Transauricular vagal nerve stimulation suppresses inflammatory responses in the gut and brain in an inflammatory bowel disease model.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) encompasses Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), is a major health problem on a global scale and its treatment is unsatisfactory. We aimed to investigate the effects of transauricular vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) on inflammation in rats with IBD induced by trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS). A total of 36 adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were given TNBS, or vehicle, and tVNS, or sham, every other day for 30 min for 10 days.

Combining treatments for migraine prophylaxis: the state-of-the-art.

Combination treatments for migraine prophylaxis present a promising approach to addressing the diverse and complex mechanisms underlying migraine. This review explores the potential of combining oral conventional prophylactics, onabotulinumtoxin A, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway, and small molecule CGRP receptor antagonists (gepants). Among the most promising strategies, dual CGRP inhibition through mAbs and gepants may enhance efficacy by targeting both the CGRP peptide and its receptor, while the combination of onabotulinumtoxin A with CGRP treatments offers synergistic pain relief.

Sensory white noise in clinical ADHD: Who benefits from noise, and who performs worse?

Background: Experimental research has shown the benefits of auditory white noise on cognitive performance in children with attention problems. However, little is currently known about individual differences in noise response amongst children with a clinical diagnosis of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). In addition, no research has so far tested the effects of visual white noise on children with ADHD.

Common Ground: We Can Comprehensively Treat Pediatric Epilepsy and Psychiatric Comorbidities.

Epilepsy and psychiatric illness have been long studied and today are better accepted as co-occurring than as discrete illnesses that are independent even if associated. Common pathophysiology may not be easily explained, but clearly exists given the significant overrepresentation of psychiatric illness among individuals with epilepsy. Conditions like autism spectrum disorder, anxiety, depression, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder are prevalent in pediatric epilepsy much more than expected, even in the context of chronic neurologic disease.

Visual attention modulates mu suppression during biological motion perception in autistic individuals.

There has been a lot of controversy regarding mirror neuron function in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), in particular during the observation of biological motions (BM). Here, we directly explored the link between visual attention and brain activity in terms of mu suppression, by simultaneously recording eye-tracking and EEGs during BM tasks. Nineteen autistic children (15 boys, mean age = 11.

Microbiota alterations are related to migraine food triggers and inflammatory markers in chronic migraine patients with medication overuse headache.

Objective: Chronic migraine (CM) patients with medication overuse headache (MOH) were recently shown to be associated with leaky gut and inflammation. We aimed to investigate gut microbiota profiles of CM patients with MOH, and their correlations with inflammatory serum parameters, migraine food triggers, and comorbid anxiety and depression.

Materials And Methods: The study included women participants (32 CM patients with NSAID overuse headache, and 16 healthy non-headache sufferers).

Using computer vision of facial expressions to assess symptom domains and treatment response in antipsychotic-naïve patients with first-episode psychosis.

Background: Facial expressions are a core aspect of non-verbal communication. Reduced emotional expressiveness of the face is a common negative symptom of schizophrenia, however, quantifying negative symptoms can be clinically challenging and involves a considerable element of rater subjectivity. We used computer vision to investigate if (i) automated assessment of facial expressions captures negative as well as positive and general symptom domains, and (ii) if automated assessments are associated with treatment response in initially antipsychotic-naïve patients with first-episode psychosis.

Does botulinum neurotoxin A make walking easier in children with cerebral palsy? A randomized clinical trial.

Aim: To assess the effect of single botulinum neurotoxin A (BoNT-A) injections into the calf muscles on the gross energy cost of walking in children with cerebral palsy (CP) and to evaluate the effect of BoNT-A on walking capacity, physical activity, perceived changes in mobility, and pain.

Method: This was an industry-independent, randomized, quadruple-blind, placebo-controlled, multicentre trial (ClinicalTrials.gov registration: NCT02546999).

Mirror neuron activity depending on the content and stage of the observed action: a TMS study.

Background/aim: The firing rate of the mirror neuron system in monkeys decreases systematically with more repetitions. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the activity of the mirror neuron system varies based on the observed movement and the contents of the action, as well as whether there is inhibition in the mirror neuron system when humans observe repeated actions. If inhibition is present, the second question of the study is whether it is related to the organization of the observed action.

Leaky gut and inflammatory biomarkers in a medication overuse headache model in male rats.

Background/aim: Medication overuse is common among chronic migraine patients and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most frequently overused drugs. The pathophysiological mechanisms underlying medication overuse headache (MOH) are not completely understood. Intestinal hyperpermeability and leaky gut are reported in patients using NSAIDs.

Virtual dynamic interaction games reveal impaired multisensory integration in women with migraine.

Objective: In this cross-sectional observational study, we aimed to investigate sensory profiles and multisensory integration processes in women with migraine using virtual dynamic interaction systems.

Background: Compared to studies on unimodal sensory processing, fewer studies show that multisensory integration differs in patients with migraine. Multisensory integration of visual, auditory, verbal, and haptic modalities has not been evaluated in migraine.

Anxiety and school avoidance in an 8-year-old child with epilepsy.

