world neurology · editorial independence will ... the editor is happy to receive unsolicited ......

Neurology and psychiatry: “Oh,East is East and West is West…”…and never the twain shall meet.Neurology matured as a separate clinicalspeciality with closer contact with biologyand similarities with internal medicine.The influence of socio-economic, familialand interpersonal relationships brought anew dimension into clinical psychiatry.The two specialities have a commonroot, but have gradually drifted awayfrom each other.

Although evaluation of the mental statusshould be an integral part of a neurolog-ical examination, it has by traditionbecome the weakest part. A neurologistmay spend more time examining motordisturbances than by analysing behav-ioural elements because he knows thatthe motor examination will give crucialinformation about the localisation andextent of the disease process. The psy-chiatrist may leave much of the visual,auditive, motor and sensory examinationas being of lesser relevance.

Visit the WFN website at http: / /www.wfneurology.org

V O L U M E 2 1 , N U M B E R 3 , S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 6

T h e N e w s l e t t e r o f t h e W o r l d F e d e r a t i o n o f N e u r o l o g y

W O R L DNEUROLOGY

ALSO IN THIS ISSUE:Editorial

Abstracts of Papers Publishedin J. Neuro Sciences

Regional NewsInternational Neurological

Forum, MongoliaProclamation World Stroke

DayParkinson’s News Update

Book Reviews Calendar

Acknowledgement: World Neurology is publishedwith a generous grant from the Japan Foundationfor Neuroscience and Mental Health.

Contd. on page 4

Destination Thailand: XIXth World Congress of Neurology, 2009, Bangkok

World Neurology is the quarterly publicationof the World Federation of Neurology andactive recruitment for a new Editor of WorldNeurology is now in progress. Dr. JagjitChopra has served with distinction as Editorfor the past seven years and his successorwill assume the editorship at a time to benegotiated. A new tabloid format withimproved scientific content is currently inpreparation.

World Neurology provides a vital link for allneurologists world-wide in providing currentnews of the activities of the World Federationof Neurology and the quadrennial WorldCongress of Neurology. It provides impor-tant information about the educational andscientific programs of national neurologicalsocieties and the individual achievements ofneurologists. The future objectives of WorldNeurology will emphasize new and emerg-ing clinical and basic neuroscientific reportsin the neurological literature and will reviewand highlight the major lectures andresearch presentations at recent neuro-logical meetings world-wide. A major

publishing company will be the publisherand will provide professional writers andbroad editorial support to the new Editor andthe Editorial Board. The new Editor will havethe primary responsibility to select the edito-rial and scientific content of World Neurologyand guide the professional editorial staff inselecting topics from the literature and neu-rological meetings that will create a livelyand well-balanced publication of interest tothe clinical neurologist and physician-neuroscientist. Editorial independence willbe assured and editorials written by theEditor or by invitees of the Editor will be thesole decision of the Editor. The final deci-sion of editorial content will reside with theEditor.

Interested persons should forward theirCurriculum vitae and the names and contactinformation of two references. The applicantshould provide a cover letter reviewinghis/her experience in publishing and editing.Information should be sent by email attach-ment to [email protected] by December31, 2006.

WFN is Recruiting for the Position of Editor of World Neurology

PRESIDENT’SCOLUMN

EDITOR-IN-CHIEFDr. Jagjit S. Chopra, # 1153 Sector 33-C,Chandigarh-160 020, India. Tel: +91-172-2661532. Fax: +91-172-2668532. E-mail:[email protected].

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARDDr. Johan Aarli, Department of Neurology,University of Bergen, Haukeland Hospital, N-5021 Bergen, Norway. E-mail:[email protected]. Richard Godwin-Austen, World Federationof Neurology, 12 Chandos Street, LondonW1G 9DR, UK. E-mail: [email protected]. Piero G. Antuono, Dept. of Neurology,Medical College of Wisconsin, USA. E-mail:[email protected]. Mark Hallett, NINDS, NIH Bldg. 10, Rm.5N226, 10 Centre Drive, Msc 1428, Bethedsa,MD 20892, USADr. Theodore Munsat, Department ofNeurology, New England Medical Center, Box314, 750 Washington Street, Boston, MA02111, USADr. Ra’ad A. Shakir, Charing Cross Hospital,Fulham Palace Road, London - W6BRF, UK. E-mail: [email protected]. William M Carroll, c/o AAN Secretariat, 145Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW 2000,AustraliaDr. Marianne de Visser, Academic MedicalCentre, University of Amsterdam, Dept. ofNeurology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZAmsterdam, The Netherlands. Dr. Roger N. Rosenberg, Chief Editor, Archivesof Neurology, 515 N State Street, Chicago IL60610, USADr. Daniel Truong, The Parkinson’s &Movement Disorders Institute, 9940 TalbertAvenue, Suite 204, Fountain Valley, CA 92708,USAREGIONAL DIRECTORSDr. Ashraf Kurdi (Pan-Arab), JordanDr. Jacques de Reuck, (Pan-European),BelgiumDr. Thomas R. Swift, (North American), USADr. Mario Tolentino Dipp (Latin American), Dominican RepublicProf. Gilbert Avode Dossou (Pan-African),BeninDr. Bhim Sen Singhal (Asian-Oceanian), India

ASSISTANT EDITOR Dr. I.M.S. Sawhney, Department of Neurology,Morriston Hospital, Swansea SA6 6NL, UK;e-mail: [email protected]

WFN ADMINISTRATOR Keith Newton, World Federation of Neurology,12 Chandos Street, London W1G 9DR, UK

PUBLISHING STAFFPublisher:

Peter F. Bakker ([email protected])Marketing:

Jorinde DirkmaatDesign and Layout:

Desh Deepak KhannaOperational Support:

Annemieke van Es

ADVERTISINGPlease send inquiries about advertising inWorld Neurology to the AdvertisingDepartment, Elsevier Ltd., The Boulevard,Langford Lane, Kidlington, Oxford OX5 1GB,UK. Phone: +44-1865-843 258; Fax: +44-1865-843 976; email: [email protected]

MANUSCRIPTSThe Editor is happy to receive unsolicitedmanuscripts or photographs for considera-tion, but cannot accept responsibility for anyloss or damage to such material. Manuscriptsshould be submitted in English, typed onwhite paper using double spacing with mar-gins of at least 3 cm. Authors should submitmaterial on computer disk (Microsoft® Word®or plain ASCII format) whenever possible.Tables and figures should be separated fromthe text and should clearly indicate theauthor’s name. Colour photographs and illus-trations are encouraged.

EDITORIAL STATEMENTAlthough great care is taken to ensure accu-racy, the WFN and Elsevier B.V. cannot be heldliable for any errors or inaccuracies in this pub-lication. Opinions expressed are those of theauthors. Elsevier B.V., the Editor, the WFN orthe Grantor cannot be held responsible for thevalidity of clinical treatments, dosage regi-mens or other medical statements made. Any

dosage referred to should be checked againstthe relevant data sheet for the product.World Neurology, ISSN 0899-9465, is pub-lished by Elsevier B.V., Radarweg 29, 1043 NXAmsterdam, The Netherlands; Phone: +31(20) 485 3358; Fax: +31 (20) 485 3249; e-mail: [email protected]

REPRINTSReprint requests and all correspondenceregarding the journal should be addressed tothe Editor. However, back issues of WorldNeurology can be obtained from the publisher.

