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Pediatric Blood & Cancer Published Online: 27 Feb 2008
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.
J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 20:7-22, February 2008
Subclinical electroencephalographic epileptiform discharges in neurobehavioral disorders are not uncommon. The clinical significance and behavioral, diagnostic, and therapeutic implications of this EEG cerebral dysrhythmia have not been fully examined.
J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 20:62-67, February 2008
Patients with caudate lesions can present with content-specific delusions, possibly due to disruption of frontosubcortical circuits connecting the frontal lobes with the basal ganglia.
Psychological stress causes an inflammatory response in the brain and is able to exacerbate brain damage caused by experimental stroke. We previously reported that subacute immobilization stress in mice worsens stroke outcome through mechanisms that involve inflammatory mechanisms, such as accumulation of oxidative/nitrosative mediators and expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and cyclooxygenase-2 in the brain.
Spine. 33(4S) Supplement:S176-S183, February 15, 2008
To investigate associations between chiropractic visits and vertebrobasilar artery (VBA) stroke and to contrast this with primary care physician (PCP) visits and VBA stroke.
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.
Fever after stroke is a strong predictor for a negative outcome with infections as the most common cause. The aim of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of prophylactic antibiotic therapy on the incidence and height of fever after acute ischemic stroke.
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of intracranial plaques and stenoses and their causal role in patients with fatal stroke. Intracranial atherosclerosis is considered to be a rare condition with a severe prognosis. However, disease prevalence may be underestimated due to lack of appropriate diagnostic procedures.
A new Glasgow Coma Scale-based scale has been developed to predict patient outcome in subarachnoid hemorrhage by calculating cut-off points by which 2 consecutive categories corresponded to a statistically significant different outcome.
Endovascular mechanical thrombectomy may be used during acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel intracranial occlusion. First-generation MERCI devices achieved recanalization rates of 48% and, when coupled with intraarterial thrombolytic drugs, recanalization rates of 60% have been reported. Enhancements in embolectomy device design may improve recanalization rates.
Patients with ischemic stroke have a high prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, which are major risk factors for potentially blinding retinal diseases. We studied the prevalence of retinal diseases, and the need for an ophthalmology referral, among persons with acute ischemic stroke.
The risk of seizure early after the diagnosis of cerebral vein and dural sinus thrombosis (CVT) is not known, and the use of prophylactic antiepileptic (AED) medication in the acute phase of CVT is controversial.
Brain abscesses and ischaemic strokes complicate pulmonary arteriovenous malformations (PAVMs). At risk individuals are poorly recognised. Stroke/abscess risk factors have not been defined.
Arsenic trioxide (As2O3) exhibits promising anticarcinogenic activity in acute promyelocytic leukemic patients and induces apoptosis in various tumor cells in vitro. Here, we investigated the effect of the natural alkaloid berberine on As2O3-mediated inhibition of cancer cell migration using rat and human glioma cell lines.
Journal of Neurological Sciences (Turkish) 2007, Volume 24, Number 4, Page(s) 287-295
This study deals with analyzing our protocol in managing patients of poor grade aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage (aSAH) and in determining the factors that influenced outcome. The aim of our study is to find the outcome following aneurysmal subarachnoid haemorrhage in poor grade patients due to anterior communicating artery aneurysm and to find out if outcome could be predicted on basis of presentation.
Journal of Neurological Sciences (Turkish) 2007, Volume 24, Number 4, Page(s) 280-286
Traumatic posterior fossa epidural hematomas (TPFEDH) occur infrequently however their mortality and morbidity are higher than supratentorial epidural hematomas. Signs and symptoms may be silent or nonspecific, even though they may show rapid progression and deterioration from consciousness to coma, thus they would cause fatal results. Recently, practice of computerized tomography (CT) has grown up and replaced the use of direct X-ray to detect calvarial fractures and other traumatic pathologies, therefore patients with posterior fossa trauma were diagnosed earlier.
Journal of Neurological Sciences (Turkish) 2007, Volume 24, Number 4, Page(s) 349-353
The distribution of epilepsy frequency is equal among women and men. However, menarche, pregnancy, menopause, hormone replacement therapy and use of oral contraceptives may affect the course of epilepsy in women. Few studies in literature have reported that the onset of epilepsy may first occur in menopause in women who have no previous history of epilepsy.
During the last years, many epidemiologic studies have identified homocysteine as an independent risk factor for cardiovascular diseases like coronary events, stroke, and venous thromboembolism. Supplementation with oral folate and vitamins B6 and B12 (mainly folate) reduce plasma homocysteine levels to a significant degree.
We report a 57-year-old female who presented with epilepsia partialis continua and rapidly progressed to refractory complex partial status epilepticus (CPSE) with brain magnetic resonance imaging revealing a focal cortical lesion on T2 sequences corresponding to the seizure focus on ictal electroencephalographic recordings.
J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 20:68-73, February 2008
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.
J Neuropsychiatry Clin Neurosci 20:96-100, February 2008
Executive function and denial of illness were examined among 24 patients who received double-blind antidepressant treatment following stroke. Between end-of-treatment at 3 months and follow-up at 2 years, significant correlation was found between improvement in executive function and decrease in denial of illness.
