BACKGROUND Many genes/loci associated with Parkinsonian disorders have been identified. However, the genetic causes for a number of familial forms of Parkinsonian disorders remain to be elucidated. OBJECTIVE It was the aim of this paper to review the familial progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) cases without any known gene mutations published in the English literature. METHODS We searched ...

During attempted visual fixation, saccades of a range of sizes occur. These "fixational saccades" include microsaccades, which are not apparent in regular clinical tests, and "saccadic intrusions", predominantly horizontal saccades that interrupt accurate fixation. Square-wave jerks (SWJs), the most common type of saccadic intrusion, consist of an initial saccade away from the target followed, ...

Rigorous studies involving cases of acquired language and memory disorders have contributed substantive information regarding higher cortical functions. Acquired disorders of handwriting, however, have remained a largely untapped resource which could be of great value to students of motor control. In this study, we demonstrate how two such disorders provide specific information regarding the mo...

BACKGROUND Investigators use instrumental tasks for objective assessment of parkinsonian motor disability and its drug response. To date, such studies on treated parkinsonian patients have not addressed acute and long-term effects of dopaminergic drugs. OBJECTIVES To determine the impact of long-term dopaminergic therapy within a standardized levodopa challenge test design in combination with...

As the population ages, adult-onset neurodegenerative disorders will be encountered even more frequently by clinical neurologists. New treatments will continue to emerge as scientific understanding of the molecular genetic and pathophysiologic basis of these disorders evolves. Volume 8 of the Hospital Physician Neurology Board Review Manual will focus on the diagnosis and management of neurodeg...

Animal models of neurological disorders are critical for determining underlying disease mechanisms and developing new therapeutic modalities. In general, the utility of an animal model for a particular disease is often dependent on how closely the model replicates all or part of the human condition. In Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related parkinsonian disorders there now exists a variety of ani...