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Using ferric chloride (FeCl3) to induce experimental superior sagittal sinus (SSS) thrombosis might interfere with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-assisted visualization and evaluation of the thrombus, the brain parenchyma, and the quality of the occlusion. The aim of this study was to investigate whether aluminum chloride (AlCl3)-induced thrombosis of the SSS has comparable properties to those of FeCl3 without causing artifacts in MRI. SSS thrombosis was induced in 14 male Wistar rats by exposure of the SSS and subsequent topical application of a filter paper strip soaked in AlCl3 (n = 7) or FeCl3 (n = 7) over a period of 15 min. The animals with AlCl3-induced SSS thrombosis showed a constant and complete occlusion with in histological analysis large thrombi. Blood flow measurements indicated a significant reduction on the first and seventh postoperative day compared to preoperative measurements. MRI enabled visualization and subsequent evaluation of the thrombus and the surrounding parenchyma. In comparison, FeCl3-induced SSS thrombosis could not be evaluated by MRI due to artifacts caused by the paramagnetic properties and increased susceptibility of FeCl3. The occluded sinus and the surrounding area appeared hypointense. The quality of SSS occlusion by AlCl3 was comparable to that of FeCl3. AlCl3 therefore represents a significant alternative substance in experimental SSS thrombosis ideally suited for studies using MRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: During an ICU stay, changes in muscles and nerves occur that is accessible via neuromuscular sonography. Methods: 17 patients recruited from the neurological and neurosurgical ICU (six women; 66 ± 3 years) and 7 healthy controls (three women, 75 ± 3 years) were included. Muscle sonography (rectus abdominis, biceps, rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles) using gray-scale values (GSVs), and nerve ultrasound (peroneal, tibial and sural nerves) analyzing the cross-sectional area (CSA) were performed on days 1 (t1), 3 (t2), 5 (t3), 8 (t4), and 16 (t5) after admission. Results: Time course analysis revealed that GSVs were significantly higher within the patient group for all of the investigated muscles (rectus abdominis: F = 7.536; p = 0.011; biceps: F = 14.761; p = 0.001; rectus femoris: F = 9.455; p = 0.005; tibialis anterior: F = 7.282; p = 0.012). The higher GSVs were already visible at t1 or, at the latest, at t2 (tibialis anterior muscles). CSA was enlarged in all of the investigated nerves in the patient group (peroneal nerve: F = 7.129; p = 0.014; tibial nerve: F = 28.976, p < 0.001; sural nerve: F = 13.051; p = 0.001). The changes were visible very early (tibial nerve: t1; peroneal nerve: t2). The CSA of the motor nerves showed an association with the ventilation time and days within the ICU (t1 through t4; p < 0.05). Discussion: We detected very early changes in the muscles and nerves of ICU-patients. Nerve CSA might be a useful parameter to identify patients who are at risk for difficult weaning. Therefore our observations might be severity signs of neuromuscular suffering for the most severe patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oropharyngeal sensitivity plays a vital role in the initiation of the swallowing reflex and is thought to decline as part of the aging-process. Taste and smell functions appear to decline with age as well. The aim of our study was to generate data of oral sensitivity in healthy participants for future studies and to analyse age-related changes and their interdependence by measuring oral sensitivity, taste, and smell function. The experiment involved 30 participants younger than and 30 participants older than 60. Sensitivity threshold as a surrogate of oral sensitivity was measured at the anterior faucial pillar by electrical stimulation using commercially available pudendal electrode mounted on a gloved finger. Smell and taste were evaluated using commercially available test kits. Mean sensitivity was lower in young participants compared to older participants (1.9 ± 0.59 mA vs. 2.42 ± 1.03 mA; p = 0.021). Young participants also performed better in smell (Score 11.13 ± 0.86 vs 9.3 ± 1.93; p < 0.001) and taste examinations (Score 11.83 ± 1.86 vs 8.53 ± 3.18; p < 0.001). ANCOVA revealed a statistical association between sensitivity and smell (p = 0.08) that was moderated by age (p = 0.044). Electrical threshold testing at the anterior faucial pillar is a simple, safe, and accurate diagnostic measure of oral sensitivity. We detected a decline of oral sensitivity, taste, and smell in older adults. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03240965. Registered 7th August 2017—https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03240965. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel wireless eight-channel electroencephalography (EEG) headset specially developed for ICUs was tested in regard of comparability with standard 10/20 EEG systems. The continuous EEG (cEEG) derivations via CerebAir EEG headset (Nihon Kohden Europe, Rosbach, Germany) and internationally standardized 10/20 reference EEGs as the diagnostic standard were performed in a mixed collective on a neurointensive care unit (neuro-ICU). The derivations were verified for comparability in detection of EEG background activity, epileptiform discharges, and seizure patterns. Fifty-two patients with vigilance reduction following serious neurological or metabolic diseases were included, and both methods were applied and further analyzed in 47. EEG background activity matched in 24 of 45 patients (53%; p = 0.126), epileptiform discharges matched in 32 (68%) patients (p = 0.162), and seizure activity matched in 98%. Overall, in 89% of the patients, cEEG detected the same or additional ICU-relevant EEG patterns. The tested wireless cEEG headset is a useful monitoring tool in patients with consciousness disorders. The present study indicates that long-term measurements with the wireless eight-channel cEEG lead to a higher seizure and epileptiform discharge detection compared to intermittent 10/20 EEG derivations in the ICU setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dysphagia is common