A preliminary study has found that the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, caffeic acid, has a marked protective effect on acute brain injury induced by intracerebroventricular microinjection of aluminum. In this experiment, ch...A preliminary study has found that the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, caffeic acid, has a marked protective effect on acute brain injury induced by intracerebroventricular microinjection of aluminum. In this experiment, chronic brain injury and neuronal degeneration model was established in rats by chronic oral administration of aluminum, and then intervened using caffeic acid. Results showed that caffeic acid can downregulate chronic aluminum overload-induced 5-1ipoxygenase mRNA and protein expression, and repair the aluminum overload-induced hippocampal neuronal damage and spatial orientation impairment. It is suggested that direct intervention of 5-lipoxygenase expression has a neuroprotective role in the degeneration induced by chronic aluminum overload brain injury model.展开更多
BACKGROUND: Visceral hypersensitivity is the main cause of irritable bowel syndrome, c-Fos is a marker of visceral hypersensitivity in the central nervous system. Electroacupuncture can relieve chronic visceral hyper...BACKGROUND: Visceral hypersensitivity is the main cause of irritable bowel syndrome, c-Fos is a marker of visceral hypersensitivity in the central nervous system. Electroacupuncture can relieve chronic visceral hypersensitivity in rats, but the mechanism is still unknown. OBJECTIVE: To identify c-Fos expression in the spinal cord and cerebral cortex of rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity, and to test the effects of electroacupuncture on pain sensitivity in rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized controlled animal experiment was performed at the Animal E:~perimental Center, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from January to April, 2007. MATERIALS: A total of 24 neonatal, male, Sprague Dawley rats, aged five days old, were equally and randomly assigned into a normal group, a model group, and an electroacupuncture group. Rabbit anti-rat c-Fos antibody and Evision secondary antibody kits (Sigma, USA), diaminobenzidine kit (Dako, Denmark), and an LD202H electroacupuncture apparatus (Huawei, Beijing, China) were used in this study. METHODS: Neonatal rats from the model and electroacupuncture groups were used to establish rat models of chronic visceral hypersensitivity by the saccule stimulation method. After model establishment, 0.25 mm diameter electric needles were inserted into Tianshu (ST 25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) at a depth of approximately 0.5 cm, with an square wave (alternating current frequency at 100/20 Hz, amplitude ranged 0.2-0.6 ms, intensity at 1 mA) once for 20 minutes, once a day, for seven days. Rats in the normal and model groups were not treated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Following 7 days of treatment, c-Fos expression in the spinal cord and cerebral cortex was detected by immunohistochemistry. After the first electroacupuncture treatment, abdominal withdrawal reflex scores were investigated to evaluate the pain threshold for chronic visceral hypersensitivity in rats. RESULTS: Visceral hypersensitivity increased c-Fos staining (P 〈 0.05), and electroacupuncture significantly decreased the number of these cells to near normal levels (P 〉 0.05). Abdominal withdrawal reflex scores were significantly lower in the electroacupuncture and normal groups than in the model group (P 〈 0.05) and were similar between the electroacupuncture and normal groups (P 〉 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture decreases c-Fos expression in the spinal cord and cerebral cortex and increases pain threshold in a chronic visceral hypersensitivity model in rats.展开更多
We intraperitoneally injected 10 and 50 mg/kg of propofol for 7 consecutive days to treat a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia. A low-dose of propofol promoted the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, ...We intraperitoneally injected 10 and 50 mg/kg of propofol for 7 consecutive days to treat a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia. A low-dose of propofol promoted the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, tyrosine kinase receptor B, phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein, and cAMP in the hippocampus of aged rats with chronic cerebral ischemia, but a high-dose of propofol inhibited their expression. Results indicated that the protective effect of propofol against cerebral ischemia in aged rats is related to changes in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tyrosine kinase receptor B in the hippocampus, and that the cAMP-cAMP responsive element binding protein pathway is involved in the regulatory effect of propofol on brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression.展开更多
A reduction in gray matter volume is common in patients with chronic back pain, and different types of pain are associated with gray matter abnormalities in distinct brain regions. To examine differ- ences in brain mo...A reduction in gray matter volume is common in patients with chronic back pain, and different types of pain are associated with gray matter abnormalities in distinct brain regions. To examine differ- ences in brain morphology in patients with low back pain or neck and upper back pain, we investi- gated changes in gray matter volume in chronic back pain patients having different sites of pain using voxel-based morphometry. A reduction in cortical gray matter volume was found primarily in the left postcentral gyrus and in the left precuneus and bilateral cuneal cortex of patients with low back pain. In these patients, there was an increase in subcortical gray matter volume in the bilateral putamen and accumbens, right pallidum, right caudate nucleus, and left amygdala. In upper back pain patients, reduced cortical gray matter volume was found in the left precentral and left postcen- tral cortices. Our findings suggest that regional gray matter volume abnormalities in low back pain patients are more extensive than in upper back pain patients. Subcortical gray matter volume in- creases are found only in patients with low back pain.展开更多
Ohjectire To examine the hypothesis of normal perjusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB). Methods A modified Spetzler carotid -jugular (CJ) fistula model was created to imitate NPPB. In 9 male adult Sprague- Dawley rats, ...Ohjectire To examine the hypothesis of normal perjusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB). Methods A modified Spetzler carotid -jugular (CJ) fistula model was created to imitate NPPB. In 9 male adult Sprague- Dawley rats, the ipsilateral vertebral artery and bilateral external carotid arteries were occluded. The period of hypoperfusion CJ fistula was extended to 14 weeks, as a modofcation of Spetzler model. The histological change were examtned under transmission electron microscope 14 weeks after creation of the listula. Results Ischemic histological changes such as increased pinocytosis, increased lucency of the basal lamina, and frank necrosis of the cerebral capillary were found in rats of CJ fistula group. Conclusion The findings in this study suggest that blood - braln barrier (BBB) was impaired by chronic hypoperfusion. The impaired BBB mny be one of the important causes of the NPPB phenomenon.展开更多
