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Biomedical subjects

G Linazasoro

Publications and source records attributed to G Linazasoro.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Worsening of Parkinson's disease by citalopram.

More than 50% of the patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) may experience mood disturbances. Serotonin-selective reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) are very active in the management of depression. Citalopram is a new SSRI increasingly used in the treatment of depression. The question of a negative impact of SSRI on the motor function of patients with PD is an important clinical issue. A number of such observations have published with various SSRI, but none, up-to-now with citalopram. We report the case of a patient with PD who experienced a worsening in the motor status soon after the addition of citalopram to her antiparkinsonian drug regime. This single case report suggests that this potential adverse event is a class related side effect.

Journal Article↗

Excitotoxic ablation.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine↗

Stereotactic targeting of the globus pallidus internus in Parkinson's disease: imaging versus electrophysiological mapping.

OBJECTIVE: The reintroduction of pallidotomy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) has generated various opinions regarding the ideal anatomic or physiological location of the target within the globus pallidus. The role of microelectrode recording guidance in pallidotomy for the treatment of advanced PD is presently under debate. The purpose of this study was twofold. The first goal was to determine the degree of accuracy in the targeting of the globus pallidus internus (GPi) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), by comparing these results with the final placement of the thermolytic lesions (as defined by electrophysiological assessment). The second goal was to ascertain the somatotopic arrangement of the GPi in PD. METHODS: The analysis involved 50 patients with PD who underwent microrecording-guided pallidotomy. The theoretical coordinates for lesioning were calculated after definition of the intercommissural line by MRI. The actual placement of the lesions was determined after mapping of the GPi by microrecording, using stimulation to identify the sensorimotor region and its somatotopic organization. RESULTS: In most cases, the lesions were placed posterior and lateral to the targets chosen by MRI. Mapping by microrecording revealed differences of 2.3 +/- 1.55 mm and 3 +/- 1.9 mm in the mediolateral and anteroposterior coordinates, respectively. The actual lesion overlapped the theoretical target for only 45% of the patients. The somatotopic organization of the GPi was analyzed. Most of the units with sensorimotor activity or tremor-related activity were in the lateral portion of the nucleus. Upper limb and axial units were in the most lateral region and mainly in the ventral one-third of the nucleus. Lower limb responses were recorded mainly in the dorsal one-third of the nucleus. Tremor-related cells were found throughout the sensorimotor region of the nucleus. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that lesion targeting based on MRI alone is not sufficiently accurate to guarantee placement of the lesion in the sensorimotor region of the GPi.

Adult↗

[Pallidotomy in the treatment of complicated Parkinson's disease: clinical results at two years and analysis of prognostic factors].

BACKGROUND: There is a renewed interest in pallidotomy as a treatment for complicated Parkinson's disease (PD). AIM: To present the clinical results as well as the analysis of prognostic factors obtained in 28 patients with PD and motor complications submitted to pallidotomy and followed by one year (n = 28) and 2 years (n = 12). RESULTS: The total motor score (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale [UPDRS]) in the off state improved by 33 and 23% at one and two years, respectively (p < 0.01). All the cardinal signs of the disease were significantly improved (p < 0.01): tremor (92%), rigidity (67%), bradykinesia (46%) and axial symptoms (21%). A slight tendency to worsening in axial symptoms was observed. Dyskinesias disappeared in all but one patient. The Schawb & England Scale in off was improved by 21%. No improvement in the non-operated side was observed. The subgroup of patients with an improvement of less than 30% in the UPDRS was older than the one with larger clinical benefit. The observed tendency to worsening in the total motor score was related mainly to the progression of the symptoms in the non-operated side. Complications were mild and transient. CONCLUSIONS: Pallidotomy is a relatively safe and effective therapeutic option for complicated PD patients. An adequate selection of patients is necessary, since efficacy is partial and limited to one hemibody.

Adult↗

[Pathophysiological bases, clinical results and indications for surgical treatment in Parkinson disease].

