Neurology Commons^™

Generation And Behavior Characterization Of Camkiiβ Knockout Mice, Adam D. Bachstetter, Scott J. Webster, Tao Tu, Danielle S. Goulding, Jacques Haiech, D. Martin Watterson, Linda J. Van Eldik

Sanders-Brown Center on Aging Faculty Publications

The calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is abundant in the brain, where it makes important contributions to synaptic organization and homeostasis, including playing an essential role in synaptic plasticity and memory. Four genes encode isoforms of CaMKII (α, β, δ, γ), with CaMKIIα and CaMKIIβ highly expressed in the brain. Decades of molecular and cellular research, as well as the use of a large number of CaMKIIα mutant mouse lines, have provided insight into the pivotal roles of CaMKIIα in brain plasticity and cognition. However, less is known about the CaMKIIβ isoform. We report the development and extensive behavioral and …

Lumbar Morphometry: A Study Of Lumbar Vertebrae From A Pakistani Population Using Computed Tomography Scans, Muhammad M. Alam, Muhammad Waqas, Hussain Shallwani, Gohar Javed

Section of Neurosurgery

Study design: A cross-sectional study.
Purpose: To describe the characteristics of lumbar vertebrae of Pakistani patients reporting at a tertiary care hospital and compare with studies from other populations.
Overview of literature: Several studies have been conducted to determine morphometry of lumbar vertebrae. Most of the studies involve Caucasian populations, still data on other populations still sparse. This is the first study describing lumbar morphometry of a Pakistani population.
Methods: An observational study was conducted based on a review of thin-cut (3 mm) computed topographic images of lumbar vertebrae. Two-hundred and twenty vertebrae from forty-nine patients were studied, and various …

Regulation Of L1 Expression And Retrotransposition By Melatonin And Its Receptor: Implications For Cancer Risk Associated With Light Exposure At Night., Dawn Deharo, Kristine J Kines, Mark Sokolowski, Robert T Dauchy, Vincent A Streva, Steven M Hill, John P Hanifin, George Brainard, David E Blask, Victoria P Belancio

Department of Neurology Faculty Papers

Expression of long interspersed element-1 (L1) is upregulated in many human malignancies. L1 can introduce genomic instability via insertional mutagenesis and DNA double-strand breaks, both of which may promote cancer. Light exposure at night, a recently recognized carcinogen, is associated with an increased risk of cancer in shift workers. We report that melatonin receptor 1 inhibits mobilization of L1 in cultured cells through downregulation of L1 mRNA and ORF1 protein. The addition of melatonin receptor antagonists abolishes the MT1 effect on retrotransposition in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, melatonin-rich, but not melatonin-poor, human blood collected at different times during the circadian …

Gestational Headaches: Characteristics And Influencing Factors In South-Western Nigeria, Philip Adebayo, Aramide Mikhail Tijani, Olukayode Abayom, Adeseye Abiodun Akintunde

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: factor s Headache is one of the common neurological diseases in pregnancy but its pattern and influencing are yet to be determined in our environment in Nigeria. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics, as well as the modifying factors for gestational headaches in Ogbomoşo, Nigeria.

Methods: This study was a biinsti pregnant women attending the antetutional crosssectional descriptive study. Three hundred and eight (308) eligible natal care of the Ladoke Akintola University of T local government hospitals in Ogbomoso were recruited consecu 2013. Using an interviewer administered questionnaire, sociodemographic, obstetrics and headache related …

Risk And Impact Of Inter-Ictal Depression On Quality Of Life Of Nigerian Women With Epilepsy Of Childbearing Age, Philip Adebayo, Olukayode Abayomi, Shamsideen Abayomi Ogun

Internal Medicine, East Africa

Background: Depression, the most common psychiatry comorbidity in patients with epilepsy is common among women, especially those of reproductive age. Although it could be said that the female gender is a risk factor for depression, the risk of inter-ictal depression and its impact on the quality of life (QoL) of women with epilepsy (WWE) has not been sufficiently studied among Nigerians.

Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional case–control study, data were collected from 70 women (29 WWE and 41 women without epilepsy) within the age range ≥18 and ≤55 between July 2010 and March 2011. A questionnaire that includes items-related …

Serum Metabolomic Response Of Myasthenia Gravis Patients To Chronic Prednisone Treatment, Manjistha Sengupta, Amrita Cheema, Henry J. Kaminski, Linda Louise Kusner

Neurology Faculty Publications

Prednisone is often used for the treatment of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases but they suffer from variable therapeutic responses and significant adverse effects. Serum biological markers that are modulated by chronic corticosteroid use have not been identified. Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune neuromuscular disorder caused by antibodies directed against proteins present at the post-synaptic surface of neuromuscular junction resulting in weakness. The patients with myasthenia gravis are primarily treated with prednisone. We analyzed the metabolomic profile of serum collected from patients prior to and after 12 weeks of prednisone treatment during a clinical trial. Our aim was to identify metabolites …