CHANGE OF ADDRESSNotice of change of address should be sent to:World Neurology, Editorial Secretariat, 12 ChandosStreet, London W1G 9DR, UK. Fax: +44 20 73234012; e-mail:[email protected]

Printed by Chandika Press (P) Ltd, 126 Industrial Area-1, Chandigarh-160002, India. Fax: +91-172-2657783. e-mail:[email protected]

World Neurology2

W O R L D N E U R O L O G Y, V O L U M E 2 1 , N U M B E R 3 , S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 6


PUBLISHING INFORMATION

T h e N e w s l e tt e r o f t h e Wo r l d Fe d e rat i o n o f N e u r o l o gy

W O R L D

NEUROLOGYV O L U M E 2 1 , N U M B E R 3 , S E P T E M B E R 2 0 0 6

CONTENTSPresident’s Column . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Editorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

The Bruce S. Schoenberg International Award inNeuroepidemiology . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Abstracts of Papers Published in J. Neuro Sciences . . . . . . . 5

Regional News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

International Neurological Forum, 2006, Mongolia . . . . . . . . . 8

Proclamation World Stroke Day . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Parkinson’s News Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Book Reviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Calendar . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Elsevier Advertisement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15-16

COPYRIGHT © 2006 World Federation of Neurology. All rights reserved.Published by Elsevier B.V., Amsterdam, the NetherlandManuscripts accepted for publication become the copyright of the WorldFederation of Neurology (WFN). Before publication a copyright form will be supplied by the Publisher, which must be completed by all authors.

Applications for the new Editor in Chief ofWorld Neurology are invited in this issue.I shall be completing my term of eightyears in 2007 when we expect to select asuccessor. I shall offer my sincere co-operation to the next Editor since it will bemy earnest desire to see the success ofWorld Neurology continue. There arealso certain changes to be introducedfrom the middle of next year in the struc-ture and lay-out of World Neurology. Inaddition to carrying WFN news, it willbecome more academic in character. Ofthose readers who took part in the surveywe conducted, most opted to continue toreceive World Neurology in hard copy for-mat. I personally believe that having onlyan electronic version of the newsletter willnot succeed in communicating newsfrom WFN. Discussion of this matter wason the agenda of the World NeurologyEditorial Board meeting held in Glasgowon September 3, 2006. We hope too thatenough revenue will be generated fromadvertisements to make the publicationfinancially viable, since the generousfunding provided by the JapanFoundation for Neuroscience and MentalHealth will come to an end by the close of2007.

President Johan Aarli has written atlength in his column about Neurologyand Psychiatry which in the past enjoyeda close relationship because of theircommon root but which gradually sepa-rated from each other. This has mostlyhappened in the large academic

Institutes, although in practice neurolo-gists also treat psychiatric problems andvice versa. This is particularly prevalent incountries with a shortage of clinical neu-rologists and psychiatrists. The ultimateaim of both is to help humanity sufferingfrom diseases of the nervous system andfrom mental ill-health.

I have taken the liberty of reproducingsome of the abstracts published in theJournal of the Neurological Sciences(JNS) so that those readers who do nothave access to JNS will benefit fromreading them to enhance their knowl-edge. Similarly, extracts from NewsUpdates on Parkinson's disease aresummarised in this issue. This disease isnot only becoming more common withthe advancing age of the population in allcountries of the world but is also becom-ing variable in its progression with orwithout dementia and presenting difficultproblems in its management.

'World Stroke Day' is being proclaimedon 26th of October 2006 in Cape Town(South Africa) during the combinedstroke conference. This is an importantitem of news. It is a step in the rightdirection, especially for the variousNational Neurological Associations whowill be able to approach their respectiveGovernments and stress the need for

stroke units in each hospital and Instituteof their country. Stroke kills millions andcauses severe disability in many millionsmore every year. It is spreading like anepidemic in developing counties whichare particularly ill-equipped to deal withthe consequences, in terms both of theloss of manpower and the economicimpact. It is the second major killer afterischaemic heart disease and needs to beequally well-managed energetically andwith care. Let us all unite globally to han-dle this menace which can be largelyprevented by changes in life style, eatinghabits and by giving up smoking.

Jagjit S. Chopra, FRCP, PhDEditor-in-Chief

EDITORIAL 3



EDITORIAL

World Neurology Editorial Board Meeting, September 3, 2006, Glasgow, U.K.L to R: Keith Newton (WFN Administrator), Jagjit Chopra (Editor), Peter Bakker (ElsevierPublications), Piero Antuono, Johan Aarli (President WFN), Raad Shakir, Susan Bilger,Richard Godwin-Austen, William Carroll

SECRETARY-TREASURERGENERAL

It was reported tothe Delegates inGlasgow that,owing to the inabili-ty of the personwho had beenelected in Sydney

to succeed Dr Richard Godwin-Austen as Secretary-TreasurerGeneral to take up that post, theTrustees had conducted a re-count ofthe votes cast there.

The result had been a win for DrRa’ad Shakir from the UnitedKingdom and consequently he willtake over with effect from January 1,2007.

NEW WFN TRUSTEESTwo new Elected Trustees were chosen at the Council of Delegates inGlasgow from an eminent field of fivecandidates.

Congratulations go to ProfessorWerner Hacke (Germany) andProfessor Ryuji Kaji (Japan). Thankstoo to the other three individuals forallowing their names to be put for-ward by the Nominating Committeefor the Delegates' consideration.

Psychiatry and neurology share a basisin neuroscience. This development hasaccelerated during the last decade and isfinally established in basic research. Theprogress in fMRI, improved imagingtechniques, developments in genetics,and the revolution in molecular medicinewith a new understanding of signal trans-mission in the brain have given neurologya new image.

The same development, when it came inpsychiatry, revealed how closely con-nected neurology and psychiatry reallyare. The artificial divide between structur-al and functional became diffusebecause of all transitional conditions. Forexample, many dystonias that wereregarded as “functional” and of psy-chogenic origin turned out to have a bio-logical basis. The development of imag-ing techniques has made it possible tostudy the morphological brain correlatesto personality traits and neuropsychiatricsymptoms and relate them to genetic,biochemical and neuroreceptor charac-teristics, which again may serve toexpand and modify the diagnostic classi-fication.

There is a need for a closer contactbetween the two. This does not meanthat neurologists will be able to managepsychiatric disorders like schizophreniaand depression. Nor will psychiatriststake over the care of patients with multi-ple sclerosis, epilepsies or hereditaryataxias. The two specialities will nevermerge. They are big and comprehensive.Both are in lack of manpower.

