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Objective(s): Incidence of neurocognitive and psychological disorders may be related to serum homocystein (Hcy), cobalamin (vitamin B12) and folate levels in old people. The aim of this study was to assess the relation between Hcy, cobalamin, folate and neurocognitive and/or psychological disorders in the elderly. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 280 subjects with = 65 years old, were evaluated. The subjects were selected from 12 regions of Mashhad, Iran, over March to October 2009. After blood sampling, data were collected by questionnaire, face to face interview and performing neurocognitive and psychological tests. The sera of 250 persons were analyzed for cobalamin and folate by RIA method. Amongst the aforementioned samples, 78 cases with cobalamin <300 pg/ml and folate <6.5 ng/ml were analyzed for Hcy by ELISA method. Results: Amongst the people, 126 (45%) were male and 154 (55%) were female. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) was 59.5% and 37.1% in male and female respectively (P -value =0.049). Hcy inversely correlated to cobalamin (r=-0.282, P=0.014) and to folate (r=-0.203, P=0.014). Hcy, cobalamin and folate correlations to neurocognitive and psychological impairments were not statically significant. Conclusion: Hyper Hcy or low cobalamin and folate in the elderly, are prevalent but their relationships with neurocognitive and psychological impairments is controversial. If these relationships had been confirmed, performing a single serum Hcy or cobalamin test would have been enough to diagnose and prevent neurocognitive impairments and inversely, neurocognitive-psychological sign and symptoms could have meant probable tissue vitamin deficiencies. However methods of assessing neurocognitive and psychological markers with validity and reliability of clinical and laboratory tests for finding aforementioned relationships should be revised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Migraine is the second most common cause of headaches. There are several methods in treatment of migraine including herbal medicine. Tanacetumparthenium (feverfew), a kind of chrysanthemum is traditionally used for treatment of headaches. The aim of this research was to assess the effect of feverfew in treatment of migraine. Materials and Methods: This is a double blinded clinical trial with patient observation for eight months. 168 participants were enrolled in three groups: feverfew, placebo and dihydroergotamine. Participants with migraines more frequent than three times a month were included in our research. Severity and frequency of headache and kind of the prescribed drug were the investigated variables in this study. Results: 155 of 168 participants (92.26%) completed the three month study protocol. After 15 days, 40 people (75.5%) in the feverfew group, 28 people (60.9%) in the placebo group and 49 people (89.1%) in dihydroergotamine group were well or better than before treatment. After 45 and 105 days these percentages showed an increase but there was no significant difference between treatment periods. After medication, we observed a statistically significant reduction in these groups, compared to baseline, for number of migraine headaches, migraine days and headache severity. Although assessment of efficacy showed that dihydroergotamine and feverfew groups were better than placebo, only the difference between dihydroergotamine and placebo groups was significant (p<0.05). Conclusion: feverfew is as effective as dihydroergotamine. Therefore, in some conditions like hypertension, feverfew is a good alternative for migraine treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Occupational lead poisoning is a health problem in Iran. Renal and neuropsychiatric complications of occupational lead poisoning are the main concerns for the workers and their employers. It was thus aimed to investigate the renal and neurotoxic effects of lead poisoning in the workers of two traditional-tile-factories. Researchers visited the workers in the factories and collected data by taking direct history and physical examinations in summer of 2005. Data were recorded in previously designed forms. Blood and urine lead concentrations were measured by an atomic absorption technique. A neurologist examined all workers and electrophysiological investigations were undertaken as clinically indicated. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and chi-square, student t test and Pearson correlation tests were used accordingly. The numerical data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation and p < 0.05 was considered as the significant level. Overall, 108 male subjects aged 37 ± 7.8 years were studied. Duration of lead exposure was 9.8 ± 6 years. Lead concentration in 2005 was 361.5 ± 176.9 μg/L. The main objective clinical findings were lead line (64.8%), peripheral neuropathy of upper limb (37%), suppression of deep tendon reflexes (DTR) in upper limbs (25.7%), tremor (23.3%), peripheral neuropathy of lower limbs (17%) and abdominal tenderness (15.1%). The subjective findings were mainly on the central nervous system, such as loss of memory (57%), moodiness (56.1%), agitation (47.7%), drowsiness (36.4%), and headache (29.9%). There was no significant correlation between blood lead concentration and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). But there were significant correlations between the blood lead concentrations and urine lead concentration (p < 0.001). This study showed that lead had toxic effects on the teeth (bone), central and peripheral nervous system, more than renal function. Prophylactic and treatment measures were performed.