Quantitative Ultrasound: Measurement Considerations For The Assessment Of Muscular Dystrophy And Sarcopenia, Michael O. Harris-Love, Reza Monfaredi, Catheeja Ismail, Marc R. Blackman, Kevin Cleary

Exercise and Nutrition Sciences Faculty Publications

Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound has potential clinical utility in characterizing pathological muscle tissue. Sonography has been long proposed as method of assessing muscle damage due to neuromuscular diseases such as muscular dystrophy, and more recently, changes in body and tissue composition associated with muscle wasting disorders such as sarcopenia. The use of quantitative ultrasound as an adjunct diagnostic procedure has different technical challenges than the traditional use of ultrasound in clinical medicine. Operator-dependent technique and variation are critical considerations when obtaining measures of echointensity (i.e., tissue composition estimates) and tissue dimensions (i.e., muscle thickness) – key elements of the ultrasound assessment …

Sox11 Is Required To Maintain Proper Levels Of Hedgehog Signaling During Vertebrate Ocular Morphogenesis, Lakshmi Pillai-Kastoori, Wen Wen, Stephen G. Wilson, Erin Strachan, Adriana Lo-Castro, Marco Fichera, Sebastiano A. Musumeci, Ordan J. Lehmann, Ann C. Morris

Biology Faculty Publications

Ocular coloboma is a sight-threatening malformation caused by failure of the choroid fissure to close during morphogenesis of the eye, and is frequently associated with additional anomalies, including microphthalmia and cataracts. Although Hedgehog signaling is known to play a critical role in choroid fissure closure, genetic regulation of this pathway remains poorly understood. Here, we show that the transcription factor Sox11 is required to maintain specific levels of Hedgehog signaling during ocular development. Sox11-deficient zebrafish embryos displayed delayed and abnormal lens formation, coloboma, and a specific reduction in rod photoreceptors, all of which could be rescued by treatment with the …

The Relationship Of Cpe To Hiv Dementia: Slain By An Ugly Fact?, Joseph R. Berger, David B. Clifford

Neurology Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Polio Travel Restrictions: A Sledgehammer To Crack A Nut?, Rashid Jooma

Section of Neurosurgery

Imposition by WHO of mandatory vaccination for international travelers from Pakistan has caused confusion and panic amongst travelers besides the adverse effect on the country's image from the widely reported statement. It is felt that the announced measure is not primarily supported by science but is rather a response to disillusionment in the donors about the repeatedly missed eradication targets set by WHO. In the past few years, exportation of poliovirus from Pakistan has caused outbreaks in China, Iraq and Syria besides the ongoing two way transmission with Afghanistan, but the carriers in these spreads are mainly land route travelers. …

Prevalence Of Anxiety And Depression Among Medical Students Of Shifa College Of Medicine, Anam Abrar, Mehrunissa Kazim, Madiha Hanif, Shafaq Mansoor, Sadaf Tahir, Neil Makken, Wahab Yousufzai

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

To yield information regarding the prevalence of anxiety and depression among medical students in Islamabad and to emphasize on the need of psychological and mental well being of medical students.Methods: This is a cross-sectional study done at Shifa College of Medicine. A questionnaire was administered to 361 students who were present at the time of distribution and were consented. The instrument used to assess anxiety and depression level was the Aga khan University Anxiety and Depression Scale (AKUADS). The data collected was tabulated and analyzed using SPS v. 16.Results: Out of a total of 500 students in a five year …

Epidemiology Of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis In Asian Countries, Aleena Zia, Mohammad Wasay, Subash Kaul

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

ECerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare form of venous thromboembolism (VTE). CVT represents almost 0.5% -3% of all the types of stroke, affecting predominantly younger people, with an estimated incidence for adults of 3-4 per million, and for children 7 per million. In the pre-antibiotics era, the leading cause of CVT were septic processes, currently, the aseptic form of CVT predominates. (1) About 75% of all adult patients are women, over the past decade, advances in neuroimaging and treatments have significantly improved the disease’s prognosis with 80% of sufferers having a good neurological outcome. (2) The largest source of …

Analytic Study Of Clinical Presentation Of Intracranial Space-Occupying Lesions In Adult Patients, Bashir A. Soomro, Sameen Khalid, Shafaq Alvi

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Intracranial space-occupying lesions can be caused by a variety of disease processes, ranging from neoplasms to non-neoplastic lesions including hematomas, abscesses and vascular malformations. This article provides an overview of varied clinical presentations of patients with intracranial space-occupying lesions.Methods:A total of 200 cases of intracranial space-occupying lesions presenting at Neuro Clinic and Care were retrospectively analyzed. Adult patients from all age groups and both genders were included in this study. Results: 165 patients (82.5%) had neoplastic lesions while 35 (17.5%) had non-neoplastic lesions. Metastatic lesions from primary tumor elsewhere in the body comprised the most common group with81 cases (40.5%), …

