Long-term observation of lateral medullary infarction due to vertebral artery dissection assessed with multimodal neuroimaging.

A 33-year-old man presented with a lateral medullary infarction, vertigo, and nausea. At the time of hospital admission, he had Wallenberg syndrome. Although initial magnetic resonance imaging showed no abnormalities, subsequent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed a high-intensity area in the right lateral medulla oblongata.

Intravenous transplantation of bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells prevents memory impairment in transgenic mouse models of Alzheimer's disease.

Stem cell transplantation therapy is currently in clinical trials for the treatment of ischemic stroke, and several beneficial aspects have been reported. Similarly, in Alzheimer's disease (AD), stem cell therapy is expected to provide an efficient therapeutic approach. Indeed, the intracerebral transplantation of stem cells reduced amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition and rescued memory deficits in AD model mice.

Oxidative stress accelerates amyloid deposition and memory impairment in a double-transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Oxidative stress is known to play a prominent role in the onset and early stage progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). For example, protein oxidation and lipid peroxidation levels are increased in patients with mild cognitive impairment. Here, we created a double-transgenic mouse model of AD to explore the pathological and behavioral effects of oxidative stress.

Neuroprotective effects of erythromycin on cerebral ischemia reperfusion-injury and cell viability after oxygen-glucose deprivation in cultured neuronal cells.

This study aims to determine if erythromycin has neuroprotective effects against transient ischemia and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) in cultured neuronal cells. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion for 90 min, followed by reperfusion. The animals received a subcutaneous single injection of erythromycin lactobionate (EM, 50mg/kg) or vehicle immediately after ischemia.

Acute vertebral artery origin occlusion leading to basilar artery thrombosis successfully treated by angioplasty with stenting and thrombectomy.

Few reports have described the successful treatment of stroke caused by acute vertebral artery (VA) origin occlusion by endovascular surgery. We describe the case of a 68-year-old man who experienced stroke due to left acute VA origin occlusion. Cerebral angiography showed that the left VA was occluded at its origin, the right VA had hypoplastic and origin stenosis, and the basilar artery was occluded by a thrombus.

Aortic arch atherosclerosis in ischaemic stroke of unknown origin affects prognosis.

Background: Cerebral infarction of unknown origin at admission accounts for half of all cerebral infarction cases in some institutions. However, the factors associated with cerebral infarction prognosis have not been sufficiently examined. Here, we investigated whether aortic arch plaques (AAPs) on transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) were associated with the prognosis of cerebral infarction of unknown origin at admission.

The effect of cilostazol and aspirin pre-treatment against subsequent transient focal cerebral ischemia in rat.

Objectives: Among several anti-platelet drugs to prevent recurrent stroke, cilostazol has shown various effects besides its anti-platelet activity. We examined whether 7 days of oral administration of cilostazol protects against subsequent cerebral ischemia, and whether or not the effect of combination therapy with aspirin is more protective.

Methods: We used Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and assigned them to four groups: vehicle, aspirin, cilostazol, and aspirin plus cilostazol combination therapy.

Multiple vascular accidents including rupture of a sinus of valsalva aneurysm, a minor ischemic stroke and intracranial arterial anomaly in a patient with systemic congenital abnormalities: a case report.

A 39-year-old man with a history of rupture of a sinus of Valsalva aneurysm experienced an ischemic stroke. Although the patient presented left-sided hemiparesis for a week, no abnormal signals were indicated on diffusion-weighted imaging with repeated magnetic resonance scans. Carotid ultrasound and cerebral angiography were conducted, and they revealed hypoplasty of the left internal carotid artery with a low-lying carotid bifurcation at the level of the C6 vertebra.

Continuous oral administration of atorvastatin ameliorates brain damage after transient focal ischemia in rats.

Aims: Pre-treatment with statins is known to ameliorate ischemic brain damage after experimental stroke, and is independent of cholesterol levels. We undertook pre- vs post-ischemic treatment with atorvastatin after focal cerebral ischemia in rats.

Main Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent transient 90-min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

Low serum n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid/n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio predicts neurological deterioration in Japanese patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Epidemiological and clinical trials have shown that n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) reduce the incidence of coronary heart disease or stroke. However, the association between PUFAs and acute-phase stroke has not yet been thoroughly studied. We investigated the impact of serum PUFAs on early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Successful treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis associated with ulcerative colitis.

Thromboembolic complications, such as deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, are well described in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, but cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare but potentially devastating complication. The authors describe the case of a 36-year-old Japanese man presenting with CVT associated with ulcerative colitis (UC) that was successfully treated with a combination of continuous anticoagulant and pulse steroid therapy. Our observations suggest that aggressive therapy for inducing acute UC remission is vitally important for CVT associated with UC.

Valproic acid attenuates ischemia-reperfusion injury in the rat brain through inhibition of oxidative stress and inflammation.

Valproic acid (VPA), widely used in clinical contexts for the treatment of seizures and bipolar mood disorder, has neuroprotective properties in cellular and animal models. However, the precise mechanisms underlying its neuroprotection against stroke remain unknown. In the present study, we explored the effect of VPA on experimental ischemic stroke.

Administration of cilostazol, an antiplatelet, to patients with acute-stage cerebral infarction and its effects on plasma substance P level and latent time of swallowing reflex.

