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Abstract: Objectives: An inflammatory process following stroke in human brains and systemic inflammatory responses after stroke in humans have been reported by numerous investigators. The aim of the study was to investigate if genes involved in the cyclooxygenase 2 (COX-2) pathway are upregulated at peripheral level in patients after transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and stroke. Design of Study: Blood samples were obtained from two groups of patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy. The first group included 25 patients who presented TIA or ischaemic stroke. The second group included 35 patients who had an asymptomatic internal carotid artery stenosis. Total RNA was isolated and the expression of Toll-like Receptor 4 (TLR4), COX-2, membrane-associated Prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES-1), Prostaglandin E2 receptors (EP3 and EP4) was analysed by real time RT-PCR. Results: Expression of COX-2 and TLR4 were significantly increased in symptomatic patients (p <0.001). Correlation analysis showed that TLR4 expression significantly correlated with COX-2 expression (R =0.65; p <0.01) in ischaemic stroke patients. This correlation was not observed in TIA and asymptomatic patients. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the peripheral mechanism of inflammatory injury after stroke may be mediated by TLR4 through a COX-2-dependent pathway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials (VEMPs) have been recorded from tonically contracted neck muscles by acoustic and galvanic stimulation or forehead tap (cervical VEMPs, c-VEMPs). VEMPs can also be recorded from extraocular muscles, using the same stimuli. (ocular VEMPs, o-VEMPs). The aim of our study was to assess the feasibility and reproducibility of both c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs in healthy subjects. We examined 21 healthy subjects, 9 M, 12 F, mean age 40,8. c-VEMPs were recorded from electrodes placed over the SCM, with reference placed over the clavicle. o-VEMPs were recorded from the same electrodes placed beneath the eye and reference 2 cm below. For both c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs we used acoustic stimuli (tone burst, 117 dB SPL). We obtained reproducible c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs in all the subjects. Mean latency (ms): c-VEMPs (p13): 13.5 ± 0.8; o-VEMPs (n1): 10.2 ± 0.7. Mean amplitude (μV): c-VEMPs (p13-n23): 138 ± 51; o-VEMPs (onset-n1): 5.2 ± 2.8. Our study confirms that c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs are a reliable test with reproducibility and stability of its components. In association with BAEPs, c-VEMPs and o-VEMPs could help to better diagnose the peripheral and central diseases of the cocleo-vestibular pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]