International Journal of Neuroscience最新文献

Background: Many medical students experience psychological distress from high academic demands, potentially harming their performance and mental health. Binaural beats (BB) stimulation, particularly gamma band entrainment, has been suggested to enhance neural communication, cognition, and reduce anxiety.

Objective: This study aimed to determine whether 40 Hz BB could improve cognitive performance and mood in medical students.

Method: Forty participants, selected based on the inclusion criteria of good health, normal hearing, and no mental illness were recruited considering factors such as all sessions availability and consent. Participants listened to BB for 15 min, three times a week, over three consecutive weeks. Electroencephalogram recordings confirmed that 40 Hz BB induced gamma neural oscillations in the brain. Emotional states were assessed using the 32-item Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) with ratings on a 5-point Likert scale, whereas cognitive function was measured with the Stroop's test, based on reaction time in milliseconds. Pre- and post-BB comparisons and gender-related differences were analyzed using paired and unpaired t-tests or appropriate non-parametric tests.

Result: Listening to BB significantly reduced negative emotions (p < 0.001), enhanced positive emotions (p < 0.001), and facilitated improvements in cognitive performance. However, the effects of BB were gender-specific, with female students showing greater improvements in 'happiness' and 'calmness', (p < 0.001), while males experienced more pronounced enhancements in cognitive performance (p < 0.001). Additionally, time-dependent effects of BB were also observed.

Conclusion: 40 Hz BB appears to be an effective tool for helping students manage their challenges calmly and more efficiently.

Objectives: To study the pharmacological interactions between agmatine and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) modulatory agents in the regulation of anxiety-like behavior in rats.

Materials and methods: Male Wistar rats were treated drugs per se or in combination and 15 min after last injection were subjected to elevated plus-maze (EPM) test. Anxiety-like behavior was evaluated by measuring behavioral conventional readout, open arm activity (duration and/or entries) for 5-minute duration.

Results: Acute intra-central amygdala (CeA) injection of agmatine (0.1-0.6 μmol/site/rat), muscimol (0.25-1 nmol/site/rat), diazepam (5-20 μg/site/rat) and allopregnanolone (2-8 μg/site/rat) increased open arm entries of the rats in EPM suggesting anxiolytic effect in dose dependent manner. Moreover, the anxiolytic effect at subeffective dose of agmatine (0.1 μmol/site/rat) was potentiated by subeffective dose of muscimol (0.25 nmol/site/rat), diazepam (5 μg/site/rat) and allopregnanolone (4 μg/site/rat). Whereas, pretreatment with GABA_A receptor antagonist, bicuculline (10 ng/site/rat) blocked the anxiolytic effect of agmatine and its synergistic effect of agmatine plus muscimol. Similarly, benzodiazepine (BZD) receptor antagonist, flumazenil (15 μg/site/rat) and GABA allosteric modulator antagonist, RO 15-45 13 (10 μg/site/rat) reduced the anxiolytic effect of agmatine, given alone and with diazepam and allopregnanolone, respectively.

Conclusion: These results indicated that anxiolytic effect of agmatine is medicated via GABAergic mechanisms, probably conciliated by the GABA_A receptor subtypes. Modulation of interplay between agmatine and GABA_A receptor activity might be a pertinent solution for the regulation of anxiety.

Objective: This study presents a comprehensive analysis of the clinical characteristics of 31 patients exhibiting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and/or serum positivity for GFAP-IgG, with a specific emphasis on 24 cases demonstrating only GFAP-IgG positivity. The investigation thoroughly evaluates their clinical, radiological, and laboratory features, as well as treatment responses, with the objective of offering clinicians potential diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Methods: A total of 31 patients with GFAP-IgG in the CSF and/or serum were registered between August 2016 and August 2021 at the General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University and Huashan Hospital of Fudan University. We retrospectively reviewed their clinical records.

Results: Overall, the patients were positive with GFAP-IgG in their CSF (15/31), in serum (6/31), and both CSF and serum (10/31). Among them, two were eventually diagnosed with astroglioma and primary central nervous system lymphoma, respectively; one patient had typical multiple sclerosis; three exhibited overlapping GFAP-IgG and aquaporin-4-IgG (AQP4-IgG); and one patient was coexisting N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor IgG. The remaining 24 patients were only GFAP-IgG positive. In total, 22 out of the 24 patients had abnormal MRI outcomes, involving the brain, meninges, and spinal cord. Besides, seven of the 24 patients developed optic neuritis. The CSF protein levels positively correlated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale score (EDSSs). Significantly decreased EDSSs, modified Rankin Scale score, GFAP-IgG titer, CSF protein level, and CSF white blood cell counts were observed after immunomodulatory therapy.

Conclusion: The clinical manifestations of GFAP-IgG exhibit a wide range of phenotypes that lack specificity. These findings emphasize the significance of not exclusively relying on the presence of antibodies to diagnose GFAP-A, but rather integrating them with the clinical phenotypes. GFAP-IgG testing enables the diagnosis of autoimmune GFAP astrocytopathy, a treatable autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system. This condition provides opportunities for investigating innovative mechanisms of CNS autoimmunity and inflammation.

Objective: Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are the most common psychiatric disorders in childhood, and there are many factors in their etiology. In recent years, many biomarkers have been studied to elucidate the etiology of these disorders. In this study, it was aimed to investigate the levels of nerve growth factor (NGF) and angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) in attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and intellectual disability (ID).