American Journal of Forensic Medicine & Pathology. 29(1):23-26, March 2008
To determine which clinical factors are useful for predicting concomitant injuries of the cervical spine and cervical spinal cord in persons with head injuries, we examined the nature and mechanisms of cervical injuries.
Tropical Medicine & International Health, Volume 13, Number 2, February 2008 , pp. 286-290(5)
To monitor Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) activity in endemic areas of Tamil Nadu, southern India, desiccated vector mosquitoes were screened for JEV antigen using ELISA, from 1996.
Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology. 20(1):49-52, January 2008
Brain sag is a rare but serious postoperative complication after craniotomy. It is a clinical entity that refers to severe cerebrospinal fluid hypovolemia causing acute neurologic decompensation and obtundation.
Severe head injury (HI) and the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) 4 allele are risk factors for dementia. The corresponding effect of falls causing HI without explicit traumatic brain injury (TBI) in association with the ApoE 4 is not known.
In experimental models of cerebral ischemia, thrombolytic drugs have been demonstrated to have a number of neurovascular toxic effects including blood brain barrier disruption.
Perioperative stroke is an uncommon event associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Neurologists are often called to assess potential stroke risk factors to advice on prophylactic medical or surgical measures, which could decrease risk of this dreaded complication.
Evaluation of the intracranial venous system has historically been performed with conventional catheter-based digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The continued importance of DSA can not be overstated in light of its inherent option of endovascular intervention and thrombolysis for cerebral venous thrombosis.
Does cervical manipulative therapy (CMT) cause vertebral arterial dissection (VAD) and subsequent ischemic stroke? What is the best estimate of the incidence of CMT associated with VAD and ischemic stroke?
We report a case of dengue fever with thrombocytopenia and ischemic stroke. Only supportive treatment was instituted. The neurologic deficits of the patient were initially progressive and then improved.
State-of-the-art stroke management requires neurological expertise for the recognition of complex cerebrovascular syndromes or stroke-mimicking symptoms and initiation of proven acute therapies. Many community hospitals struggle to fulfill these premises particularly at evening/nighttimes or weekends. Telemedicine can improve that situation by offering rapid access to neurological expertise, but it has not been shown to what extent it is used beyond working times.
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.
Neurology India Year : 2008 Volume : 56 Issue : 1 Page : 62-64
A 72-year-old male was admitted with subarachnoid hemorrhage associated with a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. The aneurysm was treated with clipping soon after radiological examination.
Neurology India Year : 2008 Volume : 56 Issue : 1 Page : 100-101
Hypertensive intracranial hemorrhages are generally located in defined sites and have a relatively typical pattern of extension. We report an unusual case where there were simultaneous spontaneous thalamic and cerebellar hemorrhages in a patient with known hypertension. Presence of two discrete and unconnected clots is rare in hypertensive bleeds and only isolated cases have been recorded in the literature.
Neurology India Year : 2008 Volume : 56 Issue : 1 Page : 17-21
There is paucity of studies evaluating the role of asymmetry index (AI) on single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) studies in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Aim: To evaluate cerebellar perfusion in ICH employing SPECT study and correlate with clinical and CT scan findings. Setting and Design: Tertiary care teaching hospital.
Neurology India Year : 2008 Volume : 56 Issue : 1 Page : 79-80
We present a 43-year-old female patient who had recurrent headache for one year. An intracranial bony lesion surrounded by a cyst in the anterior cranial fossa was found on imaging. Postoperative histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of osteoma and mucocele.
Neurology India Year : 2008 Volume : 56 Issue : 1 Page : 102
A 19-year-old man, previously asymptomatic, presented with acute onset headache followed by right hemiplegia and global aphasia. A diffusion weighted MRI showed acute infarct of the left middle cerebral artery (MCA) territory.
Neurology India Year : 2008 Volume : 56 Issue : 1 Page : 57-61
Glomus jugulare (GJ) tumors are paragangliomas found in the region of the jugular foramen. Surgery with/without embolization and conventional radiotherapy has been the traditional management option.
Neurology India Year : 2008 Volume : 56 Issue : 1 Page : 31-35
Acute oxidative stress following a traumatic head injury (HI) has been implicated in inducing severe secondary brain damage and influencing the clinical outcome of HI patients. Aims: This study was performed to evaluate and compare the oxidative changes in patients with varying severity of HI in the early posttraumatic period using erythrocyte indicators.
Neurology India Year : 2008 Volume : 56 Issue : 1 Page : 13-16
Treatment of brain abscess is still a subject of controversy. Simple therapeutic approaches like twist drill/burr hole aspiration with or without insertion of a drain are also quite effective. There are reports of encouraging results following endoscopic treatment. We are reporting our results of endoscopic approach on 24 patients.
Neurology India Year : 2008 Volume : 56 Issue : 1 Page : 93
Though this study showed that there was a lower rate of compliance in patients with stroke, the authors do not satisfactorily explain this discrepancy.
Neurology India Year : 2008 Volume : 56 Issue : 1 Page : 65-67
Asleep-awake-asleep technique of anesthesia is used during awake craniotomy with or without securing airway. We assessed this technique using laryngeal mask airway (LMA) in two patients. Patients underwent awake craniotomy for epilepsy surgery and the removal of a frontotemporal glioma.