The present study established a mouse model of depression induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress. The model mice were treated with Yulangsan polysaccharide (YLSPS; 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) for 21 days, and comp...The present study established a mouse model of depression induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress. The model mice were treated with Yulangsan polysaccharide (YLSPS; 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) for 21 days, and compared with fluoxetine-treated and normal control groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, radioimmunity and immunohistochemical staining showed that following treatment with YLSPS (300 and 600 mg/kg), monoamine neurotransmitter levels, prefrontal cortex adenylate cyclase activity and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression were significantly elevated, and depression-like behaviors were improved. Open-field and novelty-suppressed feeding tests showed that mouse activity levels were increased and feeding latency was shortened following treatment. Our results indicate that YLSPS inhibits depression by upregulating monoamine neurotransmitters, prefrontal cortex adenylate cyclase activity and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression.展开更多
Background: Chronic headache following traumatic brain injury(TBI) sustained in military service, while common, is highly challenging to treat with existing pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, and it ma...Background: Chronic headache following traumatic brain injury(TBI) sustained in military service, while common, is highly challenging to treat with existing pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, and it may be complicated by co-morbid posttraumatic stress. Recently, a novel form of brainwave-based intervention known as the Flexyx Neurotherapy System(FNS), which involves minute pulses of electromagnetic energy stimulation of brainwave activity, has been suggested as a means to address symptoms of TBI. This study reports on a clinical series of patients with chronic headache following service-connected TBI treated with FNS.Methods: Nine veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq with moderate to severe chronic headaches following service-connected TBI complicated by posttraumatic stress symptoms were treated in 20 individual FNS sessions at the Brain Wellness and Biofeedback Center of Washington(in Bethesda, Maryland, USA). They periodically completed measures including the Brief Pain Inventory-Headache(BPI-HA), previous week worst and average pain ratings, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Military version(PCL-M), and an individual treatment session numerical rating scale(NRS) for the degree of cognitive dysfunction. Data analyses included beginning-to-end of treatment t-test comparisons for the BPI-HA, PCL-M, and cognitive dysfunction NRS. Results: All beginning-to-end of treatment t-test comparisons for the BPI-HA, PCL-M, and cognitive dysfunction NRS indicated statistically significant decreases. All but one participant experienced a reduction in headaches along with reductions in posttraumatic stress and perceived cognitive dysfunction, with a subset experiencing the virtual elimination of headaches. One participant obtained modest headache relief but no improvements in posttraumatic stress or cognitive dysfunction. Conclusions: FNS may be a potentially efficacious treatment for chronic posttraumatic headache sustained in military service. Further research is needed to investigate the efficacy of FNS within a randomized, controlled clinical trial to identify the characteristics of those most likely to respond and to explore underlying mechanisms that may contribute to improvements.展开更多
Chronic traumatic encephalopathy(CTE)is a chronic neurodegenerative disease featured with tauopathy.CTE is tightly related with repetitive mild traumatic brain injury(m TBI),which is interchangeably known as concu...Chronic traumatic encephalopathy(CTE)is a chronic neurodegenerative disease featured with tauopathy.CTE is tightly related with repetitive mild traumatic brain injury(m TBI),which is interchangeably known as concussion(Mc Kee et al.,2009,2013).This disease is differentiated by neuropathological features from other neurological diseases that involve tau protein aggregation and tangle formation abnormalities like Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia, and Parkinson- ism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17).展开更多
Introduction: The use of repeated thermal therapy for improving the symptoms of chronic heart failure (CHF) has been recently demonstrated. Usually, thermal therapy requires an infrared dry sauna. However, it is diffi...Introduction: The use of repeated thermal therapy for improving the symptoms of chronic heart failure (CHF) has been recently demonstrated. Usually, thermal therapy requires an infrared dry sauna. However, it is difficult for small clinics to acquire such an expensive and extensive system. The author assessed the efficacy of its substitution with hot water bottles. Moreover, there are no prior studies demonstrating the efficacy of thermal therapy in hemodialysis patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: The author evaluated plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in 98 hemodialysis patients in a clinic. A total of nine patients whose BNP levels were more than 500 pg/mL agreed to be enrolled in this study and received thermal therapy using hot water bottles. Results: Plasma BNP levels, a potential marker for CHF, tended to decrease (891 ± 448 pg/mL to 680 ± 339 pg/mL), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.0845). The oral temperature changed from 36.44℃± 0.45℃ to 37.04℃ ± 0.48℃ (+0.597℃, P < 0.0001). No side effects were experienced during the therapy. Moreover, most patients had an improvement in their symptoms and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Conclusion: Thermal therapy using hot water bottles is very safe and tends to reduce plasma BNP levels in hemodialysis patients with CHF.展开更多
Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compressive neuropathy,presenting with sensorimotor dysfunction.In carpal tunnel syndrome patients,irregular afferent signals on functional magnetic resonance imaging are asso...Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compressive neuropathy,presenting with sensorimotor dysfunction.In carpal tunnel syndrome patients,irregular afferent signals on functional magnetic resonance imaging are associated with changes in neural plasticity during peripheral nerve injury.However,it is difficult to obtain multi-point neuroimaging data of the brain in the clinic.In the present study,a rat model of median nerve compression was established by median nerve ligation,i.e.,carpal tunnel syndrome model.Sensory cortex remodeling was determined by functional magnetic resonance imaging between normal rats and carpal tunnel syndrome models at 2 weeks and 2 months after operation.Stimulation of bilateral paws by electricity for 30 seconds,alternating with 30 seconds of rest period(repeatedly 3 times),resulted in activation of the contralateral sensorimotor cortex in normal rats.When carpal tunnel syndrome rats received this stimulation,the contralateral cerebral hemisphere was markedly activated at 2 weeks after operation,including the primary motor cortex,cerebellum,and thalamus.Moreover,this activation was not visible at 2 months after operation.These findings suggest that significant remodeling of the cerebral cortex appears at 2 weeks and 2 months after median nerve compression.展开更多
