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[Current status of health services rendered by the Department of Neurology, Yokohama City University-affiliated Hospital--from the viewpoint of a psychiatric emergency core hospital]
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[Current status of health services rendered by the Department of Neurology, Yokohama City University-affiliated Hospital--from the viewpoint of a psychiatric emergency core hospital]

Seishin Shinkeigaku Zasshi. 2007;109(10):968-75

Authors: Odawara T, Sugiyama N, Heian Y

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309558 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Vitamin C deficiency in weanling guinea pigs: differential expression of oxidative stress and DNA repair in liver and brain.
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Vitamin C deficiency in weanling guinea pigs: differential expression of oxidative stress and DNA repair in liver and brain.

Br J Nutr. 2007 Dec;98(6):1116-9

Authors: Lykkesfeldt J, Trueba GP, Poulsen HE, Christen S

Neonates are particularly susceptible to malnutrition due to their limited reserves of micronutrients and their rapid growth. In the present study, we examined the effect of vitamin C deficiency on markers of oxidative stress in plasma, liver and brain of weanling guinea pigs. Vitamin C deficiency caused rapid and significant depletion of ascorbate (P < 0.001), tocopherols (P < 0.001) and glutathione (P < 0.001), and a decrease in superoxide dismutase activity (P = 0.005) in the liver, while protein oxidation was significantly increased (P = 0.011). No changes in lipid oxidation or oxidatively damaged DNA were observed in this tissue. In the brain, the pattern was markedly different. Of the measured antioxidants, only ascorbate was significantly depleted (P < 0.001), but in contrast to the liver, ascorbate oxidation (P = 0.034), lipid oxidation (P < 0.001), DNA oxidation (P = 0.13) and DNA incision repair (P = 0.014) were all increased, while protein oxidation decreased (P = 0.003). The results show that the selective preservation of brain ascorbate and induction of DNA repair in vitamin C-deficient weanling guinea pigs is not sufficient to prevent oxidative damage. Vitamin C deficiency may therefore be particularly adverse during the neonatal period.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309548 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Modeling individual-specific human optic nerve head biomechanics. Part I: IOP-induced deformations and influence of geometry.
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Modeling individual-specific human optic nerve head biomechanics. Part I: IOP-induced deformations and influence of geometry.

Biomech Model Mechanobiol. 2008 Feb 29;

Authors: Sigal IA, Flanagan JG, Tertinegg I, Ethier CR

Glaucoma, the second most common cause of blindness worldwide, is an ocular disease characterized by progressive loss of retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons. Biomechanical factors are thought to play a central role in RGC loss, but the specific mechanism underlying this disease remains unknown. Our goal was to characterize the biomechanical environment in the optic nerve head (ONH)-the region where RGC damage occurs-in human eyes. Post mortem human eyes were imaged, fixed at either 5 or 50 mmHg pressure and processed histologically to acquire serial sections through the ONH. Three-dimensional models of the ONH region were reconstructed from these sections and embedded in a generic scleral shell to create a model of an entire eye. We used finite element simulations to quantify the effects of an acute change in intraocular pressure from 5 to 50 mmHg on the ONH biomechanical environment. Computed strains varied substantially within the ONH, with the pre-laminar neural tissue and the lamina cribrosa showing the greatest strains. The mode of strain having the largest magnitude was third principal strain (compression), reaching 12-15% in both the lamina cribrosa and the pre-laminar neural tissue. Shear strains were also substantial. The distribution of strains in all ONH tissues was remarkably similar between eyes. Inter-individual variations in ONH geometry (anatomy) have only modest effects on ONH biomechanics, and may not explain inter-individual susceptibility to elevated intraocular pressure. Consistent with previous results using generic ONH models, the displacements of the vitreo-retinal interface and the anterior surface of the lamina cribrosa can differ substantially, suggesting that currently available optical imaging methods do not provide information of the acute deformations within ONH tissues. Predicted strains within ONH tissues are potentially biologically significant and support the hypothesis that biomechanical factors contribute to the initial insult that leads to RGC loss in glaucoma.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309526 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
The efficacy of erythropoietin on acute spinal cord injury. An experimental study on a rat model.
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The efficacy of erythropoietin on acute spinal cord injury. An experimental study on a rat model.

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2008 Feb 29;

Authors: Kontogeorgakos VA, Voulgaris S, Korompilias AV, Vekris M, Polyzoidis KS, Bourantas K, Beris AE

INTRODUCTION: The accumulated knowledge of erythropoietin (EPO) interaction in neural injury has led to potentially novel therapeutic strategies. Previous experimental studies of recombinant human EPO (rhEPO) administration have shown favorable results after central and peripheral neural injury. In the present study we used the aneurysmal clip model to evaluate the efficacy of two different regimes of rhEPO administration on the functional outcome after severe acute spinal cord injury (ASCI). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty rats were operated on with posterior laminectomy at thoracic 10th vertebra. Spinal cord trauma produced by extradural placement of the aneurysm clip, for 1 min. Animals were divided into three groups; the first group received a low total EPO dose (EPO-L), (2 doses of 1,000 IU each s.c.). The second group was administered the high total EPO dose (EPO-H), (14 doses of 1,000 IU each s.c.), and the third was the Control group, which received normal saline in the same time fashion with EPO-H group. Follow-up was for 6 weeks. Estimation of the functional progress of each rat was calculated using the locomotor rating scale of Basso et al, with a range from 0 to 21. RESULTS: After surgery the animals suffered paraplegia with urinary disturbances. Rats that received EPO demonstrated statistically significant functional improvement compared to the Control group, throughout study interval. On the last follow-up at 6 weeks the EPO-L rats achieved a mean score 17.3 +/- 1.15, the EPO-H 14.7 +/- 1.82, and the control group 8.2 +/- 0.78. Comparison between the two EPO groups reveals superior final outcome of the group treated with lower total dose. CONCLUSION: Our study supports current knowledge, that EPO administration has a positive effect on functional recovery after experimental ASCI. These data reflect the positive impact of EPO on the pathophysiologic cascade of secondary neural damage. However, we observed a dose-related effect on functional recovery. Interestingly, large doses do not seem to favor the neurological recovery as lower doses do.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309506 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Communications of the European neurological society.
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Communications of the European neurological society.

J Neurol. 2008 Feb;255(2):314-6

Authors:

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309468 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Serum Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor is Associated with Reduced Appetite in Healthy Older Adults.
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Serum Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor is Associated with Reduced Appetite in Healthy Older Adults.

J Nutr Health Aging. 2008 Mar;12(3):183-5

Authors: Stanek K, Gunstad J, Leahey T, Glickman E, Alexander T, Spitznagel MB, Juvancic Heltzel J, Murray L

Objective: Loss of appetite and body mass are common in older adults and are associated with negative consequences. Research indicates that these processes likely involve increases in serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Animal and human models demonstrate that BDNF may serve a regulatory function in food intake, but no study has addressed the possibility that BDNF may be involved in appetite reduction and loss of body mass in older adults. Design and Participants: 34 older adults without significant neurological or psychiatric history underwent fasting blood draw and measurement of body composition. Appetite and eating behavior were assessed by questionnaire and related to serum BDNF levels. Results: Partial correlations showed serum BDNF levels were inversely related to appetite (r = -.38, p = .02). No significant correlations emerged between serum BDNF and age, diet, or body composition. Conclusions: The current study extends past work and shows that BDNF is associated with appetite in healthy older adults. Further work is needed to clarify mechanisms for these findings, particularly prospective studies.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309438 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Use of femoral nerve blocks in adolescents undergoing patellar realignment surgery.
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Use of femoral nerve blocks in adolescents undergoing patellar realignment surgery.

Am J Orthop. 2008 Jan;37(1):39-43

Authors: Luhmann SJ, Schootman M, Schoenecker PL, Gordon JE, Schrock C

The purpose of this study was to analyze the efficacy of femoral nerve blocks (FNBs) in decreasing postoperative narcotic use in adolescents undergoing patellar realignment surgery (PRS). All patients who underwent PRS at 2 children's hospitals between 1998 and 2002 were included in the study. Patients were grouped according to postoperative analgesia: FNB (n = 14), as-needed intravenous morphine (PRN-IV; n = 16), or patient-controlled analgesia using morphine (PCA; n = 13). Total postoperative IV morphine use was statistically significantly different among the 3 groups: 9.0 mg for FNB, 26.43 mg for PRN- IV, and 64.7 mg for PCA. FNB use was effective in significantly decreasing postoperative IV narcotic use.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309383 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Infectomic Analysis of Gene Expression Profiles of Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells Infected with Cryptococcus neoformans.
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Infectomic Analysis of Gene Expression Profiles of Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells Infected with Cryptococcus neoformans.

J Biomed Biotechnol. 2008;2008(2):375620

Authors: Jong A, Wu CH, Zhou W, Chen HM, Huang SH

In order to dissect the pathogenesis of Cryptococcus neoformans meningoencephalitis, a genomic survey of the changes in gene expression of human brain microvascular endothelial cells infected by C. neoformans was carried out in a time-course study. Principal component analysis (PCA) revealed significant fluctuations in the expression levels of different groups of genes during the pathogen-host interaction. Self-organizing map (SOM) analysis revealed that most genes were up- or downregulated 2 folds or more at least at one time point during the pathogen-host engagement. The microarray data were validated by Western blot analysis of a group of genes, including beta-actin, Bcl-x, CD47, Bax, Bad, and Bcl-2. Hierarchical cluster profile showed that 61 out of 66 listed interferon genes were changed at least at one time point. Similarly, the active responses in expression of MHC genes were detected at all stages of the interaction. Taken together, our infectomic approaches suggest that the host cells significantly change the gene profiles and also actively participate in immunoregulations of the central nervous system (CNS) during C. neoformans infection.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309373 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Hormones of the gut-brain axis as targets for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal disorders.
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Hormones of the gut-brain axis as targets for the treatment of upper gastrointestinal disorders.

Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2008 Mar;7(3):241-54

Authors: Sanger GJ, Lee K

The concept of the gut forming the centre of an integrated gut-brain-energy axis - modulating appetite, metabolism and digestion - opens up new paradigms for drugs that can tackle multiple symptoms in complex upper gastrointestinal disorders. These include eating disorders, nausea and vomiting, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastroparesis, dyspepsia and irritable bowel syndrome. The hormones that modulate gastric motility represent targets for gastric prokinetic drugs, and peptides that modify eating behaviours may be targeted to develop drugs that reduce nausea, a currently poorly treated condition. The gut-brain axis may therefore provide a range of therapeutic opportunities that deliver a more holistic treatment of upper gastrointestinal disorders.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309313 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Overexpression, Purification, and Preliminary X-ray Crystallographic Analysis of Human Brain-Type Creatine Kinase.
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Overexpression, Purification, and Preliminary X-ray Crystallographic Analysis of Human Brain-Type Creatine Kinase.

J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2008 Feb;18(2):295-8

Authors: Bong SM, Moon JH, Jang EH, Lee KS, Chi YM

Creatine kinase (CK; E.C. 2.7.3.2) is an important enzyme that catalyzes the reversible transfer of a phosphoryl group from ATP to creatine in energy homeostasis. The brain-type cytosolic isoform of creatine kinase (BB-CK), which is found mainly in the brain and retina, is a key enzyme in brain energy metabolism, because high-energy phosphates are transfered through the creatine kinase/phosphocreatine shuttle system. The recombinant human BB-CK protein was overexpressed as a soluble form in Escherichia coli and crystallized at 22degreeC using PEG 4000 as a precipitant. Native X-ray diffraction data were collected to 2.2 A resolution using synchrotron radiation. The crystals belonged to the tetragonal space group P43212, with cell parameters of a=b=97.963, c= 164.312 A, and alpha=beta=gamma=90o. The asymmetric unit contained two molecules of CK, giving a crystal volume per protein mass (Vm) of 1.80 A3 Da-1 and a solvent content of 31.6%.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309274 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Relationships between spinal landmarks and skin surface markers.
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Relationships between spinal landmarks and skin surface markers.

J Appl Biomech. 2008 Feb;24(1):94-7

Authors: Engsberg JR, Lenke LG, Bridwell KH, Uhrich ML, Trout CM

This investigation determined relationships between coronal vertical alignment (CVA) and sagittal vertical alignment (SVA) variables calculated from radiographs and surface markers representing bony landmarks. Biplanar radiographs were taken on 28 subjects (standing) after 2 metallic surface markers were placed on the skin superficial to C7 and S2. The CVA-R and SVA-R were measured on the radiographs. Similar variables were calculated from the surface markers (CVA-P-R, SVA-P-R). Correlation between CVA-R and CVA-P-R was 0.894 (p < 0.000), and between SVA-R and SVA-P-R was 0.946 (p < 0.000). Results lead to three recommendations: (1) obtain surface marker data when radiographs are taken to establish relationships between the two sets of data, (2) take care in providing instructions to the subjects if measures are to be taken at different times, and (3) observe caution in interpreting results when simultaneous x-ray and surface marker data were not recorded.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309189 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Retinal Signs and Stroke. Revisiting the Link Between the Eye and Brain.
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Retinal Signs and Stroke. Revisiting the Link Between the Eye and Brain.

Stroke. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Baker ML, Hand PJ, Wang JJ, Wong TY

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The retinal and cerebral vasculature share similar anatomic, physiological, and embryological characteristics. We reviewed the literature, focusing particularly on recent population-based studies, to examine the relationship between retinal signs and stroke. Summary of Review-Hypertensive retinopathy signs (eg, focal retinal arteriolar narrowing, arterio-venous nicking) were associated with prevalent stroke, incident stroke, and stroke mortality, independent of blood pressure and other cerebrovascular risk factors. Diabetic retinopathy signs (eg, microaneurysms, hard exudates) were similarly associated with incident stroke and stroke mortality. Retinal arteriolar emboli were associated with stroke mortality but not incident stroke. There were fewer studies on the association of other retinal signs such as retinal vein occlusion and age-related macular degeneration with stroke, and the results were less consistent. CONCLUSIONS: Many retinal conditions are associated with stroke, reflecting possible concomitant pathophysiological processes affecting both the eye and the brain. However, the incremental value of a retinal examination for prediction of future stroke risk remains to be determined.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309171 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Changes in Background Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity Between Lacunar and Cortical Ischemic Stroke Subtypes.
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Changes in Background Blood-Brain Barrier Integrity Between Lacunar and Cortical Ischemic Stroke Subtypes.

Stroke. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Wardlaw JM, Farrall A, Armitage PA, Carpenter T, Chappell F, Doubal F, Chowdhury D, Cvoro V, Dennis MS

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Lacunar stroke is associated with endothelial dysfunction and histologically with intrinsic cerebral microvascular disease of unknown cause. Endothelial dysfunction could impair blood-brain barrier integrity. We assessed background blood-brain barrier leakage in patients with lacunar ischemic stroke compared with cortical stroke controls. METHODS: We recruited patients with lacunar or mild cortical ischemic stroke and assessed generalized cerebral blood-brain barrier leak with MRI and intravenous gadolinium at least 1 month after stroke. We used detailed image processing to compare signal change before and for 30 minutes postcontrast throughout gray matter, white matter, and cerebrospinal fluid with summary analyses and general linear modeling. RESULTS: Among 48 patients (29 lacunar, 19 cortical), postcontrast enhancement was significantly higher in cerebrospinal fluid (P=0.04, Mann-Whitney U), and nonsignificantly higher in white matter, in lacunar than in cortical strokes, with no difference in gray matter. General linear modeling confirmed significantly greater postcontrast enhancement in cerebrospinal fluid in lacunar patients than in cortical controls (t=3.37, P<0.0008). CONCLUSIONS: These preliminary data suggest that the blood-brain barrier may be dysfunctional throughout subcortical white matter (white matter drains via interstitial spaces to cerebrospinal fluid) in patients with lacunar stroke. Further studies are required to confirm these findings and determine whether abnormal blood-brain barrier might predate development of lacunar disease. Blood-brain barrier dysfunction may be an important mechanism for brain damage in cerebral microvascular disease.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309161 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
The Role of Aquaporin-4 Polymorphisms in the Development of Brain Edema After Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion.
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The Role of Aquaporin-4 Polymorphisms in the Development of Brain Edema After Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion.