Neurology India Year : 2008 Volume : 56 Issue : 1 Page : 88-89
Cyclopentolate is a synthetic anti-cholinergic agent widely used in ophthalmology clinics. It can cause cardiovascular side-effects such as hypertension, ventricular arrhythmias and tachycardias.
International Journal of Cancer Volume 122, Issue 8 , Pages 1820 - 1826
Mapping loss of heterozygosity (LOH) regions in the genomes of tumor tissues is a practical approach for identifying genes whose loss is related to tumorigenesis. Conventional LOH analyses using microsatellite or single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers require the simultaneous examination of tumor- and matched normal-DNA. Here, we improved the previously developed SNP-based LOH assay using single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, so that LOH in tumor samples heavily contaminated with normal DNA can now be precisely estimated, even when matched normal DNA is not available.
Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation & Prevention. 28(1):2-11, January/February 2008
Patients with stroke are severely deconditioned, leading to metabolic abnormalities that significantly increase risk for myocardial infarction and recurrent stroke. This review characterizes the nature of the metabolic decline, the underlying causes, and the potential for progressive aerobic exercise to address metabolic impairment following disabling stroke.
Tetramine, a banned rodenticide, is repeatedly reported to induce epileptic seizures in healthy people. Because both doctors and patients are often not aware of earlier tetramine contact, the occurrence of seizures is easily misdiagnosed as primary epilepsy.
To investigate the effects of nebicapone, a new catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor, on levodopa pharmacokinetics, COMT activity, and motor fluctuations in Parkinson disease in comparison to placebo and entacapone.
Cabergoline is an ergotic dopamine agonist with D2 receptor activity and a very long half-life. This pharmacological profile may result in clinically different effects. Small clinical trials indicate that overnight switching from 1 agonist to another can be performed safely.
European Journal of Neurology, Volume 15, Number 3, March 2008 , pp. 253-256(4)
The use of rtPA in stroke patients aged >80-years remains controversial and it is debated whether there are sex-based differences in the response to rtPA.
European Journal of Neurology, Volume 15, Number 3, March 2008 , pp. 214-218(5)
We report here a 27-year-old woman who presented with encephalitis of unknown origin. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed leukoencephalopathy, cerebrospinal fluid showed signs of inflammation.
European Journal of Neurology, Volume 15, Number 3, March 2008 , pp. 262-267(6)
The postural instability and gait difficulty (PIGD) motor subtype has been shown to represent a risk factor for development of dementia in Parkinson's disease. Whether this relationship extends to a more subtle cognitive dysfunction in patients is less clear.
European Journal of Neurology, Volume 15, Number 3, March 2008 , pp. 223-228(6)
A recent clinical observation reported on a dramatic improvement of neurological symptoms following short-term betamethasone administration in a child affected with ataxia-teleangiectasia (A-T).
Molecular Carcinogenesis Published Online: 19 Feb 2008
Resveratrol (3,4,5-trihydroxystilbene) is a polyphenol synthesized by a wide variety of plant species in response to injury, UV irradiation and fungal attack. Many studies have revealed a variety of resveratrol intracellular targets whose modulation gives rise to overlapping responses leading to growth arrest and death. Many authors have reported different human cancer cell lines, treated with resveratrol at micromolar concentrations, arrested their proliferative cycle in the G1/S boundary or in the S phase and this cell cycle arrest was followed by apoptotic death.
Subjects with migraine with aura (MA) have a high prevalence of white matter lesions (WMLs) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Moreover, right-to-left shunt (RILES), mainly due to patent foramen ovale, is frequently associated with MA.
We report a case of Neisseria elongata endocarditis with thalamic septic embolization and subsequent brain abscess formation, which to the best of our knowledge has never been reported in the literature. The brain abscess completely resolved after a surgical repair of the infected mitral valve and an additional 4 weeks of antimicrobial therapy. Based on a review of all previous reports of N. elongata endocarditis, including ours, this will remind physicians that invasive N. elongata infections should be managed and followed up cautiously, as surgical intervention is often required.
Journal of Neurosurgical Anesthesiology. 20(1):29-35, January 2008
Of the 3 million patients with seizures in North America approximately 70% have effective seizure control with medications. In the group refractory to medical treatment only a minority fit the criteria for surgical therapy. Vagus nerve stimulation therapy seems to be a suitable nonpharmacologic therapy for reducing seizure frequency in these cases.
Journal of the Canadian Thoracic Society January/February 2008, Volume 15 Issue 1: 45-47
Intracerebral abscess is an uncommon complication of severe cystic fibrosis lung disease. The present report describes a case of fatal multiple intracerebral abscesses in a patient with a severely bronchiectatic, nonfunctioning right lung and chronic low-grade infection. The patient was previously turned down for pneumonectomy. Intracerebral abscess in cystic fibrosis and the potential role of pneumonectomy in the present patient are discussed.
Adherence to evidence-based interventions for hospitalized patients who have experienced a stroke is suboptimal. We examined the association of process improvement and Internet-based data collection and decision support with stroke care.
