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Sleep deprivation can trigger migraine, and migraineurs often choose to sleep to relieve headaches during acute migraine. This study aimed to explore the effect of acute sleep deprivation on hyperalgesia induced by nitroglycerin in mice. In part one, after either 6-hour sleep deprivation or 6-hour normal sleep, mice were intraperitoneally injected with nitroglycerin or saline. The mechanical pain threshold and withdrawal latency of the hindpaw were measured every 30 minutes for 6 hours. Next, the same sleep deprivation and injection procedure was performed with new mice, and mice were sacrificed 4.5 hours after injection. The trigeminal nucleus caudalis and upper cervical spinal segments were taken for immunofluorescence Fos staining. In part two, after injection of saline or nitroglycerin, the mice were either deprived of sleep for 6 hours or allowed to sleep without interference. The mechanical and thermal pain threshold were measured after 6 hours. In part three, we compared the sleep time of mice after intraperitoneal injection of saline or nitroglycerin without interference. Sleep deprivation for 6 hours did not cause any changes in the baseline pain thresholds in mice. However, pretreatment with 6-hour sleep deprivation significantly prolonged the duration of hyperalgesia induced by nitroglycerin. Additionally, the expression of Fos at 4.5 hours was significantly higher in the 6-hour sleep deprivation and nitroglycerin group than in the other three groups. When intraperitoneal injection was given first, the mechanical pain threshold of the hind paw was significantly lower in the group that received nitroglycerin with 6-hour sleep deprivation than in the other groups. Compared to the saline injection, one-time nitroglycerin injection would result in a significant increase in sleep latency and decrease in sleep duration for the normal mice. Acute sleep deprivation significantly aggravated the hyperalgesia induced by nitroglycerin in mice, which highlights the importance of sleep disorders for migraine.

Introduction Headache during and/or after coronary intervention is common but has received little attention from cardiologists and neurologists. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence, risk factors, and possible mechanism of coronary intervention-related headache. Methods Using a prospective observational design, we identified consecutive patients with coronary intervention from May 2020 to August 2020. Patients were followed up with questionnaires immediately after coronary intervention and 24 h, 72 h, 1 week and 2 weeks after the intervention. Results In total, 94 patients were enrolled, and 71 patients ultimately completed the 2-week follow-up. Among 71 patients, headache developed during and/or after coronary intervention in 18 (25.4%) patients. Two different types of headache related to coronary intervention were observed: One during and another after coronary intervention. Headache characteristics are described in detail. A history of previous headache was an independent risk factor for coronary intervention-related headache ( p Conclusions Coronary intervention-related headache has an incidence of 25.4%, and previous headache history was an independent risk factor. Moreover, considering that there are no relevant diagnostic criteria, it is suggested that the definition of coronary intervention-related headache should be established in the International Classification of Headache Disorders.

Background: Our previous studies reported the prevalence of primary headache and risk factors among medical staff in South China. The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to learn more about the prevalence of depression in medical staff and its risk factors, as well as to investigate the association between depression, anxiety, headache, and sleep disorders.Methods: Stratified random cluster sampling was used to select medical staff from various departments in four hospitals in Sanya City. Based on previously study, the Self-rating Depression Scale（SDS）, Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) were used to quantitatively score the depression, anxiety and sleep disorders. Non-parametric Spearman correlation analysis and regression analysis were performed on the factors affecting the occurrence and severity of depression. Results: Among 645 medical staff, 548 (85%) responded. The 1-year prevalence of depression was 42.7% and the prevalence of depression combined with anxiety, headache and sleep disorders was 23%, 27% and 34.5%. The prevalence of depression in females, nurses, unmarried or single group, and rotating-shift population was significantly higher than that in males(48.3% vs 27.1%, OR=2.512), doctors(55.2% vs 26.7%, OR=3.388), married group(50.5% vs 35.8%, OR=1.900), and day-shift population(35.2% vs 7.5%, OR=1.719). The occurrence of depression was correlated with anxiety, sleep disorder, headache and migraine, with anxiety being the most significant (Spearman Rho = 0.531). The SDS was significantly correlated with SAS and PSQI (Spearman Rho = 0.801, 0.503), and also related to the presence of headache and migraine (Spearman Rho = 0.228, 0.159). Multivariate logistic regression indicated that nurse occupation and anxiety were risk factors for depression, while grades of anxiety, sleep disorders and nurse occupation were risk factors for depression degree in multiple linear regression.Conclusion: The prevalence of depression in medical staff is higher than that in the general population especially among females, nurse occupation, unmarried people and rotating-shift population. Depression is associated with anxiety, sleep disorders, headache and migraine. Anxiety and nurse occupation are risk factors for depression. This study might provide a reference for the promotion of occupational health among medical staff.

Background A previous study by our team reported the prevalence of primary headache disorders and factors associated with headache among nurses in three hospitals in North China. The aim of this cross-sectional survey was to learn more about how medical nurses in South China were affected by headache. Additionally, we determined the prevalence of headache and measured the impact of headache among doctors in mainland China for the first time. Methods Stratified random cluster sampling was used to select 280 physicians and 365 nurses from various departments in four hospitals in Sanya, which is one of southernmost cities in China. Information was collected on demographic data, occupational factors and headache characteristics by using a structured questionnaire. Results Among 645 medical staff, 548 (85%) responded (doctors = 240, nurses = 308). Among the medical staff, the 1-year prevalence of primary headache disorders was 50%, with 25.9% experiencing migraine and 24.1% experiencing tension-type headache (TTH). The prevalence of migraine in female doctors was higher than that in female nurses, although this difference was not significant (32.4% vs. 29.8%, P = 0.628). Multivariate analysis showed that being female and working in other specialties (Emergency Department & Radiology Department) remained independent risk factors for migraine in doctors (OR 2.314 and 3.223). In nurses, being married was a risk factor for migraine (OR 3.728), and job titles remained an independent risk factor for migraine and TTH (OR 2.294 and 4.695). Working more than 6 night-shifts per month was associated with an increased prevalence of migraine and TTH in doctors; the same was true in nurses for migraine, but not for TTH. Conclusion The prevalence of primary headache disorders in both nurses and doctors is higher than that in the general population in South China. Our study shows that occupation, geography and sex may play an important role. Further, female doctors are more susceptible than female nurses to migraine. The risk factors relevant to headache that were found in this study should provide an important reference for promoting occupational health in medical staff, especially female doctors in China.

