Vol 2, No 1 (2008)

Original articles

Endothelial dysfunction in patients with ischemic stroke

Suslina Z.A., Tanashyan M.M., Domashenko M.A., Ionova V.G., Chechetkin A.O.

Abstract

There are different pathogenetic mechanisms underlying the polimorphism of the ischemic stroke (atherothrombosis, cardiocerebral emboly, small vessels changes in arterial hypertension). Among these mechanisms one of the key places belongs to the disturbances of the endothelial function and haemostatic system. Today, endothelial dysfunction is believed to be a crucial step in the pathogenesis of arterial hypertension and atherosclerosis, as well as of their complications, such as ischemic stroke. The aim of this study was to evaluate the endothelial function in patients with acute ischemic stroke using biochemical (level of antithrombin III, von Willebrand factor) and ultrasound (test on endothelial derived vasodilatation of the brachial artery) methods. It was shown that ischemic stroke occurs in the case of dysbalance of endothelial production of substances with procoagulant activity (increase in level of the von Willebrand factor) and anticoagulant activity (decrease in the antithrombin III level), i.e. they occur in the situation of endothelial dysfunction. The ultrasound markers of endothelial dysfunction were also demonstrated in patients with ischemic stroke. The endothelial dysfunction is maximal in acute phase of ischemic stroke, it takes place in all stroke subtypes and is correlated with the degree of neurological deficit.

 
Annals of Clinical and Experimental Neurology. 2008;2(1):4-11
pages 4-11 views

Brain concussion: treatment and outcomes

Likhterman L.B., Kravchuk A.D., Filatova M.M.

Abstract

Clinical manifestations and outcomes of the brain concussion were comparatively and dynamically analyzed in two groups of patients (totally 355 pts, aged from 16 to 35 yrs, no concomitant somatic and neurological diseases): those who were admitted to hospital in the acute period of head injury (201 pts) and patients treated at home (154 pts). Clinical data were controlled by CT and MRI studies. Followup lasted 1 year. It was revealed that in the acute period, regression of objective and subjective signs were noted in patients of both groups almost at the same time (4–5 days after trauma). Catamnesis showed complete recovery in 89,0% pts treated in the acute stage in hospital and in 90,3% treated at home. In the longterm period only 11% pts of group I and 9,7% pts of group II showed the consequences non leading to disability like psychovegetative syndrome. Based on the obtained results it is possible to conclude that brain concussion without any severe complications in the acute period of head injury can be treated at home.

 
Annals of Clinical and Experimental Neurology. 2008;2(1):12-21
pages 12-21 views

Lower cranial nerve palsias in the internal carotid artery dissection

Kalashnikova L.A., Gulevskaya T.S., Anufriev P.L., Konovalov R.N., Shchipakin V.L., Chechetkin A.O., Avdunina I.A., Selivanov V.V., Pavlov E.V.

Abstract

We describe a 53 year old patient with the left internal carotid artery (ICA) dissection, which developed after the resection of tortuous part of ICA. The first clinical manifestations of dissection were the left lower cranial nerve palsies (dysphagia, dysphonia, disorder of tongue movement), in two days left frontotemporal headache appeared and in two weeks patient developed ischemic stroke in the territory of the left middle cerebral artery. Diagnosis of ICA dissection was confirmed by CT-angiography and duplex ultrasound. Morphological study of resected ICA found two small arteries beginning from ICA, small aneurismatic dilatation of the ICA wall and evidence of fibromuscular dysplasia. In two months, swallowing significantly improved and right hemiparesis partly regressed. Clinical and morphological data suggest that fibromuscular dysplasia was the cause of dissection and ischemia of the lower cranial nerves was the cause of their palsies. Blood supply of the lower cranial nerves was not from the external carotid artery, as usually, but from the ICA. Its dissection led to the interruption of the nutrient arteries and as the result – to nerve ischemia.

