Polymorphism in apoA1 Influences High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Levels but Is Not a Major Risk Factor of Alzheimer's Disease.

Background: Apolipoprotein A1 (apoA1) is the major apolipoprotein constituent of the high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and is involved in reverse cholesterol transport. Variation in the apoA1 gene might influence the function of the protein and, thus, brain cholesterol metabolism, leading to an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Aim: In the current report, we investigated the role of the functional apoA1 polymorphism (-75 G/A) as a genetic risk factor for AD in a Tunisian population.

Folate and homocysteine in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with Alzheimer's disease or dementia: a case control study.

Background: Amyloid deposition in the brain is an early event in Alzheimer's disease (AD), but a dysfunction of the blood-brain barrier or a disturbance in the metabolism of folate and homocysteine (Hcy) may affect the development of dementia. We investigated if the concentrations of folate and Hcy would be modified in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of clinically diagnosed AD patients.

Methods: We included 70 AD patients, 33 patients with another type of dementia (nAD) and 30 age-matched control subjects.

Post varicella zoster virus myelitis in immunocompetent patients.

We report 2 immunocompetent patients with myelitis. The first was a 55-year old man who developed myelitis after intercostal herpes zoster. The second was a 19-year-old boy who presented with myelopathy after varicella infection.

Analysis of association between bleomycin hydrolase and apolipoprotein E polymorphism in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia. Several studies indicate a possible relationship between different genes and Alzheimer's disease. To further investigate, we have analyzed the association between the bleomycin hydrolase (BLMH) and apolipoprotein E (ApoE) polymorphisms in 93 AD patients and age- and sex-matched 113 controls from the Tunisian population.

-1154G/A and -2578C/A polymorphisms of the vascular endothelial growth factor gene in Tunisian Alzheimer patients in relation to beta-amyloid (1-42) and total tau protein.

Recent evidences indicate that polymorphisms within the promoter region of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene may elevate the risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). To further investigate, we have analyzed association between promoter polymorphisms of the VEGF gene in 93 AD patients and age and sex matched 113 controls from Tunisian population. The distribution of genotype and allele frequencies of the VEGF (-2578C/A) and (-1154G/A) polymorphisms did not differ significantly between AD and control groups (p>0.

Evaluation of cerebrospinal fluid tau/beta-amyloid(42) ratio as diagnostic markers for Alzheimer disease.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia. Currently, no definitive diagnostic test for AD exists. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of amyloid beta (Abeta1-42) peptides and total tau proteins (T-tau) may serve as biomarkers for AD.

CSF beta-amyloid 1-42 and tau in Tunisian patients with Alzheimer's disease: the effect of APOE epsilon4 allele.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia. Currently, no definitive diagnostic test for AD exists. An accurate, convenient and objective test to detect AD is urgently needed for efficient drug development and effective clinical use of emerging therapies.

Meningitis revealing pancreatic carcinoma.

Meningeal carcinomatosis is an uncommon metastatic complication of systemic solid tumors. The diagnosis is based on the presence of malignant cells in the cerebrospinal fluid. The sensibility of cerebrospinal fluid testing in detecting the neoplastic cells improves when repeating lumbar punctures.

Susacs syndrome.

We describe a 25-year-old woman that presented with frequent rotational dizziness, visual loss of the right eye one month later, and unilateral deafness one year after. After 2 years, she presented with a right hemiparesis and deafness greater for low frequency tones. Magnetic resonance imaging with angiography of the brain showed constriction in the first segment of the cerebral anterior artery diagnosed as Susacs syndrome.

Susacs syndrome.

We describe a 25-year-old woman that presented with frequent rotational dizziness, visual loss of the right eye one month later, and unilateral deafness one year after. After 2 years, she presented with a right hemiparesis and deafness greater for low frequency tones. Magnetic resonance imaging with angiography of the brain showed constriction in the first segment of the cerebral anterior artery diagnosed as Susac's syndrome.