This study aimed to explore the pathological change to hippocampal neurons and the expression of growth associated protein 43 in 21-day-old young rats following chronic intermittent hypoxia. Hematoxylin-eosin staining...This study aimed to explore the pathological change to hippocampal neurons and the expression of growth associated protein 43 in 21-day-old young rats following chronic intermittent hypoxia. Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis in hippocampal neurons depending on the modeling time. Immunohistochemistry revealed that growth associated protein 43 expression in young rats following chronic intermittent hypoxia decreased, but that levels were still higher than those of normal rats at each time point, especially 4 weeks after modeling. During 1 5 weeks after modeling, a slow growth in rat weight was observed. Experimental findings indicate that chronic intermittent hypoxia may induce growth dysfunction and necrosis of hippocampal neurons, as well as increase the expression of growth associated protein 43 in young rats.展开更多
The pathophysiology of migraine is complex.Neuroimaging studies reveal functional and structural changes in the brains of migraine patients.We sought to explore regional volume differences in intracranial structures i...The pathophysiology of migraine is complex.Neuroimaging studies reveal functional and structural changes in the brains of migraine patients.We sought to explore regional volume differences in intracranial structures in patients with episodic and chronic migraine.Sixteen episodic migraine patients,16 chronic migraine patients,and 24 normal controls were recruited and underwent 3.0 T MRI scanning.The volumes of 142 brain regions were calculated by an automatic volumetric algorithm and compared with clinical variables.Results demonstrated that the volumes of specific regions in the frontal and occipital lobes,and the right putamen,were increased and the volume of the fourth ventricle was decreased in the episodic migraine patients compared with controls.The volumes of the left basal forebrain,optic chiasm,and,the fourth ventricle were decreased in the chronic migraine patients,while the occipital cortex and the right putamen were larger.Compared to episodic migraine patiants,chronic migraine patients displayed larger left thalamus and smaller frontal regions.Correlation analysis showed that headache frequency was negatively correlated with the volume of the right frontal pole,right lateral orbital gyrus,and medial frontal lobes and positively correlated with the volume of the left thalamus.The sleep disturbance score was negatively correlated with the volume of the left basal forebrain.This suggests that migraine patients have structural changes in regions associated with pain processing and modulation,affective and cognitive processing,and visual perception.The remodeling of selective intracranial structures may be involved in migraine attacks.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Chinese PLA General Hospital(approval No.S2018-027-02)on May 31,2018.展开更多
BACKGROUND: The inflammatory reaction already becomes an important risk factor of causing acute cerebral infarction; however, the correlation between chronic bronchitis and senile cerebral infarction is still unclear...BACKGROUND: The inflammatory reaction already becomes an important risk factor of causing acute cerebral infarction; however, the correlation between chronic bronchitis and senile cerebral infarction is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To study whether the chronic bronchitis is the risk factor for senile cerebral infarction. DESIGN: 1 : 1 pair, case contrast, and risk factor study. SETTINGS: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Third Hospital of Tangshan; Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of North China Coal Medical College. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 147 patients with acute cerebral infarction who were regarded as case group were selected from Department of Neurology, the Third Hospital of Tangshan from January 2004 to December 2006. All patients met the diagnostic criteria of the Fourth National Cerebrovascular Diseases Meeting. There were 87 males and 60 females, and their ages ranged from 65 to 83 years. Based on 1 : 1 pair study, another 147 subjects without cerebrovascular disease were regarded as control group. Except the diseases about infection, there were 73 males and 74 females, and their ages ranged from 62 to 81 years. All subjects provided the confirm consent and agreed with the coordinate experiment. METHODS: ①Questionnaire of risk factor of cerebral infarction was designed to measure the following items: chronic bronchitis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia, coronary heart disease, primary cerebral infarction/transient ischemic attack and history of smoking. ②Cerebral infarction was regarded as the dependent variance, while chronic bronchitis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypedipemia, primary cerebral infarction/transient ischemic attack, coronary heart disease and smoking were regarded as the independent variance for multiple regression analysis, MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk factors of senile cerebral infarction. RESULTS: All 147 patients with acute cerebral infarction and 147 subjects without cerebrovascular diseases were involved in the final analysis. ①Risk factor analysis of senile cerebral infarction: There were no significant differences in age, hyperlipemia and history of smoking between the two groups (P 〉 0.05). But, chronic bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cerebral infarction/transient ischemic attack and history of coronary heart disease were higher in the case group than those in the control group (33.6% vs. 19.0%, 38.8% vs. 23.3%, 54.3% vs. 36.2%, 29.3% vs. 17.2%, 44.0% vs. 29.3%, P 〈 0.05- 0.01). ②Multiple Logistic regression analysis of risk factor of senile cerebral infarction Hyperlipemia, smoking and coronary heart disease were not correlated with cerebral infarction (P 〉0.05), but chronic bronchitis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cerebral infarction/transient ischemic attack were risk factors for senile cerebral infarction (OR =2.47, 2.28, 2.18, 2.01, P 〈 0.05 - 0.01). CONCLUSION: The chronic bronchitis mac become an independent risk factor senile cerebral infarction.展开更多
Brain damage sustained from repeated blows in boxing, wrestling, and other combat sports has serious physical and mental health consequences. The degenerative brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), pre...Brain damage sustained from repeated blows in boxing, wrestling, and other combat sports has serious physical and mental health consequences. The degenerative brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), presents clinically with memory loss, aggression, difficulty in rational thinking and other cognitive problems. This spectrum, which mimics Alzheimer’s disease, is diagnosed post-mortem through a brain biopsy in many professional athletes. However, little is known about the process of development and how to identify vulnerable individuals who may be on course for developing CTE. Boxing is a sport that has a severe toll on athletes’ health, primarily on their brain health and function. This review addresses the concerns of brain injury, describes the pathologies that manifest in multiple scales, e.g., molecular and cognitive, and also proposes possible diagnostic and prognostic markers to characterize the early onset of CTE along with the aim to identify a starting point for future precautions and interventions.展开更多
