Comparison of Plasma, Saliva, and Hair Levetiracetam Concentrations.

Background: Previous findings revealed high correlations between serum/plasma and saliva levetiracetam concentrations, indicating saliva as an alternative matrix for monitoring levetiracetam therapy. Levetiracetam concentration in the hair, which could reflect long-term drug exposure and patients' compliance, has not been systematically tested, as yet. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between plasma, saliva, and hair levetiracetam concentrations in 47 patients with epilepsy.

Midbrain and bilateral paramedian thalamic stroke due to artery of Percheron occlusion.

Introduction: Bilateral thalamic strokes are rare manifestations of posterior circulation infarcts. Usually the etiology is cardioembolic or small vessel disease combined with individual anatomical predisposition. The symptoms include a variety of neurological deficits depending on thalamic structure involvement, such as paresthesias or numbness, hemiparesis with increased reflexes and Babinski sign, third cranial nerve palsy, speech and cognition disturbance, memory impairment and stupor.

Readiness Visual Analog Scale: A Simple Way to Predict Post-Stroke Smoking Behavior.

Background And Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess a relationship between readiness to quit and post-stroke smoking behavior.

Methods: Eighty-six active smokers with first-ever ischemic stroke were recruited in a tertiary-care stroke unit. The question "Are you ready to quit smoking within the next month?" with yes/no responses and the 10-cm readiness visual analog scale (VAS) was administered during the anti-smoking intervention.

The effect of vitamin B supplementation on homocysteine metabolism and clinical state of patients with chronic epilepsy treated with carbamazepine and valproic acid.

Purpose: To investigate the influence of vitamin B supplementation on the plasma total homocysteine (p-tHcy), serum folate (s-FA), serum B12 (s-B12), and clinical state of patients with chronic epilepsy.

Methods: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) scores and p-tHcy, s-B12, and s-FA levels were assessed at baseline, after 1 year of supplementation (G1), and before and after 1 year of VPA or CBZ therapy (G2).

Results: Eighty-one patients participated in the study: 51 patients with chronic epilepsy (G1) treated with carbamazepine (CBZ) or valproic acid (VPA), and 30 patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy (G2).