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Migraine is a complex disabling condition which is associated with dysregulation of several pathways particularly those being associated with immune responses. In order to assess contribution of protein inhibitor of activated STAT (PIAS) in the pathogenesis of migraine, we quantified expression levels of PIAS1–PIAS4 genes in the circulation of patients with migraine compared with controls. Expression of PIAS1 was substantially lower in total migraineurs compared with controls (ratio of mean expressions (RME) = 0.18, SE = 0.29, P value

Background Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated demyelinating disease. The prevalence and incidence of MS in Iran is high and is rising over time. This study was conducted to compare the demographic, clinical features and MRI findings of MS patients with history of the disease in the first-degree family members (fMS) with sporadic MS patients (sMS) to determine the importance of genetic or non-genetic factors in the development of the disease and its effect in diagnostic and therapeutic modalities. Methods Among the 185 patients admitted to the study, 62 were fMS patients and 123 were sMS patients. All patients underwent clinical examination and data was gathered on age, sex, age of onset, symptoms, number of attacks, disease course, family history, disease-modifying drugs, and other accompanying diseases as well as MRI findings and EDSS scores. Results In this study, we demonstrated that the frequency of plaques in the periventricular area was significantly higher in sMS patients (97.56% vs 88.71%, p = 0.01) while the callosal plaques were more common in fMS patients (62.9% vs 47.97%, p = 0.05) which was statistically borderline and nonsignificant. In other evaluated parameters, no significant difference was observed. Conclusion In our study, no significant difference was observed between the demographic and clinical characteristics of fMS and sMS patients, while there was a significant difference between the two groups in MRI findings.

The COVID-19 pandemic has infected more than 22 million people worldwide. Although much has been learned about COVID-19, we do not know much about its neurological features and their outcome. This observational study was conducted on the patients of Imam Hossein Hospital, and 361 adult patients (214 males) with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 from March 5, 2020 to April 3, 2020, were enrolled. Data was gathered on age, sex, comorbidities, initial symptoms, symptoms during the disease course, neurological symptoms, and outcome. The mean age of the patients was 61.90 ± 16.76 years. The most common initial symptoms were cough, fever, and dyspnea. In 21 patients (5.8%), the initial symptom was neurological. History of dementia was associated with severe COVID-19 disease (odds ratio = 1.28). During the course of the disease, 186 patients (51.52%) had at least one neurological symptom, the most common being headache (109 [30.2%]), followed by anosmia/ageusia (69, [19.1%]), and dizziness (54, [15%]). Also, 31 patients had neurological complications (8.58%). Anosmia, ageusia, dizziness, and headache were associated with favorable outcome (P

Migraine is a prevalent disorder in humans and represents one of the top 10 causes of years lived with disability. Several genetic and environmental factors are involved in the pathobiology of migraine. A number of studies have underscored the role of dysregulated immune reactions. We compared the expression levels IL-2, IL-4, CXCL8, IL-17, IFN-γ, TGF-β and TNF-α cytokines in blood specimens of patients with migraine and those of healthy persons to identify any possible dysregulation in their expression and to propose mechanisms for this disorder. Expression of INF-γ was suggestively higher in migraine cases than in healthy individuals (posterior beta = 0.35, adjusted P value = 0.017). In addition, expression of this cytokine was lower in female subjects than in male subjects (posterior beta = −0.712, adjusted P value = 0.012). Expression of IL-4, TGF-β and TNF-α was also higher in cases compared with controls (posterior beta = 1.34, adjusted P value = 0.04; posterior beta = 0.849, adjusted P value = 0.036; posterior beta = 0.451, adjusted P value = 0.042, respectively). On the other hand, CXCL8 expression was lower in migraine cases than in controls (posterior beta = −0.78, adjusted P value = 0.039). Expression levels of IL-1B, IL-17 and IL-2 were not meaningfully different between cases and controls. The current study highlights the dysregulation of cytokine-coding genes in the blood of patients with migraine.

Background Sleep disturbance is a frequent finding in patients with epilepsy. As evaluation of sleep disorders and quality of sleep in patients with epilepsy may provide better management of these patients, we aimed to assess the prevalence of common sleep disorders in patients with epilepsy. Methods Patients with epilepsy referred to an outpatient epilepsy clinic in Tehran during one year were included. Validated Persian questionnaires were used by an interviewer to assess Excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), Restless leg syndrome (RLS), and insomnia. Also, patients’ demographic features and clinical seizure-related characteristics were recorded. Results Seventy patients (35 males) aged between 18 and 75 were enrolled. Among patients, 61.4, 35.7, and 28.6% suffered from insomnia, EDS, and RLS, respectively (mild to severe). When considering seizure characteristics, there was no significant correlation between either seizure frequency or its type and the prevalence of sleep disturbance (although sleep disturbance was more common among patients with higher seizure frequency and patients with generalized seizure). Interestingly, age had a positive correlation with EDS. Conclusion This study showed that sleep disturbance is a common finding in patients with epilepsy, which may become severe in some cases. Taking this into consideration, we suggest that routine evaluation of sleep disorders may help physicians to boost patients’ sleep quality.

