Mechanisms of aluminium neurotoxicity in oxidative stress-induced ...
Mechanisms of aluminium neurotoxicity in oxidative stress-induced ...
Mechanisms of aluminium neurotoxicity in oxidative stress-induced ...
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INTRODUCTION<br />
predate the occurrence <strong>of</strong> motor symptoms and should be recognized and treated as<br />
soon as possible to maximize functionality as well as quality <strong>of</strong> life.<br />
Diagnosis <strong>of</strong> PD<br />
The diagnosis <strong>of</strong> PD is essentially made on cl<strong>in</strong>ical criteria. Whereas these<br />
cl<strong>in</strong>ical criteria lead, at best, to a diagnosis <strong>of</strong> probable PD, post-mortem confirmation is<br />
required to establish a def<strong>in</strong>ite diagnosis <strong>of</strong> PD (Hughes et al. 1992a, Koller 1992).<br />
Historically, the identification <strong>of</strong> Lewy bodies (LB) on autopsy was considered the<br />
criterion standard for diagnosis (Gibb and Lees 1988).<br />
A diagnosis <strong>of</strong> primary park<strong>in</strong>sonism requires at least the presence <strong>of</strong> two <strong>of</strong> the<br />
primary card<strong>in</strong>al motor symptoms (rest<strong>in</strong>g tremor, bradyk<strong>in</strong>esia, rigidity) and exclusion<br />
<strong>of</strong> potential causes <strong>of</strong> secondary park<strong>in</strong>sonism. The follow<strong>in</strong>g features are considered by<br />
most experts as essential and the most important to discrim<strong>in</strong>ate PD from other<br />
diagnoses: a unilateral or asymmetrical onset <strong>of</strong> motor symptoms and a consistent<br />
response <strong>of</strong> the symptoms to an adequate dose <strong>of</strong> a dopam<strong>in</strong>ergic (DAergic) agent such<br />
as levodopa given for a sufficient period. If it is not the case, an alternative diagnosis<br />
should be assumed. The differential diagnosis <strong>of</strong> PD <strong>in</strong>cludes normal age<strong>in</strong>g, essential<br />
tremor, and other park<strong>in</strong>sonian syndromes such as progressive supranuclear palsy<br />
(PSP), multiple system atrophy (MSA) and vascular park<strong>in</strong>sonism, amongst others<br />
(Stoessl and Rivest 1999; Table 1).<br />
The diagnosis <strong>of</strong> PD is difficult especially on early-stages <strong>of</strong> the disease, because<br />
atypical features may be absent or <strong>in</strong>significant and there is no <strong>in</strong>formation on<br />
levodopa-responsiveness. A long-term follow-up <strong>of</strong> patients is needed to revise<br />
diagnoses on the basis <strong>of</strong> <strong>in</strong>formation on disease progression, physical exam<strong>in</strong>ation,<br />
improvement/emergence <strong>of</strong> other symptoms and responsiveness to DAergic treatment.<br />
Post-mortem studies demonstrated misdiagnosis <strong>in</strong> up to 25% <strong>of</strong> patients diagnosed<br />
with PD by general neurologists as their bra<strong>in</strong> reveal no pathological sign <strong>of</strong> the disease<br />
(Rajput et al. 1991, Hughes et al. 1992a). It is worth not<strong>in</strong>g that accuracy <strong>of</strong> PD<br />
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