Table of contents
December 2007 Volume 3 No 12
Viewpoint
Complete pain relief: potential problems and diagnostic solutions
648The search for the perfect pain reliever continues, with several drugs targeting pain-specific pathways in clinical and preclinical development. Pain is a protective mechanism, however, so complete pain control might also have its downsides. This Viewpoint aims to launch a debate on how the use of a perfect pain blocker can be implemented in a safe and effective fashion.
doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0660 | Full Text | PDF (114K)
Research Highlights
The therapeutic potential of rhEPO in multiple sclerosis and Friedreich's ataxia
650High-dose idebenone to improve neurological function in Friedreich's ataxia
650Oligoclonal bands add information to MRI in predicting development of multiple sclerosis
651Clinical benefit of miglustat in Niemann–Pick type C disease
651Deleting redox modifier gene slows disease progression in ALS mouse model
652A fast, noninvasive screening procedure for patients with functional brain disorders
652Tamoxifen treats symptoms of mania in patients with bipolar disorder
653New drug for schizophrenia modulates glutamate transmission
653Targeting T cells to prevent secondary damage following traumatic brain injury
653Cerebellar hemorrhagic injury affects neurodevelopment in preterm infants
654APOE-associated accumulation of dementia in sporadic CJD
654No restrictive valvular heart disease observed in 90 PD patients on low pergolide doses
655Practice Points
Rotigotine skin patch for the treatment of fluctuating Parkinson's disease—how does it compare with pramipexole?
656doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0632 | Full Text | PDF (114K)
Simple scoring system to predict outcome in Guillain–Barré syndrome
658doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0635 | Full Text | PDF (118K)
Psychiatric comorbidity in adolescents with chronic daily headache—a call for increased vigilance
660doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0655 | Full Text | PDF (115K)
Can early epilepsy surgery in infants improve their developmental outcome?
662doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0659 | Full Text | PDF (114K)
Reviews
Drug Insight: impulse control disorders and dopamine therapies in Parkinson's disease
664A range of impulse control disorders (ICDs), including pathological gambling, compulsive shopping and impulsive aggression, has been recognized in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). This Review provides the neurologist with an understanding of the clinical and biological features of ICDs and the nature of their relationship with PD. The authors also offer guidance on the management of PD patients with an ICD.
doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0680 | Full Text | PDF (216K)
Surgery Insight: surgical management of epilepsy
673It is estimated that around one-third of patients with new-onset epilepsy will eventually develop medically intractable seizures. Many patients with intractable epilepsy are likely to benefit from surgery, which, by controlling the seizures, can substantially improve quality of life and reduce the costs of medical care. In this article, Kuzniecky and Devinsky review the current surgical management of epilepsy, including identification of candidates, localization of the seizure focus, and surgical techniques.
doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0663 | Full Text | PDF (379K)
Mechanisms of Disease: the PI3K–Akt–PTEN signaling node—an intercept point for the control of angiogenesis in brain tumors
682Despite advances in treatment approaches for patients with high-grade glioma, the overall prognosis remains poor. In this article, Castellino and Durden highlight the important role of angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of brain tumors, and discuss the development of new therapies that target angiogenesis in high-grade glioma by regulating the activity of the PI3K–Akt–PTEN signaling node.
doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0661 | Full Text | PDF (430K)
Case Study
Familial adenomatous polyposis in a patient with unexplained mental retardation
694The implementation of array comparative genomic hybridization in clinical practice has helped to identify syndromes in patients that were previously unsuspected. This Case Study describes a patient with mental retardation who was found to have an interstitial deletion of chromosome 5 encompassing the adenomatous polyposis coli tumor suppressor locus, with major implications for her care and management.
doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0658 | Full Text | PDF (399K)
Training Matters
Evaluating medical students' performance in a clinical setting
702doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0654 | Full Text | PDF (114K)
