Specific EEG changes associated with atrophy of hippocampus in subjects with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

We evaluated the association between hippocampal atrophy and increase of the EEG markers alpha3/alpha2 relative power ratio in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease patients. Seventy-nine subjects with MCI and 11 patients with AD underwent EEG recording and MRI scan. The MCI group was subdivided in three subgroups according to growing hippocampal atrophy. The groups were characterized by alpha3/alpha2 relative power ratio. In AD patients group mapped hippocampal regions were computed and related with alpha3/alpha2 power ratio. Results show that the increase of alpha3/alpha2 power ratio is correlated with atrophy of hippocampus both in MCI and in Alzheimer's disease patients. This finding confirms the possible diagnostic role of EEG markers as diagnostic and prognostic factors in patient with prodromal and declared Alzheimer's disease.

Volumetric differences in mapped hippocampal regions correlate with increase of high alpha rhythm in Alzheimer's disease.

Objective. The increase of high alpha relative to low alpha power has been recently demonstrated as a reliable EEG marker of hippocampal atrophy conversion of patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Alzheimer's disease (AD). In the present study we test the reliability of this EEG index in subjects with AD. Methods. Correlation between EEG markers and volumetric differences in mapped hippocampal regions was estimated in AD patients. Results. Results show that the increase of alpha3/alpha2 power ratio is correlated with atrophy of mapped hippocampal regions in Alzheimer's disease. Conclusions. The findings confirm the possible diagnostic role of EEG markers.

Methotrexate and the photodermatitis reactivation reaction: a case report and review of the literature.

Methotrexate is an antimitotic and immunosuppressive agent used for the treatment of cancer, psoriasis, and rheumatologic disorders and for the termination of ectopic pregnancies. Physicians advising patients on the use of methotrexate need to be aware of its possible side effects, including photosensitivity. We present a patient who received methotrexate for the termination of an ectopic pregnancy and experienced a severe reactivation of her sunburn. The literature was reviewed on the types of photosensitivity and their relationship to methotrexate.