Stroke. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Kleffner I, Bungeroth M, Schiffbauer H, Schäbitz WR, Ringelstein EB, Kuhlenbäumer G

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Some patients develop severe brain edema after complete middle cerebral artery occlusion, whereas others do not. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) is the main water channel in the brain and has been shown to be critical for the development of brain edema after ischemia. We asked whether genetic variation in the AQP4 gene is related to the severity of brain edema after middle cerebral artery occlusion. METHODS: We genotyped 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms distributed across the AQP4 gene in 41 patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion with and without severe brain edema and assessed single marker association as well as the linkage dysequilibrium structure across AQP4. RESULTS: One single nucleotide polymorphism (rs9951307) at the 3' end of AQP4 was associated with severe brain edema (dominant model, P=0.01; OR, 0.10; 95% CI, 0.02 to 0.49 for the protective G-allele). Linkage dysequilibrium across AQP4 was low; no clear haplotype blocks could be identified for the assessment of haplotype association. CONCLUSIONS: This explorative study shows that genetic variation in AQP4 might contribute to brain edema formation after middle cerebral artery occlusion and warrants further investigation.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309154 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Risk Factors and Neurological Consequences of Syncopes Induced by Internal Carotid Artery Angioplasty.
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Risk Factors and Neurological Consequences of Syncopes Induced by Internal Carotid Artery Angioplasty.

Stroke. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Martinez-Fernandez E, Boza Garcia F, Gonzalez-Marcos JR, Gil-Peralta A, Gonzalez Garcia A, Mayol Deya A

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Syncope and carotid sinus reactions (CSR) occur frequently in patients undergoing carotid angioplasty (CA). We investigated risk factors and the neurological consequences of carotid sinus syncope induced by CA. METHODS: We examined 359 consecutive patients. Patients underwent assessment of cerebrovascular reserve before CA and continuous electroencephalographical monitoring during the procedure. We examined the impact of vascular risk factors, cerebral hemodynamics, characteristics of plaque, and procedural modality on the incidence of CSR and syncope. The effect of syncopes on periprocedural complication rates was also investigated. RESULTS: CSR and syncope occurred in 62.7% and 18.0% of the procedures, respectively. The occurrence of CSR during angioplasty was significantly associated with the appearance of syncope. The incidence of syncope was significantly higher in longer plaques located in the carotid bifurcation, in the presence of contralateral carotid stenosis, or when protection devices were used. Although TIA during CA was more common in syncopal patients, stroke or death rates were similar in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: Syncope occurs more frequently in patients with long plaques proximal to the carotid bifurcation, but it does not increase the periprocedural complications rate.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309152 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Endothelium dependent and independent vasodilation of the superficial femoral artery in spinal cord-injured subjects.
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Endothelium dependent and independent vasodilation of the superficial femoral artery in spinal cord-injured subjects.

J Appl Physiol. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Thijssen DH, Kooijman M, Groot PC, Bleeker MW, Smits P, Green DJ, Hopman MT

Extreme inactivity of the legs in spinal cord-injured (SCI) individuals does not result in an impairment of the superficial femoral artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD). To gain insight into the underlying mechanism, the present study examined NO-responsiveness of vascular smooth muscles in controls and SCI subjects. METHODS: In 8 healthy men (34+/-13 years) and 6 SCI subjects (37+/-10 years), superficial femoral artery FMD-response was assessed by echo-Doppler. Subsequently, infusion of incremental dosages of sodium-nitroprusside (SNP) was used to assess NO-responsiveness. Maximal diameter was examined on a second day after 13 min of arterial occlusion in combination with sublingual administration of nitroglycerine. RESULTS: Resting and maximal superficial femoral artery diameter in SCI were smaller than in controls (P<0.001). The FMD-response in controls (4.2+/-0.9%) was lower than in SCI (8.2+/-0.9%, P<0.001), but not after correcting for area-under-the-curve for shear rate (P=0.35). When expressed as relative change from baseline, SCI subjects demonstrate a significantly larger diameter increase compared with controls at each dose SNP. However, when expressed as a relative increase within the range of diameter changes (baseline[0%]-maximal diameter[100%]), both groups demonstrate similar changes in response to SNP. CONCLUSION: Changes in diameter during SNP infusion and FMD-response are larger in SCI compared to controls. When these results are corrected, superficial femoral artery FMD and NO sensitivity in SCI are not different from controls. This illustrates the importance of appropriate data presentation and suggests that, subsequent to structural inward remodelling of conduit arteries as a consequence of extreme physical inactivity, arterial function is normalised. Key words: flow mediated dilation, nitric oxide sensitivity, deconditioning, spinal cord injury, endothelium.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18309094 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Transplantation of Embryonic Stem Cells Improves Nerve Repair and Functional Recovery after Severe Sciatic Nerve Axotomy in Rats.
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Transplantation of Embryonic Stem Cells Improves Nerve Repair and Functional Recovery after Severe Sciatic Nerve Axotomy in Rats.

Stem Cells. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Cui L, Jiang J, Wei L, Zhou X, Fraser JL, Snider BJ, Yu SP

Extensive research has focused on transplantation of pluripotent stem cells for the treatment of CNS disorders, the therapeutic potential of stem cell therapy for injured peripheral nerves is largely unknown. We used a rat sciatic nerve transection model to test the ability of implanted embryonic stem (ES) cell-derived neural progenitor cells (ES-NPCs) in promoting repair of a severely injured peripheral nerve. Mouse ES cells were neurally induced in vitro; enhanced expression and/or secretion of growth factors were detected in differentiating ES cells. One hour after removal of a 1-cm segment of the left sciatic nerve, ES-NPCs were implanted into the gap between the nerve stumps with the surrounding epineurium as a natural conduit. The transplantation resulted in substantial axonal re-growth and nerve repair, which were not seen in culture medium controls. One to three months after axotomy, co-immunostaining with the mouse neural cell membrane specific antibody M2/M6 and the Schwann cell marker S100 suggested that transplanted ES-NPCs had survived and differentiated into myelinating cells. Regenerated axons were myelinated and showed a uniform connection between proximal and distal stumps. Nerve stumps had near normal diameter with longitudinally oriented, densely packed Schwann cell-like phenotype. Fluoro-Gold retrogradely labeled neurons were found in the spinal cord (T12-13) and DRG (L4 - L6), suggesting reconnection of axons across the transection. Electrophysiological recordings showed functional activity recovered across the injury gap. These data suggest that transplanted neurally induced ES cells differentiate into myelin-forming cells and provide a potential therapy for severely injured peripheral nerves. ______________________________________________________________________________ L. Cui and J. Jiang contributed equally to this work.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308951 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
The effect of exercise on motor performance tasks used in the neurological assessment of sports related concussion.
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The effect of exercise on motor performance tasks used in the neurological assessment of sports related concussion.

Br J Sports Med. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Schneiders AG, Sullivan SJ, McCrory PR, Gray AR, Maruthayanar S, Singh P, Ranhotigamage PS, Van der Salm RA

Sports-related concussion is assessed using both cognitive and motor performance tasks. There is limited understanding how exercise effects these measures.The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of moderate-intensity exercise on three selected measures of motor performance. A repeated measures design was used to compare baseline motor performance scores to post-exercise scores with an exercise intervention modelled on the physiological demands of a team sport. Thirty physically active subjects performed timed motor performance tasks; Finger-to-Nose (FTN), Tandem Gait (TG) and Single Leg Stance (SLS). The tasks were administered twice pre-exercise and twice post-exercise. FTN, TG and SLS demonstrated high test-retest reliability (ICC values > 0.8). Fifteen minutes of moderate intensity exercise caused a significant improvement in FTN (p = 0.0004) and TG (p = 0.0009), but not in SLS (p = 0.5068). Improvement in the performance of motor tasks after exercise has implications for the immediate assessment of sports related concussion given that measures of motor performance are utilised in concussion assessment instruments.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308895 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
A pilot study to determine the effect of trunk and hip focused neuromuscular training on hip and knee isokinetic strength.
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A pilot study to determine the effect of trunk and hip focused neuromuscular training on hip and knee isokinetic strength.

Br J Sports Med. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Myer G, Brent J, Ford K, Hewett T

OBJECTIVES: The objective was to determine the effect of trunk focused neuromuscular training (TNMT) on hip and knee strength. The hypothesis was that TNMT would increase standing isokinetic hip abduction, but not knee flexion/extension, strength. <br> METHODS: Twenty-one (TMNT n=14: 15.4 +/- 1.4 yrs, 170.5 +/- 5.0 cm, 64.1 +/- 8.5 kg; CTRL n =7: 16.0 +/- 1.7 yrs, 173.4 +/- 10.0 cm, 63.9 +/- 5.3 kg; p>0.05) high school female volleyball players were recruited to participate in this study. Fourteen participated in TNMT protocol (2 X/wk) over a ten week period in addition to their standard off-season strength training (1X/wk). Standing isokinetic hip abduction strength and seated knee flexion/extension strength were measured prior to and after TNMT.<br> RESULTS: A significant interaction of group and time was observed. The TNMT group increased isokinetic hip abduction strength approximately 15% (13.5% dominant leg: 46.6 +/- 10.1 to 52.9 +/- 11.4 ft-lbs and 17.1% in the non-dominant leg: 46.1 +/- 10.4 to 54.0 +/- 10.7 ft-lbs; p = 0.01). There was no difference in the control group in pre- versus post-test measures. Post-test results also indicated no effect of TNMT on isokinetic knee extension (p=0.57) or knee flexion (p=0.57) strength.<br> CONCLUSIONS: Ten weeks of TNMT increased standing hip abduction strength in female athletes. Increased hip abduction strength and recruitment may improve the ability of female athletes to increase control of lower extremity alignment and decrease loads resulting from increased trunk displacement during sports activities.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308886 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Functional evidence for purinergic inhibitory neuromuscular transmission in the mouse internal anal sphincter.
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Functional evidence for purinergic inhibitory neuromuscular transmission in the mouse internal anal sphincter.

Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: McDonnell BM, Hamilton R, Fong M, Ward SM, Keef KD

The neurotransmitter(s) underlying NOS-independent neural inhibition in the IAS is still uncertain. The present study investigated the role of purinergic transmission. Contractile and electrical responses to electrical field stimulation of nerves (0.1-5 Hz for 10-60 sec) were recorded in strips of mouse IAS. A single stimulus generated a 28 mV fast inhibitory junction potential (F-IJP) and relaxation. The NOS inhibitor L-NNA reduced the F-IJP duration by 20%. Repetitive stimulation at 2.5-5 Hz caused a more sustained IJP and sustained relaxation. L-NNA reduced relaxation at 1 Hz and the sustained IJP at 2.5-5 Hz. All other experiments were carried out in the presence of NOS blockade. IJPs and relaxation were significantly reduced by the P2 receptor antagonists PPADS (100microM), by desensitization of P2Y receptors with ADPbetaS (10microM) and by the selective P2Y1 receptor blocker MRS2179 (10microM). Relaxation and IJPs were also significantly reduced by the K(+) channel blocker apamin (1microM). Removal of extracellular potassium (Ko) increased IJP amplitude to 205% of control whereas return of Ko 30 minutes later hyperpolarized cells by 19 mV and reduced IJP amplitude to 50% of control. Exogenous ATP (3mM) relaxed muscles in the presence of TTX (1microM) and hyperpolarized cells by 15 mV. In conclusion, these data suggest that purinergic transmission significantly contributes to NOS-independent neural inhibition in the mouse IAS. P2Y1 receptors as well as at least one other P2 receptor subtype contribute to this pathway. Purinergic receptors activate apamin sensitive K(+) channels as well as other apamin-insensitive conductances leading to hyperpolarization and relaxation. Key words: gastrointestinal, enteric nervous system, neuromuscular transmission, smooth muscle, membrane potential.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308858 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Regulation of Progesterone Receptor Expression by Estradiol is dependent on Age, Sex and Region in the Rat Brain.
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Regulation of Progesterone Receptor Expression by Estradiol is dependent on Age, Sex and Region in the Rat Brain.

Endocrinology. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Quadros PS, Wagner CK

Progesterone receptor (PR) expression is highly dependent on estradiol in the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) and the ventromedial nucleus (VMN) of the adult rat brain. During development, males express high levels of PR in the MPN whereas females have virtually no PR, a sex difference resulting entirely from differential exposure to estradiol. Because PR is also estradiol-dependent in the adult VMN, the present study examined the regulation of PR-immunoreactivity (PRir) in the developing VMN. Surprisingly, PRir was present at high levels in the VMN of both neonatal males and females. In the neonatal VMN, PR expression was dependent on gonadal hormones in males but not in females. When females were ovariectomized and exposed to estradiol at various ages from neonatal to adulthood, estradiol reliably induced PRir in the MPN at P7 but failed to induce PRir in the VMN of the same animals. Only later in development, around P14, did estradiol increase PRir in the female VMN. There appears to be a developmental "switch" in the VMN when PR expression changes from estradiol-independent to estradiol-dependent. Furthermore, this "switch" is anatomically specific and does not exist in the MPN. The present results indicate that the regulation of PR expression by estradiol is dependent on age, sex and brain region, suggesting that PR may play a critical, but specific role in the normal development of these reproductively-important brain areas. In addition, the neonatal female VMN may provide a unique model in which to examine the mechanisms underlying the specificity of steroid-induced gene expression.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308846 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Mini Review: Progestin Receptor Subtypes in the Brain: The known and the Unknown.
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Mini Review: Progestin Receptor Subtypes in the Brain: The known and the Unknown.

Endocrinology. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Mani S

Progesterone (P), the most biologically active "progestin" of ovarian origin, modulates numerous cellular functions in the central nervous system to coordinate physiology and reproduction. The neurobiological activity of P is mediated not by a single form of the progestin receptor (PR), but by two neural isoforms of PRs, PR-A and PR-B. Classical model of P action assumes that these neural effects are primarily mediated via their intracellular PRs, acting as transcriptional regulators, in steroid sensitive neurons, modulating genes and genomic networks. Evidence has emerged, however, that activation of neural PRs is much more diverse: four distinct classes of molecules, neurotransmitters, peptide growth factors, cyclic nucleotides and neurosteroids have been shown to activate the PRs via cross-talk and pathway convergence. In addition, rapid signaling events associated with membrane receptors and/or subpopulations of cytoplasmic PRs, via activation of protein kinase cascades, regulate PR gene expression in the cytoplasm independent of PR nuclear action. The increasing in vitro and in vivo evidence of differential transcriptional activities and co-regulator interactions between PR-A and PR-B, predict that these isoforms could have distinct roles in mediating additional and/or alternate signaling pathways within steroid sensitive neurons. In this minireview, we evaluate the available data and discuss the possible roles of the isoforms in the regulation of neurobiological processes.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308838 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Structural brain correlates of response inhibition in Bipolar Disorder I.
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Structural brain correlates of response inhibition in Bipolar Disorder I.

J Psychopharmacol. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Haldane M, Cunningham G, Androutsos C, Frangou S

Deficits in response inhibition are a prominent feature of Bipolar Disorder, type I (BDI). The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between inhibitory control and cerebral structure as it may inform our understanding of the pathophysiology of BDI. Inhibitory control was measured in remitted patients with BDI (n _ 44) and healthy controls (n _ 44), using the interference score from the Stroop Colour Word Task and the scaled total error score from the Hayling Sentence Completion Test. Structural magnetic resonance imaging brain scans were also obtained for all participants. For both measures, better performance in controls correlated positively with gray matter volume in the dorsal and ventral prefrontal cortical (PFC) regions with parietal involvement additionally seen for the interference score. In contrast, better inhibitory control in BDI patients correlated positively with gray matter volume in the right parietal cortical regions, namely the cuneus for the scaled total error score and the inferior parietal lobule for the interference score. The observed lack of correlation between PFC grey matter and measures of inhibitory control in BDI patients is suggestive of PFC dysfunction; the correlation between response inhibition and parietal grey matter volume may be indicative of a compensatory involvement of the parietal cortices in BDI.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308812 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Changes in brain orexin levels in a rat model of depression induced by neonatal administration of clomipramine.
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Changes in brain orexin levels in a rat model of depression induced by neonatal administration of clomipramine.

J Psychopharmacol. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Feng P, Vurbic D, Wu Z, Hu Y, Strohl KP

Depression is associated with a deficiency of serotonergic neurons that have been found to suppress orexinergic neurons, which in turn activate these neurons in a feedback loop. This evidence suggests that orexins may be involved in the pathology of depression. Long Evans rats were treated with clomipramine (CLI) and saline (SAL) from postnatal days 8 through 21. One set of rats from both groups was sacrificed at 35 days of age for quantification of orexins in multiple brain regions. At 3-4 months of age a second set of rats was tested for immobility in a forced swim procedure, a common test for depressive signs in rats, and a third set was sacrificed for the quantification of orexins. Compared with the control rats, adult rats with neonatal CLI treatment had (1) increased forced swim immobility and (2) increased orexins A and B in the hypothalamus. However, both orexins A and B levels were decreased in multiple brain regions in the juvenile CLI rats compared with same-age controls. We concluded that although orexin levels were decreased in juvenile CLI rats, adult CLI rats with features of depression had significantly higher levels of hypothalamic orexins compared with adult controls. These results imply that orexins are likely to be involved in the pathological regulation of depression.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308806 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Effects of acute or 3-day treatments of Hypericum caprifoliatum Cham. & Schltdt. (Guttiferae) extract or of two established antidepressants on basal and stress-induced increase in serum and brain corticosterone levels.
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Effects of acute or 3-day treatments of Hypericum caprifoliatum Cham. & Schltdt. (Guttiferae) extract or of two established antidepressants on basal and stress-induced increase in serum and brain corticosterone levels.