There is little overlap in clinical practice.The development is the other way.Neurology becomes more and more subspecialised, psychiatry also. At least in

neurology, subspecialities are develop-ing with a need for comprehensive team-work. Psychiatrists become increasinglyimportant in clinical neurology teams andvice versa. Both specialities profit fromtheir joint platform in basic neuro-sciences. There is a great borderlandarea, like epilepsy, Parkinson's diseaseand dementia where neurologists andpsychiatrists supply each other. TheQuality Standards Subcommittee of theAmerican Academy of Neurology recent-ly evaluated our diagnosis and treatmentof patients with Parkinson's disease andasked if patients should be screened fordepression and dementia associatedwith Parkinson's disease. The selection ofantidepresssive drugs is probably betterperformed by psychiatrists.

Comprehensive care of epileptic patientsrequires attention to the psychologicaland social consequences of epilepsy aswell as to the control of the seizures.Neurologists and psychiatrists do notalways collaborate as needed for thetreatment of patients with epilepsy.

And there is still a long way to go.Specialist training differs from country tocountry. In some, psychiatry is mandato-ry for being a specialist in neurology, inothers not. In some, neurology is a nec-essary element in the training of a psy-chiatrist. In Europe, a process has beeninitiated to realise a harmonisation in thedifferent medical specialities. On a glob-al basis, it will be a challenge to theWorld Federation of Neurology and theWorld Psychiatric Association to work fora definition of the contents of the individ-ual specialities. And we need new train-ing programs, where psychiatrists andneurologists receive the same basictraining.

In several countries, there are no purenational neurological associations.Instead, neurologists and psychiatristsform societies of clinical neurosciences.In countries where there are few special-ists, this may add political strength toboth sides. We must not lose sight of ourperspective in our obligation to society.Brain disorders cause 35 % of the burdenof all diseases in Europe, mental disor-ders 62 % of this amount. This is a chal-lenge to neurology and psychiatry towork together in the field of public health.World Health Organization is not con-cerned with specialities, but with publichealth, and it is time to converge alsothrough co-operation at the WHO level.Public health is an important meetingground for the two specialities.

Neurology and psychiatry may havedeveloped from two sides of the earth,but there is much more that brings ustogether than separates us. The two spe-cialities are strong enough to stand faceto face. We often forget the end of

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN4



(President's Columncontd from page 1)

WFN Council of Delegates meeting at Glasgow, U.K., held on September 3, 2006

WFN Council of Delegates meeting at Glasgow, U.K., held on September 3, 2006

Abstracts of Papers published in Journal of Neurological Sciences 5



Kipling's “Ballad of East and West”:

“But there is neither East nor West, norBorder, nor Breed, nor Birth,When two strong men stand face to face,

tho´ they come from the ends of theearth!”

Johan A. Aarli, M.D.President, WFN

Abstracts ofsome of thePapers Publishedin Journal ofNeurologicalSciences

WHO/WFN Survey ofNeurological Services:A WorldwidePerspective

By Aleksandar Janca, Johan A. Aarli,Leonid Prilipko, Tarun Dua, ShekharSaxena, Benedetto Saraceno247 (2006) 29 - 34.

According to the findings obtained inthe context of a Global Initiative onNeurology and Public Health carriedout by the World Health Organization(WHO), there has been a lack of reliableand comparative data on services andother resources for neurological disor-ders in many parts of the world. In viewof these findings and in collaborationwith the World Federation of Neurology(WFN), WHO has recently organized aninternational Survey of CountryResources for Neurological Disorders,which involved 109 countries and cov-ered over 90% of the world's popula-tion. This large WHO/WFN collaborativeendeavour collected expert informationon a number of aspects of neurologicalcare provision around the world includ-ing availability of neurological servicesin primary care; human resources forneurological disorders; sub-specializedneurological services; primary methodof financing of neurological care; anddisability benefits for patients with neu-rological disorders. The WHO/WFNSurvey results clearly demonstrate thatthere are inadequate resources forpatients with neurological disorders inmost parts of the world, and highlightinequalities in the access to neurologi-cal care across different populations,and in particular in those living in low-income countries and in developingregions of the world. The key findings ofthe WHO/WFN Survey including theirimpact on delivery of neurological carearound the world are presented anddiscussed in this paper. The entire setof WHO/WFN Survey results includingnumerous tables, graphs and accom-panying commentaries can be found in

WFN Trustees during Council of Delegates Meeting, September 3, 2006, GlasgowL to R: Niphon Poungvarin, William Carroll, Marianne de Visser, Johan Aarli, RichardsGodwin-Austen, Ra’ad Shakir, Vladimir Hachinski

THE BRUCE S. SCHOENBERG INTERNATIONALAWARD IN NEUROEPIDEMIOLOGYEndowed by GlaxoSmithKline

In tribute to Dr. Schoenberg's career in training neurologists internationally in epidemiological methods, this award salutes a promising young investigator from a developing country or EasternEurope.

Presentation

Recipient is expected to give a 20-minute presentation based on the selectedabstract during a neuroepidemiology scientific session at the AAN 59th AnnualMeeting.

Recipient Will ReceiveCertificate of recognition

Complimentary registration and educational program fees for 59th Annual Meeting

Reimbursement for 59th Annual Meeting travel and lodging expenses

Recognition at 2007 Awards Luncheon at 59th Annual Meeting

Eligibility

Must be an investigator under the age of 45 at the time of submission

Must be a permanent resident of a developing country or Eastern Europe

Must have collected study's data in a developing country or Eastern Europe

Must have played an important role in epidemiological research on a neurological disease

Application Procedure

Applicants should submit one complete set of the following materials:

11.. Completed application form, available online in September

22.. Current curriculum vitae, including date of birth, training, and bibliography

33.. Maximum 500-word abstract on epidemiological research on a neurological disease in which applicant played an important role (abstract will be ineligiblefor submission to the 2007 Scientific Program)

The deadline to apply is November 1, 2006.

FFoorr mmoorree iinnffoorrmmaattiioonn,, pplleeaassee ccoonnttaacctt EErriinn JJaacckkssoonn aatt eejjaacckkssoonn@@aaaann..ccoomm oorr ((665511)) 669955--22770044..

the WHO/WFN Atlas of CountryResources for Neurological Disorders,which is available on request from WHOor at http://www.who.int/mental_health/neurology/.

