A literature search at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana The following MEDLINE items were compiled by SilverPlatter and are presented with their generous co-operation and permission. (See SilverPlatter's Worldwide Library for bibliographic search information.)
TITLE: Regional metabolism: associations with dyscalculia in Alzheimer's disease.
AUTHOR(S): Hirono-N; Mori-E; Ishii-K; Imamura-T; Shimomura-T; Tanimukai-S; Kazui-H; Hashimoto-M; Yamashita-H; Sasaki-M
ADDRESS OF AUTHOR: Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Hyogo Institute for Aging Brain and Cognitive Disorders, Himeji, Japan. hirono@hiabcd.go.jp
SOURCE (BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION): J-Neurol-Neurosurg-Psychiatry. 1998 Dec; 65(6): 913-6
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1998
LANGUAGE OF ARTICLE: ENGLISH
COUNTRY OF PUBLICATION: ENGLAND
ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVES: The ability to calculate, which is an important aspect of social daily living, is commonly impaired in patients with Alzheimer's disease even early in the course of the disease. Dyscalculia is often accompanied by focal brain damage, and has been argued to be an independent sign localised around the left temporoparietal region. However, the region most responsible for dyscalculia in Alzheimer's disease has not been determined. The relation between calculation ability and regional cerebral glucose metabolism in Alzheimer's disease was therefore examined. METHODS: The calculation ability, In 91 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease of minimal to moderate severity, was assessed using the arithmetic subtest of the Wechsler adult intelligence scale-revised and the performance correlated with regional cerebral glucose metabolism determined by "F-fluorodeoxyglucose and PET. RESULTS: Regional glucose metabolism in the left inferior parietal lobule and in the left inferior temporal gyrus was significantly correlated with the calculation performance irrespective of age, sex, education, and severity of disease. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that dysfunction of the left inferior parietal lobule and the left inferior temporal gyrus plays an important part in producing dyscalculia in patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Record 2 of 48 in MEDLINE EXPRESS (R) 1996-1998
TITLE: Gerstmann's syndrome associated with chronic subdural haematoma: a case report.
AUTHOR(S): Maeshima-S; Okumura-Y; Nakai-K; Itakura-T; Komai-N
ADDRESS OF AUTHOR: Department of Neurological Surgery, Wakayama Medical College, Japan.
SOURCE (BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION): Brain-Inj. 1998 Aug; 12(8): 697-701
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1998
LANGUAGE OF ARTICLE: ENGLISH
COUNTRY OF PUBLICATION: ENGLAND
ABSTRACT: We report a patient who exhibited Gerstmann's syndrome in association with a chronic subdural haematoma. A 71-year-old right-handed woman presented with mild right arm and leg weakness that began 2 weeks prior to admission. Neurological examination on admission revealed a mild right hemiparesis. Neuropsychological examination revealed right-left disorientation, finger agnosia, agraphia, and acalculia, but no language disturbance. A computerized tomographic (CT) scan revealed a large left frontoparietal, extra-axial hypodense fluid collection containing scattered hypodense foci. A left parietal evacuation of the haematoma was performed. Following surgery the patient dramatically improved. We suggest that the direct compression by the chronic subdural haematoma or a hemispheric pressure difference caused Gerstmann's syndrome. This is an unusual report of a Gerstmann's syndrome following chronic subdural haematoma.
Record 3 of 48 in MEDLINE EXPRESS (R) 1996-1998
TITLE: Differential diagnosis in dementia.
AUTHOR(S): Cras-P
ADDRESS OF AUTHOR: Born Bunge Foundation and Dept. of Neurology, University Hospital of Antwerp.
SOURCE (BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION): Acta-Neurol-Belg. 1998 Jun; 98(2): 186-9
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1998
LANGUAGE OF ARTICLE: ENGLISH
COUNTRY OF PUBLICATION: BELGIUM
ABSTRACT: Dementia is characterised by progressive memory loss, associated with agnosia, aphasia, dyscalculia, apraxia, and deficits in executive functioning. Alzheimer disease is the most frequent cause of dementia, with vascular dementia, diffuse Lewy body disease, and other etiologies being important differential diagnoses. A strategy and diagnostic hierarchy for diagnosis in dementia is proposed. Diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer disease, diffuse Lewy body disease, and vascular dementia are discussed.
Record 4 of 48 in MEDLINE EXPRESS (R) 1996-1998
TITLE: [Hyperkinetic syndrome (attention deficit-/hyperactivity disorder) in adulthood]
AUTHOR(S): Krause-KH; Krause-J; Trott-GE
ADDRESS OF AUTHOR: Friedrich-Baur-Institut bei der Medizinischen Klinik Innenstadt und der Neurologischen Klinik der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat Munchen.
