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We aimed to summarize the available evidence on cerebral blood flow (CBF) changes in normal aging and common cognitive disorders. We searched PubMed for studies on CBF changes in normal aging and cognitive disorders up to 1 January 2019. We summarized the milestones in the history of CBF assessment and reviewed the current evidence on the association between CBF and cognitive changes in normal aging, vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). There is promising evidence regarding the utility of CBF studies in cognition research. Age-related CBF changes could be related to a progressive neuronal loss or diminished activity and synaptic density of neurons in the brain. While a similar cause or outcome theory applies to VCI and AD, it is possible that CBF reduction might precede cognitive decline. Despite the diversity of CBF research findings, its measurement could help early detection of cognitive disorders and also understanding their underlying etiology.

Background We assessed secular trends in the burden of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, and dementia in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Methods Using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2017, we compared sex-specific and age-standardized rates of disability-adjusted life years (DALY); mortality, incidence, and prevalence of IHD and stroke; and dementia per 100,000 people, in the world, OECD countries, and Canada. Results From 1990 to 2017, the crude incidence number of IHD, stroke, and dementia increased 52%, 76%, and 113%, respectively. Likewise, the prevalence of IHD (75%), stroke (95%), and dementia (119%) increased worldwide. In addition during the study period, the crude global number of deaths of IHD increased 52%, stroke by 41%, and dementia by 146% (9, 6, and 3 million deaths in 2017, respectively). Despite an increase in the crude number of these diseases, the global age-standardized incidence rate of IHD, stroke, and dementia decreased by -27%, - 11%, and - 5%, respectively. Moreover, there was a decline in their age-standardized DALY rates (- 1.17%, - 1.32%, and - 0.23% per year, respectively) and death rates (- 1.29%, - 1.46%, and - 0.17% per year, respectively), with sharper downward trends in Canada and OECD countries. Almost all trends flattened during the last decade. Conclusions From 1990 to 2017, the age-standardized burden of IHD, stroke, and dementia decreased, more prominently in OECD countries than the world. However, their rising crude numbers mainly due to population growth and ageing require urgent identification of reversible risk and protective factors.

We assessed secular trends in the burden of ischaemic heart disease (IHD), stroke, and dementia in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries.Using the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2017, we compared sex-specific and age-standardized rates of disability-adjusted life years (DALY); mortality, incidence, and prevalence of IHD and stroke; and dementia per 100,000 people, in the world, OECD countries, and Canada.From 1990 to 2017, the crude incidence number of IHD, stroke, and dementia increased 52%, 76%, and 113%, respectively. Likewise, the prevalence of IHD (75%), stroke (95%), and dementia (119%) increased worldwide. In addition during the study period, the crude global number of deaths of IHD increased 52%, stroke by 41%, and dementia by 146% (9, 6, and 3 million deaths in 2017, respectively). Despite an increase in the crude number of these diseases, the global age-standardized incidence rate of IHD, stroke, and dementia decreased by -27%, - 11%, and - 5%, respectively. Moreover, there was a decline in their age-standardized DALY rates (- 1.17%, - 1.32%, and - 0.23% per year, respectively) and death rates (- 1.29%, - 1.46%, and - 0.17% per year, respectively), with sharper downward trends in Canada and OECD countries. Almost all trends flattened during the last decade.From 1990 to 2017, the age-standardized burden of IHD, stroke, and dementia decreased, more prominently in OECD countries than the world. However, their rising crude numbers mainly due to population growth and ageing require urgent identification of reversible risk and protective factors.

Introduction Carotid plaque burden is a strong predictor of stroke risk, and preventing stroke reduces the risk of dementia. Treating carotid plaque burden markedly reduces the risk of stroke. Methods Among patients age 65–80 years attending a stroke prevention clinic, we identified those with a carotid plaque burden in the top 20% of Total Plaque Area (High TPA) and the bottom 20% (Low TPA) and performed cognitive tests: The Montreal Cognitive Assessment test (MoCA), the WAIS-III Digit Symbol-Coding Test (DSST) and Trail-Making Test (TMT) part A and B. Results There were 31 patients recruited; 11 Low TPA (5 men) and 20 High TPA (17 men), p = 0.04. TPA was 35 ± 25 mm2 in the Low TPA vs.392 ± 169 mm2 in the High TPA group (0.0001). Patients with a high plaque burden had significantly worse performance on all the cognitive tests, all p Discussion A high carotid plaque burden identifies patients at risk of cognitive impairment. Because carotid plaque burden is treatable, and treating it markedly reduces the risk of stroke, we suggest that measurement of plaque burden is a useful tool for both prediction of cognitive impairment, and prevention of dementia.

Objective Interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) are important to identify the epileptogenic zone and to define epileptic syndromes. However, not all patients show IEDs on scalp EEG. We evaluate the likelihood of not findings spikes on prolonged Video-EEG Monitoring (VEM) in patients with focal epilepsy, and explore clinical correlates. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the VEM reports for all the patients admitted to the seizure monitoring unit in the Calgary Epilepsy Program between July’10 and August’17. Adult focal epilepsy patients, using the diagnostic criteria of the International League Against Epilepsy, who had at least three consecutive VEM days and one recorded seizure were included. Patients were categorized as spikers or non-spikers if any or no spikes were seen on VEM. We compared demographic, neuroimaging, epilepsy risk factor and seizure data. Results Of 933 patients, 345 fulfilled our eligibility criteria, 17% [55% males] non-spikers and 83% [53% males] spikers. There were no statistically significant differences between non-spikers and spikers in the studied clinical variables at our epilepsy centre. Average age and average duration of epilepsy were 39 and 13 years for non-spikers and 38 and 16 years for spikers. The average duration of VEM was 8–9 days in both groups. The most frequent seizure focus was in the temporal lobe in both groups (53% in non-spikers vs. 64% in spikers, p = 0.06). An epileptogenic lesion on MRI was identified in 26 (46%) of non-spikers and 158 (57%) of spikers (p = 0.16). Significance Approximately one out of six patients with focal epilepsy showed no IEDs despite prolonged VEM. There was no significant difference among the investigated clinical variables between these two groups of patients in our epilepsy centre. We hypothesise that patients without IEDs on scalp EEG may have smaller, deeper generators with lower levels of neuronal synchrony, which precludes the expression of high amplitude spikes detectable on scalp EEG.

Background: Exposure to solvents is a common event in industrial factories, and has numerous acute and chronic neuro-behavioral effects on workers. Objective: In this study, we tried to evaluate the effects of long time exposure to solvents on the mood alteration of workers in a tire factory. Patients and Methods: In this cross sectional study, we selected 90 men who were exposed to solvents in a tire factory and compared their behavior-mood test (POMS) with 70 people in a control group who had no exposure to solvents. This questionnaire consisted of 64 words that described the individual\'s emotions. Each person selected one of the five levels for stating emotions (from 0 = never to 4 = very much). A positive score from 0 to 4 belonged to each item, and the total score was the sum of all scores. First, demographic information was collected in a questionnaire. Then, we used another questionnaire with 16 questions for detecting neuro-behavioral disorders due to continuous exposure to solvents in both groups. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups based on age and educational level (P > 0.05). The mean of employment duration in the exposed group was significantly longer than the control group (P 0.05). Conclusion: According to our results, the Q16 questionnaire is recommended as a screening tool in periodic examinations of workers exposed to solvents. Questionnaire evaluations are used to help determine whether long-term overexposure to solvents has affected the central nervous system (brain).