Drug-resistant MS spasticity treatment with Sativex(®) add-on and driving ability.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present observational study was to determine the effects of a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) oromucosal spray (Sativex(®) spray), brand name Sativex(®), indicated for drug-resistant MS spasticity, on the driving ability of treated MS patients. METHODS: The study was conducted over a period of 4-6 weeks. Thirty-three MS patients with moderate to severe treatment-resistant spasticity and planned to begin add-on treatment with Sativex(®) were enrolled at three specialized MS centres in Germany. A set of five driving test procedures from a validated computerized test battery was used to evaluate the driving ability of eligible patients. Tests were performed by patients at baseline and repeated after 4-6 weeks of treatment with Sativex(®) oromucosal spray. According to German normative data, the test thresholds achieved by the general population served as a reference to allow for a fitness/unfitness to drive classification. RESULTS: Patients showed comparable driving test results at baseline and at final visits. Only two patients changed classification shifting from 'unfit' to drive to 'fit' and vice versa. The mean severity of spasticity, as self-reported by the patients, improved with statistical significance. Sativex(®) was generally well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of MS patients with Sativex(®) does not negatively impact on driving ability and may improve moderate to severe treatment-resistant MS spasticity.

[Direct costs for Parkinson's treatment in private neurology practices in Berlin]. / Direkte Kosten der Parkinson-Behandlung : Eine Erhebung in neurologischen Schwerpunktpraxen in Berlin.

BACKGROUND: Aim of this study was to assess the direct costs of Parkinson's disease (PD) within a 3-month period (i.e. the accounting period for the German statutory health insurance) in 12 neurological outpatient practices in Berlin during 2006. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 425 patients (age 69.1+/-9.3 years, 185 females) were recruited, and sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained by a specific questionnaire. The distribution of costs was analyzed based on several clinical and patient parameters. The costs were calculated with different approaches: (1) prospectively, with the practices' accounting according to German uniform scales (GoA, EbM) and (2) retrospectively, with questionnaires for the Parkinson's patients. Costs were calculated according to current German guidelines of the statutory health insurance. Clinical parameters were assessed with a questionnaire for physicians. RESULTS: The direct medical costs totaled 1,667 EUR (range 1,436-1,995 EUR, CI 95%) per patient per 3 months. Charges by physicians were 42 EUR (39-45 EUR, CI 95%) for patients with statutory health insurance and 135 EUR (106-177 EUR, CI 95%) for those with private insurance. Disease severity and disease duration correlated with higher direct medical costs. Motor fluctuations and depression also were major factors influencing cost. CONCLUSION: Our study emphasizes the large economic burden caused mainly by PD medication and hospitalization. For the first time a direct comparison between costs and actual physicians' reimbursement was possible. In combination with further economic studies, this comparison will help to define shortcomings and excesses in PD health care services.

The Faces Symbol Test, a newly developed screening instrument to assess cognitive decline related to multiple sclerosis: first results of the Berlin Multi-Centre FST Validation Study.

Reliable, language-independent, short screening instruments to test for cognitive function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) remain rare, despite the high number of patients affected by cognitive decline. We developed a new, short screening instrument, the Faces Symbol Test (FST), and compared its diagnostic test characteristics with a composite of the Digit Symbol Substitution Test (DSST) and the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT), in 108 MS patients and 33 healthy controls. An Informant-Report Questionnaire, a Self-Report Questionnaire, and a neurologist's estimation of the Every Day Life Cognitive Status were also applied to the MS patients. The statistical analyses comprised of a receiver operating characteristic analysis for test accuracy and for confounding variables. The PASAT and DSST composite score estimated that 36.5% of the MS patients had cognitive impairment. The FST estimated that 40.7% of the MS patients were cognitively impaired (sensitivity 84%; specificity 85%). The FST, DSST and PASAT results were significantly correlated with the patients' physical impairment, as measured by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). The results suggest that the FST might be a culture-free, sensitive, and practical short screening instrument for the detection of cognitive decline in patients with MS, including those in the early stages.

Short-term efficacy of Epley's manoeuvre: a double-blind randomised trial.

BACKGROUND: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior canal (PC-BPPV) is a common vestibular disorder and can be easily treated with Epley's manoeuvre. Thus far, the short-term efficacy of Epley's manoeuvre for treatment of PC-BPPV is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of Epley's manoeuvre for treatment of PC-BPPV 24 h after applying the manoeuvre. METHODS: The short-term efficacy of Epley's manoeuvre was compared with a sham procedure in 66 patients with PC-BPPV by using a double-blind randomised study design. RESULTS: 24 h after treatment, 28 of 35 (80%) patients in the Epley's manoeuvre group had neither vertigo nor nystagmus on positional testing compared with 3 of 31 (10%) patients in the sham group (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Epley's manoeuvre is shown to resolve PC-BPPV both effectively and rapidly.

