Factors affecting the diagnostic delay of myasthenia gravis.

Background: Early detection and diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG) is important to improve the chance of remission and overall prognosis. This study aims to investigate the factors affecting the diagnostic delay of MG thereby highlighting the challenges in the diagnostic process.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study examining characteristics and factors involved in the diagnostic process of MG.

A single dose of exenatide had no effect on blood flow velocity in the middle cerebral artery in elderly healthy volunteers: Randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial.

Background And Aims: Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (GLP-1RA) are widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, and recent studies indicate that they may be cardio- and neuroprotective. The safety and effect of a single dose of exenatide, a short-acting GLP-1RA, on cerebral and peripheral arterial function remain unknown.

Methods: In this randomized, double-blind pilot trial, we assigned elderly healthy volunteers without diabetes and no previous history of stroke to receive a single dose of subcutaneous exenatide (5 μg) or placebo.

Tadalafil may improve cerebral perfusion in small-vessel occlusion stroke-a pilot study.

New treatments for cerebral small-vessel disease are needed to reduce the risk of small-vessel occlusion stroke and vascular cognitive impairment. We investigated an approach targeted to the signalling molecule cyclic guanosine monophosphate, using the phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor tadalafil, to explore if it improves cerebral blood flow and endothelial function in patients with cerebral small-vessel disease and stroke. In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled, cross-over pilot trial (NCT02801032), we included patients who had a previous (>6 months) small-vessel occlusion stroke.

Neuroprotective Mechanisms of Glucagon-like Peptide-1-based Therapies in Ischaemic Stroke: A Systematic Review based on Pre-Clinical Studies.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based therapies, GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP-4Is) are widely used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. Increasing evidence suggests that they may provide neuroprotection. The aim of this MiniReview was to systematically evaluate the proposed mechanism of action for GLP-1-based therapies in ischaemic brain damage in animals.

Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibition as a therapeutic target for ischemic stroke: A systematic review of preclinical studies.

Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5i), such as sildenafil (Viagra®) are widely used for erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. Preclinical studies suggest that PDE5i may improve functional outcome following ischemic stroke. In this systematic review we aimed to evaluate the effects of selective PDE5i in animal models of brain ischaemia.