Background Angiography headache (AH) is common but not negligible, and the criteria for AH have been based on only a few studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the incidence, risk factors and possible mechanism of AH and reappraise the diagnostic criteria for AH in the International Classification of Headache Disorders 3 (ICHD-3). Methods Two hundred and seventy-nine patients completed this prospective, non-randomized study, including 107 patients who underwent cerebral angiography, 101 patients who underwent coronary intervention and 71 patients who underwent extremities arterial intervention. Patients were followed up with questionnaires immediately after the procedure and 24 h, 72 h, 1 week and 2 weeks after the procedure. Results The incidence of headache was 22.4% (24/107) in cerebral angiography group, 23.8% (24/101) in coronary intervention group, and 16.9% (12/71) in extremities arterial intervention group. Headache still occurred in 12.1% (13/107), 14.9% (15/101) and 11.3% (8/71) of patients 24 h after the procedure in the three groups, respectively. Two types of headache were observed in cerebral angiography group and coronary intervention group, one during and one after the procedure, while only postoperative headache was observed in extremities arterial intervention group. Previous headache history was a risk factor for headache in the three groups (p = 0.003 in cerebral angiography group, p = 0.006 in coronary intervention group, and p = 0.016 in extremities arterial intervention group). In addition, female (p = 0.008) was a risk factor for cerebral angiography group. Headache characteristics were described in detail. Conclusions The diagnostic criteria for 6.7.2 angiography headache in ICHD-3 may miss a number of cerebral AH with onset later than 24 h after the procedure. Therefore, it is recommended to revise it according to the literature and further studies. The incidence of headache was high during and after angiography and interventional procedure. It was suggested that the definition of headache due to coronary intervention and headache due to extremities arterial intervention should be added in ICHD.

Background Mutations in ATP1A2, the gene encoding the α2 subunit of Na+/K+-ATPase, are the main cause of familial hemiplegic migraine type 2 (FHM2). The clinical presentation of FHM2 with mutations in the same gene varies from pure FHM to severe forms with epilepsy and intellectual disability, but the correlation of these symptoms with different ATP1A2 mutations is still unclear. Methods Ten ATP1A2 missense mutations were selected according to different phenotypes of FHM patients. They caused pure FHM (FHM: R65W, R202Q, R593W, G762S), FHM with epilepsy (FHME: R548C, E825K, R938P), or FHM with epilepsy and intellectual disability (FHMEI: T378N, G615R, D718N). After ouabain resistance and fluorescence modification, plasmids carrying those mutations were transiently transfected into HEK293T and HeLa cells. The biochemical functions were studied including cell survival assays, membrane protein extraction, western blotting, and Na+/K+-ATPase activity tests. The electrophysiological functions of G762S, R938P, and G615R mutations were investigated in HEK293T cells using whole-cell patch-clamp. Homology modeling was performed to determine the locational distribution of ATP1A2 mutations. Results Compared with wild-type pumps, all mutations showed a similar level of protein expression and decreased cell viability in the presence of 1 µM ouabain, and there was no significant difference among the mutant groups. The changes in Na+/K+-ATPase activity were correlated with the severity of FHM phenotypes. In the presence of 100 µM ouabain, the Na+/K+-ATPase activity was FHM > FHME > FHMEI. The ouabain-sensitive Na+/K+-ATPase activity of each mutant was significantly lower than that of the wild-type protein, and there was no significant difference among all mutant groups. Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings in HEK293T cells showed that the ouabain-sensitive pump currents of G615R were significantly reduced, while those of G762S and R938P were comparable to those of the wild-type strain. Conclusions ATP1A2 mutations cause phenotypes ranging from pure FHM to FHM with epilepsy and intellectual disability due to varying degrees of deficits in biochemical and electrophysiological properties of Na+/K+-ATPase. Mutations associated with intellectual disability presented with severe impairment of Na+/K+-ATPase. Whether epilepsy is accompanied, or the type of epilepsy did not seem to affect the degree of impairment of pump function.

Paroxysmal dysarthria and ataxia (PDA) syndrome constitutes a rare neurological disorder, and is generally reported in cases of multiple sclerosis (MS) involving the midbrain. We present an illustrative case of 32-year-old female who developed clinically isolated syndrome manifested paroxysmal dysarthria, ataxia, ptosis and diplopia, coexisting with anti-N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor antibodies. We review the literature and identify 23 other cases with brain MRI examinations to summarize the lesion locations and clinical characteristics of PDA syndrome, and ultimately provide a new framework for understanding this rare condition. The current case expands the spectrum of symptoms in PDA syndrome, which was including but not limited to dysarthria and ataxia. Caudal paramedian midbrain lesions involving decussation of the superior cerebellar peduncles appear to be critical for PDA syndrome.

