Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is increasingly used in adults and children. Studies on CAM in neurological disorders have focused on the adult population and its use among pediatric neurology patients has not been well characterized.

The purpose of this study was: 1) To characterize the prevalence of CAM in pediatric neurology patients; 2) To determine the perceived effectiveness of CAM in these children; 3) To compare the cost of CAM with conventional therapies; and 4) To describe caregiver or patient-related variables associated with the use of CAM.

This was a cross-sectional survey of patients and families attending the Alberta Children's Hospital neurology clinic between February and May 2004. Patients were considered eligible if they were between two and 18 years of age and had a known history of neurological disorders. Caregivers completed several self-administered questionnaires regarding their socio-demographic profile, their child's neurological illness, and their experience with CAM. Caregivers also rated their child's quality of life using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory.

One hundred and five of 228 (46%) families completed the survey. The mean age of the neurology patients was 9.8 ± 4.5 years. Forty-six (44%) out of 105 patients received one or more types of CAM, with the most common types being chiropractic manipulations (15%), dietary therapy (12%), herbal remedies (8%), homeopathy (8%), and prayer/faith healing (8%). Caregivers' sociodemographic variables or pediatric health-related quality of life were not significantly associated with the use of CAM. Fifty-nine percent of CAM users reported benefits, and only one patient experienced side effects. There was no significant difference in the total median cost of CAM compared to conventional therapies ($31.70 vs. $50.00 per month). Caregivers' personal experience or success stories from friends and media were common reasons for trying CAM.

The use of CAM was common among pediatric neurology patients. Over half of the families reported benefits with CAM, and side effects were perceived to be few. Physicians should initiate discussion on CAM during clinic visits so that the families and patients can make informed decisions about using CAM. Further studies should address the specific role of CAM in children with neurological disorders, and to determine the potential interactions between CAM and conventional therapies in these patients.

To study the effects of cannabinoid, glutamate, and dopamine agonists and antagonists on the calcium current in rat sympathetic neurons.

Calcium current was recorded using the whole-cell variant of the patch-clamp technique. After expression in neuronal membranes of the cannabinoid CB1, glutamate mGluR2, or dopamine D1 receptor (by microinjection of the relevant receptor's cDNA into the neuron's nucleus) agonists' and antagonists' effects were observed.

Applications of agonists of the expressed receptor (0.1-10 µM) decreased the calcium current. The calcium current was increased after application of cannabinoid antagonists (AM251 and AM630); these compounds thus act as inverse agonists in this preparation. Glutamate and dopamine antagonists had no effects on the calcium current by themselves. Combined application of cannabinoids and dopamine, but not glutamate, agonists produced a decrement in the calcium current that was bigger than either of the effects seen when one agonist was applied alone.

These results suggest that cannabinoid with dopamine receptors have an interactive inhibitory effect on the calcium current in this preparation, indicating that within the nervous system, receptor interactions may be important in the regulation of ion-channel functions.

To investigate prognostic indicators in an aggressive Crooke's cell adenoma of the pituitary.

The surgically removed tumor was studied by histology, immunohistochemistry and transmission electron microscopy.

An aggressive invasive sellar tumor removed by repeated surgeries from a 43-year-old woman with pituitary related Cushing's disease was classified as a Crooke's cell adenoma of the pituitary. The application of several cell proliferation markers confirmed the aggressive nature of the tumor.

The investigation of the present case provides additional evidence that pituitary Crooke's cell adenomas may possess aggressive behavior.

Basal cell carcinomas are common lesions that can have a locally invasive behavior. The authors present a case of a scalp lesion with skull and dura-mater invasion that was unrecognized prior to surgical undertaking.

A 66-year-old female presented with an extensive ulcerating lesion on the frontal scalp, deemed to be a basal cell carcinoma. The plastic surgery team brought her to the operating room for resection but subsequently backed off after the discovery of bony invasion. Imaging revealed extensive bony and epidural extension.

Resection of the invaded frontal scalp, bone, dura-mater and proximal part of the superior sagittal sinus was performed. This was followed by a reconstructive procedure consisting of a duraplasty, a cranioplasty, and a skin rotation flap and partial-thickness skin grafting.

Radiological evaluation of scalp basal cell carcinomas should be done prior to surgery to rule out any bony or intracranial invasion.