Hava Sroka - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Hava Sroka

Research paper thumbnail of Does unilateral dopamine deficit contribute to depression?

A system of emotional control of behavior is believed to be lateralized to the right hemisphere. ... more A system of emotional control of behavior is believed to be lateralized to the right hemisphere. Given that dopaminergic pathways are involved in affective behavior, depression, which is recognized as an integral part of Parkinson's disease, may be associated with a dopamine imbalance. The present study examined this hypothesis in patients with unilateral symptomatology indicating either left hemisphere parkinsonism (LHP) or right hemisphere parkinsonism (RHP). Sixteen patients were tested on a battery of neuropsychological tests and several scales for evaluating mood. The two groups did not differ significantly on either cognitive or emotional measures. However, RHP patients rated themselves higher on the Present Scale of Cantril, and showed some neglect of the left visual field, as compared to LHP patients.

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Late Initiation of Levodopa Treatment in Patients With Long-Standing Parkinson's Disease

Clinical Neuropharmacology, 2003

The time of initiation of levodopa therapy in patients with Parkinson&amp... more The time of initiation of levodopa therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is still debatable, as is the hypothesis of levodopa toxicity Some researchers argue that late initiation of treatment will delay the appearance of response fluctuations. In the present study, 11 patients in whom treatment with low doses of levodopa was delayed for a mean of 7.9 +/- 3.1 years were followed for a mean of 15.7 +/- 3.3 years. Time of onset of response fluctuations and disease severity were compared with those in 17 patients with fluctuating PD who were treated with levodopa from disease onset. There was no significant change in time to onset of response fluctuations and dyskinesias once levodopa treatment was started, and late initiation of levodopa did not affect disease progression. The authors conclude that the decision of when to initiate levodopa treatment should be taken according to the patient's needs.

Research paper thumbnail of Alexia without Agraphia with Complete Recovery

Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, 1973

We have described a patient who suffered from agnostic alexia without agraphia, accompanied by co... more We have described a patient who suffered from agnostic alexia without agraphia, accompanied by color agnosia. The alexia affected languages read in opposite directions. The patient was found to have a vascular malformation of the left posterior cerebral artery. This case is outstanding because of the patient’s complete recovery from the alexia in all the languages she knew. In an

Research paper thumbnail of Mutation of the Parkin gene in a Persian family: Clinical progression over a 40-year period

Movement Disorders, 2005

We report on an Israeli family originating from Iran in which 4 of 7 brothers born from a consang... more We report on an Israeli family originating from Iran in which 4 of 7 brothers born from a consanguineous marriage had juvenile Parkinsonism. Linkage analysis of markers covering the autosomal recessive juvenile Parkinsonism (AR-JP, PARK2, Parkin gene, OMIM #602544) gene resulted in a maximal logarithm of odds score of 2.18.

Research paper thumbnail of A clinico-biochemical correlation in a Parkinsonian patient treated with levodopa and decarboxylase inhibitor (Ro 4-4602)

Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 1972

Research paper thumbnail of A clinical trial of the re-education of movement in patients with Parkinson's disease

Clinical Rehabilitation, 1991

Methods of physiotherapy in general use for Parkinson patients, in so far as they have been evalu... more Methods of physiotherapy in general use for Parkinson patients, in so far as they have been evaluated, have been found to lack therapeutic effect. This is attributable to the use of methods developed for other conditions and inappropriate for the special needs of these patients.Observation and analysis of Parkinson patients' movement problems led to the working hypothesis that they lack

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Late Initiation of Levodopa Treatment in Patients With Long-Standing Parkinson's Disease

Clinical Neuropharmacology, 2003

The time of initiation of levodopa therapy in patients with Parkinson&amp... more The time of initiation of levodopa therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is still debatable, as is the hypothesis of levodopa toxicity Some researchers argue that late initiation of treatment will delay the appearance of response fluctuations. In the present study, 11 patients in whom treatment with low doses of levodopa was delayed for a mean of 7.9 +/- 3.1 years were followed for a mean of 15.7 +/- 3.3 years. Time of onset of response fluctuations and disease severity were compared with those in 17 patients with fluctuating PD who were treated with levodopa from disease onset. There was no significant change in time to onset of response fluctuations and dyskinesias once levodopa treatment was started, and late initiation of levodopa did not affect disease progression. The authors conclude that the decision of when to initiate levodopa treatment should be taken according to the patient's needs.

