Neurological research
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Neurological research · Nov 2013
The diagnostic accuracy of TCD for intracranial arterial stenosis/occlusion in patients with acute ischemic stroke: the importance of time interval between detection of TCD and CTA.
To evaluate prospectively the diagnostic accuracy of transcranial doppler (TCD) as an additional screening tool for intracranial arterial steno-occlusive disease against computed tomography angiography (CTA) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) if both are performed in a short time interval. ⋯ Transcranial doppler shows high diagnostic accuracy against CTA if both are performed in a short time interval in evaluating intracranial arterial stenosis/occlusion in patients with AIS, especially for MCA obstruction. Transcranial doppler can also provide additional real-time dynamic findings complementary to the information provided by CTA. This can result in changes in the management in some of these patients.
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Neurological research · Nov 2013
Survey of prophylactic antiseizure drug use for non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage.
Prophylactic antiseizure drugs (PAD) are commonly prescribed for non-traumatic intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) despite limited evidence for this indication. We sought to determine the current prescribing patterns of the use of a PAD for ICH. ⋯ We found variability of multiple aspects of the current prescribing patterns and opinions regarding the use of a PAD for ICH. This variability is likely secondary to insufficient data. Clinical equipoise exists for this issue, and controlled trials would be both justified and useful.
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Neurological research · Oct 2013
The dynamic triple peak impact factor in traumatic brain injury influences native protein structures in gray and white matter as measured with computational simulation.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) cause a substantial burden to the patient, relatives, and the society as a whole. Much experience and knowledge during the last two decades have improved the neurosurgical treatment as well as the outcome. However, there is still much debate on what actually happens when external kinetic energy is transferred to the head immediately after a TBI. Better knowledge about the cascades of mechanical events at the time of accident is a prerequisite to further reduce the burden in all categories and improve the neurosurgical care of TBI patients. ⋯ The present study shows for the first time that following an impact of 10 m/s, 88·31% of the calculated external kinetic energy was absorbed by the external parts of the head before the remaining energy of 5·19% reached the GM and WM. GM absorbed about twice as much of the energy compared to the WM. It is suggested that the dynamic triple peak impact factor may have a profound effect on native protein structures in the cerebral metabolism after a TBI.
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Neurological research · Jul 2013
Case ReportsUncorrected traumatic coagulopathy is associated with severe brain swelling during decompressive surgery to evacuate a supratentorial intradural mass lesion in patients with traumatic brain injury.
This study investigated the relationship between traumatic coagulopathy and severe brain swelling (SBS) during decompressive surgery to evacuate a supratentorial intradural mass lesion in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). ⋯ Intraoperative SBS is not a rare event during decompressive surgery to evacuate a supratentorial intradural mass lesion in patients with TBI. Such surgery should be cautiously considered and performed given the existence of uncorrected traumatic coagulopathy, which is associated with an increased risk of intraoperative SBS.
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Neurological research · Jul 2013
Tetrandrine ameliorates cognitive impairment via inhibiting astrocyte-derived S100B activation in a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.
To investigate the effects of tetrandrine (Tet) on cognitive impairment induced by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion and its potential anti-inflammatory mechanism by modulating the expression of S100B, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). ⋯ Our results found that Tet could improve cognitive impairment in the chronic cerebral hypoperfusion rats. Tetrandrine may be a novel and promising candidate for future treatment and/or prevention of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion via inhibiting S100B activation and decreasing the expression of IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and iNOS in the hippocampal CA1 region.