Effect of CombinedTherapy with Throm-bolysis and Citicolinein a Rat Model ofEmbolic Stroke

María Alonso de Leciñana MaríaGutiérrez, Jose María Roda, FernandoCarceller and Exuperio Díez-Tejedor247 (2006) 121-129

An approach combining reperfusionmediated by thrombolytics with pharma-cological neuroprotection aimed atinhibiting the physiopathological disor-ders responsible for ischemia-reperfu-sion damage, could provide an optimaltreatment of ischemic stroke. We investi-gate, in a rat embolic stroke model, the

combination of rtPA with citicoline ascompared to either alone as mono-therapy, and whether the neuroprotectorshould be provided before or after throm-bolysis to achieve a greater reduction ofischemic brain damage. Our hundredand nine rats have been studied: fourwere sham-operated and the restembolized in the right internal carotidartery with an autologous clot and divid-ed among 5 groups: 1) control; 2) iv rtPA5 mg/kg 30 min post-embolization 3) citi-coline 250 mg/kg ip × 3 doses, 10 min,24 h and 48 h post-embolization; 4) citi-coline combined with rtPA following thesame pattern; 5) rtPA combined with citi-coline, with a first dose 10 min afterthrombolysis. Mortality, neurologicalscore, volume of ischemic lesion andneuronal death (TUNEL) after 72 h andplasma levels of IL-6 and - were consid-ered to assess ischemic brain damage.Compared with controls, the use of citi-coline after thrombolysis produced thegreatest reduction of mortality caused bythe ischemic lesion (p<0.01), infarct vol-ume (p=0.027), number of TUNEL posi-tive cells in striatum (p=0.014) and plas-ma levels of TNF - at 3 h (p=0.027) and72 h(p=0.011). rtPA induced reperfusionprovided a slight non-significant reduc-tion of infarct volume and neuronaldeath, but it reduced mortality due tobrain damage (p<0.01) although anincrease in the risk of fatal bleeding wasnoted. CiT as monotherapy only pro-duced a significant reduction of neuronaldeath in striatum (p=0.014). The combi-nation of CiT before rtPA did not add anybenefit to rtPA alone. The superiority ofthe combined treatment with rtPA fol-lowed by citicoline suggests that earlyreperfusion should be followed by effec-tive neuroprotection to inhibit ischemia-reperfusion injury and better protect thetissue at risk.

Target-organ Damagein AdolescentHypertension. Analysisof Potential InfluencingFactors, especiallyNitric Oxide andEndothelin-1Éva Katona, Georgios Settakis, ZsuzsaVarga, György Paragh, Dániel Bereczki,Béla Fülesdi, Dénes Páll247(2006) 138-143

Background and purpose: To assess therole of the nitric oxide-endothelin imbal-

Abstracts of Papers published in Journal of Neurological Sciences6



WFN Education Executive Committee Meeting. September 4, 2006, Glasgow, U.K.

WFN Trustees and Committee Chairs meeting at Glasgow on September 2, 2006.Sitting: President WFN Johan Aarli

Abstracts of Papers published in Journal of Neurological Sciences 7



ance in the development of target-organdamages (carotid intima-media thick-ness and left ventricular mass index) inadolescent hypertension.

Methods: 125 adolescents-67 hyperten-sive and 58 normotensive-underwentroutine anthropology (height, weight) andblood pressure measurements, and lab-oratory (glucose, cholesterol and triglyc-eride levels) testing as well as samplingblood for determination of the plasmaconcentrations of nitric oxide (NOx) andendothelin-1 (ET-1), followed by meas-urement of the carotid intima-mediathickness (IMT) and left ventricular massindex (LVMI)

Results: Plasma concentration of NOxwas significantly lower (27.7 13.7 vs35.8 7.0 mol/l, respectively, p<0.001)and ET-1 was higher (3.11 3.9 vs. 1.091.07 fmol/ml, respectively, p<0.001) inhypertensive adolescents than that ofcontrols. NOx negatively, endothelin pos-itively correlated with blood pressure val-ues, especially with systolic BP. Aninverse relationship has been foundbetween NOx and ET-1 concentrations (r = -0.29, p<0.003). In this adolescent

population body weight, systolic bloodpressure and plasma ET-1 were the mostimportant factors influencing IMT, where-as LVMI correlated with height andweight and systolic BP of the teenagers.

Conclusions: NO/endothelin imbalanceseems to play a role in the developmentof hypertension and target-organ dam-ages in adolescence. Further studies areencouraged in order to clarify the patho-physiological role of NO/endothelinimbalance in adolescent hypertension.

The Preventive andTherapeutic Effects ofGCPII (NAALADase)Inhibition on Painfuland Sensory DiabeticNeuropathy

W. Zhang, Y. Murakawa, K.M. Wozniak, B.Slusher and A.A.F. Sima247(2006) 217-223

Excitotoxic glutamate release occurs inseveral neurological disorders. Onesource is derived from the hydrolysis of

the neuropeptide N-acetyl aspartyl glu-tamate (NAAG) by glutamate car-boxypeptidase II (GCPII, also known asNAALDase). Drugs that attenuate gluta-mate transmission have been shown torelieve neuropathic pain, however sideeffects have limited their clinical use. Itappears that GCPII is exclusively recruit-ed to provide a glutamate source inhyperglutamatergic, excitotoxic condi-tions and therefore would be devoid ofsuch side effects. Here we report on thetherapeutic effects of an orally bio-avail-able GCP II inhibitor on establishedpainful and sensory neuropathy in thespontaneously diabetic BB/Wor rat. Itsignificantly improved hyperalgesia,nerve conduction velocity and underly-ing myelinated fiber atrophy. The datasuggests that GCP II inhibition may pro-vide a meaningful and effectiveapproach to the treatment of painful dia-betic neuropathy.

The Austrian neurolo-gist, Professor Dr DrMed Dr h c HelmutLechner, left us unex-pectedly on March 27,2006. As emeritus Headof the NeurologicalClinic, University ofGraz, he was devoted tofollowing, understandingand contributing to newdiscoveries in neurologyand to their exchangethrough internationalcollaboration.

Helmut Lechner belonged to the leading neurologists of histime, dedicated to clinical neurophysiology, epilepsies, sleepproblems, but especially to the greatest burden in neurologyof modern societies, cerebrovascular diseases. In this fieldhe was recognized among the pioneers of clinical researchof that time: John St. Meyer, John Marshall, Carl Loeb andothers. With them he founded in 1961 the WFN ResearchGroup for Cerebrovascular Diseases (Secretary 1961-1995);he was also Program Director of the Salzburg Conferenceson Cerebrovascular Disease. These activities led to achange from the then predominant concept of cerebrovas-

cular diseases as pre-determined, to the modern concept ofa slowly developing disease with multiple "risk factors", andthe possibility of early diagnostics, appropriate manage-ment, prevention and rehabilitation. Together with the GreekProfessor John Logothetis he was a founder of the SouthEast European Society for Neurology and Psychiatry(Thessalonica), with regular Conferences every two yearsfrom 1975.

Together with his Croatian partner, the Zagreb Professor BBarac, he took on from 1985 the organization of theInternational Neuropsychiatric Pula meetings, founded in1961. These Symposia are known for the scientific approachto borderline topics in these fields, as well as for the friendlycooperation between clinicians and scientists from theregion and from Europe, USA, Israel and Arab countries. Hewas one of the founders of the WFN Research Group onOrganization and Delivery of Neurological Services(Secretary Treasurer 1995 - 2002).

He was a member or honorary member of many national andinternational medical societies and received many interna-tional awards.

