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Oxidative stress has been associated as an essential contributor to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Recent developments in the field of Parkinson's Disease (PD) pathophysiology have led to a renewed interest in this field. As an antioxidant, uric acid (UA) has arisen as a potential neuroprotectant. Higher concentrations of UA are linked to reducing the risk of the development of the disease and preventing its progression. However, the expositions are unsatisfactory because the outcomes of these reports have not been consistent. This study is set out to assess the association of whether lower UA concentrations increased the PD risk by investigating its relationship with patients' demographic and clinical data, and to determine whether previous studies are compatible with the Turkish-sampled population. Furthermore, we aimed to determine UA's probability of being an early-stage diagnostic marker.A total of 305 patients and 100 healthy controls were included. Serum UA levels of patients and controls were compared with clinical features. We classified the patients into three motor subtypes and determined the disease severity by modified HoehnYahr Staging Scale (mHY) and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-TR) was assessed for cognition.There were not any significant differences of age and sex between patients and controls (p=0.030, p=0.132). The mean UA was 5.06±1.33 mg/dL in patients and 5.46±1.44 in controls, and a statistical significance was detected (p=0.022). The mean MMSE-TR were 24.83±4.35 in patients and 27.09±2.13 in controls, and statictical significance was revealed (p=0.001). The mean duration of the disease was 6.31±4.16 years, mean UPDRS scores were 59.74±22.33, and mHY scores were 2.29±0.91. In binary comparisons, patients with tremor-dominant motor subtype had lower UA concentrations than controls (p=0.014). ROC curve analysis revealed UA's cut-off as ≤9.15, the specificity was 99.3, the sensitivity was 10.0, and the area under the curve was 0.576 (p0.005). Regression analysis revealed age as an independent risk factor on UA values. Oxidative stress might be a factor in the development of PD, and UA may be a possible prospective protecting factor in the clinical course of the disease. However, it does not affect the severity.Our results support that lower uric acid concentrations are associated with PD; however, it is not a powerful indicator for predicting PD risk. As we reveal more about UA and its effect in further investigations, its significant role will become well-defined.Az oxidatív stressz lényegesen hozzájárul a neurodegeneratív betegségek kialakulásához. A Par­kin­son-kór (PD) kórélattanában a közelmúltban bekövetkezett fejlemények nyomán ismét megnőtt a téma iránti érdeklődés. A közelmúltban derült fény a húgysav potenciális idegvédő szerepére is. Elképzelhető, hogy a magasabb húgysav-koncentrációk csökkentik a Parkinson-kór kiala­ku­lásának kockázatát és megelőzik annak progresszióját. Mindazonáltal, ez a felvetés egyelőre nem bizonyított, mivel e korábbi vizsgálatok eredményei ellentmondáso­sak. A jelen vizsgálat célja, hogy a betegek demográfiai és klinikai adatai közötti kapcsolat elemzésével megvizsgálja, létezik-e összefüggés az alacsonyabb szérumhúgy­sav-koncentrációk és a PD megnövekedett kockázata között, és meghatározza, hogy a korábbi vizsgálatok eredményei megegyeznek-e a török populációból származó betegek adataival. További cél volt annak meghatározása, hogy használható-e a húgysavszint a korai stádiumú betegség diagnosztikai markereként.305 beteget és 100 egészséges kontrollt vontunk be a vizsgálatba. A betegek és a kontrollok szé­rumhúgysav-koncentrációit összevetettük klinikai ada­taik­kal. A betegeket három motoros alcsoportra osztottuk, és betegségük súlyosságát módosított HoehnYahr értékelő skálával (mHY), valamint egységes Parkinson-kór érté­ke­lési skálával (UPDRS) határoztuk meg. A kognitív mű­kö­dést standardizált Mini-Mentál Teszttel (MMSE-TR) értékeltük.A beteg- és a kontrollcsoport tagjainak életkora, nemi összetétele nem különbözött szignifikánsan (p = 0,030, p = 0,132). A betegek átlagos szérumhúgy­savszintje 5,06 ± 1,33 mg/dl, a kontrolloké 5,46 ± 1,44 volt; az eltérés statisztikailag szignifikáns (p = 0,022). Az átlagos MMSE-TR-pontszám a betegek körében 24,83 ± 4,35, a kontrollok körében 27,09 ± 2,13 volt; az eltérés statisztikailag szignifikáns (p = 0,001). A betegség fenn­állásának átlagos időtartama 6,31 ± 4,16 év, az UPDRS-skála átlagos pontszáma 59,74 ± 22,33, az átlagos mHY-pontszám 2,29 ± 0,91 volt. A bináris összehasonlítás szerint a tremordomináns motoros alcsoportba tartozó PD-betegeknek alacsonyabb volt a húgysavszintje, mint a kontrolloknak (p = 0,014). A ROC-görbe elemzése ≤9,15 mg/dl-es vágópontot határozott meg, a specificitás 99,3, a szenzitivitás 10,0, a görbe alatti terület pedig 0,576 (p0,005) volt. A regresszióanalízis feltárta, hogy az életkor a húgysavszint független kockázati tényezője. Az oxidatív stressz közreműködhet a PD kialakulásában, a húgysavszint pedig védőfaktorként működhet a betegség klinikai lefolyása során, habár a betegségsúlyosságot nem befolyásolja.Eredményeink alátámasztják, hogy PD esetén alacsonyabb a húgysavszint, azonban az a PD betegségkockázatának nem eléggé erős indikátora. Ahogy a további kutatások réven egyre többet tudunk meg a húgysavszint hatásáról, annak szignifikáns hatásai is jobban körvonalazódnak majd.