J Psychopharmacol. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Viana AF, Rates SM, Naudin B, Janin F, Costentin J, do Rego JC

Since depressive patients present alterations in the hypothalamopituitary- adrenal (HPA) axis that are normalised by antidepressants, this HPA axis has been considered as a target of their actions. We have investigated the mechanism of action of a cyclohexane extract of Hypericum caprifoliatum (HCP), which displays antidepressant like activity, by studying, in mice, the influence of HCP and of two established antidepressant drugs, imipramine and bupropion, administered either acutely or semi-chronically (once a day, three consecutive days), on serum and brain cortex corticosterone levels, either in basal conditions or shortly after a forced-swimming session (FSS). Administered acutely, imipramine (20mg/kg, per os (p.o.)), bupropion (30mg/kg, p.o.) and HCP (360mg/kg, p.o.) significantly reduced the immobility time and had no effects on FSS-induced increase of serum and cortical corticosterone levels. Conversely, 3 days repeated treatment with imipramine or bupropion resulted in a significant reduction of immobility time and FSSinduced increase of serum and cortical corticosterone levels. In a different way, repeated treatment with HCP significantly reduced the immobility time and only cortical corticosterone levels in stressed mice. These results indicate that short-term treatments with antidepressants are sufficient to induce modifications in the HPA axis reactivity to stress; and that apparently HCP has an influence on corticosterone levels by a mechanism diverse from the other tested antidepressants.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308787 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Improvement in cardiac sympathetic nerve activity in responders to resynchronization therapy.
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Improvement in cardiac sympathetic nerve activity in responders to resynchronization therapy.

Europace. 2008 Mar;10(3):374-8

Authors: Burri H, Sunthorn H, Somsen A, Fleury E, Stettler C, Shah D, Righetti A

Aims To assess changes in cardiac adrenergic activity with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT), and to investigate whether these changes are related to improvement in left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods and results Sixteen patients (13 males, age 66 +/- 7 years) were studied at baseline and after >/=6 months of CRT (mean follow-up 9.2 +/- 3.2 months). LVEF was assessed by nuclear angiography. Responders were defined as patients showing >/=5% absolute increase in LVEF + improvement in >/=1 NYHA class + absence of heart failure hospitalization. Cardiac sympathetic nerve activity was studied by (123)I-metaiodobenzyl-guanidine ((123)I-MIBG) scintigraphy. Responders (n = 8) showed lower (123)I-MIBG washout at follow-up when compared with non-responders (P = 0.002), indicating lower cardiac sympathetic nerve activity. The decrease in (123)I-MIBG washout at follow-up when compared with baseline was only seen in the responder group (P = 0.036). There was a moderate correlation between increase in LVEF and decrease in (123)I-MIBG washout (r = 0.52, P = 0.04). Conclusion CRT induces a reduction in cardiac sympathetic nerve activity in responders, that parallels an improvement in LVEF, whereas non-responders do not show any significant changes.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308757 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Diabetic neuropathy.
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Diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetes Care. 2008 Mar;31(3):616-21

Authors: Bloomgarden ZT

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308684 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Human central nervous system circuits examined through the electrodes implanted for deep brain stimulation.
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Human central nervous system circuits examined through the electrodes implanted for deep brain stimulation.

Clin Neurophysiol. 2008 Feb 26;

Authors: Valls-Solé J, Compta Y, Costa J, Valldeoriola F, Rumià J

High-frequency repetitive electrical stimulation of deep brain structures through stereotactically implanted electrodes is a well established procedure for symptomatic treatment of patients with Parkinson's disease and other neurological conditions involving dysfunction of basal ganglia circuits. Target nuclei have mainly three structures: the nucleus ventrointermedius externus of the thalamus (Vim), the globus pallidus internum (GPi) and the subthalamic nucleus (STN). Having an electrode implanted in deep brain tissue offers a unique opportunity for carrying out neurophysiological studies on the neural structures and pathways that are within the area of influence of the electrode. This possibility has been used by many researchers in the field that either recorded the activity from, or applied stimulation to, the electrode implanted in the target nuclei. The results of these studies have brought improvement on our knowledge of human brain circuitry and provided cues for understanding better the effects of deep brain stimulation (DBS). We present here a review of the literature on the use of DBS electrodes for externally controlled recording or stimulation. The results reported show some of the possibilities of this new dimension of neurophysiological studies and are, most likely, a preliminary account of future major interventions on human brain.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308626 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Response to Haynes: There's more to deception than brain activity.
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Response to Haynes: There's more to deception than brain activity.

Trends Cogn Sci. 2008 Feb 26;

Authors: Sip KE, Roepstorff A, McGregor W, Frith CD

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308618 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Early ventilation in traumatic brain injury.
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Early ventilation in traumatic brain injury.

Resuscitation. 2008 Feb 26;

Authors: Grmec S, Klemen P

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308456 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Utilization of a two-standard system in real-time PCR for quantification of gene expression in the brain.
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Utilization of a two-standard system in real-time PCR for quantification of gene expression in the brain.

J Neurosci Methods. 2008 Jan 19;

Authors: Naumenko VS, Osipova DV, Kostina EV, Kulikov AV

In this study, we applied for real-time PCR the two-standard system that we had worked out previously for PCR with gel-detection of products. Genomic DNA of a known concentration was used as external standard and mRNA of the DNA-dependent RNA-polymerase II was used as internal standard. It was shown that PCR with gel-detection of products and real-time PCR provide similar results and demonstrate almost identical accuracy and repeatability when the two-standard system is used. With the help of the both methods and using the two-standard system we have confirmed the link between the genetically determined freezing reaction in mice and reduced 5-HT(1A) receptor mRNA level in the midbrain. We have also found that the genetically determined freezing reaction in mice is not connected with changes in Tph2 gene expression.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308402 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Mechanisms of ischemic brain damage.
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Mechanisms of ischemic brain damage.

Neuropharmacology. 2008 Jan 25;

Authors: Doyle KP, Simon RP, Stenzel-Poore MP

In the United States stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability. Brain injury following stroke results from the complex interplay of multiple pathways including excitotoxicity, acidotoxicity, ionic imbalance, peri-infarct depolarization, oxidative and nitrative stress, inflammation and apoptosis. There are very few treatments for stroke and the development of new treatments requires a comprehensive understanding of the diverse mechanisms of ischemic brain damage that are responsible for neuronal death. Here, we discuss the underlying pathophysiology of this devastating disease and reveal the intertwined pathways that are the target of therapeutic intervention.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308346 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
The effect of drilling angle on posterior interosseous nerve safety during open and endoscopic anterior single-incision repair of the distal biceps tendon.
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The effect of drilling angle on posterior interosseous nerve safety during open and endoscopic anterior single-incision repair of the distal biceps tendon.

Arthroscopy. 2008 Mar;24(3):305-10

Authors: Saldua N, Carney J, Dewing C, Thompson M

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to define a safe trajectory with regard to iatrogenic posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) injury when drilling the bicipital tuberosity for EndoButton repair (Smith & Nephew Endoscopy, Andover, MA) of distal biceps tendon ruptures. Methods: Ten cadaveric forearms were dissected. The bicipital tuberosity was exposed and the biceps tendon detached. The supinator and PIN were exposed dorsally. A K-wire was drilled perpendicular to the surface of the tuberosity. By use of digital calipers, the distance from the exit point of this wire to the PIN was measured. The length of the bone tunnel was also measured. This wire was removed, and a second was drilled from the same starting point but directed 30 degrees ulnarly. Measurements were repeated. A Wilcoxon signed rank test was used to compare the distances of the K-wire to the PIN and the tunnel lengths for both trajectories. Results: With the perpendicular wire, the mean distance to the PIN was 11.1 mm. When directed 30 degrees ulnarly, the mean distance was 16.4 mm. The difference was significant (P < .001). The mean bone tunnel lengths for the 2 trajectories were 17.8 mm and 18.1 mm; this was not found to be significant (P = .508). Conclusions: When drilling the bicipital tuberosity, we advocate starting at a center-center position on the face of the tuberosity, holding the forearm in maximum supination, and aiming 30 degrees ulnarly to decrease the risk to the PIN. This trajectory does not decrease the bone tunnel length available for implants. Clinical Relevance: This cadaveric anatomic study establishes safety from iatrogenic PIN injury during drilling of the bicipital tuberosity for the purpose of open or endoscopic EndoButton repair of distal biceps tendon ruptures.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308182 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Diagnostic imaging practice guidelines for musculoskeletal complaints in adults-an evidence-based approach-part 3: spinal disorders.
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Diagnostic imaging practice guidelines for musculoskeletal complaints in adults-an evidence-based approach-part 3: spinal disorders.

J Manipulative Physiol Ther. 2008 Jan;31(1):33-88

Authors: Bussières AE, Taylor JA, Peterson C

PURPOSE: To develop evidence-based diagnostic imaging practice guidelines to assist chiropractors and other primary care providers in decision making for the appropriate use of diagnostic imaging for spinal disorders. METHODS: A comprehensive search of the English and French language literature was conducted using a combination of subject headings and keywords. The quality of the citations was assessed using the Quality of diagnostic accuracy studies (QUADAS), the Appraisal of Guidelines Research and Evaluation (AGREE), and the Stroke Prevention and Educational Awareness Diffusion (SPREAD) evaluation tools. The Referral Guidelines for Imaging (radiation protection 118) coordinated by the European Commission served as the initial template. The first draft was sent for an external review. A Delphi panel composed of international experts on the topic of musculoskeletal disorders in chiropractic radiology, clinical sciences, and research were invited to review and propose recommendations on the indications for diagnostic imaging. The guidelines were pilot tested and peer reviewed by practicing chiropractors, and by chiropractic and medical specialists. Recommendations were graded according to the strength of the evidence. RESULTS: Recommendations for diagnostic imaging guidelines of adult spine disorders are provided, supported by more than 385 primary and secondary citations. The overall quality of available literature is low, however. On average, 45 Delphi panelists completed 1 of 2 rounds, reaching more than 85% agreement on all 55 recommendations. Peer review by specialists reflected high levels of agreement, perceived ease of use of guidelines, and implementation feasibility. Dissemination and implementation strategies are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The guidelines are intended to be used in conjunction with sound clinical judgment and experience and should be updated regularly. Future research is needed to validate their content.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308153 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Therapeutic effects of endothelin-a receptor antagonist on bladder overactivity in rats with chronic spinal cord injury.
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Therapeutic effects of endothelin-a receptor antagonist on bladder overactivity in rats with chronic spinal cord injury.

Urology. 2008 Feb;71(2):341-5

Authors: Ogawa T, Sasatomi K, Hiragata S, Seki S, Nishizawa O, Chermansky CJ, Pflug BR, Nelson JB, Chancellor MB, Yoshimura N

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the effects of suppression of endothelin-A (ET(A)) receptors on bladder function and ET-1 levels in the bladder in rats with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). METHODS: We transected the spinal cord of female Sprague-Dawley rats at the level of Th 8-9. Awake cystometrograms were performed 4 weeks after spinal cord transection. We evaluated cystometric parameters such as mean amplitudes of nonvoiding contractions (NVCs), the number of NVCs, voided volume, voiding efficiency, and micturition pressure before and after intravenous (iv) injection of ABT-627, an ET(A) antagonist, or A-19261, an ET(B) antagonist, in SCI animals. Four weeks after spinalization, we also measured the protein and mRNA levels of ET-1 in the bladder using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: ABT-627 (1 mg/kg, iv) but not A-192621 (10 mg/kg, iv) significantly decreased the amplitude of NVCs and the number of NVCs in SCI rats. There were no significant changes in pressure threshold, maximum voiding pressure, voided volume, or voiding efficiency. ELISA analysis for ET-1 showed significantly elevated protein concentrations in SCI rats compared with spinal cord intact rats. Significant upregulation of the ET-1 mRNA was also noted in SCI bladders. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that upregulation of ET-1 is involved in the mechanism inducing bladder overactivity in chronic SCI rats, and that an ET(A) receptor antagonist can suppress SCI-induced bladder overactivity as indicated by a reduction in NVCs. Thus, ET(A) receptor inhibition could be an effective treatment for neurogenic bladder overactivity in pathological conditions such as SCI.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18308116 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Breast cancer subtypes and survival in patients with brain metastases.
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Breast cancer subtypes and survival in patients with brain metastases.

Breast Cancer Res. 2008 Feb 28;10(1):R20

Authors: Nam BH, Kim SY, Han HS, Kwon Y, Lee KS, Kim TH, Ro J

ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Brain metastases (BM) occur in up to one third of patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC), whose incidences and prognoses by breast cancer subtypes in BM have not been well delineated. METHODS: Retrospective survival analyses were performed in 126 BM patients from 805 MBC patients treated at the National Cancer Center between August 2001 and April 2006, according to clinical characteristics, breast cancer subtypes, and receipt of trastuzumab. Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and human epidermal growth receptor-2 (HER2) statuses were tested by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, and HER2 FISH analysis conducted for IHC 2+. RESULTS: The proportion of HER2+/ER- (29% vs 16%) and triple-negative (37% vs 25%) tumors was higher in the 126 BM patients than those without BM. While median survival after recurrence was longer in patients with luminal A disease (median survival of luminal A vs luminal B vs HER2+/ER- vs triple-negative: p = 0.0246; 39.6 vs 27.4 vs 20.9 vs 15.5 months), survival was shorter from BM to death in luminal A and triple negatives (median survival: p = 0.0113; 4.0 vs 9.2 vs 5.0 vs 3.4 months). Receipt of trastuzumab after BM was a significant variable for survival in HER2+ patients. Multivariate analyses identified ER-negative, HER2-negative, or triple-negative, as well as older age, presence of leptomeningeal disease, and three or more extracranial disease sites, as poor prognostic factors for survival after BM. CONCLUSIONS: MBC patients who developed BM had higher proportions of triple-negative and HER2+/ER- tumor status. Triple receptor status is a useful prognostic marker for predicting survival after BM in metastatic breast cancer patients.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18307763 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Baroreflex control of sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure variability.
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Baroreflex control of sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure variability.

Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2008 Apr;35(4):512-5

Authors: Julien C

1. The simultaneous recording of blood pressure (BP) and renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) in conscious sinoaortic baroreceptor denervated rats has revealed that the sympathetic component of the baroreceptor reflex both limits the amplitude of slow BP fluctuations and generates a faster BP oscillation (~0.4 Hz in rats), the so-called Mayer wave. 2. Using BP and RSNA time series collected in conscious baroreceptor denervated rats and parameters of the transfer function relating RSNA to BP, it has been possible to predict BP and RSNA variabilities actually observed in baroreceptor-intact rats. The most accurate simulation was obtained when the baroreflex gain was set at 20-30% of a critical value leading to the production of self-sustained oscillations of BP and RSNA at Mayer wave's frequency. 3. Recent studies performed on conscious rats have indicated that the gain of the RSNA-BP baroreflex function curve is altered during sleep-wake cycle, grooming, exercise and exposure to environmental stress. These observations raise the possibility that the sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity might be continuously modulated as part of normal behavioural responses. 4. To examine this hypothesis, a method has been developed to obtain a continuous index of sympathetic baroreflex sensitivity. The method is based on the calculation of the gain of the transfer function relating RSNA oscillations to the BP pulse at heart rate frequency. This new spontaneous index correlates with the baroreflex gain measured by the vasoactive drug injection technique and is inversely related to overall indices of BP variability. In addition, it shows large, spontaneous variations over time.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18307752 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Metabotropic neurotransmission and integration of sympathetic nerve activity by the rostral ventrolateral medulla in the rat.
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Metabotropic neurotransmission and integration of sympathetic nerve activity by the rostral ventrolateral medulla in the rat.

Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2008 Apr;35(4):508-11

Authors: Pilowsky PM, Abbott SB, Burke PG, Farnham MM, Hildreth CM, Kumar NN, Li Q, Lonergan T, McMullan S, Spirovski D, Goodchild AK

1. Cardiovascular sympathetic nerve activity at rest is grouped into waves, or bursts, that are generally, although not exclusively, related to the heart rate and to respiration. In addition, activity is also generated in response to central commands and to environmental stimuli. 2. Responsibility for the integration of all these different elements of sympathetic activity rests with pre-motoneurons in the rostral ventrolateral medulla oblongata. These pre-motoneurons are glutamatergic and spinally projecting where they form synapses with sympathetic preganglionic neurons. 3. Pre-motoneurons also contain and presumably release, neurotransmitters other than glutamate, including amines and neuropeptides that act on metabotropic receptors with long-term effects on cell function. 4. Similarly, in the rostral ventrolateral medulla oblongata the pre-motoneurons are mainly regulated by excitatory influences from glutamate and inhibitory influences from gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). Major focuses of recent studies are the interactions between non-glutamatergic and GABAergic systems and reflexes that regulate the activity of the sympathetic nervous system. 5. The results indicate that neurotransmitters acting at metabotropic receptors selectively affect different reflexes in the rostral ventrolateral medulla. It is suggested that this differential activation or attenuation of reflexes by different neurotransmitters is a mechanism by which the organism can fine-tune its responses to different homeostatic requirements.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18307751 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Risk of dementia associated with the ApoE epsilon4 allele and falls causing head injury without explicit traumatic brain injury.
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Risk of dementia associated with the ApoE epsilon4 allele and falls causing head injury without explicit traumatic brain injury.

Acta Neurol Scand. 2008 Feb 26;

Authors: Luukinen H, Jokelainen J, Kervinen K, Kesäniemi YA, Winqvist S, Hillbom M

Objectives - Severe head injury (HI) and the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) epsilon4 allele are risk factors for dementia. The corresponding effect of falls causing HI without explicit traumatic brain injury (TBI) in association with the ApoE epsilon4 is not known. Materials and methods - Altogether 134 persons aged 70 years or older constituted a retrospective population sample, who scored >/=26 in the MiniMental State Examination (MMSE) test at baseline and were clinically examined for dementia 9 years afterward. Fall-related HI causing superficial laceration or bruises or wounds that require suturing were prospectively recorded during the 9-year follow-up. We used Cox regression with age at the diagnosis of dementia as a dependent variable. Results - Twenty-eight (21%) subjects had falls causing HI without explicit TBI, the ApoE epsilon4 allele was seen in 44 (33%), and clinical dementia was diagnosed in 25 (19%). Adjusted for the baseline MMSE score, sex and educational status, the hazard ratio for subsequent dementia in subjects having falls with HI without explicit TBI and the ApoE epsilon4 allele as compared with those who do not possess these characteristics was 2.70 (95% confidence interval, 1.02-7.16). Conclusions - According to the results of this small retrospective study, falls with HI without explicit TBI in connection with the ApoE epsilon4 allele is associated with subsequent dementia among older adults.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18307571 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Trigeminal nasal-specific neurons respond to nerve growth factor with substance-P biosynthesis.
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Trigeminal nasal-specific neurons respond to nerve growth factor with substance-P biosynthesis.

Clin Exp Allergy. 2008 Feb 25;

Authors: Mingomataj E, Dinh QT, Groneberg D, Feleszko W, Schmeck B, Joachim R, Noga O, Nagel S, Klapp BF, Fischer A

Background Nerve growth factor (NGF) has been found to induce substance-P biosynthesis in large-diameter A-fibres vagal airway neurons. However, the effect of NGF on trigeminal neurons innervating the nasal mucosa of the mouse has not been investigated so far. Objective NGF has been implicated in allergic diseases by modulating sensory nerves. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of NGF on neuropeptides expression such as substance-P and glutamate in nasal trigeminal neurons. Methods Using neuronal tracing in combination with double labelling immunohistochemistry the expression of substance-P, glutamate and neurofilament protein 68-kDa expression was examined in nasal-specific trigeminal neurons of BALB/c-mice. Results The numbers of Fast blue-labelled trigeminal neurons expressing substance-P were significantly increased after NGF exposure (NGF-treated ganglia: 16.4 +/- 0.6% vs. control: 7.0 +/- 0.4%, P</=0.001). NGF treatment-induced substance-P biosynthesis in neurofilament-positive (NGF-treated ganglia: 8.6 +/- 0.2% vs. control: 1.1 +/- 0.2%, P</=0.001) as well as neurofilament-negative (NGF-treated ganglia: 7.8 +/- 0.6% vs. control: 5.9 +/- 0.4%, P=0.05) and non-glutamatergic neurons (NGF-treated ganglia: 11.8 +/- 1.9% vs. control 1.1 +/- 1.0%, P</=0.001) 24 h after NGF exposure. Conclusion Under normal conditions, substance-P was expressed in nasal-specific neurofilament-negative, glutamatergic and C-fibre neurons. Nasal-specific trigeminal neurons respond to NGF treatment with substance-P biosynthesis in non-glutamatergic, neurofilament-positive as well as -negative neurons. These findings suggest that nasal-specific trigeminal neurons are composed of heterogenous subpopulations in relation to their peptide profiles and therefore may have different functions in neurogenic airway inflammation.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18307524 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Photo-Cross-Linked Hybrid Polymer Networks Consisting of Poly(propylene fumarate) and Poly(caprolactone fumarate): Controlled Physical Properties and Regulated Bone and Nerve Cell Responses.
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Photo-Cross-Linked Hybrid Polymer Networks Consisting of Poly(propylene fumarate) and Poly(caprolactone fumarate): Controlled Physical Properties and Regulated Bone and Nerve Cell Responses.

Biomacromolecules. 2008 Feb 29;

Authors: Wang S, Kempen DH, Simha NK, Lewis JL, Windebank AJ, Yaszemski MJ, Lu L

Aiming to achieve suitable polymeric biomaterials with controlled physical properties for hard and soft tissue replacements, we have developed a series of blends consisting of two photo-cross-linkable polymers: polypropylene fumarate (PPF) and polycaprolactone fumarate (PCLF). Physical properties of both un-cross-linked and UV cross-linked PPF/PCLF blends with PPF composition ranging from 0% to 100% have been investigated extensively. It has been found that the physical properties such as thermal, rheological, and mechanical properties could be modulated efficiently by varying the PPF composition in the blends. Thermal properties including glass transition temperature ( T g) and melting temperature ( T m) have been correlated with their rheological and mechanical properties. Surface characteristics such as surface morphology, hydrophilicity, and the capability of adsorbing serum protein from culture medium have also been examined for the cross-linked polymer and blend disks. For potential applications in bone and nerve tissue engineering, in vitro cell studies including cytotoxicity, cell adhesion, and proliferation on cross-linked disks with controlled physical properties have been performed using rat bone marrow stromal cells and SPL201 cells, respectively. In addition, the role of mechanical properties such as surface stiffness in modulating cell responses has been emphasized using this model blend system.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18307311 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Regional apparent metabolite concentrations in young adult brain measured by (1)H MR spectroscopy at 3 Tesla.
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Regional apparent metabolite concentrations in young adult brain measured by (1)H MR spectroscopy at 3 Tesla.

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2008 Feb 28;27(3):489-499

Authors: Baker EH, Basso G, Barker PB, Smith MA, Bonekamp D, Horská A

PURPOSE: To quantify and examine the distribution of brain metabolites in normal young adults using single voxel MR spectroscopy at 3 Tesla (T). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Short-echo time single-voxel PRESS technique was used to measure the apparent concentration of five metabolites at nine locations in the brains of young adults. Concentrations were estimated by means of an automated fitting method (LCModel) with reference to an unsuppressed water signal and were corrected for T(1) relaxation, T(2) relaxation, and cerebrospinal fluid partial volume. Analysis of variance with Tukey post hoc test was used to evaluate regional variations. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in regional concentrations were detected for each of the metabolites. The number of significant differences was greatest for total choline, whereas myo-inositol and the sum of glutamine and glutamate had the fewest. Magnitude of variation was greatest for total choline and least for the sum of N-acetyl aspartate and N-acetylaspartylglutamate. CONCLUSION: In agreement with previous studies at other field strengths, we found heterogeneous distribution of the major spectroscopically measurable brain metabolites. Although the most distinct differences are between tissue types, there is appreciable variation within a tissue type at different locations. The spectra and metabolite concentrations presented should provide a useful reference for both clinical and research MR spectroscopy studies performed at 3T. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2008;27:489-499. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18307197 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on monoamine oxidase activity, lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin accumulation in aging rat brain regions.
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Effect of dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) on monoamine oxidase activity, lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin accumulation in aging rat brain regions.

Biogerontology. 2008 Feb 29;

Authors: Kumar P, Taha A, Sharma D, Kale RK, Baquer NZ

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), one of the major steroid hormones, and its ester have recently received attention with regard to aging and age-related diseases like Alzheimer and others. DHEA is synthesized de novo in the brain and its substantial fall with age has been shown to be associated with neuronal vulnerability to neurotoxicity processes. Thus, DHEA is considered to be a neuroactive pharmacological substance with potential antiaging properties. A prominent feature that accompanies aging is an increase in monoamine oxidase (MAO). Increased MAO activity with correlated increase in lipid peroxidation in the aging rat brain supports the hypothesis that catecholamine oxidation is an important source of oxidative stress. The progressive accumulation of lipofuscin in neuronal cells is one of the most characteristic age related changes, an increase in body weight was also observed at 24 months. The objective of this study was to observe the changes in monoamine oxidase activity, lipid peroxidation levels and lipofuscin accumulation occurring in aging rat brain regions, and to see whether these changes are restored to normal levels after exogenous administration of DHEA (30 mg/kg/day for 1 month). The results obtained in the present work revealed that normal aging was associated with significant increases in the activity of monoamine oxidase, lipid peroxidation levels and lipofuscin accumulation in brain regions of 4, 14 and 24 months age group male rats. The present study showed that DHEA treatment significantly decreased monoamine oxidase activity, lipid peroxidation and lipofuscin accumulation in brain regions of aging rats, the increased body weight at 24 months also decreased more than the age matched controls. It can therefore be suggested that DHEA's beneficial effects seemed to arise from its antioxidant, antiobesity, antilipofuscin, antilipidperoxidative and thereby anti-aging actions. The results of this study will be useful for pharmacological modification of the aging process and development of new drugs for age related disorders.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18307051 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Spatiotemporal Patterns of SSeCKS Expression After Rat Spinal Cord Injury.
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Spatiotemporal Patterns of SSeCKS Expression After Rat Spinal Cord Injury.

Neurochem Res. 2008 Feb 29;

Authors: Xiao F, Fei M, Cheng C, Ji Y, Sun L, Qin J, Yang J, Liu Y, Zhang L, Xia Y, Shen A

Src suppressed C kinase substrate (SSeCKS) was identified as a PKC substrate/PKC-binding protein, which plays a role in mitogenic regulatory activity and has a function in the control of cell signaling and cytoskeletal arrangement. However its distribution and function in the central nervous system (CNS) lesion remain unclear. In this study, we mainly investigated the mRNA and protein expression and cellular localization of SSeCKS during spinal cord injury (SCI). Real-time PCR and Western blot analysis revealed that SSeCKS was present in normal whole spinal cord. It gradually increased, reached a peak at 3 days for its mRNA level and 5 days for its protein level after SCI, and then declined during the following days. In ventral horn, the expression of SSeCKS underwent a temporal pattern that was similar with the whole spinal cord in both mRNA and protein level. However, in dorsal horn, the mRNA and protein for SSeCKS expression were significantly increased at 1 day for its mRNA level and 3 days for its protein level, and then gradually declined to the baseline level, ultimately up-regulated again from 7 to 14 days. The protein expression of SSeCKS was further analysed by immunohistochemistry. The positively stained areas for SSeCKS changed with the similar pattern to that of protein expression detected by immunoblotting analysis. Double immunofluorescence staining showed that SSeCKS immunoreactivity (IR) was found in neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes of spinal cord tissues within 5 mm from the lesion site. Importantly, injury-induced expression of SSeCKS was co-labeled by active caspase-3 (apoptotic marker), Tau-1 (the marker for pathological oligodendrocyte) and beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 1 (GalT). All the results suggested that SSeCKS might play important roles in spinal cord pathophysiology and further research is needed to have a good understanding of its function and mechanism.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18307037 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Prevention of reperfusion injury of the spinal cord in aortic surgery: An experimental study.
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Prevention of reperfusion injury of the spinal cord in aortic surgery: An experimental study.

Surg Today. 2008;38(3):237-44

Authors: Koçogullari CU, Becit N, Erkut B, Keleş MS, Ceviz M, Ates A, Gündoğdu C, Kaygin MA, Koçak H

PURPOSE: We designed an experimental study to show the effects of some agents in order to prevent reperfusion injury of the spinal cord. METHODS: Twenty rabbits were used and were divided into two groups in our study. Infrarenal abdominal aortic occlusion, between renal arteries and iliac bifurcations, was applied to the subjects in group 1 for only 30 min; in the group 2 subjects, on the other hand, intra-aortic diltiazem, N-acetylcysteine, and catalase combinations were applied after infrarenal abdominal aortic occlusion. The spinal cord functions of the subjects were assessed at the 48th hour after the operation according to Tarlov scoring, then cord tissue samples were taken for biochemical and histopathological studies. RESULTS: The group 2 subjects had better neurological functions than group 1 subjects (P < 0.01). In group 2; superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase levels increased, while malondialdehyde and xanthine oxidase levels decreased as compared with group 1 (P < 0.05). A histopathological examination showed the group 2 samples to have fewer bleeding points and less neuron loss. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that antioxidant agent combinations (diltiazem, N-acetylcysteine, and catalase) applied after ischemia might thus help protect the spinal cord against ischemia and reperfusion injury.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306998 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
[Effect of total saponins of Rubus parviflolius (TSRP) on change of hydrated amount and blood-brain barrier in rats during focal cerebral ischemic/reperfusion]
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[Effect of total saponins of Rubus parviflolius (TSRP) on change of hydrated amount and blood-brain barrier in rats during focal cerebral ischemic/reperfusion]

Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2007 Oct;32(20):2166-9

Authors: Wang JS, Qiu ZY, Li HZ, Xia YP, Zhou CL

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of total saponins of Rubus parviflolius (TSRP) on brain edema and blood brain barrier in rats. METHOD: The model of local cerebral ischemia was established in rats by reversible inserting a nylon thread into the anterior cerebral artery through the internal carotid artery brain hydrated amount and content change of Evan' s blue (EB) in cortex subjected to 2h middle cererbral artery occlusion (MACO) followed by 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h reperfusion and effect of TSRP. penetrability of blood brain-barrier (BBB) the index includes brain hydrated amount and penetrability of blood brain-barrier BBB. RESULT: Com- pared with I/R group. Both brain hydrated amount and the EB content decreased significantly in TSRP groups on the 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h of reperfusion after 2 hour of cerebral ischemia induced by MACO model. CONCLUSION: TSRP could decrease brain hydrated amount and markedly lower permeability of blood-brain barrier subjected to 2 h MACO followed by 24 h reperfusion, and this may be a mechanism of TSRP alleviating brain edema during I/R.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306754 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
[Deltaran effect on the mediatory balance of young and old rats' brain with left-side profile in case of carotid arteries occlusion]
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[Deltaran effect on the mediatory balance of young and old rats' brain with left-side profile in case of carotid arteries occlusion]

Adv Gerontol. 2007;20(2):138-42

Authors:

The medico-social significance of ischemic brain lesions, which are the most frequent cause of disablement and death in older people, stipulates the need for efficient means of prevention and correction of central nervous system disorders in case of ischemic brain lesions. The efficacy of Deltaran in the correction of disordered neuromediator balance in the brain of rats of different age groups was studied on the model of carotid arteries occlusion. Studies showed, that Deltaran exerts an anti-stress effect on old rats with left-side profile by altering the neuromediators' distribution in animals' brain under conditions of hypoxia. This enables to recommend Deltaran for further study as a neuroprotector.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306704 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
[A case of hypokalemic myopathy mimicking hemiparesis]
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[A case of hypokalemic myopathy mimicking hemiparesis]

Brain Nerve. 2008 Feb;60(2):191-4

Authors: Yaguchi M, Yaguchi H, Sakano M

We report the case of an 86-year-old female with licorice-induced hypokalemic myopathy. For four years, she had been taking two kinds of Chinese medicines containing licorice. The patient presented with difficulty in holding her head up and proximal-dominant tetraparesis with significant laterality. In manual muscle tests, the right extremities showed grade 2/5 and the left extremities, grade 4/5. The general reflexes were decreased, and the bilateral Chaddock's reflexes were repeatedly positive. The sensory, cerebellar and autonomic systems were normal and discrete movements of all extremities were well preserved. Laboratory tests showed elevated levels of CK (559 IU/1), hypokalemia (1.6 mEq/1), and metabolic alkalosis (pH 7.51, base excess 10.9 mmol/1). Magnetic resonance imaging showed mild compression of the spinal cord due to cervical spondylosis. Electromyography revealed myopathic patterns in the deltoid muscle. Steady clinical recovery was noted following treatment including cessation of licorice intake and administration of potassium supplementation. Neck weakness, tetraparesis with laterality and Chaddock's reflexes were diminished. We conclude that the pathologic reflex was caused by the aggravation of cervical spondylotic myelopathy due to neck weakness and that tetraparesis with laterality was caused by hypokalemic myopathy.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306669 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
[Isolated trigeminal sensory neuropathy due to pontine infarction of the root entry zone--report of two cases]
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[Isolated trigeminal sensory neuropathy due to pontine infarction of the root entry zone--report of two cases]

