Assessment of serum MMP-9, TIMP-1 levels and MMP-9/TIMP-1 ratio in migraine patients with and without aura.

Background And Purpose: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) are the enzymes responsible for proteolytic ac-tivity of extracellular matrix proteins. Tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) are their endogenous inhibitors. MMP-9 acts on the basal membrane of cerebellar epithe-lium and is antagonized by TIMP-1.

Headache as the sole presenting symptom of cerebral venous sinuses thrombosis: Subgroup analysis of data from the VENOST study.

Objectives: Headache is the most common complaint in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and it may sometimes be the only symptom in these patients. This retrospective and prospective study was an investigation of any differences in terms of clinical risk factors, radiological findings, or prognosis in patients with CVST who presented with isolated headache (IH) and cases with other concomitant findings (non-isolated headache [NIH]).

Methods: A total of 1144 patients from a multicenter study of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (VENOST study) were enrolled in this research.

Matrix metalloproteinases and their tissue inhibitors in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis: Possible markers and treatment agents.

Background And Purpose: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), which are synthesized by many cell groups and responsible for the destruction of matrix proteins, and endogen tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) have a role in the pathogenesis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) by affecting the blood-brain barrier. We aimed to investigate the role of MMPs and TIMPs in the immunopathogenesis and in the course of multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: We enrolled 25 relapsing remitting MS patients, who had a definite MS diagnosis according to McDonald criteria and 25 healthy subjects similar for age and gender as control group.

Assessment of Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage or Hemorrhagic Transformation in the VENOST Study.

Introduction: Cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST) may lead to cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure; besides, ischemic or hemorrhagic lesions may develop. Intracerebral hemorrhages occur in approximately one-third of CVST patients. We assessed and compared the findings of the cerebral hemorrhage (CH) group and the CVST group.

Epileptic seizures in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: Subgroup analysis of VENOST study.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence and prognostic impact of early seizures in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis patients (CVST).

Method: VENOST is a retrospective and prospective national multicenter observational study. CVST patients with or without epileptic seizures (ES) were analyzed and compared in terms of demographic and imaging data, causative factors, clinical variables, and prognosis in a total of 1126 patients.

Who is the bigger stigmatizor?: The loved one or the society.

Objective: Epilepsy has long been considered by the society as a dangerous and frightening spiritual possession or even a contagious disease. This results in an unavoidable embarrassment for both the patient and the family leading to social isolation, seclusion, and secretiveness about the diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the stigmatizing level of the general Turkish population and to compare these results with the stigmatizing level of the patients' relatives group (PRG).

Blink Reflex in Episodic and Chronic Migraine.

Introduction: Activation of the trigeminovascular system and sensitization of brainstem trigeminal nuclei play a significant role in the physiopathology of migraine. Our aim was to investigate blink reflex (BR) and its recovery in episodic and chronic migraine patients.

Methods: Twenty-eight chronic migraine patients, thirty-two episodic migraine without aura patients and thirty healthy controls were included in the study.

Behçet's disease as a causative factor of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis: subgroup analysis of data from the VENOST study.

Objective: This study was performed to determine the rate of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) among cases of Behçet's disease (BD) included in a multicentre study of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (VENOST).

Methods: VENOST was a retrospective and prospective national multicentre observational study that included 1144 patients with CVST. The patients were classified according to aetiologic factors, time of CVST symptom onset, sinus involvement, treatment approach and prognosis.

Cognitive Functioning and Silent Neurological Manifestations in Behçet's Disease with Ocular Involvement.

Introduction: Various reports have revealed a cognitive dysfunction in Behçet's disease (BD). In this study, we aimed to assess the silent neurological manifestations, behavioral and neuropsychiological impairments of Behçet's disease patients with ocular involvement.

Methods: Thirty BD patients with ocular involvement in the nonactive phase of their illness were applied detailed neurological examination and magnetic resonance imagining (MRI).

Stigma accounts for depression in patients with epilepsy.

Objective: Epilepsy is a chronic disease with an increased risk of stigmatization due to psychosocial consequences of the seizures. Intuitively, one may well conclude that stigmatization would lead to depression in patients with epilepsy as well as in other patient groups with increased risk of stigmatization. Indeed, there are a few studies in support of this intuition.

Physical Activity Level of Ambulatory Stroke Patients: Is it Related to Neuropsychological Factors?

Introduction: Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for stroke and stroke recurrence. There is insufficient knowledge about the physical activity (PA) level in stroke patients who are ambulatory in the subacute phase. Our aim was to compare the PA level between ambulatory stroke patients and a population of the same age and to investigate neuropsychological factors that could affect the PA level in the same stroke group.