Electroacupuncture improves depressive behavior faster and with fewer adverse effects than antidepressant medication. However, the antidepressant mechanism of electroacupuncture remains poorly understood. Here, we est...Electroacupuncture improves depressive behavior faster and with fewer adverse effects than antidepressant medication. However, the antidepressant mechanism of electroacupuncture remains poorly understood. Here, we established a rat model of chronic unpredicted mild stress, and then treated these rats with electroacupuncture at Yintang (EX-HN3) and Baihui (DU20) with sparse waves at 2 Hz and 0.6 mA for 30 minutes, once a day. We found increased horizontal and vertical activity, and decreased immobility time, at 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. Moreover, levels of neurotransmitters (5-hydroxytryptamine, glutamate, and y-aminobutyric acid) and protein levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor-related proteins (TrkB, protein kinase A, and phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein) were increased in the hippocampus. Similarly, protein kinase A and TrkB mRNA levels were increased, and calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase lI levels decreased. These findings suggest that electroacupuncture increases phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels by regulating multiple targets in the cyclic adenosine rnonophosphate response element binding protein signal- ing pathway, thereby promoting nerve regeneration, and exerting an antidepressive effect.展开更多
Traumatic brain injury is a major health concern worldwide with massive financial and social impact. Conventional treatments primarily focus on the prevention of further damage to the brain parenchyma, while failing t...Traumatic brain injury is a major health concern worldwide with massive financial and social impact. Conventional treatments primarily focus on the prevention of further damage to the brain parenchyma, while failing to address the already existent symptoms. Previous clinical studies have shown that Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) can significantly reduce pain and induce temporary vasodilation in capillaries, which the authors hypothesize can be used to improve the quality of life in TBI patients by treating their current symptoms, which are predominately migraine-like headaches. This case report illustrates the use of LLLT in the treatment of a patient with a TBI and the great clinical success achieved in the reduction of pain, as measured by VAS—achievable within five treatments of 10 minutes in duration.展开更多
In this clinical practice review, the controversies and difficulties managing post concussion symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury are discussed. Based on considerable clinical experience in a designated Con...In this clinical practice review, the controversies and difficulties managing post concussion symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury are discussed. Based on considerable clinical experience in a designated Concussion Clinic, the authors (a neuropsychologist, a psychiatrist, and a neurologist) review relevant literature and issues for clinical practice, particularly with respect to understanding risk factors for and vulnerability to, development of chronic post-concussion symptoms. We contend it is not just the kind of head that matters but also the kind of complications, the kind of outcomes and the kind of management that can influence injury recovery. Given these complexities, a bio-psychosocial conceptualization of chronic post-concussion syndrome is appropriate. Though understanding is still elusive, management should not be biased by physiogenic or psychogenic aetiological theories for management needs to address patient reported outcomes regardless of underpinning aetiology.展开更多
The “menopause” (not menopause, the cessation of menses) mechanism responsible for its symptom complex (Menopausal Symptom Complex) (or, Climacteric Syndrome) including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, ten...The “menopause” (not menopause, the cessation of menses) mechanism responsible for its symptom complex (Menopausal Symptom Complex) (or, Climacteric Syndrome) including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, tension headache, cervical vertigo, sleep disturbances, irritability, anxiety/panic attacks, cognitive changes (decreased concentration to obsessional/delusional thought), decreased libido, and vasomotor dysfunction remains elusive. And MSC, other than vasomotor dysfunction, is not significantly altered by treatment with sex hormones (estrogen/progesterone), which have major neoplastic and vascular side effects. Thus at present, there are minimal indications for treatment with these compounds. Confusion between menopause and “menopause” (MSC) as well as research money made available by pharma advocating ERT/HRT (estrogen replacement therapy/hormone replacement therapy) has produced both therapeutic and research inertia. Presently, there would appear to be mismanagement of a symptom complex which infers primary brainlimbic system dysfunction and for which there is no correlation with falling sex hormone levels. Pharmacological modification of the proposed aberrant limbic circuitry responsible for the MSC has been successfully accomplished using specific NT/MMs (neurotransmission/modulation modifiers) i.e. a combination of alpha-1 and norepinephrine reuptake blockers, and thus providing initial elucidation of this particular brain pathophysiology as well as an efficient treatment of a problem affecting up to 60% of women ages 35 to 55. Specific NT/MMs capable of affecting a number of neurotransmitter/receptor types within limbic circuitry appear to reverse the MSC which includes chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, pointing to aberrant limbic circuitry as their etiology as well.展开更多
The present study established a rat model of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) to simulate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. CIH rats were evaluated for cognitive function using the Morris water maze, and neuronal ...The present study established a rat model of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) to simulate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. CIH rats were evaluated for cognitive function using the Morris water maze, and neuronal pathology in the hippocampus was observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. In addition, hippocampal choline acetyl transferase (CHAT) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Our results revealed necrotic hippocampal neurons, decreased ChAT and nAChR expression, as well as cognitive impairment in CIH rats. These results suggest that hippocampal neuronal necrosis and decreased cholinerqic activity may be involved in CIH-induced cognitive impairment in rats.展开更多
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30672211
文摘A preliminary study has found that the 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor, caffeic acid, has a marked protective effect on acute brain injury induced by intracerebroventricular microinjection of aluminum. In this experiment, chronic brain injury and neuronal degeneration model was established in rats by chronic oral administration of aluminum, and then intervened using caffeic acid. Results showed that caffeic acid can downregulate chronic aluminum overload-induced 5-1ipoxygenase mRNA and protein expression, and repair the aluminum overload-induced hippocampal neuronal damage and spatial orientation impairment. It is suggested that direct intervention of 5-lipoxygenase expression has a neuroprotective role in the degeneration induced by chronic aluminum overload brain injury model.
