CSF and blood levels of Neurofilaments, T-Tau, P-Tau, and Abeta-42 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Recent literature suggests that markers of neuroaxonal damage, such as neurofilaments and tau protein, might serve as potential biomarkers for ALS. We conducted this systematic review and meta-analysis study to compare cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood levels of total tau (t-tau), phosphorylated tau (p-tau), amyloid beta peptide 42 (Abeta-42), and neurofilaments in ALS patients and controls. A systematic search of Cochrane Library, PubMed, Embase, and ISI Web of Science was conducted on March 18, 2022, and updated on January 26, 2023.

Clinical determinants of sleep quality in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objectives: Poor sleep quality is more prevalent in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) than in healthy populations. The purpose of this study was to examine whether or not motor dysfunction at various distinct levels correlates with subjective sleep quality.

Methods: Patients with ALS and controls were assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), ALS Functional Rating Scale Revised (ALSFRS-R), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS).

Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection in Neurological Intensive Care Units: A Narrative Review.

Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is among the most common types of healthcare-associated infection (HAI), which is associated with poor outcomes and prolonged hospitalization in critically ill patients. Previous studies have mentioned that patients admitted to neurological ICUs are at higher risk of CAUTI compared to patients in other ICU settings. This review paper aims to review studies published during the last decade that evaluated the incidence, risk factors, causative pathogens, and preventive strategies and treatment in neuro-critically ill patients.

Safety and efficacy of melatonin, clonazepam, and trazodone in patients with Parkinson's disease and sleep disorders: a randomized, double-blind trial.

Background: Sleep disturbances are common non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to compare the safety and efficacy of trazodone with melatonin and clonazepam in patients with PD and sleep complaints.

Methods: This single-center, double-blind, randomized clinical trial was conducted on PD patients with subjective sleep complaints.

Alterations of the serum and CSF ferritin levels and the diagnosis and prognosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Background: The ALS diagnostic challenges necessitate more robust diagnostic and prognostic methods. A potential biomarker in this regard is the alterations of ferritin levels in the serum and CSF of patients compared to controls.

Methods: The CSF and serum ferritin levels were measured in 50 ALS cases and 50 control patients with predefined exclusion criteria.

The second brain: The connection between gut microbiota composition and multiple sclerosis.

Gut microbiota composition may affect the central nervous system (CNS) and immune function. Several studies have recently examined the possible link between gut microbiota composition and multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Most of these studies agree that patients with MS suffer from dysbiosis.

Investigating the possible association between NLRP3 gene polymorphisms and myasthenia gravis.

Introduction: In this case-control study, we investigated the association between nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs10754558, rs3806265, rs4612666, and rs35829419 and myasthenia gravis (MG).

Methods: Samples from MG patients were selected from a previous study conducted in our neuromuscular clinic, which investigated the association between human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II genes and MG. Genetic data of controls were also available from another study.

Evaluating Executive Functions in Patients with Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy Using Frontal Assessment Battery.

Objective: In this study, we aimed to evaluate the executive profile of juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) patients using the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) as a bedside screening tool and investigate its association with seizure proximity, family history of epilepsy, and polytherapy/monotherapy with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs).

Background: JME patients have deficits in various aspects of executive functions. FAB has proved to be a useful tool for evaluating executive functions in clinical settings.

Safety and efficacy of memantine for multiple sclerosis-related fatigue: A pilot randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Fatigue is one of the most common symptoms in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Currently, there is no approved medication for MS-related fatigue.

Objective: In this study, we aim to evaluate the safety and efficacy of memantine for improving fatigue in patients with MS.

Demographic, clinical, and virological characteristics of patients with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of influenza during three consecutive seasons, 2015/2016-2017/18, in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Background: There are minimal data on the differences in demographics, clinical presentations and outcomes for patients with different types and sub-types of influenza in the Middle East.

Objectives: To use population-based data from Iran to investigate factors associated with unfavorable disease outcome.

