Table of contents
November 2006 Volume 2 No 11
Editorial
Viewpoints
Cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine have a role in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease
578The prescription of cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease is a matter for debate. In this Viewpoint, the authors argue that the use of these drugs is justified, provided that patients or their decision makers are given accurate information on their modest benefits.
The middle way: a practical approach to prescribing opioids for chronic pain
580The use of opioids for the treatment of nonmalignant chronic pain remains controversial. The authors of this Viewpoint discuss the complexities of opioid therapy and present a balanced approach to prescribing these drugs.
Research Highlights
Inhibiting endostatin expression could reduce secondary injury following TBI
582Cognitive impairment is common in hemodialysis patients
583Site of infarct affects frequency and recovery from headache in lacunar stroke
583Differences in the pathogenesis of migraine and cluster headache
584Increase in seizure frequency associated with common hormone replacement therapy
584Oxcarbazepine increases the levels of some androgens
585Human prion gene polymorphism influences Wilson's disease onset
585Hyperforin shows therapeutic potential in a rodent model of amyloidosis
585Cognitive behavioral therapy is more effective than zopiclone for insomnia in older adults
586Neuroprotective role for reactive astrocytes after traumatic brain injury
586Practice Points
Are C-reactive protein levels before thrombolysis of prognostic value?
588Can D-dimer levels identify patients at risk for early neurological deterioration in acute ischemic stroke?
590Are D-dimer levels after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage predictive of outcome?
592Does somatosensory evoked potential monitoring have a role during cervical corpectomy?
594Randomized trial supports use of levetiracetam adjunctive therapy to treat partial seizures in children
596Reviews
Drug Insight: new drugs in development for Parkinson's disease
600Levodopa is the mainstay of treatment for Parkinson's disease, but it is unable to halt the progression of the disease, and it is also associated with undesirable side effects, including motor fluctuations and dyskinesia. This Review highlights new therapeutic strategies in Parkinson's disease, including neuroprotective therapies and non-dopaminergic drugs, as well as improvements to the existing dopaminergic drugs.
doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0340 | Full Text | PDF (191K)
Technology Insight: ultrasound measurement of carotid plaque—patient management, genetic research, and therapy evaluation
611Atherosclerosis, which is the underlying cause of a large proportion of strokes, has traditionally been assessed by measuring carotid intima–media thickness. As David Spence discusses in this Review, however, ultrasound measurement of carotid plaque area and volume is emerging as a powerful new tool for measuring atherosclerosis burden, and it is becoming evident that intima–media thickness and carotid plaque reflect biologically and genetically different aspects of the atherosclerotic process.
doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0324 | Full Text | PDF (315K)
Mechanisms of Disease: mitochondria as new therapeutic targets in diabetic neuropathy
620Diabetic neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes mellitus, and there are currently no effective treatments for this condition. In this Review, Leinninger et al. discuss the proposed role of mitochondrial degeneration in the pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy, and highlight potential mitochondrial sites for therapeutic intervention.
doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0320 | Full Text | PDF (282K)
Case Study
An approach to the patient with late-onset cerebellar ataxia
629doi:10.1038/ncpneuro0319 | Full Text | PDF (185K)