基金the National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program),No. 2009CB522900the Shanghai Leading Academic Discipline Project,No. S30304+1 种基金B112a grant of the Key Laboratory of Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Immunological Effects, the State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of the People's Republic of China
文摘BACKGROUND: Visceral hypersensitivity is the main cause of irritable bowel syndrome, c-Fos is a marker of visceral hypersensitivity in the central nervous system. Electroacupuncture can relieve chronic visceral hypersensitivity in rats, but the mechanism is still unknown. OBJECTIVE: To identify c-Fos expression in the spinal cord and cerebral cortex of rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity, and to test the effects of electroacupuncture on pain sensitivity in rats with chronic visceral hypersensitivity. DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: A randomized controlled animal experiment was performed at the Animal E:~perimental Center, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, from January to April, 2007. MATERIALS: A total of 24 neonatal, male, Sprague Dawley rats, aged five days old, were equally and randomly assigned into a normal group, a model group, and an electroacupuncture group. Rabbit anti-rat c-Fos antibody and Evision secondary antibody kits (Sigma, USA), diaminobenzidine kit (Dako, Denmark), and an LD202H electroacupuncture apparatus (Huawei, Beijing, China) were used in this study. METHODS: Neonatal rats from the model and electroacupuncture groups were used to establish rat models of chronic visceral hypersensitivity by the saccule stimulation method. After model establishment, 0.25 mm diameter electric needles were inserted into Tianshu (ST 25) and Shangjuxu (ST37) at a depth of approximately 0.5 cm, with an square wave (alternating current frequency at 100/20 Hz, amplitude ranged 0.2-0.6 ms, intensity at 1 mA) once for 20 minutes, once a day, for seven days. Rats in the normal and model groups were not treated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Following 7 days of treatment, c-Fos expression in the spinal cord and cerebral cortex was detected by immunohistochemistry. After the first electroacupuncture treatment, abdominal withdrawal reflex scores were investigated to evaluate the pain threshold for chronic visceral hypersensitivity in rats. RESULTS: Visceral hypersensitivity increased c-Fos staining (P 〈 0.05), and electroacupuncture significantly decreased the number of these cells to near normal levels (P 〉 0.05). Abdominal withdrawal reflex scores were significantly lower in the electroacupuncture and normal groups than in the model group (P 〈 0.05) and were similar between the electroacupuncture and normal groups (P 〉 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture decreases c-Fos expression in the spinal cord and cerebral cortex and increases pain threshold in a chronic visceral hypersensitivity model in rats.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (GABA receptor mechanism ofpropofol to promote neural regeneration), No. 30571791
文摘We intraperitoneally injected 10 and 50 mg/kg of propofol for 7 consecutive days to treat a rat model of chronic cerebral ischemia. A low-dose of propofol promoted the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, tyrosine kinase receptor B, phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein, and cAMP in the hippocampus of aged rats with chronic cerebral ischemia, but a high-dose of propofol inhibited their expression. Results indicated that the protective effect of propofol against cerebral ischemia in aged rats is related to changes in the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and tyrosine kinase receptor B in the hippocampus, and that the cAMP-cAMP responsive element binding protein pathway is involved in the regulatory effect of propofol on brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression.
基金supported partially by two grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.30870686 and 81371530
文摘A reduction in gray matter volume is common in patients with chronic back pain, and different types of pain are associated with gray matter abnormalities in distinct brain regions. To examine differ- ences in brain morphology in patients with low back pain or neck and upper back pain, we investi- gated changes in gray matter volume in chronic back pain patients having different sites of pain using voxel-based morphometry. A reduction in cortical gray matter volume was found primarily in the left postcentral gyrus and in the left precuneus and bilateral cuneal cortex of patients with low back pain. In these patients, there was an increase in subcortical gray matter volume in the bilateral putamen and accumbens, right pallidum, right caudate nucleus, and left amygdala. In upper back pain patients, reduced cortical gray matter volume was found in the left precentral and left postcen- tral cortices. Our findings suggest that regional gray matter volume abnormalities in low back pain patients are more extensive than in upper back pain patients. Subcortical gray matter volume in- creases are found only in patients with low back pain.
