MELAS综合征八例

目的探讨MELAS综合征(线粒体脑肌病伴乳酸血症和卒中样发作)的临床特征,为早期诊断和治疗提供参考。方法对8例确诊的MELAS综合征患者的临床表现、肌活检病理及影像学资料进行回顾性分析。结果头痛、抽搐、运动耐受差、智能障碍、脑卒中样发作、血乳酸水平升高为本组患者的主要临床表现。8例患者脑内病灶均表现为T1WI低信号、T2WI高信号,病变主要累及额、颞、顶、枕叶皮层、皮层下及基底节,伴有不同程度的脑萎缩,病灶多发且与血管分布区不一致。8例患者行肌肉活检可见破碎红纤维(RRF)、异常线粒体增多。结论 MELAS综合征临床表现复杂多样,确诊依赖于临床特征分析和肌肉活检。磁共振成像在线粒体脑肌病的诊断、鉴别诊断方面具有一定的价值。     

16例MELAS临床、神经影像与肌肉病理研究

目的探讨线粒体脑肌病并乳酸血症与卒中样发作(MELAS)的临床、影像学及肌肉病理特点。方法对16例MELAS患者的临床表现、影像学及肌肉病理特点进行分析。结果患者主要临床表现为卒中样癫发作(87.5%),其次为头痛、呕吐和智能减退等;头颅MRI提示脑实质片状异常信号,不按血管供应区分布;肌肉活检见破碎红纤维(RRF)。结论MELAS是一种具有特殊临床、影像学表现的线粒体脑肌病,其诊断依赖于肌肉活检病理和基因诊断。     

MELAS综合征和Leigh病患者临床对比

目的对比研究和总结线粒体脑肌病伴乳酸血症和脑卒中样发作(mitochondrial encephalomyopathywith lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes,MELAS)综合征和Leigh病患者的临床、影像学以及病理学特点。方法对10例MELAS综合征、7例Leigh病和1例MELAS综合征-Leigh病叠加患者的临床、影像学及组织病理学特点进行系统分析。结果 10例MELAS综合征患者主要临床表现为运动不耐受、发作性头痛和脑卒中样发作,脑CT及MRI检查结果示病灶多位于枕、顶、颞叶皮质及皮质下,光镜下观察肌肉组织可见不整红边纤维(ragged red fiber,RRF),抗线粒体抗体(anti-mitochondrial antibody,AMA)免疫组化染色可见大量破碎样棕褐色肌纤维(ragged brown fibers,RBFs),3例MELAS综合征患者行脑活检可见棕色AMA阳性的小血管及神经细胞。7例Leigh病患者主要临床表现为眼外肌麻痹、视力下降、肌阵挛样发作及智力发育迟缓,头颅MRI检查结果示双侧底节区、脑干异常信号,肌肉活检未见RRF。4例MELAS综合征、4例Leigh病患者以及1例MELAS综合征-Leigh病叠加患者行MRS检查结果示病变区乳酸水平明显增高。结论 MELAS综合征和Leigh病的临床及影像学特点相比存在明显差别,前者脑部病灶以脑叶皮质及皮质下受累为主,同时表现为脑和肌肉受累症状,肌肉活检可发现RRF;Leigh病患者主要表现为脑干、基底节及视神经受累表现,肌肉活检未见RRF。     

MELAS型线粒体脑肌病的临床、影像学和肌肉病理分析

目的 探讨MELAS型线粒体脑肌病的临床表现、影像学特点和肌肉组织病理学改变,提高人们对本病的认识.方法 回顾性分析5例MELAS型线粒体脑肌病的临床表现、脑影像学改变(MRI和CT),以及骨骼肌活检的组织病理学特点.结果 MELAS型线粒体脑肌病的主要临床表现为局灶性或全身性癫NFDCC发作、听觉和视觉障碍、运动不能耐受、认知功能障碍、脑卒中样发作、血乳酸水平升高等.脑影像学检查可见病灶多位于颞、枕、顶叶皮层脑回处,脑MRI表现为长T1、长T2信号,部分患者头颅CT可见基底节钙化.骨骼肌活检5例患者肌肉组织中均可见破碎红边纤维(RRF),2例行电镜检查均可见异常线粒体聚集.结论 MELAS型线粒体脑肌病是一种以高乳酸血症和卒中样发作为特征的脑和肌肉能量代谢障碍综合征.患者临床表现复杂多样,容易造成误诊,其诊断需在临床表现和影像学特点的基础上,结合骨骼肌活检病理检查发现RRF或异常线粒体聚集,可获得临床确诊.     