Boško BaracChairman, WFN Research Group on Organization andDelivery of Neurological Services

OBITUARYIn Memoriam Professor Dr Dr Med Dr h c Helmut Lechner

Atlas of Neurological Resources, onwhich the WFN collaborated withWHO, is now available on-linethrough the WHO website. Go to:http://www.who.int/mental_health/neurology/neurogy_atlas_lr.pdf

Regional News8



Ulaanbaatar Aug 23-25,2006The third International NeurologicalForum (INFO 2006 Mongolia) was organ-ized this year in Ulaanbaatar (the capitalof Mongolia), with the participation ofover 160 Mongolian neurologists, whotraveled vast distances to participate,with financial support from the Mongoliangovernment. During the three day meet-ing, a diverse team of international neu-rologists presented the most up-to-dateinformation in their fields. Four work-shops in Movement Disorders, EMG,Neuroradiology and Seizures were alsoorganized. The plenary sessions includ-ed topics ranging from Muscle Disorders

to Seizure Management and Parkinson'sDisease.

The INFO 2006 Mongolia was organizedunder the umbrella of the WorldFederation of Neurology (WFN) as a col-laborative effort by Dr Daniel Truong(USA) and Dr Sarangerel Jambal(Mongolia), with initial seed funding fromthe Parkinson's and Movement DisordersFoundation. It received additional sup-port from World Health Organization andthe Mongolian Department of Health.The Mongolian Under-Secretary ofHealth participated in the OpeningCeremony.

Members of the faculty included Drs.Herbert Budka (Australia), William Carroll(Australia), Dirk Dressler (Germany),Mark Hallett (USA), Jun Kimura (Japan),Alfred Lindner (Germany), Ivan Rektor(Czech Republic), George Serratrice(France), Daniel Truong (USA), StephanZierz (Germany), and from Mongoliathere were Baaasanjav Damchaa,Bayarmaa Dondov, Sarangerel Jambal,Uuriintuya Manchir, and BayasgalanTserensodnom.

The event also marked the introduction of

the first MRI machine and EMG intoMongolia, with the EMG machine donat-ed by Dr. F. Adib and D. Dressler. Itreceived wide Mongolian press and TVcoverage with Drs. Kimura, Truong,Carroll and Damchaa providing inter-views at the Ulaanbaatar National PressConference Center. Members of the fac-ulty also toured the country and visitedcountryside Neurology Clinics, wherethey examined patients.

The INFO initiative, first organized inVietnam in 2004, and spearheaded byDrs. Robert Daroff and Daniel Truong,was a huge success with the participa-tion of nearly 150 neurologists from 15

Delegates of the faculty and some of theparticipants of the INFO 2006 Mongoliain Ulaanbaatar, August 23-25, 2006

International Neurological Forum, 2006, Mongolia

Opening Ceremony with Dr. BaaasanjavDamchaa (Mongolia), Dr. Jun Kimura(Japan), Altankhuyag Otgonbold(Mongolian Under-Secretary of Health),Daniel Truong (USA), GongoosurenDolgar (Mongolia)

First InternationalCongress of theEmirates NeurologySociety and 5th GCCNeurology Symposium(Dubai March 6th-9th,2006)

The congress is one of the most impor-tant events in the region and the theme ofthe congress is Evidence-BasedNeurology. The program of the congresswas very attractive with its many debates,key talks and research articles in the var-ious fields of Neurology. It included hottopics on Epilepsy, Cerberovascular dis-eases, pediatric neurology, multiple scle-rosis, movement disorders, neuroradiol-ogy, neuropsychiatry, neuro-rehabilita-tion, headache, CNS infection.

There were Round table discussions ofcommon medical problems with medicalconcerns such as driving and epilepsy,stroke awareness and prevention andbrain death.

This conference attracted many peoplefrom the Middle East and neighbouringareas as well as international figures fromdifferent parts of the world.

The First AnnualConference ofPsychiatry, Neurologyand Neurosurgery,Tripoli-Libya.

The first annual conference of psychiatry,neurology and neurosurgery was held inTripoli between 15-16 June 2006 and wasattended by about 250 participants fromLibya and the neighboring Arab countriesas well some Europeans. The importanttopics of the conference included:

Regional problems in psychiatry suchas treatment and rehabilitation of addic-tion in Benghazi

Psychological aspects of typical vs.atypical antipsychotica

Possession statesSchizophrenia and cultural factors

Epilepsy; medical and surgicalStroke in young adultsMultiple SclerosisProblems of Parkinson's Disease in the

Arab worldCervical spine trauma; diagnosis and

management.

It was decided to hold such a conferenceon an annual basis.

The conference was organized by theLibyan Association of Psychiatry,Neurology and Neurosurgery. The asso-ciation was founded on May 5th 2005,and now has 70 members. Since beingfounded, the association has played anactive role in participation with the inter-national psychiatry and neurosciencescommittee.

Ashraf Kurdi, M.D.Regional Director of EMRO

REGIONAL NEWS

Proclamation World Stroke Day 9



countries. It served several objectives.First, it was a test case for finding a moreeffective way to improve continued neu-rological education in developing coun-tries where financial support from indus-try is essentially non-existent. The sec-ond objective was creating an opportuni-ty for neurologists from developed coun-tries to interact with their counterpartsfrom developing countries. The thirdobjective was helping local neurologiststo stimulate their governments to providemore support for neurology.

It is recognized that neurologists from

developing countries who attend interna-tional meetings bring back little thatchanges medical care when they returnhome. However, an international meet-ing held locally provides needed publici-ty and political pressure upon their gov-ernments. These objectives receivedenthusiastic support from Dr. JunKimura, who was then President of theWFN. The INFO provides an innovativeinitiative for continual education in devel-oping countries. For example, during theINFO 2005 meeting, Drs. Daroff andTruong met with the VietnameseSecretary of Health to discuss future

cooperation.

The future success of the INFO series willdepend on the willingness of members ofthe faculty to volunteer their time, andpay their own travel expenses. Programsare planned for Africa, Ukraine, Belarus,and Kazakhstan.

Daniel Truong, M.D.Fountain Valley, California, USA

PROCLAMATIONWorld Stroke Day

The World Stroke Day Proclamation hasbeen planned for Thursday, October26th. It will be a special African cere-mony which will be recorded. A briefDVD of the ceremony will be produced,as well as a longer one with interviews ofstroke leaders. These will be available toyour society with permission to makecopies, to distribute them and to add thelogo of your society and/or an additionalmessage.

A booklet containing a brief backgroundand the World Stroke Day Proclamationwill also be made available for your soci-ety to duplicate, distribute and to add alogo and your message.

Please let us know your interest in receiv-ing master copies of the DVD's andbooklet along with shipping addresses.We would appreciate knowing whetherwe can link the World Stroke DayProclamation document and the briefvideo to the web site of your society. Ifso, kindly provide a name and contactinformation.

We attach the final version of theProclamation along with a press release.Please use the information to alert themedia now in your country, but kindlykeep the Proclamation and the pressrelease embargoed until Wednesday,October 25th, noon Greenwich MeanTime.

Frank Yatsu is leading an effort to havethe Congress of the United Statesapprove a resolution regarding the WorldStroke Day Proclamation and HeatherRourke, is coordinating a similar effort tohave the Canadian Parliament approve aresolution. I know that several countries

already have stroke days. The countriesthat do not, may wish to persuade theirlegislatures to proclaim a stroke day.Each country can choose a day mostsuitable for its constituencies. The impor-tant thing is to have a day that can becelebrated worldwide, which will changefrom year to year and an additional onefor each country. The messages aboutstroke are important enough that theyshould be heard at least twice a year.

