Spiking Laguerre Volterra networks-predicting neuronal activity from local field potentials.

Understanding the generative mechanism between local field potentials (LFP) and neuronal spiking activity is a crucial step for understanding information processing in the brain. Up to now, most approaches have relied on simply quantifying the coupling between LFP and spikes. However, very few have managed to predict the exact timing of spike occurrence based on LFP variations.

Combined Invasive Peripheral Nerve Stimulation in the Management of Chronic Post-Intracranial Disorder Headache: A Case Report.

The introduction of ventricular shunts dramatically changed the outcome and quality of life of hydrocephalic patients. However, shunt surgery continues to be associated with numerous adverse events. Headache is one of the most common complications after shunt operation.

Transient Intraluminal Filament Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion Stroke Model in Rats: A Step-by-Step Guide and Technical Considerations.

Objective: Stroke is a leading cause of disability and mortality worldwide. Related research, although already providing significant insights regarding the underlying pathophysiology and potential treatment strategies, has been far from conclusive. Stroke models have been proved of extreme significance for laboratories around the world.

A Brief Review of Brain's Blood Flow-Metabolism Coupling and Pressure Autoregulation.

Background:  The human brain, depending on aerobic glycolysis to cover its metabolic needs and having no energy reserves whatsoever, relies on a constant and closely regulated blood supply to maintain its structural and functional integrity. Cerebral autoregulation, that is, the brain's intrinsic ability to regulate its own blood flow independently from the systemic blood pressure and cardiac output, is an important physiological mechanism that offers protection from hypoperfusion injury.

Discussion:  Two major independent mechanisms are known to be involved in cerebral autoregulation: (1) flow-metabolism coupling and (2) myogenic responses of cerebral blood vessels to changes in transmural/arterial pressure.

Deep Brain Stimulation-Related Surgical Site Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Over the last decades, the increased use of deep brain stimulation (DBS) has raised concerns about the potential adverse health effects of the treatment. Surgical site infections (SSIs) following an elective surgery remain a major challenge for neurosurgeons. Few studies have examined the prevalence and risk factors of DBS-related complications, particularly focusing on SSIs.

Selective impairment of auditory attention processing in idiopathic generalized epilepsies: Implications for their cognitive pathophysiology.

The neuropsychological characteristics of Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsies (IGEs) as a wide syndrome encompassing different clinical entities have been as yet not well understood. We have studied neuropsychological performance in patients suffering Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) and Generalized Tonic Clonic Seizures (IGE-GTCS-only) to provide indirect-cognitive evidence on the pathophysiology of IGE-related neuropsychological dysfunction. Greater arousal-related impairments were expected for the auditory modality, by drawing on previous anatomo-clinical and neuro-evolutionary accounts.

Telemetric intracranial pressure monitoring: our experience with 22 patients investigated for intracranial hypertension.

Introduction: We present the application of the Raumedic P-tel telemetric device that monitors Intracranial Pressure (ICP) over long periods, in 22 patients, with suspected intracranial hypertension.

Methods: A telemetric device (Raumedic, Neurovent P-tel) was surgically implanted in 22 patients aged between 21 and 65 years. Among the patients, the inconclusive diagnosis of benign intracranial hypertension was set in 10, the possible diagnosis of postoperative hydrocephalus in 3, and the possible diagnosis of aqueduct stenosis in 2.

Effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation on cognitive dysfunction in patients with progressive supranuclear palsy.

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a tauopathy characterized by motor, neurobehavioral and disabling brainstem deficits. No disease-modifying therapeutic options exist. The therapeutic potential of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) has been highlighted in studies on patients with other neurodegenerative diseases.

Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion combined with thyroid gland surgery, a tailored case and literature review.

Background: Nowadays, Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) is considered a routine procedure. However, unexpected difficulties do occasionally arise, especially when anterior neck pathologies or anatomical variations are encountered. In such cases, proactive thinking will allow surgeons to tailor appropriately their approach and eliminate surgical risks.

Effect of constant-current pallidal deep brain stimulation for primary dystonia on cognition, mood and quality of life: Results from a prospective pilot trial.

Objective: Knowledge on the effects of DBS on cognitive functions is limited and no data exists on the effects of constant-current DBS (CC-GPi-DBS), which appears to prevail over constant-voltage stimulation. Our aim was to prospectively assess the effect of Constant-Current-GPi-DBS, using an 8-contact lead, on cognition, mood and quality of life.

Patients And Methods: Ten patients aged 27-49 underwent prospective neuropsychological assessment using dedicated tests.

Addressing Evidence Linking Secondary Alexithymia to Aberrant Humor Processing.

In this review, we explore current literature and assess evidence linking secondary (acquired) alexithymia to aberrant humor processing, in terms of their neurobiological underpinnings. In addition, we suggest a possible common neuropathological substrate between secondary alexithymia and deficits in humor appreciation, by drawing on neurophysiologic and neuroradiological evidence, as well as on a recent and unique single-case study showing the cooccurrence of secondary alexithymia and deficit in humor appreciation. In summary, what emerges from the literature is that the cortical midline structures, in particular the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), and the insular cortex, seem to play a crucial role in the expression of both alexithymia and defective humor processing, while though to a lesser extent, a right hemisphere and bilateral frontoparietal contribution becomes evident.

