The Scream: a very particular traumatic condition

A personal experience of explosive, yet repressed psychological ferment that arose in response to severe trauma was the starting point for both the creative work and the dissertation that comprise this thesis. In contrast to other strong emotional conditions, this state is characterised by a violent process in which the impulse to scream is turned back in on itself becoming a self-destructive force. The neologism scream has been coined in order to encapsulate the particular qualities of this traumatic condition and its manifestation in the creative work. The scream is both the compulsion behind my creative practice, and its central affective state. The dissertation draws from my own traumatic experiences in the formulation and development of the scream as a concept, and the elucidation of its broader ontological, psychological and aesthetic implications. Although themes of trauma, suffering and anguish have been widely explored in Western art, literature, philosophy, and psychology, this dissertation advances the scream as a very specific traumatic condition that has, so far, remained largely untheorised. The dissertation aims to define the scream through a series of case studies from literature, philosophy and art, which exemplify the nature of this condition. The creative work has undertaken a comprehensive exploration of the scream primarily through performance-video. Works have been created through an ongoing and constant studio process comprised of numerous performative acts, that are, in most cases, directly mediated into video format. Eighteen suites of work have been created for this project. These range from raw, visceral performances that focus primarily on the face as the site of expression, to highly stylised and aestheticised works involving the use of masks and costume to a greater extent. Each suite invokes a different aspect, or symptom of the scream, which is played out through a number of different personae or alter egos

Dementia risk factors for Australian baby boomers

Baby boomers are individuals born in the years 1946 to 1965. The objective of this paper was to define the risk factors for dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and their relevance to Australian baby boomers, with the aim of providing evidence-based guidelines for dementia prevention. A series of PubMed searches (1994–2010) were conducted with relevant key words. Data was included from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) in relation to baby boomers in Australia. Article titles and abstracts were assessed by two reviewers for inclusion. Searches through ABS revealed no specific study on baby boomers at a national level; information was only available for Western Australia, South Australia and Queensland. A number of genetic and non-genetic risk factors for dementia were identified most of which remain controversial and require further study. We did not identify significant differences in the prevalence and incidence of dementia in those under 65 years in Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia. There were no correlations of risk factors and dementia between the Australian states. Modification of risk factors has not been proven to reduce the incidence and prevalence of dementia and AD in baby boomers. Nevertheless, on available evidence, we recommend: i) active management of cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension; ii) the encouragement of a healthy lifestyle (eg, weight reduction, exercise) as offering the best pathways to reduce the emerging dementia risk for baby boomers. The implications are that activities promoting a healthy heart might lead to a healthy brain and help to prevent dementia

The clinical utility of gene testing for Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the largest cause of dementia, affecting 35.6 million people in 2010. Amyloid precursor protein, presenilin 1 and presenilin 2 mutations are known to cause familial early-onset AD, whereas apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 is a susceptibility gene for late-onset AD. The genes for phosphatidylinositol-binding clathrin assembly protein, clusterin and complement receptor 1 have recently been described by genome-wide association studies as potential risk factors for late-onset AD. Also, a genome association study using single neucleotide polymorphisms has identified an association of neuronal sortilin related receptor and late-onset AD. Gene testing, and also predictive gene testing, may be of benefit in suspected familial early-onset AD however it adds little to the diagnosis of late-onset AD and does not alter the treatment. We do not recommend APOE ε4 genotyping

Marginalia Lexicographica

This paper presents six textual notes on Byzantine lexicographers: five on Ps.-Zonaras and one on Gennadius Scholarius

Poems of Psellus in Ps.-Zonaras

The sources of three enigmatic lemmata in Ps.-Zonaras’ Lexiconcan be identified in the poetry of Michael Psellus

The impact of COVID-19 on community neurology patients

BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic has had a worldwide impact. People with neurological disorders are at an increased risk of severe infection and consequent mortality. In this study we investigated the impact of COVID-19 on community neurology patients in the absence of direct infection with the virus to see if their wellbeing was affected.AimsTo determine whether and how the COVID-19 pandemic affected people with neurological disorders, in the absence of COVID-19 infection.Methods A prospective survey of patients with neurological conditions to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their quality of life, physical and mental wellbeing, access to goods/services and areas of unmet needs relating to the pandemic. The survey was completed by 243 community neurology patients in Perth, Western Australia from April to June 2020.Results Most respondents reported that COVID-19 impacted their daily life (80.7 per cent) and family relationships (73.1 per cent). 10.3 per cent of patients had a substantial effect on their access to facilities such as the gym, and services such as physiotherapy; as well as access to finances (7 per cent) and care (5.8 per cent); whilst anxiety was increased to a minor degree in over half of patients (55.97 per cent). Unclear public health information and guidelines, social isolation and disruption to routine were also identified as difficulties.ConclusionDespite the absence of direct infection with COVID-19, many neurology patients experienced physical and emotional detriment as a result of the pandemic. This study identified the need for organisation and amendment to provisions of neurological services in preparation for future pandemics

Controlled population-based comparative study of USA and international adult [55-74] neurological deaths 1989-2014.

OBJECTIVES: A population-based controlled study to determine whether adult (55-74 years) neurological disease deaths are continuing to rise and are there significant differences between America and the twenty developed countries 1989-91 and 2012-14. METHOD: Total Neurological Deaths (TND) rates contrasted against control Cancer and Circulatory Disease Deaths (CDD) extrapolated from WHO data. Confidence intervals compare USA and the other countries over the period. The Over-75's TND and population increases are examined as a context for the 55-74 outcomes. RESULTS: Male neurological deaths rose >10% in eleven countries, the other countries average rose 20% the USA 43% over the period. Female neurological deaths rose >10% in ten counties, averaging 14%, the USA up 68%. USA male and female neurological deaths increased significantly more than twelve and seventeen countries, respectively. USA over-75s population increased by 49%, other countries 56%. Other countries TND up 187% the USA rose fourfold. Male and female cancer and CDD fell in every country averaging 26% and 21%, respectively, and 64% and 67% for CDD. Male neurological rates rose significantly more than Cancer and CCD in every country; Female neurological deaths rose significantly more than cancer in 17 countries and every country for CDD. There was no significant correlation between increases in neurological deaths and decreases in control mortalities. CONCLUSIONS: There are substantial increases in neurological deaths in most countries, significantly so in America. Rises in the 55-74 and over-75's rates are not primarily due to demographic changes and are a matter of concern warranting further investigation

Neurological presentation of Whipple's disease after long-term antibiotic treatment: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Whipple's disease is a rare systemic infectious disorder caused by <it>Tropheryma whipplei</it>.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We report a 68-year-old male with Whipple's disease of the central nervous system following long-term antibiotic therapy and many years after the initial clinical onset.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The combination of trimethoprim and sulphamethoxazole does not prevent or cure involvement of the central nervous system in all patients with Whipple's disease. If relapse of the central nervous system occurs treatment with meropenem might be a useful alternative.</p