This study documented lower prevalence and incidence of PD as compared with Caucasian and a few Oriental populations. The mortality rates were comparable. The decreased age-specific PR among slum populations and higher relative risk of death need further probing.

Our results suggest that the DYT1 gene might have a limited role in causation of dystonia in the Indian population.

No abstract

Study on use of botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) in subjects with spastic cerebral palsy is rare in Indian literature. So, we planned to observe the role of BTX-A in subjects with spastic cerebral palsy unresponsive to conventional therapy. This open label study was conducted with the approval of Institutional Ethics Committee and parents. A total of 63 cases (age range 1 to 19 years; mean 6.07 years) received the toxin (dose range 50?200 units) after proper assessment based on modified Ashworth scale, visual analogue scale, passive range of motion with goniometer, physician rating scale and assessment of global functional status. A total of 13 cases were lost in follow up. Out of 50 cases who received the injection, tone and pain reduction was significant in different subgroup of patients. Improvement of functional status was noticed in 10% of cases. Thus, BTX-A is effective in reduction of tone and pain, but significant functional improvement was noted in a limited number of cases.