Spatial patterns of visual cortical fast EEG during conditioned reflex in a rhesus monkey

A preliminary assay was made of the existence of time-space coherence patterns of fast EEG activity in the visual cortex of a Rhesus monkey. The primary intent of the present study was to evaluate the similarities and differences in relation to the olfactory bulb, where such coherences ave been described and have been demonstrated to be associated with behavior. Segments 1.5 s in duration were recorded simultaneously without averaging from 16 of 35 subdural electrodes fixed over the left occipital lobe in an array3.6cm× 2.8cm. Each segment was taken during the delivery of a visual conditioned stimulus (CS) and the performance of a conditioned response (CR) by a well-trained Rhesus monkey. The EEGs appeared chaotic with irregular bursts lasting 75–200 ms, resembling those in the olfactory EEG but with lower peak frequencies. Fourier spectra showed broad distributions of power resembling ‘ 1/fnoise’ with multiple peaks in the range of 20–40 Hz. Time intervals were selected where coherent activity seemed to be present at a number of electrodes. A dominant component waveform that was common to all channels was extracted by principal components analysis (PCA) of each segment. The distribution of the power of this component across the electrodes (the factor loadings) was used to describe the spatial pattern of the coherent cortical activity. Statistical analyses suggested that different patterns could be associated to the CS and the CR, as has been found in the olfactory system. These patterns remained stable over a 6 week recording interval. The patterns can be better discriminated, when the factor loadings of each channel are normalized to zero mean and unit variance, to discard a basic pattern of power distribution, which may reflect anatomical and electrode positioning factors that are related to behavioral information processing by the cortex. The wide spatial distribution of the common patterns found suggests that EEG patterns that manifest differing states of the visual cortex may also be accessible with scalp electrodes.     

脑红蛋白在脑梗死大鼠表达及丁苯酞干预效应

目的探讨脑红蛋白在脑梗死大鼠中的表达和丁苯酞干预在氧化应激损伤中作用。方法将90只雄性SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、治疗组。每组再分为3个亚组:1 d组、3 d组和7 d组,每亚组10只。模型组和治疗组采用线栓法制作大鼠大脑中动脉闭塞模型(MCAO),假手术组只分离不结扎。治疗组在动物苏醒后以丁苯酞植物油灌胃,假手术组和模型组同法给予等量植物油灌胃。每只大鼠在术后3h和处死前行神经功能评分,应用RT-PCR和免疫组化检测脑组织脑红蛋白(NGB)表达,化学比色法检测超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)活性和丙二醛(MDA)含量。结果 (1)神经功能评分,模型组和治疗组术后3 h评分差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),各时间点处死前评分差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。(2)NGB mRNA和免疫组化表达随时间延长逐渐降低,各时间点模型组较假手术组、治疗组较模型组高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。(3)SOD活性和MDA含量随时间延长逐渐减少。SOD活性假手术组较治疗组、治疗组较模型组高,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05);MDA含量假手术组较治疗组、治疗组较模型组低,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论丁苯酞促进脑缺血大鼠脑红蛋白表达,减少氧化应激损伤。     

Health consequences of acute and chronic marihuana use

Chemical content, assay procedures, and pharmacokinetics of cannabis sativa are discussed briefly. Cannabinoid cellular effects relating to chromosomes and immunity including cellular metabolism and allergic reactions are presented. Gross and microscopic brain pathology due to cannabis use is reviewed involving EEG alterations, psychopathology including aggressive behaviour as well as properties of psychomotor impairment, tolerance and dependence. Cardiopulmonary effects of marihuana are recorded under pulmonary pharmacological effects including the macrophage defense system and effects of smoke constituents; under cardiovascular effects cardiac toxicity and possible mechanism of action are discussed. Alterations of reproductive hormonal production and maturation of reproductive cells by marihuana in males and females with attendant impairment of reproductive function or fertility including reproductive outcome are reported. Field studies with healthy chronic cannabis users in Jamaica, Greece and Costa Rica are related as to observed medical alterations. Potential clinical effects are summarized in point form.     

Toward noninvasive monitoring of ongoing electrical activity of human uterus and fetal heart and brain

Objective

To evaluate whether a full-coverage fetal-maternal scanner can noninvasively monitor ongoing electrophysiological activity of maternal and fetal organs.