Thank you very much for all your workand collaboration. We look forward to asuccessful Proclamation and a wide dif-fusion of its messages as well as morecountries having the World Stroke Dayproclaimed by legislation.

At the Joint World Stroke Congress to beheld at the Cape Town ConferenceCentre from 26 to the 29th of October2006 a unified message from healthorganisations throughout the world willbe presented as a proclamation. Thepurpose is to address the growing epi-demic of stroke in the world. Worldwidestroke now ranks second to ischaemicheart disease as a cause of death and isa leading cause of serious disability.Stroke spares no age, ethnic origin, sexor country. Aging, inactivity, smoking andpoor diet contribute to the growing prob-lem of stroke worldwide.

The organizers of the Joint WorldCongress on Stroke stress that strokescan be successfully managed with atransdisciplinary team utilizing theirexpertise and experience to establishstroke units and build a stroke care sys-tem, which is able to cope with the needsof all individuals dealing with the impactof stroke.

Prevention is dependent on increasedpublic awareness of the causes andsymptoms of stroke. The symptoms ofstroke are:

Sudden numbness or weakness of theface, arm or leg, especially on one sideof the body.

Sudden confusion, difficulties inspeaking or understanding.

Sudden difficulty in seeing in one orboth eyes.

Sudden difficulty in walking, dizziness,loss of balance or coordination.

Sudden, severe headache with noknown cause.

If nothing is done, the predicted numberof people who will have a stroke will dou-ble over the next 15 to 20 years but ifwhat is already known is applied, half thestrokes could be prevented. While StrokeDay dedicates only one day of aware-ness to the problem once a year, the fightagainst stroke is a daily struggle thatmust be won.

Vladimir HachinskiOn behalf of the World Stroke DayProclamation Working Group

Proclamation World Stroke Day10



THE GROWINGEPIDEMICSTROKE IS PREVENTABLE but rising globally

Aging, unhealthy diets, tobacco use,and physical inactivity, fuel a growingepidemic of high blood pressure, highcholesterol, obesity, diabetes, stroke,heart disease and vascular cognitiveimpairment.

Worldwide, stroke accounts for 5.7million deaths each year and ranks sec-ond to ischemic heart disease as acause of death; it is also a leading causeof serious disability, sparing no age, sex,ethnic origin, or country.

Four out of five strokes occur in lowand middle income countries who canleast afford to deal with the conse-quences of stroke.

If nothing is done, the predicted num-ber of people who will die from stroke willincrease to 6.7 million each year by2015.

Six million deaths could be avertedover the next 10 years if what is alreadyknown is applied.

Much can be done to prevent and treatstroke and rehabilitate those who sufferthe devastating consequences of stroke.

JOIN FORCES TOPREVENT STROKE

THE SAME FEW RISK FACTORSACCOUNT FOR THE LEADING HEALTHPROBLEMS OF THE WORLD butresearch about the common threatoccurs in isolation from other majorchronic diseases.

The common risk factors, tobaccouse, physical inactivity, andunhealthy diet, contribute to stroke,heart disease, diabetes, chroniclung disease, cancer, and pose arisk for Alzheimer's disease.

Therefore we need to:

Co-ordinate the efforts of all disease-oriented organizations working to pre-vent the rise of these underlying risk fac-tors.

ENSURE WHAT WEKNOW BECOMES WHATIS DONE

PREVENTION IS THE MOST READILYAPPLICABLE AND AFFORDABLE PARTOF OUR KNOWLEDGE but prevention isneglected.


Encourage healthy environments tosupport healthy behaviours.

Use effective drugs for both primaryand secondary prevention. Regretfullythese drugs are neither accessible noraffordable in many developing countries,nor used optimally in developed ones.

Discourage unproven, costly, or misdi-rected practices, which drain resourcesfrom more cost effective approaches.

Educate health professionals at all lev-els through a common vocabulary, acore curriculum, on-line materials, longdistance mentoring, and opportunitiesfor learning in clinical practice settings.

RECOGNIZE THEUNIQUENESS OFSTROKE

THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF STROKE,ISCHEMIC (BLOCKAGE OF ARTERIES),BLEEDING INTO (INTRACEREBRALHEMORRHAGE) AND AROUND THEBRAIN (SUBARACHNOID HEMOR-RHAGE) HAVE SPECIFIC COURSESREQUIRING SPECIAL TREATMENT ANDREHABILITATION.

Therefore, we need to:

Study their causes and understandtheir mechanisms.

Organize skilled teams of physicians,neurosurgeons, neurointerventionalists,and rehabilitation specialists to deal withthese special types of stroke.

RECOGNIZE, TREATAND PREVENTVASCULAR COGNITIVEIMPAIRMENT

SUBCLINICAL ("SILENT") STROKESOCCUR FIVE TIMES AS OFTEN AS

CLINICAL (OBVIOUS) STROKES, ANDMAY AFFECT, THINKING, MOOD ANDPERSONALITY.

Therefore, we need to:

Recognize that vascular cognitiveimpairment (VCI) occurs commonly andat times hastens Alzheimer's disease(AD).

Manage the common risk factors forstroke, VCI and AD (tobacco use, highblood pressure, high cholesterol, physi-cal inactivity, obesity and diabetes).

BUILDTRANSDISCIPLINARYTEAMS FOR STROKECARE ANDREHABILITATION

ORGANIZED STROKE CARE IMPROVESOUTCOMES but remains the exceptionnearly everywhere.


Establish simple but comprehensivestroke units. Stroke units have longproven their worth, even in their mostbasic form.

Encourage transdisciplinary teams todevelop expertise and translate evidenceinto practice.

Build a health care system thatresponds to the needs of each individualdealing with the impact of stroke.

ACTIVELY ENGAGE THEPUBLIC AROUND THEWORLD

THE PUBLIC, ACTING AS INDIVIDUALS,VOTERS OR ADVOCATES, CAN BESTINFLUENCE THEIR OWN FUTURE RISKAND CARE but not enough is beingdone.


Increase awareness of the public, pol-icymakers, and health professionalsabout the causes and symptoms ofstroke. The symptoms of stroke arepainless and at times transient—but sud-den weakness or numbness in the face,arm or leg, sudden inability to speak orunderstand speech, loss of vision in one

STROKE: A PREVENTABLE AND TREATABLE CATASTROPHE

Proclamation World Stroke Day 11



eye, or sudden loss of balance are ascompelling an emergency as crushingchest pain or sudden, severe unusualheadache.

Send a unified, consistent messagethroughout the world by coordinatingand enhancing existing stroke cam-paigns to sustain a global effort.

Whereas; stroke is a global epi-demic that threatens lives,health, and quality of life.

Whereas; much can be done toprevent and treat stroke, andrehabilitate those who sufferone.

Whereas; professional and pub-lic awareness is the first step toaction.

