Other articles by Mehdi Farhoudi on PubMed

• Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Presenting with Confusion and Visual Disturbance Archives of Iranian Medicine.   |   Pubmed ID: 17604483 Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is increasingly being reported in the last three decades as a result of increased awareness for the disease. Various studies have reported an annual incidence of 0.5-1.5 cases of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease per million of general population. However, in our country, like other developing countries, the disease is still under-reported. Herewith, we described our clinical experience with an autopsy-proven case of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.
• Relatively Higher Norms of Blood Flow Velocity of Major Intracranial Arteries in North-West Iran BMC Research Notes.   |   Pubmed ID: 20569492 Transcranial Doppler (TCD) is a noninvasive, less expensive and harmless hemodynamic study of main intracranial arteries. The aim of this study was to assess normal population values of cerebral blood flow velocity and its variation over age and gender in a given population.
• Neurocognitive Impairment After Off-pump and On-pump Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery - an Iranian Experience Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.   |   Pubmed ID: 21173884 Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is one of the most commonly performed surgical procedures worldwide, and it may be accompanied by postoperative neurocognitive impairment. Although this complication has been attributed to the use of cardiopulmonary bypass, it is still a matter of debate whether the switch from on-pump to off-pump technique affects the cognitive function.
• Warfarin Maintenance Dose in Iranian Patients. A Cross Sectional Study in 5 Cities of Iran Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).   |   Pubmed ID: 21427661 To determine the warfarin maintenance dose in Iranian patients.
• Doppler Study of Cerebral Arteries in Hypercholesterolemia Vascular Health and Risk Management.   |   Pubmed ID: 21490946 Hypercholesterolemia is one of the major modifiable risk factors for atherosclerosis of the coronary and carotid arteries. Although transcranial Doppler (TCD) studies of the cerebral arteries are indicative of decreased cerebral blood flow velocities in patients with hypercholesterolemia, the number of these studies has been limited. The aim of this study was to assess the hemodynamic status of the cerebral arteries in patients with hypercholesterolemia using TCD.
• Preoperative Transcranial and Carotid Doppler Study in Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).   |   Pubmed ID: 21857617 To assess the correlation of postoperative neurologic complications with preoperative transcranial and carotid Doppler study findings of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) patients.
• Relation Between Serum Magnesium Level and Migraine Attacks Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).   |   Pubmed ID: 21983373 The determination of serum magnesium levels in migraine.
• Genetic Association of TNF-α-308 G/A and -863 C/A Polymorphisms with Late Onset Alzheimer's Disease in Azeri Turk Population of Iran Journal of Research in Medical Sciences : the Official Journal of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.   |   Pubmed ID: 22279475 Recent findings suggest that production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as Tumour Necrosis Factor-alpha (TNF-α), is increased in the brain tissue of patients suffering late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) and play an important role in the pathogenesis of this disease. Several epidemiological studies also suggest that patients taking anti-inflammatory drugs have a decreased risk of developing AD. TNF-α is an important pro inflammatory cytokine that is unregulated in Alzheimer's patients. Functional polymorphisms in tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) can affect immune response, inflammation, tissue injury and possibly the susceptibility to Alzheimer disease (AD).
• Brain Hemodynamics in Patients with End-stage Renal Disease Between Hemodialysis Sessions Iranian Journal of Kidney Diseases.   |   Pubmed ID: 22388608 End-stage renal disease has been associated with premature atherosclerosis of the cerebral circulation. The risk of stroke, a frequent complication of uremia as a result of cerebral blood flow reduction, is high in dialysis patients. This study aimed to assess brain hemodynamics between hemodialysis interval periods by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography.
• Cranioplasty in Medieval Persia and the Potential Spread of This Knowledge to Europe Child's Nervous System : ChNS : Official Journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery.   |   Pubmed ID: 22940849 Skull trepanation is an ancient and often religious act found in remains from around the world. However, cranioplasty for the surgical treatment of skull pathologies is a relatively recent phenomenon. In this paper, we focus on the account of skull injury and cranioplasty in medieval Persia.