文摘Ohjectire To examine the hypothesis of normal perjusion pressure breakthrough (NPPB). Methods A modified Spetzler carotid -jugular (CJ) fistula model was created to imitate NPPB. In 9 male adult Sprague- Dawley rats, the ipsilateral vertebral artery and bilateral external carotid arteries were occluded. The period of hypoperfusion CJ fistula was extended to 14 weeks, as a modofcation of Spetzler model. The histological change were examtned under transmission electron microscope 14 weeks after creation of the listula. Results Ischemic histological changes such as increased pinocytosis, increased lucency of the basal lamina, and frank necrosis of the cerebral capillary were found in rats of CJ fistula group. Conclusion The findings in this study suggest that blood - braln barrier (BBB) was impaired by chronic hypoperfusion. The impaired BBB mny be one of the important causes of the NPPB phenomenon.
基金supported by the Scientific Research and Technology Development Program of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, No. 0630002-2Athe National Natural Science Foundation of China, No. 30960504
文摘The present study established a mouse model of depression induced by unpredictable chronic mild stress. The model mice were treated with Yulangsan polysaccharide (YLSPS; 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg) for 21 days, and compared with fluoxetine-treated and normal control groups. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, radioimmunity and immunohistochemical staining showed that following treatment with YLSPS (300 and 600 mg/kg), monoamine neurotransmitter levels, prefrontal cortex adenylate cyclase activity and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression were significantly elevated, and depression-like behaviors were improved. Open-field and novelty-suppressed feeding tests showed that mouse activity levels were increased and feeding latency was shortened following treatment. Our results indicate that YLSPS inhibits depression by upregulating monoamine neurotransmitters, prefrontal cortex adenylate cyclase activity and hippocampal brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression.
文摘Background: Chronic headache following traumatic brain injury(TBI) sustained in military service, while common, is highly challenging to treat with existing pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions, and it may be complicated by co-morbid posttraumatic stress. Recently, a novel form of brainwave-based intervention known as the Flexyx Neurotherapy System(FNS), which involves minute pulses of electromagnetic energy stimulation of brainwave activity, has been suggested as a means to address symptoms of TBI. This study reports on a clinical series of patients with chronic headache following service-connected TBI treated with FNS.Methods: Nine veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq with moderate to severe chronic headaches following service-connected TBI complicated by posttraumatic stress symptoms were treated in 20 individual FNS sessions at the Brain Wellness and Biofeedback Center of Washington(in Bethesda, Maryland, USA). They periodically completed measures including the Brief Pain Inventory-Headache(BPI-HA), previous week worst and average pain ratings, the Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Military version(PCL-M), and an individual treatment session numerical rating scale(NRS) for the degree of cognitive dysfunction. Data analyses included beginning-to-end of treatment t-test comparisons for the BPI-HA, PCL-M, and cognitive dysfunction NRS. Results: All beginning-to-end of treatment t-test comparisons for the BPI-HA, PCL-M, and cognitive dysfunction NRS indicated statistically significant decreases. All but one participant experienced a reduction in headaches along with reductions in posttraumatic stress and perceived cognitive dysfunction, with a subset experiencing the virtual elimination of headaches. One participant obtained modest headache relief but no improvements in posttraumatic stress or cognitive dysfunction. Conclusions: FNS may be a potentially efficacious treatment for chronic posttraumatic headache sustained in military service. Further research is needed to investigate the efficacy of FNS within a randomized, controlled clinical trial to identify the characteristics of those most likely to respond and to explore underlying mechanisms that may contribute to improvements.
文摘Chronic traumatic encephalopathy(CTE)is a chronic neurodegenerative disease featured with tauopathy.CTE is tightly related with repetitive mild traumatic brain injury(m TBI),which is interchangeably known as concussion(Mc Kee et al.,2009,2013).This disease is differentiated by neuropathological features from other neurological diseases that involve tau protein aggregation and tangle formation abnormalities like Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia, and Parkinson- ism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17).
文摘Introduction: The use of repeated thermal therapy for improving the symptoms of chronic heart failure (CHF) has been recently demonstrated. Usually, thermal therapy requires an infrared dry sauna. However, it is difficult for small clinics to acquire such an expensive and extensive system. The author assessed the efficacy of its substitution with hot water bottles. Moreover, there are no prior studies demonstrating the efficacy of thermal therapy in hemodialysis patients with chronic heart failure. Methods: The author evaluated plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels in 98 hemodialysis patients in a clinic. A total of nine patients whose BNP levels were more than 500 pg/mL agreed to be enrolled in this study and received thermal therapy using hot water bottles. Results: Plasma BNP levels, a potential marker for CHF, tended to decrease (891 ± 448 pg/mL to 680 ± 339 pg/mL), but the difference was not significant (P = 0.0845). The oral temperature changed from 36.44℃± 0.45℃ to 37.04℃ ± 0.48℃ (+0.597℃, P < 0.0001). No side effects were experienced during the therapy. Moreover, most patients had an improvement in their symptoms and the ability to perform activities of daily living. Conclusion: Thermal therapy using hot water bottles is very safe and tends to reduce plasma BNP levels in hemodialysis patients with CHF.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81371965,81672144a grant from the Shanghai Pujiang Program of China,No.16PJD035
文摘Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common compressive neuropathy,presenting with sensorimotor dysfunction.In carpal tunnel syndrome patients,irregular afferent signals on functional magnetic resonance imaging are associated with changes in neural plasticity during peripheral nerve injury.However,it is difficult to obtain multi-point neuroimaging data of the brain in the clinic.In the present study,a rat model of median nerve compression was established by median nerve ligation,i.e.,carpal tunnel syndrome model.Sensory cortex remodeling was determined by functional magnetic resonance imaging between normal rats and carpal tunnel syndrome models at 2 weeks and 2 months after operation.Stimulation of bilateral paws by electricity for 30 seconds,alternating with 30 seconds of rest period(repeatedly 3 times),resulted in activation of the contralateral sensorimotor cortex in normal rats.When carpal tunnel syndrome rats received this stimulation,the contralateral cerebral hemisphere was markedly activated at 2 weeks after operation,including the primary motor cortex,cerebellum,and thalamus.Moreover,this activation was not visible at 2 months after operation.These findings suggest that significant remodeling of the cerebral cortex appears at 2 weeks and 2 months after median nerve compression.