Evaluation of Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase Antibody Levels in Patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy and Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy with Hippocampal Sclerosis.

Introduction: Several clinical studies have been conducted to investigate the role of autoantibodies and immunological mechanisms in the etiology of treatment-resistant epilepsy in recent years. Some immunological treatments have been suggested as a result of these studies. In this study, we aimed to investigate the role of autoimmunity in partial and idiopathic generalized epilepsy and determine the relationship between drug resistance and autoimmune antibodies.

Development and validation of the stigma scale for epilepsy in Turkey.

Objective: Epilepsy is a chronic disease with an increased risk of stigma. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a scale developed by the authors to determine the level of stigma in Turkish patients with epilepsy and their relatives.

Methods: In this pilot study, two scales were developed, one consisting of 32 questions for the patients and one of 20 questions for the patients' relatives.

Exploring psychiatric comorbidities and their effects on quality of life in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy.

Aim: The relation of epilepsy with psychiatric disorders is of great interest to researchers due to its behavioral, social, and cognitive outcomes. In this study, we explored psychiatric comorbidity and its effects on quality of life (QOL) in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) and juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME).

Methods: Thirty patients with MTLE, 30 patients with JME, and 30 healthy controls underwent the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID-I) to diagnose psychiatric disorders.

Interferon β associated nephropathy in a Multiple Sclerosis patient: A case and review.

Background: Interferon beta (IFN β) subtypes are largely used as immunomodulatory agents in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) treatment. While being generally well tolerated, they can cause various side effects. Adverse effects related to kidney are rarely reported.

The relation of serum uric acid levels with L-Dopa treatment and progression in patients with Parkinson's disease.

In this study, we aimed to investigate the association of the serum uric acid (UA) level with disease progression and L-Dopa treatment in PD (Parkinson's disease) patients. Serum UA levels of 80 consecutive PD patients were measured and were matched according to age and sex with 80 healthy controls. The patients were divided into two subgroups according to the pharmaceutical treatment received.

The effects of very early mirror therapy on functional improvement of the upper extremity in acute stroke patients.

[Purpose] The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of a very early mirror therapy program on functional improvement of the upper extremity in acute stroke patients. [Subjects] Eight stroke patients who were treated in an acute neurology unit were included in the study. [Methods] The patients were assigned alternatively to either the mirror therapy group receiving mirror therapy and neurodevelopmental treatment or the neurodevelopmental treatment only group.

Evaluation of cognitive functions of juvenile myoclonic epileptic patients by magnetic resonance spectroscopy and neuropsychiatric cognitive tests concurrently.

Our aim in this research is investigating the hypothesis of biochemical changes in frontal cortex and thalamocortical pathways in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and the interaction between the biochemical changes and cortical functions. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) was applied to 20 JME patients and 20 controls for measuring N-acetyl aspartate (NAA), N-acetyl aspartate to creatine ratio (NAA/Cr), Glutamine and Glutamate (GLX), Glutamine-Glutamate to creatine (GLX/Cr), Choline containing compounds (Cho) and Choline to creatine (Cho/Cr) levels. Neuropsychological cognitive tests for linguistic and visual attention, linguistic and visual memory, visuospatial and executive functions were applied to all participants.

Independent effect of fatigue on health-related quality of life in patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease.

Nonmotor symptoms (NMS) of idiopathic Parkinson's disease (IPD), specifically fatigue, depression and sleep disturbances, are important contributors for worse quality of life and poor patient outcomes. The aim of this research is to determine the relationship between fatigue and other NMS and the independent effect of fatigue on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with IPD. 86 IPD patients and 85 healthy individuals were included in our study.

Evaluation of interictal autonomic function during attack and remission periods in cluster headaches.

Objective: To investigate which part of the autonomic system is mainly involved and assess the sensitivity of face sympathetic skin response in cluster headache.

Material And Methods: The study sample consisted of 19 drug-free cluster headache patients (16 males, three females) and 19 healthy volunteers. Demographic features and pain characteristics were thoroughly identified.

Ulnar nerve compression at the wrist: diagnostic role of palmar stimulation.

Objective: Electrophysiological diagnosis of ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist is sometimes difficult. The aim was to evaluate the diagnostic role of ulnar nerve stimulation above and below the Guyon channel in ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist.

Methods: Supramaximal ulnar nerve stimulation at the wrist and palm, in addition to the standard nerve conduction studies, in 10 patients with ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist and 40 controls.