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Biomedical subjects

C Krick

Publications and source records attributed to C Krick.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

Cognitive changes after carotid artery stenting.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to test changes in cognitive performance after carotid artery stenting (CAS). METHOD: Ten patients were neuropsychologically tested at least 24 h before and 48 h after CAS. To diminish thromboembolic events, we used a proximal protection device. The following neuropsychological tests were selected: The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), symbol digit test and subtests of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) battery (verbal fluency, constructional practice, word list memory and delayed recall). Affective state was determined by the Beck Depression Score (BDS). RESULTS: No patient suffered from depression (BDS <1) or dementia (MMSE 29.9+/-1.5). Nine of the ten patients (P=0.12) showed increased speed in the Number Connection Test (NCT) (corresponding to trail making test). Most patients showed better or similar results concerning delayed recall (P=0.31). No change was observed in the symbol digit test, word list memory, verbal fluency or constructional practice. Better results concerning NCT and delayed recall after carotid stenting might be due to improved brain perfusion. CONCLUSION: After CAS, cognitive and memory performance seem to improve. Further studies with different time intervals and more refined testing, as well as perfusion-weighted imaging, are needed.

Aged↗

[Imaging cervical myelo- and radiculopathy].

PURPOSE: This article gives an overview of the diagnostic possibilities available in the diagnosis of cervical myelo- and radiculopathy. We compared conventional myelography, CTM, and MRI. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five patients with clinical evidence of cervical myelo- or radiculopathy were included. Sagittal and transverse T1-weighted (T1w) TSE and T2-weighted (T2w) TSE sequences were compared with myelography and CTM. Statistical analysis was performed using Wilcoxon's -test. RESULTS: Disc herniation could be depicted in CTM as well as in MRI. The extent of herniation did not differ between CTM and T1w. The extent of herniation seemed higher on T2w than on T1w (p <0.001). Foraminal encroachment was easier to diagnose in CTM. When regarding transverse T1w and T2w images simultaneously, a missing root in MRI corresponded to a missing root in CTM and conventional myelography and vice versa. Our data demonstrated the relative inability of MRI to determine whether the compression is by soft tissue or bony structures. CONCLUSION: The present study proposes that MRI, when available, should be the imaging method of first choice in patients with suspected radiculo- and myelopathy.

Adult↗

Impact of different stimulation types on orthostatic tremor.

OBJECTIVE: Primary orthostatic tremor (OT) is thought to be generated by a unique supraspinal tremor generator. Here we studied the effect of ipsi- and contralateral stimulation of the central and peripheral nervous system on OT. METHODS: In 7 patients with primary OT, surface EMG was recorded from both tibialis anterior muscles. We performed transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the vertex, and lumbar magnetic stimulation (LMS) over the lumbar spine. Supramaximal electrical nerve stimuli were applied to the tibial or peroneal nerve at the knee. Proprioceptive input was evoked by rhythmical submaximal stimulation of the tibial, peroneal or sural nerve at the ankle. RESULTS: TMS reset OT significantly in the contralateral as well as the ipsilateral tibialis anterior muscle. The resetting in both muscles was identical. In contrast, peripheral input by means of LMS, supra- or submaximal nerve stimulation had no impact on OT. CONCLUSIONS: Transcranial magnetic stimulation of one cortical leg area resets OT in both legs whereas OT is not modified by any peripheral stimuli applied in this study. SIGNIFICANCE: Our results support the hypothesis of n unique supraspinal OT generator. This generator receives a modulating input from the motor cortex.

Aged↗