We review the present status of surgery for Parkinson's disease. Surgical options for Parkinson's disease are rapidly spanding. The main objectives of surgical techniques are to restore the dopaminergic deficit in the striatum (transplantation) and to normalize the neuronal activity of the subthalamic-pallidal circuit (pallidotomy and deep brain stimulation). Whereas cell transplantation is still considered an experimental procedure, ablative procedures and deep brain stimulation are widely used. Both types of surgical procedures are supported by strong scientific data. However, much work remains to be done in order to understand several aspects not clearly elucidated at present. The results and current indications for pallidotomy and deep brain stimulation are analyzed.

Brain↗

Quality of life in patients with Parkinson's disease who transfer from standard levodopa to Sinemet CR: the STAR Study. The STAR Multicenter Study Group.

Conversion from standard levodopa to Sinemet CR was performed in a series of 450 patients with Parkinson's disease. Of these, 299 experienced motor complications (group A) and 151 showed stable motor response (group B). There was significant improvement in various parameters of efficacy (Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, Hoehn-Yahr staging, Schwab-England scale) particularly in those related to functional aspects such as activities of daily living of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale, sleep questionnaires and the Nottingham Health Profile. Adverse effects were usually mild or moderate, and only 10% of patients discontinued Sinemet CR due to side effects. Sinemet CR treatment was preferred by 81% of patients in group A and by 73.8% of patients in group B.

Activities of Daily Living↗

Pallidotomy in Parkinson's disease increases supplementary motor area and prefrontal activation during performance of volitional movements an H2(15)O PET study.

Supplementary motor area and right dorsal prefrontal cortex activation in Parkinson's disease is selectively impaired during volitional limb movements. Since posteroventral pallidotomy improves motor performance in Parkinson's disease patients 'off' medication (i.e. off medication for 9-12 h), we hypothesized that it would also concomitantly increase supplementary motor area and dorsal prefrontal cortex activation. Six Parkinson's disease patients with a median total motor Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) of 52.5 (range 34-66) 'off' medication underwent unilateral right posteroventral pallidotomy. The patients had H2(15)O PET when 'off' medication before and 3-4 months after surgery. Each PET study comprised four to six measurements of regional cerebral blood flow either at rest or while performing regularly paced joystick movements in freely selected directions (forward, backward, left or right) using the left hand. Pre- and postoperative scans were performed in an identical manner and the associated levels of activation were compared using statistical parametric mapping. After pallidotomy, the median total motor UPDRS score 'off' medication decreased by 34.7% (P = 0.03) and mean response times of joystick movements following the pacing tones improved by 13.8% (P = 0.08). Relative increases in activation of the supplementary motor area and right dorsal prefrontal cortex were observed during joystick movements (P < 0.001). Decreased activation was seen in the region of the right pallidum (P = 0.001). We conclude that pallidotomy reduces pallidal inhibition of thalamocortical circuits and reverses, at least partially, the impairment of supplementary motor area and dorsal prefrontal cortex activation associated with Parkinson's disease.

Adult↗

[Stereotactic surgery in Parkinson's disease].

Stereotactic surgery for Parkinson's disease (PD) has regained interest due to the recently described hyperactivity of the subthalamic-pallidal pathway. Many patients suffering from complications associated with the chronic use of levodopa may benefit from surgical treatments. There are different surgical targets and techniques (ablative and deep brain stimulation). The choice of one particular target and technique relies on the clinical symptoms of the patient. The risk/benefit ratio of surgery is related to the careful selection of patients and the technical accuracy. Intraoperative microrecording is considered the best method to avoid side effects and partial results. A series of patient's selection and follow-up assessment criteria are proposed.

Follow-Up Studies↗

The apomorphine test in gait disorders associated with parkinsonism.

Despite recent advances in the understanding of gait disorders in the elderly, little is known about the precise neurochemical mechanism that underlies such conditions. To determine the neurochemical basis of freezing, an apomorphine test was carried out in 21 patients with freezing associated with Parkinson's disease (11 patients) or with a higher level gait disorder (10 patients). The test was positive in parkinsonian patients with freezing exclusively during "off" periods (n = 9). In these cases, there were a parallel improvement in motor function. The remaining 12 patients (two with Parkinson's disease and unpredictable freezing, eight with subcortical dysequilibrium, and two with isolated gait-ignition failure) failed to improve throughout the test period. We conclude that freezing may be the consequence of different neurochemical disturbances, although a common neural substrate cannot be excluded.

Aged↗