Search

A patient with epilepsy was shown to have neurobiological, psychological, cognitive, and social issues as a result of recurring seizures, which is regarded as a chronic brain disease. However, despite numerous drug treatments, approximately, 30%-40% of all patients are resistant to antiepileptic drugs. Therefore, newer therapeutic modalities are introduced into clinical practice which involve neurostimulation and direct stimulation of the brain. Hence, we review published literature on vagus nerve stimulation, trigeminal nerve stimulation, applying responsive stimulation systems, and deep brain stimulation (DBS) in animals and epileptic patient with an emphasis on drug-resistant epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Freezing of gait, a common PD motor symptom, could increase the risk of falling. This study aimed to investigate the clinimetric attributes of the Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOGQ) for people with Parkinson disease in the "off" state. Methods: A total of 115 patients with Parkinson disease (PD; mean age, 60.25 years) were included. Acceptability, internal consistency (by the Cronbach alpha, and test-retest by Intraclass Correlation [ICC]), and reliability of the Persian-translated version of the FOGQ were examined. Dimensionality was estimated by Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA). Fall efficacy scale-international, unified Parkinson disease rating scale-II, Berg balance scale, functional reach test, and Parkinson disease questionnaire-39 were applied to determine the convergent validity. Diagnostic accuracy for obtaining optimal cutoff point, separating faller and non-faller groups, was analyzed by Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve analysis and Area Under the Curve (AUC). All tests were carried out in an "off" state. Results: The Cronbach alpha was high (a=0.92). The test-retest showed high reliability (ICC=0.89). The FOGQ was unidimensional according to the EFA and had acceptable convergent validity with moderate to high correlation with other clinical scales. The optimal cutoff point to discriminate fallers from non-fallers during the "off" state was 9/10, with an AUC of 0.92. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the FOGQ has appropriate reliability, validity, and discriminative ability for measuring FOG in patients with PD during the "off" state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The resistance of temporal lobe epilepsy to classic drugs is thought to be due to disruption in the excitation/inhibition of this pathway. Two chloride transporters, NKCC1 and KCC2, are expressed differently for the excitatory state of Gamma-Amino Butyric Acid (GABA). The present study explored the effect of bumetanide as a selective NKCC1 inhibitor either alone or in combination with the phenobarbital in the pilocarpine model of epilepsy. Methods: An animal model of Status Epilepticus (SE) was induced with pilocarpine in Wistar male rats followed by phenobarbital and or bumetanide or saline administration for 45 days after the induction of SE by Intraperitoneal (IP) injection. The rats were monitored, their behavior was recorded, and after 24 hours they were sacrificed to study the expression of NKCC1 and KCC2 using real time PCR. Results: The data showed that the effects of a combination of bumetanide with phenobarbital on frequency rate and duration of seizure attack were more than those of the phenobarbital alone. In addition, in the bumetanide and combined treatment groups, NKCC1 expression decreased significantly, compared with untreated epileptic animals. A delayed decrement in NKCC1/KCC2 expression ratio after bumetanide application was also observed. Conclusion: The combination of bumetanide with phenobarbital increases the inhibition of SE and maximizes the potential of GABA signaling pathway, and can be considered as an effective therapeutic strategy in patients with epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The mechanism of putative cytotoxicity of 4-[3-(cyclopentyloxy)-4-methoxyphenyl]-2-pyrrolidone (rolipram), a specific phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor, on glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is almost unknown. This study aimed to investigate the role of protein kinase B (Akt) pathway in the cytotoxic effect of rolipram on human GBM U87 MG cell line and Tumor-Initiating Cells (TICs) isolated from patient's GBM specimen. Methods: TICs were characterized by using flow cytometry and quantitative real-time PCR. The cells were treated with rolipram at inhibitory concentration of 50% (IC50) in the presence or absence of SC79 (4µg/mL), a specific AKT activator, for 48 hours. The cell viability and apoptosis were measured by MTT assay and TUNEL staining, respectively. The relative expression of Phospho-Akt (Ser473), matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) were detected using Western blotting. Results: The findings showed that rolipram could suppress cell viability in both U87MG and TICs, dose-dependently. Interestingly, the rolipram-induced cytotoxicity was significantly reduced in the presence of SC79. Nevertheless, in rolipram-treated cells, the pretreatment with SC79 significantly led to increase in U87 MG cells and TICs apoptosis and decrease in viability of U87 MG cells but not TICs relative to corresponding control. In U87 MG and TICs, rolipram-induced reduction of Phospho-Akt (Ser473) and MMP2 levels were significantly suppressed by SC79. Conclusion: There is a cell type-specific mechanism of anti-proliferative action of rolipram on GBM cells. The reduction of intracellular level of MMP2 but not VEGFA by rolipram is conducted through the inhibition of Akt signal. Rolipram-induced apoptosis is mediated via Akt dependent/independent mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transforming Growth Factor-Beta 1 (TGF-β1) is a pleiotropic cytokine with potent anti-inflammatory property, which has been considered as an essential risk factor in the inflammatory process of Ischemic Stroke (IS), by involving in the pathophysiological progression of hypertension, atherosclerosis, and lipid metabolisms. -509C/T TGF-β1 gene polymorphism has been found to be associated with the risk of IS. The aim of this meta-analysis was to provide a relatively comprehensive account of the relation between -509C/T gene polymorphisms of TGF-β1 and susceptibility to IS. Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into sham (receiving phosphate buffered saline within dorsal hippocampus), pilocarpine (epileptic model of TLE), single injection BDNF (epileptic rats which received single high dose of BDBF within dorsal hippocampus), and multiple injections BDNF (epileptic rats which received BDNF in days 10, 11, 12, and 13 after induction of TLE) groups. Their electrocorticogram was recorded and amplitude, frequency, and duration of spikes were evaluated. Results: Amplitude and frequency of epileptiform burst discharges were significantly decreased in animals treated with BDNF compared to pilocarpine group. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that BDNF may modulate the epileptic activity in the animal model of TLE. In addition, it may have therapeutic effect for epilepsy. More studies are necessary to clarify the exact mechanisms of BDNF effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: We hypothesized that inappropriate attention during the period of abstinence in individuals with substance use disorder can result in an inadequate perception of emotion and unsuitable reaction to emotional scenes. The main aim of this research was to evaluate the attentional bias towards emotional images in former substance abusers and compare it to healthy adults. Methods: Paired images of general scenes consisting of pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral images were presented to subjects for 3 s while their attentional bias and eye movements were measured by eye tracking. The participants were 72 male adults consisting of 23 healthy control, 24 morphine former abusers, and 25 methamphetamine former abusers. The former abusers were recruited from a private addiction quitting center and addiction rehabilitation campus. The healthy individuals were selected from general population. Number and duration of first fixation, duration of first gaze, and sustained attention towards emotional scenes were measured as the main variables and the data were analyzed using the repeated measures ANOVA. Results: A significant difference was observed between former morphine abusers and healthy control in terms of number and duration of first fixations and first gaze duration towards pleasant images. Discussion: Individuals with morphine use disorder have more problems with attending to emotional images compared to methamphetamine abusers and healthy people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Malignant astrocytic gliomas are the most common and lethal brain malignancies due to their refractory to the current therapies. Nowadays, molecular targeted therapy has attracted great attention in treatment of glioma. Connexin 43 (Cx43) and micro ribonucleic acid- 21(miR-21) are among molecules that are involved in glioma development and progression. These molecules showed potential to be as target molecules with regard to glioma. Some studies have reported that cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling could be effective on Cx43 and miR-21 in tissues other than in brain. We investigate possible relationship between β-adrenergic receptor and its newly described downstream, exchange protein directly activated by cAMP (Epac) signaling pathway and expression of Cx43 and miR-21 in low (1321N1) and high grade (U87MG) glioma cell lines. Methods: We treated cells with β-adrenergic agonist and Epac activator with and without adenyl cyclase inhibitor. Cx43 and miR-21 expression were measured with real-time PCR. Results: Our data showed that in 1321N1 cells, β-adrenergic-Epac pathway stimulation up and down-regulated Cx43 and miR-21 expression respectively. Whereas, in U87MG cells these interventions had no effect on Cx43 and miR-21 expression. Discussion: These findings demonstrate that low grade astrocytoma cells have better response to our pharmacological interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Recent studies have shown that astrocytes play major roles in normal and disease condition of the central nervous system including multiple sclerosis (MS). Molecular target therapy studies in MS have revealed that connexin-43 (Cx43) and Aquaporin-4 (AQP4) contents of astrocytes undergo expression alteration. Fluoxetine had some effects in MS patients unrelated to its known antidepressant effects. Some of fluoxetine effects were attributed to its capability of cAMP signaling pathway stimulation. This study aimed to investigate possible acute effects of fluoxetine on Cx43 and AQP4 expression in astrocyte. Methods: Astrocytoma cells were treated for 24 hours with fluoxetine (10 and 20 µg/ml) with or without adenyl cyclase (AC) and protein kinase A (PKA) inhibition. Cx43 expression at both mRNA and protein levels and AQP4 expression at mRNA level were evaluated. Results: Acquired results showed that fluoxetine with and without AC