Journal of the neurological sciences
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Inflammation causes upregulation of NaV1.7 sodium channels in the associated dorsal root ganglia (DRG). The resultant increase in sodium influx must be countered to maintain osmotic homeostasis. The primary mechanism to pump sodium out of neurons is Na(+), K(+)-ATPase. ⋯ Paw stimulation doubled this difference. Control DRG showed little neuronal death. These results are evidence that regulation of Na(+), K(+)-ATPase during major inflammatory disease states is critical for homeostatic protection of primary afferent neurons.
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Glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) activity plays a central role in motor neuron degeneration. GSK-3β inhibitors have been shown to prolong motor neuron survival and suppress disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic effects of a new GSK-3b inhibitor, JGK-263, on ALS in G93A SOD1 transgenic mice. ⋯ These results suggest that JGK-263, an oral GSK-3β inhibitor, is promising as a novel therapeutic agent for ALS. Still, further biochemical studies on the underlying mechanisms and safety of JGK-263 are necessary.
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Comparative Study
Accuracy of osmophobia in the differential diagnosis between migraine and tension-type headache.
Our objective was to determine the accuracy parameters of osmophobia in the differential diagnosis between migraine and tension-type headache. Migraine or tension-type headache patients, diagnosed according to the criteria of the International Classification of Headache Disorders-II, were interviewed about osmophobia during the crisis and in the period between episodes. We studied 200 migraine patients and 200 tension-type headache patients. ⋯ In the period between attacks, osmophobia was restricted to migraine patients (48/200, 24.0%). The areas under ROC curves were: 0.903 ± 0.017 to osmophobia during crisis; 0.784 ± 0.025 between crises; 0.807 ± 0.023 to photophobia/phonophobia, and 0.885 ± 0.017 to pain developed by odors. Osmophobia may be a specific marker to differentiate migraine from tension-type headache, which suggests its inclusion within the criteria to diagnose migraine.
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Review Case Reports
Acute vertigo due to hemispheric stroke: a case report and comprehensive review of the literature.
Acute cortical lesions rarely cause vertigo. We report a 51-year-old patient presenting with an acute vestibular syndrome including spontaneous vertigo and nystagmus, lateropulsion and nausea due to middle cerebral artery infarction. ⋯ A comprehensive literature review on patients with hemispheric stroke manifesting with acute vertigo is provided. Typically, patients with an acute vestibular syndrome due to cortical stroke have involvement of the temporoparietal junction.