Acute carotid dissection in an adult caused by pertussis.

We present a 57-year-old man who worked in a pediatric setting who, after a strong coughing attack caused by a pertussis infection, presented with an internal carotid dissection and a consequent ischemic cerebral lesion. This case suggests the importance of vaccination for subjects who belong to high-risk categories.

Carotid atherosclerosis and cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Aim of the study was to explore the correlation between the progression of carotid atherosclerosis and the evolution of cognitive impairment in 66 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). They underwent cognitive status evaluation and ultrasonography (US) to investigate carotid arteries intima-media thickness (IMT) and plaque index (PI). After a 12-month follow-up period, neuropsychological and US examinations were repeated to assess the progression of carotid atherosclerosis and of cognitive decline [in terms of changes in Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores].

Cerebrovascular reactivity and cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer disease.

Background And Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the possible contribution of alterations in cerebral hemodynamics to the evolution of cognitive impairment in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD).

Method: Fifty-three patients with AD were investigated. The evolution of cognitive decline over 12 months was evaluated by means of changes in Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and AD Assessment Scale for Cognition (ADAS-Cog) scores.

Cerebral blood flow changes in the different phases of migraine.

The haemodynamic changes that take place in migraine are reviewed focusing on cerebral blood flow (CBF) data measured with different techniques in patients suffering from migraine with and without aura during the different phases of attacks and in interictal periods. Special attention is paid to the factors underpinning the conflicting cerebral blood flow data and to pathophysiological implications of the CBF changes detected in migraineurs.

Basilar and middle cerebral artery reactivity in patients with migraine.

Background: Migraine has been reported as a possible risk factor for ischemic stroke. The mechanisms underlying this association are unknown.

Objectives: To evaluate cerebrovascular reactivity to hypercapnia in the anterior and posterior circulation of patients with migraine, as reduced cerebrovascular reactivity is associated with a predisposition to stroke in various clinical conditions.

Carotid artery wall thickness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Background And Purpose: Epidemiological studies have suggested a pathophysiological link between sleep apnea syndrome and cerebrovascular diseases. The mechanism by which sleep disturbance can affect the predisposition to developing stroke is not clear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome have an increase in atherosclerosis indicators at the carotid artery level.