Every year, 15 million people worldwide suffer a stroke, when the blood
supply to the brain is blocked orwhen a blood vessel in the brain bursts. After a stroke, specific pattern of cortical ...reorganization has been described (1). During the past few years, three principles for remodeling motor cortex; forced use of the affected limb (2, 3,), constraining the unaffected limb (5), and massed practice (6), showed very promising results (7, 8, 9, 10)
But the question remains:What’s the most effectiveway to reach restoration of the whole body movement?
Advances in clinical neurology, embodied cognitive neuroscience and
computer technology have made possible the emergence of a new set of
neurorehabilitation tools, helping physiatrists and neurologist to find evidence-based answers in the formof clinical trials. Interface here are define as a point of interaction helping communication between the patient and his own body, using feedback and feedforward signals.
Although electroneuro- and electromyography are still the leading diagnostic methods for investigation of peripheral nerve function, they do not provide information on their morphology. This study ...was conducted to evaluate the suitability of ultrasonography in visualization of median nerve in healthy volunteers. Twenty-five asymptomatic volunteers (17 women and 8 men), age range 21-47 years, participated in the study. Body height was measured and handedness ascertained, as well as average time spent daily working on a computer. The device used was Aloka Prosound Alpha10 Premier with a 13-MHz probe, using custom preset for musculoskeletal sonography. The following dimensions of median nerve at the pisiform bone level were measured bilaterally: cross-sectional area (CSA), circumference, and longer and shorter diameter. Using the latter values, the flattening ratio (FR) was calculated. Median nerve and the surrounding soft tissue structures were easily depicted in all study subjects. The mean median nerve CSA was 9.70 mm2 (range 5-15 mm2, SD 2.25 mm2), mean FR (longer/shorter diameter) 4.04 (range 2.16-6.08), and median height 172.72 cm. Only one subject was left-handed. The mean time spent daily working on a computer (overall mean of 3.2 h/day) did not correlate with either CSA or FR for the dominant hand. In four subjects, an aberrant artery accompanying median nerve was visualized. High-resolution sonographic imaging is a fast and noninvasive method for assessment of various morphological properties of median nerve and can be used to enhance diagnostic efficiency.
Patients with cerebrovascular risk factors are nowadays recognized as being at an increased risk of developing cognitive decline of both types. In this pilot study, we evaluated the levels of ...cholesterol (total, HDL, LDL) in patients with both vascular dementia (VD) and Alzheimer's type of dementia (AD). Cognitive decline was assessed using Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) as a standardized method. The study included 66 patients diagnosed with dementia. AD was diagnosed in 43 patients (22 male and 21 female) mean age (+/- SD) 72.79 +/- 8.19 years and VD in 23 patients (mean age +/- SD, 77.43 +/- 7.58 years). In AD group, 18 patients had cholesterol values within the normal range, whereas 25 patients had elevated levels of cholesterol. The mean value of total plasma cholesterol was 5.39 (SD = 1.05), LDL cholesterol 3.33 (SD = 0.95) and HDL cholesterol 1.41 (SD = 0.34). In VD group, 11 patients had cholesterol values within the normal range, whereas 12 patients had elevated levels of cholesterol. In this group, the mean value of total plasma cholesterol was 5.78 (SD = 1.06), HDL cholesterol 1.44 (SD = 0.57) and LDL cholesterol 3.72 (SD = 0.85). Total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol levels were higher in the group of patients with VD, however, the difference was not statistically significant.
Mirror illusion means that standing in front of a mirror placed in sagittal plane, with the head tilted on one side and one arm stretched forward, one side of the body is reflected as if it were the ...other side by mirror visual feedback. The aim of this study was to monitor blood flow changes in middle cerebral artery (MCA) by use of transcranial Doppler (TCD) in individuals during motor tasks and tasks using mirror visual feedback. Eight young healthy volunteers (four male and four female) were included in the study. TCD recording in MCA was done during each task consisting of various motor and visuomotor activities using mirror illusion. Both MCA mean blow flow velocity (MBFV) was measured while the subjects were seated in a comfortable chair. The MCA MBFV recordings are presented as baseline values. During the illusion of motor hand activation, when the subject was making right hand flexions and watching its reflection in the mirror, with the left hand immobile, an increase was observed the contralateral MCA MBFV (task 3, +4.5% baseline value; P = 0.017). Furthermore, when the subject made left hand flexions while watching the reflection of the immobile right hand in the mirror, there was an increase in the right MCA MBFV (+5.6% baseline value; P = 0.044), which was more pronounced than during the illusion of motor hand activation (task 3) and less than during direct vision of hand flexion (task 2, +6.3% baseline value; P = 0.005). Our data showed that visual illusion of action, as well as direct action observation could increase the MCA MBFV, which brings forward the possible usage of mirror illusion as a tool in motor neurorehabilitation.