MELAS的研究进展

目的提高临床医师对线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作综合征(mitochondrial encephalomyopathy with lactic academia and stroke-like episodes,MELAS)的认识,以早期诊断及治疗,改善患者预后。方法结合MELAS既往的文献报道,总结MELAS患者的临床表现、实验室及影像学检查、病理特点、基因检测、诊断标准及鉴别诊断、治疗与预后情况。结果MELAS患者主要表现为运动不耐受、卒中样发作、癫痫、失明、眼外肌瘫痪、听力下降、癫痫,肌酸激酶正常或者增高,运动后血乳酸增高。肌肉活检见破碎红纤维(RRF)和SDH染色肌间小血管强染(SSV),ATP酶染色可见肌纤维呈棋盘格样分布,HE染色可见边缘嗜碱性肌纤维。头MRI表现皮层卒中样改变、脑萎缩。结论 MELAS患者主要以脑和肌肉受累为主要临床表现,RRF、SSV、肌纤维呈棋盘格样分布、嗜碱性肌纤维为肌肉活检的主要特点。     

MELAS综合征的MRI诊断

目的 探讨线粒体脑肌病MELAS综合征的MRI表现特点.方法 回顾分析11例经病理证实的MELAS综合征患者的临床及MRI检查资料.结果 11例患者MRI表现均显示多叶受累的大脑皮质及皮质下异常信号,病变不按血管支配区分布,且具有多变性,增强扫描少有强化,MRA无大血管狭窄.9例为双侧病变,2例为单侧;T1WI呈等信号或低信号,T2WI呈高信号;其中枕叶受累9例,顶叶受累7例,颞叶受累6例,额叶受累2例;伴发脑深部灰质核团或脑干、小脑病变8例.结论 MELAS综合征MRI表现具有一定特征性,MRI检查对MELAS综合征的诊断具有重要提示价值,结合肌肉活检可明确该病的诊断.     

MELAS综合征的临床、影像学及病理研究

目的探讨线粒体脑肌病中MELAS综合征患者的临床表现、影像学、组织病理学特点及诊断方法。方法对5例MELAS综合征患者的临床、影像学及神经电生理、肌肉和脑组织病理学特点进行系统分析,3例行肌活检,其中1例患者行肌肉电镜检查;2例行脑活检。结果 MELAS综合征患者主要临床表现为运动不耐受、脑卒中发作、抽搐发作、偏盲、偏头痛发作、听力下降、视力下降。5例患者中血乳酸增高4例,肌电图提示肌源性损害4例,脑电图检查提示重度异常脑电图5例,头颅MRI检查主要为颞、枕、顶叶的不对称病灶;3例患者肌肉组织有破碎红纤维,1例行肌肉电镜检查发现异常线粒体,2例患者脑组织活检可见皮质组织成分层样改变。结论根据患者的临床及影像学特点,并结合肌肉及脑组织活检可对线粒体脑肌病MELAS综合征进行诊断。     

线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作三例

目的分析3例线粒体脑肌病伴高乳酸血症和卒中样发作(MELAS)患者的临床表现影像学特点并探讨其发病机制。方法对3例MELAS患者的临床资料进行分析。结果 3例患者均以卒中样发作为主要表现,伴有内分泌、循环系统等多系统症状。患者头颅影像学有异常表现,肌肉活检示破碎红纤维。结论MELAS的初步诊断主要依据临床表现和影像学特点,肌肉活检可以为进一步明确诊断提供重要的依据。     

