Cranial Autonomic Symptoms in Migraine: An Observational Study.

Objective: Our aim was to observe frequency of cranial autonomic symptoms (CAS) in migraineurs (primary) and its relation with laterality of headache or other factors, if any.

Background: Migraine episodes have headaches with or without aura, and sometimes associated with systemic autonomic nervous system symptoms. Primarily presence of cranial autonomic symptoms suggests diagnosis of TACs.

A Comparative Study of Regional Cerebral Blood Flow Asymmetry Index in Stroke Patients with or without Poststroke Depression Using Tc-ECD Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography.

 Stroke is a major cause of death and disability around the globe. The development of depression following a stroke further increases the disability and impairs functional recovery. In recent decades, despite the advancement in structural and nuclear medicine imaging, the pathophysiologic basis of poststroke depression (PSD) is not well understood.

Autonomic Function Tests, Heart Rate Variability, and Electrophysiological Evaluation in Patients With a Primary Episodic Headache: An Observational Study.

Purpose: Cranial autonomic symptoms are typically associated with the trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias and also present in substantial cases of migraine. Autonomic nervous system dysfunctions are also been reported in headache disorders and postulated to promote headache attacks. This study was aimed to evaluate the parasympathetic and sympathetic autonomic functions tests in patients with a episodic primary headache and to investigate, if any, electrophysiological abnormalities in the blink reflex test and sympathetic skin response test in these patients.

Radiofrequency Treatment of Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia (Conventional vs. Pulsed): A Prospective Randomized Control Study.

Background: Idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TGN) is a chronic pain disorder causing unilateral, severe brief stabbing recurrent pain in the distribution of one or more branches of the trigeminal nerve. Conventional radiofrequency (CRF) and pulsed radiofrequency (PRF) are two types of minimally invasive treatment. CRF selectively ablates the part of ganglion to provide the relief, but it has been found to be associated with some side effects such as dysesthesia or sensory loss in 6%-28% and loss of corneal reflex in 3%-8% of patients.

High resolution ultrasonography of peripheral nerves in diabetic patients to evaluate nerve cross sectional area with clinical profile.

Objectives: The aim of this observational study was ultrasound evaluation of peripheral nerves cross-sectional area (CSA) in subjects with probable diabetic peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy (DPN). CSA was analyzed with reference to clinical and nerve conduction study's (NCS) parameters for early diagnosis and pattern of involvement.

Methods: A total of 50 patients with probable DPN due to Type 2 diabetes and 50 age-matched healthy controls underwent sonographic examinations of ulnar nerve at the lower arm, median nerve proximal to carpal tunnel, the common peroneal nerve proximal to fibular head, tibial nerve proximal to the tarsal tunnel, and sural nerve at lower third leg.

Classification and comparative analysis of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) semiology based on video-electroencephalography (VEEG).

Background: Multiple classification systems for psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) based on semiological features have been described. We sought to compare the efficiency of four PNES classification systems.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed medical and video-electroencephalography (VEEG) records of patients with PNES with at least one typical event recorded on VEEG.

Clinical value of perilesional perfusion deficit measured by Technetium-99m-ECD single-photon emission computed tomography in hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.

Pathological and experimental studies indicate the existence of a "penumbra" of progressive tissue damage and edema in regions immediately surrounding a hematoma in patients of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). This zone of oligemia surrounding ICH has a potential for perfusion recovery. Improved understanding of the pathophysiology of perilesional blood flow changes and brain injury after ICH may result in improved treatment strategies.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels in acute stroke and its clinical implications.

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has a very important role in repairing intact and injured brain, also known as neuroplasticity. Risk factors may affect neuroplasticity.

Objectives: In this study, our aim was to delineate the levels of BDNF in acute stroke with different etiology and impact of risk factors on its levels.

Depression impedes neuroplasticity and quality of life after stroke.

Background And Purpose: Depression following a stroke/poststroke depression (PSD) has been newly recognized as one of the most common complications after stroke. PSD may affect neuroplasticity and quality of life. The purpose of present study was to find out effects of depression on functional recovery, quality of life and neuroplasticity in patients with acute stroke.

Post-stroke BDNF concentration changes following proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises.

Background: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays an important role in repairing normal as well as in the injured brain. Physical exercise may have a positive impact on the release of BDNF.

Objective: PNF is a neurophysiological approach that facilitates the stimulation of central and peripheral nervous systems.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 impedes functional recovery, neuroplasticity and quality of life after stroke.

Objectives: The recovery after stroke depends on the resolution of brain edema and neuroplasticity. The comorbidities associated with stroke such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) may increase the chances of unfavorable outcome and delay the recovery from stroke and needs further investigation.