Knowledge, Attitude And Perceptions About Tetanus And Rabies Among Family Physicians; Results Of A Survey At A Teaching Hospital In Karachi, Pakistan, Siddiqui Sj, Jehan F, Awan S S, Mohammad Wasay

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

To assess the knowledge, attitude and perception among family physicians about tetanus and rabies. Setting: This study was conducted at the International Family Physicians Conference held at the Aga Khan University. Method: It was a cross sectional study of convenient sampling. The participants were asked to fill a pre-tested questionnaire comprising of 26 questions. Both open and close ended questions were included. A total of 111 doctors fulfilling the inclusion criteria filled in the questionnaire.Result: Out of 111 doctors who participated in this study, vast majority were working in the urban area (86.5%). 59.5% had not seen a case of …

Management Of Multiple, Late Onset Complications In A 33-Year-Old Female, With A Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt And Crohn's Disease, C Gkolemis, P Zogopoulos, P Kokkalis, G Stamatopoulos, N Syrmos, T.S. Paleologos

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Numerous complications can occur after the placement of a venticuloperitoneal shunt. The late onset of an autoimmune disease such as Crohn's disease can be the disruptive factor for a previously well functioning shunt. A 33-year-old female with a ventriculo-peritoneal shunt since the age of 7, as well as Crohn's disease since the age of 25, presented in the ER with dysuria, long-lasting fever and intermittent severe headache. The patient underwent a CT scan of the chest, abdomen and brain. An enlargement of the ventricular system was revealed, suggesting malfunction of the shunt. Simultaneously, the abdominal scan revealed an abnormal course …

Cramp Fasciculation Syndrome: A Peripheral Nerve Hyperexcitability Disorder, Bhojo A. Khealani

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Cramp fasciculation syndrome is mildest among all the peripheral nerve hyperexcitability disorders, which typically presents with cramps, body ache and fasciculations. The diagnosis is based on clinical grounds supported by electrodiagnostic study. We report a case of young male with two months’ history of body ache, rippling, movements over calves and other body parts, and occasional cramps. His metabolic workup was suggestive of impaired fasting glucose, radiologic work up (chest X-ray and ultrasound abdomen) was normal, and electrodiagnostic study was significant for fasciculation and myokymic discharges. He was started on pregablin and analgesics. To the best of our knowledge this …

Frontal White Matter Integrity In Adults With Down Syndrome With And Without Dementia, David K. Powell, Allison Caban-Holt, Greg A. Jicha, William C. Robertson, Roberta Davis, Brian T. Gold, Frederick A. Schmitt, Elizabeth Head

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Spectroscopy Center Faculty Publications

Adults with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk for developing Alzheimer's disease after the age of 40 years. To detect white matter (WM) changes in the brain linked to dementia, fractional anisotropy (FA) from diffusion tensor imaging was used. We hypothesized that adults with DS without dementia (DS n = 10), DS with dementia (DSAD n = 10) and age matched non-DS subjects (CTL n = 10) would show differential levels of FA and an association with scores from the Brief Praxis Test and the Severe Impairment Battery. WM integrity differences in DS compared with CTL were found predominantly …

Cost-Effective Practice Of Neurology: An Idea Whose Time Has Come, Rashid Jooma

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Pakistanis spent $ 7.2 billion on healthcare in 2013 (3.1% of our Gross Domestic Product), representing a per capita expenditure of $ 39.4. The government contribution to this was no more than 31.4% ($ 12.4 per capita). The public allocations to health thus represent a paltry 4.7% of total government expenditure and are just shy of 1% of our GDP.

To Determine The Frequency Of Depression In Patients With Primary Epilepsy, Wazir Akber, Noor Ahmed Khosa, Amanullah Sarangzai

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

Depression is well known common co-morbid psychiatric condition associated with primary epilepsy. This study showed that frequency of depression was 62% in primary epilepsy patient presenting to the Neurology outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital. Female gender, high seizures frequency, polytherapy with AEDs and long duration of primary epilepsy were found to be the factors leading to frequent occurrence of depression in primary epilepsy patients Objective: To determine the frequency of depression in patients with primary epilepsy presenting to the Neurology outpatient clinic of Aga Khan University Hospital Karachi.Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Study Setting: Neurology outpatient department at Aga …

Coil Embolization Of Wide Neck Cerebral Aneurysms Using Balloon Remodeling Technique-Initial Experience In Pakistan, Qasim Bashir, Hina Nabi Ahmed

Pakistan Journal of Neurological Sciences (PJNS)

The balloon remodeling technique [BRT] was developed for neuroendovascular treatment of wide-necked cerebral aneurysms. Herein, we describe our initial experience of aneurysm embolization using BRT in Pakistan with the new double-lumen balloon catheters (Sceptor C and Ascent) and Hyperform balloon micro catheter and discuss its benefits.