Directional flow in perivascular networks: mixed finite elements for reduced-dimensional models on graphs.

Flow of cerebrospinal fluid through perivascular pathways in and around the brain may play a crucial role in brain metabolite clearance. While the driving forces of such flows remain enigmatic, experiments have shown that pulsatility is central. In this work, we present a novel network model for simulating pulsatile fluid flow in perivascular networks, taking the form of a system of Stokes-Brinkman equations posed over a perivascular graph.

The directional flow generated by peristalsis in perivascular networks-Theoretical and numerical reduced-order descriptions.

Directional fluid flow in perivascular spaces surrounding cerebral arteries is hypothesized to play a key role in brain solute transport and clearance. While various drivers for a pulsatile flow, such as cardiac or respiratory pulsations, are well quantified, the question remains as to which mechanisms could induce a directional flow within physiological regimes. To address this question, we develop theoretical and numerical reduced-order models to quantify the directional (net) flow induceable by peristaltic pumping in periarterial networks.

A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing the Attention Training Technique and Mindful Self-Compassion for Students With Symptoms of Depression and Anxiety.

The Attention Training Technique (ATT) and Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) are two promising psychological interventions. ATT is a 12-min auditory exercise designed to strengthen attentional control and promote external focus of attention, while MSC uses guided meditation and exercises designed to promote self-compassion. In this randomized controlled trial (RCT), a three-session intervention trial was conducted in which university students were randomly assigned to either an ATT-group ( = 40) or a MSC-group ( = 41).

Disease-specific clinical pathways - are they feasible in primary care? A mixed-methods study.

Objective: To explore the feasibility of disease-specific clinical pathways when used in primary care.

Design: A mixed-method sequential exploratory design was used. First, merging and exploring quality interview data across two cases of collaboration between the specialist care and primary care on the introduction of clinical pathways for four selected chronic diseases.

Beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration: a case report and review of the literature.

Beta-propeller protein-associated neurodegeneration (BPAN) is a rare disorder, which is increasingly recognized thanks to next-generation sequencing. Due to a highly variable phenotype, patients may present to pediatrics, neurology, psychiatry, or internal medicine. It is therefore essential that physicians of different specialties are familiar with this severe and debilitating condition.

PNKP Mutations Identified by Whole-Exome Sequencing in a Norwegian Patient with Sporadic Ataxia and Edema.

We identified PNKP mutations in a Norwegian woman with AOA. This patient had the typical findings with cognitive dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy, cerebellar dysarthria, horizontal nystagmus, oculomotor apraxia, and severe truncal and appendicular ataxia. In addition, she had hypoalbuminemia and massive lower limb edema which showed some improvement with treatment.

Investigation of suspected chronic fatigue syndrome/myalgic encephalopathy.

Background: Chronic fatigue is a frequently occurring problem in both the primary and specialist health services. The Department of Neurology at Haukeland University Hospital has established a standard assessment for patients referred with suspected CFS/ME. This study reports diagnoses and findings upon assessment, and considers the benefit of supplementary examinations.

Excellent response of intramedullary Erdheim-Chester disease to vemurafenib: a case report.

Background: Erdheim-Chester disease is a rare histiocytosis characterized by multi-systemic organ involvement. Immune-modulating agents such as interferon-alpha have limited success and the disorder is progressive and causes high morbidity and mortality. Treatment with the BRAF-inhibitor vemurafenib has recently produced substantial improvement in three patients with Erdheim-Chester disease expressing the p.

Progressive striatal necrosis associated with anti-NMDA receptor antibodies.

Background: We report a case of childhood onset, generalized dystonia due to slowly progressive bilateral striatal necrosis associated with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) antibodies. This clinical phenotype has not been previously associated with NMDA receptor autoimmunity.

Case Presentation: An eighteen year old man presented with a history of childhood-onset, progressive generalized dystonia.

Community assembly in epiphytic lichens in early stages of colonization.

