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Over the past few years, several studies have shown that elastic properties of arteries independently correlate with the risk of various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions. Furthermore, increased stiffness of the arterial tree appears to be an independent risk factor for atherosclerosis, end-stage renal disease, and aortic and carotid dissection. It has also been associated with increased mortality rate in patients … Preberite več >>

The etiology and pathophysiology of spontaneous cervical artery dissection are largely unknown. Its etiology is likely multifactorial, and primary arteriopathy is most probably involved. An association with migraine has also been suggested, but it remains unproven. A case report of a patient with migraine and spontaneous bilateral internal carotid artery dissection is presented.… Preberite več >>

Approximately 2,500 children in Slovenia have epilepsy. Epilepsy is diagnosed when unprovoked seizures recur. The etiologies and natural courses of epilepsies are variable. Prognostically, epilepsies are divided into four major groups (benign, pharmacosensitive, pharmacodependent and pharmacoresistant). Epilepsies are most commonly treated with antiepileptic drugs. Prompt response to antiepileptic drugs is a good prognostic sign for remission, regardless of the etiology. … Preberite več >>

The author emphasizes the most frequently used clinical and functional contemporary approaches in diagnostics of neonatal seizures and presents all four newborn epilepsies which can already occur also in during this period. It includes all the drugs used and those mentioned in the current literature as successful remedies for refractory seizures. The lidocaine as well as benzodiazepine use is recommended … Preberite več >>

The term neurovascular coupling denotes the relationship between neuronal activity and regional cerebral blood flow. A method that would enable analysis of neurovascular coupling in humans is still to be discovered. The aim of our study was to establish whether it is pos­sible to analyze neurovascular coupling noninvasively by simultaneously measuring visual evoked potentials (VEP) and visually evoked cerebral blood … Preberite več >>

The article reviews cognitive impairment and mental disorders in Parkinson’s disease, which often accompany movement disorders and contribute to patients disability. Specific clinical picture as well as pharmacological treatment of depression, anxiety, dementia, psychosis, and delirium in parkinsonism is described.… Preberite več >>

Quantitative sensory tests constitute an important complement to physical examination. Perception is evoked by modality-specific stimuli and sensory thresholds are examined by psychophysical methods. Sensory disturbances are defined in terms of changes in perception thresholds. Different psychophysical methods are described. Subjective responses are assessed by thermometry, vibrametry and examination of tactile sensation which are affected by some internal and external … Preberite več >>

Sensory examination is a part of the routine neurologic examination. It depends on both the patient and the examiner. Conventional sensibility tests are neither quantitative nor selective with regard to different modalities of sensations. Modality specific sensibility tests are described. Quantitative and qualitative sensory abnormalities are defined.… Preberite več >>

The wealth of energies around us are detected by receptors transducing the physical stimuli in a train of nerve impulses. These are conducted to the perception centres in the CNS, where they elicit sensory impressions. Receptors of the somatosensory apparatus make sensory processing of tactile sensation, proprioception, pain and thermal sensation possible. The character of sensation is determined by the … Preberite več >>

Cerebral cortex and nuclei in the brain and brain stem trigger and control all human activities. Nerve centres in the central nervous system are directly or indirectly connected with peripheral structures which »translate« nervous impulses into various, more or less manifest activities. Nerve impulses are conducted via nervous pathways which link higher and lower nerve centers and effectors, and constitute … Preberite več >>

Our activities are controlled by nerve tracts, i.e. groups of nerve fibres with the common origin, course and destination. Afferent nerve pathways conveying information to the central nervous system are presented. The exact role of some of them has not yet been definitely determined. Knowledge of the function and anatomy of nerve tracts, enables us to localise various nervous defects.… Preberite več >>

We examined the firing characteristics of single motor units in response to noninvasive magnetic brain stimulation in 17 patients with stroke in order to assess differences in motor unit responses between patients and normal human subjects. Recordings were made of the discharges of tonically active motor units in the abductor digiti minimi and biceps brachii muscles. The poststimulus time histograms … Preberite več >>