Frontiers in neurology
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Frontiers in neurology · Jan 2018
ReviewTrauma-Induced Heterotopic Ossification Regulates the Blood-Nerve Barrier.
De novo bone formation can occur in soft tissues as a result of traumatic injury. This process, known as heterotopic ossification (HO), has recently been linked to the peripheral nervous system. Studies suggest that HO may resemble neural crest-derived bone formation and is activated through the release of key bone matrix proteins leading to opening of the blood-nerve barrier (BNB). ⋯ BMP signaling correlates with bone formation and appears critical for the induction of HO. Surprisingly, several other bone matrix proteins have also been reported to regulate the BNB, leading us to question whether these matrix proteins are important in regulating the BNB. However, this temporary regulation of the BNB does not appear to result in degeneration of the peripheral nerve, but rather may represent one of the first steps in innervation of the newly forming bone.
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Frontiers in neurology · Jan 2018
Efficacy of Novel Carbon Nanoparticle Antioxidant Therapy in a Severe Model of Reversible Middle Cerebral Artery Stroke in Acutely Hyperglycemic Rats.
While oxidative stress can be measured during transient cerebral ischemia, antioxidant therapies for ischemic stroke have been clinically unsuccessful. Many antioxidants are limited in their range and/or capacity for quenching radicals and can generate toxic intermediates overwhelming depleted endogenous protection. We developed a new antioxidant class, 40 nm × 2 nm carbon nanoparticles, hydrophilic carbon clusters, conjugated to poly(ethylene glycol) termed PEG-HCCs. These particles are high-capacity superoxide dismutase mimics, are effective against hydroxyl radical, and restore the balance between nitric oxide and superoxide in the vasculature. Here, we report the effects of PEG-HCCs administered during reperfusion after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO) by suture in the rat under hyperglycemic conditions. Hyperglycemia occurs in one-third of stroke patients and worsens clinical outcome. In animal models, this worsening occurs largely by accelerating elaboration of reactive oxygen species (ROS) during reperfusion. ⋯ This nano-antioxidant showed some improvement in several outcome measures in a severe model of tMCAO when administered at a clinically relevant time point. Long-term studies and additional models are required to assess potential for clinical use, especially for patients hyperglycemic at the time of their stroke, as these patients have the worst outcomes.
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Frontiers in neurology · Jan 2018
Immersive Low-Cost Virtual Reality Treatment for Phantom Limb Pain: Evidence from Two Cases.
Up to 90% of amputees experience sensations in their phantom limb, often including strong, persistent phantom limb pain (PLP). Standard treatments do not provide relief for the majority of people who experience PLP, but virtual reality (VR) has shown promise. This study provides additional evidence that game-like training with low-cost immersive VR activities can reduce PLP in lower-limb amputees. ⋯ Two individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation underwent multiple sessions of the VR treatment over several weeks. Both participants experienced a significant reduction of pain immediately after each VR session, and their pre-session pain levels also decreased greatly over the course of the study. Although preliminary, these data support the idea that VR interventions like ours may be an effective low-cost treatment of PLP in lower-limb amputees.
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Frontiers in neurology · Jan 2018
Case ReportsSporadic MM-1 Type Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease With Hemiballic Presentation and No Cognitive Impairment Until Death: How New NCJDRSU Diagnostic Criteria May Allow Early Diagnosis.
Sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is the most common human prion disorder. Although associated with heterogeneous clinical phenotypes, its distinctive feature is the presence of a rapidly progressive multidomain cognitive impairment. ⋯ We review sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease diagnostic criteria and their updates since their first formulation, highlighting their limitations in clinical diagnostic work-up. Finally, we discuss the recently introduced National Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Research and Surveillance Unit diagnostic criteria, suggesting how their application could support an early clinical diagnosis, even in atypical cases, such as the one presented.
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Frontiers in neurology · Jan 2018
Administration of Bone Marrow-Derived Mononuclear Cells Contributed to the Reduction of Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury in Neonatal Rats.
Background/Objective: Perinatal hypoxic-ischemia (HI) causes neonatal death and permanent neurological deficits. Cell therapy using various cell sources has been recently identified as a novel therapy for perinatal HI. Among the available types of cell sources, bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) have unique features for clinical application. ⋯ In gait analysis, the BMMNC normalized the contact area of the affected hind paw widened by HI. The volumes of the affected striata and globus pallidus were significantly larger in the BMMNC group than in the control group. Conclusion: These results indicated that the injection of BMMNCs ameliorated HI brain injury in a neonatal rat model.