Dopamine deficiency causes Parkinson's disease (PD), and on treatment, levodopa is the gold standard. Various drug-metabolizing enzymes and drug receptors are believed to be involved in prompting dyskinesias due to the extended usage of levodopa. Shreds of evidence in genomic studies have presented that ADORA2A receptor antagonism has beneficial outcomes to avoid these drug-induced side effects.The aim of this study was to study the polymorphisms of rs2298383, rs35060421, and rs5751876 in the ADORA2A in patients diagnosed as PD and describe their possible relationships with levodopa-induced dyskinesias (LID).One-hundred and seventy-two patients were recruited and separated as the study and the control group. DNA was achieved from peripheral venous blood, high resolution melting analysis, and reverse-transcriptase PCR was performed.The allele differences among the groups were not statistically significant. Although it was not statistically significant, the rs35060421 allele was observed to repeat more frequently. However, we did not find an association between such polymorphisms of ADORA2A and LID.Although this result showed that a higher sample number might produce different results as possible, current results in the Turkish sample indicated that these alleles of ADORA2A might not be related to LID in patients.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a degenerative disease characterized by autoimmune demyelination in the central nervous system. Yet, underlined genetics or environmental markers are still controversial. The impact of vitamin D and cholesterol on disease activity has been phrased by many studies; however, the data available for the Turkish population are very limited. This study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D-related polymorphisms (VDBP and VDR) and cholesterol-related variants of ApoE on Turkish MS patients.Total DNAs were extracted from peripheral blood samples of 51 MS patients and 50 healthy volunteers. rs4588 and rs7041 polymorphisms of VDBP, rs2228570 of VDR, as well as ε2, ε3, and ε4 variants of ApoE, were investigated by RT-PCR. Biochemical parameters which thought to be associated with MS were also measured. Results were evaluated statistically.Homozygous mutant genotype and G allele of rs2228570 in VDR, as well as heterozygous genotype of rs4588 in VDBP, were found statistically high in patients. Total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL-C levels were found significantly high, whereas HDL-C and vitamin D levels were low in patients. An association was found between rs4588 variation and high triglyceride levels. Similar correlations were found between ε2 genotype and low LDL-C level; ε3 genotype and higher LDL-C. Gender, triglyceride, HDL-C, and AA genotype in rs4588 had a significant effect on MS progression.The variations of rs2228570 and rs4588, vitamin D deficiency, and biological parameters related to cholesterol metabolism may be associated with MS risk.

Background: Our purpose was to investigate the demographics, diagnosis patterns, clinical characteristics, triggers, treatment experiences, and personal burden of patients with Cluster headache (CH) in Turkey, a country located between Europe and Asia.Methods: The study is a cross-sectional investigation based on data from eight headache centers in Turkey. All patients completed the semi-structured survey either face to face or by phone interview with a neurologist.Results: A total of 209 individuals with a mean age of 39.8 (11.3) completed the survey (176 males; 188 episodic, 21 chronic). The mean age at disease onset was 28.6 (10.2) years. The diagnostic delay was 4.9 years and misdiagnosis before CH was 57.9%. Of participants, 9.1% reported a positive family history for CH. Male patients with CH showed higher rates for being current smokers in comparison to females (59.7% vs. 24.2%; p