Brain Nerve. 2008 Feb;60(2):175-9

Authors: Kinoshita Y, Harada A, Yasukouchi H, Tsuru E, Okudera T

Secondary trigeminal neuralgia and isolated trigeminal neuropathy due to ischemic lesion of the pons are very rare. We report 2 patients with pontine infarct transecting the central trigeminal pathways resulting in trigeminal neuropathy and/or neuralgia. Case 1: A 48-year-old female presented with lancinating pain and paresthesia and hypesthesia in the right V2 and V3 distributions. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain demonstrated a wedge-shaped infarct at the root entry zone (REZ) of the right trigeminal nerve in the pons. Case 2: A 66-year-old female presented with paresthesia and hypesthesia in the right V1, V2 and V3 distributions. MRI demonstrated a small wedge-shaped infarct at REZ. This infarction of the REZ may have led to produce the isolated trigeminal neuralgia and trigeminal neuropathy.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306666 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
[Neuropathy induced by antineoplastic drugs]
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[Neuropathy induced by antineoplastic drugs]

Brain Nerve. 2008 Feb;60(2):131-6

Authors: Kusunoki J, Saito T

Recently treatments of carcinoma are made great progres, therefore life period of patients with carcinoma are prolonged. But a neurotoxicity is one of the chemotheraphy side effects. Some anticancer drugs (cisplatin (CDDP), vincristine (VCR), paclitaxel (PTX), interferon, thalidomide etc) cause polyneuropathy, especially cisplatin neuropathy is unreversible damage. Therefore we should be careful to use cisplatin.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306660 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
[Radiation-induced brain injury]
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[Radiation-induced brain injury]

Brain Nerve. 2008 Feb;60(2):123-9

Authors: Asai A, Kawamoto K

Radiation-induced brain injury is a life-threatening or at least QOL-compromising pathological entity induced by therapeutic irradiation to malignant brain tumors. Although life-threatening late delayed radiation necrosis and radiation-induced leukoencephalopathy had been assumed to be major complications of radiation therapy to the brain classically, these complications seem to be less frequently seen in therapeutic irradiation to the brain recently because in many treatment protocols to brain tumors, irradiation field is now confined to tumors and their margins and adjuvant chemotherapy consisting of methothrexate etc. has been avoided as much as possible. Instead, less aggressive but still QOL-compromising encephalopathy has been recognized for the past 20 years. This encephalopathy occurs in senior adults several months after the extended field irradiation with even less amount of irradiation dose such as 40 Gy whole brain irradiation. This encephalopathy is characterized by cognitive impairment and brain atrophy which attenuates QOL of the patients. In this article, these radiation-induced brain injuries are reviewed clinically, etiologically and hisotopathologically based on reports in the literature.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306659 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Comparison of smear cytology with histopathology of the CT guided stereotactic brain biopsy.
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Comparison of smear cytology with histopathology of the CT guided stereotactic brain biopsy.

Indian J Pathol Microbiol. 2007 Oct;50(4):862-4

Authors: Malhotra V, Puri H, Bajaj P

The study was undertaken to determine the accuracy of cytological diagnosis of CNS lesions by comparing it with the final histopathological diagnosis of CT guided stereotactic brain biopsy. Squash preparations were prepared from 25 cases of CNS lesions operated in two years. These included 18 astrocytomas, 1 metastatic deposits, 1 epidermoid cyst, 1 Toxoplasmosis, 1 granulomatous inflammation and 3 cases showing normal brain parenchyma. The cytological diagnosis was available to the neurosurgeon within 10 minutes. The cytohistological correlation with paraffin block sections worked out to be 92%. Thus, this proved to be a fairly reliable and rapid method for immediate intra-operative diagnosis.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306590 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Candidosis of brain.
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Candidosis of brain.

Indian J Pathol Microbiol. 2007 Oct;50(4):838

Authors: Mathai AM, Khadilkar UN

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306576 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Autopsy always teach and tell: neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation: a case report.
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Autopsy always teach and tell: neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation: a case report.

Indian J Pathol Microbiol. 2007 Oct;50(4):792-4

Authors: Gupta R, Kumar A, Sharma MC, Sarkar C, Goyal V, Bihari M

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA), or Hallervorden- Spatz disease, is an extremely rare autosomal recessive disorder with cysteine-iron complex accumulation in globus pallidus, seen histopathologically. Magnetic resonance imaging offers an opportunity for diagnosis; however, therapeutic options are still ineffective. We report a case of 13-year-old girl, symptomatic since the age of three years with dystonia, poor scholastic performance and speech disturbances. She was admitted with aspiration pneumonia, and died before she could be investigated. Examination of brain at autopsy revealed iron deposition in bilateral globus pallidi, confirmed by special stains and elemental dispersion analysis by spectrometry and a diagnosis of Hallervorden- Spatz disease or NBIA was made. This report highlights the importance of autopsy and scanning electron microscopic examination in unsuspected cases where cause of death is not known.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306557 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
A dumbbell-shaped solitary fibrous tumor of the cervical spinal cord.
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A dumbbell-shaped solitary fibrous tumor of the cervical spinal cord.

Yonsei Med J. 2008 Feb;49(1):167-70

Authors: Shin DA, Kim SH, Yoon do H, Kim TS

A 40-year-old Asian female presented with a 2-month history of right shoulder pain and right triceps weakness. MRI revealed an extramedullary, extradural, dumbbell-shaped spinal cord tumor with C6 to C7 iso- and hyperintensity on T1 and T2 weighted imaging, respectively. Histological examination revealed monomorphous spindle cells with a storiform pattern. Immunohistochemistry was positive for CD34, CD99, and negative for EMA, SMA, and S100; solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) was confirmed.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306486 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Role of brain inflammation in epileptogenesis.
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Role of brain inflammation in epileptogenesis.

Yonsei Med J. 2008 Feb;49(1):1-18

Authors: Choi J, Koh S

Inflammation is known to participate in the mediation of a growing number of acute and chronic neurological disorders. Even so, the involvement of inflammation in the pathogenesis of epilepsy and seizure-induced brain damage has only recently been appreciated. Inflammatory processes, including activation of microglia and astrocytes and production of proinflammatory cytokines and related molecules, have been described in human epilepsy patients as well as in experimental models of epilepsy. For many decades, a functional role for brain inflammation has been implied by the effective use of anti-inflammatory treatments, such as steroids, in treating intractable pediatric epilepsy of diverse causes. Conversely, common pediatric infectious or autoimmune diseases are often accompanied by seizures during the course of illness. In addition, genetic susceptibility to inflammation correlated with an increased risk of epilepsy. Mounting evidence thus supports the hypothesis that inflammation may contribute to epileptogenesis and cause neuronal injury in epilepsy. We provide an overview of the current knowledge that implicates brain inflammation as a common predisposing factor in epilepsy, particularly childhood epilepsy.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306464 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
(31)P NMR spectroscopy of phospholipid metabolites in postmortem schizophrenic brain.
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(31)P NMR spectroscopy of phospholipid metabolites in postmortem schizophrenic brain.

Magn Reson Med. 2008 Feb 27;59(3):469-474

Authors: Komoroski RA, Pearce JM, Mrak RE

Evidence has been accumulating that schizophrenia involves abnormalities in the composition and metabolism of cell membrane phospholipids (PLs) in the brain. In vivo (31)P MRS has been used to measure the metabolic precursors and degradation products of PL metabolism in schizophrenia. Because in vivo line widths are substantially broader than in solution, only the broad phosphomonoester (PME) and phosphodiester bands, or partly resolved resonances of individual metabolites, are typically measured in vivo in the (31)P spectrum. In addition to poor resolution, the relatively low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) makes precise quantitation difficult. An alternative with substantially better resolution and precision for quantitation is high-resolution NMR spectroscopy of extracts of samples from postmortem brain. Here we determine absolute concentrations of the individual PL metabolites phosphocholine (pc), phosphoethanolamine (pe), glycerophosphocholine (gpc), and glycerophosphoethanolamine in aqueous extracts of tissue from frontal, temporal, and occipital cortex of postmortem brain for schizophrenics, controls, and patients with other mental illnesses (psychiatric controls [PC]) using high-resolution (31)P NMR spectroscopy. For the complete groups, which included both males and females, there were no statistically significant differences for schizophrenics vs. controls for any of the four PL metabolites in any of the three brain regions. Trends (0.05 < P < 0.10) were noted for increased gpc in schizophrenia in all three regions. PC differed from both controls and schizophrenics in several measures. When only males were considered, gpc was significantly (P < 0.05) elevated in all three brain regions in schizophrenia. Magn Reson Med 59:469-474, 2008. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306399 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Nerve center: Events, people, and issues in academic neurology.
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Nerve center: Events, people, and issues in academic neurology.

Ann Neurol. 2008 Feb 27;63(2):A15-A17

Authors:

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306396 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
A neurology of belief.
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A neurology of belief.

Ann Neurol. 2008 Feb 27;63(2):129-130

Authors: Sacks O, Hirsch J

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306392 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Neurohospitalists: An emerging model for inpatient neurological care.
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Neurohospitalists: An emerging model for inpatient neurological care.

Ann Neurol. 2008 Feb 27;63(2):135-140

Authors: Josephson SA, Engstrom JW, Wachter RM

Over the past decade, the hospitalist model has become a dominant system for the delivery of general adult and pediatric inpatient care. Similar forces, including national mandates to improve safety and quality and intense pressure to safely reduce length of hospital stays, that led to the remarkable growth of hospitalist medicine are now exerting pressure on neurologists. A neurohospitalist model, in which inpatient neurology specialists deliver high-quality and efficient care to neurology patients, is emerging to meet these challenges. Benefits of this system may include more frequent, timely neurology consultations in the hospital and emergency department, as well as improved quality of inpatient neurological education for residents and medical students. Challenges will involve defining the relationship of neurohospitalists with primary stroke centers, the economic feasibility of such neurohospitalist systems, and how to train members of this new field. A neurohospitalist model of care is an emerging idea in neurology that would overcome many regulatory, educational, and economic challenges facing neurologists; further research is needed to gauge the effects of this innovative approach. Ann Neurol 2008;63:135-140.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306369 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Brain natriuretic peptide level as marker of cardiac function in imatinib-Treated chronic myeloid leukemia patients: No evidence of cardiotoxicity of imatinib therapy.
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Brain natriuretic peptide level as marker of cardiac function in imatinib-Treated chronic myeloid leukemia patients: No evidence of cardiotoxicity of imatinib therapy.

Am J Hematol. 2008 Jan 29;

Authors: Tiribelli M, Colatutto A, Marin L, Barbina G, Qualizza U, Damiani D, Toffoletti E, Medeot M, Candoni A, Tonutti E, Sala P, Fanin R

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306359 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Comparative study of brain morphology in Mecp2 mutant mouse models of Rett syndrome.
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Comparative study of brain morphology in Mecp2 mutant mouse models of Rett syndrome.

J Comp Neurol. 2008 Feb 27;508(1):184-195

Authors: Belichenko NP, Belichenko PV, Li HH, Mobley WC, Francke U

Rett syndrome (RTT) is caused by mutations in the X-linked gene MECP2. While patients with RTT show widespread changes in brain function, relatively few studies document changes in brain structure and none examine in detail whether mutations causing more severe clinical phenotypes are linked to more marked changes in brain structure. To study the influence of MeCP2-deficiency on the morphology of brain areas and axonal bundles, we carried out an extensive morphometric study of two Mecp2-mutant mouse models (Mecp2B and Mecp2J) of RTT. Compared to wildtype littermates, striking changes included reduced brain weight ( approximately 13% and approximately 9%) and the volumes of cortex ( approximately 11% and approximately 7%), hippocampus (both by approximately 8%), and cerebellum ( approximately 12% and 8%) in both mutant mice. At 3 weeks of age, most (24 of 47) morphological parameters were significantly altered in Mecp2B mice; fewer (18) were abnormal in Mecp2J mice. In Mecp2B mice, significantly lower values for cortical area were distributed along the rostrocaudal axis, and there was a reduced length of the olfactory bulb ( approximately 10%) and periaqueductal gray matter ( approximately 16%). In Mecp2J mice, while there was significant reduction in rostrocaudal length of cortex, this parameter was also abnormal in hippocampus ( approximately 10%), periaqueductal gray matter ( approximately 13%), fimbria ( approximately 18%), and anterior commissure ( approximately 10%). Our findings define patterns of Mecp2 mutation-induced changes in brain structure that are widespread and show that while some changes are present in both mutants, others are not. These observations provide the underpinning for studies to further define microarchitectural and physiological consequences of MECP2 deficiency. J. Comp. Neurol. 508:184-195, 2008. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306326 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Proton versus photon radiotherapy for common pediatric brain tumors: Comparison of models of dose characteristics and their relationship to cognitive function.
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Proton versus photon radiotherapy for common pediatric brain tumors: Comparison of models of dose characteristics and their relationship to cognitive function.

Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2008 Feb 27;

Authors: Merchant TE, Hua CH, Shukla H, Ying X, Nill S, Oelfke U

BACKGROUND: To determine whether proton radiotherapy has clinical advantages over photon radiotherapy, we modeled the dose characteristics of both to critical normal tissue volumes using data from patients with four types of childhood brain tumors. PROCEDURES: Three-dimensional imaging and treatment planning data, including targeted tumor and normal tissues contours, were acquired for 40 patients, 10 each with optic pathway glioma (OPG), craniopharyngioma (CR), infratentorial ependymoma (EP), or medulloblastoma (MB). Dose-volume data were collected for the entire brain, temporal lobes, cochlea, and hypothalamus from each patient. The data were averaged and compared based on treatment modality (protons vs. photons) using dose-cognitive effects models. Outcomes were estimated over 5 years. RESULTS: Relatively small critical normal tissue volumes such as the cochlea and hypothalamus may be spared from radiation exposure when not adjacent to the primary tumor volume. Larger normal tissue volumes such as the supratentorial brain or temporal lobes receive less of the low and intermediate doses. When applied to longitudinal models of radiation dose-cognitive effects, these differences resulted in clinically significant higher IQ scores for patients with MB and CR and academic reading scores in patients with OPG. Extreme differences between proton and photon dose distributions precluded meaningful comparison of protons and photons for patients with EP. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in the overall dose distributions, as indicated by modeling changes in cognitive function, showed that a reduction in the lower-dose volumes or mean dose would have long-term, clinical advantages for children with MB, CR, and OPG. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306274 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
A case from the department of neurology.
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A case from the department of neurology.

Mt Sinai J Med. 2008 Feb 27;75(1):53-56

Authors: Krieger S, Finkel J, Gligorov N

Uncompleted suicide attempts are a significant cause of morbidity, which in catastrophic cases can be both medically and ethically challenging to manage. We discuss the case of a 63-year-old man who survived a suicide attempt by venlafaxine (Effexor) overdose, causing an intracranial hemorrhage and leaving him in an apparently awake but noncommunicative state. Ethical concerns arose when considering if he should be indefinitely maintained on life support. These include the difficulties of characterizing his level of consciousness and prognosis; establishing his decisional capacity regarding end-of-life decisions in a setting of depression and suicidality; and assessing the suitability of a surrogate decision-maker. In conclusion, we discuss whether the fact that his grave neurological condition was caused by a suicide attempt was relevant to the decision to continue or withdraw life support. Mt Sinai J Med 75:53-56, 2008. (c) 2008 Mount Sinai School of Medicine.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306250 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Minimally invasive excision of lumbar epidural lipomatosis using a spinal endoscope.
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Minimally invasive excision of lumbar epidural lipomatosis using a spinal endoscope.

Minim Invasive Neurosurg. 2008 Feb;51(1):43-6

Authors: Sairyo K, Sakai T, Higashino K, Hirao B, Katoh S, Yasui N

In this report, we describe the case of a patient with a long-term radiculopathy due to epidural lipomatosis at the L3-4 intervertebral disc level. The fatty tissue was located on the dorsal side of the dural sac in the spinal canal and compressed the dural sac. The fatty tissue was removed endoscopically. After surgery, the symptoms disappeared, and neurological deficits normalized. We would like to state that epidural lipomatosis is a good candidate for minimally invasive endoscopic surgery because of its anatomic location.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306131 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Treatment strategies and outcome in patients with non-tuberculous spinal epidural abscess - a review of 46 cases.
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Treatment strategies and outcome in patients with non-tuberculous spinal epidural abscess - a review of 46 cases.