Background And Objective: It has been reported that medical treatment with cilostazol (cilo) as an antiplatelet may increase a substance P level in the striatum to shorten the latent time of swallowing reflex (LTSR). We undertook a pilot study to confirm whether cilo administration to patients with cerebral infarction is effective in increasing their plasma substance P level and then in ameliorating the status of LTSR.

Methods And Subjects: Eligible subjects were recruited, after informed consents, from 20 hospitalized patients with acute-phase cerebral infarction within 72 hours from the onset.

Blood pressure control in patients with chronic kidney disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is defined as either kidney damage or an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m for more than 3 months. Kidney damage is defined as pathological abnormalities or markers of damage, including abnormalities in blood or urine tests or imaging studies.

Brain protection therapy in acute cerebral infarction.

Many drugs for cerebral infarction that were shown to be effective in animal experiments have shown negative results in human clinical trials. For this reason, a completely new approach is needed to develop brain protection therapies against cerebral infarction. Brain protection therapies can be categorized into 3 types: 1) lengthening the therapeutic time window for thrombolytic therapy, 2) reducing the side effects of thrombolytic therapy, and 3) brain protection drug therapy for patients with contraindications for thrombolytic therapy (including combination therapy).

Paradoxical cerebral air embolism occurred with postural change during rehabilitation, in a patient with ipsilateral internal carotid artery occlusion.

We report a 76-year-old man with paradoxical cerebral air embolism. He developed consciousness disturbance and left hemiparesis after a postural change in rehabilitation. CT showed multiple air densities within the right hemisphere.

A case of dural arteriovenous fistulas at the craniocervical junction presenting with occipital/neck pain associated with sleep.

Venous congestive myelopathy associated with spinal dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVFs) is a treatable disorder that can be controlled without sequelae if it is diagnosed at an early stage. It is important to consider spinal DAVFs in the differential diagnosis based on clinical history and neurologic examination. We report the unique case of a patient with DAVFs at the craniocervical junction presenting with occipital/neck pain associated with sleep.

Mild hypothermia enhanced the protective effect of protein therapy with transductive anti-death FNK protein using a rat focal transient cerebral ischemia model.

We previously reported that the protein transduction domain fused FNK (PTD-FNK) protein, which was derived from anti-apoptotic Bcl-xL protein and thereby gained higher anti-cell death activity, has a strong neuroprotective effect on rat focal brain ischemia models. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of PTD-FNK protein and hypothermia combined therapy on cerebral infarction. Male SD rats were subjected to 120min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with intraluminal thread.

FK506 ameliorates oxidative damage and protects rat brain following transient focal cerebral ischemia.

Objective: The immunosuppressant FK506 (tacrolimus) is neuroprotective in experimental models of cerebral ischemia. However, the precise mechanisms underlying this neuroprotection remain unknown. In the present study, we hypothesized that FK506 treatment could protect rat brain from oxidative injuries through antioxidative and anti-inflammatory pathways after ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Combination therapy with bone marrow stromal cells and FK506 enhanced amelioration of ischemic brain damage in rats.

Aims: Transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells (MSCs) has been shown to ameliorate ischemic brain injury in animals. In the present study, we investigated whether the transplantation of MSCs combined with FK506, a clinically used immunosuppressant, enhanced neuroprotective effects in rat experimental stroke.

Main Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent transient 90 min middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO).

Statin treatment decreased serum asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) levels in ischemic stroke patients.

Aim: It remains unclear whether the decrease in the ADMA level associated with statin treatment results from the LDL-C-lowering effect or the pleiotropic effects of statins. A prospective, controlled study was conducted to examine whether statin treatment affects serum ADMA concentrations in ischemic stroke patients.

Methods: Consecutive outpatients with non-cardiogenic ischemic stroke who had never been treated with statins and whose LDL-cholesterol level was higher than 140 mg/dL were enrolled and compared with control patients whose LDL-cholesterol level was lower than 140 mg/dL.

Hepatic encephalopathy with reversible focal neurologic signs resembling acute stroke: case report.

A 64-year-old female with a history of primary biliary cirrhosis and esophageal varices starting at age 39 was brought to our Stroke Care Unit by ambulance with right-side weakness and speech difficulty. Physical examination revealed right hemiparesis (including the face), sensory disturbances, pathological reflexes, and slightly decreased consciousness, with a Glasgow Coma Scale rating of E3V4M6. Flapping tremors and speech disturbance, as well as anarithmia, construction apraxia, and ideomotor apraxia, were noted, and her National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 13.

Correlation between insulin resistance and white matter lesions among non-diabetic patients with ischemic stroke.

Objective: We investigated whether a correlation exists between insulin resistance and the severity of cerebral white matter lesions among non-diabetic patients with ischemic stroke.

Methods: The subjects were 105 consecutive patients without diabetes who were hospitalized due to non-cardioembolic stroke. The insulin resistance was evaluated by a homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR).

Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) as a possible risk marker for ischemic stroke.

Background: Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA) affects vascular function by blocking nitric oxide synthesis. We examined the relationship of ADMA concentration to vascular risk factors in subjects who have undergone annual medical check-up.

Methods: ADMA concentration, lipid profile and vascular risk factors were assessed during an annual medical examination in 116 subjects (mean age 58.