• OPLS Statistical Model Versus Linear Regression to Assess Sonographic Predictors of Stroke Prognosis Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment.   |   Pubmed ID: 22973104 The objective of the present study was to assess the comparable applicability of orthogonal projections to latent structures (OPLS) statistical model vs traditional linear regression in order to investigate the role of trans cranial doppler (TCD) sonography in predicting ischemic stroke prognosis. The study was conducted on 116 ischemic stroke patients admitted to a specialty neurology ward. The Unified Neurological Stroke Scale was used once for clinical evaluation on the first week of admission and again six months later. All data was primarily analyzed using simple linear regression and later considered for multivariate analysis using PLS/OPLS models through the SIMCA P+12 statistical software package. The linear regression analysis results used for the identification of TCD predictors of stroke prognosis were confirmed through the OPLS modeling technique. Moreover, in comparison to linear regression, the OPLS model appeared to have higher sensitivity in detecting the predictors of ischemic stroke prognosis and detected several more predictors. Applying the OPLS model made it possible to use both single TCD measures/indicators and arbitrarily dichotomized measures of TCD single vessel involvement as well as the overall TCD result. In conclusion, the authors recommend PLS/OPLS methods as complementary rather than alternative to the available classical regression models such as linear regression.
• Association of Apolipoprotein E Epsilon 4 Allele with Sporadic Late Onset Alzheimer`s Disease. A Meta-analysis Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).   |   Pubmed ID: 23022896 To obtain a better insight into the effect of the epsilon (e) 4 allele of the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) on the risk of late onset Alzheimer`s disease (LOAD), and assess its heterogeneity in geographic regions.
• A Report of a Probable Case of Familial Guillain Barre Syndrome Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology.   |   Pubmed ID: 23349598 Although it is a sporadic disease, few studies have reported cases of Guillain Barre Syndrome (GBS) in families which postulate a genetic susceptibility. Human leukocyte antigen (HLA) typing is an area of discussion in GBS though none of them are considered definitive. In recent years, more studies have evaluated HLA typing in sporadic cases while rarely it has been assessed in familial ones. We report a woman and her daughter experiencing GBS and their HLA typing in a 2-year interval.
• Effect of IMOD™ on the Inflammatory Process After Acute Ischemic Stroke: a Randomized Clinical Trial Daru : Journal of Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences.   |   Pubmed ID: 23514014 Considering the role of inflammation in acute cerebrovascular accidents, anti-inflammatory treatment has been considered as an option in cerebrovascular diseases. Regarding the properties of Setarud (IMOD™) in immune regulation, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the role of this medication in treating patients with acute ischemic stroke.
• Multiple Sclerosis and Mitochondrial Gene Variations: a Review Journal of the Neurological Sciences.   |   Pubmed ID: 23669867 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease of the central nervous system. Its etiology is still an unanswered enigma; its symptoms are varied and unpredictable; and there is no cure for it. Genetics has been introduced as a contributing factor to MS. Not only may MS stem from nuclear gene variations/mutations, but also it may arise from mitochondrial gene variations/mutations. The association of mitochondrial DNA variations/mutations with the pathogenesis of MS has, so far, been analyzed by several studies. This paper reviews the literature with regard to MS and corresponding mitochondrial DNA variations.
• Association of Expanded Disability Status Scale and Cytokines After Intervention with Co-supplemented Hemp Seed, Evening Primrose Oils and Hot-natured Diet in Multiple Sclerosis Patients(♦) BioImpacts : BI.   |   Pubmed ID: 23678469 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Because of limited efficacy and adverse side effects, identifying novel therapeutic and protective agents is important. The aim of this study is to examine the correlations between expanded disability status scale (EDSS) and cytokines after intervention with co-supplemented hemp seed and evening primrose oils and hot-natured diet in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS).