and PKA inhibition resulted in Cx43 up-regulation both in mRNA and protein levels, whereas AQP4 expression have not changed. Discussion: In conclusion, data showed that fluoxetine alone and in the absence of serotonin acutely up-regulated Cx43 expression in astrocytes that can be assumed in molecular target therapy of MS patients. It seems that cAMP involvement in fluoxetine effects need more researches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Transplantation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) or Schwann cells (SCs) can increase axonal regeneration in peripheral nerve injuries. Based on our previous investigations, the goal of the present work was to examine the individual and synergistic effects of the two different cell types in sciatic nerve injury . We pursued to evaluate the effects of BMSCs and SCs co-transplantation on the functional recovery after sciatic nerve injury in rat. Methods: In this experimental research, adult male Wistar rats (n=32, 250-300g) were used, BMSCs and SCs were cultured, and the SCs were confirmed with anti S100 antibody. Rats were randomly divided into 4 groups (n=8 in each group): 1- control group: silicon tube filled with fibrin gel without cells; 2- BMSCs group: silicon tube filled with fibrin gel seeded with BMSCs; 3- SCs group: silicon tube filled with fibrin gel seeded with SCs and 4- co-transplantation group: silicone tube filled with fibrin gel seeded with BMSCs and SCs. The left sciatic nerve was exposed, a 10 mm segment removed, and a silicone tube interposed into this nerve gap. BMSCs and SCs were transplanted separately or in combination into the gap. BMSCs were labeled with anti-BrdU and SCs were labeled with DiI. After 12 weeks electromyographic and functional assessments were performed and analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: Electromyographic and functional assessments showed a significant difference between the experimental groups and controls. Electromyography measures were significantly more favourable in SCs transplantation group as compared to BMSCs transplantation and co-transplantation groups (p<0.05). Functional assessments showed no statistically significant difference among the BMSCs, SCs and co-transplantation groups (p<0.05). Discussion: Transplantation of BMSCs and SCs separately or in combination have the potential to generate functional recovery after sciatic nerve injury in rat. The electromyography evaluation showed a greater improvement after SCs transplantation than BMSCs or the co-transplantation of BMSCs and SCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is a debilitating disease which leads to progressive functional damages. Because of limited axonal regeneration in the central nervous system, there is no or little recovery expected in the patients. Different cellular and molecular approaches were investigated in SCI animal models. Cellular transplantation of stem cells can potentially replace damaged tissue and provide a suitable microenvironment for axons to regenerate. Here, we reviewed the last approaches applied by our colleagues and others in order to improve axonal regeneration following SCI. We used different types of stem cells via different methods. First, fetal olfactory mucosa, schwann, and bone marrow stromal cells were transplanted into the injury sites in SCI models. In later studies, was applied simultaneous transplantation of stem cells with chondroitinase ABC in SCI models with the aid of nanoparticles. Using these approaches, considerable functional recovery was observed. However, considering some challenges in stem cell therapy such as rejection, infection, and development of a new cancer, our more recent strategy was application of cytokines. We observed a significant improvement in motor function of rats when stromal derived factor-1 was used to attract innate stem cells to the injury site. In conclusion, it seems that co-transplantation of different cells accompanies with other factors like enzymes and growth factors via new delivery systems may yield better results in SCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Oxidative stress and neuroinflammation are involved in neurodegeneration procedure in Parkinson's disease. Recently, neuroprotective potential of Boswellia resin has been demonstrated. Therefore, this study examined whether administration of Boswellia resin would attenuate MPP+- induced neuronal death in SK-N-SH- cell line, a human dopaminergic neurons- in vitro. Methods: Boswellia resin extract was added to culture medium (10µg/ml) before and after exposure of SK-N-SH cell line to MPP+ (1000µM). Cell viability and apoptosis features were assessed using MTT and Hoechst staining, respectively. Results: Treatment with Boswellia resin 2 and 3h prior to MPP ° exposure and up to 60 minutes after MPP ° exposure significantly increased cell viability compare to untreated cells. Apoptotic features were also reduced significantly by Boswellia resin (10 µg/ml) compare to that of control untreated cells. Discussion: Boswellia resin has neuroprotective effects on dopaminergic neurons which can be applicable in Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article addresses the potential of nanotechnology, biotechnology, information technology and cognitive science (NBIC) in improving human performance. It references a report on these converging technologies published in 2003 by the U.S. National Science Foundation. The authors of this report argued that the integration of these technologies can improve the human lifestyles including working habits. Also addressed is the progress of research in these fields.

