Project description:Paroxysmal dysarthria and ataxia (PDA) is a rare syndrome characterized by brief, stereotyped episodes of slurred speech, clumsiness with extremities, or vertigo. It is usually observed in young patients suffering from multiple sclerosis with numerous lesions. PDA is challenging to identify in those presenting with atypical patterns. Here, a non-ataxic variant of PDA in an otherwise neurologically healthy elderly man is presented who had a single midbrain lesion. A broad diagnostic workup illustrates the challenges of identifying PDA. Teaching points emphasize the significance of the midbrain lesion and response to anti-epileptic medication.
Project description:BackgroundEpisodic muscular hypertonicity in Norwich terrier dogs was first reported in a brief communication in 1984. Since then, the condition has remained poorly characterized.ObjectivesThe aims of this study were to characterize the phenomenology, clinical course, and family history of paroxysmal dyskinesia in the Norwich terrier and to estimate its prevalence in the United Kingdom.MethodsThe owners of Norwich terrier dogs born since January 1, 2000 were invited to complete a specifically designed questionnaire aimed at identifying affected and unaffected dogs and investigating the clinical characteristics of this paroxysmal dyskinesia. Pedigrees were collected and reviewed.ResultsThe questionnaire was returned for 198 Norwich terrier dogs. Of these, 26 (13%) were classified as affected by paroxysmal dyskinesia after revision of the questionnaires and after obtaining videos of the episodes, veterinary medical records, and telephone interviews with the owners. All dogs were neurologically normal between episodes. No significant abnormalities were detected on diagnostic investigations. Mean age at the first episode was 3 years. The episodes were characterized by sustained muscular hypertonicity in the pelvic limbs, lumbar region, and thoracic limbs, impairing posture and locomotion without loss of consciousness. Episode frequency varied both between and within individuals. Stress, anxiety, excitement, and variation in daily routine were recognized as episode triggers in 13 dogs. Episode duration generally was from 2 to 5 minutes (range, from < 2 to 30 minutes). The majority of affected dogs were related.ConclusionsParoxysmal dyskinesia segregates in an extended pedigree of Norwich terrier dogs and thus is potentially an inherited disorder in this breed.
Project description:BackgroundParoxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) and epilepsy share common pathogenic mechanisms but their pathophysiological connections remain unknown. Our study reports an individual with both disorders as a consequence of pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP). This observation suggests potential shared pathophysiological mechanisms between PKD and epilepsy.MethodsWe report the case of a 15-year-old male with pre-diagnosed PKD and symptomatic epilepsy. We recorded the symptoms and carried out comprehensive biochemical, genetic, imaging, and EEG analyses to examine the characteristics and potentially shared etiology of these conditions.ResultsIn this case, the patient's PKD and symptomatic epilepsy were secondary to pseudohypoparathyroidism (PHP). The patient had a seven-year history of intermittent, involuntary paroxysmal episodic movements, and a six-year history of a loss of consciousness with convulsions. The electroencephalography results showed that the paroxysmal low and medium amplitude slow waves, isolated sharp waves, and sharp slow-wave release occurred in the right prefrontal temporal cortex. Serum analysis indicated a calcium concentration of 1.91 mmol/L, a phosphorus concentration of 2.68 mmol/L, an alkaline phosphatase concentration of 114 IU/L, and a parathyroid hormone concentration of 109 pg/ml. Computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging results showed multiple calcifications in the bilateral frontal and parietal lobe cortex, bilateral thalamus, basal ganglia, and centrum semiovale. Furthermore, GNAS methylation abnormalities were discovered during methylation testing. There was no recurrence of abnormal movements or epileptic seizures, and calcium concentrations returned to healthy levels, following the pharmacological treatment of PHP.ConclusionIn this case, PKD and symptomatic epilepsy were caused by PHP. This report underscores the importance of looking for biochemical abnormalities in PKD and symptomatic epilepsy patients. We suggest that all such intractable epilepsy seizure patients should be screened for PHP.
