Polimorfizm –1562 C/T genu MMP-9 w chorobach naczyniowych mózgu w populacji polskiej

Background and purpose Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) is an endopeptidase degrading extracellular matrix. There is growing evidence that changes in extracellular matrix play an important role in vascular pathology, especially in cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease. Previous studies have demonstrated that MMP-9 activity is controlled by –1562 C/T polymorphism. Genotypes with T allele (CT, TT) have higher enzymatic activity. Thus, this polymorphism could be responsible for the higher risk for cerebrovascular disease and death. The aim of this study was to assess the significance of MMP-9 polymorphism as a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease in a Polish population. Material and methods A total of 775 consecutive patients with a diagnosis of cerebrovascular disease (ischaemic stroke, intracerebral haemorrhage, subarachnoid haemorrhage) admitted to the Stroke Unit, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland between 2000 and 2004 were studied and compared with 766 matched controls. The polymorphism was studied by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restricted enzyme digestion. Results Among 418 patients with ischaemic stroke of various aetiologies and among 146 patients with primary intracerebral haemorrhage and 211 patients with subarachnoid haemorrhage due to ruptured intracranial aneurysm, statistical analysis did not show a significant difference between occurrence of CC, CT, TT genotypes or C and T alleles in patients with stroke of various aetiology compared with controls. Conclusions We found no association between the –1562 C/T MMP-9 polymorphism and ischaemic stroke, subarachnoid haemorrhage or spontaneous intracerebral haemorrhage in the studied Polish population

Subtypes of interictal depressive disorders according to ICD-10 in patients with epilepsy

Background and purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the frequency of interictal depressive symptoms and different subtypes of depressive disorders according to 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria in patients with epilepsy and its association with the type of epilepsy. Material and methods: 289 outpatients with epilepsy (169 females, 120 males) aged 18-82 years completed Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Subjects who scored >11 in BDI were further evaluated by the psychiatrist according to the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Results: 41.9% (121) of the 289 participants scored >11 in BDI. 104 (85.9%) patients who scored >11 in BDI had comorbid mental disorders according to ICD-10 criteria. The most common were organic mood disorders (F06.3 – 31.4%), depressive episode (F32 – 22.3%) and dysthymia (F34.1 – 9.1%) There were no differences in the prevalence of depression and subtypes of depression in patients with certain epilepsy types. Depression was diagnosed before entering the study in only one third of patients with final diagnosis of depression. Conclusions: Our results confirm the prevailing view that interictal depression is common in epilepsy patients. Depression remains underrecognized and undertreated in patients with epileps

A case report of patient with cerebellar variant of stiff person syndrome

Stiff person syndrome (SPS) is a rare autoimmune neurological disorder with antibodies against antigens involved in neurotransmission of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). About 10% of patients with SPS may develop ataxia. This cerebellar variant is a distinct subset of SPS with more severe and complex clinical phenotype. We report the clinical, neuropsychological and neuroradiological findings in a 39-year-old female with cerebellar variant of SPS

Subtypes of interictal depressive disorders according to ICD-10 in patients with epilepsy

Background and purpose The purpose of the study was to evaluate the frequency of interictal depressive symptoms and different subtypes of depressive disorders according to 10th revision of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) criteria in patients with epilepsy and its association with the type of epilepsy. Material and methods 289 outpatients with epilepsy (169 females, 120 males) aged 18–82 years completed Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Subjects who scored >11 in BDI were further evaluated by the psychiatrist according to the ICD-10 diagnostic criteria. Results 41.9% (121) of the 289 participants scored >11 in BDI. 104 (85.9%) patients who scored >11 in BDI had comorbid mental disorders according to ICD-10 criteria. The most common were organic mood disorders (F06.3 – 31.4%), depressive episode (F32 – 22.3%) and dysthymia (F34.1 – 9.1%) There were no differences in the prevalence of depression and subtypes of depression in patients with certain epilepsy types. Depression was diagnosed before entering the study in only one third of patients with final diagnosis of depression. Conclusions Our results confirm the prevailing view that interictal depression is common in epilepsy patients. Depression remains underrecognized and undertreated in patients with epilepsy