Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3001/1/1/1013
The Importance of Stimulation Cycle in Vagus Nerve Stimulation for Drug-Resistant Epilepsies- Our Experience and Literature Review
Nicola Montano, Filomena Fuggetta, Fabio Papacci, Rina Di Bonaventura, Mario Meglio and Gabriella Colicchio
Article Type: Review Article | First Published: December 17, 2014
The impact of stimulation cycle on the outcome of patients submitted to Vagal Nerve Stimulation (VNS) has been only marginally investigated in the literature. Nonetheless this is an important factor in term of tolerability of side effects, duration of generator and costs of therapy. Here the role of this parameter was evaluated on 21 patients who underwent to VNS implant at our Institution from January 1994 to February 2011 and responded to VNS (they reported a stable decrease of seizure number ...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3001/1/1/1011
D-Leucine Suppresses Prion Formation in Prion-Infected Culture Cells
Kana Miyashita, Morika Suzuki, Kana Nishijima and Naomi Hachiya
Article Type: Short Communication | First Published: November 24, 2014
Prion disease is an infectious and fatal disease. The pathogen consists of an abnormal form of the prion protein; designated PrPSc. PrPSc is insoluble, highly resistant to digestion by proteases and all disinfectants. In contrast, the cellular form of prion protein PrPC is easily soluble and digested by proteases. Direct interaction between PrPSc and PrPC is believed to induce the propagation of prions; however, the molecular mechanisms underlying this step have not been clarified. Despite effor...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3001/1/1/1010
Plasma Homocysteine Levels in Neuromyelitis Optica
Lei Zhang, Yaqing Shu, Shaoyang Sun, Yinyao Lin, Yanqiang Wang, Bingjun Zhang and Xuejiao Men
Article Type: Original Article | First Published: October 30, 2014
Background and purpose: Homocysteine has been implicated in many kinds of neurologic diseases by inducing oxidative injury which is considered one of the pathogenic mechanisms of neuromyelitis optica (NMO). The aim of this study was to investigate whether there were any relationship between plasma homocysteine and clinical features of NMO patients.
Methods: We measured plasma homocysteine in 66 patients with NMO and 66 controls.
Results: The patients with NMO had significantly higher homocys...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3001/1/1/1009
The Character and Frequency of Muscular Pain in Myotonic Dystrophy and Their Relationship to Myotonia
Parmova O, Vohanka S, Strenkova J
Article Type: Research Article | First Published: October 29, 2014
Background: Myotonic dystrophy is the most common form of muscular dystrophy in adults. Pain is reported in various hereditary muscular diseases at a frequency of 64%–83%.
Methods: A group of 70 patients with myotonic dystrophy (21 persons with type 1 and 49 with type 2) was investigated by means of questionnaires structured around the subject of pain.
Results: The frequency of long-term muscle pain was 57% in patients suffering from myotonic dystrophy type 1 and 55% among those with type 2....
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3001/1/1/1007
Environmental Risk Factors and Gene-Environment Interactions for the Development of Multiple Sclerosis
Hikoaki Fukaura
Article Type: Review Article | First Published: October 22, 2014
Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating autoimmune disorder of the Central Nervous System (CNS). The typical disease course is Relapsing-Remitting (RR) MS and treatment with Disease Modifying Treatment (DMT) should be initiated as soon as possible following a diagnosis of relapsing MS for individuals with a first clinical event and MRI features consistent with MS, in whom other possible causes have been excluded. Patients with MS tend to do not completely recover from relapses w...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3001/1/1/1006
Celiac Disease in Multiple Sclerosis: A Controversial Issue
Silvia Salvatore, Alessandra Tozzo and Luigi Nespoli
Article Type: Review Article | First Published: October 22, 2014
Celiac disease is a common immune mediated disorder elicited by gluten that may manifest with neurological symptoms independent to gastrointestinal manifestations. The real prevalence of celiac disease in multiple sclerosis is still unclear because of limited population studies, different diagnostic assessment and possible non-celiac related response to gluten free diet. Recent studies have contributed to clarify genetic and immune overlap and discrepancy between the two conditions and are discu...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3001/1/1/1005
Idiopathic Hypereosinophilic Syndrome Presenting With Meningoencephalitis; an Uncommon Presentation: A Case Report
Sonali Sihindi Chapa Gunatilake, Sanjeewa Bowatta Shalika Udayanga Jayasingha, Salinda Bandara, Sunethra Bandaranayake Athauda and Harith Wimalaratna
Article Type: Case Report | First Published: October 20, 2014
Introduction: Hypereosinophilic syndrome is a rare heterogeneous disorder characterized by persistent eosinophilia with eosinophil mediated tissue infitration and organ dysfunction in the absence of a secondary cause. Clinical presentations involving nervous system vary markedly causing encephalopathy, thromboembolic disease or peripheral neuropathy. Eosinophilic infitration of meninges and central nervous system causing meningo-encephalitis is a rare presentation in hypereosinophilic syndrome a...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3001/1/1/1004
Contralateral Basal Ganglia Atrophy in Acquired HemichoreaHemiballism
Zaheer F, Sudhakar P, Escott E and Cambi F
Article Type: Case Report | First Published: October 20, 2014
Hemichorea-Hemiballism (HCHB) is a hyperkinetic condition characterized by abnormal, migratory, continuous, non-patterned movements of one side of the body. It results from involvement of contralateral basal ganglia that may be affected by metabolic, neoplastic, infectious, autoimmune [1], toxic or neurodegenerative processes [2]. The most common cause is ischemia from a focal vascular lesion [3]. Non-ketotic hyperglycemia has been reported as the second most common cause of HCHB in the Asian po...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3001/1/1/1003
Therapeutic Significance of Frequency of Deep Brain Stimulation in Intractable Epilepsy
Alok Gupta and Harinder Jaseja
Article Type: Letter to Editor | First Published: September 30, 2014
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is emerging as a viable alternative therapy in intractable epilepsy (IE), and although the exact mechanism and electrophysiology of its action remain elusive, some neuroscientists even believe that DBS may in near future become a first line treatment for the patients with IE who are not suitable candidates for epilepsy brain surgery. In addition to the exact placement of electrodes in the target site, the successful outcome of DBS depends largely upon correct choice ...
Open Access DOI:10.23937/2378-3001/1/1/1001
Deep Brain Stimulation Frequency Modulation in Parkinson Disease - One Size May Not Fit All
Ritesh A. Ramdhani
Article Type: Editorial | First Published: September 11, 2014
Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) is an effective therapeutic modality for patients with Parkinson's Disease who have developed complications from longstanding levodopa such as dyskinesias and motor fluctuations. It produces robust responses to segmental symptoms (ie, bradykinesia, tremor, rigidity) while attenuating involuntary dyskinetic movements and smoothing out 'on' and 'off' period cycling. The subthalamic nucleus and the globus pallidus internaare widely accepted surgical targets for stimulat...