Objective The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has affected healthcare systems around the globe and massively impacted patients with various non-infectious, life-threatening conditions. Stroke is a major neurological disease contributing to death and disability worldwide, and is still an ongoing issue during the pandemic. Here we investigate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 outbreak on stroke manifestations, treatment courses, the outcome of stroke patients, and the hospitalization rate in a referral center for stroke management in Tehran, Iran. Methods We extracted data regarding 31 stroke patients (10 patients with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019) and compared the demographic and pathological characteristics of the patients with or without coronavirus disease 2019 infection. The association of demographic/pathological characteristics of stroke patients during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and a corresponding period during the previous year (49 patients) and an earlier period during the same year as the pandemic (50 patients) was also evaluated. Results The absolute number of admissions decreased about 40% during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Except for the stroke severity (P = 0.002), there were no significant changes in the demographic and pathological characteristics of the stroke patients during the three studied periods. A significantly higher mean of age (75.60 ± 9.54 versus 60.86 ± 18.45; P = 0.007), a significant difference in the type of stroke (P = 0.046), and significantly higher stroke severity (P = 0.024) were observed in stroke patients with coronavirus disease 2019 compared with those of stroke patients without coronavirus disease 2019. Treatment approaches, duration of hospitalization, and mortality rates did not differ significantly. Conclusions This report shows that the pandemic caused the number of acute stroke admissions to plummet compared to other periods. Although the pandemic did not affect the treatment plans and care of the patients, stroke cases with coronavirus disease 2019 had higher age, more large vessel ischemic stroke, and more severe stroke. Further studies are urgently needed to realize the probable interaction of the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and the neurologic disease.

Introduction: Migraine is a common disorder which can be seen in approximately 18% of women. The highest prevalence of this disorder has been reported vastly in the women of age between 18 and 49, when they are in the menstrual period and this is supposed to be associated with the same. Aim: To study the menstrual disorders in women with and without migraine. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted with total population of 175 women (Jan 2018-Feb 2019), diagnosed with migraine, using International Headache Society criteria. Age and sex-matched control group was included in the present study. A semi-structured questionnaire about migraine and migraine-related disabilities, menstrual and headache history was conducted. All results were evaluated by SPSS version 22.0 statistical software; Independent t-test and to investigate the relationship between quantitative variables, Spearman’s correlation coefficient was used. Results: In case group, 25.6% of women had menstrual cycle 38 days, which was significantly more than control group. The proportion of women with period lasting

Background and aim: Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder in pregnancy, which is associated with increased maternal and fetal adverse outcomes. This study aimed to explore the reproductive healthcare needs of women with epilepsy before, during and after childbirth. Methods: This was a qualitative study using a content analysis method. The study population was marital women with epilepsy in reproductive age (15-45 years) referred to Imam Hossein Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Participants were 16 women chosen using purposive sampling with the consideration of maximum variation in sampling. Semi-structured interviews were held with the participants until data saturation was reached. The data were analyzed using the content analysis method. The MAXQDA software, version 2010, was used for the management of data. Results: The data analysis led to the development of two categories. The first one is named 'resilience against threats to safe pregnancy' and has the following subcategories: (1) real physical complications and perceived (mental) conditions due to unwanted pregnancies, (2) the predisposing factors of anxiety related to safe pregnancy, (3) perceived consequences of pregnancy', and (4) the approach to encounter perceived consequences of pregnancy. The second category is called 'adverse experiences under inefficient supportive systems' and has the following subcategories: (1) the insufficiency of reproductive healthcare services for women with epilepsy, (2) doubt about the advantages and disadvantages of breastfeeding, (3) stigma as a block to the treatment of the postpartum depression, and (4) playing the motherhood role under the shadow of self-esteem to lack of self-esteem. Conclusion: In the prenatal, natal and postnatal duration, because of supportive system disruption and not receiving proper consultation, participants were often worried about not being able to get favorable conditions for safe pregnancy and controlling process of their pregnancy. Therefore, they often experienced unwanted pregnancy. They were also concerned about the adverse fetal outcomes. In postpartum period, they often experienced postpartum depression and were very doubtful about breastfeeding.