• Quantitative Evaluation of CXCL8 and Its Receptors (CXCR1 and CXCR2) Gene Expression in Iranian Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Immunological Investigations.   |   Pubmed ID: 23876169 CXCL8 and its receptors (CXCR1 and CXCR2) play important roles in CNS development, neuronal survival, modulation of excitability, and neuroimmune response. The aim of this study is to evaluate gene expression of CXCL8 and CXCR1/CXCR2 in peripheral blood cells (PBCs) of Iranian patients with relapsing remitting (RR) form of Multiple sclerosis (MS). We explored the mRNA expression of CXCL8 and its receptors in PBCs of 49 RR-MS patients in remitting status and 60 healthy controls by quantitative Real-Time PCR. Median expression of CXCL8 mRNA in peripheral blood of MS patients decreased more than 3-fold compared to control group (p 
• Effects of Levodopa Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles on Cell Viability and Caspase-3 Expression in PC12 Neural Like Cells Neurosciences (Riyadh, Saudi Arabia).   |   Pubmed ID: 23887222
• Immunomodulatory and Therapeutic Effects of Hot-nature Diet and Co-supplemented Hemp Seed, Evening Primrose Oils Intervention in Multiple Sclerosis Patients Complementary Therapies in Medicine.   |   Pubmed ID: 24050582 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is the most chronic and inflammatory disorder. Because of limited efficacy and adverse side effects, identifying novel therapeutic and protective agents is important. This study was aimed to assess the potential therapeutic effects of hemp seed and evening primrose oils as well as Hot-nature dietary intervention on RRMS patients.
• Frequency of Microembolic Signals in Patients with Acute Ischemic Stroke in Middle Cerebral Artery Territory Treated with Aspirin or Clopidogrel Iranian Journal of Neurology.   |   Pubmed ID: 24250837 In patients with acute stroke and middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis, microembolic signals (MES) can predict further cerebral ischemia. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate the prevalence of MES by transcranial Doppler (TCD) in patients with MCA stenosis under treatment of aspirin or clopidogrel.
• Serum Iron and Ferritin Level in Idiopathic Parkinson Pakistan Journal of Biological Sciences : PJBS.   |   Pubmed ID: 24261127 Parkinson disease is a prevalent progressive neurodegenerative disorder, especially in western countries and among the elderly. This study aimed at evaluating serum iron and ferritin in patients with idiopathic Parkinson disease. In this case-control study, 50 patients with clinical diagnosis of idiopathic Parkinson disease (case group) were evaluated during a 12 month period. Fifty healthy persons (control group) recruited as well. Serum iron and ferritin levels were measured by biochemical and quantitative luminance methods, respectively in the case and control group. Fifty patients, 28 males and 22 females with the mean age of 64.53 +/- 10.18 (40-84) years and 50 controls were enrolled. Serum iron levels were 70.22 +/- 25.18 mg dL(-1) and 67.62 +/- 39.53 mg dL(-1) in case and control group, respectively. Serum ferritin levels were 129.79 +/- 137.67 ng dL(-1) and 109.87 +/- 154.71 ng dL(-1) in case and control group, respectively. There was no significant difference between different grades of Parkinson disease considering the serum level of iron or ferritin. The current study showed that generally there is no significant difference between the patients with the idiopathic Parkinson disease and healthy controls in terms of serum iron and ferritin levels. The same results were attributable to different grades of the disease.
• Erythrocyte Membrane Fatty Acids in Multiple Sclerosis Patients and Hot-nature Dietary Intervention with Co-supplemented Hemp-seed and Evening-primrose Oils African Journal of Traditional, Complementary, and Alternative Medicines : AJTCAM.   |   Pubmed ID: 24311880 The risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with increased dietary intake of saturated fatty acids. For many years it has been suspected that this disease might be associated with an imbalance between unsaturated and saturated fatty acids. We determined erythrocyte membrane fatty acids levels in Hot nature dietary intervention with co-supplemented hemp seed and evening primrose oils in multiple sclerosis patients. To determine the erythrocyte membrane fatty acids levels and correlate it with expanded disability status scale (EDSS) at baseline after 6 months intervention in MS patients by gas chromatography, in this double blind, randomized trial, 100 RRMS patients with EDSS
• Dampening of Serotonergic System Through 5HT1A Receptors is a Promising Target for Treatment of Levodopa Induced Motor Problems Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin.   |   Pubmed ID: 24312874 During long-term treatment with Levodopa, majority of patients with Parkinson's disease experience some abnormal motor problems including of Levodopa induced dyskinesia (LID) and wearing off. Incredible evidences suggest that serotonergic neurons compensate some functions of lost dopaminergic neurons in Parkinson's disease especially in advanced disease stages. Therefore, it has been postulated that serotonergic neurons are the major source for development of these unwanted effects. 5HT1A receptors are located on the serotonergic neurons and are involved in regulation of normal motor functions. With respect to the role of serotonergic projection in Parkinson's disease and importance of 5HT1A receptors in motor activity it seems that inactivation of these neurons by stimulation of 5HT1A receptors could provide benefits in treatment of Levodopa induced motor impairments.