Minim Invasive Neurosurg. 2008 Feb;51(1):36-42

Authors: Boström A, Oertel M, Ryang Y, Rohde V, Bürgel U, Krings T, Korinth M

OBJECTIVES: Spinal epidural abscess (SEA) is a rare disease and its early detection and appropriate treatment is essential to prevent high morbidity and mortality. There are only few single-institution series who report their experiences with the microsurgical management of SEA and treatment strategies are discussed controversially. Within the last 15 years the authors have treated 46 patients with SEA. This comparatively high number of cases encouraged us to review our experiences with SEA focussing on the clinical presentation, microsurgical management and outcome. METHODS: Clinical charts of 46 cases with a spinal epidural abscess treated between 1990 and 2004 were reviewed. There were 30 men and 16 women, the age ranged between 32 and 86 years (mean: 57 years). The clinical mean follow-up was 8.5 months (range: 2-84). The clinical presentation and severity of neurological deficits were measured by the Frankel grading system on admission and on follow-up visit. RESULTS: The abscess was located in the cervical spine in 8, the thoracic spine in 17 and the lumbar spine in 21 patients. On admission 8 patients were in Frankel grade A, 7 in B, 15 in C, 8 in D and 8 in E. During follow-up 1 patient was in Frankel grade A, 1 in B, 5 in C, 13 in D and 24 in E. 37 patients underwent primary microsurgery with abscess drainage or removal of chronic granulomatous tissue. The clinical symptoms in 4 patients worsened shortly after the operation due to a compression fracture of the vertebral body (n=2) or progress of the abscess (n=2) making re-operation necessary. 9 patients with severe critical illness or without neurological deficits had primarily a CT-guided puncture for assessment of the causative organism. 3 of them needed additional surgical therapy within the hospital stay because of a new neurological deficit. All patients were immobilised and treated with antibiotics for at least 6 weeks. The mortality was 6.5%. As for complications we noted septicaemia (n=5), meningitis (n=1) and a transient malresorptive hydrocephalus (n=1). CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis, microsurgical therapy with appropriate antibiotic therapy and careful observation of patients are the keys to successful management of SEA. The goal of surgical treatment is to isolate the causative organism and to perform a decompression at the site of maximal cord compression in cases of neurological deterioration or severe pain. Instrumentation with primary fixation does not seem to be imperative. In cases of post-operative worsening, a fracture of additionally infected bony elements has to be considered and a stabilisation should be discussed on an individual basis.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306130 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Pharmacokinetic modeling of manganese in the rat IV: Assessing factors that contribute to brain accumulation during inhalation exposure.
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Pharmacokinetic modeling of manganese in the rat IV: Assessing factors that contribute to brain accumulation during inhalation exposure.

J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2008;71(7):413-26

Authors: Nong A, Teeguarden JG, Clewell HJ, Dorman DC, Andersen ME

A recently published physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model successfully accounted for steady-state tissue manganese (Mn) concentration seen with normal dietary intakes and for biphasic, whole-body time-course profiles observed with tracer (54Mn) dosing. In this present study, PBPK modeling was used to evaluate Mn kinetics and brain concentrations in rats exposed to Mn both in their diet and by inhalation. Three published studies were used: (1) rats fed on diets ranging from 2 to 100 ppm, (2) rats on 125 ppm in diet and exposed via inhalation at 0.0 to 3.00 mg Mn/m3 each day for 14 d, and (3) rats to 0.1 or 0.5 mg Mn/m3 for 6 h/d, 5 d/wk over a 90-d period. The original model structure with well-mixed and "deep" compartments for each tissue could not describe rapid increases in tissue concentrations and rapid declines seen in high concentration inhalation studies. A second structure was developed that included (1) saturable, high-affinity binding of Mn in all tissues and (2) asymmetric diffusion from blood into brain (i.e., transport into and out of specific brain regions such as the striatum was described with different diffusion constants). This second model was consistent with liver and striatum experimental data. Preferential increases in some brain regions were predicted for exposures above 0.2 mg/m3 and had a rapid (i.e., 1 or 2 wk) return to steady-state levels. Multi-dose-route PBPK models for Mn based on this alternative model structure can be readily scaled to evaluate tissue Mn kinetics in other species and for human populations. Once validated across test animals, these PBPK models will be useful in tissue-dose based risk assessment with manganese.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306088 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Spinal accessory nerve palsy following gunshot injury: a case report.
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Spinal accessory nerve palsy following gunshot injury: a case report.

Ulus Travma Acil Cerrahi Derg. 2008 Jan;14(1):76-78

Authors: Kabataş S, Bayrak Y, Cıvelek E, Imer SM, Hepgül TK

Injuries to the spinal accessory nerve are rare and mostly iatrogenic. Pain, impaired ability to raise the ipsilateral shoulder, and scapular winging on abduction of the arm are the most frequently noted clinical manifestations. As a seldom case, a 20 year-old male with spinal accessory nerve palsy after penetrating trauma by gunshot was reported. Three months after the injury, he was complaining about left arm pain in abduction to shoulder level and a decreased range of movement. On physical examination, wasting of the left trapezium with loss of nuchal ridge and drooping of the shoulder were found. On neurological examination of the left trapezius and sternomastoid muscles, motor function were 3/5 and wide dysesthesia on the neck, shoulder and arm was present. The bullet entered just above the clavicle and exited from trapezium. Radiological studies were normal, where electromyography (EMG) showed neuropathic changes. Surgical exploration showed the intact nerve lying on its natural course and we performed external neurolysis for decompression. The postoperative period was uneventful. Dysesthesia has diminished slowly. He was transferred to physical rehabilitation unit. In his clinical control after 3 months he had no dysesthesia and neurological examination of the left trapezius and sternomastoid muscles motor function were 4/5. EMG showed recovery in the left spinal accessory nerve.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306073 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
The H5N1 Influenza Variant Fujian-Like Hemagglutinin Selected Following Vaccination Exhibits a Compromised Furin Cleavage : Neurological Consequences of Highly Pathogenic Fujian H5N1 Strains.
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The H5N1 Influenza Variant Fujian-Like Hemagglutinin Selected Following Vaccination Exhibits a Compromised Furin Cleavage : Neurological Consequences of Highly Pathogenic Fujian H5N1 Strains.

J Mol Neurosci. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Pasquato A, Seidah NG

The outbreak of H5N1 avian influenza strains infectious to human has dire neurological and pathological consequences. This led to the massive vaccination of host poultry, resulting in a Fujian-like variant (vFJ) resistant to immunization with two mutations at the furin-processing site of hemagglutinin: loss of the P2 Lys and P9 substitution of Gln to Leu within the cleavage site. We synthesized 14mer peptides mimicking the processing site of Fujian-like strains. We found that the peptide with the vFJ sequence is less cleaved as compared to the parent FJ-derived peptide by furin at either neutral or acidic pH values. We hypothesize that the double hemagglutinin mutations in vFJ may result in viruses with less processed hemagglutinin, thereby providing a mechanism for evading immune neutralization.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306058 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Recovery of neuromuscular blockade caused by vecuronium is delayed in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.
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Recovery of neuromuscular blockade caused by vecuronium is delayed in patients with hypertriglyceridemia.

J Anesth. 2008;22(1):89-92

Authors: Saitoh Y, Oshima T, Nakata Y

We investigated the effects of hypertriglyceridemia on the onset and recovery of neuromuscular blockade, induced by vecuronium, over the adductor pollicis muscle, electromyographically. Eighteen adult patients with hypertriglyceridemia (hypertriglyceridemia group) and 18 healthy patients with normal serum triglyceride (control group) were studied. The supramaximal stimulating current for train-of-four (TOF) in the hypertriglyceridemia group was significantly higher than that in the control group (45.7 +/- 16.7 vs 31.5 +/- 9.8 mA; mean +/- SD; P = 0.004). The onset of vecuronium 0.1 mg.kg(-1)-induced neuromuscular blockade in the hypertriglyceridemia group did not significantly differ from that in the control group (240 +/- 60 vs 279 +/- 88 s; P = 0.132). Times from vecuronium to the return of T1, T2, T3, and T4 in the hypertriglyceridemia group were significantly longer than those in the control group (31.4 +/- 6.2 vs 25.5 +/- 6.2 min for T1; P = 0.008). During recovery from neuromuscular blockade, T1/control did not differ between the two groups. However, the TOF ratios (T4/T1) in the hypertriglyceridemia group were significantly lower than those in the control group 80-120 min after vecuronium (P < 0.05). We conclude that, in patients with hypertriglycemidemia, a higher current is needed to elicit supramaximal response of the adductor pollicis muscle, and recovery from vecuronium-induced neuromuscular blockade is delayed.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306024 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Maternal satisfaction with single-dose spinal analgesia for labor pain in Indonesia: a landmark study.
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Maternal satisfaction with single-dose spinal analgesia for labor pain in Indonesia: a landmark study.

J Anesth. 2008;22(1):55-8

Authors: Kuczkowski KM, Chandra S

The purpose of this study was to assess maternal satisfaction with single-dose spinal analgesia for the management of obstetric pain in Indonesian women. The investigation included 62 laboring women with single pregnancy at term, with 45 primigravidas and 17 multigravidas. The participants' ages ranged from 15 to 29 years. All participants were screened for physical health and were classified as healthy according to the American Society of Anesthesiologists classification system. All 62 parturients received single-dose spinal anesthesia with a 27-gauge pencil-point needle at either the L3-4 or L4-5 intervertebral interspace, with a combination of bupivacaine, 2.5 mg; morphine, 0.25 mg; and clonidine, 45 mug. Maternal satisfaction, duration of pain relief, and side effects were studied. The overall maternal satisfaction with the single-dose spinal technique for labor analgesia in our study group was high, with 50 patients (81%) being very satisfied, and 7 patients (11%) being satisfied with the quality of labor analgesia. Forty-nine patients (79%) stated that they would select single-dose spinal analgesia for pain control in labor in the future. Our study was the first one in Indonesia to assess maternal satisfaction with single-dose spinal analgesia for labor pain. We concluded that single-dose spinal analgesia with a combination of bupivacaine, morphine, and clonidine provided effective labor pain control for Indonesian women, and maternal satisfaction with this technique was very high. This technique is very cost-effective and should be recommended for routine obstetric pain control in Indonesia and other developing countries.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306015 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Effects of delta-opioid agonist SNC80 on white matter injury following spinal cord ischemia in normothermic and mildly hypothermic rats.
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Effects of delta-opioid agonist SNC80 on white matter injury following spinal cord ischemia in normothermic and mildly hypothermic rats.

J Anesth. 2008;22(1):32-7

Authors: Horiuchi T, Kawaguchi M, Kurita N, Inoue S, Sakamoto T, Nakamura M, Konishi N, Furuya H

PURPOSE: Although the delta-opioid agonist SNC80 has been shown to attenuate hind-limb motor function and gray matter injury in normothermic rats subjected to spinal cord ischemia (SCI), its effects on white matter injury remain undetermined. In the present study, we investigated whether SNC80 could attenuate white matter injury in normothermic and mildly hypothermic rats. METHODS: Forty rats were randomly allocated to one of following five groups: vehicle or SNC80 with 10 min of SCI at 38 degrees C (V-38-10m or SNC-38-10m, respectively), vehicle or SNC80 with 22 min of SCI at 35 degrees C (V-35-22m or SNC-35-22m, respectively), or sham. SNC80 or vehicle was intrathecally administered 15 min before SCI. Forty-eight hours after reperfusion, the white matter injury was evaluated by the extent of vacuolation. RESULTS: The percent area of vacuolation in the ventral white matter was significantly lower in the SNC-38-10m and SNC-35-22m groups compared with that in the V-38-10m and V-35-22m groups, respectively (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that intrathecal treatment with the delta-opioid agonist SNC80 can attenuate the ventral white matter injury following SCI in rats under normothermic and mildly hypothermic conditions.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18306011 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Intraoperative Monitoring of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve in Thyroid Surgery.
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Intraoperative Monitoring of the Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve in Thyroid Surgery.

World J Surg. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Dralle H, Sekulla C, Lorenz K, Brauckhoff M, Machens A,

BACKGROUND: Recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy ranks among the leading reasons for medicolegal litigation of surgeons because of its attendant reduction in quality of life. As a risk minimization tool, intraoperative nerve monitoring (IONM) has been introduced to verify RLN function integrity intraoperatively. Nevertheless, a systematic evidence-based assessment of this novel health technology has not been performed. METHODS: The present study was based on a systematic appraisal of the literature using evidence-based criteria. RESULTS: Recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy rates (RLNPR) varied widely after thyroid surgery, ranging from 0%-7.1% for transient RLN palsy to 0%-11% for permanent RLN palsy. These rates did not differ much from those reported for visual nerve identification without the use of IONM. Six studies with more than 100 nerves at risk (NAR) each evaluated RLNPR by contrasting IONM with visual nerve identification only. Recuurent laryngeal nerve palsy rates tended to be lower with IONM than without it, but this difference was not statistically significant. Six additional studies compared IONM findings with their corresponding postoperative laryngoscopic results. Those studies revealed high negative predictive values (NPV; 92%-100%), but relatively low and variable positive predictive values (PPV; 10%-90%) for IONM, limiting its utility for intraoperative RLN management. CONCLUSIONS: Apart from navigating the surgeon through challenging anatomies, IONM may lend itself as a routine adjunct to the gold standard of visual nerve identification. To further reduce the number of false negative IONM signals, the causes underlying its relatively low PPV require additional clarification.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305996 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: OCT characterization of the acute and resolving phases.
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Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy: OCT characterization of the acute and resolving phases.

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Bellusci C, Savini G, Carbonelli M, Carelli V, Sadun AA, Barboni P

BACKGROUND: To evaluate longitudinal changes in retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NAION) using optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: Prospective, observational case series study. Sixteen eyes from 15 consecutive patients affected with NAION were analyzed. The fellow unaffected eyes served as controls. Patients were divided into three different study groups: (1) patients with visual field (VF) defect confined to the inferior hemifield (five eyes), (2) patients with diffuse VF loss (seven eyes), and (3) patients with central or centrocecal scotoma (four eyes). The main outcome was peripapillary RNFL thickness measurement by Stratus-OCT. RESULTS: In group 1, OCT demonstrated RNFL involvement limited to the temporal , superior and nasal optic disc quadrants, both in acute and athophic stages. Diffuse RNFL damage involving all quadrants around the disc was observed in group 2 patients. Group 3, by contrast, revealed RNFL atrophy limited to the superior and temporal sectors of the disc. CONCLUSIONS: OCT can identify different patterns of RNFL involvement specific to different classic VF defects in eyes with NAION. Our results corroborate previous histologic findings in optic nerves affected with NAION.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305953 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Lifelong Consumption of Sodium Selenite: Gender Differences on Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Convulsive, Hypoglycemic Rats.
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Lifelong Consumption of Sodium Selenite: Gender Differences on Blood-Brain Barrier Permeability in Convulsive, Hypoglycemic Rats.

Biol Trace Elem Res. 2008 Feb 28;

Authors: Seker FB, Akgul S, Oztas B

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of hypoglycemia and induced convulsions on the blood-brain barrier permeability in rats with or without lifelong administration of sodium selenite. There is a significant decrease of the blood-brain barrier permeability in three brain regions of convulsive, hypoglycemic male rats treated with sodium selenite when compared to sex-matched untreated rats (p < 0.05), but the decrease was not significant in female rats (p > 0.05). The blood-brain barrier permeability of the left and right hemispheres of untreated, moderately hypoglycemic convulsive rats of both genders was better than their untreated counterparts (p < 0.05). Our results suggest that moderate hypoglycemia and lifelong treatment with sodium selenite have a protective effect against blood-brain barrier permeability during convulsions and that the effects of sodium selenite are gender-dependent.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305911 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Traumatic neuroma of the inferior alveolar nerve: A case report.
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Traumatic neuroma of the inferior alveolar nerve: A case report.

Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2008;13(3):E186-E188

Authors: Arribas-García I, Alcalá-Galiano A, Gutiérrez R, Montalvo-Moreno JJ

Traumatic neuromas are rare entities which characteristically arise subsequently to surgery and are usually accompanied by pain, typically neuralgic. We present an unusual case of an intraosseous traumatic neuroma of the inferior alveolar nerve following tooth extraction. A 56-year-old man consulted for paresthesias and hyperesthesia in the left mandibular region following extraction of the left mandibular third molar (#38). The panoramic radiograph revealed a radiolucent lesion in the inferior alveolar nerve canal, and CT demonstrated the existence of a mass within the canal, producing widening of the same. Nerve-sparing excisional biopsy was performed. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were consistent with traumatic neuroma of the left inferior alveolar nerve. After 3 years of follow-up, the patient is asymptomatic and there are no signs of recurrence.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305440 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Aspirin Responsiveness in Acute Brain Ischaemia: Association with Stroke Severity and Clinical Outcome.
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Aspirin Responsiveness in Acute Brain Ischaemia: Association with Stroke Severity and Clinical Outcome.