Subjects And Methods: The study dealt with 208 patients.

Mandating nerve biopsy: A step towards personalizing therapy in pure neuritic leprosy.

Pure neuritic leprosy (PNL) accounts for 5% to 10% of leprosy patients who usually present with asymmetrical neuropathy in the absence of lepra bacilli on slit-skin smears. However, nerve biopsies in PNL lack appropriate categorization in current immunologic terms. We aimed to classify nerve biopsies according to the immune spectrum of leprosy and assess the role of histologic classification of nerve biopsies in treating PNL.

Dopa-responsive Dystonia in a Child Misdiagnosed as Cerebral Palsy.

Dopa-responsive dystonia also known as "Segawa's syndrome" was first described in 1976. The dystonia typically shows diurnal variations and is more marked toward the end of the day and improves in sleep. This entity is often misdiagnosed in the clinical setting, mostly due to the lack of awareness, and these patients are exposed to various treatment regimens and nonpharmacological measures.

Evaluation of polymerase chain reaction in nerve biopsy specimens of patients with Hansen's disease.

Background: Pure neuritic variety of leprosy (PNL) presents as peripheral neuropathy with absent skin lesions and negative skin smears. Diagnosing PNL is an uphill task as most of these patients have nonspecific changes on nerve biopsy. In such circumstances, additional molecular diagnostic tools like polymerase chain reaction (PCR) has proven to be useful in diagnosing leprosy.

Stroke Associated With Varicella Zoster Vasculopathy: A Clinicoradiological Profile of 3 Patients.

Introduction: Varicella zoster (VZ) vasculopathy is a rare but well recognized cause of stroke. In the absence of zoster rash and infection in remote past, the disease can pose diagnostic challenge. We report 3 cases of anterior circulation stroke occurring in close temporal relation to VZ.

Acute Encephalitis Syndrome in Adults and Its Correlation with Cytokine Levels in the Serum and Cerebrospinal Fluid.

Acute encephalitis syndrome (AES) is a major health problem in developing countries including India. Neuronal injury in encephalitis is attributed to direct toxicity from pathogens and proinflammatory cytokines. In this study, we assessed cytokine levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and their correlation with clinical symptoms.

Rapidly Resolving Weakness Related to Hypokalemia in Patients Infected With Dengue Virus.

Objectives: Dengue is a mosquito-borne disease caused by arbovirus and well known for its typical fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome. Acute hypokalemic quadriparesis is a rare presentation of dengue with uncertain pathogenesis. We aim to describe the clinical and biochemical characteristics of rapidly resolving weakness related to hypokalemia in patients infected with dengue virus.

Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis in a Child with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Co-Infection.

Subacute sclerosing panencephalitis is a fatal infectious disease of childhood caused by persistence of the measles virus in the brain. The effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection on subacute sclerosing panencephalitis remains elusive and rare. We report a child who developed subacute sclerosing panencephalitis following a short latency period and a rapidly progressive course with HIV co-infection.

Visual pathway abnormalities in tuberculous meningitis.

Ophthalmological complications are common and disabling in patients with tuberculous meningitis. We aimed to study the visual pathway abnormalities in patients with tuberculous meningitis. Forty-three patients with tuberculous meningitis were subjected to visual evoked responses (VER) and neuroophthalmologic assessment.

Nerve biopsy in Indian patients with mononeuropathy multiplex of undetermined etiology.

Introduction: A diagnosis of mononeuropathy multiplex (MM) requires detailed evaluation to determine etiology. We performed nerve biopsy on patients with MM in whom the etiology could not be established via other investigations.

Methods: Sixty-eight patients with MM seen between January 2013 and June 2014 underwent detailed diagnostic evaluation.

Assessment of topiramate's efficacy and safety in epilepsy.

Objective: To study the significance of topiramate (TPM) addition on seizure control in treatment of epilepsy.

Design: A prospective open label add-on trial of TPM addition in patients with epilepsy was done. The events of baseline phase of 12 weeks followed by titration and maintenance phases were recorded.

Knowledge awareness and attitude about epilepsy among schoolteachers in India.

Purpose: Despite recent advances in the management of epilepsy the efforts to assess knowledge, attitude and practice towards epilepsy are limited, particularly in the developing countries. To delineate the magnitude and scope of this problem, present study was conducted to assess the knowledge attitude and practice about epilepsy amongst schoolteachers in Northeast Uttar Pradesh, the most populous state of India. The basis of involving schoolteachers was their special role in Indian society with their larger interaction among the segment of population most affected by epilepsy.