Prospective Characterization of Cognitive Function in Typical and ‘Brainstem Predominant'Progressive Supranuclear Palsy Phenotypes

OBJECTIVE: Clinicopathological studies over the last decade have broadened the clinical spectrum of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) to include several distinct clinical syndromes. We examined the cognitive profiles of patients with PSP-Richardson's syndrome (PSP-RS) and two atypical ‘brainstem predominant' PSP phenotypes (PSP-parkinsonism, PSP-P; and PSP-pure akinesia with gait freezing, PSP-PAGF) using a comprehensive neuropsychological battery. METHODS: Fourteen patients diagnosed as PSP-RS, three patients with PSP-P and four patients with PSP-PAGF were assessed using a comprehensive battery of neuropsychological tests.

updated global picture of cigarette smoking persistence among adults

Cross-national variance in smoking prevalence is relatively well documented. The aim of this study is to estimate levels of smoking persistence across 21 countries with a hypothesized inverse relationship between country income level and smoking persistence. Data from the World Health Organization World Mental Health Survey Initiative were used to estimate cross-national differences in smoking persistence-the proportion of adults who started to smoke and persisted in smoking by the date of the survey. There is large variation in smoking persistence from 25% [Nigeria] to 85% [China], with a random-effects meta-analytic summary estimate of 55% with considerable cross-national variation. [Cochran's heterogeneity Q statistic = 6845; p < 0.001]. Meta-regressions indicated that observed differences are not attributable to differences in country's income level, age distribution of smokers, or how recent the onset of smoking began within each country. While smoking should remain an important public health issue in any country where smokers are present, this report identifies several countries with higher levels of smoking persistence [namely, China and India]