scholarly journals Effect of Botulinum Toxin on Non-Motor Symptoms in Cervical Dystonia

Toxins ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 647
Author(s):  
Matteo Costanzo ◽  
Daniele Belvisi ◽  
Isabella Berardelli ◽  
Annalisa Maraone ◽  
Viola Baione ◽  
...  

Patients with cervical dystonia (CD) may display non-motor symptoms, including psychiatric disturbances, pain, and sleep disorders. Intramuscular injection of botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) is the most efficacious treatment for motor symptoms in CD, but little is known about its effects on non-motor manifestations. The aim of the present study was to longitudinally assess BoNT-A’s effects on CD non-motor symptoms and to investigate the relationship between BoNT-A-induced motor and non-motor changes. Forty-five patients with CD participated in the study. Patients underwent a clinical assessment that included the administration of standardized clinical scales assessing dystonic symptoms, psychiatric disturbances, pain, sleep disturbances, and disability. Clinical assessment was performed before and one and three months after BoNT-A injection. BoNT-A induced a significant improvement in dystonic symptoms, as well as in psychiatric disturbances, pain, and disability. Conversely, sleep disorders were unaffected by BoNT-A treatment. Motor and non-motor BoNT-A-induced changes showed a similar time course, but motor improvement did not correlate with non-motor changes after BoNT-A. Non-motor symptom changes after BoNT-A treatment are a complex phenomenon and are at least partially independent from motor symptom improvement.

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan P. Feeney ◽  
Danny Bega ◽  
Benzi M. Kluger ◽  
A. Jon Stoessl ◽  
Christiana M. Evers ◽  
...  

AbstractSymptomatic management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is complex and many symptoms, especially non-motor symptoms, are not effectively addressed with current medications. In the US, cannabis has become more widely available for medical and recreational use, permitting those in the PD community to try alternative means of symptom control. However, little is known about the attitudes towards, and experiences with, cannabis use among those living with PD. To address this shortcoming, we distributed an anonymous survey to 7,607 people with PD in January 2020 and received 1339 responses (17.6%). 1064 complete responses were available for analysis. Respondents represented 49 states with a mean age of 71.2 years (±8.3) and mean PD duration of 7.4 years (±6.2). About a quarter of respondents (24.5%) reported cannabis use within the previous six months. Age and gender were found to be predictors of cannabis use in this sample (Age OR = 0.95, 95% CI 0.93 to 0.97; Male OR = 1.44, 95% CI 1.03 to 2.03). Users reported learning about cannabis use from the internet/news (30.5%) and friends or other people with PD (26.0%). Cannabis users were more likely to report insufficient control of their non-motor symptoms with prescription medications than non-users (p = 0.03). Cannabis was primarily used for PD (63.6%) and was most often used to treat nonmotor symptoms of anxiety (45.5%), pain (44.0%), and sleep disorders (44.0%). However, nearly a quarter of users (23.0%) also reported they had stopped cannabis use in the previous six months, primarily due to a lack of symptom improvement (35.5%). Three quarters of respondents (75.5%) did not use cannabis, primarily because there was a lack of scientific evidence supporting efficacy (59.9%). Our results suggest that the lack of formal guidance or research evidence about cannabis for PD may in part underlie inconsistencies in both use and reported effectiveness.