Research paper thumbnail of Organic Mental Syndrome and Confusional States in Parkinson's Disease

Archives of Neurology, 1981

Ninety-three patients with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, otherwise unselected, were... more Ninety-three patients with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, otherwise unselected, were specifically evaluated for organic mental syndrome (OMS) and other neurologic motor signs other than those referrable to extrapyramidal dysfunction; in addition, they had cranial computerized tomography (CT) to measure any structural changes in brain parenchyma. Cortical (sulci) atrophy and ventricular enlargement as CT signs of cerebral atrophy were correlated with different clinical patterns of the disease. An age-adjusted control population, with intact mentation, was similarly studied. The presence of classic OMS in a sizable segment of the usual parkinsonian population was invariably associated with CT signs of cerebral atrophy. Atrophic changes on CT scans, however, were not necessarily correlated with any intellectual dysfunction, or only weakly so, independent of age. The "typical" parkinsonian patients without evidence of OMS were indistinguishable from an age-adjusted control group with regard to structural changes in their scans. However, the parkinsonian patients with definite, permanent OMS and other focal neurologic deficit probably constitute a separate or distinct subset of the parkinsonian population, with a pathologic substrate more likely to be similar to that of the so-called Alzheimer-type dementias. Duration of the parkinsonian syndrome was not predictive of either mental status or scan findings, after adjustment for age as a factor.

Research paper thumbnail of Hemiballismus with lesion of the subthalamic nucleus and neuroaxonal degeneration of the homolateral substantia nigra

Annals of Neurology, 1977

ABSTRACT A 72-year-old farmer developed vigorous hemiballistic movements on the right side of his... more ABSTRACT A 72-year-old farmer developed vigorous hemiballistic movements on the right side of his body. The patient died three and one-half months later. Postmortem examination revealed hemorrhage and encephalomalacia of the left subthalamic nucleus and neuroaxonal degeneration of the left substantia nigra. The hemiballism had not been suppressed despite the presence of a combined lesion.

Research paper thumbnail of Dementia in idiopathic Parkinson's disease

Acta Neuropathologica, 1984

Neuronal loss was estimated semiquantitatively in the substantia nigra (SN) and locus coeruleus (... more Neuronal loss was estimated semiquantitatively in the substantia nigra (SN) and locus coeruleus (LC), and by cell counts in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM), in 32 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (14 non-demented and 18 demented). The number of senile plaques (SP) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) was rated in four cortical areas. Neuronal loss in the SN seemed in dependent of mental impairment, while severe lesions of the LC were more frequent in demented patients. In the NBM, neuronal loss and Lewy bodies were observed in most cases (95 %) and were associated with significant reductions of choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity both in the NBM and the cortex (measurements available for 13 cases). This confirms that the cholinergic innominatocortical pathway is damaged in Parkinson's disease and that the lesion is severer in subjects with dementia. SP and NFT were present in the cortex in 75 % of the cases and significantly more numerous in demented patients. However, in 37 % of the cases (six cases with dementia), the score for cortical changes was low and could be related to age. Cortical SP and NFT were not correlated to the degree of cell loss in LC and NBM, or to CAT activity in the cortex or NBM. Damage to coeruleocortical, innominato-cortical and intra-cortical neurones could each play a role in the appearance of dementia in Parkinsonism. The lesions in the different neuronal systems do not seem to evolve in parallel, but may be additive or potentiate one another in terms of functional expression. Also, the variety in extent and degree of lesions encountered in Parkinson's disease may offer a pathological substrate for the wide variety of mental symptoms described in this illness.

Research paper thumbnail of Ultrastructure of the syndrome of continuous muscle fibre activity

Acta Neuropathologica, 1975

The ultrastrueture of muscle and the myoneural junction of a man of 60 suffering from the syndrom... more The ultrastrueture of muscle and the myoneural junction of a man of 60 suffering from the syndrome of continuous muscle fibre activity was studied. This syndrome is manifested by disturbances of walking, muscle weakness, permanent muscle contractions and involuntary movements. The myoneural junction was hypertrophied and showed ramifications of the secondary clefts. The presynaptic nerve ending contained no synaptic vesicles. The relationship of these findings to the disease is discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Does unilateral dopamine deficit contribute to depression?

Psychiatry Research, 1985

A system of emotional control of behavior is believed to be lateralized to the right hemisphere. ... more A system of emotional control of behavior is believed to be lateralized to the right hemisphere. Given that dopaminergic pathways are involved in affective behavior, depression, which is recognized as an integral part of Parkinson's disease, may be associated with a dopamine imbalance. The present study examined this hypothesis in patients with unilateral symptomatology indicating either left hemisphere parkinsonism (LHP) or right hemisphere parkinsonism (RHP). Sixteen patients were tested on a battery of neuropsychological tests and several scales for evaluating mood. The two groups did not differ significantly on either cognitive or emotional measures. However, RHP patients rated themselves higher on the Present Scale of Cantril, and showed some neglect of the left visual field, as compared to LHP patients.

Research paper thumbnail of Does unilateral dopamine deficit contribute to depression?

