Laryngeal Electromyography In Movement Disorders: Preliminary Data.

This study describes preliminary laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) data and botulinum toxin treatment in patients with dysphonia due to movement disorders. Twenty-five patients who had been clinically selected for botulinum toxin administration were examined, 19 with suspected laryngeal dystonia or spasmodic dysphonia (SD), 5 with vocal tremor, and 1 with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS). LEMG evaluations were performed before botulinum toxin administration using monopolar electrodes. Electromyography was consistent with dystonia in 14 patients and normal in 5, and differences in frequency suggesting essential tremor in 3 and Parkinson tremors in 2. The different LEMG patterns and significant improvement in our patients from botulinum toxin therapy has led us to perform laryngeal electromyography as a routine in UNICAMP movement disorders ambulatory.62741-

Standardization of pattern electroretinograms by alternate reversion in normal volunteers

PURPOSE: To standardize recordings of pattern electroretinograms (PERG) in normal human subjects. METHODS: The standardization followed the model proposed by the International Organization of Eletroretinography and was specific for the laboratory of evoked potentials of the Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, State University of Campinas. Two types of stimuli were used, one of 30 minutes of arch of visual angle and another of 60 minutes of arch of visual angle. RESULTS: In all patients a positive wave, defined internationally as P50, and a negative, called N95, were obtained without interferences. The normal range for latency, amplitude and duration of each wave was obtained. There were significative differences in amplitude, latency and duration of P50 and N95 waves among the several age groups. There was an increase in latency and a decrease in amplitude with increasing age. No significative differences were found among the variables comparing different stimuli, sex or when eyes were compared with each other. CONCLUSIONS: The standardization of pattern electroretinograms yield reproductibility of results and the possibility of further comparative studies.OBJETIVO: Realizar a normatização do eletrorretinograma por reversão alternada em indivíduos oftalmologicamente normais e sem doenças neurológicas associadas, determinando a faixa de normalidade estratificada por sexo, faixa etária e estímulo utilizado. MÉTODOS: A padronização seguiu o modelo proposto pela Organização Internacional de Eletrorretinografia e a normatização foi específica para o laboratório de potenciais evocados do Departamento de Neurologia da Faculdade de Ciências Médicas - Universidade Estadual de Campinas. Dois tipos de estímulos foram utilizados: o denominado estímulo 16, que proporciona ângulo visual de 60 minutos de arco e o de 32, que proporciona ângulo visual de 30. RESULTADOS: Em todos os pacientes obteve-se uma onda positiva, definida internacionalmente como P50 e uma negativa, chamada N95, sem a presença de artefatos. Foram observados intervalos de normalidade que continham a média das latências, amplitudes e durações das curvas positiva e negativa, internacionalmente aceitas. As ondas P50 e N95 apresentaram diferenças significativas na amplitude, latência e duração quando comparadas às diversas faixas etárias, ocorrendo diminuição na amplitude das ondas e aumento na latência total do eletrorretinograma com o aumento da idade. Construíram-se tabelas com intervalo de predição de 95% em relação à idade para a amplitude, latência e duração das curvas P50 e N95. CONCLUSÕES: A normatização do eletrorretinograma por reversão alternada proporciona a reprodutibilidade dos resultados e a possibilidade de estudos comparativos.50551

The Prevalence Of Tic Disorders In Children And Adolescents In Brazil.

Tourette syndrome (TS) and tic disorders represent events of familiar magnitude characterized by involuntary movements and/or vocalization. To determine the prevalence of TS/tic disorders we studied a sample of 762 subjects (388 M, 374 F), between 1992 and 1997, age 6 to 43 years old, taken out of a population of 10,155 subjects (4,918 M, 5,237 F; age: 3-56 years old). A structured 4-item questionnaire, direct interview (multistaged), >1 yr follow-up, were used. 9,565 subjects (4,614 M, 4,951 F) sent back the questionnaires, 3,354 of these (1,671 M, 1,683 F) with positive answers to tics. 42 subjects (31 M, 11 F, age: 7-21 years old, mean: 11 years old) met the DSM-III-R criteria. The total minimal prevalence of TS is 0.43%, with a 3:1 ratio male/female. The minimal prevalence of chronic tic disorder is 2.27%. The total minimal prevalence for tic disorders at all is 2.91%. No special education students participation

Intrathecal Synthesis Of Specific Immunoglobulin G Antibodies In Neurocysticercosis: Evaluation Of Antibody Concentrations By Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay Using A Whole Cysticercal Extract And Cyst Vesicular Fluid As Antigens.

The demonstration of intrathecal antibody production has proven useful for showing the involvement of the central nervous system (CNS) in several diseases. In the present study, the intrathecal synthesis of cysticercus-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies was investigated in 30 patients with neurocysticercosis based on calculation of the specific IgG antibody index (AI(IgG)). An AI(IgG) > or =1.5 was considered to be indicative of intrathecal antibody production. Antibody concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid samples were evaluated using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with 2 antigen preparations from Taenia solium cysticerci, namely, a whole cysticercal extract (TsoW) and the vesicular fluid of the parasite (TsoVF). Intrathecal, cysticercus-specific IgG antibody synthesis was observed in 21 (70%) and 23 (76.6%) patients using the TsoW and TsoVF antigens, respectively. The detection of the intrathecal synthesis of specific antibodies may be a potentially useful tool in establishing the involvement of CNS in cysticercosis.5445-

Laryngeal electromyography in movement disorders: Preliminary data

This study describes preliminary laryngeal electromyography (LEMG) data and botulinum toxin treatment in patients with dysphonia due to movement disorders. Twenty-five patients who had been clinically selected for botulinum toxin administration were examined, 19 with suspected laryngeal dystonia or spasmodic dysphonia (SD), 5 with vocal tremor, and 1 with Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS). LEMG evaluations were performed before botulinum toxin administration using monopolar electrodes. Electromyography was consistent with dystonia in 14 patients and normal in 5, and differences in frequency suggesting essential tremor in 3 and Parkinson tremors in 2. The different LEMG patterns and significant improvement in our patients from botulinum toxin therapy has led us to perform laryngeal electromyography as a routine in UNICAMP movement disorders ambulatory