for tremor or dystonia affecting voice in speakers with hyperkinetic dysarthria and improvement in the functional, perceptual, acoustical, aerodynamic, or endoscopic characteristics of voice.
METHOD
MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, PsycINFO, and ClinicalTrials.gov online databases were searched in August 2017, December 2018, and April 2020 for relevant studies. The searches provided 4,921 unique records, and six additional unique records were added from other sources. Twelve studies met the criteria for inclusion in the systematic review. Participants who received concurrent medical treatment were included in this review to ensure that the search was inclusive of all relevant studies and informative for typical clinical scenarios.
RESULTS
The most commonly administered treatment ingredient was relaxation training, which was investigated in three of the four studies on tremor and three of the eight studies on dystonia. Of these six studies, only one used an experimental design and administered relaxation training as the only behavioral approach. This single-case experiment reported a significant reduction in participant ratings of tremor severity and interference with activities of daily living, although the speaking subscale reportedly did not improve and oral medications were administered concurrently. In two group studies that tested potential behavioral therapy targets, production of a low pitch improved acoustical measures for participants with essential tremor and improved auditory-perceptual judgments for participants with laryngeal dystonia. Behavioral therapy improved functional, acoustical, and aerodynamic outcomes in participants with laryngeal dystonia who were also receiving botulinum toxin injections in a randomized cross-over study and a non-randomized controlled study. Because one study employed easy onset and breathing exercises, while the other employed loud voice exercises, the mechanism of action for improvement in voice associated with behavioral therapy requires further investigation.
CONCLUSION
This systematic review describes the current evidence for treatment of tremor and dystonia affecting voice in speakers with hyperkinetic dysarthria and highlights the need for future research on behavioral therapy for these disorders.
Topics: Humans; Activities of Daily Living; Behavior Therapy; Dysarthria; Dystonia; Tremor
PubMed: 34112549
DOI: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2021.03.026 -
International Journal of... Dec 2021Neuroimaging may provide clinical evidence for speech treatment-induced neuroplasticity. This review aimed to report the current scope of evidence relating to brain...
Neuroimaging may provide clinical evidence for speech treatment-induced neuroplasticity. This review aimed to report the current scope of evidence relating to brain changes identified using neuroimaging techniques, following effective speech intervention in adults and children with motor speech disorders (MSD). Studies were retrieved from five electronic databases (PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE (Medline), SCOPUS, and Web of Science) and a general internet search. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria. Using structural or functional neuroimaging techniques, five studies reported on the effects of the Lee Silverman Voice Treatment for dysarthria in adults and children, one study on the outcome of rhythmic-melodic voice training in adults with apraxia of speech, and one study on the effects of Prompts for Restructuring Oral Muscular Phonetic Targets therapy in children with idiopathic apraxia of speech. Identified brain changes included: enhanced white matter tract integrity; normalisation of baseline cortical activity; right-hemisphere shifts in re-organisation; perilesional activations; and cortical thinning. The current review identified preliminary evidence for treatment-dependent brain changes in adults and children with MSD. Although important to interpret within the context of Phase I research, the identification of therapeutic effects across seven heterogeneous studies suggests that treatment-induced improvements in speech performance are underpinned by demonstrable alterations in brain structure and/or function. Future research is required to better define these mechanisms of neuronal re-organisation in individuals receiving treatment for MSD, including their prognostic potential.
Topics: Adult; Apraxias; Child; Humans; Neuroimaging; Neuronal Plasticity; Speech; Speech Disorders
PubMed: 34030526
DOI: 10.1080/17549507.2021.1908425 -
Journal of Clinical Neuroscience :... Mar 2021Hereditary spastic paraplegia type 11 (SPG11) is the most common subtype of autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), to date, there are more than 181...
Hereditary spastic paraplegia type 11 (SPG11) is the most common subtype of autosomal recessive hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), to date, there are more than 181 different KIAA1840 gene mutations detected, and yet the genetic landscape of SPG11 is far from complete. To find the clinical and genetic characteristics of SPG11, we performed a reanalysis of the clinical features and genotype-phenotype correlations in all reported studies exhibiting SPG11 mutations. A total of 339 patients were collected, their mean age at onset was 13.10 ± 3.65 years, with initial symptoms like gait disturbance (107/195, 54.87%) and mental retardation (47/195, 24.10%). Cognitive decline (228/270, 84.44%) was the most common complex manifestation stepped by dysarthria (134/195, 68.72%), neuropathy (112/177, 63.28%), amyatrophy, sphincter disturbance (60/130, 46.15%) and ataxia (90/194, 46.39%). The most common brain MRI abnormality is thinning of the corpus callosum (TCC) (173/190, 91.05%), followed by periventricular white matter changes (130/158, 82.28%), cerebral or cerebellar cortical atrophy (55/107, 51.40%). The mutational spectrum associated with KIAA1840 gene is wide, and frameshift mutations are the most common type followed by nonsense mutations. Our reanalysis demonstrated that SPG11 exhibited significant clinical and genetic heterogeneity, and no clear genotype-phenotype correlation was observed. There is no mutational hot spot in the KIAA1840 gene, which emphasizes the need to analyse the whole gene in clinical practice. In addition to conventional genetic testing methods, further mRNA analysis should be conducted on some cases to yield a definitive diagnosis.
Topics: Adolescent; Age of Onset; Child; Female; Genetic Association Studies; Humans; Male; Mutation; Proteins; Spastic Paraplegia, Hereditary
PubMed: 33581793
DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2020.11.036 -
Neurological Sciences : Official... May 2021The insular cortex serves a wide variety of functions in humans, ranging from sensory and affective processing to high-level cognition. Hence, insular dysfunction may... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
The insular cortex serves a wide variety of functions in humans, ranging from sensory and affective processing to high-level cognition. Hence, insular dysfunction may result in several different presentations. Ischemic strokes limited to the insular territory are rare and deserve a better characterization, to be quickly recognized and to receive the appropriate treatment (e.g. thrombolysis).
METHODS
We reviewed studies on patients with a first-ever acute stroke restricted to the insula. We searched in the Medline database the keywords "insular stroke" and "insular infarction", to identify previously published cases. Afterwards, the results were divided depending on the specific insular region affected by the stroke: anterior insular cortex (AIC), posterior insular cortex (PIC) or total insula cortex (TIC). Finally, a review of the clinical correlates associated with each region was performed.
RESULTS
We identified 25 reports including a total of 49 patients (59.7 ± 15.5 years, 48% male) from systematic review of the literature. The most common clinical phenotypes were motor and somatosensory deficits, dysarthria, aphasia and a vestibular-like syndrome. Atypical presentations were also common and included dysphagia, awareness deficits, gustatory disturbances, dysautonomia, neuropsychiatric or auditory disturbances and headache.
CONCLUSIONS
The clinical presentation of insular strokes is heterogeneous; however, an insular stroke should be suspected when vestibular-like, somatosensory, speech or language disturbances are combined in the same patient. Further studies are needed to improve our understanding of more atypical presentations.
Topics: Aphasia; Cerebral Cortex; Dysarthria; Female; Humans; Male; Speech; Stroke
PubMed: 33575921
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05109-1