Corpus callosum agenesis and rehabilitative treatment

Corpus callosum agenesis is a relatively common brain malformation. It can be isolated or included in a complex alteration of brain (or sometimes even whole body) morphology. It has been associated with a number of neuropsychiatric disorders, from subtle neuropsychological deficits to Pervasive Developmental Disorders

Autism and classification systems: a study of 84 children

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>A number of studies have shown that current classification systems (ICD 10, DSM IV TR) have limitation when applied to autistic children and the category PDD NOS (DSM IV TR) has in particular been criticized. To check the possible usefulness of other classification systems to better describe patient's functioning, we retrospectively studied 84 patients, seen consecutively in our Child Neurology and Psychiatry Department (excluding only those presenting for another disease even if with clinical signs of a PDD).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We tried to classify them according to ICD 10, DSM IV TR, CFTMEA-R, "operational classification" (Manzano and Palacio) and de Ajuriaguerra's classification.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found a good correspondence between DSM IV TR and ICD 10 and the use of psychodynamic classification systems (in particular CFTMEA-R) was useful to differentiate clinical subtypes collected under the PDD NOS etiquette according to DSM IV TR.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>To rationalize research efforts and find better tailored therapies, we need to improve PDD classification systems, using contributions coming from every field of child psychiatry and neurology: it's possible that 0-3 Classification could help this.</p

Arm trajectories and writing strategy in healthy children

BACKGROUND: Evaluation of elementary writing skills in children is usually obtained with high resolution (and high cost) techniques or with low resolution pen-and-paper tests. In this observational study we tested a quantitative method to obtain normative data to describe arm movement during a writing precursor gesture. METHODS: We recruited 226 healthy children (mean age 9,1 years [range: 6.3 – 11.4 years]), attending primary schools belonging to the “Istituto Comprensivo” of Rivanazzano Terme (Pavia). We asked to drive a cursor through a polygonal path (labyrinth) projected in front of them using a wireless mouse. Dartfish™ video analysis software was used to elaborate images and Excel™, MedCalc™ and Statistica 7™ to analyze values of shoulder, elbow and wrist ranges of motion, arm trajectories, execution times and gesture accuracy. RESULTS: Differences seen in motor strategies, when divided according to attended class, suggest a proximal-distal maturation of motor control. Obtained values were not significantly correlated with variables such as gender, ethnicity or cognitive functioning. CONCLUSIONS: This type of approach to a study of arm movement during childhood represents a valid alternative to other tests, considering that it can differentiate children who perform similarly in the VMI test and is non-invasive, low-cost and easily reproducible

Pain and physical medicine

Abstract: The first stage of any physical medicine intervention for a patient with pain is an accurate diagnosis. This allows a decision on the proposed therapy to be made according to the clinical picture. Recent classifications of pain allow us to divide pain management treatment into three specific groups, aimed at: (1) cancer pain, (2) pain (acute, sub-acute or chronic) as a symptom of a specific pathology, and (3) chronic non-malignant pain. In this article, we offer a summary of our clinical experience regarding the drafting of rehabilitation plans for patients with pain who have been referred to us. Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of European Federation of International Association for the Study of Pain Chapters