We have located links that may give you full text access.
Further evidence for a distinctive atypical degenerative parkinsonism in the Caribbean: A new cluster in the French West Indian Island of Martinique.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences 2018 May 16
BACKGROUND: A high prevalence of an atypical levodopa-resistant parkinsonism has been reported in the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe. These seminal observations have not been replicated or extended to neighbouring populations who share genetic and environmental characteristics.
METHODS: To further characterise this atypical parkinsonism we prospectively investigated 305 consecutive patients with neurodegenerative parkinsonism in a community-based population from Guadeloupe and Martinique, a neighbouring French Caribbean island where the population has similar environmental and genetic backgrounds. The aims of this study were to confirm the frequency of atypical parkinsonism within this cohort and to precisely define its clinical phenotype.
RESULTS: A high frequency (66%) of atypical parkinsonism was identified in both Guadeloupe and Martinique. The clinical phenotype consisted of a levodopa-resistant parkinsonism with postural instability (72%), early dementia (58%), dysautonomia (58%), rapid-eye-movement sleep behavioural disorder (53%), hallucinations (43%), and supranuclear gaze palsy (29%). A low educational level was identified as a major risk factor for developing atypical parkinsonism (p < .001).
CONCLUSION: Our findings support the existence of a distinctive atypical parkinsonism - Caribbean Parkinsonism - within the French Caribbean Islands. This could either correspond to a single entity or reflect a propensity for developing more widespread and rapidly progressive lesions in Caribbean patients with parkinsonism. In both cases, genetic susceptibility and/or environmental exposure may be involved.
METHODS: To further characterise this atypical parkinsonism we prospectively investigated 305 consecutive patients with neurodegenerative parkinsonism in a community-based population from Guadeloupe and Martinique, a neighbouring French Caribbean island where the population has similar environmental and genetic backgrounds. The aims of this study were to confirm the frequency of atypical parkinsonism within this cohort and to precisely define its clinical phenotype.
RESULTS: A high frequency (66%) of atypical parkinsonism was identified in both Guadeloupe and Martinique. The clinical phenotype consisted of a levodopa-resistant parkinsonism with postural instability (72%), early dementia (58%), dysautonomia (58%), rapid-eye-movement sleep behavioural disorder (53%), hallucinations (43%), and supranuclear gaze palsy (29%). A low educational level was identified as a major risk factor for developing atypical parkinsonism (p < .001).
CONCLUSION: Our findings support the existence of a distinctive atypical parkinsonism - Caribbean Parkinsonism - within the French Caribbean Islands. This could either correspond to a single entity or reflect a propensity for developing more widespread and rapidly progressive lesions in Caribbean patients with parkinsonism. In both cases, genetic susceptibility and/or environmental exposure may be involved.
Full text links
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app