基金supported by a grant from Luzhou Medical College,China
文摘This study aimed to explore the pathological change to hippocampal neurons and the expression of growth associated protein 43 in 21-day-old young rats following chronic intermittent hypoxia. Hematoxylin-eosin staining results showed varying degrees of degeneration and necrosis in hippocampal neurons depending on the modeling time. Immunohistochemistry revealed that growth associated protein 43 expression in young rats following chronic intermittent hypoxia decreased, but that levels were still higher than those of normal rats at each time point, especially 4 weeks after modeling. During 1 5 weeks after modeling, a slow growth in rat weight was observed. Experimental findings indicate that chronic intermittent hypoxia may induce growth dysfunction and necrosis of hippocampal neurons, as well as increase the expression of growth associated protein 43 in young rats.
基金supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Hainan Province of China,No.818MS153(to ZYC)the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81771200(to ZD)+2 种基金the National Key Research and Development Projects of Beijing Science and Technology Plan of China,No.Z161100002616013(to SYY)the Special Financial Grant from the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation,No.2014T70960(to ZYC)the Nursery Technology Innovation Fund of Chinese PLA General Hospital,No.12KMM39(to XYC)
文摘The pathophysiology of migraine is complex.Neuroimaging studies reveal functional and structural changes in the brains of migraine patients.We sought to explore regional volume differences in intracranial structures in patients with episodic and chronic migraine.Sixteen episodic migraine patients,16 chronic migraine patients,and 24 normal controls were recruited and underwent 3.0 T MRI scanning.The volumes of 142 brain regions were calculated by an automatic volumetric algorithm and compared with clinical variables.Results demonstrated that the volumes of specific regions in the frontal and occipital lobes,and the right putamen,were increased and the volume of the fourth ventricle was decreased in the episodic migraine patients compared with controls.The volumes of the left basal forebrain,optic chiasm,and,the fourth ventricle were decreased in the chronic migraine patients,while the occipital cortex and the right putamen were larger.Compared to episodic migraine patiants,chronic migraine patients displayed larger left thalamus and smaller frontal regions.Correlation analysis showed that headache frequency was negatively correlated with the volume of the right frontal pole,right lateral orbital gyrus,and medial frontal lobes and positively correlated with the volume of the left thalamus.The sleep disturbance score was negatively correlated with the volume of the left basal forebrain.This suggests that migraine patients have structural changes in regions associated with pain processing and modulation,affective and cognitive processing,and visual perception.The remodeling of selective intracranial structures may be involved in migraine attacks.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Chinese PLA General Hospital(approval No.S2018-027-02)on May 31,2018.
文摘BACKGROUND: The inflammatory reaction already becomes an important risk factor of causing acute cerebral infarction; however, the correlation between chronic bronchitis and senile cerebral infarction is still unclear. OBJECTIVE: To study whether the chronic bronchitis is the risk factor for senile cerebral infarction. DESIGN: 1 : 1 pair, case contrast, and risk factor study. SETTINGS: Department of Respiratory Medicine, Third Hospital of Tangshan; Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of North China Coal Medical College. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 147 patients with acute cerebral infarction who were regarded as case group were selected from Department of Neurology, the Third Hospital of Tangshan from January 2004 to December 2006. All patients met the diagnostic criteria of the Fourth National Cerebrovascular Diseases Meeting. There were 87 males and 60 females, and their ages ranged from 65 to 83 years. Based on 1 : 1 pair study, another 147 subjects without cerebrovascular disease were regarded as control group. Except the diseases about infection, there were 73 males and 74 females, and their ages ranged from 62 to 81 years. All subjects provided the confirm consent and agreed with the coordinate experiment. METHODS: ①Questionnaire of risk factor of cerebral infarction was designed to measure the following items: chronic bronchitis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipemia, coronary heart disease, primary cerebral infarction/transient ischemic attack and history of smoking. ②Cerebral infarction was regarded as the dependent variance, while chronic bronchitis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypedipemia, primary cerebral infarction/transient ischemic attack, coronary heart disease and smoking were regarded as the independent variance for multiple regression analysis, MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Risk factors of senile cerebral infarction. RESULTS: All 147 patients with acute cerebral infarction and 147 subjects without cerebrovascular diseases were involved in the final analysis. ①Risk factor analysis of senile cerebral infarction: There were no significant differences in age, hyperlipemia and history of smoking between the two groups (P 〉 0.05). But, chronic bronchitis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cerebral infarction/transient ischemic attack and history of coronary heart disease were higher in the case group than those in the control group (33.6% vs. 19.0%, 38.8% vs. 23.3%, 54.3% vs. 36.2%, 29.3% vs. 17.2%, 44.0% vs. 29.3%, P 〈 0.05- 0.01). ②Multiple Logistic regression analysis of risk factor of senile cerebral infarction Hyperlipemia, smoking and coronary heart disease were not correlated with cerebral infarction (P 〉0.05), but chronic bronchitis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and cerebral infarction/transient ischemic attack were risk factors for senile cerebral infarction (OR =2.47, 2.28, 2.18, 2.01, P 〈 0.05 - 0.01). CONCLUSION: The chronic bronchitis mac become an independent risk factor senile cerebral infarction.