To describe a clinical encounter (Bedside Examination Exercise [BEE]) used for assessment and teaching in the Massachusetts General Hospital neurology clerkship; to compare results of the BEE with the Harvard Medical School Subjective Evaluation Form (SEF) and National Board of Medical Examiners Shelf examination (Shelf); and to develop a grading system that assesses multiple skills and reflects proficiency.
The reasons for development of intracranial aneurysms are unknown; hemodynamic factors may play an important role in this process. We performed a cohort study to further elicit the role of intracranial arterial geometry.
Dementia is one of the most important neurological disorders in the elderly. Dementia of tumoral origin is rare and parkinsonism of neoplastic origin is unusual.
Epilepsy occurs in approximately 1% of the population. It is the third most common neurologic disorder in the United States after Alzheimer disease and stroke. The prevalence of epilepsy is equal to the combined prevalence of cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson disease. Epilepsy is the most common childhood neurologic disorder, affecting 0.5% to 1.0% of children younger than age 16 years. (1) More than 326,000 children younger than age 15 years have epilepsy, and approximately 90,000 have seizures that are not controlled completely by treatment. Epilepsy often occurs in conjunction with other conditions, including autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, Down syndrome, and intellectual disability.
International Journal of Cancer Volume 122, Issue 8 , Pages 1891 - 1900
The survival rate of children with advanced neuroblastoma (NB) is dismal despite intensive multimodal therapy. The limited efficacy and the frequent and serious side effects of currently used therapeutic regimens necessitate the development of new, less toxic treatment strategies.
The objective ofthis study was to evaluate the determinants and associations of some prothrombotic risk factors in patients with cerebrovascular accidents (CVAs).
A study in The Faroe Islands in 1995 suggested a high prevalence of idiopathic Parkinson’s disease
(IPD) and total parkinsonism of 187.6 and 233.4 per 100,000 inhabitants respectively.
The etiology of spontaneous cervical artery dissection (sCAD) is still unknown, even though an underlying arteriopathy impairing vasomotion has often been suspected.
Although cerebral microemboli are often detected by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography in mechanical heart valve patients, the clinical significance of such microemboli is unclear.
The aim of this prospective longitudinal study was to identify factors relating to emotional distress in the first 6 months after stroke in a sample including patients with aphasia.
Models of photochemically-induced thrombosis are widely used in cerebrovascular research. Photothrombotic brain infarctions can be induced by systemic application of photosensitizing dyes followed by focal illumination of the cerebral cortex.
Walking speed is a simple, reliable, and valid measure of functional status that has been shown to be strongly correlated with age-related outcomes and may be an indicator of subclinical cerebrovascular disease. However, few studies have investigated the association of walking speed with risk of incident ischemic stroke.
The newly-described computed tomography angiography (CTA) Spot Sign is present in about one third of patients with acute primary intracerebral hemorrhage (PICH) and predicts hematoma expansion.
White-matter hyperintensities (WMHs) detected by magnetic resonance imaging are thought to represent the effects of cerebral small-vessel disease and neurodegenerative changes.
The measurement of ischemic lesion volume on diffusion- (DWI) and perfusion-weighted MRI (PWI) is examiner dependent. We sought to quantify the variance imposed by measurement error in DWI and PWI lesion volume measurements in ischemic stroke.
Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) is regarded as the gold standard in assessing degree of stenosis in intracranial vessels. However, it is invasive and can only be carried out at specialized centers. We sought to compare CT angiography (CTA) to DSA for detection and measurement of stenosis in large intracranial arteries.
Preclinical evidence indicates that iron plays a key role in mediating neuronal injury and edema formation after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, the clinical role of iron in patients with ICH has not been well studied. We undertook this exploratory study to investigate the association of serum ferritin, as an indicator of body iron load, with perihematoma edema after ICH.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 240-243 (February 2008)
We report on a patient with right-sided Sturge-Weber syndrome (SWS), in whom earlier functional hemispherectomy failed. Subtraction of ictal and interictal single-photon-emission-computed-tomography (SPECT) superimposed on individual MRI showed a right fronto-orbital hyperperfusion, with a left-sided EEG seizure pattern.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 235-239 (February 2008)
Antiepileptic drug (AED) delivery directly into the neocortex has recently been shown to be able to both prevent and terminate focal seizures in rats. The present clinical experiment aimed to test the local effects of lidocaine delivered onto the pia mater adjacent to epileptogenic zones in human patients.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 232-234 (February 2008)
Electroconvulsive seizure thresholds were compared between adolescent and mature Sprague-Dawley, Wistar, and Fischer rats. All strains had similar hindbrain or forebrain seizure thresholds as adolescents.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 225-231 (February 2008)
We report on monozygotic twins with neonatal onset of daily reflex seizures triggered by hot water. Video record during the hot water bathing showed clinical signs consistent with a reflex seizure.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 216-224 (February 2008)
To elucidate the pathophysiology of intractable epileptic spasms in older children by describing the interictal magnetoencephalography spike sources (MEGSSs), intracranial EEG ictal-onset zones (IOZs) and their ictal high-frequency oscillations (HFOs) and surgical outcomes.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 207-215 (February 2008)
We recorded limbic event-related potentials (ERPs) with intrahippocampal depth electrodes in a more demanding verbal and an easier pictorial continuous recognition task in patients undergoing presurgical evaluations of their medical refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsies (MTLE).