Background: Migraine is a disease closely related to calcium ions and ion channels. Ventralis posteromedialis (VPM) nucleus is an important nucleus in the process of migraine pain signal transmission. Flunarizine has been widely demonstrated as a calcium channel antagonist in the preventive treatment of migraine, but the mechanism of its anti-migraine on VPM is still unclear. Methods: Part 1. Fifteen transfected male rats were randomly divided into three groups: Flunarizine intervention group, Nimodipine intervention group and Normal saline sham group. Viral expression of fluorescent tracers allows purely anterograde labeling. Following injection of AAV-hSyn-9-CaMPARI-GFP into the physiologically defined area in the VPM nucleus of the thalamus, labeling in the thalamus-cortex had a green appearance. Part 2. Twenty Sprague Dawley male rats were randomly divided into four groups: Single stimulus group, Double stimuli group, Flunarizine intervention group and Nimodipine intervention group. A calcium-selective carbon fiber electrode (CFMEs) is used for online monitoring of electrochemically inactive Ca2+ in the rat brain in vivo. Results: Part 1.GFP Images showed that the VPM nucleus of the thalamus was involved in the signal transmission process of headache. Fluorescence imaging of the VPM nucleus of the thalamus after intervention with flunarizine or nimodipine suggested that it was activated. Part 2. No specific response was observed in the migraine rat model after stimulation with normal saline, extracellular calcium ions increased first and then decreased linearly after each stimulation with inflammatory soup. After the intervention of nimodipine, the curve of calcium changes after IS stimulation was the same as before. While after the intervention of flunarizine, the performance was significantly inconsistent, which was first increased and then maintained a level of concentration or slightly increased. Conclusion: VPM might play an important role in pain signal transmission of migraine and Flunarizine can alleviate such Ca2+ concentration in VPM neurons to exert its anti-migraine effects.

Background Encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) as a form of indirect revascularization has been recently proposed as a potentially promising alternative for patients with intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD). The object of this study was to compare the prognostic roles between isolated EDAS and medical therapy in patients with atherosclerotic middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO). Methods From January 2014 to June 2017, 125 patients with atherosclerotic MCAO were enrolled in this prospective nonrandomized controlled cohort study. Patients who underwent EDAS (n = 60) were compared with those treated medically (n = 65). Early and late adverse events and functional outcomes including memory ability were compared between groups. Results During 23.7 months of mean follow-up, rates of adverse events, including ischemic events in the territory of the qualifying middle cerebral artery, and death from any causes, were not significantly different in patients treated with EDAS and with medical therapy (6.7% vs. 12.3%; P = 0.285). Landmark analyses showed that at initial 6-month follow-up, there was no significant difference for adverse event rates, whereas the opposite finding was shown for the subsequent period (EDAS 1/57 [1.7%] vs. medical management 7/64 [10.9%]; P = 0.024). The P value for the interaction between time (first 6 months vs. subsequent period) was 0.044. No significant differences were found with respect to neural function status and cognitive ability. Conclusions In the long-term, isolated EDAS can be considered effective and safe for patients with atherosclerotic MCAO, whereas it may need additional medical therapy support in the short-term.

Background - Headache may be due to either a primary or secondary disorder, and neuroimaging assessments can play an important role when differentiating between these types of headache. Although many studies have reported no significant differences between primary headache patients and the general population in terms of abnormal neuroimaging findings, others have shown that neuroimaging may be employed to rule out secondary causes of headache that could impact morbidity and mortality. This issue remains under debate. Thus, the present study compared the neuroimaging findings of headache patients and healthy controls. Methods - This study recruited 1070 healthy controls and 1070 primary headache patients from the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital. The primary headache patients were diagnosed by computerized clinical decision support systems, and re-diagnosed by a specialist. All participants were assessed with either computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans. The neuroimaging findings were classified as significant abnormalities, non-significant abnormalities, or normal. Results - All the significant abnormalities were found using MRI scans. Significant abnormalities were identified in 4 primary headache patients (0.58%) and 5 healthy controls (0.73%); the rate of significant abnormalities was not significant different between both groups (P > .05). Conclusions - The present study found that neuroimaging was unnecessary for the primary headache patients.

BACKGROUND Two editions of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) diagnostic criteria for "Headache attributed to an intracranial endovascular procedure" have been published, in 2004 and 2013.1,2 Despite studies that have suggested that the former is not very practical, the ICHD-3 beta did not contain major changes. Moreover, so far no consensus exists regarding characteristics of headache after intracranial endovascular procedure. Thus, there is a need for sound suggestions to improve the ICHD-3 beta diagnostic criteria. METHODS Using a prospective design, we identified consecutive patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysms (UIAs) with neuroendovascular treatment from January 2014 to December 2014. RESULTS In total, 73 patients were enrolled, and 58 patients ultimately completed the 6-month follow-up. After the procedure, five of the 29 patients (17.2%) with pre-existing headache experienced marked worsening after the procedure, while seven of the 29 patients without prior headache developed new-onset headache post-procedurally. The headaches started within 24 hours, with a mean duration of 24-72 hours. The headaches were moderate to severe. The eligibility of these events to be considered headaches caused by neuroendovascular procedures according to the ICHD-3 beta diagnostic criteria for designation was far from ideal. CONCLUSIONS Most cases of markedly worsening headaches and new-onset headaches started within 24 hours and persisted longer than that specified in the ICHD-3 beta diagnostic criteria. Moreover, considering that some items are not very practical, the ICHD-3 beta diagnostic criteria should be revised in the light of recent literature reports.

