Neurological research
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Neurological research · Jul 2018
Reorganization of sensorimotor gating after peripheral facial palsy starts at brainstem.
Background and objective We aimed to analyze the alterations in sensorimotor gating at brainstem after peripheral facial palsy (PFP). To examine sensorimotor gating, we used prepulse modulation (PPM) of blink reflex (BR). We also recorded BR recovery to identify excitability changes in the facial nucleus. ⋯ Suppression of R2 or R2c was lower on both sides of patients compared to healthy subjects and the deficit first started on the symptomatic side. Conclusion Suppression of R2 and R2c after prepulse stimulation is reduced in PFP suggesting decreased filtering of facial sensory input at brainstem level. Trigeminal sensitization at brainstem develops early after PFP.
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Neurological research · Jul 2018
The HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles are associated with multiple sclerosis disability progression in Slovak population.
The aim of our present study was to analyse the association of HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 alleles and genotypes with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) disability progression in a cohort of Central European Slovak population. ⋯ We showed for the first time that HLA-DRB1 and -DQB1 genotypes are genetic markers associated with disability progression in Slovak MS patients. Genotypes DRB1*15/15 and DQB1*03/*03 were identified as short-term clinical negative prognostic factors, while allele DRB1*07 carriage appeared to be a positive prognostic marker of better MS outcome.
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Neurological research · Jun 2018
The effectiveness of cortico-cortical evoked potential in detecting seizure onset zones.
Objective The aim of the study was to evaluate the parameters for localizing the seizure onset zone in refractory epilepsy patients using cortico-cortical evoked potentials (CCEP). Methods Fifteen patients (nine females) with medically refractory partial epilepsy underwent stereo electro encephalography (SEEG) in Tsinghua University Yu-Quan Hospital from 2015 to 2016. Clinical semiology and, scalp electroencephalography (EEG) findings were analyzed during phase I preoperative evaluation. ⋯ RMS of CCEPs amplitude in SOZ was higher than in NSOZ in epilepsy patients with secondary generalized tonic-clonic seizures (SGTCS) (N = 6, P < 0.05); The RMS of CCEPs amplitude in SOZ was strikingly higher than SPZ in the repetitive spiking (RS) onset pattern, and the difference was significant (N = 5, P < 0.01). Conclusions This data indicated that CCEP response is enhanced in SOZ despite different seizure types (with or without SGTCS). CCEP may be an effective method to locate SOZ.
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Neurological research · Jun 2018
225 intracranial aneurysms treated with the Low-profile Visualized Intraluminal Support (LVIS) stent: a single-center retrospective study.
Background For the treatment of intracranial aneurysms, the low-profile visualized intraluminal support (LVIS) stent is a new generation of highly visible-braided stent that was recently introduced in China. Here, we report our single-center retrospective experience of safety and efficacy utilizing LVIS for stent-assisted coiling of intracranial aneurysms. Methods We included 218 patients with intracranial aneurysms consecutively treated with LVIS SR stents at our center in this study. ⋯ Conclusions Our single-center retrospective experience is one of the larger studies to date assessing the LVIS device. Compared with many laser-cut stent studies, the LVIS device had a higher aneurysm complete occlusion rate at follow-up coupled with low complication rates. However, this study was our initial experience with LVIS, larger patient numbers, and longer follow-up will be needed to fully assess the long-term efficacy of LVIS in treating intracranial aneurysms.
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Neurological research · May 2018
Comparative StudyTriple therapy versus amphotericin B plus flucytosine for the treatment of non-HIV- and non-transplant-associated cryptococcal meningitis: retrospective cohort study.
Objectives Amphotericin B plus flucytosine is the most widely used induction therapy regimen for non-HIV-infected and non-transplant patients; however, the therapeutic outcomes are unsatisfactory, especially when two antifungal drugs are at sub-therapeutic doses. Methods In this study of induction therapy, all non-HIV-infected, non-transplant patients with a first episode of cryptococcal meningitis were divided into two groups. In group I, the patients received amphotericin B plus 5-flucytosine. ⋯ And more patients in group II had improved neurological function circumstances evaluated by comparing the BMRC staging between patients at discharge and follow-up 10 weeks (P = 0.032). No significant difference was observed in the incidence of adverse events between the two groups. Conclusion Triple therapy a superior alternative induction regimen for patients with non-HIV- and non-transplant-associated cryptococcal meningitis.