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Advances in the neurosciences have led to new therapeutic possibilities for diseases that have been untreatable. While the above discussion has considered the specific instances of AD and spinal cord injury, promising parallel findings have been reported in animal models of PD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease and others. The next two decades are likely to represent a golden era of molecular medicine that will change the landscape of neurological diagnosis and therapy.

Four sets of analyses were conducted on the 1996 Course Experience Questionnaire data. Conventional item analysis, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used, Finally, the Rasch measurement model was applied to this data set. This study was undertaken in order to compare conventional analytic techniques with techniques that explicitly set out to implement genuine measurement of perceived course quality. Although conventional analytic techniques are informative, both confirmatory factor analysis and in particular the Rasch measurement model reveal much more about the data set, and about the construct being measured. Meaningful estimates of individual students’ perceptions of course quality are available through the use of the Rasch measurement model. The study indicates that the perceived course quality construct is measured by a subset of the items included in the CEQ and that seven of the items of the original instrument do not contribute to the measurement of that construct. The analyses of this data set indicate that a range of analytical approaches provide different levels of information about the construct. In practice, the analysis of data arising from the administration of instruments like the CEQ would be better undertaken using the Rasch measurement model.

Advances in the neurosciences have led to new therapeutic possibilities for diseases that have been untreatable. While the above discussion has considered the specific instances of AD and spinal cord injury, promising parallel findings have been reported in animal models of PD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease and others. The next two decades are likely to represent a golden era of molecular medicine that will change the landscape of neurological diagnosis and therapy.

Neuroprotection in MS needs to be considered in the context of several pathological processes: limitation of acute inflammatory injury to myelin and axons, remyelination, survival of demyelinated axons, and limitation of more diffuse, nonlesional pathology that affectsmyelin and axons. Advanced MRI techniques are capable of reporting on all of these different pathological features of MS and will be an important aspect of the assessment of neuroprotection strategies in MS, when these become available.

Four sets of analyses were conducted on the 1996 Course Experience Questionnaire data. Conventional item analysis, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used, Finally, the Rasch measurement model was applied to this data set. This study was undertaken in order to compare conventional analytic techniques with techniques that explicitly set out to implement genuine measurement of perceived course quality. Although conventional analytic techniques are informative, both confirmatory factor analysis and in particular the Rasch measurement model reveal much more about the data set, and about the construct being measured. Meaningful estimates of individual students’ perceptions of course quality are available through the use of the Rasch measurement model. The study indicates that the perceived course quality construct is measured by a subset of the items included in the CEQ and that seven of the items of the original instrument do not contribute to the measurement of that construct. The analyses of this data set indicate that a range of analytical approaches provide different levels of information about the construct. In practice, the analysis of data arising from the administration of instruments like the CEQ would be better undertaken using the Rasch measurement model.

The convergent pathobiologic model of Parkinson’s disease stipulates that disparate insults initiate a disease process that obligately share a common pathway leading to cell death. A combinatorial treatment which targets various steps in this pathway is likely to be the most successful therapeutic strategy. As advances are made in the field of neuroimaging and pharmacogenomics, early detection of sporadic PD will become a reality. Early intervention will likely sparemore dopaminergic neurons and extend the quality of life for the patient. Continued advancements in the fields of pharmacology, neurosurgery, and gene therapy will strengthen the armamentarium available for the treatment of PD patients.

Glial cell transplantation appears on the edge of being translated from a purely experimental approach into clinical application. Certain key questions remain however: what cell will be used, and in MS, what patient population and target sites will be selected? Answers to these questions are being eagerly sought and clinical advances should occur within the next 10 years. Repair of myelin sheaths offers the dual advantage of neuroprotection along with restoration of axonal function.

Advances in the neurosciences have led to new therapeutic possibilities for diseases that have been untreatable. While the above discussion has considered the specific instances of AD and spinal cord injury, promising parallel findings have been reported in animal models of PD, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Huntington’s disease and others. The next two decades are likely to represent a golden era of molecular medicine that will change the landscape of neurological diagnosis and therapy.

The convergent pathobiologic model of Parkinson’s disease stipulates that disparate insults initiate a disease process that obligately share a common pathway leading to cell death. A combinatorial treatment which targets various steps in this pathway is likely to be the most successful therapeutic strategy. As advances are made in the field of neuroimaging and pharmacogenomics, early detection of sporadic PD will become a reality. Early intervention will likely sparemore dopaminergic neurons and extend the quality of life for the patient. Continued advancements in the fields of pharmacology, neurosurgery, and gene therapy will strengthen the armamentarium available for the treatment of PD patients.

Neuroprotection in MS needs to be considered in the context of several pathological processes: limitation of acute inflammatory injury to myelin and axons, remyelination, survival of demyelinated axons, and limitation of more diffuse, nonlesional pathology that affectsmyelin and axons. Advanced MRI techniques are capable of reporting on all of these different pathological features of MS and will be an important aspect of the assessment of neuroprotection strategies in MS, when these become available.