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Introduction: In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical effects of COVID-19 infection and vaccines on Myasthenia gravis (MG) during the pandemic. Methods: A total of 141 MG patients between April 2020 and December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Data including demographic and clinical characteristics of patients, COVID-19 test results, and vaccine types (mRNA-BNT162b2 and/or inactivated-CoronaVac) were recorded. All patients were followed by face-to-face interviews and/or phone calls. Worsening MG symptoms after COVID-19 infection or vaccines were noted. Results: A total of 60 patients were diagnosed with COVID-19, and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction test results were COVID-19 positive in 54 (90%) patients. Twenty-eight (46.7%) patients had lung involvement, while 20(33.3%) patients were followed in the ward. Twelve (20%) patients were followed in the intensive care unit, and two of them (3.3%) died. Both deceased patients were unvaccinated. The most common symptoms were fatigue (78.3%), and 13(21.7%) patients were asymptomatic. Of the patients, 96(68%) received at least one dose BNT162b2 or CoronaVac, while 30.4% of the patients received ≥3 doses of vaccines. The local skin irritation and fatigue rate was significantly higher with BNT162b2 vaccine than CoronaVac (p<0.001 and p=0.004, respectively). No serious side effect was observed with either vaccine. Five patients had worsening MG symptoms after vaccination during a six-week follow-up. None of the patients experienced myasthenic crises. Conclusion: Our study results suggest that COVID-19 infection affects MG similar to the general population and does not lead to worsening MG symptoms. Both mRNA and inactivated vaccines with proven efficacy can be used safely in MG patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Recent studies on neurodegenerative diseases have indicated that Orexin A plays a role in cognitive impairment. Furthermore, animal studies have demonstrated that Orexin A enhances synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. The present study aimed to investigate the potential effect of orexin A on cognitive decline in patients with epilepsy. Methods: This study included patients with epilepsy (patient group), including those with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE subgroup) (n=24) and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE subgroup) (n=17), and healthy controls (control group) (n=27), all aged 18-65 years. The Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS) visual memory subtest and Oktem Verbal Memory Processes Test (OVMPT) (15-word Turkish verbal learning memory test) were administered to all participants. Serum Orexin A levels were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The mean Orexin A level in the control group was 25.84±14.65 pg mL-1, versus 24.57±12.50 pg mL-1 in the IGE group and 23.01±12.86 pg mL-1 in the mTLE group. There were no significant differences in the Orexin A level between any of the groups/subgroups. Moreover, no significant correlation was observed between the Orexin A level, WMS visual memory subtest, and OVMPT scores. Conclusion: Our findings showed no association between the Orexin A level and cognitive impairment in patients with epilepsy. Further studies are needed to clarify the complex role of Orexin A in cognitive function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Anatolian Journal of General Medical Research is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Neurology / Turk Noroloji Dergisi is the property of Galenos Yayinevi Tic. LTD. STI and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Objectives: Drug-related problems (DRPs) and non-adherence are important barriers to ensuring optimal antiseizure drug treatment. The aim of this study was to improve medication adherence, detect and manage DRPs, and decrease the number of seizures with pharmacist-led education in patients with epilepsy. Materials and Methods: A prospective and interventional study was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Neurology, the rational drug usage unit of a hospital pharmacy in a university hospital. The impact of pharmacist-led education on medication adherence and interventions in the management of DRPs was assessed in patients with epilepsy who were admitted to the outpatient clinic. A total of 39 patients with epilepsy were evaluated in terms of medication adherence, DRPs, and seizure control over a 2-month follow-up period and patient satisfaction with pharmacy services at the end of the study. Results: A total of 59 DRPs were detected, and 71.2% of them were accepted and implemented both by physicians and/or patients. Pharmacist interventions solved 62.7% of DRPs. The number of patients with high-level medication adherence significantly increased from 17 to 28 after pharmacist-led education (p < 0.001). The number of seizures decreased in 19 patients (48.7%) during the 2-month period. Patient satisfaction was high in all patients. Conclusion: It is shown that the contribution of pharmacists in treating patients with epilepsy is beneficial in improving medication adherence, detection and management of DRPs, and decreasing the number of seizures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunction is thought to be found in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Copeptin is a serum protein that is indicated as an indirect marker of HPA axis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between HPA axis and clinically silent MS (CSMS) by evaluating copeptin levels. Materials and Methods: Sixty patients with CSMS which was defined as relapsing-remitting MS without attack and progression, and 60 healthy individuals were included in the study from September 2016 to September 2017. All patients were in the remission period. HPA axis dysfunction was examined by measuring serum copeptin levels in all individuals. Copeptin level was compared with clinical parameters in patients with MS. Results: A total of 120 individuals were composed of 60 patients with CSMS and 60 healthy controls. The average ages of the patients and the control group were 37.1±8 (20-52) and 35.1±8.9 (18-54), respectively. The copeptin level was significantly lower in patients compared to the control group (p<0.001). In both groups, gender played no differential role in copeptin levels (p<0.05). No significant correlation was determined between copeptin levels, age (r=0.121, p = 0.188), last Expanded Disability Status Scale score (r = -0.035, p = 0.790) and disease duration (r = 0.032, p = 0.810). Conclusion: These results indicate that HPA axis may also be hypoactive in remission period in patients with CSMS. According to our findings, we consider that copeptin levels can be used as a prognostic marker in patients with clinically inactive MS in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Relapses of multiple sclerosis (MS) are usually treated with high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (IVMP), given over 3-10 days. There is no consensus on the optimal duration of treatment. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether longer treatment provides additional short-term clinical benefits assessed by the change in plasma cytokine levels and EDSS scores in patients with relapsing--remitting MS (RRMS). Methods: Forty RRMS patients during relapse were grouped into 3 and treated with 1 g/day of IVMP for either 5, 7, or 10 consecutive days. Results: Levels of IL-10 and IL-12 were analyzed, and EDSS scores were noted before treatment, after treatment (on days 6, 8, or 11) and at the 4th week. IVMP treatment significantly induced anti-inflammatory IL-10 levels but had no effect on IL-12 levels. IVMP treatment for 7 or 10 consecutive days was not significantly different than that for 5 days in terms of the change in IL-12, IL-10 levels or clinical outcome. Conclusion: In conclusion, pulse high-dose IVMP treatment enhances functional recovery in patients with acute relapses of RRMS. In addition, IVMP treatment significantly increases the levels of IL-10 but has no effect on the levels of IL-12 in the short term. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Turkish Journal of Geriatrics / Türk Geriatri Dergisi is the property of Turkish Geriatrics Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Ortadogu Medical Journal / Ortadogu Tip Dergisi is the property of Bastas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)