Parkinson's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases caused by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra. The neuropathologic hallmark of Parkinson's disease is the ...presence of Lewy bodies composed mostly of alpha-synuclein and ubiquitin. It is believed that the occurrence of Parkinson's disease is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but the exact mechanism of Parkinson's disease development is not fully elucidated. The most characteristic motor symptoms for Parkinson's disease include bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor and postural instability, while many patients also have non-motor signs and symptoms. The key therapeutic agent in the treatment of Parkinson's disease is L-dopa, and the others are dopaminergic agents, monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, amantadine and anticholinergic agents.
Parkinson's disease is one of the most common neurodegenerative diseases caused by degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra. The neuropathologic hallmark of Parkinson's disease is the ...presence of Lewy bodies composed mostly of alpha-synuclein and ubiquitin. It is believed that the occurrence of Parkinson's disease is due to a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but the exact mechanism of Parkinson's disease development is not fully elucidated. The most characteristic motor symptoms for Parkinson's disease include bradykinesia, rigidity, resting tremor and postural instability, while many patients also have non-motor signs and symptoms. The key therapeutic agent in the treatment of Parkinson's disease is L-dopa, and the others are dopaminergic agents, monoamine oxidase-B (MAO-B) inhibitors, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, amantadine and anticholinergic agents.
Background
Headaches are often under-diagnosed in adolescents. The aim of this study was to examine the one-year prevalence of primary headaches among high school students in the city of Zagreb, the ...capital of Croatia.
Methods
This was a population-based, cross-sectional study. A total of 2350 questionnaires consisting of questions on demographic data, the presence and clinical characteristics of headaches were distributed among students in eight high schools; 2057 (87.5%) questionnaires were eligible for analysis.
Results
The mean age of the students was 17.2 ± 1.2 years; 50.2% were female. The prevalence of recurrent headache was 30.1% (620/2057), girls 35.1%, boys 25.2%. Among students with headache, 291 (46.9%) had migraine, and 329 (53.1%) had tension-type headaches (TTHs). The mean frequency of headaches was 5.66 per month in girls and 4.42 in boys; mean duration of a headache attack was 8.94 hours in girls and 8.37 hours in boys (NS). Unilateral headache was present in 31.6%, throbbing quality in 22.6%, dull in 34.4% of students; 22.4% had severe intensity and 70.3% moderate. Nausea was present in 4.0% always and in 14.7% frequently (girls 18.8%), photophobia in 41.3%, phonophobia in 63.2%, osmophobia in 23.9% (NS among genders). Almost 30% of students were disabled and stayed at home, more frequently boys. Girls (33.4%) were more likely to take drugs for every attack; number per month was 3.7. The results of this study showed that the prevalence of migraine among adolescents in Croatia was 16.5% for girls and 11.8% for boys; the prevalence of TTH was 18.4% for girls and 13.4% for boys.
Conclusions
The prevalence of self-reported headache among high school students in Zagreb is relatively high. Significant gender differences in frequency and clinical characteristics were observed. Primary headaches among adolescents are an important public health problem and should receive more attention from school and health authorities.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The main purpose of this paper was to present single channel EEG records and heart rate (HR) changes during shooting routine of 8 experienced archers. Possible differences between recurve and ...compound shooters in named values were investigated in accordance to arrow score. Additional contribution of this study was systematical review of psychophysiological studies done in archery. Descriptive statistics revealed that compound shooters achieved higher arrow score values, had higher heart rate values pre, during and post shooting, had higher attention values pre, during and post shooting and very similar meditation values pre, during and post shooting according to recurve shooters. ANOVA showed significant differences (p<0,01) between compound shooters and recurve shooters in variables of arrow score, all heart rate and attention level variables, except ones concerning meditation levels. Overall, the obtained results were interesting and can serve as a starting ground for future experiments in order to reach valid and concrete biofeedback data that will support archery excellence.Original Abstract: Cilj ovog rada bila je prezentacija vrijednostije dnokanalnog mobilnog EEG-a i vrijednosti frekvencije srca tijekom gaethanja 8 vrsnih strelicara. Istrazivane su potencijalne razlike u navedenim varijablama u odnosu na postignuti rezultat izmeethu dvije vrste strelicara: sa zakrivljenim i slozenim lukom. Dodatna vrijednost ovog rada je i pregled svih radova koji se ticu psihofizioloskih mjera unutar strelicarstva. Deskriptivna statistika pokazala je kako strelicari sa slozenim lukom postizu bolje pogotke, imaju vise vrijednosti frekvencije srca prije, tijekom i nakon otpustanja/okidanja, imaju vise vrijednosti koncentracije/paznje prije, tijekom i nakon otpustanja/okidanja, i vrlo slicne vrijednosti opustenosti prije, tijekom i nakon otpustanja/okidanja u odnosu na strelicare sa zakrivljenim lukom. ANOVA je pokazala znacajne razlike (p<0,01) izmeethu strelicara sa slozenim i zakrivljenim lukom u varijablama vrijednosti pogotka,frekvencije srca i nivoa koncentracije/paznje. Zakljucno,dobiveni rezultati su zanimjivi i mogu posluziti kao osnova za buduca istrazivanja kako bi se dobili konkretni i pouzdani biofeedback protokoli koji ce poboljsati ukupnu strelicarsku izvedbu.
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