Search

Abstract Background Neuropsychiatric disorders significantly burden individuals and society, necessitating the exploration of innovative treatment approaches. Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques have emerged as promising interventions for these disorders, offering potential therapeutic benefits with minimal side effects. This narrative review provides a comprehensive overview of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques' current applications and future directions in managing neuropsychiatric disorders. Methods A thorough search of relevant literature was conducted to identify studies investigating non-invasive brain stimulation techniques in neuropsychiatric disorders. The selected studies were critically reviewed, and their findings were synthesised to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of knowledge in the field. Results The review highlights the current applications of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques in neuropsychiatric disorders, including major depressive disorder, Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, insomnia, and cognitive impairments. It presents evidence supporting the efficacy of these techniques in modulating brain activity, alleviating symptoms, and enhancing cognitive functions. Furthermore, the review addresses challenges such as interindividual variability, optimal target site selection, and standardisation of protocols. It also discusses potential future directions, including exploring novel target sites, personalised stimulation protocols, integrating with other treatment modalities, and identifying biomarkers for treatment response. Conclusion Non-invasive brain stimulation techniques offer promising avenues for managing neuropsychiatric disorders. Further research is necessary to optimise stimulation protocols, establish standardised guidelines, and identify biomarkers for treatment response. The findings underscore the potential of non-invasive brain stimulation techniques as valuable additions to the armamentarium of neuropsychiatric treatments.

Abstract Background Surgical management is one of the mainstay management options for cerebrovascular diseases, which is not only curative but also preventive. However, there's a gap between the surgical management of cerebrovascular disease in Africa when compared to the developed parts of the world. Methods A literature search was done on the state of Cerebrovascular surgery in Africa from databases such as Pubmed, Embase, and Google Scholar, articles we fetched and meticulously reviewed. Results We found gaps in the surgical management of cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke in African countries when compared to developed countries. The challenges facing the surgical management of cerebrovascular disease in Africa include a low number of neurosurgeons and vascular surgeons trained in the surgical management of these diseases, a lack of adequate facilities for surgical management, and others. The burden of cerebrovascular diseases in Africa is great, and this warrants an improvement in the surgical management of the conditions, which includes primary prevention of such diseases through public health education on risk factors, improvement of health facilities to accommodate recent advances in the cerebrovascular surgeries, establishments of several neurosurgery training centers. Conclusion The practice of surgical management of cerebrovascular disease in Africa needs to be optimized for it to be at the global standard and for better outcomes and management of patients.

AbstractBackground Stroke rehabilitation presents a complex challenge, necessitating innovative approaches to optimise functional recovery. Virtual Reality-Based Rehabilitation (VRBR) has emerged as a promising intervention that capitalises on immersive technology to engage stroke survivors in their recovery journey. This review aims to examine the efficacy of VRBR in stroke rehabilitation, focusing on its advantages and challenges.Methods A comprehensive search of relevant literature was conducted to gather evidence on the efficacy of VRBR in stroke survivors. Studies that investigated the impact of VRBR on patient engagement, functional recovery, and overall rehabilitation outcomes were included. The review also assessed the ability of VRBR to simulate real-life scenarios and facilitate essential daily activities for stroke survivors.Results The review highlights that VRBR offers a unique immersive experience that enhances patient engagement and motivation during rehabilitation. The immersive nature of VRBR fosters a sense of presence, which can positively impact treatment adherence and outcomes. Moreover, VRBR’s capacity to replicate real-world scenarios provides stroke survivors with opportunities to practice vital daily activities, promoting functional independence. In contrast, conventional rehabilitation methods lack the same level of engagement and real-world simulation.Conclusion VRBR holds promise as an efficacious intervention in stroke rehabilitation. Its immersive nature enhances patient engagement and motivation, potentially leading to better treatment adherence and outcomes. The ability of VRBR to simulate real-life scenarios offers a unique platform. However, challenges such as cost, equipment, patient suitability, data privacy, and acceptance must be addressed for successful integration into stroke rehabilitation practice.

AbstractBackground Cerebrovascular disease is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa, and using neuroimaging techniques has improved the diagnosis and management of this disease. However, there is a lack of comprehensive reviews of the role and effectiveness of neuroimaging techniques in the African context.Methods We reviewed the literature to evaluate the role of neuroimaging in diagnosing and managing cerebrovascular disease in Africa. Our search included electronic databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar from 2000 to April 2023. We included peer-reviewed studies written in English that reported on the use of neuroimaging in diagnosing and managing cerebrovascular disease in African populations. We excluded non-peer-reviewed articles, letters, editorials, and studies unrelated to cerebrovascular disease, neuroimaging, or Africa. A total of 102 potential articles were identified; after applying our exclusion criteria and removing duplicated articles, 51 articles were reviewed.Results Our findings suggest that neuroimaging techniques such as CT, MRI, and Skull x-ray play a crucial role in diagnosing and managing cerebrovascular disease in Africa. CT and MRI were the most commonly used techniques, with CT being more widely available and less expensive than MRI. However, challenges to using neuroimaging in Africa include the high cost of equipment and maintenance, lack of trained personnel, and inadequate infrastructure. These challenges limit the widespread use of neuroimaging in diagnosing and managing cerebrovascular disease in Africa.Conclusion Neuroimaging techniques are essential for diagnosing and managing cerebrovascular disease in Africa, but challenges to their use must be addressed to improve healthcare outcomes. Our policy recommendations can help improve the availability and accessibility of neuroimaging services in Africa.