Epileptic Patient with Mild Malformation of Cortical Development with Oligodendroglial Hyperplasia and Epilepsy (MOGHE): A Case Report and Review of the Literature.

Introduction: There is an emerging interest in the literature about MOGHE (Mild Malformation of Cortical Development with Oligodendroglial Hyperplasia and Epilepsy). We report the case of an epileptic patient with MOGHE.

Case Report: A 33-year-old male patient was suffering from refractory focal epilepsy since adolescence.

Emotional asymmetries in refractory medial temporal and frontal lobe epilepsy: Their impact on predicting lateralization and localization of seizures.

Background: Emotional disturbances have been reported in patients with epilepsy. Although conflicting results emanate from relevant studies, depressive symptoms are seen more often in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) whereas, hypomanic/manic symptoms usually accompany frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE); the above psychiatric symptoms are especially seen in refractory epilepsy. However, neocortical TLE and medial TLE are considered as distinct epileptic syndromes, and there is limited literature on comparison of affective traits in medial TLE (MTLE) and FLE.

Effects of anodal tDCS on motor and cognitive function in a patient with multiple system atrophy.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by postural instability, autonomic failure, cerebellar ataxia, and cognitive deficits. There is currently no effective cure. Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), offers promise in amendment of motor, and cognitive performance in advanced Parkinson's disease.

Spinal synovial cysts. A case series and current treatment options.

Synovial cysts constitute an uncommon degenerative lesion of the spine. They are usually asymptomatic but they may also cause symptoms of variable severity. The authors present three cases of such cysts, two in the lumbar region of a 55-year-old female and a 66 year old female and one in the cervical region of a 56-year-old male patient.

Intrathecal Baclofen Therapy for Painful Muscle Spasms in a Patient with Friedreich's Ataxia.

Friedreich's ataxia (FA) is the most frequent hereditary ataxia syndrome, while painful muscle spasms and spasticity have been reported in 11-15% of FA patients. This report describes the successful management of painful spasms in a 65-year-old woman with FA via intrathecal baclofen (ITB) therapy following unsuccessful medical treatments. To our knowledge, this is the third reported case in the literature.

A giant pseudoaneurysm of the occipital artery.

Background: Pseudoaneurysms of the occipital artery (OA) are extremely rare and can occur following head trauma or iatrogenic injury; OA anatomy seems to play a crucial role in their pathogenesis.

Case Description: This report describes the case of a 76-year-old patient with a giant OA pseudoaneurysm secondary to a head injury the patient had sustained 1 month earlier. After radiological confirmation via ultrasonography (US) and computed tomography angiography (CTA), the patient underwent surgery for resection of the lesion.

Approaching the Atrium Through the Intraparietal Sulcus: Mapping the Sulcal Morphology and Correlating the Surgical Corridor to Underlying Fiber Tracts.

Backround: Although the operative corridor used during the intraparietal transsulcal approach to the atrium has been previously investigated, most anatomical studies focus on its relationship to the optic radiations.

Objective: To study the intraparietal sulcus (IPS) morphology and to explore the subcortical anatomy with regard to the surgical trajectory used during the intraparietal transsulcal tranventricular approach.

Methods: Twenty-five adult, formalin fixed, cerebral hemispheres were investigated.

Epidemiology of First Epileptic Seizures in the Northern Aegean Island of Lesvos, Greece.

We aimed at establishing the epidemiologic profile of first epileptic seizures (FES) in the Greek island of Lesvos. During a 1-year period (01/06/2010 to 31/05/2011), cases of FES admitted to the Lesvos General Hospital/addressed by general practitioners/private neurologists were prospectively identified. A total of 45 cases (30 males and 15 females; mean age ± SD of 59.

The Insertion of Electrodes in the Brain for Electrophysiological Recording or Chronic Stimulation Is Not Associated With Any Biochemically Detectable Neuronal Injury.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of brain tissue injury that could be potentially induced by the introduction of a) microrecording electrodes, b) macrostimulation electrodes, or c) chronic stimulation electrodes. We aimed to evaluate whether the use of five simultaneous microrecording tracks is associated with any brain injury not detectable by conventional imaging such as CT or MRI.

Materials And Methods: The study included 61 patients who underwent surgery for implantation of 121 DBS leads.

Constant-Current Deep Brain Stimulation of the Globus Pallidus Internus in the Treatment of Primary Dystonia by a Novel 8-Contact (Octrode) Lead.

Objective: To evaluate bilateral constant-current globus pallidus internus (GPi) deep brain stimulation using an 8-contact lead.

Methods: This prospective, open-label, single-center pilot study of 10 patients assessed the feasibility of delivering bilaterally constant-current GPi deep brain stimulation with a novel 8-channel lead to treat primary dystonia using standard scales as outcome measures.

Results: Patients included 4 men and 6 women with a mean age of 35.