Neurological research
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Neurological research · Sep 2020
Can the electrically stimulated manual muscle test differentiate upper from lower motor neuron injury in persons with acute SCI?
To determine if the motor response on the stimulated manual muscle test (SMMT) in muscles with a grade 0 motor score on the manual muscle test (MMT) can differentiate lower motor neuron (LMN) from upper motor neuron (UMN) injury based on the presence of spontaneous activity (SA) with needle EMG. ⋯ In our study, 70% of the muscles with a SMMT motor response of zero and 72% of the muscles with a SMMT motor response greater than or equal to one demonstrated SA on EMG. The use of the SMMT as a clinical measure to differentiate LMN from UMN integrity may be limited when applied.
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Neurological research · Jul 2020
Population-based stroke surveillance using big data: state-wide epidemiological trends in admissions and mortality in New South Wales, Australia.
Epidemiological trends for major causes of death and disability, such as stroke, may be monitored using administrative data to guide public health initiatives and service delivery. ⋯ Improved prevention may have underpinned declining intracerebral haemorrhage rates while survival gains suggest that innovations in care are being successfully translated. Mortality in patients surviving the acute period is unchanged and may be increasing for subarachnoid haemorrhage warranting investment in post-discharge care and secondary prevention.
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Neurological research · Apr 2020
miR-384-5p ameliorates neuropathic pain by targeting SCN3A in a rat model of chronic constriction injury.
Objective: To explore the potential regulation mechanisms of miR-384-5p in Neuropathic pain (NP). Methods: Rat model of chronic constriction injury (CCI) was established to induce NP in vivo. NP levels were assessed using Withdrawal Threshold (PWT) and Paw Withdrawal Latency (PWL). qPCR and Western blotting were used to determine the relative expression of miR-384-5p and SCN3A. ⋯ Dual-luciferase reporter assays indicated that SCN3A is a target gene of miR-384-5p. Conclusion: miR-384-5p is a negative regulator in the development of neuropathic pain by regulating SCN3A, indicating that miR-384-5p might be a promising therapeutic target in the treatment of neuropathic pain. Abbreviations: CCI: Chronic constriction injury; ZEB1: Zinc finger E box binding protein-1; MAPK6: Mitogen-activated protein kinase 6; COX-2: cyclooxygenase-2.
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Neurological research · Feb 2020
Increasing trimethylamine N-oxide levels as a predictor of early neurological deterioration in patients with acute ischemic stroke.
Background and aims: Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a pro-atherosclerotic intestinal microbiota metabolite, has mechanistic links to atherosclerosis development and cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether serum TMAO levels could predict early neurological deterioration (END) after acute ischemic stroke. Methods: We prospectively recruited patients with first-ever ischemic stroke and hospitalized within 24 h of symptoms onset during Mar 2018 to Mar 2019. ⋯ This association remained significant after controlling for confounders in multivariate logistic analysis. Multiple-adjusted spline regression model further confirmed the dose-response relationship between TMAO levels and END (P < 0.001 for linearity). Conclusions: Our study indicated that increasing TMAO levels at admission might be associated with END after acute ischemic stroke.
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Neurological research · Oct 2019
Comorbid fibromyalgia in migraine patients: clinical significance and impact on daily life.
Objective: Herein, we aimed to investigate the impact of FM in migraine patients and the specific features and discriminations of this group of migraineurs with FM according to patients without FM. Methods: 102 consecutive migraine patients among 18-50 years old who accepted to involve in the study were included. All patients were asked to complete the following self-report questionnaires for the assessment of pain-related disability, migraine-related disability, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbance and quality of life. ⋯ Conclusion: The results of our study may suggest the presence of FM as a clinical sign of a more severe migraine. However, the long-term prospective studies including these group of patients are needed to understand the prognostic impact and importance of the comorbid FM in migraine. Abbreviations: FM: Fibromyalgia; MIDAS: Migraine Disability Assessment.