Introduction: Schizophrenia (SCZ) is a psychiatric disorder caused by environmental, social, and genetic factors. This phenomenon is a severe neuropsychiatric disorder with a 1% worldwide prevalence. As SCZ is an exclusively human disorder, animal models cannot mimic SCZ pathophysiology. Thus, it is crucial to develop a novel human-based specific model of SCZ to elucidate mechanisms of the occurrence of the disease. In this regard, the aim of this study was reprogramming somatic cells to human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), with possible potency to transformed to specific neural stem cells., Methods: In the present study, we directly reprogrammed the isolated human ear dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) from schizophrenic patients into hiPSCs using some episomal agents in Matrigel-coated plates. The existence of pluripotency markers was confirmed by the immunocytochemistry (ICC) test and alkaline phosphatase protocol. We performed karyotype analysis to ensure the maintenance of the normal chromosomes., Results: Analysis of colonies exhibited intense alkaline phosphatase engagement and Oct4, SSEA4, Nanog, and Tra-1-60. HiPSCs showed normal karyotypes and were potent to differentiate into ectoderm, endoderm, and mesoderm., Conclusion: This study showed human dermal mesenchymal fibroblasts taken from schizophrenic patients can be reprogrammed to hiPSCs, with potential to transformation to three germ layers with sufficient expression of relate molecular markers. This is the first steps to produce SCZ specific neural stem cells, which can be used in the assessment of cellular changes in schizophrenia and possible effects of antipsychotic agents. ., (Copyright© 2024 Iranian Neuroscience Society.)

Background: Various studies have shown that individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience significant cognitive impairments during childhood. Individuals often experience various language disorders that can manifest in different ways. There are also studies indicating that these impairments persist into adulthood for individuals with ASD. This study aimed to evaluate and identify cognitive impairments among Persian-speaking adults with ASD., Methods: This research is of a quantitative nature and has been conducted using an experimental method in which two subtests from the Persian Version of the Montreal Protocol for the Evaluation of Communication (P.M.E.C.), including the Metaphor Interpretation and Speech Act Interpretation subtests, were utilized. Thirteen Persian-speaking men with ASD participated in this research, with ages ranging from 25 to 44 years (mean age 32.84, standard deviation 4.17), whose educational levels varied from primary school to 20 years of formal education. The control group consisted of 26 healthy Persian-speaking men who were matched in terms of age and educational level with the ASD group. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and a paired t-test were used to compare the two groups., Results: The results indicated that the ASD group performed significantly poorer in both the Metaphor Interpretation subtest ( P < 0.001) and the Speech Act Interpretation subtest ( P = 0.033) compared to the healthy control group, suggesting cognitive impairments in their abilities., Conclusion: The findings of this research can be valuable for assessment and intervention purposes in rehabilitation centers, as well as in academic and research settings., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2024 Iran University of Medical Sciences.)

Background: Neurostimulation is one of the new therapeutic approaches in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, and despite its high efficiency, its mechanism of action is still unclear. On the one hand, electrical stimulation in the human brain is immoral; on the other hand, the creation of the epilepsy model in laboratory animals affects the entire brain network. As a result, one of the ways to achieve the neurostimulation mechanism is to use epileptiform activity models In vitro. In vitro models, by accessing the local network from the whole brain, we can understand the mechanisms of action of neurostimulation., Methods: A literature search using scientific databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus, using "Neurostimulation" and "epileptiform activity" combined with "high-frequency stimulation", " low-frequency stimulation ", and "brain slices" as keywords were conducted, related concepts to the topic gathered and are used in this paper., Results: Electrical stimulation causes neuronal depolarization and the release of GABAA, which inhibits neuronal firing. Also, electrical stimulation inhibits the nervous tissue downstream of the stimulation site by preventing the passage of nervous activity from the upstream to the downstream of the axon., Conclusion: Neurostimulation techniques consisting of LFS and HFS have a potential role in treating epileptiform activity, with some studies having positive results. Further investigations with larger sample sizes and standardized outcome measures can be conducted to validate the results of previous studies., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2023 Iran University of Medical Sciences.)