• Does Lipoic Acid Consumption Affect the Cytokine Profile in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: a Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Randomized Clinical Trial Neuroimmunomodulation.   |   Pubmed ID: 24821457 A limited amount of data exists regarding the effect of lipoic acid (LA), an oral antioxidant supplement, on cytokine profiles among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients.
• Different Patterns of Brain Activation in Normal Aging and Alzheimer's Disease from Cognitional Sight: Meta Analysis Using Activation Likelihood Estimation Journal of the Neurological Sciences.   |   Pubmed ID: 24950901 Alzheimer disease (AD) is a chronic neurological disease, frequently affecting cognitional functions. Recently, a large body of neuro-imaging studies have aimed at finding reliable biomarkers of AD for early diagnosis of disease in contrast with healthy elderlies. We intended to have a meta-analytical study on recent functional neuroimaging studies to find the relationship between cognition in AD patients and normal elderlies. A systematic search was conducted to collect functional neuroimaging studies such as positron emission therapy (PET) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in AD patients and healthy elderlies. The coordinates of regions related to cognition were meta-analyzed using the activation likelihood estimation (ALE) method and Sleuth software. P-value map at the false discovery rate (FDR) of P
• Eligibility Assessment for Intravenous Thrombolytic Therapy in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients; Evaluating Barriers for Implementation Iranian Red Crescent Medical Journal.   |   Pubmed ID: 25031844 Intravenous thrombolysis is an approved treatment method for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and is recommended by multiple guidelines. However, it seems that it is less frequently used in the developing countries compared to the developed countries.
• The First International and the Sixth National Iranian Stroke Congress Event Report Iranian Journal of Neurology.   |   Pubmed ID: 25422744
• Amyloid-beta: a Crucial Factor in Alzheimer's Disease Medical Principles and Practice : International Journal of the Kuwait University, Health Science Centre.   |   Pubmed ID: 25471398 Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia which affects people older than 60 years of age. In AD, the dysregulation of the amyloid-beta (Aβ) level leads to the appearance of senile plaques which contain Aβ depositions. Aβ is a complex biological molecule which interacts with many types of receptors and/or forms insoluble assemblies and, eventually, its nonphysiological depositions alternate with the normal neuronal conditions. In this situation, AD signs appear and the patients experience marked cognitional disabilities. In general, intellect, social skills, personality, and memory are influenced by this disease and, in the long run, it leads to a reduction in quality of life and life expectancy. Due to the pivotal role of Aβ in the pathobiology of AD, a great deal of effort has been made to reveal its exact role in neuronal dysfunctions and to finding efficacious therapeutic strategies against its adverse neuronal outcomes. Hence, the determination of its different molecular assemblies and the mechanisms underlying its pathological effects are of interest. In the present paper, some of the well-established structural forms of Aβ, its interactions with various receptors and possible molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying its neurotoxicity are discussed. In addition, several Aβ-based rodent models of AD are reviewed.
• The Role of Th17 Cells in Patients with Relapsing-remitting Multiple Sclerosis: Interleukin-17A and Interleukin-17F Serum Levels Immunology Letters.   |   Pubmed ID: 25625963 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory condition of the central nervous system, with genetic and environmental factors having a role in its etiology. The condition is characterized by demyelination, acute inflammation, and chronic and acute lesions in the central nervous system. Human and experimental studies have shown that T-helper cells, and pro-inflammatory cytokines have a major role in the pathogenesis of MS. Recent researches have shown that IL-17 secreting T (Th17) cells have a role in inflammation and demyelination of the central nervous system. In the present study, the role of Interleukin-17A (IL-17A) and Interleukin-17F (IL-17F) in the immunopathogenesis and follow-up of the MS disease was evaluated.