Concentration of antiepileptic drugs in persons with epilepsy: a comparative study in serum and saliva

Aim of the study: The monitoring of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in clinical setting is important for measuring the efficacy of drugs and their safety and in personalizing drug therapy. We investigated the levels of AED, carbamazepine (CBZ), phenytoin (PHT) and phenobarbital (PHB), to understand their association in saliva compared with those in serum during the therapy. Materials and methods: In this study, we performed a prospective study of 116 persons with epilepsy (PWE; mean age 26.90 ± 11.83 years). Serum and saliva samples were collected at trough levels from the patients, who were under the treatment of CBZ, PHT and PHB either alone or in combination of these drugs for at least three months. The drug levels were assessed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results and conclusions: The number of males (n = 88; 75.86%) was higher than females (n = 28; 24.14%) among the recruited patients. The intake of CBZ, PHT and PHB was observed in 49.14%, 68.10% and 38.79% of PWE, respectively. The levels of these AEDs showed a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between serum and saliva. Interestingly, the levels of mono-therapy or bi-therapy showed a significant association (p < 0.05) between serum and saliva, however, there was no significant association in case of poly-therapy. This is the first report in the Indian population on simultaneous estimation of the three commonly used AEDs, such as CBZ, PHT and PHB in serum and saliva implicating their associations, either in mono-therapy or bi-therapy in PWE.     

Expression of anti-cardiolipin antibodies and inflammatory associated factors in patients with schizophrenia

Numerous studies have implicated a connection between schizophrenia and autoimmune disorders. However, the precise relationship and underlying mechanism are still obscure. To further identify the association between autoimmune disorders and schizophrenia, the mRNA expressions of various cytokines and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) in monocytes are examined by using RT-PCR. Additionally, ELISA and zymography were performed to determine the anti-cardiolipin antibody (aCL) and MMP9 activity in serum form schizophrenic patients. Notably, significantly increased interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-10 mRNA were observed in schizophrenic patients, whereas significant reductions of TLR-3 and TLR-5 mRNA were detected. Moreover, significantly increased levels of aCL antibody and a higher frequency of positive-MMP9 activity were detected in serum from patients with schizophrenia. Meanwhile, no significant association was found between each of the medications and aCL activity. These findings demonstrated autoimmune-related phenomena in schizophrenic patients and further suggested a connection between schizophrenia and autoimmune disorders.     

Exploring brainstem function in multiple sclerosis by combining brainstem reflexes,evoked potentials,clinical and MRI investigations

ObjectiveTo investigate vestibulo-masseteric (VMR), acoustic-masseteric (AMR), vestibulo-collic (VCR) and trigemino-collic (TCR) reflexes in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); to relate abnormalities of brainstem reflexes (BSRs) to multimodal evoked potentials (EPs), clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) findings.MethodsClick-evoked VMR, AMR and VCR were recorded from active masseter and sternocleidomastoid muscles, respectively; TCR was recorded from active sternocleidomastoid muscles, following electrical stimulation of the infraorbital nerve. EPs and MRI were performed with standard techniques.ResultsFrequencies of abnormal BSRs were: VMR 62.1%, AMR 55.1%, VCR 25.9%, TCR 58.6%. Brainstem dysfunction was identified by these tests, combined into a four-reflex battery, in 86.9% of cases, by EPs in 82.7%, MRI in 71.7% and clinical examination in 37.7% of cases. The sensitivity of paired BSRs/EPs (93.3%) was significantly higher than combined MRI/clinical testing (70%) in patients with disease duration ⩽6.4 years. BSR alterations significantly correlated with clinical, EP and MRI findings.ConclusionsThe four-BSR battery effectively increases the performance of standard EPs in early detection of brainstem impairment, otherwise undetected by clinical examination and neuroimaging.SignificanceMultiple BSR assessment usefully supplements conventional testing and monitoring of brainstem function in MS, especially in newly diagnosed patients.     

神经白塞病36例临床分析

目的系统性评价神经白塞病的临床表现,脑脊液(CSF)结果和磁共振(MRI)特征。方法对36例神经白塞病患者的临床表现、CSF检查结果和影像学特征进行回顾性分析。结果纳入研究的神经白塞病,男∶女=1.27∶1,神经白塞病出现在白塞病发病后的8个月～12年(平均4年)。锥体束损害是神经白塞病最常见的神经系统症状,发生率达41.7%;36例中实质型为25例(脑实质型23例、脊髓实质型2例),颅内高压型4例,混合型3例,其他类型4例。结论中枢神经系统实质型是我国神经白塞病的主要表现形式,CSF和MRI检查不仅是提高神经白塞病检出率和对其分型的有效手段,而且是判断神经白塞病活动性的可靠指标。     

Do scalp-recorded slow potentials during neuro-feedback training reflect the cortical activity?

Objective

Neuro-feedback (NFB) training by the self-regulation of slow potentials (SPs) <0.5?Hz recorded from the vertex scalp has been applied for seizure suppression in patients with epilepsy. However, SP is highly susceptible to artifact contamination, such as the galvanic skin response (GSR). This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between SPs recorded from the scalp and intracranial electroencephalography (EEG) by event-related coherence analysis.

