Aberrant Expression of Serum MicroRNA-153 and -199a in Generalized Epilepsy and its Correlation with Drug Resistance.

Background: Epilepsy is one of the common neurological disorders affecting approximately 50 million people worldwide. Despite the recent introduction of new antiepileptic drugs, about one-third of patients with epilepsy have seizures refractory to pharmacotherapy. Early recognition of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy may help direct these patients to appropriate nonpharmacological treatment.

Monosodium glutamate neurotoxicity increases beta amyloid in the rat hippocampus: a potential role for cyclic AMP protein kinase.

Background: Glutamate excitotoxicity and cyclic AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) are both recognized as important mediators in neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objectives: To investigate whether oral or subcutaneous monosodium glutamate (MSG) neurotoxicity mimics some features of AD and whether these can be reversed by the AMPK activator Pioglitazone.

Methods: Male Wistar rats aged 5 weeks were administered oral or subcutaneous MSG for 10 days with or without daily oral Pioglitazone.