Concrete and relational vocabulary: comparison between Williams and Smith-Magenis syndromes.

We compared the performance of two clinical groups, Williams syndrome (WS) and Smith-Magenis syndrome (SMS), in terms of concrete and relational vocabulary. We analyzed (a) whether the WS group had an advantage in concrete vocabulary when compared to the SMS group, as good concrete vocabulary knowledge is considered a hallmark of WS; (b) if spatial processing difficulties in WS would be reflected specifically in their knowledge of relational spatial vocabulary; (c) if a specific vocabulary profile could be outlined for SMS. Our results show similar performances on receptive concrete and relational vocabulary in both groups. However, and as anticipated, performance on relational space concepts was significantly lower in the WS group.

Alteraciones de la esfera emocional y el control de los impulsos en la enfermedad de Parkinson / Disorders affecting the emotional sphere and impulse control in Parkinson’s disease

Introducción. La enfermedad de Parkinson (EP) se asocia a síntomas emocionales y conductuales que contribuyen a la morbilidad y pérdida de calidad de vida de los pacientes. Entre ellos destacan la depresión, la ansiedad y el trastorno del control de los impulsos. Desarrollo. El correcto abordaje de la EP pasa por reconocer y tratar diversos síntomas neuropsiquiátricos. Los trastornos afectivos pueden constituir síntomas iniciales de la enfermedad, tienen elevada prevalencia y una etiopatogenia compleja. Los trastornos del control de los impulsos no suelen ser una queja espontánea del paciente, por lo que la indagación acerca de estos síntomas puede ser la única forma de detectar y manejar un serio problema sociofamiliar. El tratamiento farmacológico de estos trastornos es difícil, al tener que preservar el control de los síntomas motores. El apoyo psicológico desde etapas tempranas y a lo largo del proceso evolutivo de la EP resulta fundamental. Conclusiones. Es necesario que el neurólogo y profesionales implicados en el tratamiento de los pacientes con EP estén atentos a la aparición de las manifestaciones emocionales y conductuales de esta enfermedad. Ello redundará en un correcto tratamiento del paciente y una mejor adaptación de su ntorno familiar y social (AU)

Introduction. Parkinson’s disease (PD) is associated with mood and behavioral symptoms contributing to morbidity and reduced quality of life of the patients. Most characteristic are depression, anxiety and impulse control disorder. Development. Identification and treatment of neuropsychiatric symptoms is necessary for an appropriate management of PD. Affective symptoms may be the initial manifestation of PD, are highly prevalent and pathogenically complex. Impulse control disorders are usually not a spontaneous complaint, so asking about these symptoms may be the only way to detect and treat a serious socio-familial problem. Pharmacological treatment of these manifestations is difficult to balance with an adequate control of motor symptoms. Psychological support from early stages and throughout the evolution of PD is fundamental. Conclusions. Neurologist and other healthcare professionals treating PD patients need to be aware of behavioral and emotional manifestations of the disease. This will lead to an appropriate patient management and better adaptation of the familial and social situation (AU)