线粒体脑肌病伴有高乳酸血症和卒中样发作综合征的临床及基因突变分析

目的 探讨线粒体脑肌病伴有高乳酸血症和卒中样发作综合征(MELAS)的临床及基因突变特征. 方法 对1例MELAS患者的临床表现、影像学、肌肉病理特点进行分析,并用PCR-RFLP结合基因测序方法进行线粒体基因突变分析. 结果 患者主要临床表现为发作性头痛和呕吐、反复卒中样发作、癫痫、运动不耐受、身材矮小、神经性耳聋、乳酸水平升高等.脑CT见双侧基底节多个钙化灶,MRI见枕叶异常信号,1H-MRS见T2WI异常信号区域有明显的乳酸峰,在T2正常信号区域也有小的乳酸峰.光镜及电镜肌肉病理检查未见明显的线粒体异常,基因检测显示mtDNA A3243G杂合突变. 结论 MELAS的诊断必须结合临床表现、影像学、病理学和基因突变检测等结果进行综合分析,病理学检查阴性不能否定MELAS的诊断,诊断MELAS应常规进行mtDNA突变分析.     

线粒体脑肌病伴乳酸血症和卒中样发作综合征的临床、EEG、影像学及肌肉病理特点分析

目的 探讨线粒体脑肌病伴乳酸血症和卒中样发作(MELAS)综合征的临床症状、EEG、影像学及肌肉病理特点,以提高对其认识及诊断的正确率.方法 回顾性分析6例基因确诊的MELAS综合征患者的临床资料,分析其临床表现、EEG、影像学、肌肉病理特点.结果 6例患者中男性4例,女性2例,年龄最大者43岁,最小者4岁,平均起病年...     

Striatal and cortical BOLD,blood flow,blood volume,oxygen consumption,and glucose consumption changes in noxious forepaw electrical stimulation

Recent reports showed noxious forepaw stimulation in rats evoked an unexpected sustained decrease in cerebral blood volume (CBV) in the bilateral striatum, whereas increases in spike activity and Fos-immunoreactive cells were observed. This study aimed to further evaluate the hemodynamic and metabolic needs in this model and the sources of negative functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) signals by measuring blood oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD), cerebral-blood-flow (CBF), CBV, and oxygen-consumption (i.e., cerebral metabolic rate of oxygen (CMRO₂)) changes using an 11.7-T MRI scanner, and glucose-consumption (i.e., cerebral metabolic rate of glucose (CMRglc)) changes using micro-positron emission tomography. In the contralateral somatosensory cortex, BOLD, CBF, CBV, CMRO₂ (n=7, P<0.05), and CMRglc (n=5, P<0.05) increased. In contrast, in the bilateral striatum, BOLD, CBF, and CBV decreased (P<0.05), CMRO₂ decreased slightly, although not significantly from baseline, and CMRglc was not statistically significant from baseline (P>0.05). These multimodal functional imaging findings corroborate the unexpected negative hemodynamic changes in the striatum during noxious forepaw stimulation, and support the hypothesis that striatal hemodynamic response is dominated by neurotransmitter-mediated vasoconstriction, overriding the stimulus-evoked fMRI signal increases commonly accompany elevated neuronal activity. Multimodal functional imaging approach offers a means to probe the unique attributes of the striatum, providing novel insights into the neurovascular coupling in the striatum. These findings may have strong implications in fMRI studies of pain.     

Relationship between impulsive sensation seeking traits, smoking, alcohol and caffeine intake, and Parkinson's disease

BACKGROUND: An inverse relation exists between smoking and coffee intake and Parkinson's disease (PD). The present study explored whether this is explained by low sensation seeking, a personality trait believed to characterise PD. METHODS: A total of 106 non-demented patients with PD and 106 age and sex matched healthy controls completed a short version of Zuckerman's Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS), the Geriatric Depression Scale, and the Trait Anxiety Inventory. Data were collected on past and current cigarette smoking, and participants also completed food frequency questionnaires to estimate current caffeine and alcohol intake. RESULTS: Patients with PD had lower sensation seeking and higher depression and anxiety scores. They were also less likely to have ever smoked, and had lower caffeine and alcohol intakes. Analysis of the data using conditional logistic regression suggested that the inverse association of PD risk with sensation seeking was independent of smoking, and caffeine and alcohol intake. Moreover, low sensation seeking explained some of the apparent effect of caffeine and alcohol intake on PD. However, the effect of smoking was weakened only slightly when SSS was included in the regression model. CONCLUSION: This study raises the possibility that there is a neurobiological link between low sensation seeking traits--which might underlie the parkinsonian personality--and the hypothetical protective effect of cigarette smoking and caffeine consumption on PD.     