SOURCE (BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION): Nervenarzt. 1998 Jul; 69(7): 543-56
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1998
LANGUAGE OF ARTICLE: GERMAN; NON-ENGLISH
COUNTRY OF PUBLICATION: GERMANY
ABSTRACT: The clinical picture of adult hyperkinetic syndrome (HKS) or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder is nearly unknown in Germany. It can be estimated, that approximately one third of affected children also show symptoms as adults. In the combined type of the syndrome symptoms of inattention as well as of hyperactivity and impulsivity are present, a predominantly inattentive or hyperactive-impulsive type is possible. Retrospective diagnosis of HKS in childhood can be difficult. Disorganization, emotional disturbances and stress intolerance are common in adults with HKS as well as residual symptoms of learning disorders like dyslexia, dyscalculia and dysgraphia. In differential diagnosis especially affective, anxiety and antisocial personality disorders have to be considered, for which on the other side a frequent comorbidity with HKS is known. There is strong evidence for genetic transmission. Neurobiological findings revealed dysregulation of neurotransmitters. For treatment stimulants as pemoline and methamphetamin are effective, in addition tricyclic antidepressants or beta blockers; positive effects are probable for moclobemide, bupropion, fluoxetine and venlafaxine.
Record 5 of 48 in MEDLINE EXPRESS (R) 1996-1998
TITLE: Persistence of developmental dyscalculia: what counts? Results from a 3-year prospective follow-up study [see comments]
AUTHOR(S): Shalev-RS; Manor-O; Auerbach-J; Gross-Tsur-V
ADDRESS OF AUTHOR: Neuropediatric Unit, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel.
SOURCE (BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION): J-Pediatr. 1998 Sep; 133(3): 358-62
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1998
LANGUAGE OF ARTICLE: ENGLISH
COUNTRY OF PUBLICATION: UNITED-STATES
ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To study the natural history of developmental dyscalculia (DC), a specific learning disability affecting approximately 5% of the normal school age population and to identify factors that contribute to persistence. STUDY DESIGN: Of a cohort of 3029 fourth-grade students, 185 children were classified as having DC; 140 participated in phase 1 in which they underwent IQ testing; arithmetic, reading, and writing evaluations; and an assessment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder over a 3-year period. Three years later (phase 2), 88% of the children (123 of 140) were retested. RESULTS: The arithmetic scores of 95% of the 123 children with DC fell within the lowest quartile for their class. At phase 2, 47% (57 of 123) of the children were reclassified as having persistent DC, scoring in the lowest 5% for their age group (13 to 14 years old). Factors significantly associated with persistence of DC in a multivariate model were severity of the arithmetic disorder and arithmetic problems in siblings of the probands. Factors that were not associated with persistence included socioeconomic status, gender, the presence of another learning disability, and educational interventions. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome of DC is similar to that of other learning disabilities, with a persisting course in almost half of affected children; the remainder continue to perform poorly in arithmetic. The ultimate outcome of children with dyscalculia and the effect on education, employment, and psychologic well-being have yet to be determined.
Record 6 of 48 in MEDLINE EXPRESS (R) 1996-1998
TITLE: Early myoclonic status and outcome after cardiorespiratory arrest.
AUTHOR(S): Morris-HR; Howard-RS; Brown-P
ADDRESS OF AUTHOR: National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square, London, UK.
SOURCE (BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION): J-Neurol-Neurosurg-Psychiatry. 1998 Feb; 64(2): 267-8
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1998
LANGUAGE OF ARTICLE: ENGLISH
COUNTRY OF PUBLICATION: ENGLAND
ABSTRACT: It has been suggested that early myoclonic status after cardiorespiratory arrest is an agonal event. Here we describe three cases who developed early myoclonic status during a coma after cardiorespiratory arrest due to acute asthma. As consciousness improved, each patient developed Lance-Adams type multifocal myoclonus, but the eventual outcome was satisfactory. Only one patient needed assistance to walk, and all three were self caring. One patient had persistent dyscalculia. Early myoclonic status is not necessarily an agonal event, particularly when it follows arrest due to acute asthma or asphyxia.
Record 7 of 48 in MEDLINE EXPRESS (R) 1996-1998
TITLE: [Acalculia]
AUTHOR(S): Pavlovic-D
ADDRESS OF AUTHOR: Institute of Neurology, Clinical Centre of Serbia, Belgrade.
SOURCE (BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION): Srp-Arh-Celok-Lek. 1997 Nov-Dec; 125(11-12): 353-5
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1997
LANGUAGE OF ARTICLE: SERBO-CROATIAN-CYRILLIC; NON-ENGLISH
COUNTRY OF PUBLICATION: YUGOSLAVIA
ABSTRACT: Acalculia is an acquired disturbance of calculation that has several clinical expressions. Disturbances cna be aphasic and nonaphasic. Further division is into alexia and agraphia for numbers, anarithmetria and spatial acalculia. In addition to these manifestations due to focal cerebral lesions also diffuse lesions can produce disturbance of calculia. Acalculia is also encountered as a developmental disturbance. Testing of acalculia has to encroach both oral and written calculations with clinical and standardized neuropsychological tests.