Aim of the Study: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disorder causing demyelination in axons. Available therapies target different molecules, but not all have therapeutic effects on disease progression, and this effect can only be seen after a long-time administration. Interferon beta (IFN-β), an MS therapy for many years, slows down the disease progression and reduces disease symptoms by targeting T cells. Yet, a considerable portion of the patient has experienced no therapeutic response to IFN-β. It is necessary to determine disease-specific biomarkers which allow early diagnosis or treatment of MS. Here, it was aimed to determine the effects of interleukin 10 (IL10) and 23 (IL23A) as well as forkhead box P3 (FOXP3) genes on MS after IFN-β therapy. Materials & Methods: Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were extracted to isolate CD4+ and CD25+ T cells. Cytotoxicity assays were performed on each cell type for determining optimum drug concentration. Then, cells were cultured and determined drug concentration was administered to the cells to measure gene expressions with RT-PCR. Results: It was found that the cytotoxic effect of IFN-β was more efficient as the exposure time was expanded regardless of drug concentration. Moreover, CD25+ T lymphocytes were more resistant to IFN-β. IL23A was down-regulated, whereas FOXP3 was up-regulated at 48h in CD4+ T cells. For CD25+ T cells, the graded increase of FOXP3 was obtained while IL10 expression was gradually decreased throughout the drug intake, significantly. Conclusion: Although considerable change in expression was obtained, the long-term IFN-β effect on both genes and cells should be determined by follow-up at least a year. Keywords: MS, IFN-β, IL23A, FOXP3, IL10, T cells

Introduction: Cerebral venous and sinus thrombosis (CVST) may lead to cerebral edema and increased intracranial pressure; besides, ischemic or hemorrhagic lesions may develop. Intracerebral hemorrhages occur in approximately one-third of CVST patients. We assessed and compared the findings of the cerebral hemorrhage (CH) group and the CVST group. Materials and Methods: In the VENOST study, medical records of 1,193 patients with CVST, aged over 18 years, were obtained from 35 national stroke centers. Demographic characteristics, clinical symptoms, signs at the admission, radiological findings, etiologic factors, acute and maintenance treatment, and outcome results were reported. The number of involved sinuses or veins, localizations of thrombus, and lesions on CT and MRI scans were recorded. Results: CH was detected in the brain imaging of 241 (21.1%) patients, as hemorrhagic infarction in 198 patients and intracerebral hemorrhage in 43 patients. Gynecologic causes comprised the largest percentage (41.7%) of etiology and risk factors in the CVST group. In the CH group, headache associated with other neurological symptoms was more frequent. These neurological symptoms were epileptic seizures (46.9%), nausea and/or vomiting (36.5%), altered consciousness (36.5%), and focal neurological deficits (33.6%). mRS was ≥3 in 23.1% of the patients in the CH group. Discussion and Conclusion: CVST, an important cause of stroke in the young, should be monitored closely if the patients have additional symptoms of headache, multiple sinus involvement, and CH. Older age and parenchymal lesion, either hemorrhagic infarction or intracerebral hemorrhage, imply poor outcome.

Çalışmada 38 yazar bulunmaktadır. Bu yazarlardan sadece Bursa Uludağ Üniversitesi mensuplarının girişleri yapılmıştır. Purpose: The aim of this study is to evaluate the presence and prognostic impact of early seizures in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis patients (CVST). Method: VENOST is a retrospective and prospective national multicenter observational study. CVST patients with or without epileptic seizures (ES) were analyzed and compared in terms of demographic and imaging data, causative factors, clinical variables, and prognosis in a total of 1126 patients. Results: The mean age of the patients in the ES group was 39.73 +/- 12.64 and 40.17 +/- 14.02 years in the non-ES group (p > 0.05). Epileptic seizures were more common (76.6 %) in females (p < 0.001). Early ES occurred in 269 of 1126 patients (23.9 %). Epileptic seizures mainly presented in the acute phase (71.4 %) of the disease (p < 0.001). Majority of these (60.5 %) were in the first 24 h of the CVST. The most common neurological signs were focal neurologic deficits (29.9 %) and altered consciousness (31.4 %) in the ES group. Superior sagittal sinus (SSS) and cortical veins (CV) involvement were the most common sites of thrombosis and the mostly related etiology were found puerperium in seizure group (30.3 % vs 13.9 %). Patients with seizures had worse outcome in the first month of the disease (p < 0.001) but these did not have any influence thereafter. Conclusions: In this largest CVST cohort (VENOST) reported female sex, presence of focal neurological deficits and altered consciousness, thrombosis of the SSS and CVs, hemorrhagic infarction were risk factors for ES occurrence in patients with CVST.

