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The heterogeneity of published data regarding post-stroke depression (PSD) prompted an Italian multicenter observational study (DESTRO), which took place in 2000-2003. The investigation involved 53 Italian neurology centers: of these, 50 treat acute patients and 3 provide rehabilitation care; 21 centres are in Northern Italy, 20 are in Central Italy, and 12 are in Southern Italy. The time schedule was articulated into three phases: registration of 6289 stroke patients; selection of 1817 cases and enrollment of 1074 patients; and follow-up for two years (1064 patients). Mood assessment was performed by evaluating depressive symptoms according to DSM IV and the Beck depression inventory (visual analog mood scale for aphasic patients). Depressed patients were also administered the Montgomery-Asberg depression rating scale. Scores were related to function (Barthel index, modified Rankin scale), cognition (MMSE), quality of life (SF-36), and clinical data. Data analysis will provide information on PSD prevalence, onset and evolution, correlation with ischemic clinical syndrome, impact on activities of daily living, cognitive level and quality of life. The few data available at the present time concern PSD prevalence in the first six months after stroke (33.6%). DESTRO is a longitudinal investigation of a large patient sample and is expected to provide insights into the relationship of PDS with the functional and clinical consequences of stroke.

SUMMARY Ninety eight patients admitted to hospital after a minor head injury were studied by CT Many neurosurgeons believe' -that the finding of a skull fracture in a patient with a minor head injury indicates an increased risk of an intracranial haematoma. Radiologists8 13 have an opposing viewpoint and consider that the use of skull radiographs in all cases of head injury is exceedingly costly and of limited utility. The objective of the present study was to compare two groups of patients admitted to hospital after a minor head injury; the group were distinguished only by the presence or absence of a fracture on plain radiograph of the skull; all patients were examined prospectively by CT. MethodsThe study was conducted in the municipal hospital of Ravenna; this does not have a neurosurgical unit but has a CT scanner (GE model 8800) in its radiology department. The patients studied had been selected for admission according to criteria used widely in Italian hospitals.'4 They .had a history of a recent head injury and a Glasgow Coma Score'5 of 14 or 15 at the time of examination in the casualty department.

We studied clinically and electrophysiologically 8 patients affected by ortho‐static tremor (OT), which is an unusual movement disorder consisting of shaking movements of the legs and trunk in the standing position. We failed to find any cause in 6 of the 8 cases. In 2 patients OT was clearly secondary to neurologic disease: hydrocephalus due to non‐tumoral acqueduct stenosis and chronic relapsing polyradiculoneuropathy. The findings obtained suggest a relationship between OT and essential tremor (ET).