Background The diagnostic criteria for headache attributable to cranial venous sinus stenting were first formalized in the recently published third edition of the International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD-3). However, the diagnostic criteria for headache caused by cranial venous sinus stenting are based on very few data and the condition is poorly characterized. Objectives To validate the diagnostic criteria for cranial venous sinus stenting headache by retrospectively studying the characteristics of headache in patients with isolated pulsatile tinnitus who underwent curative cranial venous sinus stenting and who had not previously complained of headache. Patients and methods We retrospectively studied clinical, radiological, and manometric data from patients with isolated venous pulsatile tinnitus who had not previously reported headache. All patients underwent lateral sinus stenting in our institution between October 2010 and February 2018. Results Forty eight patients, 47 females and one male, were enrolled. The mean age at symptom onset was 36.2 ± 8.7 years and the mean body mass index was 24.0 ± 3.2 kg/m2. Lateral sinus stenosis was evident in 47 patients and a sigmoid diverticulum in one. Fourteen patients experienced headaches after recovering from general anesthesia. All were female, with a mean age of 35.5 ± 9.6 years. Headache persisted for less than 3 days in six patients (42.8%); for 3 days to 3 months in four (28.6%); and for longer than 3 months in four (28.6%). The headaches were located on the same sides as the cranial venous sinus stents in 13 patients (92.9%) and were principally occipital, being oppressive in nine patients (64.3%) and of moderate intensity in seven (50%). Age at onset of pulsatile tinnitus and body mass index were significantly associated with headache ( p Conclusion To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to describe cranial venous sinus stenting headache in detail. We found that de novo headache developed after cranial venous sinus stenting, and was usually mild to moderate, unilateral, but oppressive; almost one-third of such headaches persisted for more than 3 months. Researchers and clinicians must become familiar with this headache spectrum; further prospective studies are required.

Lymphomatoid granulomatosis (LYG) is an angiocentric and angiodestructive lymphoproliferative disease which can involve multiple organs of the body and is most common in the lungs. Its pathological features are proliferation of large atypical B-cells related to Epstein-Barr virus, T-cell infiltration and tissue necrosis. This disease is rare, and LYG which uniquely involves the central nervous system (CNS) is extremely rare. In this paper, we report a case of isolated lymphomatoid granulomatosis of the CNS (iCNS-LYG) diagnosed by histological biopsy and we review the clinical features of all similar cases reported in the past 46 years. A total of 49 cases of iCNS-LYG have been reported to date. The clinical, imaging and pathological features of iCNS-LYG are discussed in combination with a literature review.

Objectives: Patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) are at an elevated risk for the development of coronary artery disease, but the risk cerebrovascular disease among these patients remains incompletely understood. We investigated the cerebrovascular risk profiles of patients with a cerebrovascular disease and AS and compared these profiles to those of cerebrovascular disease patients without AS. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 34 patients with ischemic cerebrovascular disease also diagnosed with AS and 597 controls without AS with respect to patient age, gender, cerebrovascular risk factors, and laboratory test results. Results: AS patients were significantly younger than control patients in this study (56.2±13.5 years vs. 63.0±13.4 years, respectively; p=0.004). Logistic regression analysis did not indicate significant relationships between gender, cerebrovascular risk factors, and biochemical risk factors in AS patients, nor were any significant relationships found between erythrocyte sedimentation rate or C-reactive protein and biochemical risk factors. A low frequency of large-artery atherosclerosis and high frequency of small-vessel occlusion according to TOAST classification were found in AS patients with stroke. Conclusions: Among the patients included in this study, patients with AS sought treatment for cerebrovascular disease were at a younger age compared to control patients without AS. Thus, our results indicate that AS patients have an increased risk for the premature onset of cerebrovascular disease. And the premature atherosclerosis may associate with the patients with AS. Furthermore, the high frequency of the small-vessel stroke subtype in AS patients indicates that small-vessel inflammation may be involved in the pathogenesis of vascular diseases in AS patients. Further prospective study with more samples will be needed to confirm this point of view.

Background Headache disorders are highly prevalent worldwide, and familial occurrence and heredity are contributory factors attracting the interest of epidemiological researchers. Our purpose, in a large sample drawn nationwide from the Chinese general population, was to evaluate the frequency of similar headache in first-degree relatives (FDRs) of those with different headache types. Methods This was a questionnaire-based nationwide cross-sectional door-to-door survey using cluster random-sampling, selecting one adult (18–65 years) per household. Headache was diagnosed by ICHD-II criteria. Participants with headache were asked whether or not any FDRs had similar headache to their own. Chi-squared test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to assess the strength and significance of associations. Results Of 5041 survey participants (participation rate 94.1%), 1060 (21.0%) were diagnosed with headache (migraine 469 [9.3%], tension-type headache [TTH] 543 [10.8%], headache on ≥15 days/month 48 [0.95%]). From these, 31 were excluded because of missing data about FDRs, leaving 1029 for analysis (male 350 [mean age: 46.7 ± 11.4 years]; female 679 [mean age 46.3 ± 11.2 years]). Similar headache in one or more FDRs was reported by 22.2% (95% CI: 19.6–24.7%) overall, by 25.1% (21.1–29.1%) of those with migraine, by 19.1% (15.7–22.4%) with TTH and by 29.2% (16.3–42.0%) with headache on ≥15 days/month. The differences was significant between migraine and TTH (OR = 1.4, p = 0.023), but were not significant between headache on ≥15 days/month and TTH (OR = 1.7, p = 0.093), migraine and headache on ≥15 days/month (OR = 1.2,p = 0.534). In multivariate analysis: for migraine versus TTH,AOR = 1.2 (p = 0.015); for headache on ≥15 days/month versus TTH, AOR 2.3 (p = 0.018). Conclusion Headache was highly prevalent in China and common among FDRs of those with any type of headache (headache on ≥15 days/month > migraine > TTH). Against the background of the general-population prevalence of each disorder, familial occurrence was a very highly influential factor in headache on ≥15 days/month. There are important implications in this for public health and education.