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 201-206 (February 2008)
To clarify the nature of psychosis development in epilepsy patients, we studied differences in age of onset of psychosis between epilepsy patients with psychosis (epilepsy-psychosis) and schizophrenia patients.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 195-200 (February 2008)
Little is known about the prognostic significance of persistent auras following temporal lobe surgery in determining the recurrence of complex partial seizures (CPS) or generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS).
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 186-194 (February 2008)
The ketogenic diet (KD) remains a therapy in search of explanation although it is an established treatment of intractable epilepsy. Recent studies suggest that the KD may be both anticonvulsant and antiepileptogenic.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 178-185 (February 2008)
Status epilepticus (SE) in developing rats leads to neuronal degeneration in many brain structures including neocortex but the functional consequences of cortical damage were studied only exceptionally.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 161-170 (February 2008)
We addressed the question whether lateralization of memory-related medial temporal lobe
(MTL) activity in medial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) patients is determined by pathology or sex, differentiating between two MTL subregions implicated in visuospatial memory as regions-of-interest
(ROI) – the hippocampus (Hc) and the parahippocampal place area
(PPA).
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 155-160 (February 2008)
Reduced bone mineral density (BMD) is increasingly recognized in patients receiving antiepileptic drug therapy. The precise prevalence is not known due to variability across populations studied. We set out to characterize the prevalence of abnormal BMD in an urban population of patients with epilepsy with the intent to determine the value of routine BMD screening.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 147-154 (February 2008)
Veratridine is believed to cause epileptiform discharges via its effects on sodium channels. We addressed the question whether calcium currents, known to contribute to the generation of paroxysmal depolarization shifts (PDS) in most models of epilepsies, also contribute to veratridine-induced epileptiform activity.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 140-146 (February 2008)
A subsample of 67 adult patients with partial seizures participating in a randomized, double-blind study comparing the cognitive effects of adjunctive lamotrigine (LTG) and adjunctive topiramate (TPM) was administered Performance On-Line (POL) in addition to a battery of neuropsychological tests at baseline, week 8 and week 16 of treatment.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 131-139 (February 2008)
Intake of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during pregnancy can provoke severe and subtle fetal malformations associated with deleterious sequelae, reflecting the need for experimental investigations on the comparative teratogenic potential of these agents.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 124-130 (February 2008)
Serotonin is a major regulator of structural brain plasticity, which may occur following cortical resection in humans. In this study we used positron emission tomography (PET) with alpha[11C]methyl-l-tryptophan (AMT) to evaluate serotonergic alterations in subcortical structures following cortical resection in children with intractable epilepsy.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 117-123 (February 2008)
Electrical stimulation of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus appears to be effective against seizures in animals and humans. As the optimal stimulation settings remain elusive, we studied the effects of different stimulation parameters against pilocarpine induced seizures and status epilepticus (SE).
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 102-116 (February 2008)
Acute brain insults, such as traumatic brain injury, status epilepticus, or stroke are common etiologies for the development of epilepsy, including temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), which is often refractory to drug therapy.
Epilepsy Research Volume 78, Issue 2, Pages 93-101 (February 2008)
Saccadic eye movements can be used to evaluate different aspects of brain function, and in this article we are concerned with possible applications in relation to anti-epileptic drug treatment.
Journal of the Neurological Sciences Volume 267, Issue 1, Pages 57-61 (15 April 2008)
Intravenous administration of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) dissolves the clot and can improve clinical outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke. However, lack of early recanalization frequently does not result in good outcome.
Little is known about the course of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and functional outcome parameters in children and adolescents with TBI. In addition, a neuropsychological screening instrument would be useful for routine clinical care.
To compare diagnostic and treatment-related differences between persons participating in treatment for dually diagnosed substance use disorders and severe mental illness who have or do not have a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI).
To determine the extent to which pre-injury psychosocial factors, injury-related variables and post-injury litigation, perceived stress, fatigue, pain and information processing speed contributed to depressive symptoms after traumatic brain injury (TBI).
This study used an object definitions test to examine semantic memory and the organization of semantic knowledge during the early stage of recovery from traumatic brain injury (TBI).
To evaluate low-level to complex information processing using visual electrophysiology and to examine the latter's prognostic value in regards to vocational outcome in persons having sustained a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI).
Global ischemia reportedly results in intense ERK activation followed by its inactivation and mild reactivation. This study examined the molecular mechanisms underlying inhibition of the ERK pathway following cerebral ischemia in the rat hippocampus.
The purpose of this study was to explore and extend previous findings that training with variant items improves generalization performance on novel semantic sentences in an individual with amnesia.
To investigate whether identifying specific deficits after brain injury can lead to a more focused and potentially effective cognitive rehabilitation technology.
The aim of this paper is to describe the development and psychometric properties of a self-report survey of environmental facilitators and barriers to participation by people with mobility impairments.
Clinical Endocrinology, Volume 68, Number 3, March 2008 , pp. 413-415(3)
though occasionally discussed as a general complication in large pituitary series, the incidence of reoperation for postoperative sella haematoma is unclear. We retrospectively reviewed a large pituitary surgical series to determine the incidence and associated factors of this complication.