文摘Brain damage sustained from repeated blows in boxing, wrestling, and other combat sports has serious physical and mental health consequences. The degenerative brain disease, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), presents clinically with memory loss, aggression, difficulty in rational thinking and other cognitive problems. This spectrum, which mimics Alzheimer’s disease, is diagnosed post-mortem through a brain biopsy in many professional athletes. However, little is known about the process of development and how to identify vulnerable individuals who may be on course for developing CTE. Boxing is a sport that has a severe toll on athletes’ health, primarily on their brain health and function. This review addresses the concerns of brain injury, describes the pathologies that manifest in multiple scales, e.g., molecular and cognitive, and also proposes possible diagnostic and prognostic markers to characterize the early onset of CTE along with the aim to identify a starting point for future precautions and interventions.
基金supported by the General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.81273847
文摘Electroacupuncture improves depressive behavior faster and with fewer adverse effects than antidepressant medication. However, the antidepressant mechanism of electroacupuncture remains poorly understood. Here, we established a rat model of chronic unpredicted mild stress, and then treated these rats with electroacupuncture at Yintang (EX-HN3) and Baihui (DU20) with sparse waves at 2 Hz and 0.6 mA for 30 minutes, once a day. We found increased horizontal and vertical activity, and decreased immobility time, at 2 and 4 weeks after treatment. Moreover, levels of neurotransmitters (5-hydroxytryptamine, glutamate, and y-aminobutyric acid) and protein levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor and brain-derived neurotrophic factor-related proteins (TrkB, protein kinase A, and phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein) were increased in the hippocampus. Similarly, protein kinase A and TrkB mRNA levels were increased, and calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase lI levels decreased. These findings suggest that electroacupuncture increases phosphorylation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein and brain-derived neurotrophic factor levels by regulating multiple targets in the cyclic adenosine rnonophosphate response element binding protein signal- ing pathway, thereby promoting nerve regeneration, and exerting an antidepressive effect.
文摘Traumatic brain injury is a major health concern worldwide with massive financial and social impact. Conventional treatments primarily focus on the prevention of further damage to the brain parenchyma, while failing to address the already existent symptoms. Previous clinical studies have shown that Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) can significantly reduce pain and induce temporary vasodilation in capillaries, which the authors hypothesize can be used to improve the quality of life in TBI patients by treating their current symptoms, which are predominately migraine-like headaches. This case report illustrates the use of LLLT in the treatment of a patient with a TBI and the great clinical success achieved in the reduction of pain, as measured by VAS—achievable within five treatments of 10 minutes in duration.
文摘In this clinical practice review, the controversies and difficulties managing post concussion symptoms following mild traumatic brain injury are discussed. Based on considerable clinical experience in a designated Concussion Clinic, the authors (a neuropsychologist, a psychiatrist, and a neurologist) review relevant literature and issues for clinical practice, particularly with respect to understanding risk factors for and vulnerability to, development of chronic post-concussion symptoms. We contend it is not just the kind of head that matters but also the kind of complications, the kind of outcomes and the kind of management that can influence injury recovery. Given these complexities, a bio-psychosocial conceptualization of chronic post-concussion syndrome is appropriate. Though understanding is still elusive, management should not be biased by physiogenic or psychogenic aetiological theories for management needs to address patient reported outcomes regardless of underpinning aetiology.
文摘The “menopause” (not menopause, the cessation of menses) mechanism responsible for its symptom complex (Menopausal Symptom Complex) (or, Climacteric Syndrome) including chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, depression, tension headache, cervical vertigo, sleep disturbances, irritability, anxiety/panic attacks, cognitive changes (decreased concentration to obsessional/delusional thought), decreased libido, and vasomotor dysfunction remains elusive. And MSC, other than vasomotor dysfunction, is not significantly altered by treatment with sex hormones (estrogen/progesterone), which have major neoplastic and vascular side effects. Thus at present, there are minimal indications for treatment with these compounds. Confusion between menopause and “menopause” (MSC) as well as research money made available by pharma advocating ERT/HRT (estrogen replacement therapy/hormone replacement therapy) has produced both therapeutic and research inertia. Presently, there would appear to be mismanagement of a symptom complex which infers primary brainlimbic system dysfunction and for which there is no correlation with falling sex hormone levels. Pharmacological modification of the proposed aberrant limbic circuitry responsible for the MSC has been successfully accomplished using specific NT/MMs (neurotransmission/modulation modifiers) i.e. a combination of alpha-1 and norepinephrine reuptake blockers, and thus providing initial elucidation of this particular brain pathophysiology as well as an efficient treatment of a problem affecting up to 60% of women ages 35 to 55. Specific NT/MMs capable of affecting a number of neurotransmitter/receptor types within limbic circuitry appear to reverse the MSC which includes chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia, pointing to aberrant limbic circuitry as their etiology as well.
文摘The present study established a rat model of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) to simulate obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. CIH rats were evaluated for cognitive function using the Morris water maze, and neuronal pathology in the hippocampus was observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. In addition, hippocampal choline acetyl transferase (CHAT) and nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) expression was determined by immunohistochemistry. Our results revealed necrotic hippocampal neurons, decreased ChAT and nAChR expression, as well as cognitive impairment in CIH rats. These results suggest that hippocampal neuronal necrosis and decreased cholinerqic activity may be involved in CIH-induced cognitive impairment in rats.