Objectives: Anatomical evidence and lesion studies, as well as functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies, indicate that the cerebellum contributes to higher cognitive functions. Cerebellar posterior lateral regions seem to be relevant for cognition, while vermal lesions seem to be associated with changes in affect. However, the results remain controversial. Deficits of patients are sometimes still attributed to motor impairment. Methods: We present data from a detailed neuropsychological examination of 21 patients with cerebellar lesions due to tumour or haematoma, and 21 controls matched for age, sex, and years of education. Results: Patients showed deficits in executive function, and in attentional processes such as working memory and divided attention. Further analysis revealed that patients with right-sided lesions were in general more impaired than those with left-sided lesions. Conclusions: Those hypotheses that suggest that lesions of the right cerebellar hemisphere lead to verbal deficits, while those of the left lead to non-verbal deficits, have in part been confirmed. The generally greater impairment of those patients with a right-sided lesion has been interpreted as resulting from the connection of the right cerebellum to the left cerebral hemisphere, which is dominant for language functions and crucial for right hand movements. Motor impairment was correlated with less than half of the cognitive measures, with no stronger tendency for correlation with cognitive tests that require motor responses discernible. The results are discussed on the basis of an assumption that the cerebellum has a predicting and preparing function, indicating that cerebellar lesions lead to a ''dysmetria of thought.''

No abstract

Our results support the hypothesis that in GBM patients a complex relationship exists between the p53, Mdm2 and EGFR expression and age. Msh2 expression is not related to age. Notably, nuclear Msh2 expression turned out to be an independent prognostic indicator.

Secretory meningiomas are rare tumors, and they are mainly localized at the frontal convexity and the sphenoid ridge. They are surrounded by more edema than usual. The preponderance of female patients with this presentation is striking. The expression of carcinoembryonic antigen and epithelial membrane antigen is a characteristic feature of secretory meningiomas. These meningiomas are also positive for progesterone receptors, which has been shown to be a good prognostic factor.

Between April 1991 and June 2002, 39 patients with an histologically proven oligoastrocytoma WHO grade II and III were operated on in our department. Twenty-two patients were male and 17 female. Mean age was 42 years (20-67 years). The tumor was localized in the frontal lobe in 22 patients, in the temporal lobe in seven patients, in the parietal lobe in nine patients and in the occipital lobe in one patient. The leading clinical symptoms were seizures in 33 patients. Seventeen patients were operated on under local anesthesia. One operation was performed in 22 patients, two operations in eight, three operations in five, four operations in three and six operations in one patient. Histological examination showed oligoastrocytoma WHO grade II in 12 patients and WHO grade III in 27 patients. Postoperative radiotherapy was performed in 33 patients and chemotherapy in six patients. One female patient developed spinal drop metastases 10 months after the operation. One patient with a primary oligoastrocytoma grade II and five patients with a primary oligoastrocytoma grade III died during follow-up. The follow-up period was between 6 months and 25 years (mean 7 years 6 months).