American Journal of Epidemiology 2008 167(4):429-437
The authors used cross-sectional data (2001-2003) to consider the pathway through which past occupational lead exposure impacts cognitive function. They were motivated by studies linking cumulative lead dose with brain volumes, volumes with cognitive function, and lead dose with cognitive function
Environmental agents, including viruses, prions, and toxins, have been implicated in the cause of a number of neurodegenerative diseases, most notably Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.
Clinical Endocrinology, Volume 68, Number 3, March 2008 , pp. 413-415(3)
though occasionally discussed as a general complication in large pituitary series, the incidence of reoperation for postoperative sella haematoma is unclear. We retrospectively reviewed a large pituitary surgical series to determine the incidence and associated factors of this complication.
Bilateral hypothalamic deep brain stimulation was performed to treat a patient with morbid obesity. We observed, quite unexpectedly, that stimulation evoked detailed autobiographical memories.
Clinical Cancer Research 14, 1172-1181, February 15, 2008
The phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway is frequently activated in human cancer and plays a crucial role in neuroblastoma biology. We were interested in gaining further insight into the potential of targeting PI3K/Akt signaling as a novel antiproliferative approach in neuroblastoma.
International Journal of Cancer Volume 122, Issue 8 , Pages 1778 - 1786
The pathological classification of gliomas constitutes a critical step of the clinical management of patients, yet it is frequently challenging. To assess the relationship between genetic abnormalities and clinicopathological characteristics, we have performed a genetic and clinical analysis of a series of gliomas.
To evaluate the clinical and hippocampal histological features of patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) in both familial (FMTLE) and sporadic (SMTLE) forms.
Polymerase gamma (POLG) is the sole enzyme in the replication of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Numerous mutations in the POLG1 gene have been detected recently in patients with various phenotypes including a classic infantile-onset Alpers-Huttenlocher syndrome (AHS). Here we studied the molecular etiology of juvenile-onset AHS manifesting with status epilepticus and liver disease in three teenagers.
Primary intraventricular haemorrhage is a rare presentation of a dural arteriovenous fistula. We describe the case of a 52-year-old woman with a past history of idiopathic intracranial hypertension who presented with sudden-onset severe headache.
We describe an unusual case of schizencephaly associated with unilateral orbital meningoencephalocele, anophthalmos, orbital soft mass, cryptophthalmos and partial agenesis of corpus callosum, along with ectopic kidney and thumb anomaly.
Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 26, No 6 (February 20), 2008: pp. 919-924
A phase I trial of the antiangiogenesis agent cilengitide (EMD 121974), an alpha v beta 3,5 integrin antagonist, was performed to estimate the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) and describe dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) and the incidence and severity of other toxicities when administered to children with refractory brain tumors.
The prognosis for patients with recurrent high-grade gliomas is poor and treatment options are limited. Current chemotherapeutic regimens can improve clinical outcomes, but extend survival by only a few months. Temozolomide is a methylating agent that is typically administered once daily. Because preclinical studies suggested that a twice-daily dosing schedule might be more effective, the safety and efficacy of twice-daily dosing of temozolomide were studied in patients with recurrent gliomas at their first, second, or third recurrence.
The Oxford FMRIb Software Library (FSL) Brain Extraction Tool (BET) is a widely used algorithm for removing extracranial tissues from MR images. Although BET is effective and simple to operate, it often fails to exclude fully all non-brain tissues unless the centre of gravity of the brain is specified to the programme.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:366-372, February 2008
Noninvasive diagnosis of brain lesions is important for the correct choice of treatment. Our aims were to investigate whether 1) proton MR spectroscopic imaging (1H-MRSI) can aid in differentiating between tumors and nonneoplastic brain lesions, and 2) perfusion MR imaging can improve the classification.
To evaluate recurrent or delayed worsening of papilledema and visual function in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) followed for more than 10 years.
Currently, there are no published randomized controlled trials evaluating the efficacy and safety of adjunctive antiepileptic therapy in idiopathic generalized epilepsy with myoclonic seizures.
Up-front temozolomide (TMZ) has been recently proposed as a treatment for gliomatosis cerebri (GC), but no predictive or prognostic markers have been identified so far.
Optic nerve sheath fenestration and ventricular shunting are the classic methods when medical treatment has failed. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is caused by venous sinus obstruction in an unknown percentage of cases. Recently, endoluminal venous sinus stenting was proposed as an alternative treatment.
Neuroblastoma is a severe pediatric tumor, histologically characterised by a variety of cellular phenotypes. One of the pharmacological approaches to neuroblastoma is the treatment with retinoic acid. The mechanism of action of retinoic acid is still unclear, and the development of resistance to this differentiating agent is a great therapy problem.
The Internet Journal of Emergency and Intensive Care Medicine. 2008. Volume 11 Number 1
Penetrating trauma injuries in the neck constitute 5-10% of the patients presenting in emergency 1 , 2 . The mode of injury is mostly homicidal or accidental, but and rarely suicidal. The usual cause of mortality in such cases is airway obstruction or laceration of great vessels in the neck 3 . We report an unusual and interesting case of spinal cord transaction due to a suicidal stab wound in the anterior neck caused by a blunt kitchen knife. However, all vital structures including great vessels and aero-digestive tract were surprisingly spared by the stab injury.
