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We previously identified in two families with early onset Parkinson's Disease (PD) from the isolated population of Antioquia (Colombia), a parkin Cys212Tyr substitution caused by a G736A mutation. This mutation was subsequently observed in a Spanish family, suggesting that it could have been taken to Antioquia by Spanish immigrants. Here we screened for the G736A mutation in additional Antioquian early onset PD cases and used haplotype analysis to investigate the relationship between Spanish and Antioquian G736A chromosomes. We confirmed the occurrence of an extensive founder effect in Antioquia. Thirteen individuals (10 homozygotes) from seven nuclear families were identified with the G736A mutation. Genealogical investigations demonstrated the existence of shared ancestors between six of these families four to five generations ago and no evidence of Spanish ancestry during this period. A second parkin mutation (a duplication of exon 3), was detected in the three G736A heterozygote carriers. Haplotype data exclude a recent common ancestry between the Spanish and Antioquian patients studied here and is consistent with the introduction of the G736A mutation in Antioquia during early colonial times (about 16 generations ago).

The efficacy of albendazole was evaluated in 20 Colombian patients with neurocysticercosis showing neurological symptoms. All had parenchymal non-enhancing cystic images by computerized tomography and a positive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for cysticercus antibodies in serum or cerebrospinal fluid. They stayed in hospital for 8 d during treatment with albendazole, 15 mg/kg/d in 2 divided doses, and were then followed for at least 6 months after treatment. The number of cysts was reduced by 50% after 6 months. In 7 (35%) all cysts disappeared, in 7 (35%) the number was reduced, and in the remaining 6 (30%) the number was unchanged. In the 13 patients who still had cysts at 6 months, 11 showed a moderate decrease in average cyst size and in 2 the size was unchanged. Side effects during treatment were observed in 60% of the cases, but only 3 required corticosteroids.

Our objective was to estimate the prevalence of Parkinson's disease (PD) and Parkinsonism (Ps) in Antioquia (Colombia), using the Capture-Recapture method. The two biggest institutions for attending neurological patients in Antioquia were selected as sources for the use of the Capture-Recapture method. Prevalences of PD (PPD) and Ps (PPs) were estimated according to the following expression: PPD (or PPs) = n/Nl105. The number of cases (n) of PD (or Ps), n = a + b + c + d, where a = cases identified from the two sources, b = cases identified only in the first source, c = cases identified only in the second source, and d = nondetected cases from any source = bc/a. The projected Antioquian population for the year 2000 was used as denominator. Information obtained between January 1, 1996, and December 31, 2000, was reviewed in order to identify the clinical records of all patients that fulfilled the Ps or PD criteria. General prevalence of PD in Antioquia was 30.7/100.000 (C195% = 29.2-32.2), and that of Ps was 42.1/100.000 (CI95% = 40.3-43.8). Prevalence of PD in people older than 50 years was 176.4/100.000 (CI95% = 166.6-186.3) and that of Ps was of 339.6/100.000 (C195% = 326.0-353.2). Ps and PD prevalences in Antioquia were lower than the figures reported by the National Neuroepidemiologic Study (470/100.000) and similar to the estimated prevalence of these diseases in Caucasian populations (80 to 270/100.000). These findings evidence the great variability of PD prevalence in different regions; therefore, a nationwide study is necessary to determine the prevalence of PD and Ps in Colombia.

Introduction: Guillain-Barré syndrome, an acute polyradiculoneuropathy that presents with weakness and areflexia, is the most common cause of acute flaccid paralysis. In certain patients, respiratory failure is secondary to this disorder, eventually causing patients to require mechanical ventilation and experience additional complications due to diminished respiratory support and related mobility limitations. Prognoses for most of these cases are positive; treatment consists of basic support combined with plasmapheresis or administration of immunoglobulins.Objective: This study sought to describe the socio-demographic, clinical, laboratory and neurophysiological characteristics of patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome who were hospitalised in the Intensive Care Unit of the Neurological Institute of Colombia between 2006 and 2012.Methodology: This study presents a case series. Results: We surveyed 25 patients (32% female and 68% male) with Guillain-Barré syndrome and an average age of 54 years. Sixty per cent of these patients were admitted between days 3 and 7 after symptom onset; 64% had a history of respiratory infection and 20% had a history of intestinal infection. In addition, 84% of the patients presented with albuminocytological dissociation. We observed the following clinical subtypes of Guillain-Barré syndrome: inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy in 32%, acute motor-sensory axonal neuropathy in 28%, acute motor axonal neuropathy in 28%, and Miller Fisher syndrome in 12%. Conclusions:In this descriptive study of a group of critical care patients with GBS, results depended on patients' clinical severity at time of admission. Our findings are similar to results published in the international literature.Conclusiones: Esta descripción corresponde a un grupo de pacientes críticos con SGB; su desenlace estuvo determinado por la severidad del cuadro clínico al ingreso. Nuestros hallazgos son comparables con lo publicado en la literatura mundial.

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