Author(s):  
Emily Beswick ◽  
Deborah Forbes ◽  
Zack Hassan ◽  
Charis Wong ◽  
Judith Newton ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is increasingly recognised as a multi-system disorder, presenting with common and impactful non-motor symptoms, such as neuropsychiatric symtpoms, cognitive and behavioural changes, pain, disordered sleep, fatigue and problematic saliva. Aim/hypothesis We aimed to systematically review 25 years of ALS clinical trials data to identify if non-motor features were evaluated, in addition to the traditional measures of motor functioning and survival, and where evaluated to describe the instruments used to assess. We hypothesised that assessment of non-motor symptoms has been largely neglected in trial design and not evaluated with ALS-suitable instruments. Methods We reviewed clinical trials of investigative medicinal products in ALS, since the licensing of riluzole in 1994. Trial registry databases including WHO International Trials Registry, European Clinical Trials Register, clinicaltrials.gov, and PubMed were systematically searched for Phase II, III or IV trials registered, completed or published between 01/01/1994 and 16/09/2020. No language restrictions were applied. Results 237 clinical trials, including over 29,222 participants, were investigated for their use of non-motor outcome measures. These trials evaluated neuropsychiatric symptoms (75, 32%), cognitive impairment (16, 6.8%), behavioural change (34, 14%), pain (55, 23%), sleep disturbances (12, 5%) and fatigue (18, 8%). Problematic saliva was assessed as part of composite ALS-FRS(R) scores in 184 trials (78%) but with no focus on this as an isolated symptom. 31 (13%) trials including 3585 participants did not include any assessment of non-motor symptoms. Conclusions Non-motor symptoms such as neuropsychiatric, cognitive and behavioural changes, pain, disordered sleep, fatigue, and problematic saliva have not been consistently evaluated in trials for people with ALS. Where evaluated, non-symptoms were primarily assessed using instruments and impairment thresholds that are not adapted for people with ALS. Future trials should include non-motor symptom assessments to evaluate the additional potential therapeutic benefit of candidate drugs. PROPSERO registration CRD42020223648.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 ◽  
pp. 175628642110185
Author(s):  
Susan J. Thanabalasingam ◽  
Brandan Ranjith ◽  
Robyn Jackson ◽  
Don Thiwanka Wijeratne

Background: Recent changes to the legal status of cannabis across various countries have renewed interest in exploring its use in Parkinson’s disease (PD). The use of cannabinoids for alleviation of motor symptoms has been extensively explored in pre-clinical studies. Objective: We aim to systematically review and meta-analyze literature on the use of medical cannabis or its derivatives (MC) in PD patients to determine its effect on motor function and its safety profile. Methods: We reviewed and analyzed original, full-text randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. Primary outcomes were change in motor function and dyskinesia. Secondary outcomes included adverse events and side effects. All studies were analyzed for risk of bias. Results: Fifteen studies, including six RCTs, were analyzed. Of these, 12/15 (80%) mention concomitant treatment with antiparkinsonian medications, most commonly levodopa. Primary outcomes were most often measured using the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) among RCTs and patient self-report of symptom improvement was widely used among observational studies. Most of the observational data lacking appropriate controls had effect estimates favoring the intervention. However, the controlled studies demonstrated no significant motor symptom improvement overall. The meta-analysis of three RCTs, including a total of 83 patients, did not demonstrate a statistically significant improvement in UPDRS III score variation (MD −0.21, 95% CI −4.15 to 3.72; p = 0.92) with MC use. Only one study reported statistically significant improvement in dyskinesia ( p < 0.05). The intervention was generally well tolerated. All RCTs had a high risk of bias. Conclusion: Although observational studies establish subjective symptom alleviation and interest in MC among PD patients, there is insufficient evidence to support its integration into clinical practice for motor symptom treatment. This is primarily due to lack of good quality data.


2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 428
Author(s):  
Daniele Urso ◽  
Valentina Leta ◽  
KRay Chaudhuri

Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/WNL.0000000000011893
Author(s):  
Branduff McAllister ◽  
James F Gusella ◽  
G. Bernhard Landwehrmeyer ◽  
Jong-Min Lee ◽  
Marcy E MacDonald ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo assess the prevalence, timing and functional impact of psychiatric, cognitive and motor abnormalities in Huntington’s disease (HD) gene carriers, we analysed retrospective clinical data from individuals with manifest HD.MethodsClinical features of HD patients were analysed for 6316 individuals in the European REGISTRY study from 161 sites across 17 countries. Data came from clinical history and the patient-completed Clinical Characteristics Questionnaire that assessed eight symptoms: motor, cognitive, apathy, depression, perseverative/obsessive behavior, irritability, violent/aggressive behavior, and psychosis. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyse relationships between symptoms and functional outcomes.ResultsThe initial manifestation of HD is increasingly likely to be motor, and less likely to be psychiatric, as age at presentation increases, and is independent of pathogenic CAG repeat length. The Clinical Characteristics Questionnaire captures data on non-motor symptom prevalence that correlate specifically with validated clinical measures. Psychiatric and cognitive symptoms are common in HD gene carriers, with earlier onsets associated with longer CAG repeats. 42.4% of HD patients reported at least one psychiatric or cognitive symptom before motor symptoms, with depression most common. Each non-motor symptom was associated with significantly reduced total functional capacity scores.ConclusionsPsychiatric and cognitive symptoms are common and functionally debilitating in HD gene carriers. They require recognition and targeting with clinical outcome measures and treatments. However, as it is impossible to distinguish confidently between non-motor symptoms arising from HD and primary psychiatric disorders, particularly in younger pre-manifest patients, non-motor symptoms should not be used to make a clinical diagnosis of HD.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan P. Feeney ◽  
Danny Bega ◽  
Benzi M. Kluger ◽  
A. Jon Stoessl ◽  
Christiana M. Evers ◽  
...  