Background Symptomatic anterior arterial steno-occlusion is often associated with neurofunctional deficits or a high risk of recurrent stroke or both. Although both medical and endovascular treatments are useful and suitable, few studies have investigated the continued use of indirect encephaloduroarteriosynangiosis (EDAS) bypass in patients with non–moyamoya disease ischemia. We retrospectively investigated clinical features, surgical treatments, and medium-term outcomes of indirect revascularization for patients with non–moyamoya disease anterior circulation arterial steno-occlusion in China. Methods EDAS without burr holes was performed in 51 adult patients with cerebral ischemic events and diagnosed nonmoyamoya anterior circulation arterial steno-occlusion. Preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up neurologic status was evaluated using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale; changes on angiography and perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging were evaluated. Results Unilateral EDAS was performed in 48 patients, and bilateral EDAS was performed in 3 patients. Four patients experienced complications before hospital discharge; only 23 patients underwent follow-up angiograms. Of the 51 patients, 44 (86.3%) exhibited improved muscle strength; 21 of 23 patients (91.3%) with follow-up angiography data exhibited evidence of new visible branches from the superficial temporal artery or middle meningeal artery or both. Preoperative and postoperative perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging was performed for 5 patients. Despite clinical improvement in all patients, only 2 exhibited hemodynamic improvement. Conclusions Indirect revascularization may be safe and effective for improving blood flow to the ischemic region following nonmoyamoya anterior circulation arterial steno-occlusion, especially in patients with residual postinfarction neurologic deficits. Our study demonstrates that improvements in ischemic symptoms after EDAS correspond to neovascularization from the superficial temporal artery or middle meningeal artery in ischemic brain areas.

Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and lacunar infarcts are common manifestations of cerebral small vessel disease. However, the association between the location of CMBs and lacunar infarcts is unclear. Our study aimed to clarify the relationship between the location of CMBs and lacunar infarcts.This study retrospectively analyzed 166 patients with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attacks admitted in the Geriatric Neurology Department of Chinese PLA General Hospital between February 2010 and December 2012. We collected clinical characteristics and risk factors of CMBs. The location of CMBs on T2*-weighted angiography was assessed by the Microbleed Anatomical Rating Scale. The number of lacunar infarcts and the severity of white matter hyperintensities were also recorded. The association between the location of CMBs and lacunar infarcts parameters was examined.CMBs were present in 77 (46.4%) patients. The presence [odds ratios (OR), 2.14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.02-4.48], number (OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 1.02-1.36 per lesion), severity (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.07-2.42) of lacunar infarcts, and hypertension (OR, 5.76; 95% CI, 2.01-16.55) were independent risk factors for CMBs. Stratified by the location of CMBs, lobar CMBs and infratentorial CMBs did not show significant association with lacunar infarcts. Deep CMBs were significantly associated with the number (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.03-1.36) and severity (OR 1.71, 95% CI 1.11-2.63) of lacunar infarcts. Moreover, the percentage of deep CMBs increased with the increased severity of lacunar infarcts (P = .003).Deep CMBs rather than lobar and infratentorial CMBs are associated with lacunar infarcts.

Dear Editor, Occipital neuralgia is a neurological condition in which the occipital nerves are inflamed or injured. It is characterized by unilateral or bilateral paroxysmal, shooting, or stabbing pain in the posterior part of the scalp in the distribution of the greater, lesser, or third occipital nerves, sometimes accompanied by diminished sensation or dysaesthesia in the affected area and commonly associated with tenderness over the involved nerve [1]. Occipital neuralgia has been attributed to trauma, injury, inflammation, infection, or compression at a peripheral nerve or radicular level [2–4]. On rare occasions, it has been associated with cervical cord lesions, such as carvernoma [5,6] and neurosyphilis [7]. We report two unusual cases of occipital neuralgia caused by cervical myelitis; to the best of our knowledge, only four cases of occipital neuralgia caused by cervical myelitis have been reported [8–11]. A 57-year-old woman without trauma, infection, or vaccination history developed episodes of jabbing pain in the left occipital region, which was aggravated by touch and cough. Each attack lasted 3 to 4 seconds with a peak frequency of three attacks per minute, which could not be relieved by opioids. Eighteen …

We read with great interest the research by Rollins et al1 that investigated the possible associations between vertebral arterial dissection and dynamic vertebral artery (VA) compression in children. This article is meaningful because it provides important data on both pediatric vertebral arterial dissection and pediatric dynamic VA compression. We considered with interest the information in the article about stroke in dynamic VA compression. In this article, 7 boys with dynamic VA compression had cerebral infarction treated with systemic anticoagulation. We agree with the decision to administer anticoagulation therapy with heparin for these patients but think that the reasons were not clearly explained in this article. In our view, the selection of systemic anticoagulation may be associated with the possible …

Background Although medication-overuse headache (MOH) is common in China, its clinical profile is not yet fully established. Meanwhile, ICHD-3 beta has been published, but its diagnostic criteria require further validation. Methods We retrospectively classified the clinical features of 240 consecutive patients with MOH (55 males, 185 females), whose demographic data, headache features, overused medications (type, quantity, frequency and duration of use), headache-attributed burden, and outcomes were reviewed. We then applied the criteria of the several versions of ICHD (II, IIR and 3-beta) to these patients. Results Compared with those with other headaches, patients with MOH were more likely to be less well educated (64.6% vs 42.0% for secondary school or lower, p Conclusions MOH in China is associated with lower educational level and annual income. MOH has rarely been diagnosed and correctly treated in China. ICHD-3 beta appears to be more appropriate for the diagnosis of MOH than previous versions.

