A dysfunction of dopaminergic retinal neurons is thought to occur in Parkinson's disease, manifesting itself in impaired performance on various visual discrimination tasks. We have investigated whether differences in colour discrimination could readily be detected between a normal group and a Parkinsonian group, using a computer-controlled test of colour vision. Although some individual Parkins...

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The differentiation between Parkinson disease and atypical parkinsonian syndromes can be challenging in clinical practice, especially in early disease stages. Brain MR imaging can help to increase certainty about the diagnosis. Our goal was to evaluate the added value of SWI in relation to conventional 3T brain MR imaging for the diagnostic work-up of early-stage parkinso...

The combined peak U.S. annual sales potential (excluding disease modification) for the PD indications alone is estimated to be in the range of $1.8bn to $2.7bn , (source Michael J Fox Foundation 2011). Datamonitor market research with PD specialists in the U.S., EU, China and India show that dipraglurant has an attractive product profile and can capture over $1 billion in annual revenues if ful...

6 This article provides an overview of the physical components that 7 tend to be common to all neural prosthetic systems. It emphasizes 8 the biophysical factors that constrain the sophistication of those 9 interfaces. Specific applications to neural prosthetic systems for 10 sensory replacement and motor control are covered in PROSTHET11 ICS, SENSORY SYSTEMS and PROSTHETICS, MOTOR CONTROL, re1...

We describe a patient with a combination of dystonic and parkinsonian signs. Paraclinical studies revealed a mutation in the GTP cyclohydrolase I gene (GCH1) and a decrease in [123I]-N-omega-fluoropropyl-2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl) nortropane (123I-FP-CIT) binding ratios indicative of Parkinson's disease. We conclude that the patient probably suffers from a variant of dopa-responsiv...

Degeneration of dopamine (DA) containing neurons in the basal ganglia of Parkinsonian patients causes a reduction in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of the principal metabolite of dopamine, homovanillic acid (HVA). Not only are steady state HVA levels depressed, but there is substantial diminution in the rate of HVA accumulation in CSF during the oral administration of probenecid, a dr...

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by vertical supranuclear palsy and parkinsonian symptoms. The neuropsychiatric symptoms of PSP include anhedonia, depressed mood and cognitive impairment. Patients with PSP have an increased risk for developing depressive disorders within the next year. However, it is rare to find that major depressive disorder wa...

The frequency of dementia, the clinical characteristics and the pattern of cognitive impairment were studied in 147 unselected Parkinsonian patients. Twenty-one patients (14.28%) were judged to be demented. They had a more severe and widespread cognitive deficit although they were affected particularly in those tests that already discriminated Parkinsonian patients from controls. A direct compa...

An abnormal hyperechogenecity of substantia nigra is thought to be the most characteristic sonographic feature in Parkinson's disease (PD). However specificity and sensitivity of the ultrasound method should be refined. Using transcranial sonography, authors have examined 168 patients with different clinical signs of parkinsonism, including 99 patients with idiopathic PD, and 56 patients withou...

Multiple System Atrophy (MSA) and Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) are atypical Parkinsonian disorders with extended morbidity and reduced lifespan, known to have marked and early impact upon quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to address the lack of studies in the literature regarding personal perspectives on QoL in MSA and PSP in both patients and carers. Participants took part in qua...