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Introduction: This study aimed to investigate the possible excitability changes in the trigeminovascular system based on blink reflex (BR) in patients experiencing migraine and to compare migraine aura attacks and attack-free period. Materials and Methods: A total of 56 patients diagnosed with migraine headache with aura and 20 healthy individuals without migraine were evaluated electrophysiologically using the BR test. The BR test was repeated twice in patients with migraines during attacks with aura and attack-free period. Results: During the migraine attack with aura, R1 latencies were shorter, and R2 latencies were longer than in the interictal period. Likewise, R1 latencies were shorter, and R2 latencies were longer, in the interictal period compared to normal values obtained in the control group. Conclusion: The detected BR abnormalities have been thought to be able to reflect migraine-related dysfunction in the brainstem and trigeminovascular connections. Significance: It has been concluded that the detected BR abnormalities might reflect migraine-related dysfunction in the brainstem and trigeminovascular connections, indicating increased neuronal excitability in migraine.

Objectives:Maintaining a balance between controlling epileptic seizures and potential teratogenic effects of anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) is fundamental in epileptic pregnancies. We aimed to present demographic and clinical data of pregnant women with epilepsy, and determine the potential complications that could occur with the use of AEDs.Methods:A total of 101 pregnancies of 55 epileptic women were retrospectively evaluated. Demographic characteristics, duration of epilepsy, seizure frequency, type and doses of AEDs, delivery mode, birth weight of infants, malformations, abortions, early deliveries, and still-births were registered.Results:Out of 190 patients 55 (28.9%) had experienced pregnancy, and a total number of pregnancies was 101. Mean age of patients was 30.7±9.7 years and mean duration of epilepsy was 14.5±10.8 years. 50 (61.7%) had experienced at least one seizure during pregnancy, while no epileptic seizures were observed in 31 (38.3%). 19.8% resulted in spontaneous abortion, 72.3% with term live birth, 4.9% in preterm delivery, 2% in still-birth, and 1% in premature still-birth. Mean birth weight of infants whose mothers had no AED treatment, those under monotherapy, and those under polytherapy during pregnancy was 3065.4 g, 2941.3 g, and 2696.6 g, respectively. Congenital malformations, namely dextrocardia, hypospadias, and horseshoe kidney were observed in newborns.Conclusion:Epileptic pregnancies frequently result with the delivery of a healthy infant. Planning of antiepileptic therapy in the pre-conceptional period, using the appropriate AED for woman’s seizure disorder as monotherapy in the lowest effective dose throughout pregnancy is important.

Factors related with hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) and the impact of HHcy in Parkinson’s disease (PD) are not well understood. We investigated the factors associated with increased levels of homocysteine (Hcy) and the relationship between HHcy and motor symptoms, cognitive status, and vascular risk in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Among 60 patients (29 males, 48.3%) with PD, the stage of the disease, the severity of clinical symptoms, and the patients’ cognitive status were measured using a modified Hoehn and Yahr Staging Scale (mHY), Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) II and III, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), respectively. Patients were also noted for having dyskinesia and hallucinations. Serum vitamin B12, folic acid, and plasma Hcy ​​levels were measured. Furthermore, the presence of vascular risk factors was recorded. Finally, we investigated carotid artery intima-media thickening and stenosis using colour Doppler ultrasonography as well as the presence of ischemic lesions using brain imaging techniques. Plasma Hcy ​​levels were higher with advanced age and in males. In addition, there was an inverse relationship between Hcy ​​and vitamin B12 levels. There was no correlation between HHcy and the stage of the disease, severity of motor symptoms, cognitive status as assessed by the MMSE, vascular risk factors, carotid artery atherosclerotic findings, and ischemic brain lesions. Plasma Hcy levels may rise due to several factors in PD. However, the resulting HHcy has no significant effect on the clinical picture in terms of motor features, cognitive status, and vascular diseases.

Scientific BACKGROUND: Neuroacanthocytosis consist of a group of rare neurodegenerative disorders associated with acanthocytosis on peripheral blood smear. Chorea-acanthocytosis, a variety of neuroacanthocytosis, is an autosomal recessive condition with clinical and radiologic features similar to Huntington disease. CASE: Forty-eight year old male patient who had the symptoms of involuntary movements, speech disorders, forgetfulness referred to our institution. Neurological examination revealed dysarthria, orofacial dyskinesias, choreoathetosis on arms and legs. The patient’s orofacial dyskinesias and acanthocytes had seen his peripheral blood smear led to the confirm the diagnosis of chorea-acanthocytosis. CONCLUSION: Significant clinical and radiologic similitaries between chorea-acantocytosis and Huntington disease may lead to an initial misdiagnosis. Clinical clues suggestive of chorea-acanthocytosis include orofacial dyskinesias and acanthocytosis on peripheral blood smear can confirm the diagnosis