Current neurovascular research
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Rufinamide is a structurally novel, antiepileptic drug approved for the treatment of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Its mechanism of action involves inhibition of voltage-gated Na+ channels (VGSCs) with possible membrane-stabilizing effects. VGSCs play a significant role in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain. ⋯ Rufinamide treatments significantly blocked the TTX-R Na+ channel activity as evident from significant reduction in I(Na) density and hyperpolarizing shift in activation and inactivation curves as compared to diabetic control. This suggests that rufinamide acts on TTX-R Na+ channels, reduces channel activity and attenuates nerve functional and behavioral parameters in diabetic rats. Altogether, these results indicate therapeutic potential of rufinamide in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy.
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In humans the mechanism governing the internal jugular vein (IJV) valve opening and closure is still unclear. M-mode is used in echo-cardiology for the heart valves assessment. Sometimes it was performed also in deep peripheral veins and in vena cava assessment, but never in the IJV valve. ⋯ To the contrary, in an upright position, the valve remained always open and saddled to the wall, independently from the cardiac cycle. In healthy subjects, the IJV valve leaflets are always mobile, but the significant rate of mono and bilateral absence could suggest a progressive phylogenetic importance loss of such apparatus. M-mode ultrasound enhances the characterization of IJV valve, for this reason it should be taken into consideration to routinely add it to the cerebral venous return investigation.
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Meningitis is a complex and severe acute infectious disease of the central nervous system and is caused mainly by bacteria and viruses. However, the distinction between aseptic and bacterial meningitis can be difficult for clinicians because the symptoms and the results of laboratory assays are often similar and overlapping, particularly when the use of antibiotics is administered prior to examining the cerebrospinal fluid. ⋯ Therefore, TNF-α and IL-1β are useful markers for the prediction of the bacterial meningitis and levels may represent an accurate method that is useful for the differentiation between bacterial and aseptic meningitis.
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We investigated the effects of cerebral arterial microemboli on amyloid β protein (Aβ) deposition in the hippocampal region of amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1) double transgenic mice and evaluated the role of cerebral arterial microemboli in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. The mice were divided into a wild-type sham surgery group (n = 15), a wild-type coupled with microemboli group (n =15), an APP/PS1 double transgenic sham surgery group (n =15) and an APP/PS1 double transgenic coupled with microemboli group (n =15). The microemboli mice were injected via the left internal carotid artery with 300 µL of a normal saline suspension containing 100 whole blood clot-derived microemboli (25-50 µm). ⋯ No difference was detected between time points in the sham groups. Cerebral microemboli increased Aβ deposition in the hippocampal region of APP/PS1 double transgenic mice. MMP-9 and GFAP expression may play an important role in excess Aβ deposition, which is caused by an imbalance between the protein's synthesis and removal.
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Early cerebral infarction (ECI) following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) remains poorly understood. This study aims to determine the frequency and risk factors of this special episode, as well as to assess the relationship between its patterns and outcome. We retrospectively enrolled 243 patients who underwent aneurysm treatment within 60 hours of SAH. ⋯ Multiple combined infarction was related to poor outcome (P = 0.001). In summary, the occurrence of ECI, which is associated with surgical treatment, acute hydrocephalus and high admission plasma glucose, may potentially predict DCI and unfavorable outcome. Further studies are warranted to reveal the underlying mechanisms of this event and thereby minimize it.