 
Annals of Clinical and Experimental Neurology. 2008;2(1):22-27
pages 22-27 views

The endocannabinoid signaling system and new experimental approaches to the treatment of movement disorders

Barkhatova V.P.

Abstract

Reviewed are modern concepts concerning physiological role and mechanisms of brain functioning of the endocannabinoid signaling system comprising cannabinoid receptors, endocannabinoids and proteins participating in their synthesis, transport and degradation. The results of recent experimental studies showing an important role of the endocannabinoid system in motor control and mechanisms of movement disorders in multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Huntington’s chorea are presented. In this context, investigation of possibilities of pharmacological correction of the endocannabinoid transmission should be considered as a novel and important field in experimental neurology with significant therapeutic potential.

 
Annals of Clinical and Experimental Neurology. 2008;2(1):28-31
pages 28-31 views

Reviews

Genetics of migraine

Azimova Y.E., Tabeeva G.R., Klimov E.A.

Abstract

Hereditary factor increases the risk of migraine and underlies in many respects the development of symptoms and the disease course. Last years, basic genetic studies in migraine resulted in impressive achievements, which gave the key to understanding pathophysiological processes in this disease. At the same time, many questions remain unanswered. Most interesting is the search for genetic markers of migraine and their phenotypical correlates. From practical viewpoint, equally promising in migraine heredity studies are pharmacogenetic aspects, namely, identification of genetic predictors of the efficacy of particular medications. In this review, modern approaches to genetic studies in migraine are discussed, and presently known genetic biomarkers and their possible role in the disease development are presented.

 
Annals of Clinical and Experimental Neurology. 2008;2(1):41-46
pages 41-46 views

Technologies

Diffusion tensor imaging and diffusion tensor tractography

Pronin I.N., Fadeeva L.M., Zakharova N.E., Dolgushin M.B., Podoprigora A.E., Kornienko V.N.

Abstract

The purpose of this work was to present the advanced imaging tools using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) and diffusion tensor tractography (DTT) for yielding structural and functional information about white matter (WM) pathways in the brain. A brief review of the basic principles underlying DTI and examples of clinical  applications  of  DTI  and  DTT  in  neurosurgery  for patients with brain tumors is presented. Knowledge of DTT patterns, when a cerebral neoplasms involves the WM tracts, becomes critically important when neurosurgeons use DTI in evaluation of the topography of WM and tumor for planning tumor resection.

 
Annals of Clinical and Experimental Neurology. 2008;2(1):32-40
pages 32-40 views

Clinical analysis

Acute hypokaliemic paralysis as a result of licorice overdose

Suponeva N.A., Piradov M.A., Nikitin S.S., Alferova V.P.

Abstract

We present the first case report of licorice overdose in Russian literature. 28-year-old man had severe untreatable arterial hypertension, hypokaliemia, quadriparesis and pain in the calf after acute respiratory disease. Additional laboratory tests disю covered metabolic alkalosis, breath dysfunction, myoglobinuria and very high level of creatine phosphokinase in serum. It was discovered that this man was a codeineюabuser and took combined medicine containing codeine and licorice («Codelac») which is free for sale without prescription in pharmacies in Russia. The dose of licorice was up to 12 g per day in the course of half a year (up to 60 pills per day). The prescription of aldosterone antagonist was successful, and after 3 weeks of taking spironolactone the patient’s condition and all laboratory tests became normal. Licorice inhibits 11-beta-hydroxisteroid dehyю drogenase type 2 and leads to symptomatology of secondary hyperaldosteronism. There are many case reports of licorice overdose by old people with chronic obstructive syndromes in the medical literature. Some cases result to lethal outcome due to breath dysfunction with apnoea. We consider that codeineю abusers who are taking free for sale medicines containing codeine and licorice are in the risk group for licorice overdose.

 
Annals of Clinical and Experimental Neurology. 2008;2(1):47-51
pages 47-51 views


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