Cerebral blood flow velocity in migraine and chronic tension-type headache patients.

The present study seeks to use transcranial Doppler ultrasound to evaluate cerebral blood flow velocities in anterior and posterior circulation arteries, during an attack-free episode in migraine patients, with and without aura, as well as in chronic tension-type headache patients who were not receiving prophylactic medication

A Case of Multiple Sclerosis and Celiac Disease

Objectives. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory autoimmune disorder of the central nervous system (CNS). Since a correlation between gluten intake and incidence of MS had been reported, the relationship of antigliadin antibodies and MS was debated. Case Report. We report the case of a 45-year-old female MS patient who is under interferon treatment. After seven years of monitoring, during her routine gastroenterological assessment, she was diagnosed with celiac disease. Conclusion. Beside the neurological manifestations that have been demonstrated in about 10% of celiac disease (CD) patients, white-matter abnormalities in brain MRI are uncommon and controversial. But in the literature, MS seems to be associated with CD as in our patient. We suggest that MS patients with gastroenterological complaints should undergo an assessment for CD

Cerebral blood flow velocity in migraine and chronic tension-type headache patients

Introduction: The present study seeks to use transcranial Doppler ultrasound to evaluate cerebral blood flow velocities in anterior and posterior circulation arteries, during an attack-free episode in migraine patients, with and without aura, as well as in chronic tension-type headache patients who were not receiving prophylactic medication. Methods: A total of 50 patients (35 female, 15 male) were evaluated during a headache-free episode: 30 migraine patients without aura (mean age: 32 +/- 8 years), 10 migraine patients with aura (mean age: 34 +/- 4 years), and 10 patients with chronic tension-type headache (mean age: 34 +/- 5 years). Results: No significant difference was present between anterior, middle, and posterior cerebral and vertebral arteries' blood flow velocities between migraine patients, with and without aura, or in patients with a tension-type headache, and normal controls (p>0.05). However, a significant increase in basilar artery cerebral blood flow velocities relative to controls was present in patients with a tension-type headache (p>0.001). Conclusion: It is difficult to predict the main reason for the significant increase in basilar artery blood flow velocities in patients with chronic tension-type headache. It may be due to constriction of conductance or the dilatation of the resistance vessels

Iron-Deficiency Anemia Leading to Transient Ischemic Attacks due to Intraluminal Carotid Artery Thrombus

Reactive thrombocytosis secondary to iron-deficiency anemia (IDA) is a rare but recognized cause of stroke. We report the case of a patient with iron-deficiency anemia presenting with multiple transient ischemic attacks (TIA) due to intraluminal thrombus of an internal carotid artery. The putative mechanisms underlying anemia and stroke syndromes are not completely understood, and it is believed that iron deficiency may cause ischemic stroke by several potential mechanisms. Thrombocytosis is often associated with iron deficiency, and microcytosis produces a reduction in the red cell deformability and could produce a hypercoagulable state. The platelet count and function observed in iron-deficiency anemia could act synergistically to promote thrombus formation, especially in the setting of an underlying atherosclerotic disease. The presence of floating thrombus in a patient with clinical and MRI evidence of stroke represents a significant therapeutic dilemma and requires immediate decision about treatment

The probable role of insulin resistance and SIRT1 proteins in the Alzheimer's disease

Objective: Recent evidence suggests that insulin resistance may play an important role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, the probable role of insulin resistance in the pathogenesis of AD was investigated in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Serum amyloid beta (A beta) (1-42), insulin like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), sirtuin1 (SIRT1) and leptin protein levels were measured in serum samples of control (n = 26), probable AD (n = 26), and probable AD+T2DM patients (n = 12) using ELISA method. Mini mental state examination (MMSE) was performed to the patient and control groups. Result: Serum IGF-1 significantly increased in the probable AD+T2DM group as compared to the control and probable AD groups (p < 0.05). The levels of serum leptin significantly decreased in the probable AD and AD+T2DM groups as compared to the control (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in serum A beta (1-42) and SIRT1 levels among groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The significant decrease in serum leptin levels in AD patients may indicate that it may be a therapeutic marker in AD. The level of serum A beta peptide and SIRT1 proteins can vary depending on the stage of the disease. Therefore, this study should be supported by more comprehensive studies in terms of the number of patients in advanced stage (Tab. 1, Fig. 4, Ref. 29)

Olfactory functioning in early multiple sclerosis : Sniffin' sticks test study

Introduction: Previous studies have shown that olfactory functioning is affected by multiple sclerosis (MS). This study assessed the level of the olfactory impairment in early MS by using the Sniffin' Sticks Test. Methods: This study included 30 patients with MS and 30 healthy controls. We collected demographic and clinical data from participants and administered the Sniffin' Sticks Test. Results: We found no differences between the MS and control groups in odor discrimination, odor identification, and threshold discrimination identification scores, but odor threshold (OT) scores were higher in the control group than in the MS group (P= 0.49). In addition, we did not find any correlation between MS patients' olfactory test scores and their scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), disease duration, history of optic neuritis, or being on immunomodulatory therapy. Conclusion: In recent studies, odor threshold impairment seemed to be the most striking finding in patients with MS. Although the present study found a mild alteration in odor threshold, olfactory dysfunction appears to be a consequence of neurodegeneration in the higher order olfactory brain regions, which is thought to be a time-dependent process