0000000000173773
AUTHOR
Laura Pilati
O047. The sound-induced flash illusions reveal visual cortex hyperexcitability in cluster headache
Objectives Pathophysiology of cluster headache (CH) is not wellknown. Although posterior hypothalamus has been suggested to play a pivotal role, evidence exists of a more diffuse involvement of the central nervous system including brainstem and cerebral cortex. In this regard, we recently observed increased motor cortical excitability in episodic CH patients both outside and inside bout [1]. The sound-induced flash illusions (SIFI) represent an example of multisensory integration, and provide a tool to indirectly explore the excitability state of the visual cortex [2]. SIFI are classified as “fission” and “fusion” illusions. When one visual stimulus (flash) is accompanied by two or more aud…
P072. The visual cortical excitability in pediatric migraine as tested by sound-induced flash illusions
Objectives Sound-induced flash illusions (SIFI) depend on visual cortex (V1) excitability [1]. In adults with migraine, in response to visual-acoustic illusions, V1 is hyperexcitable [2]. Susceptibility to SIFI is increased in children than adults. During childhood there is a change in sensory dominance: acoustic dominant switching to a visual [3]. Here we used SIFI to evaluate V1 excitability in children with migraine assessing also age-related differences in cross-modal audio-visual perception.
Transcranial random noise stimulation over the primary motor cortex in PD-MCI patients: a crossover, randomized, sham-controlled study
AbstractMild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a very common non-motor feature of Parkinson’s disease (PD) and the non-amnestic single-domain is the most frequent subtype. Transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS) is a non-invasive technique, which is capable of enhancing cortical excitability. As the main contributor to voluntary movement control, the primary motor cortex (M1) has been recently reported to be involved in higher cognitive functioning. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of tRNS applied over M1 in PD-MCI patients in cognitive and motor tasks. Ten PD-MCI patients, diagnosed according to the Movement Disorder Society, Level II criteria for MCI, underwent active (re…
OnabotulinumtoxinA Modulates Visual Cortical Excitability in Chronic Migraine: Effects of 12-Week Treatment
Chronic migraine is a burdensome disease presenting with episodic pain and several symptoms that may persist even among headache attacks. Multisensory integration is modified in migraine, as assessed by the level of the perception of sound-induced flash illusions, a simple paradigm reflecting changes in cortical excitability which reveals to be altered in migraineurs. OnabotulinumtoxinA is an effective preventive therapy for chronic migraineurs, reducing peripheral and central sensitization, and may influence cortical excitability. Patients affected by chronic migraine who started onabotulinumtoxinA preventive therapy were included. Clinical effects (headache diaries and migraine related qu…
Incidence of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia in Parkinson's Disease: The Parkinson's Disease Cognitive Impairment Study.
Background: Cognitive impairment in Parkinson's disease (PD) includes a spectrum varying from Mild Cognitive Impairment (PD-MCI) to PD Dementia (PDD). The main aim of the present study is to evaluate the incidence of PD-MCI, its rate of progression to dementia, and to identify demographic and clinical characteristics which predict cognitive impairment in PD patients. Methods: PD patients from a large hospital-based cohort who underwent at least two comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations were retrospectively enrolled in the study. PD-MCI and PDD were diagnosed according to the Movement Disorder Society criteria. Incidence rates of PD-MCI and PDD were estimated. Clinical and demographic…
Erenumab and Possible CGRP Effect on Chronotype in Chronic Migraine: A Real-Life Study of 12 Months Treatment
The introduction of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) directed against the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), or its receptor (CGRPr), revolutionized migraine management due to their high efficacy and few side effects. Data suggest that the CGRP may even be implicated in circadian rhythm, but studies about the effect of anti-CGRP treatments on sleep are still lacking. The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of erenumab (70 and 140 mg per month), a human mAb directed against CGRPr, on chronotype in chronic migraineurs; secondly, we assessed its efficacy, safety, and the effects on anxiety and depression. Sleep was evaluated using self-administrable questionnaires investigating …
Migraine and Sport in a Physically Active Population of Students: Results of a Cross‐Sectional Study
Abstract Objective: In this study, we explored the relationship between migraine and sport in a physically active population of students, analyzing the risk of migraine among sporty students. Background: The relationship between sport and migraine is controversial; moreover, several studies report on sport as a migraine trigger, but there is evidence that physical activity could have a relevant role in migraine prevention. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the validated ID-migraine questionnaire including specific demo-anthropometric (gender, age, weight, height) and sports variables on a potentially active student population of the University of Palermo. Evaluation in p…
Sleep and Chronobiology as a Key to Understand Cluster Headache
The cluster headache is a primary headache characterized by attacks of unilateral pain associated with ipsilateral cranial autonomic features. These attacks recur in clusters during the years alternating with periods of complete remission, and their onset is often during the night. This annual and nocturnal periodicity hides a strong and mysterious link among CH, sleep, chronobiology and circadian rhythm. Behind this relationship, there may be the influence of genetic components or of anatomical structures such as the hypothalamus, which are both involved in regulating the biological clock and contributing even to the periodicity of cluster headaches. The bidirectional relationship manifest…
Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome complicated by subacute beriberi neuropathy in an alcoholic patient.
Thiamine (vitamin B1) deficiency is a common condition in alcohol abusers, which can lead to damage of both the peripheral and the central nervous systems. Here we describe the case of an alcoholic patient who presented with acute onset of ataxia, severe weakness of the four limbs, and hypoesthesia and dysesthesia of the distal portion of the upper and lower extremities. The clinical picture also included mental confusion and amnesia. A diagnosis of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome was made based on clinical symptoms and brain RMI findings. Electromyography and electroneurography revealed signs of subacute axonal sensory-motor polyneuropathy that were compatible with a rare acute presentation of…
Twenty-four-hour blood pressure profile in idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder
Abstract Study Objectives To determine whether autonomic dysfunction in idiopathic REM sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) affects circadian blood pressure (BP) profile. Methods Twenty-one iRBD (mean age 68.8 ± 6.4, mean age at onset 62.2 ± 9.3), 21 drug-free de novo Parkinson’s disease (PD) and 21 control participants (HCs), comparable for age and sex, underwent 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring. A prospective follow-up study was performed to evaluate the occurrence of neurodegenerative disorders in the iRBD cohort. Results In the iRBD group, nighttime systolic BP (SBP) was higher (124.0 ± 20.0, p = .026), nocturnal BP decrease lower (4.0 ± 8.7% for SBP and 8.7 ± 8.0% for diastolic BP [DBP], p = .0…
Neurophysiological evaluation of visual function in iRBD: potential role in stratifying RBD conversion risk.
Abstract Study objectives To evaluate neurophysiological alterations of visual function in idiopathic REM sleep Behavior Disorder (iRBD) both as markers and predictors of neurodegenerative disorders. Methods In a longitudinal follow-up study of 46 consecutive iRBD patients (follow-up duration 8.4 ± 3.4 years), the baseline parameters in luminance-contrast pattern (VEPp), red-green color (VEPc) and motion-onset (VEPm) Visual Evoked Potentials in iRBD were compared to early (ePD) and advanced (aPD) Parkinson's Disease subjects. Parameters of latency and amplitude of iRBD converters to neurodegenerative disease were compared with those of the non-converters. Results The VEP P100 mean latency v…