Objectives: Headache is the most common complaint in cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) and it may sometimes bethe only symptom in these patients. This retrospective and prospective study was an investigation of any differences in termsof clinical risk factors, radiological findings, or prognosis in patients with CVST who presented with isolated headache (IH) andcases with other concomitant findings (non-isolated headache [NIH]).Methods: A total of 1144 patients from a multicenter study of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (VENOST study) were enrolled inthis research. The demographic, biochemical, clinical, and radiological aspects of 287 IH cases and 857 NIH cases were compared.Results: There were twice as many women as men in the study group. In the IH group, when gender distribution was evaluated byage group, no statistically significant difference was found. The onset of headache was frequently subacute and chronic in the IHgroup, but an acute onset was more common in the NIH group. Other neurological findings were observed in 29% of the IH groupduring follow-up. A previous history of deep, cerebral, or other venous thromboembolism was less common in the IH group thanin the NIH group. Transverse sinus involvement was greater in the IH group, whereas sagittal sinus involvement was greater in theNIH group. The presence of a plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) mutation was significantly greater in the IH group.Conclusion: IH and CVST should be kept in mind if a patient has subacute or chronic headache. PAI, which has an importantrole in thrombolytic events, may be a risk factor in CVST. Detailed hematological investigations should be considered. Additional studies are needed. Amaç: Baş ağrısı serebral venöz sinüs trombozunda (SVST) en sık görülen şikayettir ve bazen CVST ile başvuran hastalarda görülen tek semptom olabilir. Bu retrospektif ve prospektif çalışmada, izole başağrısı (IB) ile başvuran SVST olgularında ve baş ağrısı ile ilişkili diğer bulguları olan (izole olmayan başağrısı-İOBA) olgularda klinik risk faktörleri, radyoloji ve prognoz açısından herhangi bir farklılık olup olmadığını araştırdık. Gereç ve Yöntem: Serebral venöz sinüs trombozu (VENOST) çok merkezli çalışmasından 1144 hasta çalışmamıza alındı. Tüm demografik, biyokimyasal, klinik ve radyolojik yönler 287 IBA vakası ve 857 İOBA vakası için karşılaştırılmıştır. Bulgular: Toplam grup içinde kadın oranı iki kat daha yüksekti. İBA grubunda cinsiyet dağılımını yaş gruplarına göre değerlendirildiğinde istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark bulunmadı. İBA grubunda, baş ağrısının başlangıcı sıklıkla subakut ve kronikti, ancak akut başlangıç, İOBA grubunda daha yaygındı. İBA grubunda% 29’luk takip sırasında diğer nörolojik bulgular eklenmiştir. Daha önce serebral, derin ve diğer venöz tromboembolizm öyküsü İBA grubunda İOBA grubuna göre daha azdı. Transvers sinüs tutulumu İBA grubunda daha yüksek iken sagital sinüs tutulumu İOBA grubunda daha fazlaydı. Plazminojen aktivatör inhibitörü (PAI) mutasyonu IBA grubunda anlamlı olarak daha yüksekti. Sonuç: Hastaların subakut veya kronik baş ağrısı varsa SVST tanısı için IBA akılda tutulmalıdır. Trombolitik olaylar için önemli bir role sahip olan PAI, SVST’da bir risk faktörü olabilir, bu nedenle ayrıntılı hematolojik araştırmalar düşünülmelidir. Daha ileri çalışmalara ihtiyaç vardır WOS:000644197800002 2-s2.0-85105266958

Background. Early diagnosis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) associated with reproductive health-related risk factors (RHRF) including pregnancy, puerperium, and oral contraceptive (OC) use can prevent severe neurological sequelae; thus, the symptoms must be documented in detail for each group. Methods. Out of 1144 patients with CVST, a total of 777 women were enrolled from a multicenter for the study of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (VENOST). Demographic, biochemical, clinical, and radiological aspects were compared for 324 cases with RHRF and 453 cases without RHRF. Results. The mean age of the RHRF (-) group (43.2 ± 13 years) was significantly higher than of the RHRF (+) group (34±9 years). A previous history of deep venous thrombosis (3%), isolated cavernous sinus involvement (1%), cranial neuropathy (13%), comorbid malignancy (7%), and its disability scores after 12 months (9%) were significantly higher in the RHRF (-) group. The RHRF (+) group consisted of 44% cases of puerperium, 33% cases of OC users and 23% of pregnant women. The mean age was found to be higher in OC users (38±9 years). A previous history of deep venous thrombosis was slightly higher in the pregnancy subgroup (4%). Epileptic seizures were more common in the puerperium group (44%). Conclusion. The results of our study indicate that the risk of CSVT increases parallel to age, OC use, and puerperium period. In addition, when considering the frequency of findings and symptoms, epileptic seizures in the puerperium subgroup of the RHRF (+) group and malignancies in the RHRF (-) group may accompany the CSVT. In daily practice, predicting these risks for the CSVT and early recognition of the symptoms will provide significant benefits to patients.