Study Design: Clinical data were compiled from the Iranian Ministry of Health for patients of all ages who fulfilled the severe acute respiratory infections (SARI) definition according to World Health Organization criteriatested for any reason and found to have and had laboratory proven influenza September 21, 2015 through March 20, 2018.

Cinnarizine and sodium valproate as the preventive agents of pediatric migraine: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Background: Few migraine preventive agents have been assessed in a pediatric population. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of cinnarizine and sodium valproate for migraine prophylaxis in children and adolescents.

Methods: We carried out a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial in the Children's Medical Center and Sina hospital, Tehran, Iran.

Correction to: A Preliminary Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Bumetanide, an NKCC1 Inhibitor, in Patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy.

The correct name of the co-author should be ''Vajiheh Aghamollaii'', and not ''Vajihe Aghamollaii'' as given in the original publication of the article.

Levetiracetam for prophylactic treatment of pediatric migraine: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.

Introduction: Few drugs are available for migraine prophylaxis in children. Levetiracetam is a broad-spectrum anti-seizure drug that has been suggested to be effective in reducing adult migraine episodes. We assessed the safety and efficacy of levetiracetam in the prevention of pediatric migraine.

A Preliminary Study Evaluating the Safety and Efficacy of Bumetanide, an NKCC1 Inhibitor, in Patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy.

Background: Dysregulation of cation-chloride cotransporters NKCC1 and KCC2 expression was shown to be related to drug-resistant epilepsy. Previous studies suggested that bumetanide, an inhibitor of NKCC1, might have antiepileptic effects.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of bumetanide add-on therapy in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy and its relation to cation-chloride cotransporters NKCC1 and KCC2.

CSF and blood biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a highly progressive and debilitating neurodegenerative disease, which usually leads to the death of affected individuals within a few years after the onset of symptoms. ALS is currently incurable and very little is known about its pathophysiology. Finding validated biomarkers will help us to advance our understanding of ALS etiology and find better strategies for early diagnosis and management of the disease.

Safety and Efficacy of Nanocurcumin as Add-On Therapy to Riluzole in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial.

The objective of present study was to assess the safety and efficacy of nanocurcumin as an anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent in adults with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We conducted a 12-month, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial at a neurological referral center in Iran. Eligible patients with a definite or probable ALS diagnosis were randomly assigned to receive either nanocurcumin (80 mg daily) or placebo in a 1:1 ratio.

Osteopontin (OPN) as a CSF and blood biomarker for multiple sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Identifying a reliable biomarker may accelerate diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) and lead to early management of the disease. Accumulating evidence suggest that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and peripheral blood concentration of osteopontin (OPN) may have diagnostic and prognostic value in MS. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that measured peripheral blood and CSF levels of OPN in MS patients and controls to evaluate the diagnostic potential of this biomarker better.

Evaluating executive function in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy using the frontal assessment battery.

Previous studies have demonstrated executive dysfunction in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Frontal assessment battery (FAB) is a short neuropsychological tool that was developed for assessment of frontal lobe function in a clinical setting. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the clinical utility of FAB for detection of executive dysfunction in TLE patients.

Efficacy and safety of oral ketamine versus diclofenac to alleviate mild to moderate depression in chronic pain patients: A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Ketamine is a glutamate N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antagonist capable of exerting antidepressive effects in single or repeated intravenous infusions. The objective of this study was to investigate the safety and the efficacy of oral ketamine vs. diclofenac monotherapy in reducing symptoms of mild to moderate depression among patients with chronic pain.

Paracetamol 325 mg/tramadol 37.5 mg effect on pain during needle electromyography: a double-blind crossover clinical trial.

Needle insertion during electromyography (EMG) may cause varying levels of pain that could lead to inaccurate assessment and premature termination of the procedure. The aim of this study is to compare paracetamol 325 mg/tramadol 37.5 mg with placebo in relieving pain before EMG.