Objective: There is limited literature on the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions (KAP) of botulinum toxin (BoNT) treatment among patients and caregivers. The objective of this study was to assess the KAP in patients undergoing BoNT treatment for movement disorders. Methods: One hundred patients with movement disorders from National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Hospital in Bengaluru, South India, were recruited. The patients underwent demographic, clinical, and Patient Knowledge Questionnaire on Botulinum Toxin Use in Movement Disorders (PKQ-BMD)-based evaluations. Results: The mean age of patients at the time of presentation was 47.97 ± 14.19 years (range, 12–79). Of all the patients, 26 (28%) patients were anxious, and 86% of these patients were reassured after appropriate counseling. There were 83 (89%) patients who found BoNT to be a costlier option. Education and previous Internet searches influenced positive performance in the “knowledge” domain and overall PKQ-BMD scores. The “number of injections” was also positively correlated with KAP performance. Conclusion This study showed that knowledge and perceptions about BoNT treatment need to be further improved. Wider availability of the Internet has provided a positive impact on patients’ and carers’ KAP. Internet-based information, higher educational qualifications of the patients, and a higher number of BoNT injection sessions are the most important predictors of satisfactory KAP related to BoNT injection treatment in patients with movement disorders.

Objective: There is limited literature on the knowledge, attitude, and perceptions (KAP) of botulinum toxin (BoNT) treatment among patients and caregivers. The objective of this study was to assess the KAP in patients undergoing BoNT treatment for movement disorders. Methods: One hundred patients with movement disorders from National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences Hospital in Bengaluru, South India, were recruited. The patients underwent demographic, clinical, and Patient Knowledge Questionnaire on Botulinum Toxin Use in Movement Disorders (PKQ-BMD)-based evaluations. Results: The mean age of patients at the time of presentation was 47.97 ± 14.19 years (range, 12–79). Of all the patients, 26 (28%) patients were anxious, and 86% of these patients were reassured after appropriate counseling. There were 83 (89%) patients who found BoNT to be a costlier option. Education and previous Internet searches influenced positive performance in the “knowledge” domain and overall PKQ-BMD scores. The “number of injections” was also positively correlated with KAP performance. Conclusion This study showed that knowledge and perceptions about BoNT treatment need to be further improved. Wider availability of the Internet has provided a positive impact on patients’ and carers’ KAP. Internet-based information, higher educational qualifications of the patients, and a higher number of BoNT injection sessions are the most important predictors of satisfactory KAP related to BoNT injection treatment in patients with movement disorders.

Objective: Recessive variants in the PINK1 gene are known causes of early-onset Parkinson’s disease (EOPD). To describe the clinical features and genetic profiles of patients with PINK1-related Parkinson’s disease (PARK-PINK1) mutations. Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of the demographic, clinical and genetic details of patients from our database carrying biallelic PINK1 variants. Results: A total of 7 patients whose median age at onset was 33 years (range: 20–49) were recruited. All had asymmetrical onset, tremors were present in 4 patients, abnormal posturing was present in 2 patients, and slowness was present in 1 patient. The parkinsonism phenotype was noted in 6 patients (with dystonia in four) and isolated dystonia in one. Among the 6 patients with parkinsonism, five had rest tremors, all had good levodopa responses, and four had motor fluctuations with choreiform dyskinesia. Exome sequencing revealed biallelic pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants, five of which were novel. Conclusion PARK-PINK1 presents as an EOPD with tremor-predominant phenotype, good levodopa-responsiveness, early motor fluctuation and dyskinesia. We describe five novel variants in PINK1 gene.

Objective: In this study, we describe the clinical and investigative profiles of 7 cases of autosomal-recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix–Saguenay (ARSACS). Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of genetically proven cases of ARSACS from our database. Additionally, we reviewed the literature for reported cases of ARSACS from India. Results: All 7 patients experienced disease onset within the first decade of life. According to the available data, all patients had walking difficulty (7/7), spastic ataxia (7/7), classical neuroimaging findings (7/7), sensory‒motor demyelinating polyneuropathy (6/6), abnormal evoked potentials (5/5), and a thickened retinal nerve fiber layer (3/3). Exome sequencing revealed 8 unique pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (6 novel) in the SACS gene. An additional 21 cases (18 families) of ARSACS that could be identified from India had similar clinical and investigational findings. The most common c.8793delA variant may have a founder effect. Conclusion Our series adds to the previously reported cases of ARSACS from India and expands the genetic spectrum by adding 6 novel variants.