Background - Our objectives were to determine the differences in the vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) responses in patients diagnosed with early staged idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (PD) compared to the normal population and evaluate the vestibular system disorder causing balance-posture disorders. Second aim of this study was to investigate caloric test responses particularly in early staged PD compared to normal popu­lation. Material and methods - Thirty patients (14 females and 16 males; mean age, 60.6 ± 13.1 years) diagnosed with idiopathic PD and 28 healthy subjects (20 males and 8 females; mean age, 59.1 ± 6.4 years) were included. The patient and control groups were subdivided according to their age, gender and the patient group was subdivided according to onset time of the Parkinson symptoms, Hoehn-Yahr staging. The subgroups were compared for VEMP and caloric test responses. Results - There were no significant differences between the study and control groups for right and left VEMP measurements. Patients over 60 years and under 60 years did not show significant differences in terms of right and left mean VEMP measurements. However, P1 amplitude was significantly lower in patients over 60 years old (P = .004). Gender, disease duration, BERG balance scale and Hoehn-Yahr stage had no effect on the VEMP amplitudes. There was no significant correlation with the side of Parkinsonian symptoms to the side of canal paresis (P = .566) and the side on which no VEMP response was obtained in caloric test. Conclusion - VEMP responses were not different between PD and healthy subjects. VEMP P1 amplitude was decreased with age in PD group. Canal paresis and symptoms side were not statistically correlated in caloric test.

[Background – The recently published “EarlyStim” study demonstrated that deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease (PD) with early fluctuations is superior to the optimal pharmacological treatment in improving the quality of life and motor symptoms, and preserving sociocultural position. Our retrospective investigation aimed to evaluate if DBS therapy was able to preserve the working capabilities of our patients. Methods – We reviewed the data of 39 young (<60 years-old) PD patients who underwent subthalamic DBS implantation at University of Pécs and had at least two years follow-up. Patients were categorized into two groups based on their working capabilities: Patients with active job (“Job+” group, n=15) and retired patients (without active job, “Job-” group, n=24). Severity of motor symptoms (UPDRS part 3), quality of life (EQ-5D) and presence of active job were evaluated one and two years after the operation. Results – As far as the severity of motor symptoms were concerned, similar (approximately 50%) improvement was achieved in both groups. However, the postoperative quality of life was significantly better in the Job+ group. Majority (12/15, 80%) of Job+ group members were able to preserve their job two years after the operation. However, only a minimal portion (1/24, 4.2%) of the Job- group members was able to return to the world of active employees (p<0.01, McNemar test). Conclusion – Although our retrospective study has several limitations, our results fit well with the conclusions of “EarlyStim” study. Both of them suggest that with optimal timing of DBS implantation we may preserve the working capabilities of our patients.]

[In the past years, six monogenic forms of Parkinson disease have clearly been associated with this movement disorder. The most frequent forms are LRRK2- and Parkin-associated Parkinson disease. Currently, a genetic diagnosis does not change the therapy, the genes involved in genetic Parkinson disease help to understand the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms of Parkinson disease. Beside the overview of the molecular-genetic basis, we give a review about genetic testing, pharmacological and other multidisciplinary treatment options.]

Aims - Parkinson’s disease (PD) has the second highest incidence among neurodegenerative diseases in the world population. The study aimed to investigate the presence of some cardiovascular risk factors - dyslipidemia, diabetes, and hypertension - in PD patients and to compare their risk with non-PD population in South East Hungary. Methods - A case-control study was conducted at the Department of Neurology, University of Szeged, Hungary. The study included 1299 subjects out of which 620 patients were identified as cases of diagnosed PD and 679 as controls. Logistic regression analyses were conducted to reveal the association of vascular risk factors with PD. Results - In the univariate analysis, diabetes mellitus was positively associated with PD, while dyslipidemia showed negative association to it in the total population, and no significant associations were found between hypertension and PD. The multivariate logistic regression models showed that the odds of diabetes mellitus was higher (OR=2.86), while the odds of dyslipidemia was lower (OR=0.58) among PD patients than in the control group. Hypertension showed a different pattern by gender: the odds of registered hypertension was significantly lower in female PD patients (OR=0.68), whereas the result was not significant in males. Conclusions - This is the first study that provides a comprehensive view of the cardiovascular risk factors in PD patients in Hungary and shows considerable relationship between diabetes mellitus and PD.

[Parkinson’s disease is the second most frequent neurodegenerative disease. Its aetiology has not been clarified yet, but genetical as well as environmental factors might have a significant role in its development. The differentiation between Parkinsonian syndromes and Parkinson’s disease (idiopathic Parkinsonian syndrome) could be very difficult even today. The accuracy of the diagnosis is no more than 90% despite the expertise of the best-trained neurologists and the use of the most sophisticated diagnostic procedures. A 100% of confidence can be achieved only by neuropathological examination. The precise recording of the anamnesis, the thorough knowledge of clinical symptoms and diagnostic tests could be helpful in establishing diagnosis as early and as accurately as possible, which might be crucial for choosing the most effective therapy. Nowadays we have a lot of pharmacotherapies and non-pharmacotherapies, the use of which can significantly increase the number of years with a good quality of life of patients with this currently untreatable condition.]