Self-treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: Semont maneuver vs Epley procedure.

The authors compared the efficacy of a self-applied modified Semont maneuver (MSM) with self-treatment with a modified Epley procedure (MEP) in 70 patients with posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The response rate after 1 week, defined as absence of positional vertigo and torsional/upbeating nystagmus on positional testing, was 95% in the MEP group (n = 37) vs 58% in the MSM group (n = 33; p < 0.001). Treatment failure was related to incorrect performance of the maneuver in the MSM group, whereas treatment-related side effects did not differ significantly between the groups.

Is visual field constriction in epilepsy patients treated with vigabatrin reversible?

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the reversibility of vigabatrin associated visual field constriction. BACKGROUND: Visual field constriction (VFC) occurs in approximately 40 % of epilepsy patients under treatment with vigabatrin (VGB). There is still controversy about whether VGB-associated VFC is reversible. From a cross-sectional study there is evidence that VFC does not reverse three to six months after stopping VGB treatment. So far, there are no long term studies on this subject. METHODS: We performed a follow-up study on 15 epilepsy patients (eight women, seven men, median age 45 (21-58) years) with VGB-associated VFC but otherwise normal ophthalmological examination. Kinetic and static perimetry was performed one and two years after VFC was diagnosed (baseline examination). Visual field size at first and at second year-follow-up was compared with the baseline examination. Because discontinuation of VGB-treatment was dependant on clinical needs, patients either stopped VGB treatment before or after VFC was diagnosed. In a small group of patients VGB treatment was continued despite of VFC. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in visual field size comparing baseline values with first year and second year follow-up examinations either in patients who stopped VGB treatment (n = 11) or in patients who continued VGB treatment on a reduced dosage (n = 4). CONCLUSION: Although our data are based on a relatively small group of patients there is evidence that VFC resulting from VGB treatment is not reversible in epilepsy patients after stopping the drug.

Visual field constriction in epilepsy patients treated with vigabatrin and other antiepileptic drugs: a prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Visual field constriction (VFC) has been described in about 30 % to 50 % of patients treated with the antiepileptic drug (AED) Vigabatrin (GVG). The exact incidence of VFC related to GVG exposure is unknown. Risk factors other than medication have not been identified as yet, and it is unclear whether the occurrence of VFC is restricted to the use of GVG. METHODS: In a longitudinal study, we investigated 60 epilepsy patients who received GVG and other AEDs. Patients underwent full ophthalmological examination including perimetry. RESULTS: 16 of 60 patients exposed to different AEDs developed VFC, which was judged as clinically relevant by an experienced neuroophthalmologist. VFC was observed significantly more often in patients treated with GVG as add-on- or monotherapy as compared with patients who had never been exposed to GVG (13/29 versus 3/31). Within the subgroup of 23 patients who received GVG as add-on therapy, those who developed VFC had been exposed to GVG for significantly longer than patients without VFC. The only non-treatment related feature associated with VFC was older age. Type and severity of epilepsy or type and number of concomitant AED were not related to the occurrence of VFC. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of an overrepresentation of VFC in patients receiving GVG and of a correlation between duration of GVG treatment and occurrence of VFC support the causal role of GVG treatment in the development of VFC. Old age is a possible risk factor for the development of VFC associated with GVG in epilepsy patients.

A positional maneuver for treatment of horizontal-canal benign positional vertigo.

Horizontal-canal benign positional vertigo (HC-BPV) is characterized by brief attacks of intense vertigo that are induced by mainly rolling over in bed. Examination shows a burst of purely horizontal nystagmus beating toward the undermost ear when the head is turned from supine to either lateral position. Two patients with typical HC-BPV were treated by a new positional procedure that aims to clear particles from the affected canal. The maneuver starts with the patient in the supine position and consists of three 90-degree head rotations toward the unaffected ear. Both patients had immediate and sustained relief of their attacks. No positional nystagmus could be elicited after the maneuver. The rapid cessation of positional vertigo and nystagmus adds evidence that HC-BPV is caused by dense particles that move within the canal whenever its orientation toward gravity is changed.

[Migraine: differential diagnosis in episodic vertigo]. / Migräne: Eine Differentialdiagnose des episodischen Schwindels.

Vestibular symptoms can be the predominant feature of migraine both in children and adults. Attacks of spontaneous or positional vertigo lasting from minutes to days may occur with or without concomitant headache. In the literature three syndromes of vestibular migraine have evolved: basilar artery migraine, benign recurrent vertigo and benign recurrent vertigo of childhood. In clinical practice, however, variants seem to be more frequent than the pure syndromes. Diagnosis is based on the individual constellation of typical precipitants and symptoms of migraine and the efficacy of pharmacological migraine prophylaxis. Nine cases are presented.