Neurological research
-
Neurological research · Jul 2018
Reorganization of sensorimotor gating after peripheral facial palsy starts at brainstem.
Background and objective We aimed to analyze the alterations in sensorimotor gating at brainstem after peripheral facial palsy (PFP). To examine sensorimotor gating, we used prepulse modulation (PPM) of blink reflex (BR). We also recorded BR recovery to identify excitability changes in the facial nucleus. ⋯ Suppression of R2 or R2c was lower on both sides of patients compared to healthy subjects and the deficit first started on the symptomatic side. Conclusion Suppression of R2 and R2c after prepulse stimulation is reduced in PFP suggesting decreased filtering of facial sensory input at brainstem level. Trigeminal sensitization at brainstem develops early after PFP.
-
Neurological research · Jul 2018
The HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles are associated with multiple sclerosis disability progression in Slovak population.
The aim of our present study was to analyse the association of HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles and genotypes with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disability progression in a cohort of Central European Slovak population. ⋯ We showed for the first time that HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 genotypes are genetic markers associated with disability progression in Slovak MS patients. Genotypes DRB1*15/15 and DQB1*03/*03 were identified as short-term clinical negative prognostic factors, while allele DRB1*07 carriage appeared to be a positive prognostic marker of better MS outcome.
-
Neurological research · Jun 2018
225 intracranial aneurysms treated with the Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) stent: a single-center retrospective study.
Background For the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, the low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) stent is a new generation of highly visible-braided stent that was recently introduced in China. Here, we report our single-center retrospective experience of safety and efficacy utilizing LVIS for stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysms. Methods We included 218 patients with intracranial aneurysms consecutively treated with LVIS SR stents at our center in this study. ⋯ Conclusions Our single-center retrospective experience is one of the larger studies to date assessing the LVIS device. Compared with many laser-cut stent studies, the LVIS device had a higher aneurysm complete occlusion rate at follow-up coupled with low complication rates. However, this study was our initial experience with LVIS, larger patient numbers, and longer follow-up will be needed to fully assess the long-term efficacy of LVIS in treating intracranial aneurysms.
-
Neurological research · Jun 2018
The effectiveness of cortico-cortical evoked potential in detecting seizure onset zones.
Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the parameters for localizing the seizure onset zone in refractory epilepsy patients using cortico-cortical evoked potentials (CCEP). Methods Fifteen patients (nine females) with medically refractory partial epilepsy underwent stereo electro encephalography (SEEG) in Tsinghua University Yu-Quan Hospital from 2015 to 2016. Clinical semiology and, scalp electroencephalography (EEG) findings were analyzed during phase I preoperative evaluation. ⋯ RMS of CCEPs amplitude in SOZ was higher than in NSOZ in epilepsy patients with secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (SGTCS) (N = 6, P < 0.05); The RMS of CCEPs amplitude in SOZ was strikingly higher than SPZ in the repetitive spiking (RS) onset pattern, and the difference was significant (N = 5, P < 0.01). Conclusions This data indicated that CCEP response is enhanced in SOZ despite different seizure types (with or without SGTCS). CCEP may be an effective method to locate SOZ.
-
Neurological research · May 2018
Dynamics of Evans blue clearance from cerebrospinal fluid into meningeal lymphatic vessels and deep cervical lymph nodes.
Objectives Recently, it has been confirmed, that excess fluid and waste products from the brain are drained into the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and afterwards cleared via the olfactory route and/or lymphatic vessels in the brain dura and corresponding extracranial lymphatic structures. Therefore, the aim of present study was to monitor time-dependent uptake of Evans blue (EB) tracer from subarachnoid space into the meningeal lymphatic vessels and extracranial lymph nodes in rats during 3 hours-12 days. Methods EB was injected into the cisterna magna of anesthetized rats and after required survival, plasma, brain dura matter and corresponding lymph nodes (cervical, thoracic and lumbar) were dissected and processed for lymphatic vessels analyses using immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry. ⋯ Similar pattern was detected in brain dura. On the contrary, the brain tissue and plasma were almost negative for EB tracer during all tested time periods. Conclusion Our results demonstrate the dynamic changes of EB in meningeal lymphatic vessels and in deep cervical lymph nodes, thus recapitulating the downstream outflow of intracisternally injected tracer during 3 hours-12 days via dura mater lymphatic vessels towards corresponding extracranial draining system, particularly the deep cervical lymph nodes.