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JournalISSN: 1590-1874

Neurological Sciences 

Springer Science+Business Media
About: Neurological Sciences is an academic journal published by Springer Science+Business Media. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Medicine & Neurology. It has an ISSN identifier of 1590-1874. Over the lifetime, 7965 publications have been published receiving 108043 citations.


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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Prevalence data imply that racial and ethnic differences are important in influencing the worldwide distribution of MS and that its geography must be interpreted in terms of the probable discontinuous distribution of genetic susceptibility alleles, which can however be modified by environment.
Abstract: The systematic study of multiple sclerosis (MS) in populations, started in 1929 by Sydney Allison, now consists of over 400 publications dealing with the prevalence of MS throughout the world. However, any attempt to redefine the pattern of geographical differences in MS frequency remains as difficult as ever. The comparison of prevalence studies carried out in different areas and times is made difficult by the variability in surveyed population sizes, age structures, ethnic origins and composition, and the difficult quantification of numerators, especially regarding the recognition of benign and very early cases. Additionally, complete case ascertainment depends on access to medical care, local medical expertise, number of neurologists, accessibility and availability of new diagnostic procedures, the degree of public awareness about MS, and the investigators' zeal and resources. Critical examination of the more recent data on MS prevalence leads to some revisions of previously held concepts, the most interesting of which is the appreciation of the greater influence of genetic factors on disease acquisition. The rarity of MS among Samis, Turkmen, Uzbeks, Kazakhs, Kyrgyzis, native Siberians, North and South Amerindians, Chinese, Japanese, African blacks and New Zealand Maoris, as well as the high risk among Sardinians, Parsis and Palestinians, clearly indicate that the different susceptibilities of distinct racial and ethnic groups are an important determinant of the uneven geographic distribution of the disease. The updated distribution of MS in Europe, showing many exceptions to the previously described north-south gradient, requires more explanation than simply a prevalence-latitude relationship. Prevalence data imply that racial and ethnic differences are important in influencing the worldwide distribution of MS and that its geography must be interpreted in terms of the probable discontinuous distribution of genetic susceptibility alleles, which can however be modified by environment. Because the environmental and genetic determinants of geographic gradients are by no means mutually exclusive, the race versus place controversy is, to some extent, a useless and sterile debate.

687 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Collecting normative values in an Italian normal population sample for the direct copying and delayed reproduction of the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test revealed significant effects of age and education on performance of both copying tasks, whereas sex appeared to affect only performance on the delayed copying task.
Abstract: The Rey-Osterrieth complex figure test (ROCF) is a neuropsychological test extensively used in clinical practice to investigate visuospatial constructional functions, visuographic memory and some aspects of planning and executive function. The aim of the present study was to collect normative values in an Italian normal population sample (n=280) for the direct copying and delayed (10 min) reproduction of the ROCF. Multiple regression analysis revealed significant effects of age and education on performance of both copying tasks, whereas sex appeared to affect only performance on the delayed copying task. Inferential cut-offs have been determined and equivalent scores computed. The availability of equivalent scores for the ROCF will prove useful in clinical assessment since it allows the comparison of a subject's performance on the ROCF with that on other neuropsychological tests for which normative values collected with similar methods are already available for the Italian population.

609 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Italian normative values were derived from a sample of 364 control subjects of different ages and educational level to improve the accuracy in the use of the FAB both for clinical and research purposes.
Abstract: The Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) is a short cognitive and behavioural six-subtest battery for the bedside screening of a global executive dysfunction; although recently devised, it is already extensively used thanks to its ease of administration and claimed sensitivity. The aim of the present study was to derive Italian normative values from a sample of 364 control subjects (215 women and 149 men) of different ages (mean: 57.4+/-17.9 years; range: 20-94 years) and educational level (mean: 10.4+/-4.3 years; range: 1-17 years); the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was concurrently administered. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed significant effects for age and education whereas gender was not significant; thus, from the derived linear equation, a correction grid for FAB raw scores was built. Based on nonparametric techniques, inferential cut-off scores were subsequently determined and equivalent scores (ES) computed. Test-restest and interrater reliabilities were both satisfactory. Interestingly, MMSE was significantly correlated with FAB raw scores, whereas adjusted scores were not. The present data may improve the accuracy in the use of the FAB both for clinical and research purposes.

518 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This review focuses on resting-state functional connectivity, a functional MRI technique which allows the study of spontaneous brain activity generated under resting conditions and examines the behavioral, physiological and neurological evidences relevant to this coherent brain activity and, in particular, to each network.
Abstract: This review focuses on resting-state functional connectivity, a functional MRI technique which allows the study of spontaneous brain activity generated under resting conditions. This approach is useful to explore the brain's functional organization and to examine if it is altered in neurological or psychiatric diseases. Resting-state functional connectivity has revealed a number of networks which are consistently found in healthy subjects and represent specific patterns of synchronous activity. In this review, we examine the behavioral, physiological and neurological evidences relevant to this coherent brain activity and, in particular, to each network. The investigation of functional connectivity appears promising from a clinical perspective, considering the amount of evidence regarding the importance of spontaneous activity and that resting-state paradigms are inherently simple to implement. We also discuss some examples of existing clinical applications, such as in Alzheimer's disease, and emerging possibilities such as in pre-operative mapping and disorders of consciousness.

469 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Evidence from genetic studies on the yeast DJ-1 homologue, and biochemical studies in murine and human cell lines, suggests a role forDJ-1 as an antioxidant and/or a molecular chaperone, and this will lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of DJ- 1-related and common forms of Parkinson’s disease.
Abstract: Four chromosomal loci ( PARK2, PARK6, PARK7, and PARK9) associated with autosomal recessive, early onset parkinsonism are known. We mapped the PARK7 locus to chromosome 1p36 in a large family from a genetically isolated population in the Netherlands, and confirmed this linkage in an Italian family. By positional cloning within the refined PARK7 critical region we recently identified mutations in the DJ-1 gene in the two PARK7-linked families. The function of DJ-1 remains largely unknown, but evidence from genetic studies on the yeast DJ-1 homologue, and biochemical studies in murine and human cell lines, suggests a role for DJ-1 as an antioxidant and/or a molecular chaperone. Elucidating the role of DJ-1 will lead to a better understanding of the pathogenesis of DJ-1-related and common forms of Parkinson's disease.

419 citations

Performance
Metrics
No. of papers from the Journal in previous years
YearPapers
2023379
2022792
20211,096
2020587
2019433
2018419