Background: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most prevalent form of peripheral neuropathy. There are various treatments for carpal tunnel. Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the effect of electroacupuncture and exercise on pinch and grip strength and wrist range of motion in patients with mild to moderate CTS. Methods: Sixty patients with carpal tunnel syndrome were evaluated in this study, only five of whom were male. In this study, patients were divided into three groups. The control group consisted of 20 patients who only used splints in the second group, in addition to splints, special exercises were administered, and the third group, electroacupuncture, and brace were prescribed for 12 sessions of 40- minute duration. study time was 6 weeks. The parameters of pinch force, grip force, ROM (flexion and extension) were evaluated at baseline and after the treatment. Results: In this study, 55 women and 5 men with an average age of 49.23 ± 8.96 were enrolled. At the final follow up, significant improvements in all parameters were found in third groups (P < 0.05), except flexion of the wrist in the control group (P = 0.098). Our findings indicate that exercise therapy had more effect on ROM of flexion than acupuncture and acupuncture had more effect on pinching than exercise therapy but the effect sizes were weak. Also, the efficacy of splint alone was less than intervention groups in all parameters. Conclusions: Results of this study demonstrated that adding exercise or acupuncture to nocturnal splinting, the functional improvement is more in patients with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome and these interventions could be adopted in the management of these patients.

Gullian–Barré syndrome (GBS) is an acute autoimmune polyradiculoneuropathy with many variants and distinct presentations. Although cranial neuropathy is a common feature in GBS, third nerve palsy is a rare presentation. Herein, we describe a case of GBS patient who has presented by acute flaccid quadriparesis coexisting bilateral third nerve palsy. We tried to highlight the importance of other cranial nerve involvement in the natural history of GBS.

Objectives To evaluate the prophylactic effects of atorvastatin on frequency, intensity, and duration of migraine attacks compared with sodium valproate. Methods In this randomized, double-blind, single-center controlled trial, patients with 6 to 15 migraine attacks per month, which were candidates of preventive treatment, were recruited. The patients were randomly allocated into 2 groups. The first group (A) received atorvastatin 40 mg daily, and the second group (B) received sodium valproate 500 mg daily. All patients were visited each month and followed up for 3 months. The characteristics of migraine headaches including frequency, intensity, and duration of attacks were recorded, as well as the number of analgesics taken per each attack and probable adverse effects. Results From 100 patients enrolled in the study, 18 cases were excluded owing to adverse effects (2 cases) or lost to follow-up (16 cases). From 82 patients who completed the trial, 46 and 36 were in group A (atorvastatin) and group B (sodium valproate), respectively. Mean age of the patients was not significantly different in the 2 arms of the study (33.56 ± 8.51 in group A and 33.25 ± 9.91 years in group B, P = 0.877). Number, duration, and intensity of attacks and number of analgesics taken during attacks decreased significantly in both groups in monthly follow-ups. However, there was no statistically significant difference between 2 arms of the study in terms of attenuation in the characteristics of migraine attacks. On the other hand, patients in group A suffered fewer adverse effects compared with group B. Conclusions This study indicates that atorvastatin could be an alternative for sodium valproate in migraine prophylaxis with comparable efficacy and fewer adverse effects. Multicenter studies with larger sample size are recommended.

Background: Migraine affects about 16% of the worldwide population. The pathogenesis of the disease consists of a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Given that, according to different polymorphism studies, ethnicity has a role in the gene diversity of migraine, this study was designed to determine the role of MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism in people from Tehran, Iran, who suffer from migraine headaches. Materials and methods: In this case control study, we determined the prevalence of common MTHFR C677T polymorphism in 132 migraine patients in line with IHS criteria (37 migraine patients with aura and 95 migraine patients without aura) and compared it to that in 142 matched healthy controls. The correlation between migraine and genotype was investigated using the chi-square test. The Bonferroni adjusted P-value was also used for pairwise comparison. Results: Our findings demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the frequencies of the TT genotype or T allele distributions between the migraine patients with aura and the control subjects. On the other hand, the frequency of the TT genotype among migraine patients without aura was significantly lower than those in the control group or the patients with aura group. Conclusion: MTHFR C677T polymorphism, which is responsible for reducing MTHFR activity in the folate metabolism, is not a major genetic susceptibility factor for migraine in the investigated population.