Objective: Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a disorder characterized by partial or complete narrowing of the pharyngeal airway during sleep. In this study it was aimed to investigate the relation between OSAS and different variants of the ApoE gene, and to identify other risk factors that may affect the development of the disease. Materials and Methods: Fifty-two patients with OSAS and 50 healthy volunteers were enrolled into the study. After collecting the necessary information associated with OSAS from the individuals, DNA was isolated from blood. ε2, ε3 and ε4 variants of Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) gene were investigated using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: When the groups were compared with each other, age, body mass index, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), high-density lipoprotein, triglyceride, neck circumference, waist circumference, apnea hypopnea index, Epworth sleepiness scale, smoking, and daytime sleepiness were found statistically significant. The ε2 variant was found statistically high in the control group. Also, waist circumference, triglyceride and LDL levels were found statistically low in individuals with the ε2 genotype. In addition, triglyceride levels were found statistically high in individuals with the ε4 genotype. Conclusion: The presence of the ε2 variant in healthy individuals may have a protective effect against OSAS. In addition, the relation between different variants of ApoE with LDL and triglyceride levels demonstrates the overlap of genotype and phenotype data

Abstract. Observational studies performed in homogeneous groups to objectively investigate the cause and effect relationship between vitamin D deficiency and sleep disorders are scarce. In this study, it was aimed to analyze the relationship between the severity of OSAS and vitamin-D levels among the participants whose features affecting serum vit-D levels were minimised. Serum 25-OH vitamin-D levels in 121 OSAS Male patients diagnosed by polysomnography without any systemic disease or vitamin-D supplement that may effect the vitamin-D metabolism were measured. The study was conducted in winter (latitude: 41°). Anthropometric measures and biochemical tests were also performed. The distribution of vitamin-D levels was determined as severe deficiency, deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency. Apnea-hypopne index (AHI)

WOS: 000465130500010, PubMed: 29992235, Objective This study was performed to determine the rate of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) among cases of Behcet's disease (BD) included in a multicentre study of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (VENOST). Methods VENOST was a retrospective and prospective national multicentre observational study that included 1144 patients with CVST. The patients were classified according to aetiologic factors, time of CVST symptom onset, sinus involvement, treatment approach and prognosis. Results BD was shown to be a causative factor of CVST in 108 (9.4%) of 1144 patients. The mean age of patients in the BD group was 35.27 years and 68.5% were men, whereas in the non-BD CVST group, the mean age was 40.57 years and 28.3% were men (P < 0.001). Among the aetiologic factors for patients aged 18-36 years, BD was predominant for men, and puerperium was predominant for women. The onset of symptoms in the BD group was consistent with the subacute form. The transverse sinuses were the most common sites of thrombosis, followed by the superior sagittal sinuses. The most common symptom was headache (96.2%), followed by visual field defects (38%). Conclusions BD was found in 9.4% of patients in our VENOST series. Patients with BD were younger and showed a male predominance. The functional outcome of CVST in patients with BD was good; only 12% of patients presenting with cranial nerve involvement and altered consciousness at the beginning had a poor outcome (modified Rankin Score 2).

Kozak, Hasan Huseyin/0000-0001-6904-8545; Sahin, Sevki/0000-0003-2016-9965; Batur Caglayan, Hale/0000-0002-3279-1842; GUNES, TASKIN/0000-0002-9343-0573; Afsar, Nazire/0000-0001-8123-8560; Uzuner, Nevzat/0000-0002-4961-4332 WOS: 000498868800011 PubMed: 31562041 Aim: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an unusual risk factor for cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST). As few CVST patients with SLE have been reported, little is known regarding its frequency as an underlying etiology, clinical characteristics, or long-term outcome. We evaluated a large cohort of CVST patients with SLE in a multicenter study of cerebral venous thrombosis, the VENOST study, and their clinical characteristics. Material and Method: Among the 1144 CVST patients in the VENOST cohort, patients diagnosed with SLE were studied. Their demographic and clinical characteristics, etiological risk factors, venous involvement status, and outcomes were recorded. Results: In total, 15 (1.31%) of 1144 CVST patients had SLE. The mean age of these patients was 39.9 +/- 12.1 years and 13 (86.7%) were female. Presenting symptoms included headache (73.3%), visual field defects (40.0%), and altered consciousness (26.7%). The main sinuses involved were the transverse (60.0%), sagittal (40.0%), and sigmoid (20.0%) sinuses. Parenchymal involvement was not seen in 73.3% of the patients. On the modified Rankin scale, 92.9% of the patients scored 0-1 at the 1-month follow-up and 90.9% scored 0-1 at the 1-year follow-up. Conclusions: SLE was found in 1.31% of the CVST patients, most frequently in young women. Headache was the most common symptom and the CVST onset was chronic in the majority of cases. The patient outcomes were favorable. CVST should be suspected in SLE patients, even in those with isolated chronic headache symptoms with or without other neurological findings.

Obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) is a highly prevalent disorder which results in markedly reduced (hypopnea) or absent (apnea) airflow at the nose/mouth. Since vitamin D deficiency has found in an association with some disorders it is thought to be related with OSAS progression. The aim of this study is to investigate the association between VDR, VDBP mutations, vitamin D level and some environmental risk factors with OSAS. Fifty individuals who were diagnosed as OSAS were selected as patients, 50 healthy volunteers without any disease were selected as controls. FokI (rs2228570) and BsmI (rs1544410) mutations in VDR; rs4588 and rs7041 mutations in VDBP were investigated with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Other risk factors were also investigated. Results were evaluated statistically. Statistically significant differences were observed according to the baseline characteristics between the groups, When groups were compared with each other, CA genotype in rs4588, CC genotype in rs2228570 and AA genotype in rs1544410 mutations were found statistically significant in patients whereas TC genotype in rs2228570 and GA genotype in rs1544410 mutations were found statistically significant in controls. When the relation between risk factors and genotypes were investigated, statistically significant associations were detected for body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, Apnea–Hypopnea Index (AHI), excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS), vitamin D and triglyceride levels. VDR and VDBP mutations were found highly related with OSAS. Possible tracking of these mutations and risk factors may help to understand the metabolism as well as the progression of the disease.

WOS: 000407019200036, PubMed ID: 28583818, Background: Based on a number of small observational studies, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis has diverse clinical and imaging features, risk factors, and variable outcome. In a large, multicenter cerebral venous thrombosis (VENOST) study, we sought to more precisely characterize the clinical characteristics of Caucasian patients. Methods: All data for the VENOST study were collected between the years 2000 and 2015 from the clinical follow-up files. Clinical and radiological characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes were compared in terms of age and sex distribution. Results: Among 1144 patients 68% were women, and in older age group (>50 years) male patients were more prevalent (16.6% versus 27.8%). The most frequent symptoms were headache (89.4%) and visual field defects (28.9%) in men, and headache (86.1%) and epileptic seizures (26.8%) in women. Gynecological factors comprised the largest group in women, in particular puerperium (18.3%). Prothrombotic conditions (26.4%), mainly methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase mutation (6.3%) and Factor V Leiden mutation (5.1%), were the most common etiologies in both genders. 8.1% of patients had infection-associated and 5.2% had malignancy-related etiology that was significantly higher in men and older age group. Parenchymal involvement constitutively hemorrhagic infarcts, malignancy, and older age was associated with higher Rankin score. Epileptic seizures had no effect on prognosis. Conclusions: Clinical and radiological findings were consistent with previous larger studies but predisposing factors were different with a higher incidence of puerperium. Oral contraceptive use was not a prevalent risk factor in our cohort. Malignancy, older age, and hemorrhagic infarcts had worse outcome. (c) 2017 National Stroke Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Aim Chronic migraine is a growing and disabling subtype of migraine with different risk factors and clinical features, even in older adults. We sought to define and differentiate clinical features of chronic migraine in older adults. We also aimed to compare major clinical features of chronic migraine in older adults with those in younger people of both sexes. Methods We used electronic dataset (Turkish Headache Database) from 13 tertiary headache centers in Turkey. Electronic dataset included detailed headache-defining features according to ICHD-II criteria based on face-to-face interviews and examination by a headache specialist. Using statistical methods, clinical variables of chronic migraine in older adults were compared with those of younger adults. We included 915 patients with chronic migraine (mean age 43.80 ± 13.95 years); 83.3% were females. In total, 301 patients (32.9%) with chronic migraine aged >50 years were compared with 614 patients aged