Increased oxidative stress and altered activities of erythrocyte free radical scavenging enzymes in autism

Abstract. There is great evidence in recent years that oxygen free radicals play an important role in the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric disorders. The present study was performed to assess the changes in red blood cells thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), adenosine deaminase (ADA) and xanthine oxidase (XO) activities in patients with autism (n = 27) compared to age- and sex-matched normal controls (n = 26). In the autistic group, increased TBARS levels (p < 0.001) and XO (p < 0.001) and SOD (p < 0.001) activity, decreased CAT (p < 0.001) activity and unchanged ADA activity were detected. It is proposed that antioxidant status may be changed in autism and this new situation may induce lipid peroxidation. These findings indicated a possible role of increased oxidative stress and altered enzymatic antioxidants, both of which may be relevant to the pathophysiology of autism.     

Uncoupling of serotonergic and noradrenergic systems in depression: Preliminary evidence from continuous cerebrospinal fluid sampling

We used the technique of continuous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling to test the following hypotheses regarding CNS monoaminergic systems in depression:(1) absolute concentrations of the informational substances tryptophan and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) are altered in the CNS of depressed patients (2) abnormal rhythms of tryptophan and/or 5-HIAA, or defective conversion of tryptophan to serotonin (5HT), exist in the CNS of depressed patients, and (3) the relationship between the CNS 5HT and norepinephrine (NE) systems is disrupted in depressed patients. We obtained 6-h concentration time series of tryptophan, 5-HIAA, NE, and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in the CSF of 10 patients with major depression and in 10 normal volunteers. No significant differences in CSF tryptophan, 5-HIAA, NE, or MHPG concentrations or rhythms were observed between normal volunteers and depressed patients. Neither were there differences in the mean tryptophan-to-serotonin ratio. However, a negative linear relationship was observed between mean concentrations of 5-HIAA and NE in the CSF of the normal volunteers (r = 0.916 [r2 = 0.839], df = 9, P < 0.001) while, in contrast, depressed patients showed no such relationship (r = +0.094 [r2 = 0.00877], df = 9, n.s.). Furthermore, the correlation coefficients expressing the relationship between CSF MHPG and CSF 5-HIAA within the normal and depressed groups were significantly different. These data support the hypothesis that a disturbance in the interaction between the serotonergic and noradrenergic systems can exist in depressive illness in the absence of any simple 5HT or NE deficit or surplus. Depression and Anxiety 6:89–94, 1997.© 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

CCK and other peptides modulate hypothalamic norepinephrine release in the rat: Dependence on hunger or satiety

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the functional relationship between putative satiety peptides and endogenous norepinephrine (NE) activity in the hypothalamus. Permanent guide cannulae for push-pull perfusion were implanted stereotaxically in Sprague-Dawley rats so as to rest above the medial or lateral hypothalamus (LH). Post-operatively, the animals were either satiated with food and water, both available ad lib, or fasted for 18-22 hr prior to an experiment. To perfuse a site in the LH, paraventricular (PVN) or ventromedial nucleus (VMN), a concentric 29-23 ga push-pull cannula system was lowered to a pre-determined site, in most cases after catecholamine stores had been pre-labeled with [3H]-NE. During control tests, an artificial CSF was perfused at a rate of 20-25 microliter/min for 5-8 min with a 5 min interval between each sample. The addition of cholecystokinin (CCK) in a concentration of 2.0-6.0 ng/microliter to the CSF perfused in PVN or VMN of the satiated rat enhanced the efflux of NE; however, in the fasted animal CCK often suppressed the catecholamine's release. Perfused in the LH, CCK exerted opposite effects, typically augmenting NE output when the rat was fasted but not affecting the amine's activity during the sated condition. Proglumide (1.2 micrograms/microliter) attenuated CCK's effect in releasing NE when the antagonist was perfused in the PVN of the satiated rat. Similar experiments in which neurotensin (NT) was perfused in the LH, PVN and VMN revealed virtually the same inverse effects on NE release in the fasted and satiated rat, which again were anatomically specific. Finally, insulin and 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) exerted similar state-dependent effects on the release of NE within LH and PVN. Overall, the results suggest that CCK or other neuroactive peptide could serve as a "neuromodulator" of the pre-synaptic release of NE within classical hypothalamic structures which are thought to underlie both hunger and satiety. The state-dependent nature of the peptides' activity on the noradrenergic feeding mechanism implies that these substances constitute a pivotal portion of the profile of factors which impinge functionally upon the hypothalamic neurons responsible for the feeding response and its cessation.     

