ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate alterations of balance function in patients with mild-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) and with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI),and the possibility of using posturography to differentiate aMCI,mild-moderate AD and normal subjects. Methods The balance function of 20 patients with mild-moderate AD and 20 patients with aMCI were evaluated by posturography,and 20 healthy subjects of the same age range were recruited as controls.Results All posturography measures were significantly altered in mild-moderate AD patients compared with normal controls,with limits of stability( ( 15 398 ± 926 ) mm2 vs ( 31 654 ± 2132 ) mm2 ),open-eyed Mean X ( ( 10. 2 ± 4. 1 ) mm vs (5.8 ± 1. 4)mm) ,Mean Y(( -29.8 ± 10.2)mm vs ( -14.9 ±4.4) mm),Max X((30.5 ±9.5)mm vs (18.3 ±4. 1)mm ),Max Y((42.7 ± 11.4)mm vs (23.3 ±6.8)mm),LSKG((528.4 ± 105.4)mm vs (390. 3 ± 68.4 ) mm ),SSKG ( ( 252. 5 ± 89. 7 ) mm2 vs ( 178.8 ± 40. 9 ) mm2 ),close-eyed Mean X ((13. 1 ±4. 5) mm vs (7.9 ± 1.5)mm) ,Mean Y (( -58.2 ± 16. 9) mm vs ( -25.6 ±5.4) mm) ,Max X ((37.7±10.5)mm vs (24.7 ±7.3) mm ),Max Y ((78.5±18.7)mm vs (39.9 ±9.9) mm),LSKG ((816.6±171.3) mm vs (533.5 ±97.4) mm),SSKG((649.0 ± 129.7) mm2 vs (290.5 ±73.3) mm2),respectively ( t = 8.57; open-eyed F = 17.41,38. 10,60. 46,102. 10,29. 31,27. 85; close-eyed F = 37.20,541.79,34. 51,185.56,122. 83,384. 27 ;all P ＜0. 05) ;limits of stability ( (23 921 ± 1637 )mm2 vs (31 654 ±2132 ) mm2 ) and mean Y ( Antero-posterior sway,( - 39. 8 ± 8. 6 ) mm vs ( - 25.6±5.4 ) mm) were the only parameters which discriminated between aMCI and normal controls,respectively ( t = 6. 50,P = 0. 038; t =- 15.34,P = 0. 012). Conclusions Impairment in balance is a feature not only of mild-moderate AD,but also of aMCI,and posturography may be used as a possible test in differentiating between normal subjects,patients with aMCI and patients with mild-moderate AD whose motor performance and balance features are otherwise clinically normal,limits of stability and mean Y are the most sensitive parameters.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the influence of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitor in a rat model of Parkinson’s disease. Methods Hemi-Parkinsonism rat model was established by stereotaxic 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesions in striatum in which nitric oxide synthase (NOS) was inhibited by L-Nitro-Arginine (L-NNA) and apomorphin-induced rotational behavior was measured. The immunohistochemical staining method was used to observe the change of striatal nNOS-positive neurons and nigral tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)-positive neurons. Results L-NNA dramatically protected 6-OHDA-injected rats against indices of severe injury to the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway, including decreases in numbers of TH-positive nigral neurons and rotational behavior. The nNOS-positive neurons showed no changes in numbers. Conclusions These results indicate that NO might mediate, in part, 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity and nNOS-positive neurons might resist the 6-OHDA neurotoxicity. NOS inhibitor may play a role in the protection of 6-OHDA neurons.