Record 8 of 48 in MEDLINE EXPRESS (R) 1996-1998
TITLE: Profound developmental dyscalculia: evidence for a cardinal/ordinal skills acquisition device.
AUTHOR(S): Ta'ir-J; Brezner-A; Ariel-R
ADDRESS OF AUTHOR: Alyn Hospital, Jerusalem, Israel.
SOURCE (BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION): Brain-Cogn. 1997 Nov; 35(2): 184-206
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1997
LANGUAGE OF ARTICLE: ENGLISH
COUNTRY OF PUBLICATION: UNITED-STATES
ABSTRACT: This article presents an analysis of a form of dysfunctional mathematical development. A child of normal intelligence was unable to acquire basic cardinal numerical skills, despite relatively intact ordinal number use. These findings provide evidence for an innate "cardinal/ordinal skills acquisition device" (COSAD). It is argued that if this COSAD is lacking, ordinal number use may be compensated for by linguistic logic and visual skills. Cardinal number skills, however, remain limited as these demand an innate internal representation of quantity, which cannot be compensated for. The findings are discussed in terms of different approaches to number development. Copyright 1997 Academic Press.
Record 9 of 48 in MEDLINE EXPRESS (R) 1996-1998
TITLE: Toe agnosia in Gerstmann syndrome.
AUTHOR(S): Tucha-O; Steup-A; Smely-C; Lange-KW
ADDRESS OF AUTHOR: Department of Neuropsychology, University of Freiburg, Germany.
SOURCE (BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION): J-Neurol-Neurosurg-Psychiatry. 1997 Sep; 63(3): 399-403
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1997
LANGUAGE OF ARTICLE: ENGLISH
COUNTRY OF PUBLICATION: ENGLAND
ABSTRACT: The following case report presents a patient exhibiting Gerstmann syndrome accompanied by toe agnosia. A 72 year old right handed woman had a focal lesion in the angular gyrus of the left hemisphere which was caused by a glioblastoma multiforme. The first symptom she had complained of was severe headache. Standardised neuropsychological tests of intelligence, memory, attention, fluency, apraxia, and language functions as well as tests for the assessment of agraphia, acalculia, right-left disorientation, and digit agnosia were performed. The patient displayed all four symptoms of the Gerstmann syndrome--namely, agraphia, acalculia, right-left disorientation, and finger agnosia. The patient did not display aphasia, constructional apraxia, or any other neuropsychological impairment. In addition to the four symptoms of the Gerstmann syndrome an agnosia of the toes was found. Further studies should determine whether finger agnosia in Gerstmann syndrome is usually accompanied by toe agnosia. Finger agnosia in the context of this syndrome may be better named digit agnosia.
Record 10 of 48 in MEDLINE EXPRESS (R) 1996-1998
TITLE: [Depressive pseudodementia in early Parkinson's disease: lessons from a case with long-term follow-up]
AUTHOR(S): Gimenez-Roldan-S; Mateo-D; Dobato-JL
ADDRESS OF AUTHOR: Servicio de Neurologia, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Maranon, Madrid.
SOURCE (BIBLIOGRAPHIC CITATION): Neurologia. 1997 Mar; 12(3): 130-5
PUBLICATION YEAR: 1997
LANGUAGE OF ARTICLE: SPANISH; NON-ENGLISH
COUNTRY OF PUBLICATION: SPAIN
ABSTRACT: A common observation in neurological practice is parkinsonism with concomitant cognitive decline, an association that usually arises from various underlying degenerative or vascular conditions, most of which are untreatable. An elderly woman with no history of psychiatric disease presented complaining of memory and cognitive impairment serious enough to interfere with daily life activities over the preceding year. She soon developed a predominantly left-sided tremor, rigidity and bradykinesia. She had had only 2 years of formal education. Neuropsychological assessment showed poor performance on Wechsler memory scale sub-items, as well as constructional apraxia, dyscalculia, reasoning difficulties and gross information deficits. A 3-month trial course of levodopa was followed by dramatic improvement in both parkinsonian symptoms and cognitive performance, including a 7-point gain in the Mini-Mental Status Examination score. At the same time, the Beck Depression Inventory score fell from 27 (baseline) to 18. Over the 10-year follow-up period the patient developed late levodopa syndrome and a persistent but mild dysthymic disorder, but never manifested dementia as defined by DSM-III-R criteria. This patient's case illustrates three important principles. First, although parkinsonism is known to be preceded by depressive episodes, particularly in a subgroup of younger patients, the symptoms of the elderly patient whose Parkinson's disease is foreshadowed by depression can mimic depressive pseudodementia, potentially leading to diagnostic confusion. Second, impaired motivation and disturbances in cognitive function are different from mood disorders, as the former involve the mesolimbic/mesocortical dopamine system, explaining the beneficial effect of levodopa on motivation and cognition in this patient even as mood was unaffected. Finally, depressive pseudodementia in Parkinson's disease does not necessarily herald the development of organic dementia in the long term.