Tag: Neuropsychological tests

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Stereotactic Lesion in the Forel’s Field H: A Two-Years Prospective Open-Label Study on Motor and Nonmotor Symptoms, Neuropsychological Functions and Quality of Life in Parkinson Disease

Neurosurgery, Volume 85, Issue 4, October 2019, Pages E650–E659

Stereotactic lesion in the Forel’s field H (campotomy) was proposed in 1963 to treat Parkinson disease (PD) symptoms. Despite its rationale, very few data on this approach have emerged. Additionally, no study has assessed its effects on nonmotor symptoms, neuropsychological functions and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a prospective 2-yr assessment of motor, nonmotor, neuropsychological and quality of life variables after unilateral campotomy.

METHODS: Twelve PD patients were prospectively evaluated using the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), the Dyskinesia Rating Scale and the Parkinson’s disease quality of life questionnaire (PDQ39) before campotomy, and after 6 and 24 mo. Nonmotor, neuropsychiatric, neuropsychological and quality of life variables were assessed. The impact of PD on global health was also rated.

RESULTS: A significant reduction in contralateral rest tremor (65.7%, P < .001), rigidity (87.8%, P < .001), bradykinesia (68%, P < .001) and axial symptoms (24.2%, P < .05) in offmedication condition led to a 43.9% reduction in UPSDRS III scores 2 yr after campotomy (P < .001). Gait improved by 31.9% (P < .05) and walking time to cover 7 m was reduced by 43.2% (P< .05). Pain decreased by 33.4% (P< .01), while neuropsychiatric and neuropsychological functions did not change. Quality of life improved by 37.8% (P < .05), in line with a 46.7% reduction of disease impact on global health (P < .001).

CONCLUSION: A significant 2-yr improvement of motor symptoms, gait performance and pain was obtained after unilateral campotomy without significant changes to cognition. Quality of life markedly improved in parallel with a significant reduction of PD burden on global health.

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Glioma surgery in eloquent areas: can we preserve cognition?

Surgery for low-grade glioma infiltrating the central cerebral region

Acta Neurochir (2016) 158:35–50

Cognitive preservation is crucial in glioma surgery, as it is an important aspect of daily life functioning. Several studies claimed that surgery in eloquent areas is possible without causing severe cognitive damage. However, this conclusion was relatively ungrounded due to the lack of extensive neuropsychological testing in homogenous patient groups. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the short-term and long-term effects of glioma surgery on cognition by identifying all studies who conducted neuropsychological tests preoperatively and postoperatively in glioma patients.

Methods We systematically searched the electronical databases Embase, Medline OvidSP, Web of Science, PsychINFO OvidSP, PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, Scirius and Proquest aimed at cognitive performance in glioma patients preoperatively and postoperatively.

Results We included 17 studies with tests assessing the cognitive domains: language, memory, attention, executive functions and/or visuospatial abilities. Language was the domain most frequently examined. Immediately postoperatively, all studies except one, found deterioration in one or more cognitive domains. In the longer term (3–6/6–12 months postoperatively), the following tests showed both recovery and deterioration compared with the preoperative level: naming and verbal fluency (language), verbal word learning (memory) and Trailmaking B (executive functions).

Conclusions Cognitive recovery to the preoperative level after surgery is possible to a certain extent; however, the results are too arbitrary to draw definite conclusions and not all studies investigated all cognitive domains. More studies with longer postoperative follow-up with tests for cognitive change are necessary for a better understanding of the conclusive effects of glioma surgery on cognition.

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Cognitive Functioning and Health-Related Quality of Life 1 Year After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Preoperative Comatose Patients (Hunt and Hess Grade V Patients)

DOI: 10.1227/01.NEU.0000365364.87303.AC

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine cognitive functioning and health related quality of life one year after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in preoperative comatose patients.

METHODS: Patients were investigated for one year using a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery and two HRQOL questionnaires.

RESULTS: Thirty-five of 70 patients survived the bleed, and 26 underwent neuropsychological testing. Two distinct patient groups emerged; one (n = 14) with good cognitive function, and the other (n = 12) with poor cognitive and motor function. Patients performing poorly were older (p = 0.04), had fewer years of education, (p = 0.005) larger preoperative ventricular scores, and were more often shunted (p = 0.02). There were also differences between the two groups in the Glasgow Outcome Scale (p = 0.001), modified Rankin Scale (p = 0.001), and employment status. HRQOL was more reduced in patients with poor cognitive function.

CONCLUSION: A high fraction of survivors among preoperative comatose aneurysmal SAH patients (Hunt and Hess grade V patients) recover to a good physical and cognitive function.

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