Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0241981 (loss of balance)
 452 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Many features of aging suggest dysfunction in both frontal and subcortical regions. Connections between the two areas form a series of pathways that critically influence various aspects of cognition, motor control, affect, and as recently discovered, normal urinary function. Age-related changes in the structure and integrity of these circuits may be associated with cognitive impairment, mood disorders, loss of balance, falls, and urinary dysfunction. In addition, cardiovascular risk factors in elderly people are associated with the development of cerebral microangiopathic changes in both the periventricular white matter and basal ganglia. These lesions are common, usually unsuspected, and were previously believed to be clinically innocuous. However, increasing evidence supports a role for these lesions as a cause for both dysfunction in frontal-subcortical systems, and many clinical features of aging that account for substantial disability. Because this form of cerebrovascular disease is potentially preventable, interventions that address risk factors for the development of cerebral microangiopathy may go a long way in preventing disability for the next generation of elderly persons.
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PMID:The microvascular frontal-subcortical syndrome of aging. 1195 5

Possible exposure to TriCresyl Phosphates (TCPs) has led to concerns among airline crew members. One isomer, Tri-ortho-Cresyl Phosphate (ToCP) is known to be neurotoxic and exposure to ToCP via contaminated cabin air has been suggested to be associated with the alleged Aerotoxic syndrome. The symptoms associated with Aerotoxic syndrome are diverse, including headaches, loss of balance, numbness and neurobehavioral abnormalities such as emotional instability, depression and cognitive dysfunction. Other ortho-isomers are toxic as well, but the non-ortho isomers are regarded as less toxic. In a collaborative effort to increase insight into the possible association between exposure to TCPs via contaminated cabin air and Aerotoxic syndrome, we performed an exposure- and toxicological risk assessment. Measurements in KLM 737 aircraft have demonstrated the presence of non-ortho isomers in low concentrations, though ToCP and other ortho-isomers could not be detected. Based on this exposure assessment, we established a toxicological risk model that also takes into account human differences in bioactivation and detoxification to derive a hazard quotient. From this model it appears unlikely that the health effects and alleged Aerotoxic syndrome are due to exposure to ToCP. Alternative explanations for the reported symptoms are discussed, but evaluation of the current findings in light of the criteria for occupational disease leads to the conclusion that the Aerotoxic Syndrome cannot be regarded as such. Additional research is thus required to unravel the underlying causes for the reported health complaints.
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PMID:Health risk assessment of exposure to TriCresyl Phosphates (TCPs) in aircraft: a commentary. 2573 99

Trigeminal schwannomas represent between 0.07% and 0.36% of all intracranial tumors and 0.8% to 8% of intracranial schwannomas. Selection of the appropriate management strategy requires an understanding of the tumor's natural history and treatment outcomes. This report describes the case of a 36-year-old male who presented with a three-month history of progressive headaches, dizziness, loss of balance, decreased sleep, and cognitive decline. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a large enhancing lesion centered around the left Meckel's cave and extending into both the middle and the posterior fossa with obstructive hydrocephalus secondary to compression of the fourth ventricle. Resection of the posterior fossa component of the tumor was performed in order to relieve the mass effect upon the brainstem without attempting a radical removal of the middle fossa component and a potential risk of further cognitive impairment. The pathological exam confirmed the diagnosis of a trigeminal schwannoma. The residual tumor showed progressive spontaneous volumetric shrinkage after a subtotal surgical resection. This case shows the value of a planned conservative surgery in complex schwannomas and highlights the challenges in interpreting the treatment responses in these benign tumors, whether approached surgically or with stereotactic radiation techniques.
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PMID:Giant Trigeminal Schwannoma Presenting with Obstructive Hydrocephalus. 2671 29

The etiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains unclear; however, the toxic environmental exposure to oxidative stress has been suggested to play an important role in its pathogenesis. A loss of balance between oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity produces an excess of reactive nitrogen species (RNS) such as nitric oxide (NO). Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), particularly arachidonic acid, docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, are closely related to NO and NO synthase. In the pathophysiology of ASD, NO is related to the activity of primary PUFAs. NO modulates short- and long-term synaptic plasticity and plays essential roles in the regulation of a wide range of physiological processes including neurotransmission. NO affects the function of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the local cellular milieu, in which biological antioxidants are present. NO plays a double role in the organism showing both neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects. Redox imbalance leads to the activation of the neurotoxic pathway, suggesting crossroads for the neurotoxic or neuroprotective effects of NO. Furthermore, the dual role of NO could depend on the adaptive functions of the antioxidant capacity and oxidative stress-related ROS/RNS as the disease progresses. Increased concentrations of arachidonic acid promote neuronal survival, and the dysregulation of the NO system plays an important role in the pathophysiology of bipolar disorder and recurrent depressive disorders. Therefore, the NO system could provide useful drug targets for these diseases. NO and NO donors also show therapeutic potential for Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia with refractory symptoms and cognitive dysfunction.
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PMID:Oxidative Stress and Nitric Oxide in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Other Neuropsychiatric Disorders. 2707 87

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disorder of the central nervous system with a presentation and disease course that is largely unpredictable. MS can cause loss of balance, impaired vision or speech, weakness and paralysis, fatigue, depression, and cognitive impairment. Immunomodulation is a major target given the appearance of focal demyelinating lesions in myelin-rich white matter, yet progression and an increasing appreciation for gray matter involvement, even during the earliest phases of the disease, highlights the need to afford neuroprotection and limit neurodegenerative processes that correlate with disability. This review summarizes key aspects of MS pathophysiology and histopathology with a focus on neuroimmune interactions in MS, which may facilitate neurodegeneration through both direct and indirect mechanisms. There is a focus on processes thought to influence disease progression and the role of oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in MS. The goals and efficacy of current disease-modifying therapies and those in the pipeline are discussed, highlighting recent advances in our understanding of pathways mediating disease progression to identify and translate both immunomodulatory and neuroprotective therapeutics from the bench to the clinic.
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PMID:Modulating inflammation and neuroprotection in multiple sclerosis. 2858 May 82