A system of emotional control of behavior is believed to be lateralized to the right hemisphere. ... more A system of emotional control of behavior is believed to be lateralized to the right hemisphere. Given that dopaminergic pathways are involved in affective behavior, depression, which is recognized as an integral part of Parkinson's disease, may be associated with a dopamine imbalance. The present study examined this hypothesis in patients with unilateral symptomatology indicating either left hemisphere parkinsonism (LHP) or right hemisphere parkinsonism (RHP). Sixteen patients were tested on a battery of neuropsychological tests and several scales for evaluating mood. The two groups did not differ significantly on either cognitive or emotional measures. However, RHP patients rated themselves higher on the Present Scale of Cantril, and showed some neglect of the left visual field, as compared to LHP patients.

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Late Initiation of Levodopa Treatment in Patients With Long-Standing Parkinson's Disease

Clinical Neuropharmacology, 2003

The time of initiation of levodopa therapy in patients with Parkinson&amp... more The time of initiation of levodopa therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is still debatable, as is the hypothesis of levodopa toxicity Some researchers argue that late initiation of treatment will delay the appearance of response fluctuations. In the present study, 11 patients in whom treatment with low doses of levodopa was delayed for a mean of 7.9 +/- 3.1 years were followed for a mean of 15.7 +/- 3.3 years. Time of onset of response fluctuations and disease severity were compared with those in 17 patients with fluctuating PD who were treated with levodopa from disease onset. There was no significant change in time to onset of response fluctuations and dyskinesias once levodopa treatment was started, and late initiation of levodopa did not affect disease progression. The authors conclude that the decision of when to initiate levodopa treatment should be taken according to the patient's needs.

Research paper thumbnail of Alexia without Agraphia with Complete Recovery

Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery, 1973

We have described a patient who suffered from agnostic alexia without agraphia, accompanied by co... more We have described a patient who suffered from agnostic alexia without agraphia, accompanied by color agnosia. The alexia affected languages read in opposite directions. The patient was found to have a vascular malformation of the left posterior cerebral artery. This case is outstanding because of the patient’s complete recovery from the alexia in all the languages she knew. In an

Research paper thumbnail of Mutation of the Parkin gene in a Persian family: Clinical progression over a 40-year period

Movement Disorders, 2005

We report on an Israeli family originating from Iran in which 4 of 7 brothers born from a consang... more We report on an Israeli family originating from Iran in which 4 of 7 brothers born from a consanguineous marriage had juvenile Parkinsonism. Linkage analysis of markers covering the autosomal recessive juvenile Parkinsonism (AR-JP, PARK2, Parkin gene, OMIM #602544) gene resulted in a maximal logarithm of odds score of 2.18.

Research paper thumbnail of A clinico-biochemical correlation in a Parkinsonian patient treated with levodopa and decarboxylase inhibitor (Ro 4-4602)

Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 1972

Research paper thumbnail of A clinical trial of the re-education of movement in patients with Parkinson's disease

Clinical Rehabilitation, 1991

Methods of physiotherapy in general use for Parkinson patients, in so far as they have been evalu... more Methods of physiotherapy in general use for Parkinson patients, in so far as they have been evaluated, have been found to lack therapeutic effect. This is attributable to the use of methods developed for other conditions and inappropriate for the special needs of these patients.Observation and analysis of Parkinson patients' movement problems led to the working hypothesis that they lack

Research paper thumbnail of Effect of Late Initiation of Levodopa Treatment in Patients With Long-Standing Parkinson's Disease

Clinical Neuropharmacology, 2003

The time of initiation of levodopa therapy in patients with Parkinson&amp... more The time of initiation of levodopa therapy in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) is still debatable, as is the hypothesis of levodopa toxicity Some researchers argue that late initiation of treatment will delay the appearance of response fluctuations. In the present study, 11 patients in whom treatment with low doses of levodopa was delayed for a mean of 7.9 +/- 3.1 years were followed for a mean of 15.7 +/- 3.3 years. Time of onset of response fluctuations and disease severity were compared with those in 17 patients with fluctuating PD who were treated with levodopa from disease onset. There was no significant change in time to onset of response fluctuations and dyskinesias once levodopa treatment was started, and late initiation of levodopa did not affect disease progression. The authors conclude that the decision of when to initiate levodopa treatment should be taken according to the patient's needs.