Methods: The study included 74 children with NDDs (the number of patients in ADHD, ASD and ID groups were 24, 25 and 25 respectively) and 30 healthy controls (HCs). Serum NGF and ACE2 levels were studied with ELISA kits, also complete blood count (CBC), levels of fasting glucose and serum lipids were assessed.

Results: ACE2 levels were found to be lower in NDD group than HCs in girls. In boys with ASD, triglyceride levels were significantly higher than other groups. Also a positive correlation was found between ACE2 and NGF levels when all sample assessed together.

Conclusions: This study is a premise for investigating ACE2 and NGF in NDDs. The role of these markers in ADHD, ASD, ID and other NDDs and their associations with gender should be assessed by studies in which both larger sample groups and more disorders.

Background: The Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SSEQ) is a self-report scale that measures stroke survivors' self-efficacy and covers specific domains of functioning after stroke.

Objectives: We aimed to determine the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the SSEQ.

Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 124 stroke patients in the sub-acute phase (between 2 weeks and 3 months of stroke onset). The original SSEQ was translated to Persian and back-translated to English. Demographic, neurologic examination, 'Persian Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SSEQ-P)', and 'General Self-Efficacy Scale' (GSE-10) data were collected. The reliability of the questionnaire was evaluated by test-retest assessment among 30 people with stroke at an interval of two weeks. Factor analysis was used to assess the validity of SSEQ-P. Cronbach's alpha assessed internal consistency in all participants. Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS software version 23 and SmartPLS version 3.

Results: In this study, the mean of SSEQ scores was 87.99 ± 37.09. Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI) were favorable. Convergent validity of the questionnaire was reported (r = 0.669) using GSE. Factor loadings of items in SSEQ ranged from 0.41 to 0.92. Validity indices (AVE = 0.75, SRMR = 0.07) showed that the single-factor model of the present study owns a favorable fit. Test-retest reliability and Cronbach's alpha values of SSEQ in the present study were calculated at 0.80 and 0.97, respectively.

Conclusions: The Persian version of the SSEQ depicted acceptable reliability and validity and can be utilized to evaluate the self-efficacy of patients with stroke.HIGHLIGHTSStroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SSEQ) is a self-report scale that measures stroke survivors' self-efficacy.The Persian version of the SSEQ demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity and can be used in stroke patients.

Aim: This study aimed to quantitatively assess the thickness of the thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) and lumbar multifidus muscle through ultrasound imaging in younger-middle aged individuals, both those experiencing chronic low back pain (LBP) and those without LBP. Additionally, the study sought to explore the potential significance of these anatomical structures in relation to clinical and sonographic findings.

Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving a cohort of 50 participants, divided into two groups: chronic LBP group (Group LBP, n = 30) and a group without LBP (Group control, n = 20). Participants from both groups underwent assessments pertaining to pain characteristics (intensity and quality), functional impairment, and kinesiophobia. The thicknesses of the thoracolumbar fascia and lumbar multifidus muscle were measured using ultrasonography.

Results: Among participants with chronic LBP, the thoracolumbar fascia displayed a statistically significant increase in thickness on the left side, whereas the lumbar multifidus muscle exhibited reduced thickness on the left side. Notably, positive correlations were observed between the thickness of the thoracolumbar fascia and scores from the Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) for pain intensity (r = 0.472, p = 0.008) as well as the McGill Pain Questionnaire (MPQ) (r = 0.547, p = 0.002). Moreover, a positive correlation was established between the thickness of the lumbar multifidus muscle and the modified Schober test (r = 0.174, p = 0.040). However, the thickness of the lumbar multifidus muscle demonstrated a negative correlation with age (r = -0.304, p = 0.032). Multiple logistic regression analysis did not identify any significant predictors for the presence of LBP based on demographic or clinical variables.

Conclusions: Individuals afflicted with chronic LBP exhibited pronounced thickening of the thoracolumbar fascia and attenuation of the lumbar multifidus muscle in comparison to asymptomatic counterparts. Notably, increased thickness of the thoracolumbar fascia corresponded to heightened pain intensity, while reduction in lumbar multifidus muscle thickness was associated with decreased lumbar flexion ability. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating tailored regimens targeting both fascial and muscular components in the rehabilitation of individuals with LBP.

Objectives: Neuromyelitis optica (NMO) is an inflammatory, autoimmune and demyelinating disease of the central nervous system and is often characterized by attacks of severe optic neuritis and long segment myelitis. Identifying the disease-specific pathogenic anti-AQP4 autoantibody in NMOSD has allowed the development of highly effective disease-modifying drugs in the treatment phase. Eculizumab is a humanized antibody that binds to complement C5 and inhibits the formation of the C5b-induced membrane attack complex. It is approved for treating many diseases in which tissue damage is accompanied by complement (such as neuromyelitis optica, myasthenia gravis, autoimmune hemolytic anemia and paroxysmal hemoglobinuria).

Methods: We present a patient diagnosed with NMO who developed possible drug-induced liver injury three months after the start of eculizumab treatment.

Result: After discontinuing eculizumab treatment, liver function tests gradually regressed in a month.

Conclusions: Eculizumab-associated hepatotoxicity is a previously unreported adverse event in NMOSD patients. Therefore, patients should be monitored for liver function tests during eculizumab treatment, and care should be taken for hepatotoxicity. If hepatotoxicity is detected while under eculizumab treatment, patients should be investigated for other drug use, complementary food supplementation, or possible autoimmune hepatitis, and other potential causes should be excluded.