Evaluation of vesico-urethral and sweating function in disorders presenting with parkinsonism.

Investigation of vesico-urethral and sweating function was performed in twelve patients with classical idiopathic Parkinson's disease and ten patients with parkinsonism associated with features suggestive of more extensive involvement of the nervous system, as in the Shy-Drager syndrome. The urodynamic studies revealed detrusor hyperreflexia with reduction of maximal cystometric capacity in only one patient with Parkinson's disease (8%), but in nine patients with parkinsonism associated with other features (90%). Urethral sphincter electromyography did not indicate denervation in any patient of either group. Delayed or incomplete relaxation of the urethral sphincter during micturition was observed in seven patients with Parkinson's disease (58%) and in two patients of the other group (20%). Decreased sweating responses were found in both groups of patients when compared with control subjects. Hypohidrosis was more pronounced in parkinsonism associated with other features than in Parkinson's disease. Differences in sweating between the two sides of the body were observed in both groups of patients. Although there are differences in vesico-urethral and sweating function, they do not precisely differentiate between patients with classical Parkinson's disease and those with parkinsonism associated with features suggestive of more extensive involvement of the nervous system.

[Nosography of the Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome]. / Contributo alla nosografia della sindrome di Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl. Presentazione di due casi clinici

The Author presents two cases of Laurence-Moon-Bardet-Biedl syndrome, characterized from a rare psychopathologic symptom consisting in a state of delirium (first case); by lack of obesity and oligophrenia (first case), and of familiarity (second case).

Effect of ECT and imipramine treatment on the concentration of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) and homovanillic acid (HVA) in the cerebrospinal fluid of depressed patients.

The influence of probenecid administration on 5HIAA and HVA concentrations in the CSF of depressed patients, was studied before and after treatment with imipramine or ECT. The average increase of the two metabolites in the CSF after probenecid was similar in the untreated depressed patients and in the same patients improved after both imipramine or ECT treatment. The treatment determined a significant increase in the CSF concentration of the acid metabolites also before the probenecid administration.