Cerebrovasc Dis. 2008 Feb 28;25(4):355-361

Authors: Schwammenthal Y, Tsabari R, Shenkman B, Schwartz R, Matetzky S, Lubetsky A, Orion D, Israeli-Korn S, Chapman J, Savion N, Varon D, Tanne D

Purpose: Platelets play a critical role in the pathogenesis of acute brain ischaemia. We studied the association between the degree of inhibition of platelet function by aspirin (ASA) and the severity and outcome of acute brain ischaemia. Methods: Platelet responsiveness to ASA was assessed in patients with acute brain ischaemia, treated with ASA since hospital admission. The degree of ASA responsiveness was assessed by optical aggregometry and categorized into patients with good response, partial response and complete unresponsiveness to ASA (good responders, partial responders and non-responders, respectively). An additional evaluation of responsiveness to ASA was performed by Impact-R (cone and platelet analyzer). Patients underwent serial clinical assessment during hospitalization, at discharge and during follow-up. Results: Among 105 patients (mean age 63 +/- 12 years; 66% men), impaired ASA responsiveness at baseline as assessed by aggregometry was associated with increased stroke severity at baseline, unfavourable clinical course, and poor functional outcome during follow-up (p < 0.05 for all). Age-adjusted odds ratios in non-responders compared to good responders were 9.8 for severe stroke on admission (95% CI 2.8-34.9), 3.1 for lack of early clinical improvement (95% CI 1.1-8.8) and 8.6 for poor functional outcome during follow-up (95% CI 2.4-30.4). Less robust trends were observed with the Impact-R. Conclusions: Impaired responsiveness to ASA in acute brain ischaemia is common and is associated with worse neurological deficits at stroke onset, early clinical deterioration and poorer functional outcome. The clinical significance of these findings requires further evaluation in larger longitudinal studies. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305387 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Brain damage after preischemic locomotor activity.
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Brain damage after preischemic locomotor activity.

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2008;20(1):123-4

Authors: Yulug B, Bakar M, Ozan E

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305311 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Clinical correlates of personality changes associated with traumatic brain injury.
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Clinical correlates of personality changes associated with traumatic brain injury.

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2008;20(1):118-9

Authors: Rao V, Spiro JR, Handel S, Onyike CU

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305306 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
A squint of brain: a capgras syndrome variant.
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A squint of brain: a capgras syndrome variant.

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2008;20(1):109-10

Authors: Carota A, Mishra N, Allaoua M, Ghika J

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305297 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Use of donepezil in the treatment of cognitive impairments of moderate traumatic brain injury.
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Use of donepezil in the treatment of cognitive impairments of moderate traumatic brain injury.

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2008;20(1):106

Authors: Foster M, Spiegel DR

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305293 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Traumatic Brain Injury, Apolipoprotein E-{epsilon}4, and Cognition in Older Adults: A Two-Year Longitudinal Study.
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Traumatic Brain Injury, Apolipoprotein E-{epsilon}4, and Cognition in Older Adults: A Two-Year Longitudinal Study.

J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2008;20(1):68-73

Authors: Rapoport M, Wolf U, Herrmann N, Kiss A, Shammi P, Reis M, Phillips A, Feinstein A

Patients with mild-to-moderate traumatic brain injury (TBI) (N=69) were compared with age-, gender-, and education-matched healthy control group subjects (N=79) on performance of neuropsychological tests at one and 2 years following injury, and informant-rated functional abilities. All subjects were assessed for the presence of the Apolipoprotein E-epsilon4 (APOE-epsilon4) allele and rated for "mild cognitive impairment" (MCI) or dementia. Traumatic brain injury patients were no different from the comparison group on measures of cognition or functional impairment. Traumatic brain injury was not associated with higher rates of amnestic mild cognitive impairment or dementia, and APOE-epsilon4 was not associated with cognition.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305286 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
The neurotrophic effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor on spinal motoneurons are restricted to fusimotor subtypes.
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The neurotrophic effects of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor on spinal motoneurons are restricted to fusimotor subtypes.

J Neurosci. 2008 Feb 27;28(9):2131-46

Authors: Gould TW, Yonemura S, Oppenheim RW, Ohmori S, Enomoto H

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) regulates multiple aspects of spinal motoneuron (MN) development, including gene expression, target selection, survival, and synapse elimination, and mice lacking either GDNF or its receptors GDNF family receptor alpha1 (GFRalpha1) and Ret exhibit a 25% reduction of lumbar MNs at postnatal day 0 (P0). Whether this loss reflects a generic trophic role for GDNF and thus a reduction of all MN subpopulations, or a more restricted role affecting only specific MN subpopulations, such as those innervating individual muscles, remains unclear. We therefore examined MN number and innervation in mice in which Ret, GFRalpha1, or GDNF was deleted and replaced by reporter alleles. Whereas nearly all hindlimb muscles exhibited normal gross innervation, intrafusal muscle spindles displayed a significant loss of innervation in most but not all muscles at P0. Furthermore, we observed a dramatic and restricted loss of small myelinated axons in the lumbar ventral roots of adult mice in which the function of either Ret or GFRalpha1 was inactivated in MNs early in development. Finally, we demonstrated that the period during which spindle-innervating MNs require GDNF for survival is restricted to early neonatal development, because mice in which the function of Ret or GFRalpha1 was inactivated after P5 failed to exhibit denervation of muscle spindles or MN loss. Therefore, although GDNF influences several aspects of MN development, the survival-promoting effects of GDNF during programmed cell death are mostly confined to spindle-innervating MNs.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305247 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
A critical role for the potassium-dependent sodium-calcium exchanger NCKX2 in protection against focal ischemic brain damage.
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A critical role for the potassium-dependent sodium-calcium exchanger NCKX2 in protection against focal ischemic brain damage.

J Neurosci. 2008 Feb 27;28(9):2053-63

Authors: Cuomo O, Gala R, Pignataro G, Boscia F, Secondo A, Scorziello A, Pannaccione A, Viggiano D, Adornetto A, Molinaro P, Li XF, Lytton J, Di Renzo G, Annunziato L

The superfamily of cation/Ca2+ plasma-membrane exchangers contains two branches, the K+-independent Na+-Ca2+ exchangers (NCXs) and the K+-dependent Na+-Ca2+ exchangers (NCKXs), widely expressed in mammals. NCKX2 is the major neuronally expressed isoform among NCKX members. Despite its importance in maintaining Na+, Ca2+, and K+ homeostasis in the CNS, the role of NCKX2 during cerebral ischemia, a condition characterized by an alteration of ionic concentrations, has not yet been investigated. The present study examines NCKX2 role in the development of ischemic brain damage in permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) and transient middle cerebral artery occlusion. Furthermore, to evaluate the effect of nckx2 ablation on neuronal survival, nckx2-/- primary cortical neurons were subjected to oxygen glucose deprivation plus reoxygenation. NCKX2 mRNA and protein expression was evaluated in the ischemic core and surrounding ipsilesional areas, at different time points after pMCAO in rats. In ischemic core and in periinfarctual area, NCKX2 mRNA and protein expression were downregulated. In addition, NCKX2 knock-down by antisense oligodeoxynucleotide and NCKX2 knock-out by genetic disruption dramatically increased infarct volume. Accordingly, nckx2-/- primary cortical neurons displayed a higher vulnerability and a greater [Ca2+]i increase under hypoxic conditions, compared with nckx2+/+ neurons. In addition, NCKX currents both in the forward and reverse mode of operation were significantly reduced in nckx2-/- neurons compared with nckx2+/+ cells. Overall, these results indicate that NCKX2 is involved in brain ischemia, and it may represent a new potential target to be investigated in the study of the molecular mechanisms involved in cerebral ischemia.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305240 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Spinal adenosine A2a receptor activation elicits long-lasting phrenic motor facilitation.
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Spinal adenosine A2a receptor activation elicits long-lasting phrenic motor facilitation.

J Neurosci. 2008 Feb 27;28(9):2033-42

Authors: Golder FJ, Ranganathan L, Satriotomo I, Hoffman M, Lovett-Barr MR, Watters JJ, Baker-Herman TL, Mitchell GS

Acute intermittent hypoxia elicits a form of spinal, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-dependent respiratory plasticity known as phrenic long-term facilitation. Ligands that activate G(s)-protein-coupled receptors, such as the adenosine 2a receptor, mimic the effects of neurotrophins in vitro by transactivating their high-affinity receptor tyrosine kinases, the Trk receptors. Thus, we hypothesized that A2a receptor agonists would elicit phrenic long-term facilitation by mimicking the effects of BDNF on TrkB receptors. Here we demonstrate that spinal A2a receptor agonists transactivate TrkB receptors in the rat cervical spinal cord near phrenic motoneurons, thus inducing long-lasting (hours) phrenic motor facilitation. A2a receptor activation increased phosphorylation and new synthesis of an immature TrkB protein, induced TrkB signaling through Akt, and strengthened synaptic pathways to phrenic motoneurons. RNA interference targeting TrkB mRNA demonstrated that new TrkB protein synthesis is necessary for A2a-induced phrenic motor facilitation. A2a receptor activation also increased breathing in unanesthetized rats, and improved breathing in rats with cervical spinal injuries. Thus, small, highly permeable drugs (such as adenosine receptor agonists) that transactivate TrkB receptors may provide an effective therapeutic strategy in the treatment of patients with ventilatory control disorders, such as obstructive sleep apnea, or respiratory insufficiency after spinal injury or during neurodegenerative diseases.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305238 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Transient hypoxia stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis in brain subcortex by a neuronal nitric oxide synthase-dependent mechanism.
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Transient hypoxia stimulates mitochondrial biogenesis in brain subcortex by a neuronal nitric oxide synthase-dependent mechanism.

J Neurosci. 2008 Feb 27;28(9):2015-24

Authors: Gutsaeva DR, Carraway MS, Suliman HB, Demchenko IT, Shitara H, Yonekawa H, Piantadosi CA

The adaptive mechanisms that protect brain metabolism during and after hypoxia, for instance, during hypoxic preconditioning, are coordinated in part by nitric oxide (NO). We tested the hypothesis that acute transient hypoxia stimulates NO synthase (NOS)-activated mechanisms of mitochondrial biogenesis in the hypoxia-sensitive subcortex of wild-type (Wt) and neuronal NOS (nNOS) and endothelial NOS (eNOS)-deficient mice. Mice were exposed to hypobaric hypoxia for 6 h, and changes in immediate hypoxic transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis was assessed in relation to mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content and mitochondrial density. There were no differences in cerebral blood flow or hippocampal PO2 responses to acute hypoxia among these strains of mice. In Wt mice, hypoxia increased mRNA levels for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1 alpha), nuclear respiratory factor-1, and mitochondrial transcription factor A. After 24 h, new mitochondria, localized in reporter mice expressing mitochondrial green fluorescence protein, were seen primarily in hippocampal neurons. eNOS-/- mice displayed lower basal levels but maintained hypoxic induction of these transcripts. In contrast, nuclear transcriptional regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis in nNOS-/- mice was normal at baseline but did not respond to hypoxia. After hypoxia, subcortical mtDNA content increased in Wt and eNOS-/- mice but not in nNOS-/- mice. Hypoxia stimulated PGC-1alpha protein expression and phosphorylation of protein kinase A and cAMP response element binding (CREB) protein in Wt mice, but CREB only was activated in eNOS-/- mice and not in nNOS-/- mice. These findings demonstrate that hypoxic preconditioning elicits subcortical mitochondrial biogenesis by a novel mechanism that requires nNOS regulation of PGC-1alpha and CREB.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305236 [PubMed - in process ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Altered morphology and 3D architecture of brain vasculature in a mouse model for Alzheimer's disease.
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Altered morphology and 3D architecture of brain vasculature in a mouse model for Alzheimer's disease.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Feb 27;

Authors: Meyer EP, Ulmann-Schuler A, Staufenbiel M, Krucker T

Substantial evidence from epidemiological, pathological, and clinical reports suggests that vascular factors are critical in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and changes in blood flow are currently the most reliable indicators of the disease. We previously reported that older APP23 transgenic (tg) mice have significant blood flow alterations correlated with structural modifications of blood vessels. For the present study, our objective was to analyze the age-dependent morphological and architectural changes of the cerebral vasculature of APP23 tg mice. To visualize the 3D arrangement of the entire brain vasculature, we used vascular corrosion casts. Already at young ages, when typically parenchymal amyloid plaques are not yet present, APP23 tg mice had significant alterations, particularly of the microvasculature, often accompanied by small deposits attached to the vessels. In older animals, vasculature abruptly ended at amyloid plaques, resulting in holes. Often, small deposits were sitting near or at the end of truncated vessels. Between such holes, the surrounding vascular array appeared more dense and showed features typical for angiogenesis. We propose that small amyloid aggregates associated with the microvasculature lead to morphological and architectural alterations of the vasculature, resulting in altered local blood flow. The characteristic early onset of vascular alterations suggests that imaging blood flow and/or vasculature architecture could be used as a tool for early diagnosis of the disease and to monitor therapies.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305170 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Comparison of high- and low-dose intrathecal morphine for spinal fusion in children.
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Comparison of high- and low-dose intrathecal morphine for spinal fusion in children.

Br J Anaesth. 2008 Feb 27;

Authors: Eschertzhuber S, Hohlrieder M, Keller C, Oswald E, Kuehbacher G, Innerhofer P

BACKGROUND: /st> The purpose of this prospective study was to assess the blood-sparing effect, the quality of analgesia, and the incidence of side-effects of a low-dose regime of intrathecal opioids (ITO) when compared with those of a high-dose regime in scoliosis surgery in children. METHODS: /st> Forty-six children were randomly included into one of the three groups to receive morphine 5 microg kg(-1) plus sufentanil 1 microg kg(-1) [low-dose intrathecal opioid (LITO)], morphine 15 microg kg(-1) plus sufentanil 1 microg kg(-1) [high-dose intrathecal opioid (HITO)] intrathecally, or no intrathecal opioid. Postoperative analgesia was provided by i.v. opioids. Intraoperative blood loss, postoperative quality of analgesia, opioid requirements, and the incidence of side-effects were recorded for 3 days. RESULTS: /st> Intraoperative blood loss was significantly reduced by ITOs [LITO: 41.4 (sd 18.8) ml kg(-1); HITO: 37.5 (6.9) ml kg(-1); control: 76.9 (15.3) ml kg(-1), P<0.001], with no difference between the two intrathecal opioid groups. Mean pain scores on the day of surgery were lower in both intrathecal opioid groups (LITO: 2.2 and HITO: 2.1) when compared with the control group (4.1, P<0.03) and opioid consumption was significantly decreased [LITO: 304.3 (65.0) microg kg(-1); HITO: 224.1 (51.8) microg kg(-1); control: 667.7 (89.5) microg kg(-1), P<0.002]. Side-effects of intrathecally administered opioids were similarly frequent in all groups. CONCLUSIONS: /st> Intrathecal administration of opioids significantly reduces blood loss and postoperative opioid demand, thereby showing side-effects comparable with the control group. These effects were already seen with the low-dose regimen and high dose did not further improve efficacy.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305080 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Seasonal acclimatization of brain lipidome in a eurythermal fish (Carassius carassius, L.) is mainly determined by temperature.
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Seasonal acclimatization of brain lipidome in a eurythermal fish (Carassius carassius, L.) is mainly determined by temperature.

Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2008 Feb 27;

Authors: Kakela RT, Mattila M, Hermansson M, Haimi P, Uphoff A, Paajanen V, Somerharju P, Vornanen M

Crucian carp (Carassius carassius) is an excellent vertebrate model for studies on temperature adaptation in biological excitable membranes, since the species can tolerate temperatures from 0 to +36 degrees C. To determine how temperature affects the lipid composition of brain, the fish were acclimated for 4 weeks at +30, +16 or +4 degree C in the laboratory, or seasonally acclimatized individuals were captured from the wild throughout the year (T = +1 - +23 degrees C), and the brain glycerophospholipid and sphingolipid compositions were analyzed in detail by electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry. Numerous significant temperature-related changes were found in the molecular species composition of the membrane lipids. The most notable and novel finding was a large (~3-fold) increase of the di-22:6n-3 phosphatidylserine and -ethanolamine species in the cold. Since the increase of 22:6n-3 in the total fatty acyl pool of the brain was small, the formation of di-22:6n-3 aminophospholipid species appears to be a specific adaptation to low temperature. Such highly unsaturated species could be needed to maintain adequate membrane fluidity in the vicinity of transporters and other integral membrane proteins. Plasmalogens increased somewhat at higher temperatures, possibly to protect membranes against oxidation. The modifications of brain lipidome during the 4-week laboratory acclimation were in many respects similar to those found in the wild, which indicates that the seasonal changes observed in the wild are temperature-dependent rather than induced by other environmental factors. Key words: docosahexaenoic acid, mass spectrometry, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylethanolamine, PUFA.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18305022 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Investigating the effects of distracting stimuli on nociceptive behaviour and associated alterations in brain monoamines in rats.
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Investigating the effects of distracting stimuli on nociceptive behaviour and associated alterations in brain monoamines in rats.