in neurological disease. However, our understanding of swallowing and its central nervous control is limited. Sensory information plays a vital role in the initiation of the swallowing reflex and is often reduced in stroke patients. We hypothesized that the sensitivity threshold of the anterior faucial pillar could be facilitated by either electrical stimulation (ES) or taste and smell information. The sensitivity threshold was measured by ES in the anterior faucial pillar region. The measurement was repeated 5 min after baseline. Thirty minutes after baseline, the participants underwent a test for taste and smell. Immediately after the test, the ES was repeated. Thirty healthy volunteers with a mean age of 27 ± 5.1 participated in the trial. Mean sensitivity threshold at baseline was 1.9 ± 0.59 mA. The values 5 min after baseline (1.74 ± 0.56 mA, p = 0.027) and 30 min after baseline (1.67 ± 0.58 mA, p = 0.011) were significantly lower compared to the baseline, but there was no difference between the latter (p = 0.321). After 5 min, a potentially facilitating effect was found on oral sensitivity by ES of the faucial pillar area. Thirty minutes later, this effect was still present. Trial registration Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03240965. Registered 7th August 2017—https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03240965. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Functional Oral Intake Scale (FOIS) is the most frequently used scale for the evaluation of functional oral intake by dysphagia patients. FOIS was validated using data from Videofluoroscopic Swallowing Study (VFSS). Until now, a validated German version of FOIS for Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES) is lacking. The aim of this study was a cross-cultural validation of the German version of FOIS (FOIS-G) for FEES. The translation of the original FOIS was carried out according to the Translation, Review, Adjudication, Pretesting, Documentation (TRAPD) translation methodology. For the validation process, six experienced language therapists (SLT) retrospectively analyzed charts of 93 stroke patients. Inclusion criteria were comprised of stroke, clinical examination by an SLT within 24 h of admission, and FEES within 72 h of admission. The validity was calculated by comparison with Modified Rankin Scale (MRS), Barthel Index (BI), the Penetration-Aspiration-Scale (PAS), and a water swallow test. Spearman rank correlation of all paired raters ranged from rs = 0.96 to rs = 0.99, and percentage agreement ranged from 81 to 94%. The overall agreement between all raters was calculated by Fleiss kappa (0.83) (s.e. 0.02). There is a significant correlation between the BI and the MRS with the FOIS-G (rs = 0.301, p = 0.003 for BI; rs = – 0.366, p < 0.001 for MRS), between the PAS and the FOIS-G (rs = − 0.758, p < 0.001), as well as between the 70 ml-water-test and the FOIS-G (rs = 0.470, p < 0.001). FOIS-G is a valid instrument for the evaluation of the functional oral intake of food and liquids in dysphagia patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patients undergoing cardiac surgery often develop delirium which increases the risk of postoperative morbidity and leads to a reduced quality of life. Retrospective studies show a higher incidence of delirium in patients with seizures. However, these studies do not systematically detect subclinical seizures, so the incidence of seizures after cardiac surgery remains speculative. The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of electrographic seizures after elective open-chamber cardiac surgery. Methods: This prospective, blinded, monocentric, observational study investigated patients scheduled for elective open-chamber valve reconstruction or replacement. Anaesthesia, surgery and postoperative treatment were standardized and not influenced by the presented observation. After surgery, all patients arrived at the ICU, and EEG monitoring started within the first hour. EEG recording was continuously performed for up to 24 h, and the results were independently analysed by two blinded EEG board-certified neurologists. Results: 100 patients were included. Abnormal EEG patterns were present in 33% of patients, and 9% of all patients showed electrographic seizures. The main EEG activity at the beginning of each recording was suppressed or showed a burst-suppression pattern, and at the end of recording, all patients had an alpha/theta rhythm. An association between electrographic seizures and delirium was found (pχ2 < 0.01). Conclusion: This study reveals a surprisingly high incidence of abnormal EEG patterns and electrographic seizures in patients undergoing open-chamber cardiac surgery. As electrographic seizures are associated with the incidence of delirium, this finding is a relevant phenomenon in the post-cardiac surgery ICU population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented about the link between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) and patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Great advances have been made in our understanding of Takotsubo syndrome in the past decade, but the aetiology of the condition remains incompletely understood. The most established theory, that catecholamine-mediated myocardial stunning is provoked by emotional or physiological stress, is supported by the presence of supraphysiological levels of plasma catecholamines in patients with Takotsubo syndrome. For this reason, the hyperexcitability of the autonomic nervous system under conditions of physical and emotional stress is often assessed in these patients. Observational studies have indicated that a predisposing influence of chronic or traumatic stress, anxiodepressive disorders, and maladaptive personality traits are linked to the pathogenesis of Takotsubo syndrome. Chronic stress can influence autonomic function through dysregulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and contribute to the development of cardiovascular disorders. In this Perspectives article, we discuss the current knowledge of the psychoneuroendocrinological and psychosocial mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology of Takotsubo syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]