Transient cranial neuropathies as sequelae of Onyx embolization of arteriovenous shunt lesions near the skull base: possible axonotmetic traction injuries.

Introduction: Transarterial embolization with Onyx is a relatively safe and increasingly common method of treating cranial dural arteriovenous fistulas (DAVF) and arteriovenous malformations (AVM). Cranial neuropathy resulting from this procedure has been reported.

Case Reports: Three case histories are presented in two patients treated for a DAVF and an AVM near the skull base with heavily parasitized supply from external carotid artery branches.

Novel aneurysm neck reconstruction device: initial experience in an experimental preclinical bifurcation aneurysm model.

Introduction: Treatment of wide-necked bifurcation aneurysms often poses procedural and long-term outcome challenges. The initial preclinical experience with the Pulsar Vascular Aneurysm Neck Reconstruction Device (PVANRD) in a canine bifurcation model is described.

Methods: Experimental bifurcation vein pouch aneurysms were surgically created in the carotid arteries of eight dogs.

Novel non-occlusive temporary endoluminal neck protection device to assist in the treatment of aneurysms in a canine model.

Introduction: Current models for the endovascular treatment of aneurysms often require the use of adjuvant devices. Balloon-assisted techniques require temporary occlusion of the parent vessel. Intravascular stents require the use of antiplatelet medication.

Longitudinal changes of resting-state functional connectivity during motor recovery after stroke.

Background And Purpose: Functional MRI (fMRI) studies could provide crucial information on the neural mechanisms of motor recovery in patients with stroke. Resting-state fMRI is applicable to patients with stroke who are not capable of proper performance of the motor task. In this study, we explored neural correlates of motor recovery in patients with stroke by investigating longitudinal changes in resting-state functional connectivity of the ipsilesional primary motor cortex (M1).

Evaluation of the Nfocus LUNA, a new parent vessel occlusion device: a comparative study in a canine model.

Background: Parent artery occlusion is sometimes required to treat cerebrovascular lesions.

Objective: We evaluated the Nfocus LUNA parent vessel occlusion (PVO) device in comparison with the Vascular Plug (AVP) used in the peripheral vasculature for large-vessel occlusion in a canine animal model.

Methods: The subclavian arteries were targeted for occlusion in 7 canines.

Benign oligemia despite a malignant MRI profile in acute ischemic stroke.

Background: It has recently been suggested that diffusion and perfusion MRI can identify subgroups likely to benefit or potentially be harmed by reperfusion therapies.

Case Report: We investigated serial MRI data of two patients with occlusion of the proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA). In both cases, acute multiple cortical infarcts evident on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) and perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) showed extensive areas of severe perfusion delays, indicating a malignant MRI profile.

The legacy of Johann Friedrich Meckel the Elder (1724-1774): a 4-generation dynasty of anatomists.

Few families have had an impact on medicine to equal that of the Meckel family. Johann Friedrich Meckel the Elder is of special interest to the neurosciences, given that his dissertation on the fifth cranial nerve included the first description of the arachnoid space investing the trigeminal nerve into the middle fossa. He was interested in neuroanatomy, along with botany and pathology of the inguinal hernia and the lymphatic system.

Techniques and devices in neuroendovascular procedures.

The management of patients who have cerebrovascular disorders is challenging. Historically, treatments have been limited to medical therapy and open surgical procedures. Our current ability to treat complex vascular disorders in a minimally invasive fashion is improving at a remarkable rate because of advances in neuroendovascular technology.

Double decussated ipsilateral corticospinal tract in schizencephaly.

We report a patient with left hemiparesis because of schizencephaly affecting the right precentral gyrus and describe a double decussated ipsilateral corticospinal tract detected using the multimodal brain mapping technique. In this patient, we could observe that the unaffected primary motor cortex (M1) controls both hands by functional magnetic resonance imaging and motor-evoked potential study. We were also able to visualize the corticospinal tract originating from the unaffected M1 that passed through the internal capsule and cerebral peduncle on the same side.

Enhancing the working memory of stroke patients using tDCS.

Objectives: We investigated whether anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex affected the working memory performance of patients after a stroke.

Design: Ten patients (mean age 47.7 yrs) with cognitive deficits after a first-ever stroke participated in this single-blind, crossover, and sham-controlled experiment.

Impact of metabolic syndrome on distribution of cervicocephalic atherosclerosis: data from a diverse race-ethnic group.

Background: Vascular localization of symptomatic large artery atherosclerotic (LAA) stroke differs for unknown reasons by race-ethnicity. The metabolic syndrome (MetSD) is associated with higher atherosclerotic stroke risk and comprises abnormal risk factors that can vary by race. Thus, we investigated whether MetSD may contribute to race-ethnic differences in LAA stroke by examining the association of MetSD with symptomatic intra- and extracranial atherosclerosis among a diverse race-ethnic group.

MR mismatch profiles in patients with intracranial atherosclerotic stroke: a comprehensive approach comparing stroke subtypes.

Most clinical trials have focused on the presence of perfusion- and diffusion-weighted imaging (PWI-DWI) mismatch by more than 20%, and different stroke subtypes were lumped together. We hypothesized that intracranial large artery atherosclerotic stroke (IC-LAA) would show different PWI-DWI and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA)-DWI mismatch profiles, compared with other stroke subtypes. Consecutive patients underwent pretreatment multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging for the acute middle cerebral artery infarcts within 6 h of symptom onset.

Plasticity of the attentional network after brain injury and cognitive rehabilitation.

Background: This study aimed to delineate the cerebral attentional network in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) and assess for adaptations in this network in response to a rehabilitation intervention.

Methods: Seventeen patients with TBI and 15 healthy subjects underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) using a visuospatial attention task. Ten TBI patients who successfully completed attentional training had a follow-up fMRI.

Effects of single-dose methylphenidate on cognitive performance in patients with traumatic brain injury: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.

Objectives: To determine the effect of a single dose of methylphenidate on the cognitive performance of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI), and particularly on working memory and visuospatial attention.

Design: A double-blind placebo-controlled study. The subjects were randomly divided into an experimental group taking methylphenidate and a control group taking a placebo.

Facilitating visuospatial attention for the contralateral hemifield by repetitive TMS on the posterior parietal cortex.

Previous studies have demonstrated that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) could modulate the visuospatial functions. In this study, we investigated the effect of off-line high frequency subthreshold rTMS, when applied over the right or left posterior parietal cortex (PPC), on the visuospatial attention of the bilateral hemispaces. The subjects underwent visuospatial tasks before and immediately after receiving 1000 pulses of 10 Hz rTMS for a period of 20 min, and their responses were recorded.