New era of the Revista Mexicana de Neurociencia

Abstract

Objective: We carried out a cross-sectional study to identify the factors involved in each stage of the diagnosis pathway that may lead to a diagnostic delay in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients with PD were included. A questionnaire assessing the recognition of the initial symptoms, pathway to seek attention diagnosis and perception on the diagnostic time and identified barriers was applied. Diagnosis delay was defined as ≥ 12 months between initial recognition of the symptom and the definitive diagnosis of PD. Results: A total of 114 patients (57.9% male) with PD were included in the study. The overall median time of the diagnosis pathway was 14.5 (interquartile range [IQR] 31) months and the longest time in this pathway was between the first medical consultation and the definitive diagnosis of PD, a median of 9 (IQR 14) months. The main appraisal of the first symptom was being “not worried” (48.2%). The mains reasons for seeking medical attention were symptom worsening (42.1%). Patient’s perception on the diagnostic time was reported as very adequate/adequate in 52.7%. Barriers delaying the diagnosis identified included the belief of spontaneous symptoms relief and lack of trust in their doctor. Conclusion: Both the person with PD and the physician play a shared role in the diagnosis of PD. Improving the awareness of the disease, as well as improving medical education on PD, could result in a timely diagnosis. Abstract Background: Complications of COVID-19 can include neurological, psychiatric, psychological, and psychosocial sequelae. Little is known about the consequences of COVID-19 on the cognitive functions of patients in the subacute phase of the disease. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine if there is an incidence of cognitive impairment in patients with COVID-19 with mild to moderate symptoms in the remission phase. Method: This is a cross-sectional study conducted between April 2021 and August 2021 at the Eugenio Espejo Hospital in Quito, Ecuador. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment test was applied to COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate symptoms. Results: A total of 50 subjects were recruited, 88% (n = 44) presented cognitive deterioration and only 12% (n = 6) showed a normal score. Conclusions: In our cohort study, patients with COVID-19 with mild-moderate symptoms are at high risk of cognitive impairment. Abstract Objective: The objective of the study is to identify the risk and protective factors associated with Parkinson’s disease (PD) in inhabitants of Yucatan. Methods: Case control study. A questionnaire with the main risk and protective factors for PD described in the literature was applied to cases and controls. Results: The sample consisted of 85 cases and 124 controls. In the univariate logistic regression analyzes, it was found that the following factors were significantly associated with a higher risk of developing PD: family history of PD (OR = 5.28, p = 0.001), personal history of diabetes (OR = 2.35, p = 0.01), the number of head trauma (OR = 1.35, p = 0.02), number of general anesthesia received (OR = 1.27, p = 0.050), exposure to organic solvents (OR = 2.73, p = 0.02) and the years of exposure to organic solvents (OR = 1.05, p = 0.01): Conclusions: The findings of this research indicate that the inhabitants of the state of Yucatan are exposed to the following risk factors: having a relative with PD, personal history of diabetes, number of head traumas, exposure to organic solvents, years of exposure to organic solvents and number of general anesthesia received. Abstract This article proposes the term Somatodyspraxia to refer to the difficulties in body management and postural adjustments for performing actions, due to alterations in somatosensory and proprioceptive processing, as a consequence of acquired brain injury. In addition, we propose Somatoapraxia as a primary factor for apraxia and describe its applicability for a Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Model for apraxia. The explanatory models of apraxia, the somatosensory and proprioceptive alterations underlying various types of apraxia, and their manifestation in different neurological conditions, are taken into consideration. Recognizing Somatodyspraxia as a clinical component of patient’s life allows its integration for the improvement of current existing rehabilitation programs. Abstract Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained cardiac arrhythmia encountered in clinical practice. AF is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, heart failure, stroke, cognitive impairment and dementia, and mortality. Individuals with AF have a 5-fold risk of ischemic stroke, and AF-related strokes are associated with greater disability and mortality compared with strokes from other causes. Moreover, the burden of AF and AF-related stroke on patients, their caregivers, health-care systems, and society is significant and projected to increase in the coming decades due to the rapid growth of the ageing population. The care and management of patients with AF and AF-related stroke are challenging, often involving complex decision-making to weigh the risks and benefits of various treatment and prevention strategies. This topical review focuses on the latest science and advances in AF and AF-related stroke and identifies knowledge gaps and future directions of continued research. left hemispheric acute infarct, as well as evidence of hyperintensities in bilateral hemispheres suggestive of small vessel disease. Abstract Interatrial blocks (IABs) are a variety of abnormalities in the interatrial conduction. Bayes’ syndrome is a clinical entity based on the association between advanced IABs and supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, being atrial fibrillation (AF) the most frequent. Due to its negative effects on left atrial electromechanical function, both IABs and Bayes’ syndrome are associated with thromboembolic phenomena, causing cardiovascular and neurological complications. In regard to neurological involvement, patients with these conditions have an increased incidence of ischemic events, cognitive impairment, and dementia. These observations triggered the question whether the use of early anticoagulation therapy (before the documentation of AF) could prevent thromboembolic events in patients with IABs diagnosis. This review aims to summarize the most recent evidence describing the association of IABs and Bayes’ syndrome with neurological events. Potential early therapeutic options to prevent these undesirable clinical consequences will be also discussed.