• Association of IL-13 Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms in Iranian Patients to Multiple Sclerosis American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Immunology.   |   Pubmed ID: 25628961 MS is an autoimmune disease and interleukin 13 (IL-13) has been proposed to be an important neuroprotective mediator in MS. Because of plausible effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in expression level or biological activity of any cytokine, we sought to investigate association of IL-13 SNPs, C-1112T, A-1512C and G+2044A, with risk to MS. Sixty-eight RRMS patients and 110 healthy controls were involved in this study. After extraction of genomic DNA, frequency of genotypes and alleles were determined by PCR-RFLP and data were analyzed statistically. Results showed significant higher frequency of CC, CC, and AA genotypes and C, C, and A alleles of -1112CT, -1512AC and +2044GA SNPs respectively, in patients group. There was significant association between -1112C allele with onset age of MS. No significant association was seen between any of genotypes or alleles with expanded disability status scale (EDSS) of patients. Our findings showed significant association between three studied SNPs of IL-13 with susceptibility to MS in Iranian patients. More studies should be done on other IL-13 SNPs, and also polymorphisms of IL-13 receptor and other cytokines to determine the exact role of SNPs in protecting or predisposing of individuals for MS.
• Ketogenic Diet Provides Neuroprotective Effects Against Ischemic Stroke Neuronal Damages Advanced Pharmaceutical Bulletin.   |   Pubmed ID: 25671178 Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in the world. Many mechanisms contribute in cell death in ischemic stroke. Ketogenic diet which has been successfully used in the drug-resistant epilepsy has been shown to be effective in many other neurologic disorders. The mechanisms underlying of its effects are not well studied, but it seems that its neuroprotective ability is mediated at least through alleviation of excitotoxicity, oxidative stress and apoptosis events. On the basis of these mechanisms, it is postulated that ketogenic diet could provide benefits to treatment of cerebral ischemic injuries.
• Antidepressant-like Effect of Modafinil in Mice: Evidence for the Involvement of the Dopaminergic Neurotransmission Pharmacological Reports : PR.   |   Pubmed ID: 25933957 Modafinil is a wake-promoting agent that provides wide ranges of neurological effects. There is evidence that it can produce antidepressant effects. This study investigated the antidepressant effect of modafinil in the tail suspension (TST) in mice.
• Investigation of IL-21 Gene Polymorphisms (rs2221903, Rs2055979) in Cases with Multiple Sclerosis of Azerbaijan, Northwest Iran American Journal of Clinical and Experimental Immunology.   |   Pubmed ID: 26155434 Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory demyelinating disease of the Central Nervous System that is immunologically mediated in genetically susceptible individuals. IL-21, a cytokine produced by TCD4(+) cells, particularly by Th-17 cells, is believed to play an important role in the MS pathogenesis.
• Mitochondrial DNA T4216C and A4917G Variations in Multiple Sclerosis Journal of the Neurological Sciences.   |   Pubmed ID: 26201854 Multiple sclerosis (MS) affects the brain and spinal cord and long has been the topic of global research; yet there is no commonly accepted cause and no cure for the disease. Mounting evidence supports the role of genetics in susceptibility to MS. From this perspective, a current effort focuses on the neurogenetics of the complex pathogenesis of MS in relation to factors such as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations. T4216C and A4917G are common mitochondrial gene variations associated with MS. The present study tested whether mtDNA T4216C variation in the NADH Dehydrogenase 1 (ND1) mtDNA gene and A4917G variation in the mtDNA NADH Dehydrogenase 2 (ND2) gene are associated with MS in an Iranian population.
• Lack of Association Between Mitochondrial DNA G15257A and G15812A Variations and Multiple Sclerosis Journal of the Neurological Sciences.   |   Pubmed ID: 26233806 Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a debilitating disease of the central nervous system for which no definitive therapy has yet been developed. The etiology remains uncertain, but there is evidence of genetic susceptibility to the disease, including contributions from mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations to the pathogenesis of MS. G15257A and G15812A are variations of the mtDNA tRNA(Thr) gene in MS sufferers of different populations. The present study tested the hypothesis of an association of the G15257A and G15812A variations of the mtDNA tRNA(Thr) gene to the susceptibility to MS in an Iranian population.