Project description:Paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD) is characterized by sudden episodes of involuntary movements. PKD is a very rare movement disorder, and correct clinical diagnosis is often a challenge.We present the case of a 23-year-old female with PKD. The patient showed episodes of twisting movements for 3 years. The symptoms lasted for about 5-10 minutes and subsided spontaneously. She was diagnosed as having epilepsy, and depressive and anxiety disorders successively. However, her symptoms did not alleviate after taking sodium valproate and antidepressants. Though there were no mutations in her PRRT2 gene, carbamazepine was used for treatment and was effective in controlling her symptoms.The clinical features of PKD patients are not always typical; therefore, it is important to distinguish PKD from the other subtypes of paroxysmal dyskinesia and psychogenic disorders.
Project description:The paroxysmal dyskinesias are a group of neurological disorders described by intermittent attacks of involuntary abnormal movements superimposed on a relatively normal baseline. The neuroanatomical substrates for these attacks are not fully understood, though available evidence from studies of affected people and animal models points to dysfunction in the basal ganglia or cerebellum. In the current studies, the anatomical basis for paroxysmal dyskinesias in lethargic mice was determined via histochemical methods sensitive to changes in regional brain activity followed by surgical elimination of the suspected source. Cytochrome oxidase histochemistry revealed increased activity in the red nucleus. Surgical removal of the cerebellum worsened ataxia but eliminated paroxysmal dyskinesias. These studies support the hypothesis that abnormal cerebellar output contributes to paroxysmal dyskinesias.
Project description:BackgroundManaging the heterogeneity and unpredictability of multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms can be difficult for MS care partners. This study aimed to characterize the symptoms managed by MS care partners, recognize relationships between symptom management difficulty and other aspects of the caregiving role, and identify supplemental sources of care-giving support used by care partners.MethodsA Canadian cohort of MS care partners completed an online survey capturing care-partner characteristics, care-recipient symptoms, care-partner difficulty with managing symptoms, and sources of caregiving assistance. Descriptive analysis, analysis of variance, and χ2 tests were used to compare differences in care-partner characteristics by symptom management difficulty groups, defined as low (<4 symptoms), medium (5-7 symptoms), and high difficulty (>7 symptoms).ResultsCare partners to individuals with MS (N = 475) reported a median of 8 symptoms (IQR = 4) experienced by their care-recipients. The most frequent symptoms reported were fatigue (89.1%), weakness (87.2%), and depression (81.9%). Care partners reported a median of 6 (IQR = 5) symptoms being somewhat or very difficult to manage. Balance or mobility impairments (20.3%), depression (14.3%), and vision difficulties (13.1%) were most frequently reported as very difficult to manage. Assisting with activities of daily living (P < .001) and time spent caregiving (P = .035) varied significantly between symptom management difficulty groups. Additional help available was reported by 77.5%, 17.8%, and 41.6% of care partners reporting low, medium, and high symptom management difficulty, respectively (P < .001).ConclusionsCare partners of individuals with MS report difficulty in managing multiple, variable symptoms and often have no additional help. These findings suggest that MS care partners experience difficulty managing many diverse symptoms and may benefit from additional support.
Project description:Disease-modifying therapies are thought to reduce the conversion rate to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.To explore the rate, chronology, and contributing factors of conversion to the progressive phase in treated relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients.Our study included 204 patients treated for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis between 1995 and 2002, prospectively followed to date. Kaplan-Meier analysis was applied to estimate the time until secondary progressive multiple sclerosis conversion, and multivariate survival analysis with a Cox regression model was used to analyse prognostic factors.Relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients were continuously treated for 13 years (SD 4.5); 36.3% converted to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis at a mean age of 42.6 years (SD 10.6), a mean time of 8.2 years (SD 5.2) and an estimated mean time of 17.2 years (range 17.1-18.1). A multifocal relapse, age older than 34 years at disease onset and treatment failure independently predicted conversion to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis but did not influence the time to reach an Expanded Disability Status Scale of 6.0.The favourable influence of disease-modifying therapies on long-term disability in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis is well established. However, the time to progression onset and the subsequent clinical course in treated patients seem similar to those previously reported in natural history studies. More studies are needed to clarify the effect of disease-modifying therapies once the progressive phase has been reached.