Neurosurgery
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More than half of astronauts returning from long-duration missions on the International Space Station present with neuro-ocular structural and/or functional changes, including optic disc edema, optic nerve sheath distension, globe flattening, choroidal folds, or hyperopic shifts. This spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS) represents a major risk to future exploration class human spaceflight missions, including Mars missions. Although the exact pathophysiology of SANS is unknown, evidence thus far suggests that an increase in intracranial pressure (ICP) relative to the upright position on Earth, which is due to the loss of hydrostatic pressure gradients in space, may play a leading role. This review focuses on brain physiology in the spaceflight environment, specifically on how spaceflight may affect ICP and related indicators of cranial compliance, potential factors related to the development of SANS, and findings from spaceflight as well as ground-based spaceflight analog research studies.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Double Blinded Randomized Trial of Subcutaneous Trigeminal Nerve Stimulation as Adjuvant Treatment for Major Unipolar Depressive Disorder.
More than 30% of major depressive disorder patients fail to respond to adequate trials of medications and psychotherapy. While modern neuromodulation approaches (ie, vagal nerve stimulation, deep brain stimulation) are yet to prove their efficacy for such cases in large randomized controlled trials, trigeminal nerve stimulation (TNS) has emerged as an alternative with promising effects on mood disorders. ⋯ This study protocol is designed to define efficacy of a novel adjuvant therapy for TRD. We must strive to develop safe, reproducible, predictable, and well-tolerated neuromodulation approaches for TRD patients impaired to manage their lives and contribute with society.
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Peripheral nerve reconstruction is a difficult problem to solve. Acellular nerve allografts (ANAs) have been widely tested and are a promising alternative to the autologous gold standard. However, current reconstructive methods still yield unpredictable and unsuccessful results. Consequently, numerous studies have been carried out studying alternatives to plain ANAs, but it is not clear if nerve regeneration potential exists between current biological, chemical, and physical enrichment modes. ⋯ ANAs cellular enhancement demonstrated positive effects on recovery of nerve function. Future research should include clinical translation, in order to increase the level of evidence available on peripheral nerve reconstruction.
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Multicenter Study
Association of Surgical Overlap during Wound Closure with Patient Outcomes among Neurological Surgery Patients at a Large Academic Medical Center.
Several studies have explored the effect of overlapping surgery on patient outcomes, but impact of surgical overlap during wound closure has not been studied. ⋯ Surgical overlap during wound closure (STO) is associated with improved or at least noninferior patient outcomes, as it pertains to readmissions and wound revisions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Analysis of Wide-Neck Aneurysms in the Barrow Ruptured Aneurysm Trial.
Ruptured wide-neck aneurysms (WNAs) are difficult to treat and few publications have compared clipping to coiling. ⋯ Wide-neck status significantly impacted treatment strategy in the BRAT, favoring clipping. Clipping and coiling of ruptured WNAs resulted in statistically similar long-term clinical outcomes. 10.1093/neuros/nyy439 Video Abstract 10.1093.neuros.nyy439 5850292551001.