Research paper thumbnail of Organic Mental Syndrome and Confusional States in Parkinson's Disease

Archives of Neurology, 1981

Ninety-three patients with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, otherwise unselected, were... more Ninety-three patients with a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease, otherwise unselected, were specifically evaluated for organic mental syndrome (OMS) and other neurologic motor signs other than those referrable to extrapyramidal dysfunction; in addition, they had cranial computerized tomography (CT) to measure any structural changes in brain parenchyma. Cortical (sulci) atrophy and ventricular enlargement as CT signs of cerebral atrophy were correlated with different clinical patterns of the disease. An age-adjusted control population, with intact mentation, was similarly studied. The presence of classic OMS in a sizable segment of the usual parkinsonian population was invariably associated with CT signs of cerebral atrophy. Atrophic changes on CT scans, however, were not necessarily correlated with any intellectual dysfunction, or only weakly so, independent of age. The "typical" parkinsonian patients without evidence of OMS were indistinguishable from an age-adjusted control group with regard to structural changes in their scans. However, the parkinsonian patients with definite, permanent OMS and other focal neurologic deficit probably constitute a separate or distinct subset of the parkinsonian population, with a pathologic substrate more likely to be similar to that of the so-called Alzheimer-type dementias. Duration of the parkinsonian syndrome was not predictive of either mental status or scan findings, after adjustment for age as a factor.

Research paper thumbnail of Hemiballismus with lesion of the subthalamic nucleus and neuroaxonal degeneration of the homolateral substantia nigra

Annals of Neurology, 1977

ABSTRACT A 72-year-old farmer developed vigorous hemiballistic movements on the right side of his... more ABSTRACT A 72-year-old farmer developed vigorous hemiballistic movements on the right side of his body. The patient died three and one-half months later. Postmortem examination revealed hemorrhage and encephalomalacia of the left subthalamic nucleus and neuroaxonal degeneration of the left substantia nigra. The hemiballism had not been suppressed despite the presence of a combined lesion.

Research paper thumbnail of Dementia in idiopathic Parkinson's disease

Acta Neuropathologica, 1984

Neuronal loss was estimated semiquantitatively in the substantia nigra (SN) and locus coeruleus (... more Neuronal loss was estimated semiquantitatively in the substantia nigra (SN) and locus coeruleus (LC), and by cell counts in the nucleus basalis of Meynert (NBM), in 32 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease (14 non-demented and 18 demented). The number of senile plaques (SP) and neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) was rated in four cortical areas. Neuronal loss in the SN seemed in dependent of mental impairment, while severe lesions of the LC were more frequent in demented patients. In the NBM, neuronal loss and Lewy bodies were observed in most cases (95 %) and were associated with significant reductions of choline acetyltransferase (CAT) activity both in the NBM and the cortex (measurements available for 13 cases). This confirms that the cholinergic innominatocortical pathway is damaged in Parkinson's disease and that the lesion is severer in subjects with dementia. SP and NFT were present in the cortex in 75 % of the cases and significantly more numerous in demented patients. However, in 37 % of the cases (six cases with dementia), the score for cortical changes was low and could be related to age. Cortical SP and NFT were not correlated to the degree of cell loss in LC and NBM, or to CAT activity in the cortex or NBM. Damage to coeruleocortical, innominato-cortical and intra-cortical neurones could each play a role in the appearance of dementia in Parkinsonism. The lesions in the different neuronal systems do not seem to evolve in parallel, but may be additive or potentiate one another in terms of functional expression. Also, the variety in extent and degree of lesions encountered in Parkinson's disease may offer a pathological substrate for the wide variety of mental symptoms described in this illness.

Research paper thumbnail of Ultrastructure of the syndrome of continuous muscle fibre activity

Acta Neuropathologica, 1975

The ultrastrueture of muscle and the myoneural junction of a man of 60 suffering from the syndrom... more The ultrastrueture of muscle and the myoneural junction of a man of 60 suffering from the syndrome of continuous muscle fibre activity was studied. This syndrome is manifested by disturbances of walking, muscle weakness, permanent muscle contractions and involuntary movements. The myoneural junction was hypertrophied and showed ramifications of the secondary clefts. The presynaptic nerve ending contained no synaptic vesicles. The relationship of these findings to the disease is discussed.

Research paper thumbnail of Does unilateral dopamine deficit contribute to depression?

Psychiatry Research, 1985

A system of emotional control of behavior is believed to be lateralized to the right hemisphere. ... more A system of emotional control of behavior is believed to be lateralized to the right hemisphere. Given that dopaminergic pathways are involved in affective behavior, depression, which is recognized as an integral part of Parkinson's disease, may be associated with a dopamine imbalance. The present study examined this hypothesis in patients with unilateral symptomatology indicating either left hemisphere parkinsonism (LHP) or right hemisphere parkinsonism (RHP). Sixteen patients were tested on a battery of neuropsychological tests and several scales for evaluating mood. The two groups did not differ significantly on either cognitive or emotional measures. However, RHP patients rated themselves higher on the Present Scale of Cantril, and showed some neglect of the left visual field, as compared to LHP patients.