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Smith-Jensen et al. (p. 1227) compared the process of B cell activation in MS with that in chronic measles encephalitis and showed that the variable region of the heavy chain of immunoglobulin G (IgG) in MS displayed a similarly restricted pattern. This similarity suggests that IgG production in MS (such as oligoclonal bands) is a response to an infection. The accompanying editorial by Cross (p. 1214) considers how better understanding of abnormalities in B cell function will help define the causes of MS and lead to more specific therapy.
Trigeminal neuralgia is well-known to be associated with MS, but Minagar and Sheremata (p. 1367) report on four patients with glossopharyngeal neuralgia and MS. Three of the four responded to carbamazepine.
Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia
Pohl et al. (p. 1240) studied 120 patients with immune-mediated heparin-induced thrombocytopenia. Eleven had neurologic complications: seven with ischemic stroke, three with venous thrombosis, and one in a confusional state. Neurologic complications antedated thrombocytopenia in three patients.
Thoracic outlet syndrome
In a population-based cohort of 158 workers, Franklin et al. (p. 1252) studied predictors of work disability status following thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) surgery in comparison with 95 nonoperated TOS cases. Despite TOS surgery, 60% of workers were disabled 1 year post-operation. Operated cases were more likely to be disabled than nonoperated cases.
Memory loss: Detecting disease-specific abnormalities
Barrett et al. (p. 1258) used different testing paradigms to distinguish between memory loss for internal material versus that for externally presented material. There were clear differences between patients with AD and those with parkinsonian syndromes. As the accompanying editorial by Deutsch (p. 1215) discusses, the differing specific deficits may have a definable neuropharmacologic basis and be amenable to selective treatment.
Vitamin E and C and dementia
In a longitudinal study of Japanese-American men in Hawaii, Masaki et al. (p. 1265) assessed the relationship between vitamin E and C intake and dementia. Supplemental vitamin E and C appeared to protect against vascular dementia, but not AD. Vitamin E and C use was also associated with better cognition in subjects who did not have dementia.
APOE and PD
Harhangi et al. (p. 1272) compared APOE genotype of 107 patients with PD to 4805 controls (The Rotterdam Study). Having the APOE 
2 allele increased the risk of PD as well as the risk of dementia with PD.
MRI in gait- and balance-impaired elderly
Guttmann et al. (p. 1277) studied white matter volume and signal abnormalities. Both loss of volume (which was age-related) and ( signal abnormalities not age-related) were independently associated with impaired mobility.
Pergolide improves Tourette syndrome
Gilbert et al. (p. 1310), in a placebo-controlled crossover trial, showed that the dopamine agonist pergolide was both well-tolerated and efficacious in reducing tic severity in 24 patients with Tourette syndrome.
Head injury and AD
Guo et al. (p. 1316) used the very large database of the MIRAGE project (2233 probable or definite AD and 14,668 family members) to assess the effects of head injury and APOE genotype on AD risk. Head injury increased the risk of AD; injury with loss of consciousness increased the risk more than injury without loss of consciousness. The increased risk of AD with head injury was greater in subjects without the APOE 4 allele.
Methamphetamine abuse: Long-term neurotoxicity despite abstinence
Ernst et al. (p. 1344) studied 26 abstinent methamphetamine abusers with 1H MRS (versus 24 healthy controls). There was evidence of dose-related neural damage in abusers: reduced N-acetyl-aspartate in the basal ganglia and frontal white matter as well as other changes in 1H MRS.
IVIg in ADEM
In a Brief Communication, Sahlas et al. (p. 1369) treated two patients with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. Both had worsened despite high-dose methylprednisolone but improved dramatically with IVIg.
Verapamil in cluster headache
In a Brief Communication, Leone et al. (p. 1381) report a placebo-controlled trial of verapamil in 30 patients (15/group) with episodic cluster headache. Verapamil was effective in both in reducing attack frequency and decreasing the need for abortive treatments. It had few side effects.
Devic’s syndrome in Sjögren’s syndrome
In a Clinical/Scientific Note, Mochizuki et al. (p. 1390) report on a patient with well-documented Sjögren’s syndrome who developed first myelopathy and, later, optic neuropathy. Both complications improved with corticosteroid treatment.
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