Eur J Pain. 2008 Feb 25;

Authors: Ford GK, Moriarty O, McGuire BE, Finn DP

Distraction interventions are used clinically to relieve pain. Exposure to distracting stimuli causes withdrawal of attention from the painful stimulus and reduces perceived pain. However, the neurobiological mechanisms mediating distraction-induced analgesia are poorly understood due, in part, to a paucity of animal studies modelling this phenomenon. The present study investigated the effects of three distracting stimuli on formalin-evoked nociceptive behaviour and brain tissue monoamine levels in rats. The three distractors were: exposure to a novel environment, exposure to a novel object, and exposure, without contact, to another rat (conspecific). A control group, habituated to the test arena, was also included. Formalin-evoked nociceptive behaviour was significantly reduced in rats exposed to the novel object or novel arena, but not those exposed to the conspecific, compared with controls. Antinociception resulting from exposure to the novel object was of longer duration than that resulting from exposure to the novel arena. Failure to detect any distractor-induced effects on plasma corticosterone levels or aversive behaviours suggests that the stimuli used were non-stressful. HPLC analysis revealed that there was a significant reduction in serotonin and dopamine metabolites in the medial prefrontal cortex in animals exposed to the novel object. These results indicate that exposure to a novel object or arena reduces nociceptive behaviour in rats, effects accompanied by discrete alterations in serotonin and dopamine metabolites in the medial prefrontal cortex.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18304847 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Under-arm partial body weight unloading causes spinal elongation and vibration attenuation during treadmill walking.
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Under-arm partial body weight unloading causes spinal elongation and vibration attenuation during treadmill walking.

Gait Posture. 2008 Feb 25;

Authors: Pollok R, Heneghan P, Riches PE

Whilst exercise is beneficial to those suffering from low back pain (LBP), spinal shrinkage and vibration during walking may aggravate the condition. This study investigates the effects of spinal unloading, by means of body-weight unloading (BWU), on spinal length and vibration response. Under-arm partial BWU (40% of bodyweight) was performed on 8 healthy males whilst walking on a treadmill for 1h, and compared to a control condition in the same participants. Motion analysis was used to track four reflective markers attached to the spine between C7 and the lumbar concavity at 100Hz, in 7s samples at regular intervals during the walk. A quintic polynomial was fitted to the coordinates in the sagittal plane, and sub-sectioned into three regions: the upper thoracic (UT), lower thoracic (LT) and upper lumbar (UL). The lengths of the curves were analysed in the time and frequency domains. The length of the spine increased by 4+/-2% (18mm) during the unloading condition with all regions showing an increase in length. The UL and LT regions lost length in the control condition, thereby exhibiting a significant interaction between unloading and time on region length (both P<0.05). In addition, compared to the control condition, the frequencies of the length changes were attenuated between 3 and 6Hz with unloading. Therefore, under-arm BWU facilitates spinal elongation, attenuates the frequency response of the spine in its resonant frequency regime and thus has potential benefits to the LBP population.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18304815 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Quantifying the effects of the electrode-brain interface on the crossing electric currents in deep brain recording and stimulation.
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Quantifying the effects of the electrode-brain interface on the crossing electric currents in deep brain recording and stimulation.

Neuroscience. 2008 Jan 25;

Authors: Yousif N, Bayford R, Wang S, Liu X

A depth electrode-brain interface (EBI) is formed once electrodes are implanted into the human brain. We investigated the impact of the EBI on the crossing electric currents during both deep brain recording (DBR) and deep brain stimulation (DBS) over the acute, chronic and transitional stages post-implantation, in order to investigate and quantify the effect which changes at the EBI have on both DBR and DBS. We combined two complementary methods: (1) physiological recording of local field potentials via the implanted electrode in patients; and (2) computational simulations of an EBI model. Our depth recordings revealed that the physiological modulation of the EBI in the acute stage via brain pulsation selectively affected the crossing neural signals in a frequency-dependent manner, as the amplitude of the electrode potential was inversely correlated with that of the tremor-related oscillation, but not the beta oscillation. Computational simulations of DBS during the transitional period showed that the shielding effect of partial giant cell growth on the injected current could shape the field in an unpredictable manner. These results quantitatively demonstrated that physiological modulation of the EBI significantly affected the crossing currents in both DBR and DBS. Studying the microenvironment of the EBI may be a key step in investigating the mechanisms of DBR and DBS, as well as brain-computer interactions in general.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18304747 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Expression of drebrin E in migrating neuroblasts in adult rat brain: Coincidence between drebrin E disappearance from cell body and cessation of migration.
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Expression of drebrin E in migrating neuroblasts in adult rat brain: Coincidence between drebrin E disappearance from cell body and cessation of migration.

Neuroscience. 2008 Jan 19;

Authors: Song M, Kojima N, Hanamura K, Sekino Y, Inoue HK, Mikuni M, Shirao T

Migrating neuroblasts in the adult brain form the rostral migratory stream (RMS) from the lateral ventricle to the olfactory bulb (OB) and then differentiate in the OB. In this study, we immunohistochemically analyzed drebrin expression in the RMS of the adult rat brain. Although drebrin is concentrated in dendritic spines of mature neurons, drebrin-immunopositive (DIP) cell bodies were observed in the RMS. The polysialated form of a neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) was detected in DIP cells. K(i)-67, a marker of proliferating cells, was also detected in a subset of DIP cells; however, neither glial fibrillary acidic protein, nestin nor vimentin was detected in DIP cells. These results indicate that DIP cells in the RMS are migrating neuroblasts. An image subtraction method, based on using anti-pan-drebrin and anti-drebrin A antibodies, demonstrated that DIP migrating neuroblasts are immunopositive for drebrin E but not for drebrin A (E+A-). Furthermore, olfactory bulbectomy increased the number of cells with drebrin E+A- signals in the RMS, indicating that these cells migrate along the RMS. Drebrin E+A- cells were also found in the subgranular layer of the dentate gyrus and in the piriform cortex. Thus, detection of drebrin E+A- signals is useful for identifying migrating neuroblasts in the adult brain. In the OB, drebrin E+A- signals were observed in the cell bodies of migrating neuroblasts in the core region; however, only fibrous and punctate drebrin E+A- signals were observed in postmigratory neuroblasts at the outer layers. These data demonstrate that the disappearance of drebrin E+A- signals from the cell body coincides with the cessation of neuronal migration. The disappearance of drebrin E from the cell body may be a molecular switch for the cessation of migration in newly generated neuroblasts.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18304746 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Inhibition of brain creatine kinase activity after renal ischemia is attenuated by N-acetylcysteine and deferoxamine administration.
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Inhibition of brain creatine kinase activity after renal ischemia is attenuated by N-acetylcysteine and deferoxamine administration.

Neurosci Lett. 2008 Jan 31;

Authors: Di-Pietro PB, Dias ML, Scaini G, Burigo M, Constantino L, Machado RA, Dal-Pizzol F, Streck EL

Encephalopathy may accompany acute or chronic renal failure, and the mechanisms responsible for neurological complications in patients with renal failure are poorly known. Considering that creatine kinase (CK) is important for brain energy homeostasis and is inhibited by free radicals, and that oxidative stress is probably involved in the pathogenesis of uremic encephalopathy, we measured CK activity (hippocampus, striatum, cerebellum, cerebral cortex and prefrontal cortex) in brain if rats submitted to renal ischemia and the effect of administration of antioxidants (N-acetylcysteine, NAC and deferoxamine, DFX) on this enzyme. We verified that CK activity was not altered in cerebellum and striatum of rats. CK activity was inhibited in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus of rats 12h after renal ischemia. The treatment with antioxidants prevented such effect. Cerebral cortex was also affected, but in this area CK activity was inhibited 6 and 12h after renal ischemia. Moreover, only NAC or NAC plus DFX were able to prevent the inhibition on the enzyme. Although it is difficult to extrapolate our findings to the human condition, the inhibition of brain CK activity after renal failure may be associated to neuronal loss and may be involved in the pathogenesis of uremic encephalopathy.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18304734 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangectasia and spinal cord infarct: Case report with a review of the neurological complications of HHT.
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Hereditary hemorrhagic telangectasia and spinal cord infarct: Case report with a review of the neurological complications of HHT.

Clin Neurol Neurosurg. 2008 Feb 25;

Authors: Espinosa PS, Pettigrew LC, Berger JR

Hereditary hemorrhagic telangectasia (HHT), also known as Osler-Weber-Rendu disease, is an autosomal dominant vascular dysplasia with high penetrance and variable expressivity. A wide variety of neurological complications have been reported in association with this condition. We report the first case of spinal cord infarction likely due to paradoxical embolization with HHT and review the literature on the neurological complications of this disorder. MEDLINE was employed to identify all published reports of HHT with neurological complications. We identified 44 references with a total of 436 cases of neurological complications of HHT. The most common complication was ischemic stroke and the main etiology for the vascular neurological complications in patients with HHT was pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. HHT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of any patient with cutaneous or mucosal telangiectasia or a history of unexplained epistaxis. HHT is associated with a diverse array of neurological disorders; most commonly ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, transient ischemic attack, and brain abscess. While myelopathy secondary to arteriovenous malformation with HHT has been previously reported, this is the first instance of spinal cord infarction due to paradoxical embolization in this disorder.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18304727 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Brain tumor therapy by combined vaccination and antisense oligonucleotide delivery with nanoparticles.
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Brain tumor therapy by combined vaccination and antisense oligonucleotide delivery with nanoparticles.

J Neuroimmunol. 2008 Feb 25;

Authors: Schneider T, Becker A, Ringe K, Reinhold A, Firsching R, Sabel BA

We examined a "double-punch" approach to overcome the escape of glioblastoma cells to the immune surveillance: increasing the immune systems activation by an active specific immunization (ASI) with Newcastle-Disease-Virus infected tumor cells and blocking the TGF-beta production by delivery of TGF-beta antisense oligonucleotides using polybutyl cyanoacrylate nanoparticles (NPs). Gene delivery was first evaluated using the CMV-beta-gal plasmid as a reporter gene. Fischer rats received implantation of glioblastoma cells into the brain and were then treated with combined ASI/NP-anti-TGF-beta formulation. Massive staining of tumor cells was seen after NP delivery of the plasmid beta-galactosidase, indicating gene transfer by nanoparticles to tumor cells. When treated with NP-anti-TGF-beta after having been immunized, the rats survived longer than untreated controls, had reduced TGF-beta-levels and showed increased rates of activated CD25+ T cells. In summary, nanoparticles are useful to deliver plasmids and antisense oligonucleotides to brain tumors. A combined immunization/gene delivery of TGF-beta antisense oligonucleotides may be a promising approach for brain tumor therapy.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18304655 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Some early uses of evoked brain responses in investigations of human visual function.
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Some early uses of evoked brain responses in investigations of human visual function.

Vision Res. 2008 Feb 25;

Authors: Regan D

In the context of the technical possibilities of the time, this paper describes early attempts to employ visual-evoked potentials (VEPs) as a tool for investigating human visual function, focussing on the contributions of Henk Spekreijse and his colleagues. The topics covered are as follows: attempts to distinguish between true pattern-specific VEPs and the effects of responses to changes in local luminance; retinal rivalry and interocular sustained suppression; the implications of VEPs elicited by equiluminant chromatic patterns; VEPs specific to real and apparent motion; stereo VEPs; identification of a visual-auditory convergence area in the human brain.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18304602 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Brain nuclear factor kappa B is involved in the corticotropin-releasing factor-induced central activation of sympatho-adrenomedullary outflow in rats.
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Brain nuclear factor kappa B is involved in the corticotropin-releasing factor-induced central activation of sympatho-adrenomedullary outflow in rats.

Eur J Pharmacol. 2008 Feb 5;

Authors: Okada S, Yamaguchi-Shima N, Shimizu T, Arai J, Yorimitsu M, Yokotani K

Using urethane-anesthetized rats, we examined whether an activation of nuclear factor kappa B is involved in the corticotropin-releasing factor-induced increase in plasma levels of catecholamines. An intracerebroventricularly administered corticotropin-releasing factor (1.5 nmol/animal)-induced increase of plasma catecholamines was dose-dependently reduced by pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (a nuclear factor kappa B antagonist) (1 and 9 nmol/animal, intracerebroventricularly) and SN50 (a peptide inhibiting nuclear factor kappa B translocation) (9 and 18 nmol/animal, intracerebroventricularly), while SN50M (an inactive control peptide for SN50, 19 nmol/animal, intracerebroventricularly) had no effect on the corticotropin-releasing factor-induced elevation of both catecholamines. Furthermore, the corticotropin-releasing factor-induced responses were also attenuated by rosiglitazone (a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma agonist)(50 nmol/animal, intracerebroventricularly). These results suggest the involvement of brain nuclear factor kappa B in the corticotropin-releasing factor-induced central activation of the sympatho-adrenomedullary outflow in rats.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18304530 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Laparoscopic cholecystectomy under spinal anesthesia.
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Laparoscopic cholecystectomy under spinal anesthesia.

Am J Surg. 2008 Feb 25;

Authors: Yuksek YN, Akat AZ, Gozalan U, Daglar G, Pala Y, Canturk M, Tutuncu T, Kama NA

BACKGROUND: Advantages of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) such as less pain and short hospital stay make it the treatment of choice for cholelithiasis. There are limited data about LC under spinal anesthesia. This study was designed to evaluate LC under spinal anesthesia. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients underwent surgery for LC under spinal anesthesia at the 4th Department of Surgery of the Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital between April 2005 and January 2006. All patients were informed about spinal anesthesia in detail. The patients also were informed about the risk of conversion to general anesthesia, and all patients provided informed consent. The election criteria for spinal anesthesia were as follows: American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) risk group 1 or 2; risk score for conversion from LC to open cholecystectomy (RSCO) less than negative 3; and presence of gallstone disease. Standard laparoscopic technique was applied to all patients. Simple questionnaire forms were developed for both patients and surgeons to provide comments about the operation. RESULTS: The operation was completed laparoscopically on 26 patients, while 3 patients needed general anesthesia due to severe right shoulder pain. None of the patients had cardiopulmonary problems other than transient hypotension during surgery. Intravenous fentanyl (25 mug) was needed in 13 patients due to severe right shoulder pain. Five patients still had severe shoulder pain after fentanyl injection. Local washing of the right diaphragm with 2% lidocaine solution was successful in the remaining 5 patients in whom fentanyl injection failed to stop the pain. All of the patients' answers to the questions regarding the comfort of operation were "very well" at the 1-month postoperative evaluation. All surgeons stated that there was no difference from LC under general anesthesia. CONCLUSIONS: All of the patients and surgeons were satisfied with LC under spinal anesthesia. Therefore, LC under spinal anesthesia may be an appropriate treatment choice to increase the number of patients eligible for outpatient surgery.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18304510 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]
Splice Mutation in the Iron-Sulfur Cluster Scaffold Protein ISCU Causes Myopathy with Exercise Intolerance.
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Splice Mutation in the Iron-Sulfur Cluster Scaffold Protein ISCU Causes Myopathy with Exercise Intolerance.

Am J Hum Genet. 2008 Feb 14;

Authors: Mochel F, Knight MA, Tong WH, Hernandez D, Ayyad K, Taivassalo T, Andersen PM, Singleton A, Rouault TA, Fischbeck KH, Haller RG

A myopathy with severe exercise intolerance and myoglobinuria has been described in patients from northern Sweden, with associated deficiencies of succinate dehydrogenase and aconitase in skeletal muscle. We identified the gene for the iron-sulfur cluster scaffold protein ISCU as a candidate within a region of shared homozygosity among patients with this disease. We found a single mutation in ISCU that likely strengthens a weak splice acceptor site, with consequent exon retention. A marked reduction of ISCU mRNA and mitochondrial ISCU protein in patient muscle was associated with a decrease in the iron regulatory protein IRP1 and intracellular iron overload in skeletal muscle, consistent with a muscle-specific alteration of iron homeostasis in this disease. ISCU interacts with the Friedreich ataxia gene product frataxin in iron-sulfur cluster biosynthesis. Our results therefore extend the range of known human diseases that are caused by defects in iron-sulfur cluster biogenesis.

PMID:Latest neurology publications 18304497 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher - ( Latest neurology publications ) ]