Headache disorders are problematic worldwide. China is no different. A population-based door-to-door survey revealed that the 1-year prevalence of primary headache disorders in China was 23.8%, constituting a major societal burden. Many headache centers and clinics have been established in China, and headache disorders (and associated stress) are receiving an increased level of expert attention. This review summarizes the outcomes of the epidemiological survey and the progress of clinical and basic research in China, describes the present situation in terms of headache diagnosis and treatment, and discusses the future of headache care in China.

Background Three editions of International Classification of Headache Disorders (ICHD) diagnostic criteria for Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS) have been published in 1998, 2004 and 2013; in ICHD-3 beta, there have been considerable changes. The validity of these new diagnostic criteria remains to be established. Methods We retrospectively identified 77 patients with non-traumatic painful ophthalmoplegia (PO) admitted between 2003 and 2013. We reviewed patients’ age at onset and gender, time courses between onset of pain and development of cranial nerve palsy, the cranial nerves involved, imaging findings, therapeutic efficacy of steroid treatment and recurrence of attacks. Results THS was the most frequent type of PO (46/77). In THS patients, the third cranial nerve was most commonly involved (76.3%). The median time interval between pain and cranial nerve palsy was two days, although in five patients (10.9%) the interval ranged from 16 to 30 days. Definitely abnormal MRI findings were found in 24 patients (52.2%). Conclusions It is essential to rule out other causes of PO in diagnosing THS, with MRI playing a crucial role in differential diagnosis. It may be helpful to understand and master the entity of THS for researchers and clinicians to adjust the gradation and ranking of the diagnostic criteria.

Background: The endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) T-786C polymorphism has been implicated in a number of studies investigating ischemic stroke (IS), yet previously published studies showed inconsistent results that recent meta-analyses have not resolved. Methods: In the comprehensive meta-analysis of 12 association studies involving 2836 IS cases and 3354 control subjects, we used a more stringent inclusion method and summarized data on the association of eNOS T-786C polymorphism and IS susceptibility. Results: We found a significantly lowered IS risk under the CC vs. TT genetic model (odds ratio, OR = 0.53, 95% confidence interval, CI = 0.29–0.98, p = 0.160, I 2 = 45.5%) by random effects model in Caucasians and under the allele model C vs. T (OR = 0.42, 95% CI = 0.21–0.87) by fixed effects model in African-Americans. In addition, a significant increased risk of IS was observed in Asians (C vs. T: OR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.02–1.28, p = 0.990, I 2 = 0.0%) by fixed effects model. Stratified analysis by mean age also showed that the allele C carriers, compared with the allele T allele carriers, had higher risk of suffering IS (OR = 1.16, 95% CI = 1.03–1.31) in the population of 60–65 years without heterogeneity. Conclusions: The combined results suggest that eNOS T-786C polymorphism may be associated with IS susceptibility among the population between 60 and 65 years in particular.

Background In order to minimize recall bias in burden estimation, questions about headache yesterday were included in a population-based survey initiated by Lifting The Burden: The Global Campaign against Headache. Methods Throughout China, nonrelated respondents aged 18–65 years were randomly sampled from the general population by a door-to-door survey. A validated structured questionnaire included inquiry into occurrence and burden of headache on the preceding day (“headache yesterday”). Results The participation rate was 94.1%. Of 5041 participants, 286 (5.7%) (male 3.6%, female 7.9%) reported headache yesterday. Age-weighted prevalence of headache yesterday was 4.8% (male 3.0%, female 6.6%). Headache yesterday lasted all day in 36.8%, Conclusions Of the adult Chinese population, 1.8% have headache at any one time that is of moderate to severe intensity in 1.4%, and 1.3% lose the equivalent of a whole day to headache-attributed disability every day. In China this means 12.3 million people.

To evaluate the feasibility, safety, clinical, and angiographic follow-up of only overlapping stents therapy for intracranial vertebral artery dissection aneurysms (VADA).Eight consecutive patients (6 men, 2 women; mean age 46.8 years ranging from 34 to 62 years) with intracranial VADA admitted to Department of Neurology, Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital from June 2008 to June 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients were diagnosed intracranial VADA by MRI or digital subtraction angiography (DSA). All patients were treated by only overlapping stents therapy under general anesthesia. In the endovascular treatment process 2 to 3 Solitaire, Neuroform or Wingspan self-expandable stents were overlapping implanted in the segment of the aneurysms. All patients received routine antiplatelet therapy before and after endovascular treatment.The operative procedures were succeeded in all patients. Eight patients were implanted 18 stents (2 patients, 3 stents; 6 patients, 2 stents). The stents were located accurately and implanted smoothly, none perioperative complications occurred. All patients lived and worked normally and had no recurrent symptoms on follow-up of 6 to 48 months. All patients performed DSA reexamination on follow-up. The aneurysm blocked in 2 patients, the size lessened in 2 patients, and the size had no change in 3 patients.Only overlapping stents therapy for treating intracranial VADA is feasible and has good operation safety. Preliminary follow-up results show that it can reduce the probability of thrombosis or hemorrhage and can improve the patients' life quality.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and migraine in general population Chinese cohort. This was a crosssectional secondary analysis from a general population Chinese cohort of men and women of reproductive and post-reproductive age ranging between 18 and 65 years. Migraine was defined utilizing ICHD criteria. Body mass indices were calculated using measured height and weight and categorized based on the World Health Organizations criteria. The 1-year period prevalence of migraine was 9.3 %. No association was identified between migraine and those with a BMI\30.0. Compared to those with normal BMI (18.5–23.0), those with BMI C 30 (morbid obesity) had a greater prevalence of migraine (8.6 vs. 13.8 %, p = 0.000). Multivariate-adjusted odds ratio demonstrated that those with morbid obesity had a greater than twofold increased odds of migraine [OR 2.10 (1.39–3.12)] as compared to those with a BMI between 18.5 and 23.0. No association was found between obesity and migraine severity, frequency, or disability. Morbid obesity was associated with twofold increased odds of migraine in this Chinese men and women cohort of predominantly reproductive age. The Author(s) 2012. This article is published with Creative Commons Attribution License

