http://hdl.handle.net/1956/1124 Search the Channel search http://bora.uib.no/simple-search http://hdl.handle.net/1956/2242 Title: Cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease : profiles and implications for prognosis <br/> <br/>Authors: Janvin, Carmen Cristea <br/> <br/>Abstract: Objectives: The main objective of the present thesis was to explore cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), focussing on non-demented patients and elucidating cognitive profile, the course and predictive power of cognitive impairment for the development of dementia. Methods: The sample of 139 patients with PD was drawn from an epidemiological study of PD performed in Rogaland County, Norway in 1993. In 1997, the survivors performed a baseline evaluation consisting of neurological, psychiatric and neuropsychological assessments. They were re-assessed 4 years later with the same test-battery. A group of 38 healthy elderly controls performed the same neuropsychological test battery at baseline, in order to obtain normative data. PD was diagnosed according to explicit and generally accepted criteria based on clinical examination. The cognitive assessment consisted of a battery of neuropsychological tests assessing visual memory (Benton Visual Retention Test, multiple choice version), visuospatial abilities (Judgement of Line Orientation), and executive functions (Stroop Word Test), as well as of two screening instruments: the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and Dementia Rating Scale (DRS). Dementia in PD was diagnosed according to Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 3rd edition, revised (DSM- III-R) criteria based on a semi-structured clinical caregiver-based interview and the results of the neuropsychological tests. The diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was made according to a modified version of the criteria proposed by Petersen et al 2001. Results: Fifty-five percent of the PD patients without dementia were cognitively impaired. Impairment on the Stroop Word Test was associated with an increased risk for incident dementia. Thirtyeight PD patients (52.7%) who fulfilled the criteria for MCI were identified. The progression rate to dementia after 4 years was 60% in subjects with MCI, compared to only 20% among the cognitively intact PD patients. Finally, cognitive heterogeneity was found both in patients with MCI and with dementia: In both groups, the majority exhibited a predominantly executive impairment (i.e. “subcortical” cognitive profile), although a considerable proportion had a predominantly memory impairment (i.e. “cortical” cognitive profile). Conclusions: These findings show that cognitive impairment is common even in non-demented patients with PD, and that MCI is an early manifestation of the dementia in PD. The cognitive profiles indicate that in most patients with PD, fronto-subcortical changes are the main contributing factor to dementia, whereas in other patients, cortical and hippocampal changes predominate. http://hdl.handle.net/1956/2100 Title: The Role of the Corpus Callosum and Interhemispheric Connectivity in Tourette Syndrome <br/> <br/>Authors: Plessen, Kerstin Jessica von http://hdl.handle.net/1956/1662 Title: Moderne helsebekymringer <br/> <br/>Authors: Hysing, Mari; Sivertsen, Børge http://hdl.handle.net/1956/1126 Title: Light mobilization treatment of subacute, non-spesific low back pain <br/> <br/>Authors: Hagen, Eli Molde <br/> <br/>Description: The thesis is based on the following papers: Paper 1 Hagen EM, Eriksen HR, Ursin H. Does early intervention with a light mobilization program reduce long-term sick leave for low back pain? Spine 2000;25:1973-1976. Paper 2 Hagen EM, Grasdal A, Eriksen HR. Does early intervention with a light mobilization program reduce long-term sick leave for low back pain? A 3-year follow-up study. Spine 2003;28:2309-2316. Paper 3 Hagen EM, Svensen E, Eriksen HR. Predictors and modifiers of treatment effect influencing sick leave in subacute low back pain patients. Spine 2005;30:2717- 2723. Paper 4 Hagen EM, Svensen E, Eriksen HR, Ihlebæk C, Ursin H. Comorbid subjective health complaints in low back pain. Spine, in press. http://hdl.handle.net/1956/1123 Title: Co-existing symptoms and risk factors among African school children with hyperactivity-inattention symptoms in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo <br/> <br/>Authors: Kashala, Espérance; Lundervold, Astri; Sommerfelt, Kristian; Tylleskär, Thorkild; Elgen, Irene <br/> <br/>Abstract: The aims of the study were to explore hyperactivity-inattention symptoms and co-existing symptoms of emotional and behavioural problems among African school children and their relationship with health status, socio-demographic factors, and school performance. Method: A case-control approach was used. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to explore the co-existing emotional and behavioural symptoms and a semi-structured interview with parents to explore the socio-demographic variables. The sample included 357 school children at the age of seven to nine years: 183 children were defined as cases, defined by abnormal scores on the SDQ hyperactivity-inattention scale (SDQ-HI) and 174 randomly selected children among those with normal scores on the SDQ-HI were defined as controls. No age and gender differences were noticed between the two groups. Results: A younger maternal age at childbirth, and poor school performances were more frequent among cases than controls. Three quarter of the hyperactive-inattentive children had co-existing symptoms according to SDQ, the most common being conduct problems. Conclusion: As in other cultures, co-existence of hyperactivity-inattention symptoms and emotional and behavioural problems was found in this African setting. Further validation of behavioural screening instruments in African children is called for. <br/> <br/>Description: Pre-print from European Child and Adolescent Psychiatry , Kashala E, Lundervold A, Sommerfelt K, Tylleskär T, Elgen I., Co-existing symptoms and risk factors among African school children with hyperactivity-inattention symptoms in Kinshasa, DR Congo, Copyright Springer