AbstractSymptomatic management of Parkinson’s disease (PD) is complex and many symptoms, especially non-motor symptoms, are not effectively addressed with current medications. In the US, cannabis has become more widely available for medical and recreational use, permitting those in the PD community to try alternative means of symptom control. However, little is known about the attitudes towards, and experiences with, cannabis use among those living with PD. To address this shortcoming, we distributed an anonymous survey to 7,607 people with PD in January 2020 and received 1,064 complete responses for analysis (14%). Respondents represented 49 states with a mean age of 71.2 years (± 8.3) and mean PD duration of 7.4 years (± 6.2). About a quarter of respondents (24.5%) reported cannabis use within the previous six months. Users reported learning about cannabis use from the internet/news (30.5%) and friends or other people with PD (26.0%). Cannabis users were more likely to report insufficient control of their non-motor symptoms with prescription medications than non-users (p < 0.005). Cannabis was primarily used for PD (63.6%) and was most often used to treat nonmotor symptoms of anxiety (45.5%), pain (44.0%) and sleep disorders (44.0%). However, nearly a quarter of users (23.0%) also reported they had stopped cannabis use in the previous six months, primarily due to a lack of symptom improvement (35.5%). Three quarters of respondents (75.5%) did not use cannabis, primarily because there was a lack of scientific evidence supporting efficacy (59.9%). Our results suggest that the lack of formal guidance or research evidence about cannabis for PD may in part underlie inconsistencies in both use and reported effectiveness.


2020 ◽  
Vol 142 (6) ◽  
pp. 613-622
Author(s):  
Vladimir Han ◽  
Matej Skorvanek ◽  
Marenka Smit ◽  
Monika Turcanova Koprusakova ◽  
Tialda Hoekstra ◽  
...  

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Zuzana Forejtová ◽  
Tereza Serranová ◽  
Tomáš Sieger ◽  
Matěj Slovák ◽  
Lucia Nováková ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Patients with functional neurological disorders (FND) often present with multiple motor, sensory, psychological and cognitive symptoms. In order to explore the relationship between these common symptoms, we performed a detailed clinical assessment of motor, non-motor symptoms, health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and disability in a large cohort of patients with motor FND. To understand the clinical heterogeneity, cluster analysis was used to search for subgroups within the cohort. Methods One hundred fifty-two patients with a clinically established diagnosis of motor FND were assessed for motor symptom severity using the Simplified Functional Movement Disorder Rating Scale (S-FMDRS), the number of different motor phenotypes (i.e. tremor, dystonia, gait disorder, myoclonus, and weakness), gait severity and postural instability. All patients then evaluated each motor symptom type severity on a Likert scale and completed questionnaires for depression, anxiety, pain, fatigue, cognitive complaints and HRQoL. Results Significant correlations were found among the self-reported and all objective motor symptoms severity measures. All self-reported measures including HRQoL correlated strongly with each other. S-FMDRS weakly correlated with HRQoL. Hierarchical cluster analysis supplemented with gap statistics revealed a homogenous patient sample which could not be separated into subgroups. Conclusions We interpret the lack of evidence of clusters along with a high degree of correlation between all self-reported and objective measures of motor or non-motor symptoms and HRQoL within current neurobiological models as evidence to support a unified pathophysiology of ‘functional’ symptoms. Our results support the unification of functional and somatic syndromes in classification schemes and for future mechanistic and therapeutic research.


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