Neurological research
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Neurological research · May 2008
Risk factors for fever in critically ill patients with acute new-onset stroke.
The purpose of this project was to identify risk factors for fever among critically ill patients with acute new-onset stroke, treated in a neurological intensive care unit (NICU). The frequency and risk factors for fever in the stroke patients during the first 7 days after admission were retrospectively studied. ⋯ These results suggest that critically ill and new-onset stroke patients treated in NICU often have fever. The risk factors for different types of fever vary considerably.
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Neurological research · May 2008
Prognostic significance of third ventricle dilation in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage: a preliminary clinical study.
Although numerous factors have been described that predict outcome after spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), very little is know about the role of hemorrhagic dilation of the third ventricle in development of hydrocephalus and prognosis. The objective of this study was to investigate whether the presence of hemorrhagic third ventricle dilation after ICH would predict development of hydrocephalus and outcome. ⋯ Although the roles of various factors are well described in the prognosis of spontaneous ICH, little is known about the role of third ventricle dilation. Based on our results, we concluded that third ventricle dilation is a poor prognostic factor.
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Neurological research · May 2008
Therapeutic effect of post-ischemic hypothermia duration on cerebral ischemic injury.
To study the efficacy of post-ischemic mild brain hypothermia lasting for different time intervals on cerebral ischemic reperfusion injury. ⋯ Post-ischemic mild brain hypothermia can significantly suppress the excessive release of amino acids, monoamine neurotransmitters and inflammation response in ischemic tissue. It can also stabilize the function of the cell membrane, which is associated with the mechanism of cerebral protection by mild hypothermia. These results suggest that mild hypothermia should be applied immediately after ischemia and last for more than 60 minutes in order to obtain neuroprotective effects.
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Neurological research · May 2008
Effect of large dose hyperbaric oxygenation therapy on prognosis and oxidative stress of acute permanent cerebral ischemic stroke in rats.
To evaluate the therapeutic effect and the oxidative stress effect of 9 and 18 hour hyperbaric oxygenation therapy (HBOT) protocols on the earliest stage of acute permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in rats. ⋯ (1) The two protocols of large dose hyperbaric oxygenation therapy are highly efficient in reducing infarct volume and improving neurobehavioral outcome in permanent MCAO rats within the earliest stages of stroke; (2) increased duration of hyperbaric oxygenation therapy does not appear to equate to improved outcomes; in fact, the longer duration may aggravate the oxidative stress in ischemic tissue.
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Neurological research · Apr 2008
Post-carotid endarterectomy neurocognitive decline is associated with cerebral blood flow asymmetry on post-operative magnetic resonance perfusion brain scans.
Up to 25% of patients experience subtle declines in post-operative neurocognitive function following, otherwise uncomplicated, carotid endarterectomy (CEA). We sought to determine if post-CEA neurocognitive deficits are associated with cerebral blood flow (CBF) abnormalities on post-operative MR perfusion brain scans. ⋯ Post-CEA neurocognitive dysfunction is significantly associated with post-operative CBF asymmetry. These results support the hypothesis that post-CEA cognitive impairment is caused by cerebral hemodynamic changes. Further work exploring the relationship between CBF and post-CEA cognitive dysfunction is needed.