Background and purpose: There have been few studies to estimate the prevalence of Bell’s palsy (BP) in Arab countries. A community-based study was conducted to estimate the prevalence, incidence rates, precipitating factors, and outcome of BP in Qena Governorate, Egypt. Subjects and methods: A door-to-door survey was carried out, with random sampling of 10 districts, involving 9303 inhabitants, 51.1% males and 48.9% females. Seventeen subjects were positive in screening questionnaire and referred to Qena University hospital and were subjected to a full clinical examination, House Brackmann’s Facial grading system. Results: In a total population of 9303 individuals, 15 cases were confirmed as having BP giving a prevalence rate (PR) 161/105 for all ages 95%CI (80–243). It was slightly but not significantly higher among women and the rural community. The incidence rate of BP was 107/105. The highest age-specific rate was 40–49 years age. The most frequent precipitating factors for an episode of BP were exposure to air draft in 40%, physical stress (13.3%), and upper respiratory tract infection (13.3%). Moreover, 46.7% had predisposing risk factors, DM and hypertension in 33.3%. Sixty percent of cases had complication and poor outcome. Conclusion: The overall prevalence and incidence rates of BP in Qena governorate were high. This could be related to the variation in day and night temperature in our community and the susceptibility to air draft exposure during the night. The high frequency of poor outcome among studied cases suggests that better local guidelines should be implemented to recognize and treat BP.

Background and purpose: There have been few studies to estimate the prevalence of Bell’s palsy (BP) in Arab countries. A community-based study was conducted to estimate the prevalence, incidence rates, precipitating factors, and outcome of BP in Qena Governorate, Egypt. Subjects and methods: A door-to-door survey was carried out, with random sampling of 10 districts, involving 9303 inhabitants, 51.1% males and 48.9% females. Seventeen subjects were positive in screening questionnaire and referred to Qena University hospital and were subjected to a full clinical examination, House Brackmann’s Facial grading system. Results: In a total population of 9303 individuals, 15 cases were confirmed as having BP giving a prevalence rate (PR) 161/105 for all ages 95%CI (80–243). It was slightly but not significantly higher among women and the rural community. The incidence rate of BP was 107/105. The highest age-specific rate was 40–49 years age. The most frequent precipitating factors for an episode of BP were exposure to air draft in 40%, physical stress (13.3%), and upper respiratory tract infection (13.3%). Moreover, 46.7% had predisposing risk factors, DM and hypertension in 33.3%. Sixty percent of cases had complication and poor outcome. Conclusion: The overall prevalence and incidence rates of BP in Qena governorate were high. This could be related to the variation in day and night temperature in our community and the susceptibility to air draft exposure during the night. The high frequency of poor outcome among studied cases suggests that better local guidelines should be implemented to recognize and treat BP.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Repeated session of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over motor cortex have been reported to produce significant improvement of motor performance in patients with parkinson's disease (PD). In addition, it is known that a single session of rTMS over motor cortex transiently increases DA in striatum. Here, we test whether repeated sessions of rTMS increase serum dopamine in PD patients and whether this correlates with changes in clinical rating scales. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty untreated PD patients with moderate to severe symptoms (Hoehn & Yahr state III-V 1967) were assessed on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and with an enzyme immunoassay for quantitative determination of plasma dopamine before and after six daily sessions of 25 Hz rTMS with 3,000 stimuli over the right and left hand and leg motor cortex. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in UPDRS compared with the baseline. Serum dopamine level also was significantly elevated over the same interval. There was a significant correlation between UPDRS and serum dopamine level before and after treatment. CONCLUSION: Improved motor performance in PD after repeated session of rTMS may be related to an elevation of serum dopamine concentration.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Repeated session of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over motor cortex have been reported to produce significant improvement of motor performance in patients with parkinson's disease (PD). In addition, it is known that a single session of rTMS over motor cortex transiently increases DA in striatum. Here, we test whether repeated sessions of rTMS increase serum dopamine in PD patients and whether this correlates with changes in clinical rating scales. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty untreated PD patients with moderate to severe symptoms (Hoehn & Yahr state III-V 1967) were assessed on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and with an enzyme immunoassay for quantitative determination of plasma dopamine before and after six daily sessions of 25 Hz rTMS with 3,000 stimuli over the right and left hand and leg motor cortex. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in UPDRS compared with the baseline. Serum dopamine level also was significantly elevated over the same interval. There was a significant correlation between UPDRS and serum dopamine level before and after treatment. CONCLUSION: Improved motor performance in PD after repeated session of rTMS may be related to an elevation of serum dopamine concentration.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Repeated session of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over motor cortex have been reported to produce significant improvement of motor performance in patients with parkinson's disease (PD). In addition, it is known that a single session of rTMS over motor cortex transiently increases DA in striatum. Here, we test whether repeated sessions of rTMS increase serum dopamine in PD patients and whether this correlates with changes in clinical rating scales. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty untreated PD patients with moderate to severe symptoms (Hoehn & Yahr state III-V 1967) were assessed on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and with an enzyme immunoassay for quantitative determination of plasma dopamine before and after six daily sessions of 25 Hz rTMS with 3,000 stimuli over the right and left hand and leg motor cortex. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in UPDRS compared with the baseline. Serum dopamine level also was significantly elevated over the same interval. There was a significant correlation between UPDRS and serum dopamine level before and after treatment. CONCLUSION: Improved motor performance in PD after repeated session of rTMS may be related to an elevation of serum dopamine concentration.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Repeated session of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) over motor cortex have been reported to produce significant improvement of motor performance in patients with parkinson's disease (PD). In addition, it is known that a single session of rTMS over motor cortex transiently increases DA in striatum. Here, we test whether repeated sessions of rTMS increase serum dopamine in PD patients and whether this correlates with changes in clinical rating scales. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty untreated PD patients with moderate to severe symptoms (Hoehn & Yahr state III-V 1967) were assessed on the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), and with an enzyme immunoassay for quantitative determination of plasma dopamine before and after six daily sessions of 25 Hz rTMS with 3,000 stimuli over the right and left hand and leg motor cortex. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in UPDRS compared with the baseline. Serum dopamine level also was significantly elevated over the same interval. There was a significant correlation between UPDRS and serum dopamine level before and after treatment. CONCLUSION: Improved motor performance in PD after repeated session of rTMS may be related to an elevation of serum dopamine concentration.