Kleine�CLevin syndrome: Etiology, diagnosis, and treatment

Kleine–Levin syndrome (KLS) is a rare sleep disorder mainly affecting teenage boys in which the main features are intermittent hypersomnolence, behavioral and cognitive disturbances, hyperphagia, and in some cases hypersexuality. Each episode is of brief duration varying from a week to 1–2 months and affected people are entirely asymptomatic between episodes. No definite cause has been identified, and no effective treatments are available even though illness is having well-defined clinical features. Multiple relapses occur every few weeks or months, and the condition may last for a decade or more before spontaneous resolution. In this study, PubMed was searched and appropriate articles were reviewed to highlight etiology, clinical features, and management of KLS. On the basis of this knowledge, practical information is offered to help clinicians about how to investigate a case of KLS, and what are the possible treatment modalities available currently for the treatment during an episode and interepisodic period for prophylaxis. Comprehensive research into the etiology, pathophysiology, investigation, and treatments are required to aid the development of disease-specific targeted therapies.     

Adolescent development,hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal function,and programming of adult learning and memory

Chronic exposure to stress is known to affect learning and memory in adults through the release of glucocorticoid hormones by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. In adults, glucocorticoids alter synaptic structure and function in brain regions that express high levels of glucocorticoid receptors and that mediate goal-directed behaviour and learning and memory. In contrast to relatively transient effects of stress on cognitive function in adulthood, exposure to high levels of glucocorticoids in early life can produce enduring changes through substantial remodeling of the developing nervous system. Adolescence is another time of significant brain development and maturation of the HPA axis, thereby providing another opportunity for glucocorticoids to exert programming effects on neurocircuitry involved in learning and memory. These topics are reviewed, as is the emerging research evidence in rodent models highlighting that adolescence may be a period of increased vulnerability compared to adulthood in which exposure to high levels of glucocorticoids results in enduring changes in adult cognitive function.     

Culture,Ethnicity, and Level of Education in Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most frequent cause of dementia, where the abnormal accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) and tau lead to neurodegeneration as well as loss of cognitive, behavioral, and functional abilities. The present review analyzes AD from a cross-cultural neuropsychological perspective, looking at differences in culture-associated variables, neuropsychological test performance and biomarkers across ethnic and racial groups. Studies have found significant effects of culture, preferred language, country of origin, race, and ethnicity on cognitive test performance, although the definition of those grouping terms varies across studies. Together, with the substantial underrepresentation of minority groups in research, the inconsistent classification might conduce to an inaccuratte diagnosis that often results from biases in testing procedures that favor the group to which test developers belong. These biases persist even after adjusting for variables related to disadvantageous societal conditions, such as low level of education, unfavorable socioeconomic status, health care access, or psychological stressors. All too frequently, educational level is confounded with culture. Minorities often have lower educational attainment and lower quality of education, causing differences in test results that are then attributed to culture. Higher levels of education are also associated with increased cognitive reserve, a protective factor against cognitive decline in the presence of neurodegeneration. Biomarker research suggests there might be significant differences in specific biomarker profiles for each ethnicity/race in need of accurate cultural definitions to adequately predict risk and disease progression across ethnic/racial groups. Overall, this review highlights the need for diversity in all domains of AD research that lack inclusion and the collection of relevant information from these groups.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13311-022-01193-z.     

