Reward system neurodynamics during menstrual pain modulated by Val158Met polymorphisms.

Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM), characterized by cyclic pain, may involve pain modulation within the reward system (RS). The Catechol-O-methyltransferase () Val158Met polymorphism, which significantly influences dopamine activity, is linked to the regulation of both acute and chronic pain. This study examines the differential neurodynamic modulation in the RS associated with Val158Met polymorphisms during menstrual pain among PDM subjects.

Neural adaptation of the reward system in primary dysmenorrhea.

The brain's reward system (RS) reacts differently to pain and its alleviation. This study examined the correlation between RS activity and behavior during both painful and pain-free periods in individuals with primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) to elucidate their varying responses throughout the menstrual cycle. Ninety-two individuals with PDM and 90 control participants underwent resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) scans during their menstrual and peri-ovulatory phases.

A118G polymorphism modulating motor pathway for pain adaptability in women with primary dysmenorrhea.

Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is a common condition among women of reproductive age, characterized by menstrual pain in the absence of any organic causes. Previous research has established a link between the A118G polymorphism in the mu-opioid receptor () gene and pain experience in PDM. Specifically, carriers of the G allele have been found to exhibit maladaptive functional connectivity between the descending pain modulatory system and the motor system in young women with PDM.

Adaptive neuroplasticity in the default mode network contributing to absence of central sensitization in primary dysmenorrhea.

Introduction: Primary dysmenorrhea (PDM), the most prevalent gynecological problem among women of reproductive age, presents as a regular pattern of cyclic menstrual pain. The presence or absence of central sensitization (i.e.

Acute encephalitis after COVID-19 vaccination: A case report and literature review.

Vaccine-related immune responses are one of the causes of encephalitis. Vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19) have been administered worldwide due to the ongoing global pandemic; cases of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination-related encephalitis were scarcely reported. An 82-year-old female was diagnosed with acute encephalitis following her first dose of vaccination with mRNA-1273 against SARS-CoV-2.

Acute Transverse Myelitis Following COVID-19 Vaccination.

An increasing number of people are undergoing vaccination for COVID-19 because of the ongoing pandemic. The newly developed, genetically engineered mRNA vaccines are critical for controlling the epidemic disease. However, major adverse effects, including neuroimmunological disorders, are being attributed to this vaccine.

Therapeutic Efficacy and the Impact of the "Dose" Effect of Acupuncture to Treat Sciatica: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study.

Purpose: To investigate the required sample size for and feasibility of a full-scale randomized controlled trial examining the impact of the "dose" effect of acupuncture in treating sciatica.

Patients And Methods: Fifty-seven patients with sciatica, aged 35-70 years, were recruited and screened. Thirty-one participants were randomly assigned to receive "low-dose" manual acupuncture (MAL) (n= 15) or "high-dose" manual acupuncture (MAH) (n=16).

Changes in resting-state functional connectivity in nonacute sciatica with acupuncture modulation: A preliminary study.

Aims: To investigate the functional connectivity (FC) in nonacute sciatica and the neuronal correlation of acupuncture analgesia.

Methods: A prospective study employing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging was conducted. Twelve sciatica patients were enrolled to receive six or 18 acupoints of acupuncture treatment twice a week for 4 weeks.

Differing Spontaneous Brain Activity in Healthy Adults with Two Different Body Constitutions: A Resting-State Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners assess body constitution (BC) as a treatment basis for maintaining body homeostasis. We investigated patterns in spontaneous brain activity in different BC groups using resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and determined the relationship between these patterns and quality of life (QOL). Thirty-two healthy individuals divided into two groups (body constitution questionnaire (BCQ)-gentleness [BCQ-G] and BCQ-deficiency [BCQ-D]) based on the body constitution questionnaire (BCQ) underwent rsfMRI to analyze regional homogeneity (ReHo) and the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF).

Acupuncture for a first episode of acute ischaemic stroke: an observer-blinded randomised controlled pilot study.

Objective: To determine the required sample size for, and feasibility of, a RCT examining the effectiveness of early acupuncture for acute ischaemic stroke.

Methods: Thirty-eight patients aged 40-85 years with a first episode of acute ischaemic stroke presenting within 72 h of stroke onset were randomly assigned to receive manual acupuncture (MA group; n=20) plus standard care or standard care only (control group, n=18). The acupuncture treatment was provided daily for 2 weeks.

Intravenous Thrombolysis in a Young Patient with Acute Stroke due to Posterior Cerebral Artery Dissection.

Infarcts of the territory of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) are common and their clinical presentations are well known. However, stroke in young adults originating at the PCA is relatively rare. We describe the case of a young female patient with right PCA infarcts that were probably caused by spontaneous arterial dissection.

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension with cerebrospinal fluid leakage at 2 sites treated by epidural blood patch.

Purpose: Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a relatively uncommon cause of headache, which usually presents as orthostatic cranial pain and is relieved by recumbency. The precise cause of spontaneous spinal cerebrospinal fluid leakage related SIH remains unknown.

Case Report: We report the case of a 32-year-old man who presented with an orthostatic headache.

Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia with T9957C mitochondrial DNA mutation in a Taiwanese patient.

Purpose: Mitochondrial T9957C mutations have been reported in patients with nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy and seizures and in patients with mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes. However, thus far, this mutation has not been reported in patients with chronic progressive external ophthalmoplegia (CPEO).

Case Report: Here we report a female patient with CPEO and agenesis of the corpus callosum.

Hypoglossal schwannoma presenting as hemi-atrophy of the tongue.

Schwannoma of the hypoglossal nerve is extremely rare. We report the clinical manifestations of a patient with Schwannoma of the hypoglossal nerve with hemi-atrophy of the tongue and numbness in the lip. Magnetic resonance image study of the brain showed a lobulated mass at the right posterior fossa with an extension to the right upper neck.