Objectives.— In the absence of reliable data on the prevalence and burden of primary headache disorders in the mainland of China, a population-based survey was initiated by Lifting The Burden: the Global Campaign against Headache. Methods.— Throughout all regions of China, 5041 non-related adult respondents aged 18-65 years were randomly sampled from the general population according to the expanded programme on immunization method established by World Health Organization. They were visited by door-to-door calling and surveyed using the structured questionnaire developed by Lifting The Burden, translated into Chinese and adapted to Chinese culture after a pilot study. Results.— The responder rate was 94.1%. The estimated 1-year prevalence of primary headache disorders was 23.8% (95% confidence interval 22.6-25.0%), of migraine 9.3% (95% confidence interval 8.5-10.1%), of tension-type headache (TTH) 10.8% (9.9-11.6%), and of chronic daily headache (CDH) 1.0% (0.7-1.2%). Of respondents with migraine, TTH, and CDH, moderate or severe impact and therefore high need for effective medical care were reported by 38.0%, 23.1%, and 47.9%, respectively. The World Health Organization quality of life-8 questionnaire showed that all 3 types of headache reduced life quality. The total estimated annual cost of primary headache disorders, including migraine, TTH, and CDH was CNY 672.7 billion, accounting for 2.24% of gross domestic product (GDP) (direct cost: CNY 108.8 billion, 0.36% of GDP; indirect cost: CNY 563.9 billion, 1.88% of GDP). Conclusion.— The prevalence of primary headaches is high in China and not dissimilar from the world average. These headaches cause disability, impair work, study and daily activities, decrease life quality, and bring about a heavy and hitherto unrecognized socioeconomic burden.

The objective of this study was to test the validity, in the Chinese population, of the Lifting The Burden diagnostic questionnaire for the purpose of a population-based survey of the burden of headache in China. From all regions of China, a population-based sample of 417 respondents had completed the structured questionnaire in a door-to-door survey conducted by neurologists from local hospitals calling unannounced. They were contacted for re-interview by telephone by headache specialists who were unaware of the questionnaire diagnoses. A screening question ascertained whether headache had occurred in the last year. If they had, the specialists applied their expertise and ICHD-II diagnostic criteria to make independent diagnoses which, as the gold standard, were later compared with the questionnaire diagnoses. There were 18 refusals; 399 interviews were conducted in 202 women and 197 men aged 18–65 years (mean age 44.4 ± 12.6 years). In comparison to the specialists’ diagnoses, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and Cohen’s kappa (95% CI) of the questionnaire for the diagnosis of migraine were 0.83, 0.99, 0.83, 0.99 and 0.82 (0.71–0.93), respectively; for the diagnosis of tension-type headache (TTH), they were 0.51, 0.99, 0.86, 0.92 and 0.59 (0.46–0.72), respectively. In conclusion, the questionnaire was accurate and reliable in diagnosing migraine (agreement level excellent), less so, but adequate, for TTH (sensitivity relatively low, false negative rate relatively high and agreement level fair to good). The non-specific features of TTH do not lend themselves well to diagnosis by questionnaire. Open Access This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 International License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Background Receptor activity modifying protein 1(RAMP1) is a key receptor subunit of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) playing a critical role in migraine. But variations in RAMP1 gene have not been found to link with migraine. Still it is elusive that DNA methylation at RAMP1 promoter is associated with migraine. Methods A total of 51 blood DNA samples from 26 patients with migraine and 25 matched healthy controls were collected, extracted and treated with bisulfate. Subsequently DNA methylation levels at RAMP1 promoter region were measured using Sequenom Mass ARRAY systems. Results Among 13 detected CpG sites or units at RAMP1 promoter region, there were no significant differences between the migraine and control groups, but indicating a low methylation trend overall in migraine group (total average methylation level: 8.41 % ±1.92 % vs. 9.90 % ± 3.88 %, p = 0.197). Stratification analysis showed that methylation level at (+25, +27, +31, related to the transcription start site) CpG unit was higher in migraineurs with migraine family history compared to those without (13.92 % ± 5.97 % vs. 8.77 % ± 6.61 %, p = 0.034), and methylation level at (+89, +94, +96) CpG unit was lower in migraine female than that in healthy female (2.18 % ± 1.91 % vs. 5.85 % ± 5.41 %, p = 0.02). For female with methylation level at (+89, +94, +96) CpG unit below 3.50 %, the probability of being a migraine patient was significantly higher than those with methylation level above the threshold (OR: 7.313; 95%CI: 1.439-37.164). Conclusions This study provides the first evidence that DNA methylation at RAMP1 promoter might play a role in migraine. A low methylation trend overall was presented in migraine subjects, and two CpG units were observed to link with positive migraine family history and female migraine, respectively. Lower methlytion level at (+89, +94, +96) CpG unit may be a risk of migraine in females.