Colonization studies may function as natural experiments and have the potential of addressing important questions about community assembly. We studied colonization for a guild of epiphytic lichens in a former treeless heathland area of 170 km2 in southwest Norway. We investigated if epiphytic lichen species richness and composition on aspen (Populus tremula) trees corresponded to a random draw of lichen individuals from the regional species pool.

Leukoencephalopathy with brainstem and spinal cord involvement caused by a novel mutation in the DARS2 gene.

Leukoencephalopathy with brainstem and spinal cord involvement and elevated lactate (LBSL) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the gene encoding a mitochondrial aspartyl-tRNA synthetase, DARS2. The disease is characterized by progressive spastic ataxia and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) shows a highly characteristic leukoencephalopathy with multiple long tract involvement. We describe the clinical and radiological features of two new cases of LBSL and report a novel pathogenic mutation in the DARS2 gene.

Characteristics of generalised epileptiform activity.

Objective: To study the age-related occurrence of specific features of generalised epileptiform activity (GEA), their correlation with EEG background activity (BA), and their internal correlation.

Methods: 17,723 consecutive routine EEGs from 12,511 patients were annotated and categorised into a database. The first EEG containing GEA from all 325 patients with such activity were selected and categorised for GEA features.

Focal epileptiform activity described by a large computerised EEG database.

Objective: To study the age-related topographical tendency of expressing epileptiform activity, and the effect of focal epileptiform activity (FEA) on the general cortical brain activity.

Methods: 1647 consecutive routine EEGs containing FEA were visually assessed for FEA location and asymmetry. Background activity was compared with that in normal EEGs from 3268 drug-free outpatient controls.

[Erroneous and unsatisfactory filling in of drug charts--a potential source of medication error].

Background: Medication errors may have serious consequences for patients and erroneous drug charts represent one of several causes of error. As part of a quality assurance survey, we studied whether user documentation on the charts was in accordance with the guidelines for chart keeping.

Material And Methods: On the same day, the drug charts of all hospitalized patients (n = 401) were copied and a representative sample of 207 charts was reviewed.

EEG background activity described by a large computerized database.

Objective: To show how our newly developed software for classification and storage of visually routinely assessed EEGs are used to evaluate the general background activity (GBA) and the alpha rhythm (AR) in a large number of prospective EEGs.

Methods: EEGs from 4651 consecutive patients were visually assessed using a computerized description system connected to an EEG database. The AR and the GBA apart from the AR were described separately for frequency and amplitude.

Molecular genetic analysis of Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1A duplication in Norwegian patients by quantitative photostimulated luminescence imaging.

Around 70% of Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1 (CMT1) cases are caused by a dominantly inherited 1.5-Mb duplication at 17p11.2-12 (CMT1A).

[Hereditary neuropathy with pressure palsies].

Background: Hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is an autosomal dominant polyneuropathy usually caused by a deletion in the gene coding for the peripheral nerve myelin protein 22 (PMP22). The patients usually get relapsing and remitting focal nerve symptoms due to mechanical factors like pressure or minor trauma that normal nerves tolerate.

Material And Methods: Two patients from different families have been examined clinically, neurophysiologically and genetically by Southern blot and PCR techniques.

[Neurological diseases associated with celiac disease].

During the period from May 1997 to October 1998, eight patients with coeliac disease or dermatitis herpetiformis and neurological disorders were admitted to the Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Bergen. The most frequent conditions were polyneuropathy (seven patients) and spinocerebellar ataxia (three patients). Other conditions were lower motor neuron disease, myelopathy, epilepsy and encephalopathy.

A new way of building a database of EEG findings.

Whereas computer-based electroencephalography (EEG) is widely applied, the EEG interpretations are usually not stored in a way that favours exploitation of modern computer technology. This paper reports an EEG description system facilitating categorization of EEG data in a computerized database. The system interactively communicates with the digital EEG system and also with the general patient administrative system.