Frank's sign (diagonal ear lobe crease) is a dermatological marker on the ear which extends from the tragus to the rear edge of the auricle. A positive correlation of Frank's sign with atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease is well known [1]. Recently, it has been shown to be associated with premature aging and loss of dermal and vascular elastic fibres [2]. Various studies have also shown an increase in the carotid Intimal Medial Thickness (IMT) and loss of carotid artery elasticity, with increasing age [3,4]. Raised carotid IMT for age indicates increased vascular age and premature aging [4].
The word 'abulia' means a lack of will, initiative or drive. The symptoms of abulia include lack of spontaneous action and speech, reduced emotional responsiveness and social interaction, poor attention and easy distractibility. These symptoms are independent of reduced levels of consciousness or cognitive impairment. We describe a case of a socially active 72-year-old female patient who presented with symptoms of abulia which may have occurred due to damage of the frontosubcortical circuits following an episode of cardiac arrest. The patient's symptoms improved dramatically following treatment with bromocriptine.
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