• Toxoplasmosis and Alzheimer: Can Toxoplasma Gondii Really Be Introduced As a Risk Factor in Etiology of Alzheimer? Parasitology Research.   |   Pubmed ID: 27106237 Alzheimer is a progressive neurological disease that results in irreversible loss of neurons and includes about two thirds of all cases of dementia. Toxoplasma gondii may be an important infectious agent involved in neurodegenerative diseases. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between Toxoplasma as an etiologic agent in the progress of Alzheimer's disease. This case control study was conducted on 75 Alzheimer's patients and 75 healthy volunteers. Blood samples were obtained and anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM tests were done by using ELISA technique. DNA was extracted from buffy coat and then GRA6 gene and SAG2 loci were amplified by PCR and nested PCR, respectively. Chi-square, Fisher's test, and binary logistic regression were used for data analysis. A percentage of 61.3 % of Alzheimer's patients and 62.6 % of healthy volunteers were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG but all participants were negative for anti-Toxoplasma IgM. There were no significant differences between Alzheimer's patients with their controls in terms of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody (P = 0.5). Due to lack of positive IgM sample, results of the molecular methods were negative by GRA6 and SAG2 fragments amplification. This result shows that, infection with T. gondii cannot be considered as a risk factor for etiology and developing Alzheimer's disease.
• The Interplay of MicroRNAs and Post-ischemic Glutamate Excitotoxicity: an Emergent Research Field in Stroke Medicine Neurological Sciences : Official Journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology.   |   Pubmed ID: 27350638 Stroke is the second leading cause of death and the most common cause of adult disabilities among elderlies. It involves a complex series of mechanisms among which, excitotoxicity is of great importance. Also, miRNAs appear to play role in post-stroke excitotoxicity, and changes in their transcriptome occur right after cerebral ischemia. Recent data indicate that specific miRNAs such as miRNA-223, miRNA-181, miRNA-125a, miRNA-125b, miRNA-1000, miRNA-132 and miRNA-124a regulate glutamate neurotransmission and excitotoxicity during stroke. However, limitations such as poor in vivo stability, side effects and inappropriate biodistribution in miRNA-based therapies still exist and should be overcome before clinical application. Thence, investigation of the effect of application of these miRNAs after the onset of ischemia is a pivotal step for manipulating these miRNAs in clinical use. Given this, present review concentrates on miRNAs roles in post-ischemic stroke excitotoxicity.
• The Correlation Between Toxoplasma Gondii Infection and Parkinson's Disease: a Case-control Study Journal of Parasitic Diseases : Official Organ of the Indian Society for Parasitology.   |   Pubmed ID: 27605800 Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular parasite that infects all nucleate cells of vertebrates. Human infected by vertical transmission and also using raw or undercooked meat or food and water that contaminated with mature oocysts. Parkinson's disease as neurodegenerative disease affects people above 60 years. Due to high prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Iran and evidence about effects of T. gondii on neurodegenerative diseases, this study has been conducted to investigate possible correlation between Toxoplasma and Parkinson's disease in Iran. Seventy five Parkinson's patients and equal healthy volunteers were enrolled. After obtaining informed consent and sociodemographic features, 5 ml blood sample were collected and then anti-Toxoplasma IgG and IgM levels were examined by ELISA method. Data was analyzed with Chi-squre and Fisher's test by usig stata 11 software. Binary logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis in assessing the correlation between toxoplasmosis and Parkinson. Eighty five percent of Parkinson's group and 90.3 % of control group were positive for anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody. In this investigation no statically differences were observed between groups and age, gender, residency and using raw or undercooked meat. There is no significant association between IgG positive titer and Parkinson's disease. However, statistically significant association was found between Parkinson and keeping cat (P = 0.03) as well as the using of undercooked egg (P = 0.004). Although there is high level of anti-Toxoplasma IgG antibody in Parkinson's patients which reflects chronic Toxoplasma infection; we couldn't detect any statistical association between T. gondii infection and Parkinson's disease.
• Intravenous Recombinant Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Acute Ischemic Stroke: a Feasibility and Safety Study International Journal of General Medicine.   |   Pubmed ID: 27822079 In developing countries, intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) is available at a limited number of centers. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of IVT at Tabriz Imam Reza Hospital.
• Stem Cells As a Promising Tool for the Restoration of Brain Neurovascular Unit and Angiogenic Orientation Molecular Neurobiology.   |   Pubmed ID: 27844280 Establishing systemic therapeutics for neuro-inflammatory diseases is a main objective of regenerative medicine, certainly focusing on restoration of BBB dysfunction and neurovascular reconstitution. In this context, the regenerative capacity and therapeutic effects of different stem cells have been recently found to bring hopeful outcomes through trans-differentiation, paracrine interactions, and molecular cross-talk of transplanted stem cells with resident cells of blood-brain barrier. Here, we highlight some of the most recent scientific breakthroughs and discoveries by different authorities. Potency of different types of stem cells on the regulation and maintenance of endothelial and perivascular cells via various microRNAs was also studied.