84例病毒性脑炎的脑电图、脑脊液、头颅CT及临床分析

目的　回顾分析脑电图对病毒性脑炎的早期协助诊断价值以及脑电图结合脑脊液、头颅CT及临床资料对病毒性脑炎的早期诊断价值。方法　分析治愈的 84例病毒性脑炎患者住院 2 4h内的脑电图、腰穿结果 (脑压、脑脊液外观、常规、生化检查 )、头颅CT以及复查的腰穿结果及临床资料。结果　 84例病毒性脑炎患者住院 2 4h内的脑电图异常 77例 ,其中 9例腰穿正常 ;同期腰穿异常结果中以脑压增高例数最多 ( 68例 ) ,其EEG均不正常。EEG和腰穿的检出结果比较有非常显著性差异 ( χ2 =7 11,P <0 0 1) ;头颅CT异常 3 2例。 84例CSF的糖和氯化物初查及复查均正常。临床症状以头痛 ( 82例 )、发热 ( 76例 )最常见。结论　脑电图对病毒性脑炎的早期协助诊断有重要价值。以发热头痛为主症而且脑电图异常 ,结合CSF的压力、细胞数、蛋白的增高、氯化物正常、糖正常或偶有轻度增高及典型病史 ,病毒性脑炎的诊断基本可以确定     

The influence of human corticotropin-releasing hormone on somatostatin secretion in depressed patients and controls

Summary Twenty subjects (10 patients with a major depressive episode and 10 individually matched healthy controls) received 100 g synthetic human corticotropin-releasing hormone (hCRH) as an i.v. bolus dose. Healthy subjects and depressed patients exhibited a significant increase of plasma somatostatin (SRIH) concentrations with no difference between both comparison groups. Compared to controls, depressed patients showed a significant attenuation of corticotropin (ACTH) responses, while cortisol secretion in response to hCRH was normal. No correlations were found among basal plasma concentrations of SRIH, ACTH or cortisol and SRIH, ACTH or cortisol responses following hCRH. These findings are compatible with the hypothesis that hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) hyperactivity in the depressive state may primarily be due to central hypersecretion of CRH and support the view of a hCRH-induced SRIH secretion which is not related to HPA dysfunction associated with major depression.     

产后抑郁与分娩前后孕酮、雌二醇变化的相关性研究

目的探讨分娩前后一周的血清雌二醇(E2)、孕酮(P)对产后抑郁的影响。方法选取2012年3月-2012年9月在贵阳医学院附属医院就诊的395例孕产妇为研究对象,采用爱丁堡产后抑郁量表(EPDS)对其产后抑郁情况进行评定,并用采用生物素双抗体夹心酶联免疫吸附法(ELISA)测定产妇血清雌二醇(E2)、孕酮(P)、五羟色胺(5-HT)水平。结果 1产后一周抑郁症状检出人数为48例,检出率为12.15%。2抑郁组与非抑郁组产后血清雌孕激素水平差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。3相关分析显示:产后EPDS得分与产前血清雌二醇水平、产前产后血清孕酮水平及产后孕酮、雌二醇下降幅度呈正相关、与产后5-HT、雌二醇水平呈负相关(r=-0.881~0.920,P0.01)。结论分娩后产妇的血清雌孕激素水平下降,产妇雌孕激素下降过快可能是导致产后抑郁发病的生物学因素之一。     

Factors affecting the survival following surgical treatment of chronic subdural haematoma: Single institutional experience

BackgroundChronic subdural haematoma (CSDH) is one of the most commonly treated condition in neurosurgery. It affects elderly populations who often have significant medical co-morbidities resulting in poor prognosis. The study aimed at identifying clinical factors influencing the survival following surgical management of CSDH.MethodsRetrospective study included 267 cases that underwent surgery for CSDH and followed over 5-year period (2010–2015); data retrieved with reference to operation details, radiology reports and discharge. Using logistic and Cox regression analysis, the patient survival data was analysed with respect to patient demographics, type of surgery, co-morbidities, anticoagulation treatment, and discharge destination.ResultsThe overall survival in the cohort was 37.0 months (IQR: 20.0–60.0). The median age of the patients was 76 years (IQR: 66–82) and the median length of hospital stay was 10 days (range 1–126 days; IQR: 6–17 days). The recurrence rate was 6.37% (n = 17). Fifty-three (19.85%) patients recorded deceased on the IPM database as of October 2016 and of those 11 died in hospital. Univariate Cox-regression analysis revealed increased age (HR: 1.80; 95%CI: 1.04–3.11), length of hospital stay (HR: 2.50; 95%CI: 1.41–4.41) and number of co-morbidities (HR: 2.19; 95%CI: 1.26–3.79) were associated with poor prognosis. Glasgow coma scale (GCS) at discharge was found to be significantly associated with survival whilst anticoagulation treatment did not. Multivariate analysis confirmed similar findings significant statistically.ConclusionAge at admission, median length of hospital stay, number of co-morbidities, GCS at discharge and discharge destination have been found to influence survival significant statistically.