Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology
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Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion contributes to a cognitive decline related to brain disorders. Its experimental model in rats is a permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO). Overstimulation of the glutamatergic system excitotoxicity due to brain energetic disturbance in 2VO animals seems to play a pivotal role as a mechanism of cerebral damage. ⋯ In addition, we did not observe differences in CSF BDNF nor serum S100B levels among the groups. Of note, both the 2VO surgery and GUO treatment changed the purine CSF and plasma profile. In conclusion, GUO treatment did not prevent the cognitive impairment observed in 2VO animals, but our data suggest that GUO could be neuroprotective against hippocampal damage induced by 2VO.
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The resection of the epileptogenic area of brain is very important and useful for the treatment of uncontrolled epilepsy, especially for the patients with stereotyped partial seizures. The critical point for successful epilepsy surgery is the precise identification of epileptogenic zone. ⋯ The intracranial electrodes which are most used currently are depth electrodes, subdural strip electrodes, and subdural grid electrodes. The subject of this paper is to discuss and compare the indications, construction, insertion, interpretation, limitations, risks and accuracy of each of these methods.
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Comparative Study
A comparative study of neuroimaging features between human neuro-gnathostomiasis and angiostrongyliasis.
Gnathostoma spinigerum and Angiostrongylus cantonensis are human parasites that can cause neurological symptoms. The human diseases produced by these parasites can usually be differentiated by clinical symptoms. The aim of this study was to report neuroimaging abnormalities detected with computed tomography (CT) and MR in patients with gnathostomiasis and angiostrongyliasis. ⋯ The angiostrongyliasis group had no specific findings and most patients had normal CT brain images. The variety of neuroimaging findings is shown here. This study emphasizes that neuroimaging studies may be useful to differentiate gnathostomiasis and angiostrongyliasis particularly in patients with indistinct clinical presentations.
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High-dose cyclophosphamide followed by autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HDC-AHSCT) is a treatment option for aggressive and refractory multiple sclerosis (MS). Natalizumab is a monoclonal antibody approved for relapsing-remitting (RR) MS unresponsive to immunomodulating drugs. Nothing is known about the use of natalizumab in patients after HDC-AHSCT. ⋯ No severe adverse events, in particular opportunistic infections such as Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy (PML), were observed. Our results suggest that the use of natalizumab in aggressive RR-MS after HDC-AHSCT could be effective and safe. The very long-term risk of adverse events due to sequential aggressive immunosuppression has to be established.
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Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is an independent risk factor for ischemic cerebrovascular diseases, and results in worse prognosis and higher mortality. We aimed to investigate the effects of early treatment of OSAS on the prognosis of ischemic stroke. We prospectively evaluated patients with acute supratentorial ischemic stroke and OSAS on admission (acute stage), at second week (subacute stage) and at second month (chronic stage); 11 (73.3%) out of 15 patients put on the non-invasive mechanical ventilation treatment within 48 h of stroke constituted the treatment group, and 13 patients constituted the control group. ⋯ The rate of shrinkage of the ischemic lesion was higher in the treatment group, though not significant. The early and effective treatment of OSAS provides a better clinical prognosis in ischemic stroke. The beneficial effects on radiological parameters need to be further studied.