Background/Methods:A door-to-door (‘every door’) study was carried out to assess the incidence and prevalence rates of epilepsy, stroke, Bell’s palsy and cerebral palsy, as well as the prevalence of dementia, extrapyramidal syndromes, muscle and neuromuscular disorders, cerebellar ataxia and primary nocturnal enuresis among the urban and rural populations of Al Kharga district, New Valley, Egypt. The study was carried out in 3 stages from June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2009. A door-to-door screening including every door was carried out using a standardized questionnaire, which was administered by 3 neurologists to all inhabitants (62,583) of Al Kharga district. The study was designed to assess the prevalence, incidence and risk factors of major neurological disorders in Al Kharga district and aimed toreduce the burden of these neurological disorders in the entire region. Results/Conclusions:This study clarified that dementia, primary nocturnal enuresis, epilepsy, stroke and cerebral palsy are the most common neurological disorders.On the other hand, Bell’spalsy, extrapyramidal syndromes, cerebellar ataxia, muscle dystrophies and myasthenia gravis are less common neurological disorders in Al Kharga district.

Background/Methods:A door-to-door (‘every door’) study was carried out to assess the incidence and prevalence rates of epilepsy, stroke, Bell’s palsy and cerebral palsy, as well as the prevalence of dementia, extrapyramidal syndromes, muscle and neuromuscular disorders, cerebellar ataxia and primary nocturnal enuresis among the urban and rural populations of Al Kharga district, New Valley, Egypt. The study was carried out in 3 stages from June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2009. A door-to-door screening including every door was carried out using a standardized questionnaire, which was administered by 3 neurologists to all inhabitants (62,583) of Al Kharga district. The study was designed to assess the prevalence, incidence and risk factors of major neurological disorders in Al Kharga district and aimed toreduce the burden of these neurological disorders in the entire region. Results/Conclusions:This study clarified that dementia, primary nocturnal enuresis, epilepsy, stroke and cerebral palsy are the most common neurological disorders.On the other hand, Bell’spalsy, extrapyramidal syndromes, cerebellar ataxia, muscle dystrophies and myasthenia gravis are less common neurological disorders in Al Kharga district.

Background/Methods:A door-to-door (‘every door’) study was carried out to assess the incidence and prevalence rates of epilepsy, stroke, Bell’s palsy and cerebral palsy, as well as the prevalence of dementia, extrapyramidal syndromes, muscle and neuromuscular disorders, cerebellar ataxia and primary nocturnal enuresis among the urban and rural populations of Al Kharga district, New Valley, Egypt. The study was carried out in 3 stages from June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2009. A door-to-door screening including every door was carried out using a standardized questionnaire, which was administered by 3 neurologists to all inhabitants (62,583) of Al Kharga district. The study was designed to assess the prevalence, incidence and risk factors of major neurological disorders in Al Kharga district and aimed toreduce the burden of these neurological disorders in the entire region. Results/Conclusions:This study clarified that dementia, primary nocturnal enuresis, epilepsy, stroke and cerebral palsy are the most common neurological disorders.On the other hand, Bell’spalsy, extrapyramidal syndromes, cerebellar ataxia, muscle dystrophies and myasthenia gravis are less common neurological disorders in Al Kharga district.

Background/Methods:A door-to-door (‘every door’) study was carried out to assess the incidence and prevalence rates of epilepsy, stroke, Bell’s palsy and cerebral palsy, as well as the prevalence of dementia, extrapyramidal syndromes, muscle and neuromuscular disorders, cerebellar ataxia and primary nocturnal enuresis among the urban and rural populations of Al Kharga district, New Valley, Egypt. The study was carried out in 3 stages from June 1, 2005 to May 31, 2009. A door-to-door screening including every door was carried out using a standardized questionnaire, which was administered by 3 neurologists to all inhabitants (62,583) of Al Kharga district. The study was designed to assess the prevalence, incidence and risk factors of major neurological disorders in Al Kharga district and aimed toreduce the burden of these neurological disorders in the entire region. Results/Conclusions:This study clarified that dementia, primary nocturnal enuresis, epilepsy, stroke and cerebral palsy are the most common neurological disorders.On the other hand, Bell’spalsy, extrapyramidal syndromes, cerebellar ataxia, muscle dystrophies and myasthenia gravis are less common neurological disorders in Al Kharga district.