WWee hheerreebbyy pprrooccllaaiimm aann aannnnuuaall

WORLD STROKE DAY

WORKING GROUP

Vladimir Hachinski (Chair)President, International Society forBehavioural and Cognitive VascularDisorders. Vice-President, WorldFederation of Neurology. Chair, StrokeAffairs and Liaison Committee, WorldFederation of Neurology.

Johan Aarli, President, World Federationof Neurology (WFN); Ruth Bonita, NewZealand; Antonio Culebras, President,World Stroke Federation (WSF); PrafulDalal, Vice-President, Indian StrokeAssociation; Geoffrey Donnan, Chair,Oversight Committee ISS/WSF; VivianFritz, President & Chairperson, SouthAfrican Stroke Foundation, South Africa;Werner Hacke, Chair European StrokeInitiative, Chair, European StrokeCouncil, Germany; Daniel Hanley,National Stroke Association; MarkkuKaste, Past Chair, European StrokeInitiative, Executive, Board Member,European Stroke Council; Ashraf Kurdi,

Jordan; Jose Larracoechea, SpanishNeurological Society, Spain; Mary Lewis,Heart and Stroke Foundation of Ontario;John W. Norris, Joint Chair, 5th WorldStroke Congress; Brian O'Grady, ChiefExecutive, Stroke Foundation NewZealand Inc. (retired); Sir NiphonPoungvarin, President, Thai NeurologicalSociety, Founding President, Thai StrokeSociety, Thailand; Jeanette Rewucki,Canada; Wendy Segrest, Director ofOperations, American StrokeAssociation; Sidney C. Smith, Jr., Chair,Heart and Stroke Forum, World HeartFederation; Philip Teal, Chair, CanadianStroke Consortium; James F. Toole, PastPresident, International Stroke Society;Takenori Yamaguchi, President, JapanStroke Association, Japan, President ofthe International Stroke Society; FrankM. Yatsu, Treasurer, International StrokeSociety.

Parkinson’s News Update12



Azilect hailed intreatment ofParkinson’sHealth Canada has approved what somedoctors are calling the most significantdrug for the treatment of Parkinson’s dis-ease in four decades.

Azilect is not a cure for Parkinson’s, butclinical trials have shown it is highly effec-tive in relieving the symptoms associatedwith both the early and late stages of thedisease, according to a Montreal neurol-ogist. Preliminary research also suggeststhe medication might even slow the pro-gression of Parkinson’s although thismust be borne out by further studies.

Pesticide Exposure MayAccelerate Onset OfParkinson’s Disease

Pesticide exposure may increase the riskof Parkinson’s disease, says a studydone by researchers at Emory Universityand Georgia Institute of Technology inAtlanta; although pesticides are banned,they are still present in the environment.

The findings were presented at the232nd American Chemical Society gath-ering—the largest scientific society in theworld. The scientists said that exposureto pesticides increases the pace ofchanges occurring in the brain, eventual-ly leading to the possibility of early onsetof Parkinson’s perhaps even decadesearlier.

Acupuncture can helptreat effects ofParkinson’s disease:Seoul ProfessorsAcupuncture works in treating motor dis-orders caused by Parkinson’s disease, ateam of South Korean Professors ofOriental Medicine claim. The team dis-covered that if the treatment is adminis-tered on the right side of patients’ bodieswith kinetic function disorders, it can helpheal areas on the other side of their body.

The findings are “significant becauseacupuncture treatment can be employedas a preventive therapy for degenerativebrain diseases, and it is also applicableto improving symptoms of Parkinson’spatients,” said Lim Sabina, a Professor ofOriental Medicine at Kyung Hee

University, who led the project.

A Way to SlowParkinson’s?

Blocking a specific form of a brain chem-ical slows brain cell loss in an animalmodel of Parkinson’s disease, Texasresearchers report.

In the animal model, the researchersfound they could slow the death of affect-ed brain cells by about half, by blockingthe chemical called soluble TNF.

The finding offers a target for new drugsthat could slow the progression of thedebilitating and deadly disease. And itmay apply to Alzheimer’s disease aswell, suggest University of Texas South-western Medical Center researchersMelissa K. McCoy, MaIao G. Tansey,PhD, and colleagues.

Parkinson’s drug mayraise risk of valvetrouble

In some cases, patients taking aParkinson’s drug called cabergoline mayexperience damage to heart valves, astudy suggests. High cumulative dosesof and long-term treatment with this drugare risk factors for the development of“valvulopathy,” Japanese doctors reportin the journal Neurology.

Cabergoline is a so-called dopamineagonist used to control movement prob-lems caused by Parkinson’s disease.Other dopamine agonists include per-golide and pramipexole.

Dr. Mitsutoshi Yamamoto and colleaguesdetermined the frequency of valvulopa-thy in 210 consecutive Parkinson’spatients admitted to Kagawa PrefecturalCentral Hospital in Takamatsu.

Insight into dopaminerole suggests newtreatment pathway forParkinson’sDopamine (DA) not only functions as aneurotransmitter, a chemical messengerbetween neurons by which one neurontriggers another, researchers have found.It also appears to coordinate the activityof a particular neural circuitry. In studieswith mice, they found evidence that thedopamine deficiency in Parkinson’s andother related movement disorders maycause loss of muscle control and paraly-sis due to disruption of coordinatedactivity in this circuit.

The finding is in contrast with the widelyheld belief that such pathology is causedby an overall inhibition of brain activitydue to lack of dopamine in such disor-ders as Parkinson’s.

Parkinson’s News Update

Delegates attending the XI International Congress on Neuromuscular Disease, Istanbul,Turkey, 2-7 July, 2006

13



BOOK REVIEWS

Multiple Sclerosis inClinical Practice

Editors: Stanely van den Noort andNancy J. Holland

ISBN: 1-888799-25-0No. of pages: 234Publication date: Reprinted 2006Price: US$ 34.95Publisher: Demos Medical Publishing

Inc.

Another publication on this most devas-tating disease, a cure for which hasproved elusive for decades. The editorsdiscuss its management with all theproblems associated with such a chronicand progressive disease. They also dis-cuss its treatment in an acute attack andthe availability, and complications, of newdrugs to control its progression. The con-tents are divided into 13 chapters, includ-ing those on cognitive loss, primary careneeds and community resources. Thisbook will be most useful for GeneralPhysicians and clinical neurologists.

Editor-in-Chief

Parkinson's Disease:Diagnosis and ClinicalManagement

Editors: Stewart A. Factor and William J. Weiner

ISBN: 1-8887995-01No. of pages: 685Publication Date: 2006Price:Publishers: Demos Medical Publishing

Inc.

