Topiramate for Treatment in Patients With Migraine and Epilepsy.

Background: Antiepileptic drugs (AED) are often considered first line for monotherapy in treatment of patients with migraines, and also those with comorbid migraine and epilepsy. Topiramate, a newer generation AED, has broad mechanism of action and evidence of benefit in patients with either episodic or chronic migraine along with epilepsy, both generalized and focal.

Methods: Our goal is to review the relevant mechanisms of action along with any supportive evidence published to date on the use of topiramate (TPM) in patients with both migraine headache and epilepsy.

Headaches of the elderly.

The prevalence of headache decreases in elderly age groups; however, headache remains a significant issue with unique diagnostic and therapeutic considerations in this population. While primary headache disorders such as migraine and tension-type headache still occur in the majority of cases, secondary headaches are more common with advancing age. Additionally, several rare primary headache disorders, such as hypnic headache and primary cough headache, occur more frequently in an elderly population and have distinct treatments.

Flashback phenomenon and residual neurological deficits after the use of "bath salt" 3, 4- methylenedioxypyrovalerone.

Background: The use and abuse of designer drugs has been recognized for decades; however there are many derivatives of compounds that make their way into the community. Abuse of compound(s) known on the street as "bath salt" is on the rise.

Methods: We report the case of a 33-year-old man who complained of "flashbacks" and right arm shaking that followed a night of "bath salt" snorting.

The effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors on the frequency of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: a critically appraised topic.

Background: Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) are commonly encountered problem in neurological practice and usually are accompanied by other psychiatric comorbidities. Despite its prevalence and profound impact on patients and families, there have been few trials addressing treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy may be effective but the role of pharmacologic therapy remains unclear.

What is the effect of low-molecular weight heparin for venous thromboembolism prophylaxis compared with mechanical methods, on the occurrence of hemorrhagic and venous thromboembolic complications in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage? A critically appraised topic.

Background: Patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are at risk for venous thromboembolic (VTE) complications after stroke. The dilemma remains on whether it is safe to initiate low-dose low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in patients with ICH without risking expansion of the initial bleed.

Objective: To critically assess current evidence regarding the safety of low-dose LMWH in the prevention of VTE complications in patients with acute ICH.

Role of histamine in brain protection in surgical brain injury in mice.

Surgical resection of brain tissue is associated with tissue damage at the resection margin. Studies of ischemic brain injury in rodents have shown that administration of L-histidine and thioperamide reduces ischemic tissue loss, in part by inhibition of apoptotic cell death. In this study we tested administration of L-histidine and thioperamide in surgical brain injury in mice.