Frontiers in neurology
-
Frontiers in neurology · Jan 2020
Cerebral Near Infrared Spectroscopy Monitoring in Term Infants With Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy-A Systematic Review.
Background: Neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) remains a significant cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Cerebral near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) can provide cot side continuous information about changes in brain hemodynamics, oxygenation and metabolism in real time. Objective: To perform a systematic review of cerebral NIRS monitoring in term and near-term infants with HIE. ⋯ Conclusion: Commercial NIRS cerebral oximeters can provide important information regarding changes in cerebral oxygenation and hemodynamics following HIE and can be particularly helpful when used in combination with other neuromonitoring tools. Optical measurements of brain metabolism using broadband NIRS and cerebral blood flow using diffuse correlation spectroscopy add additional pathophysiological information. Further randomized clinical trials and large observational studies are necessary with proper study design to assess the utility of NIRS in predicting neurodevelopmental outcome and guiding therapeutic interventions.
-
Frontiers in neurology · Jan 2020
MR-Guided Focused Ultrasound Central Lateral Thalamotomy for Trigeminal Neuralgia. Single Center Experience.
Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a recognized pain condition the treatment of which can be very challenging. Various surgical interventions can be applied in cases of therapy-resistance to drug treatments. The central lateral thalamotomy (CLT) against neurogenic (or neuropathic) pain is based on multiarchitectonic histological as well as physiopathological studies, and integrates the nucleus in a large thalamocortical (TC) and corticocortical network responsible for the sensory, cognitive and affective/emotional components of pain. ⋯ Frequency of the mean pain paroxysms decreased from 84 per day preoperative to 3.9 at 1 year postoperatively. There were no serious adverse events in this series. Conclusion: Our study provides preliminary support for the safety and efficacy of MRgFUS CLT, a histologically and pathophysiologically based medial thalamotomy against chronic therapy-resistant trigeminal neuralgia.
-
Frontiers in neurology · Jan 2020
Telemedicine and Virtual Reality for Cognitive Rehabilitation: A Roadmap for the COVID-19 Pandemic.
The current COVID-19 pandemic presents unprecedented new challenges to public health and medical care delivery. To control viral transmission, social distancing measures have been implemented all over the world, interrupting the access to routine medical care for many individuals with neurological diseases. Cognitive disorders are common in many neurological conditions, e.g., stroke, traumatic brain injury, Alzheimer's disease, and other types of dementia, Parkinson's disease and parkinsonian syndromes, and multiple sclerosis, and should be addressed by cognitive rehabilitation interventions. ⋯ We will briefly review current evidence-based recommendations on the efficacy of cognitive rehabilitation and offer a perspective on the role of tele- and virtual rehabilitation to achieve adequate cognitive stimulation in the era of social distancing related to COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, we will discuss issues related to their diffusion and propose a roadmap to address them. Methodological and technological improvements might lead to a paradigm shift to promote the delivery of cognitive rehabilitation to people with reduced mobility and in remote regions.
-
Frontiers in neurology · Jan 2020
A Novel INCNS Score for Prediction of Mortality and Functional Outcome of Comatose Patients.
Objectives: The purpose of this study was to verify the veracity and reliability of the INCNS score for prediction of neurological ICU (NICU) mortality and 3-month functional outcome and mortality in comatose patients. Methods: In this prospective study, data of the patients admitted to NICU from January 2013 to January 2019 were collected for validation. The 3-month functional outcomes were evaluated using modified Rankin Scale (mRS). ⋯ The INCNS score exhibited a significantly better predictive performance of mortality and 3-month functional outcomes than FOUR and GCS. There was no significant difference in predicting NICU mortality and 3-month functional outcomes between INCNS and APACHE II, but INCNS had better predictive performance of 3-month mortality than APACHE II. Conclusions: The INCNS score could be used for predicting the functional outcomes and mortality rate of comatose patients.
-
Frontiers in neurology · Jan 2020
Neuroimaging Patterns and Function in Cerebral Palsy-Application of an MRI Classification.
Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder of movement and posture and every child with CP has a unique composition of neurological symptoms, motor severity, and associated impairments, constituting the functional profile. Although not part of the CP definition, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) sheds light on the localization, nature, and severity of brain compromise. The MRI classification system (MRICS), developed by the Surveillance of Cerebral Palsy in Europe (SCPE), describes typical MRI patterns associated with specific timing of vulnerability in different areas of the brain. ⋯ Distribution of CP type, motor, and associated impairments differed by neuroimaging patterns. Functional profiles associated with neuroimaging patterns were described, and the impairment index showed that bilateral findings were associated with a more severe outcome both regarding motor impairment and associated impairments than unilateral compromise. The results from this study, particularly the differences in functional severity regarding uni- and bilateral brain compromise, may support counseling and service planning of support of children with CP.