Anxiety is ubiquitous in school age children. Co-occurring medical illness adds to the complexity of identifying pathologic anxiety as opposed to that of typical development such as with social interactions or academic pressures. Anxiety may also occur in the context of cognitive difficulties or inattention, both of which may be exacerbated by epilepsy or by anti-seizure medicines themselves.

Psychopharmacology Management in Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Persons with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may have other psychiatric conditions that warrant treatment. Symptoms may not be easy to discern from rigidity or irritability that are sometimes considered to be constituent parts of ASD. Pathophysiology that involves hyperexcitable neurons and anomalous connectivity may provide justification for using psychopharmacologic agents, although nonmedical strategies may also be effective.

Lipopolysaccharide, VE-cadherin, HMGB1, and HIF-1α levels are elevated in the systemic circulation in chronic migraine patients with medication overuse headache: evidence of leaky gut and inflammation.

Objective: Medication overuse headache (MOH) was recently shown to be associated with leaky gut in rodents. We aimed to investigate whether chronic migraine (CM) patients with MOH have elevated lipopolysaccharide levels and inflammatory molecules in blood circulation.

Materials And Methods: The study included women participants (40 CM patients with NSAID overuse headache, 35 episodic migraine (EM) patients, and 20 healthy non-headache sufferers).

Development of GO Move: A Website for Children With Unilateral Cerebral Palsy.

It is unknown if an online tool is wanted by therapists and parents of individuals with unilateral cerebral palsy (UCP) to support implementation of goal-directed home programs, and if wanted, the recommended features for the tool. The objective was to explore the experiences of therapists and parents who have implemented home programs, seek guidance on translating a paper-based home program toolbox into a mobile website, and develop the website. Qualitative descriptive methodology guided data collection using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis, validated with field notes and member checking.

"Belief of Splitting of Clitoris": A Case Report of an Adolescent Girl with Body Dysmorphic Disorder.

Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) was first described centuries ago, but it is still unknown to many clinicians. Although onset of body dysmorphic disorder occurs in adolescent age, BDD has received very little attention in adolescent psychiatry literature. Here, we are discussing a case report of 14-year girl suffering from belief of splitting of her clitoris.

What to do with non-responders to CGRP(r) monoclonal antibodies: switch to another or move to gepants?

In this editorial we aim to provide potential therapeutic options in patients who do not benefit from treatment with CGRP(r) monoclonal antibodies. Based on current real-life studies and analysis of practical and economic aspects, we will analyze the potential benefits of changing CGRP-targeted treatment.

Placebo and nocebo in the treatment of migraine: How much does real world effectiveness depend on contextual effects?

Purpose: Treatments in medicine impact individuals beyond their intended effects, due to phenomena such as the placebo and nocebo effects. The placebo effect arises from the positive expectation of a treatment being beneficial, while the nocebo effect stems from the negative expectation of a treatment causing harm. Both in real-world practice and clinical trials, treatments can lead to outcomes unrelated to their intended mechanism of action, which we categorize as placebo and nocebo responses.

Medication overuse headache is associated with elevated lipopolysaccharide binding protein and pro-inflammatory molecules in the bloodstream.

Objective: Medication overuse headache (MOH) is a secondary headache that accompanies chronic migraine. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are the most frequently used analgesics worldwide and they are known to induce leaky gut. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether NSAID induced MOH is associated with altered circulating lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) levels and inflammatory molecules.

Distinct Food Triggers for Migraine, Medication Overuse Headache and Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Background: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is an under-diagnosed common health problem that impairs quality of life. Migraine and IBS are comorbid disorders that are triggered by foods. We aim to investigate IBS frequency in medication overuse headache (MOH) patients and identify food triggers and food avoidance behavior.

Advancements in Diffusion MRI Tractography for Neurosurgery.

Diffusion magnetic resonance imaging tractography is a noninvasive technique that enables the visualization and quantification of white matter tracts within the brain. It is extensively used in preoperative planning for brain tumors, epilepsy, and functional neurosurgical procedures such as deep brain stimulation. Over the past 25 years, significant advancements have been made in imaging acquisition, fiber direction estimation, and tracking methods, resulting in considerable improvements in tractography accuracy.

Daily Cannabidiol Administration for 10 Weeks Modulates Hippocampal and Amygdalar Resting-State Functional Connectivity in Cannabis Users: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Open-Label Clinical Trial.

Cannabis use is associated with brain functional changes in regions implicated in prominent neuroscientific theories of addiction. Emerging evidence suggests that cannabidiol (CBD) is neuroprotective and may reverse structural brain changes associated with prolonged heavy cannabis use. In this study, we examine how an ∼10-week exposure of CBD in cannabis users affected resting-state functional connectivity in brain regions functionally altered by cannabis use.

Healthcare utilisation in the United Arab Emirates for children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder and comorbidities.

The prevalence of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder is consistent worldwide. Psychiatric comorbidities are common, although less is known about how those comorbidities affect utilisation of healthcare services. Access to paediatric mental healthcare is a challenge in many regions.