Tropical Medicine & International Health, Volume 13, Number 1, January 2008 , pp. 52-55(4)
Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is an important encephalitis virus in Asia, but there are few data on Malaysia. A hospital-based surveillance system for Japanese encephalitis (JE) has been in operation in Sarawak, Malaysia, for the last 10-years.
The timing and clinical relevance of diffuse pachymeningeal enhancement (DPE) in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examination of patients with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) remain undetermined.
The risk for symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (sICH) associated with thrombolytic treatment has not been evaluated in large studies using diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Here, we investigated the relation between pretreatment DWI lesion size and the risk for sICH after thrombolysis.
To examine if the intensity of pain in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) varied as a function of pain site, and to identify the patient and SCI characteristics associated with pain location, pain intensity and pain interference in a sample of persons with SCI.
A case of a very rare type of schwannoma is reported. It is the sixth reported case of intramedullary melanotic schwannoma and the only one localized in the conus.
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society (2008), 14: 318-326
Although the adverse consequences of changes in social behavior following traumatic brain injury (TBI) are well documented, relatively little is known about possible underlying neuropsychological deficits.
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society (2008), 14: 289-296
This study examines: (a) the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on emotional empathy, (b) the relationship between emotional empathy and neuropsychological ability, and (c) the influence of low emotional empathy on measures of affect.
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society (2008), 14: 233-242
Previous investigations of long-term outcome following traumatic brain injury (TBI) have yielded mixed results regarding the predictive power of injury severity and demographic factors.
This study was designed to examine the effects of electrical stimulation combined with locomotion-like movement (ES/LM) for improving gait disorder in a stroke patient.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 2008;79:312-314
Aspiration is a common complication in acute stroke patients and is strongly associated with a poor outcome. Due to an insufficient sensitivity and specificity of clinical bedside tests, further refinements are needed to improve the accuracy of clinical aspiration screening in acute stroke.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 2008;79:246-252
Alien hand syndrome (AHS) is rare, but important due to its disabling impact on everyday life. The determining characteristic of AHS is intermanual conflict, a type of inhibitory motor behaviour that occurs against willed action.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 2008;79:294-299
Incidence estimates of subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) in Sweden vary, which may be caused by regional variations. Reliable estimates of age-specific case fatality rates are lacking.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 2008;79:266-270
In 1987, Weiskrantz and Zhang described a stroke patient with severe somatosensory loss who, nevertheless, demonstrated impressive residual sensory performance when required to touch the affected limb with her ipsilesional hand (self touch; ST).
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 2008;79:300-306
The aetiology of postconcussion syndrome (PCS) following mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) remains controversial. Identifying acute PCS (within the first 14 days after injury) may optimise initial recovery and rehabilitation, identify those at risk and increase understanding of PCS.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 2008;79:253-259
We investigated whether new ischaemic lesions (NIL) on follow-up diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) are associated with microembolic signals (MES) within 24 h or at 48 h after stroke onset.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 2008;79:272-275
To evaluate the response to albendazole treatment in patients who had SSECTL and new onset seizures treated with antiepileptic drugs (AED) in a prospective clinical trial.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 2008;79:240-245
Pregnancy-related stroke is, fortunately, a rare event. However, when it occurs, there may be implications for management of the patient and delivery of the child.
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry 2008
The paper by Meares and colleagues1 in this issue of J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry concerns the implications of defining a syndrome by symptoms that have a high base rate of occurrence in the general population or in other syndromes.
International Journal of Rehabilitation Research. 31(1):3-11, March 2008
Little is known about the need for continuing support services, such as respite for persons with acquired brain injury (ABI). This study focuses on the views of people with ABI on respite and support services.
International Journal of Rehabilitation Research. 31(1):59-64, March 2008
This study explored the intraindividual level and variability of global self-esteem and physical self-worth in adults with spinal cord injury over three consecutive periods, 4 weeks at home, 1 week in an adapted skiing program, and 4 weeks at home.
International Journal of Rehabilitation Research. 31(1):93-96, March 2008
The aim of this study was to compare the body composition, including lean tissue mass, fat tissue mass, and bone mineral content, of the paretic leg with that of the nonaffected leg in patients with stroke and to evaluate the effects of time since stroke, spasticity, and motor recovery on the body composition specifically within the first year after stroke.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:301-305, February 2008
Hypomyelination and congenital cataract (HCC) is an autosomal recessive white matter disease caused by deficiency of hyccin, a membrane protein implicated in both central and peripheral myelination.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:291-295, February 2008
Despite rigorous efforts, cerebral vasospasm remains an important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients who survive their initial subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Radiotherapy is associated with an increased survival rate in children with brain tumors, but also with cognitive decline. This study examined the time-dependent effects of radiation treatment on adaptive functioning in children with brain tumors. The potentially mediating effects of attention span (Trial 1 of the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test [RAVLT]) assessed within 7 years of diagnosis were explored.
