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Despite the many studies into the history of headache, the ways in which the disorder was treated in medieval Persia are not well known in the west. Several documents still exist from which the definitions and treatments of headache in medieval Persia can be ascertained. These documents give detailed and precise clinical information on different types of headache. The medieval doctors listed various signs and symptoms, apparent causes, and hygienic and dietary rules for prevention of headaches. The medieval writings are both accurate and vivid, and they provide long lists of substances used in the treatment of headaches. Many of the approaches of physicians in medieval Persia are accepted today; however, still more of them could be of use to modern medicine. The main objective of this paper is to review the clinical approaches to headache used by practitioners in medieval Persia. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background Cortical spreading depression (CSD) related diseases such as migraine, cerebrovascular diseases, and epilepsy have been associated with reactive astrocytosis, yet the mechanisms of these tissue changes remain unclear. CSD-induced inflammatory response has been proposed to play a role in some neurological disorders and thus may also contribute to reactive astrocytosis. Methods Using ex vivo brain slices and in vitro astrocytic cultures, we aimed to characterize CSD related changes in astrocytes and markers of inflammation by immunocyto- and immunohistochemistry. CSD was induced by application of KCl (3 mol/l) on neocortical tissues. The application of KCl was repeated weekly over the course of four weeks. Results CSD induced an increase in the mean number and volume of astrocytes in rat brain tissue when compared to controls, whereas no changes in neuronal numbers and volumes were seen. These cell-type specific changes, suggestive of reactive astrocytosis, were paralleled by an increased expression of protein markers indicative of astrocytes and neuroinflammation in ex vivo brain slices of animals undergoing CSD when compared to sham-treated controls. Cultured astrocytes showed an increased expression of the immune modulatory enzyme indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase and an elevated expression of the pro-inflammatory markers, IL-6, IL-1β, and TNFα in addition to increased levels of toll like receptors (TLR3 and TLR4) and astrocytic markers after induction of CSD. Conclusion These findings indicate that CSD related reactive astrocytosis is linked to an upregulation of inflammatory markers. Targeting inflammation with already approved and available immunomodulatory treatments may thus represent a strategy to combat or ameliorate CSD-related disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Neural stem/progenitor cells (NS/PCs) hold a great potential for delivery of therapeutic agents into the injured regions of the brain. Efficient gene delivery using NS/PCs may correct a genetic defect, produce therapeutic proteins or neurotransmitters, and modulate enzyme activation. Here, we investigated the efficiency of a recombinant lentivirus vector expressing green fluorescent protein (GFP) for genetic engineering of human NS/PCs obtained during brain surgery on patients with medically intractable epilepsy., Materials and Methods: NS/PCs were isolated from human epileptic neocortical tissues. Three plasmids (pCDH, psPAX2, pMD2.G) were used to make the virus. To produce the recombinant viruses, vectors were transmitted simultaneously into HEk-293T cells. The lentiviral particles were then used to transduce human NS/PCs., Results: Our in vitro study revealed that lentivirus vector expressing GFP efficiently transduced about 80% of human NS/PCs. The expression of GFP was assessed as early as 3 days following exposure and remained persistent for at least 4 weeks., Conclusion: Lentiviral vectors can mediate stable, long-term expression of GFP in human NS/PCs obtained from epileptic neocortical tissues. This suggests lentiviral vectors as a potential useful tool in human NS/PCs-based gene therapy for neurological disorders, such as epilepsy.

Objectives: Among several cell sources, adult human neural stem/progenitor cells (hNS/PCs) have been considered outstanding cells for performing mechanistic studies in in vitro and in vivo models of neurological disorders as well as for potential utility in cell-based therapeutic approaches. Previous studies addressed the isolation and culture of hNS/PCs from human neocortical and hippocampal tissues. However, little data are available on hNS/PCs obtained from the adult human amygdala., Materials and Methods: The present study explored the capacity of the amygdala harvested from resected brain tissues of patients with medically refractory epilepsy to generate neurosphere-like bodies and motor neuron-like cells., Results: Although the proliferation process was slow, a considerable amount of cells was obtained after the 3rd passage. In addition, the cells could generate motor neuron-like cells under appropriate culture conditions., Conclusion: Isolation and culture of these cells enable us to improve our knowledge of the role of the amygdala in some neurological and psychological disorders and provide a novel source for therapeutic cell transplantation.

Naturally occurring substances mentioned in medieval medical literatures currently have, and will continue to have, a crucial place in drug discovery. Avicenna was a Persian physician who is known as the most influential medical writers in the Middle ages. Avicenna`s Canon of Medicine, the most famous books in the history of medicine, presents a clear and organized summary of all the medical knowledge of the time, including a long list of drugs. Several hundred substances and receipts from different sources are mentioned for treatment of different illnesses in this book. The aim of the present study was to provide a descriptive review of all anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs presented in this comprehensive encyclopedia of medicine. Data for this review were provided by searches of different sections of this book. Long lists of anti-inflammatory and analgesic substances used in the treatment of various diseases are provided. The efficacy of some of these drugs, such as opium, willow oil, curcuma, and garlic, was investigated by modern medicine; pointed to their potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. This review will help further research into the clinical benefits of new drugs for treatment of inflammatory diseases and pain.