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Calcium ions play a key role in the physiological processes of the central nervous system. The intracellular calcium signal, in nerve cells, is part of the neurotransmission mechanism. They are responsible for stabilizing membrane potential and controlling the excitability of neurons. Calcium ions are a universal second messenger that participates in depolarizing signal transduction and contributes to synaptic activity. These ions take an active part in the mechanisms related to memory and learning. As a result of depolarization of the plasma membrane or stimulation of receptors, there is an extracellular influx of calcium ions into the cytosol or mobilization of these cations inside the cell, which increases the concentration of these ions in neurons. The influx of calcium ions into neurons occurs via plasma membrane receptors and voltage-dependent ion channels. Calcium channels play a key role in the functioning of the nervous system, regulating, among others, neuronal depolarization and neurotransmitter release. Channelopathies are groups of diseases resulting from mutations in genes encoding ion channel subunits, observed including the pathophysiology of neurological diseases such as migraine. A disturbed ability of neurons to maintain an appropriate level of calcium ions is also observed in such neurodegenerative processes as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and epilepsy. This review focuses on the involvement of calcium ions in physiological and pathological processes of the central nervous system. We also consider the use of calcium ions as a target for pharmacotherapy in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis is known to be involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy and psychiatric disorders. Epileptic seizures (ESs) and psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNESs) are frequently differentially misdiagnosed. This study aimed to evaluate changes in serum cortisol and prolactin levels after ESs and PNESs as possible differential diagnostic biomarkers. Patients over 18 years with ESs (n = 29) and PNESs with motor manifestations (n = 45), captured on video-EEG monitoring, were included. Serum cortisol and prolactin levels as well as hemograms were assessed in blood samples taken at admission, during the first hour after the seizure, and after 6, 12, and 24 h. Cortisol and prolactine response were evident in the ES group (but not the PNES group) as an acute significant increase within the first hour after seizure. The occurrence of seizures in patients with ESs and PNESs demonstrated different circadian patterns. ROC analysis confirmed the accuracy of discrimination between paroxysmal events based on cortisol response: the AUC equals 0.865, with a prediction accuracy at the cutoff point of 376.5 nmol/L 0.811 (sensitivity 86.7%, specificity 72.4%). Thus, assessments of acute serum cortisol response to a paroxysmal event may be regarded as a simple, fast, and minimally invasive laboratory test contributing to differential diagnosis of ESs and PNESs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The immune function is closely related to iron (Fe) homeostasis and allostasis. The aim of this bioinformatics-assisted review was twofold; (i) to update the current knowledge of Fe metabolism and its relationship to the immune system, and (ii) to perform a prediction analysis of regulatory network hubs that might serve as potential biomarkers during stress-induced immunosuppression. Several literature and bioinformatics databases/repositories were utilized to review Fe metabolism and complement the molecular description of prioritized proteins. The Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) was used to build a protein-protein interactions network for subsequent network topology analysis. Importantly, Fe is a sensitive double-edged sword where two extremes of its nutritional status may have harmful effects on innate and adaptive immunity. We identified clearly connected important hubs that belong to two clusters: (i) presentation of peptide antigens to the immune system with the involvement of redox reactions of Fe, heme, and Fe trafficking/transport; and (ii) ubiquitination, endocytosis, and degradation processes of proteins related to Fe metabolism in immune cells (e.g., macrophages). The identified potential biomarkers were in agreement with the current experimental evidence, are included in several immunological/biomarkers databases, and/or are emerging genetic markers for different stressful conditions. Although further validation is warranted, this hybrid method (human-machine collaboration) to extract meaningful biological applications using available data in literature and bioinformatics tools should be highlighted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are manifested as paroxysmal alterations in motor, sensory, autonomic, and/or cognitive and behavioral signs and symptoms, without associated ictal epileptiform discharges. A misdiagnosis of PNES as epilepsy results in a prolonged and unnecessary (antiepileptic) drug treatment and social and psychological stigma of epilepsy in these patients. This study aimed to determine the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, and associated factors of PNES in hospitalized patients in the videoelectroencephalography (EEG) monitoring (VEM) service of Razi Hospital, Tabriz, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive study, 55 patients with a final diagnosis of PNES were selected from the patients referred to the VEM unit of Razi Hospital for the evaluation of epilepsy. The study was performed from May 2017 to June 2019. Patient information included demographic data and medical history (drug history, comorbidities, trauma, and family history). The clinical manifestations (semiology and duration of attacks) and EEG findings, as recorded by VEM during hospitalization, were collected. Results: 55 patients with PNES were studied with VEM, 27 (49.1%) of which were men, and 28 (50.9%) were women. The mean and standard deviation (SD) of age of the patients was 34.16 ± 12.64 years. No significant differences were observed in the semiology of PNES between men and women. Depression was the most common psychiatric comorbidity. Conclusion: The clinical manifestations of PNES in the present study were similar to those in most previous studies from other countries. The culture and sex of the patients did not seem to be a contributing factor in PNES semiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In order for effective healthcare services to be offered by health professionals, the quality of life of epileptic individuals and the factors that affect them should be identified. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the quality of life and affecting factors for epileptic patients in the east of Turkey. Method: This research was descriptive in nature, and conducted with 150 patients of epilepsy who fit the criteria of inclusion in the study, registered in the neurology clinic of a university hospital located in the east of Turkey, between the dates of June-December 2015. A descriptive information form and a life quality scale specific for epilepsy (OQLIE-31) were used to collect the research data. Results: It was detected that the total QOLIE-31 score of the epilepsy patients was 54.65±7.85, and that among the subscales, the lowest mean score was with the subscale of emotional well-being (45.55±11.02) while the highest mean score was with the subscale of social function (60.78±15.28). A significant relationship was found with the mean score of total life quality according to where the patients lived and the duration of diagnosis (p<0.05); a significant correlation was found between the mean scores of subscales of seizure worry and cognitive functioning in accordance with income perception; a significant difference was found between the mean scores of the subscales of emotional well-being in relation with the presence of additional chronic disease (Comorbid disease) (p<0,05). At the same time, there was a significant negative correlation between the number of seizures/attacks throughout the year and the scores of total quality of life (r=-0.201, p<0.05) and energy/fatigue (r=-0.196 p<0.05) Conclusion: As a result of the study, it was determined that the life quality of epilepsy patients was moderate and some of their descriptive characteristics (income status, place of residence, duration of diagnosis, additional disease status) were related to quality of life. At the same time, it was established that as the number of attacks increased, the quality of life and energy of the patients decreased. It is recommended to consider sociodemographic characteristics in the planning of nursing applications for epilepsy patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adherence With Psychotherapy and Treatment Outcomes for Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures Tolchin B, Dworetzky BA, Martino S, et al. Neurology. 2019;92(7):e675-e679. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000006848. Objective: We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) to examine the association between adherence to psychotherapy and outcomes, including significant (≥50%) reduction in PNES frequency, PNES freedom, improvement in quality of life, and reduction in emergency department (ED) utilization. Methods: A total of 105 participants were referred to receive psychotherapy either at Brigham and Women's Hospital or with a local therapist. We called participants at 12 to 24 months of follow-up and obtained detailed follow-up data from 93 (89%) participants. Participants were considered adherent to psychotherapy if they attended at least 8 sessions within a 16-week period starting at the time of referral. Results: Adherence to psychotherapy was associated with reduction in seizure frequency (84% in adherent group vs 61% in nonadherent; P =.021), improvement in quality of life (P =.044), and reduction in ED utilization (P =.040), with medium effect sizes; there was no difference in PNES freedom. The association between adherence and ≥50% reduction in PNES frequency persisted when controlling for potential confounders in a multivariate model. Psychotherapy nonadherence was associated with baseline characteristics of self-identified minority status (odds ratio: 7.47; P =.019) and history of childhood abuse (odds ratio: 3.30; P =.023). Conclusions: Our study is limited in that it cannot establish a causal relationship between adherence to psychotherapy and outcomes, and the results may not generalize beyond the single quaternary care center study site. Among participants with documented PNES, adherence to psychotherapy was associated with reduction in PNES frequency, improvement in quality of life, and decrease in ED visits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]