Neurosurgical Focus February 2008 Volume 1, Number 2
Atlantoaxial and occipitocervical instability in children have traditionally been treated with posterior bone and wire fusion and external halo orthoses. Recently, successful outcomes have been achieved using rigid internal fixation, particularly C1-2 transarticular screws. The authors describe flow diagrams created to help clinicians determine which method of internal fixation to use in complex anatomical circumstances when bilateral transarticular screw placement is not possible.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:354-358, February 2008
Methods have not been well developed and tested to predict the extent of remote degeneration in the central nervous system that follows cerebral infarction. We hypothesized that the extent of infarction overlap with the cerebral hemispheric course of the corticospinal tract (CST) on structural MR imaging predicts the extent of ipsilateral cerebral peduncular atrophy in patients with chronic stroke.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:247-252, February 2008
Although mechanical thrombectomy (MT) has an encouragingly high recanalization rate in treating stroke, it is associated with severe complications of which the underlying factors have yet to be identified.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:242-246, February 2008
Embolization of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) is commonly used to achieve nidal volume reduction before microsurgical resection or stereotactic radiosurgery.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:259-264, February 2008
Estimation of the stability of fusiform aneurysms of the basilar artery requires precise monitoring of the luminal and outer wall volumes. In this report we describe the use of MR imaging and 3D postprocessing methods to study the evolution of those aneurysms.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:326-332, February 2008
Neuroinflammatory molecules, including tumor necrosis factor-{alpha}, interleukin1-alpha, lymphocyte function associated molecule-1, and intercellular cell adhesion molecule-1 contribute to the development of brain abscess.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:235-241, February 2008
DAVFs (dural arteriovenous fistulas) represent one of the most dangerous types of intracranial AV shunts. Most of them are cured by arterial or venous embolization, but surgery/radiosurgery can be required in case of failure.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:253-258, February 2008
Arterial reocclusion and distal embolization are known complications of ischemic stroke intervention, impacting treatment strategies and device design. We sought to determine their rates of occurrence and effects on long-term outcomes during endovascular treatment of patients with acute ischemic stroke.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:392-395, February 2008
We report 3 patients with myoclonic epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) diagnosed by mitochondrial A8344G mutation. Cerebellar ataxia was the first symptom in all patients.
Neurosurgery. 61(5) Operative Neurosurgery Supplement 2:E239-E240, November 2007
In the last 10 years, experience with endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for the treatment of sellar and perisellar lesions has highlighted advantages brought about by the endoscope for less-invasive procedures.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:373-378, February 2008
MR imaging can measure tissue perfusion and the integrity of the blood-brain barrier. We hypothesize that a combined measure of cerebral blood volume and vascular permeability using vascular-space occupancy (VASO) MR imaging, a recently developed imaging technique, is of diagnostic value for predicting tumor grade.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:273-280, February 2008
Symptomatic intracranial stenoses have a high risk for a recurrent stroke if treated medically. Although angioplasty and stent placement are proposed treatment options, data on longer-term outcome are limited.
American Journal of Neuroradiology 29:363-365, February 2008
The high rate of normal diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in patients with transient ischemic attack (TIA) raises the question as to its sensitivity for detecting small ischemic lesions.
Neurosurcial Focus February 2008 Volume 24, Number 2
The conventional wisdom resulting from the international, multicenter, trial of extracranial-intracranial bypass surgery is that this procedure offers no benefit. Because of the complex and unique circumstances of some, clinical experience and judgment must sometimes overrule some statistical conclusions.
Neurosurgical Focus February 2008 Volume 24, Number 2
The superficial temporal artery (STA) is the mainstay of donor vessels for extracranial–intracranial bypass in cerebral revascularization. However, the typically used STA anterior or posterior branch is not always adequate in its flow-carrying capacity. In this report the authors describe the use of the STA trunk at the level of the zygoma as an alternative donor and highlight the benefits and pitfalls of this revascularization option.
Neurosurgical Focus February 2008 Volume 24, Number 2
Blood blister-like aneurysms (BBAs) arise from the supraclinoid internal carotid artery (ICA) at non-branching sites. These aneurysms are challenging to treat primarily with either surgical clip placement or endovascular therapy. The authors describe a series of 4 patients who presented with high-grade subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) due to a BBA, which was treated with an extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass followed by trapping of the aneurysm.
Neurosurgical Focus February 2008 Volume 24, Number 2 February 2008
Despite advancements in endovascular neurosurgery, there remains an important role for cerebral bypass surgery in the treatment of skull base lesions. The authors describe their replacement cerebral bypass surgery techniques incorporating lessons learned over 2 decades.
Recent epidemiological studies have shown a J-shaped association between the risk of stroke and systolic blood pressure (SBP) levels in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by neuronal impairment that eventually leads to neuronal death. In spite of the brain’s known capacity for regeneration, lost neurons are difficult to replace.
Neurosurgical Focus February 2008 Volume 24, Number 2
Arterial bypass is an important method of treating intracranial disease requiring sacrifice of the parent vessel. The conduits for extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass surgery include the superficial temporal artery, occipital artery, superior thyroid artery, radial artery, and saphenous vein (long or short). In an aging population with an increased prevalence of vascular disease, conduits for EC-IC bypass may be in short supply in some patients. Herein, the authors describe a case in which the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (DLCFA) was utilized as a high-flow conduit for an EC-IC bypass.
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