Although the book's title highlights diag-nostic and management issues ofParkinson's Disease (PD), there are com-prehensive chapters on Aetiology,Neurochemistry, Pathophysiology andEpidemiological Aspects as well. It startswith a tribute to James Parkinson andtraces the evolution of our knowledge ofPD through the last 2 centuries. The sec-tion on clinical presentation had individ-ual chapters devoted to each of the vari-ous symptomatology, e.g. gastrointesti-nal, dysautonomia, speech and swallow-ing etc. For researchers, there is a fullchapter describing the various ratingscales. An entire section covers thebehavioural and cognitive aspects, dis-

secting the role of dopamine changes inthe interplay of psychosis and PD symp-tomatology. Various forms of antiparkin-sonian medication have been correlatedwith endogenous pathways of the brainand the metabolism of concerned drugsextensively covered. The future directionsof gene therapy and neural transplanta-tion have also been addressed.Neurosurgeons would also learn from thedifferent chapters outlining each site ofsurgical intervention, rationale for patientselection and pathophysiologic correlate.The book also touches upon the'Parkinson's plus states'. Overall a goodtreatise as reference to trainees, and amust for researchers in PD. GeneralNeurologists would enhance the fine tun-ing of their prescriptions and surgeonsthe understanding of their intervention.

C.P. DasPostgraduate Institute of MedicalEducation and ResearchChandigarh-India

Amyotrophic LateralSclerosis

Editors: Robert G. Miller, Deborah Gelinas and Patricia O'Connor

ISBN: 1-932603-06-9No. of Pages: 246Publication Date: 2005Price: US$22.95Publishers: Demos Medical Publishing

Inc.

A publication from the AmericanAcademy of Neurology on a disease forwhich there is no cure but hopes for abright future from the many clinical trialswith drugs. The disease is progressivewith a short life, but clinicians can helppatients considerably by increasing theircourage and strength to battle with thedisease. The authors discuss diagnosis,clinical trials, the multidisciplinaryapproach to care, quality of life and psy-chological issues, staying mobile,breathing and sleep, nutrition and swal-lowing, palliative care and many otheraspects of this disease. This book of 15chapters is useful for clinicians treatingsuch patients, for medical students andfor patients' relatives.

Editor-In-Chief

Fundamentals ofNeurologic Disease

Editors: Larry E. Davis, Molly K.King and Jessica L. Schultz

ISBN: 1-888799-84-6No. of Pages: 235Publication Date: 2005Price:Publishers: Demos Medical Publishing

Inc.

This book elaborates on the basic neuro-logical examination and discusses theimportant neurological diseases whichare encountered most frequently in aNeurological Centre. Neurological dis-eases can be gone through in a shorttime along with the modalities of treat-ment. Disorders of pain, headache,coma, cerebral death, myeline disordersand disorders of cortical function, theextrapyramidal system, neuromusculardisorders, CNS infections, and braintumours are all discussed along withother diseases of the nervous system.Medical students, postgraduates andgeneral physicians can benefit in updat-ing their knowledge of neurological dis-eases.

Editor-In-Chief

Alzheimer's Disease

Editors: Paul Dash and Nicole Villemarette-Pittman

ISBN: 1-932603-12-3No. of Pages: 207Publication Date: 2005Price: US$ 19.95Publishers: Demos Medical Publishing

Inc.

Pocket book edition of AmericanAcademy of Neurology on Alzheimer'sDisease (AD) which is still under diag-nosed particularly in the DevelopingCountries of poor resources. The mostimportant differential diagnosis is withvascular dementia although imagingtechniques can differentiate between thetwo. The prognosis is equally unsatisfac-tory in both but therapeutic modalitiesdiffer. This book elaborates on the caus-es, diagnosis and treatment of AD. Thefamily and the community care areimportant factors. It is a book of 16 chap-ters including those on dementia, stagesand prognosis in AD, Anatomy and

BOOK REVIEWS

CALENDAR14



2006

10th International Congress ofParkinson's Disease andMovement Disorders October 29 - November 02, 2006

Kyoto, Japanhttp://www.movementdisorders.org/congress/congress06/

17th International Symposium onthe Autonomic Nervous System November 01 - 04, 2006

Rio Grande, Puerto Ricohttp://www.americanautonomicsociety.org/

Current Trends in Epilepsy: AnInternational Symposium byAIIMS November 03 - 05, 2006

New Delhi, Indiahttp://www.aiims.edu/aiims/events/Neurology/currentrends.htm

Fifth International Congress onVascular Dementia November 08 - 11, 2006

Budapest, Hungaryhttp://www.kenes.com/vascular

NeuroBelgium 2006November 10 - 11, 2006

Genval, Belgiumhttp://neuro.piettecommunication.com

European Charcot FoundationSymposium 2006“Mending the brain: stem cellsand repair in multiple sclerosis.”November 16-18, 2006

Taormina, Sicily, Italyhttp://www.charcot-ms.org

6th Asian & Oceanian EpilepsyCongress November 16 - 19, 2006

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysiahttp://www.epilep-sykualalumpur2006.org/

XVI Meeting of the InternationalNeuro-ophthalmology Society November 29 - December 02, 2006

Tokyo, Japanhttp://www.inos2006.jp/

7th International Symposium onDiabetic Neuropathy November 29 - December 02, 2006

Cape Town, South Africahttp://www.diabeticneuropathy06.com

5th International Congress onAutoimmunity November 29 - December 03, 2006Sorrento, Italy

http://www.kenes.com/autoim2006/

8th International Conference onCerebrovascular SurgeryNovember 30 - December 03, 2006

Taipei, Taiwanhttp://www.iccvs2006.org/

1st North American RegionalEpilepsy Congress December 01 - 05, 2006

San Diego, CA, USAhttp://www.aesnet.org/Visitors/AnnualMeeting/index.cfm

2nd Dual Congress on Psychiatryand the Neurosciences December 07 - 10, 2006

Athens, Greecehttp://www.ina-wfsbp-dualcongress.gr/2006/

2007

3rd Annual Update Symposiumon Clinical Neurology andNeurophysiology February 19-21, 2007

Tel Aviv, Israel

Abstract Deadline: 300 wordsabstract by November 15, 2006.

With sessions on: Parkinson’s DiseaseChronic Pain and Headache CNSNeoplasms

Workshops on: Localized Treatment ofPain Botulinum Toxin Injection

Contact:ISAS International SeminarsP.O. Box 574, Jerusalem 91004, IsraelFax: +972-2-6520558http://www.neurophysiology-symposium.com

CALENDAR

Biochemistry, Medication, AlternativeTreatment, Practical Issues for Patient &Family and Transition care etc. A handybook for physicians, neurologists, med-ical students and family members.

Assistant Editor

Multiple SclerosisThe History of aDisease

Editor: T. Jock MurrayISBN: 1-888799-80-3

No. of Pages: 580Publication Date: 2005Price: US$ 29.95Publishers: Demos Medical Publishing

A unique book on the history of multiplesclerosis containing some materialdrawn from the medieval ages and noteasily available before. In this compre-hensive work the reader will meet peoplewho suffered from MS at a time when thedisease had not been given a name.There are contributions on the blessedLidwina of Holland who took joy from thecondition, on the grandson of George III

and cousin of Queen Victoria, and manyother sufferers. The author describesprogress in the diagnosis and treatmentof the disease in parallel to scientificdevelopments from the past through tothe modern era. The book contains aplethora of information which will be adelight to read by physicians, nurses andpatients with MS.

Assistant Editor

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