To the Editor: Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is one of the neurologic complications that may emerge due to thiamine deficiency. Initially defined independently by 2 researchers in the late 19th century as Wernicke’s encephalopathy and Korsakoff syndrome, respectively, the syndrome was finally termed Wernicke-Korsakoff due to the shared etiologic, clinical, and histopathologic characteristics indicated by the former nomenclature. In fact, these 2 syndromes describe the different phases of the single disease.1,2 The triad of Wernicke’s encephalopathy is classically formulated as ataxia, eye movement abnormalities, and confusion (or memory impairment). It is estimated that merely 20% of cases are diagnosed properly, whereas the majority are misdiagnosed.2,3 Wernicke’s encephalopathy constitutes a medical emergency. Despite the high recovery rates that may be ensured with early treatment interventions, undiagnosed cases may result in the subacute/chronic dementia Korsakoff syndrome.1 Case report. Mr A, a 40-year-old man, was transferred to our drug and alcohol dependency clinic after admission to the emergency department of a general hospital. He had a 25-year history of regular alcohol consumption (2 bottles of wine and 3–4 bottles of beer per day recently). Notably, he gradually increased his alcohol intake. His family stated that for the last 2 years he started his mornings with his usual “eye opener,” and he had not been eating enough or regularly. They also described periods of alcohol withdrawal, which resulted in delirium tremens symptoms such as confusion and auditory and visual hallucinations. He presented to the emergency room with forgetfulness, difficulty walking, falling down, urinary incontinence, losing his belongings, and not being able to recognize where he was or the current date. His family also reported that he had been telling incongruent stories that never seemed to have happened. The physical examination showed that his blood pressure was 100/70 mm HG, heart rate was 79 bpm, and temperature was 36.4 C. He weighed 132 lb (60 kg). His body mass index was 19 kg/m2. There were no significant findings in his laboratory workup including total blood count, electrolyte level, liver function tests, renal function tests, glucose level, thyroid function tests, cardiac enzyme level, and serologic tests. Chest X-ray revealed no pathologic findings. In order to evaluate dementia etiology, we measured anti–thyroid peroxidase, antithyroglobulin, rheumatoid factor, c-reactive protein, vitamin E, vitamin B, human leukocyte antigen-B27, antinuclear antibody, antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies, growth hormone, corticotropin, luteinizing hormone, follicle-stimulating hormone, prolactin, and cortisol blood levels, and the results were within normal range. Furthermore, tumor markers (CA19–9, AFP, CEA, CA125) were within normal range. The fecal occult blood test was negative. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed no specific findings. Electroencephalogram showed organizational impairment: frequently repeating medium amplitude theta waves lasting for 1 to 2 seconds, bilaterally in both parietooccipital lobes. The electromyogram result was normal. Neuropsychological tests showed visuospatial function impairment accompanied by moderate to severe memory dysfunction. Memory was impaired in all stages including encoding, storage, and retrieval. His executive functions were impaired. Mr A was diagnosed with Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome according to DSM-IV diagnostic criteria, and diazepam detoxification, rehydration, and thiamine repletion therapy were started. He had no signs of alcohol withdrawal in the clinical follow-up. He was administered intravenous (IV) 2,000 cm3 of 5% dextrose and 1,000 mg thiamine hydrochloride. This regimen was administered until the fifth day of treatment since gait ataxia and restriction of eye movements were no longer prominently present. On the sixth day of treatment, the IV thiamine was replaced with 100 mg oral thiamine. Within the third week of the treatment regimen, his gait and postural ataxia improved and his orientation to time, place, and person was intact. By the fourth week of treatment, he was able to find his way around the city and back home when he was on home leave for 2 days. However, it was observed that it took him longer to remember his past experiences when questioned. He was discharged 41 days after his hospitalization. He had no significant mental symptoms apart from a minimally longer reaction time and minimal impairments in current memory, although he still had difficulty in tandem walk and a minimal nystagmus in his neurologic examination at discharge. This report describes the case of a patient whose first hospital admission was almost a year after the first obvious manifestations of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome and who was able to return to his normal life and regain most of his motor and cognitive abilities after intense thiamine repletion therapy. Wernicke’s encephalopathy is a neuropsychiatric disorder that occurs acutely when the thiamine supplies cannot meet the amount needed by the brain. Thiamine deficiency may occur due to inadequate intake, impaired absorption, or depletion; however, the most common cause in the industrialized world is alcohol misuse.4 In our case, Wernicke’s encephalopathy was estimated to result mainly from alcohol misuse; however, it was not clear if malnutrition or any missed malabsorption condition contributed to Mr A’s thiamine deficiency. If the acute disease is not treated appropriately, it progressively results in Korsakoff syndrome, which is a permanent brain damage leading to memory impairments. The memory deficits in Korsakoff syndrome may be defined as severe impairment wherein the current and recent memories are significantly affected; however, impairment may extend up to 30 years before Korsakoff syndrome and thereafter lead to confabulations.5 In our case, Mr A showed current, recent, and remote memory deficits in his detailed history. He had confabulations persisting for months. Furthermore, he presented to our center with the classical triad including the neurologic components. Since the classical triad may only be present in a small percentage of cases (16%–20%), it is not rare to miss the clinical diagnosis. In addition, 75%–80% of cases are reported to be missed,5,6 which is consistent with the information gathered from autopsy reports. This confusion concerning the diagnosis is most likely the result of comorbid presence of other causative agents or states of confusion related to alcohol or drug misuse such as effects of alcohol intoxication, head injury, alcohol or benzodiazepine withdrawal, hypoxia, hepatic encephalopathy, or sepsis.6 In our case, alcohol withdrawal treatment was started in order to exclude a present and avoid a future withdrawal. He had no known history of an infection, injury, or acute intoxication. In addition, he greatly benefitted from the thiamine repletion. Parenteral thiamine repletion should be administered immediately in the case of Wernicke’s encephalopathy to prevent Korsakoff syndrome and mortality. Parenteral thiamine repletion has a mild risk of anaphylactic reaction; however, given in appropriate circumstances, eye symptoms improve within days or weeks. Ataxia generally starts to improve in the early weeks of therapy, but it may take 1 or 2 months or more to recover. Residual nystagmus and ataxia may continue in some patients.7 Current treatment protocols lack a general consensus probably due to the fact that systematic studies on the issue are not sufficient to support a specific guideline.8 Generally, accepted dosage for treatment is 250 mg/d IV and a daily total oral dose of 60 mg given twice a day in the aftermath. The duration is unclear as well9; however, it has been defined with open-ended statements such as “until the clinical improvement draws to an end.”8(p232) The daily thiamine requirement is as small as 1–2 mg; however, in order to enable thiamine to pass the blood-brain barrier and effectively enter the central nervous system, initially, doses of 500 to 1,500 mg are suggested.6 According to our observations related to the current case, we suggest more aggressive treatments with rapid high doses and continuing higher oral doses than traditionally recommended. Such a treatment regimen may ameliorate the condition more effectively, leaving less morbidity and disability at the end of treatment. Neuropathology of Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is characterized by gliosis and microhemorrhages specifically in the periaqueductal and paraventricular gray matter, atrophy in the mammillary bodies and thalamus, and volume deficits in the hippocampus, cerebellar hemispheres, pons, and anterior superior vermis; however, anterior thalamus, mammillary bodies, and the mammillo-thalamic tract are reported to be related with later memory impairment and Korsakoff syndrome.1,10 MRI sequences are reported to result in the best visualization and quantification of the neuropathology in Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome.10 One of the limitations of this case report is that there were no specific findings in the routine plain MRI, and more detailed thin section MRI or fluid attenuated inversion recovery MRI might have been useful to visualize the pathology in more detail. In conclusion, Wernicke-Korsakoff syndrome is a reversible and treatable, highly underdiagnosed syndrome with high mortality rates. Rapid diagnosis, timely interventions, and higher effective thiamine doses result in better outcomes. However, availability of the more suitable thiamine preparations should be considered in areas in which they are not yet available to enhance the treatment strategies.