Background:Both hypertension (HTN) and headache disorders are highly prevalent worldwide. Our purpose, in anationwide study of the Chinese general population, was to evaluate any association between primary headachedisorders and elevated blood pressure (eBP). We could not collect data on antihypertensive therapy, but took theview that, whatever such therapy might be taken, eBP was a sign that it was failing to meet treatment needs.Therefore, as a secondary purpose, important from the public-health perspective, we would present the prevalenceof eBP (treated or not) as indicative of unmet health-care need in China.Methods:This was a questionnaire-based nationwide cross-sectional door-to-door survey using clusterrandom-sampling, selecting one adult (18–65 years) per household. Headache was diagnosed by ICHD-IIcriteria and eBP as systolic blood pressure≥140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure≥90 mmHg.Chi-squared test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to assess the strength andsignificance of associations. We set significance atP≤0.05.Results:Of 5,041 survey participants (participation rate 94.1 %), 154 were excluded because of missing BPdata, leaving 4,987 for analysis [mean age: 43.6 ± 12.8 years; male 2,532 (mean age: 43.4 ± 12.9 years); female2,455 (mean age 43.9 ± 12.8 years)]. There were 466 participants with migraine, 535 with tension typeheadache (TTH) and 48 with all causes of headache on≥15 days/month. The prevalence of eBP was 22.1 %(males 22.9 %, females 21.3 %). No associations of eBP with any of the headache disorders survivedmultivariate adjusted analysis. The demographic and anthropometric variables most strongly associated witheBP were higher age (AOR 3.7) and being overweight (AOR 2.4), seen in both genders. Less strong were malegender, lower educational level and urban habitation.Conclusions:We found no clear-cut associations between eBP and any headache disorder. The associationswith demographic and anthropometric variables may have acted as confounders in past reports to the contrary. We did find an alarmingly high prevalence of eBP, recognizing that this signals substantialunder-treatment in China of a serious condition, and therefore a major public-health concern. © 2015 He et al.Open AccessThis article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 InternationalLicense (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in anymedium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commonslicense, and indicate if changes were made

Xiao-Fei Zhang, Lei Wu, Dong-Jun Wan, Ruo-Zhuo Liu, Zhao Dong, Min Chen, Sheng-Yuan Yu Department of Neurology, Chinese PLA General Hospital, Beijing, People’s Republic of China Purpose: Vilazodone is a novel serotonin (5-HT)-reuptake inhibitor and 5-HT1A partial agonist that was recently developed for the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD). We conducted a meta-analysis and systematic review to better evaluate the efficacy and safety of vilazodone. Materials and methods: We performed a thorough literature search to identify all randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trials that were designed to investigate the efficacy of vilazodone for the treatment of MDD, and that were published in electronic databases, including Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials. A manual search was also conducted to investigate the relevant references of the retrieved studies. Subsequently, we conducted a meta-analysis and systematic literature review. Results: A total of five randomized controlled trials were finally included, involving 1,200 patients with vilazodone and 1,193 patients with placebo. The primary efficacy end point of the Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (standardized mean difference -3.58, 95% confidence interval -4.59 to -2.56; P

Background and Objective Conflicting data have been reported on the association between tumor necrosis factor (TNF) –308G>A and nitric oxide synthase 3 (NOS3) +894G>T polymorphisms and migraine. We performed a meta-analysis of case-control studies to evaluate whether the TNF –308G>A and NOS3 +894G>T polymorphisms confer genetic susceptibility to migraine. Method We performed an updated meta-analysis for TNF –308G>A and a meta-analysis for NOS3 +894G>T based on studies published up to July 2014. We calculated study specific odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) assuming allele contrast, dominant model, recessive model, and co-dominant model as pooled effect estimates. Results Eleven studies in 6682 migraineurs and 22591 controls for TNF –308G>A and six studies in 1055 migraineurs and 877 controls for NOS3 +894G>T were included in the analysis. Neither indicated overall associations between gene polymorphisms and migraine risk. Subgroup analyses suggested that the “A” allele of the TNF –308G>A variant increases the risk of migraine among non-Caucasians (dominant model: pooled OR = 1.82; 95% CI 1.15 – 2.87). The risk of migraine with aura (MA) was increased among both Caucasians and non-Caucasians. Subgroup analyses suggested that the “T” allele of the NOS3 +894G>T variant increases the risk of migraine among non-Caucasians (co-dominant model: pooled OR = 2.10; 95% CI 1.14 – 3.88). Conclusions Our findings appear to support the hypothesis that the TNF –308G>A polymorphism may act as a genetic susceptibility factor for migraine among non-Caucasians and that the NOS3 +894G>T polymorphism may modulate the risk of migraine among non-Caucasians.

Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome (MRS) is a rare disorder consisting of a triad of persistent or recurrent orofacial edema, relapsing facial paralysis and fissured tongue. It is difficult to diagnose and treat. A ret- rospective review of our MRS patients was performed. The medical files, and treatment, radiologic and histopathologic records of these patients were reviewed. The study group consisted of seven male MRS patients. In four patients, the three classical manifestations were present simultaneously. Neuroimaging examinations found facial soft-tissue thickening and swelling in two patients. The indicators of the dis- ease in our patients were as follows: two had family histories, two had elevated levels of protein in the cerebrospinal fluid, one had an increased immunoglobulin G level in the blood and one had reactive arthritis. All patients responded to systemic corticosteroid treatment. We discuss the genetic, infectious and immunologic factors in the etiology of MRS. Neuroimaging examinations were useful in determining the diagnosis and in determining whether the initial treatment of MRS should be with systemic corticosteroids.