Neuroscience
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More than thirty years of medical treatment with the use of vagal nerve stimulation (VNS) has shown that this therapeutic procedure works in a number of homeostatic disturbances. Although the clinical usage of VNS has a long history, our knowledge about the central mechanisms underlying this treatment is still limited. In the present paper we review the effects of VNS on brain oscillations as a possible electrophysiological bio-marker of VNS efficacy. ⋯ We consciously did not focus on epileptiform activity understood as a pathologic oscillatory activity, which was widely discussed in the numerous previously published reviews. The main conclusion of the present paper is that further, well-designed experiments on laboratory animals are absolutely necessary to address the electrophysiological issues. These will fill a number of gaps in our present knowledge of the central mechanisms underlying VNS therapy.
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Epilepsy is a neurological disorder with a high prevalence worldwide. Several studies carried out during the last decades indicate that the administration of cannabinoids as well as the activation of the endocannabinoid system (ECS) represent a therapeutic strategy to control epilepsy. ⋯ The present review is focused to present findings supporting this issue. According to the current discrepancies, it is relevant to elucidate the different effects induced by the activation of ECS and determine the conditions under which it facilitates the seizure activity.
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Review
Lactate supply from astrocytes to neurons and its role in ischemic stroke-induced neurodegeneration.
Glucose transported to the brain is metabolized to lactate in astrocytes and supplied to neuronal cells via a monocarboxylic acid transporter (MCT). Lactate is used in neuronal cells for various functions, including learning and memory formation. Furthermore, lactate can block stroke-induced neurodegeneration. ⋯ These findings suggest that the lack of lactate supply may strongly contribute to hypoxia-induced neurodegeneration. Furthermore, diminished lactate supply from astrocytes could facilitate stroke-induced neurodegeneration. Therefore, astrocyte-derived lactate may contribute to stroke prevention.
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The unpredictability of epileptic seizures is one of the most problematic aspects of the field of epilepsy. Methods or devices capable of detecting seizures minutes before they occur may help prevent injury or even death and significantly improve the quality of life. Machine learning (ML) is an emerging technology that can markedly enhance algorithm performance by interpreting data. ⋯ While ML has good prospects with regard to detecting epileptic seizures via EEG signals, many clinicians are still unfamiliar with this field. This work briefly summarizes the history and recent significant progress made in this field and clarifies the essential components of the automatic seizure detection system using ML methodologies for clinicians. This review also proposes how neurologists can actively contribute to ensure improvements in seizure prediction using EEG-based ML.