Hyperthermia influences excitatory and inhibitory amino acid neurotransmitters in the central nervous system. An experimental study in the rat using behavioural, biochemical, pharmacological, and morphological approaches

Summary. Role of excitatory amino acids, glutamate, aspartate, and inhibitory amino acids, gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glycine in brain damage caused by heat stress was examined in a rat model. Subjection of rats to 4 h heat stress at 38°C in a biological oxygen demand (BOD) incubator resulted in a marked increase in glutamate and aspartate in some brain regions, whereas a significant decline in GABA and glycine was observed in several brain areas. Profound behavioural alterations and impairment of motor and cognitive functions were seen at this time. Breakdown of the blood–brain barrier (BBB), reduction in regional cerebral blood flow (CBF), edema formation and cell injuries are prominent in several parts of the brain. Pretreatment with multiple opioid receptor antagonist, naloxone (10 mg/kg, i.p.) significantly restored the heat stress induced decline in GABA and glycine and thwarted the elevation of glutamate and aspartate in various brain areas. The motor or cognitive deficits were also attenuated. A significant reduction in BBB permeability, cerebral blood flow abnormalities, edema formation and cell injuries was evident. These novel observations suggest that (i) glutamate, aspartate, GABA and glycine are involved in the pathophysiology of heat stress, and (ii) a balance between excitatory and inhibitory amino acids in brain is crucial in hyperthermia induced brain injuries or repair.     

Recognition, treatment, and prevention of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia: review and update

Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) is one of the most important life- and limb-threatening adverse drug events encountered by physicians. Serious sequelae associated with HIT can be avoided with early recognition and appropriate treatment. This review examines the recommendations published in 2004 by the American College of Chest Physicians on the recognition, treatment, and prevention of HIT together with more recent data, especially regarding treatment with direct thrombin inhibitors.     

DISC1: Structure, Function, and Therapeutic Potential for Major Mental Illness

Disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1) is well established as a genetic risk factor across a spectrum of psychiatric disorders, a role supported by a growing body of biological studies, making the DISC1 protein interaction network an attractive therapeutic target. By contrast, there is a relative deficit of structural information to relate to the myriad biological functions of DISC1. Here, we critically appraise the available bioinformatics and biochemical analyses on DISC1 and key interacting proteins, and integrate this with the genetic and biological data. We review, analyze, and make predictions regarding the secondary structure and propensity for disordered regions within DISC1, its protein-interaction domains, subcellular localization motifs, and the structural and functional implications of common and ultrarare DISC1 variants associated with major mental illness. We discuss signaling pathways of high pharmacological potential wherein DISC1 participates, including those involving phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) and glycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3). These predictions and priority areas can inform future research in the translational and potentially guide the therapeutic processes.     

Mindfulness, spirituality, and health-related symptoms

OBJECTIVE: Although the relationship between religious practice and health is well established, the relationship between spirituality and health is not as well studied. The objective of this study was to ascertain whether participation in the mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program was associated with increases in mindfulness and spirituality, and to examine the associations between mindfulness, spirituality, and medical and psychological symptoms. METHODS: Forty-four participants in the University of Massachusetts Medical School's MBSR program were assessed preprogram and postprogram on trait (Mindful Attention and Awareness Scale) and state (Toronto Mindfulness Scale) mindfulness, spirituality (Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy--Spiritual Well-Being Scale), psychological distress, and reported medical symptoms. Participants also kept a log of daily home mindfulness practice. Mean changes in scores were computed, and relationships between changes in variables were examined using mixed-model linear regression. RESULTS: There were significant improvements in spirituality, state and trait mindfulness, psychological distress, and reported medical symptoms. Increases in both state and trait mindfulness were associated with increases in spirituality. Increases in trait mindfulness and spirituality were associated with decreases in psychological distress and reported medical symptoms. Changes in both trait and state mindfulness were independently associated with changes in spirituality, but only changes in trait mindfulness and spirituality were associated with reductions in psychological distress and reported medical symptoms. No association was found between outcomes and home mindfulness practice. CONCLUSIONS: Participation in the MBSR program appears to be associated with improvements in trait and state mindfulness, psychological distress, and medical symptoms. Improvements in trait mindfulness and spirituality appear, in turn, to be associated with improvements in psychological and medical symptoms.