Background: There is conflicting evidence in favor of the hemispheric distribution of motor planning. Some studies supported the left-hemisphere-dominance hypothesis for motor planning and claimed that the left-hemisphere has a crucial function in motor control even in left-handers. The present study aimed to compare the right- and left-handed participants on motor planning ability and to investigate the performance of their dominant hands in a specific action selection task. Also, the effect of task complexity was assessed. Methods: Twenty right-handers and 20 left-handers performed an action selection task. The participants had to grasp a hexagonal knob with their dominant hand and consequently rotated it 60° or 180 ° clockwise or counterclockwise. Depending on our objects, we used mixed factorial ANOVA and the groups were examined in terms of the planning time, grasping time, releasing time and planning pattern for initial grip selection. The SPSS 19 was used for analyzing the data and p≤0.05 was considered as the significant level. Results: No significant differences were observed between the two groups. The movement-related measures revealed a main effect of rotation (p˂0.001). However, a significant interaction between direction × planning pattern × group (p˂0.001) indicated a preferential bias for rotatory movements in the medial direction which is consistent with the "medial over lateral advantage". Conclusion: Both left- and right-handed participants had a similar motor planning ability while performing a planning task with their dominant hands. Because our study was behavioral, it only provided a test of the left-hemisphere hypothesis of motor planning., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: None declared, (© 2021 Iran University of Medical Sciences.)

Background: Access to rehabilitation services is considered to be a right for all people. One of the most important indicators for access to rehabilitation services is an individual's general acceptance of rehabilitation. This tool was designed based on relevant studies and experiences of rehabilitation specialists to design a questionnaire to specifically measure patient acceptability of physical rehabilitation services. Methods: In this study, an exploratory sequential mixed methods design was used. The first phase included a review of the literature and analysis of relevant studies, focus group discussions, and qualitative content analysis. In the second phase, construct validity was assessed by exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis. Also, convergent and divergent validity were measured. Reliability was evaluated by internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha and McDonald's Omega) and construct reliability. Statistical procedures were calculated by SPSS-AMOS24 and JASP0.9.2 software. Results: A total of 200 questionnaires were completed by members of Iranian Disability Campaign. Three factors and 25 items were identified according to results of the first phase of this study. In the second phase, face validity was confirmed. To assess the content validity ratio, 9 items, with the mean of content validity ratio (CVR) < 0.49, were deleted, while the content validity index (CVI) < 0.79 was revised. The kappa coefficient < 0.6 was fair and scale content validity index (SCVI) under 0.9 was considered appropriate. Results of exploratory factor analysis showed that 48% of the variance of the acceptability of physical rehabilitation services was based on patients' satisfaction, ethical behavior, and patient centered services. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the suitability of the final model. Convergent and divergent validity and reliability of the measure, the Physical Rehabilitation Services Acceptability questionnaire was fulfilled. Conclusion: Findings indicated that the proposed constructs that promoted the Acceptability of Physical Rehabilitation Services Questionnaire had good validity and reliability in participants with physical disabilities.

Background: Disability can involve many by diseases, injuries, or aging, and thus access to rehabilitation services has a key role in improving these patients' social life. Since 2008, Iran has improved the access to rehabilitation facilities along with the global convention. Yet, nationwide studies are required to evaluate the fair distribution of centres in each province. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the distribution of outpatient rehabilitation services in 32 provinces of Iran to help policymakers make more appropriate decisions. Methods: In this cross sectional study, which was conducted between April and October 2017, a master facilities list (MFL) of rehabilitation services that was developed in Iran was used to identify health facilities. Data were collected from the statistics of the Deputy for Rehabilitation of Social Welfare Organization offices and Red Crescent Organization in 32 provinces of Iran. Descriptive data were analysed by SPSS version 22 and reported by percentage and number in 1 000 000 population; distribution was drawn on Iran's map by the GIS software. Results: According to the MFL, outpatient rehabilitation services include physical medicine & rehabilitation, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, audiometry, and orthotics & prosthetics (90%); other rehabilitation centres include general rehabilitation centres, day care centres, and vocational centres (10%). The largest number of occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and audiology offices were found in Tehran, where general rehabilitation centres, day care centres, and vocational centres were less than 3 per 1 000 000 population. There were no rehabilitation centers in 14 provinces, and there were very few physical medicine and rehabilitation centres in most of the provinces. Conclusion: There was significant difference in the distribution of outpatient rehabilitation facilities in different provinces of Iran and some provinces required urgent attention of policymakers, as they had the least number or no rehabilitation facilities.