Background: Migraine is one of the most debilitating medical conditions and has a high socioeconomic burden. As conventional therapeutic methods do not entirely alleviate the symptoms, new alternatives are being considered. Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy and safety of zonisamide compared with sodium valproate in the management of migraine headaches. Patients and Methods: In the current double-blind, parallel, randomized, controlled trial, 96 patients with a migraine diagnosis based on the international headache society (HIS) criteria were selected. They were divided randomly into two groups; the case group was given zonisamide, and sodium valproate was given to a control group. In addition to the side effects of the drugs, the severity, duration, and frequency of migraine attacks were evaluated at baseline and at three months. Results: The 96 selected patients were divided randomly into two treatment groups (zonisamide n = 48, sodium valproate n = 48). Seven patients were excluded from analysis because of early dropout, leaving 89 (n = 45; n = 44) patients for analysis. While using zonisamide, six (13%) patients complained of fatigue, and two (4%) patients encountered noticeable appetite and weight loss. In the control group, five (11%) patients reported dizziness, and four (9%) patients faced obvious appetite and weight gain. Both drugs were considerably efficient in reducing further attacks. There was no statistically significant correlation between frequency or severity of migraine attacks and the drug used for treatment in three months of follow-up. Conclusions: Both medications are effective in reducing migraine attacks. It will be important to consider the drugs’ adverse effects and availability and patients’ medical and socioeconomic condition to select the appropriate treatment.

Introduction: Topiramate, a sulfa-derivative monosaccharide, is an antiepileptic drug which is administered in the control of migraine. It is reported to cause various ocular side effects such as visual field defect and myopic shift. To investigate the alterations in refractive error, properties of the cornea and changes in the anterior chamber in patients that receive Topiramate for migraine control. Materials and Methods: This is a hospital-based, noninterventional, observational study that is conducted at Imam Hossein Hospital, affiliated to Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Department of Neurology, in collaboration with the department of Ophthalmology. Thirty three consecutive patients with the diagnosis of migraine that were candidate for Topiramate therapy were recruited. Patients with history of ocular trauma or surgery, keratoconus, glaucoma, congenital ocular malformations and any history of unexplained visual loss were excluded. After thorough ophthalmic examination, all the patients underwent central corneal thickness (CCT) measurement, and Pentacam imaging (Scheimpflug camera) at the baseline. Various parameters were extracted and used for analysis. Anterior chamber volume (ACV), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and anterior chamber angle (ACA) measurement was performed. These measurements were repeated on day 30th and 90th after the initiation of Topiramate therapy. According to the normality tests, parameters with normal distribution were analysed using the repeated measures test and the remaining parameters (with non-normal distribution) were analysed using the non-parametric k-sample test. A p-value< 0.05 was considered statistically significant, according to Bonferroni post hoc correction. Results: There were 66 eyes of 33 patients under the diagnosis of migrainous headache, that Topiramate was initiated for headache control, included in the study. The mean value of refractive error had a statistically significant myopic change, from −0.23 diopters (D) at the baseline to −0.61 D at the 90th day of follow-up period (p-value < 0.001). Mean CCT was 531.43 μm at the baseline and increased to 534.72 μm at the 30th day, and 537.51 μm at the 90th day after the administration of Topiramate (p-value=0.001). Mean value of other parameters, ACV, ACD, and ACA, did not reveal statistically significant change. Conclusion: Myopic shift and gradually increasing CCT in the patients after Topiramate administration should be considered before any refractive surgery. We found no gradual change in the anterior chamber and angle parameters in our patients in the 90 days of follow up. More studies with a longer duration of follow-up are needed to elucidate dose-dependent ocular manifestations.

Objectives: The presence of the psychiatric disease and consumption of antiseizure medications are believed to be an underlying cause of suicides. The present study aimed to determine the prevalence of suicide attempts in patients with epilepsy referred to Iranian seizure organization and neurology clinic of Shohadaye Tajrish Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Patients and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 200 patients with epilepsy were enrolled in this study and were interviewed. They were asked to fill the prepared questionnaire, which contained clinical variables and 4 specific questions regarding suicidal behaviors related to the Suicide Behaviors Questionnaire-Revised (SBQ-R). Results: The mean age of the participants was 34 ± 10.6 years. Ninety-one patients (45.5%) were male and 109 (54.5%) were female. Regarding the presence of psychiatric disorders; 25% had a history of depression, 3% bipolar disorders, 1% schizophrenia, 4% personality disorders and 65.5% had no psychiatric disorders. Conclusions: The results of the present study show a high prevalence of suicide attempt among patients with epilepsy and these patients should be considered as a high-risk population regarding the suicide attempt and should be thoroughly evaluated regarding psychiatric disorders and suicidal ideation.