Neurosurgery
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To examine the microsurgical anatomy of the nucleus accumbens and related structures using fiber dissection technique. ⋯ The nucleus accumbens and its related cortical and subcortical gray matter and fiber pathways play a major role in the etiopathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. Therefore, a better understanding of the neuroanatomical features of the nucleus accumbens and its related structures will enable more accurate surgical treatment of neuropsychiatric disorders.
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We showed that, after traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI), the injured cord is compressed by dura. Here, we show that laminectomy + duroplasty decompress the injured cord more effectively than laminectomy alone. ⋯ After TSCI, laminectomy + duroplasty improves spinal cord radiological and physiological parameters more effectively than laminectomy.
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Prominent beta band oscillations have been observed in Parkinson disease (PD) in the subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus interna (GPi), and proposed as closed-loop signal controls for deep brain stimulation therapy. The GPi is a less studied target than the STN, and human basal ganglia physiology has rarely been compared across different disease states. We test the hypothesis that resting-state local field potential (LFP) characteristics distinguish the parkinsonian state from segmental and generalized dystonia. ⋯ Direct comparison of GPi LFPs in PD, craniocervical, and generalized dystonia shows that all patients have peak spectral power in the beta band, casting doubt on the view that excessive beta-band power is a specific biomarker of the parkinsonian state. Cross-frequency interactions are also found in GPi and are not specific for disease state. The study reveals potential similarities between abnormal neural network activity and synchronization in PD and dystonia.
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Intractable focal epilepsy is a devastating disorder with profound effects on cognition and quality of life. Epilepsy surgery can lead to seizure freedom in patients with focal epilepsy; however, sometimes it fails owing to an incomplete delineation of the epileptogenic zone (EZ). Brain networks in epilepsy can be studied with resting-state functional connectivity (RSFC) analysis, yet previous investigations using functional MRI or electrocorticography have produced inconsistent results. Magnetoencephalography (MEG) allows noninvasive whole-brain recordings, and can be used to study both long-range network disturbances in focal epilepsy and regional connectivity at the EZ. ⋯ Widespread global decreases in functional connectivity are observed in patients with focal epilepsy and may reflect deleterious long-term effects of recurrent seizures. Furthermore, enhanced regional functional connectivity at the area of resection may help predict seizure outcome and aid surgical planning.
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Direct cellular reprogramming has emerged as an innovative alternative to generating neurons in the brain after injury. We were among the first to recently demonstrate in vivo reprogramming of nonneuronal cells into neurons in the brain of rodents following stroke. Human clinical trails will require an adeno-associated virus (AAV) with a greater safety profile. ⋯ We have demonstrated for the first time the capacity to generate reactive astrocyte cultures in vitro from adult canine neocortex after stroke. Using this culture model we have found that AAV8 has the highest transduction efficiency.