To investigate and determine the clinical findings, lesions, risk factors, and variety of etiology in Turkish patients suffering from vertebrobasilar ischemia.The clinical, radiological, and prognostic features of patients with ischemic stroke in the vertebrobasilar system (VBS) are not homogeneous. The mechanism, localization, and severity of the vascular lesions and the presence of coexisting vascular risk factors influence the prognosis. The study included 134 patients with ischemic strokes in the VBS that were evaluated according to age, gender, clinical findings, risk factors, lesion localization, echocardiography, Doppler sonography, and cervical magnetic resonance angiography at Haydarpasa Numune Education and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey between 1998-2002.Hypertension, heart disease, smoking, diabetes mellitus, and hyperlipidemia were the most commonly observed risk factors. While infratentorial involvement was seen at a higher ratio (75.4%), acute multi-infarcts appearing simultaneously were mostly localized in the thalamus and the brain stem (18.7%). Large and small vessel disease incidences have been found in 32.8% and 20.1% of the patients. Cardioembolism with an incidence rate of 41.8% was the most frequent etiological cause in VBS ischemia. No significant meaning has been developed with age and gender as compared to the relationship between localization and etiological subgroups.The most common risk factors were hypertension and cardiac diseases, and the most common localization of the infarcts was the infratentorial region. The cerebellum was seen as the most coexisting localization with all multiple infarcts. Cardioembolism accounted for the largest etiological group in all localizations and in multiple infarcts.