• Renal Dysfunction Is an Independent Risk Factor for Poor Outcome in Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients Treated with Intravenous Thrombolysis: A New Cutoff Value Stroke Research and Treatment.   |   Pubmed ID: 28127492 . This study was set to assess the effect of renal dysfunction on outcome of stroke patients treated with intravenous thrombolysis (IVT).. This multicenter research involved 403 patients from January 2009 to March 2015. Patients were divided into two groups: (1) control group with GFR ≥ 45 mL/min/1.73 mand (2) low GFR group with GFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 m. Outcome measurements were poor outcome (mRS 3-6) and mortality at 3 months and symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) within the first 24-36 hours. Univariate and multivariate regression analyses were performed, and odds ratios (ORs) were determined at 95% confidence intervals (CIs).. Univariate analyses determined that every decrease of GFR by 10 mL/min/1.73 msignificantly increased the risk of poor outcome (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.09-1.30,< 0.001) and mortality (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.06-1.32,= 0.002). In multivariate regression, adjusted for all variables withvalue < 0.1, low GFR (GFR < 45 versus GFR equal to or more than 45) was associated with poor outcome (OR adjusted 2.15, 95% CI 1.01-4.56,= 0.045).. In IVT for acute stroke, renal dysfunction with GFR < 45 mL/min/1.73 mbefore treatment determined increased odds for poor outcome compared to GFR of more than 45 mL/min/1.73 m.
• Combination Therapy Using Evening Primrose Oil and Electrical Stimulation to Improve Nerve Function Following a Crush Injury of Sciatic Nerve in Male Rats Neural Regeneration Research.   |   Pubmed ID: 28469662 Peripheral nerve injuries with a poor prognosis are common. Evening primrose oil (EPO) has beneficial biological effects and immunomodulatory properties. Since electrical activity plays a major role in neural regeneration, the present study investigated the effects of electrical stimulation (ES), combined with evening primrose oil (EPO), on sciatic nerve function after a crush injury in rats. In anesthetized rats, the sciatic nerve was crushed using small haemostatic forceps followed by ES and/or EPO treatment for 4 weeks. Functional recovery of the sciatic nerve was assessed using the sciatic functional index. Histopathological changes of gastrocnemius muscle atrophy were investigated by light microscopy. Electrophysiological changes were assessed by the nerve conduction velocity of sciatic nerves. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the remyelination of the sciatic nerve following the interventions. EPO + ES, EPO, and ES obviously improved sciatic nerve function assessed by the sciatic functional index and nerve conduction velocity of the sciatic nerve at 28 days after operation. Expression of the peripheral nerve remyelination marker, protein zero (P0), was increased in the treatment groups at 28 days after operation. Muscle atrophy severity was decreased significantly while the nerve conduction velocity was increased significantly in rats with sciatic nerve injury in the injury + EPO + ES group than in the EPO or ES group. Totally speaking, the combined use of EPO and ES may produce an improving effect on the function of sciatic nerves injured by a crush. The increased expression of P0 may have contributed to improving the functional effects of combination therapy with EPO and ES as well as the electrophysiological and histopathological features of the injured peripheral nerve.
• Transcranial Low-level Laser Therapy Improves Brain Mitochondrial Function and Cognitive Impairment in D-galactose-induced Aging Mice Neurobiology of Aging.   |   Pubmed ID: 28735143 Mitochondrial function plays a key role in the aging-related cognitive impairment, and photoneuromodulation of mitochondria by transcranial low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may contribute to its improvement. This study focused on the transcranial LLLT effects on the D-galactose (DG)-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and cognitive impairment in mice. For this purpose, red and near-infrared (NIR) laser wavelengths (660 and 810 nm) at 2 different fluencies (4 and 8 J/cm) at 10-Hz pulsed wave mode were administrated transcranially 3 d/wk in DG-received (500 mg/kg/subcutaneous) mice model of aging for 6 weeks. Spatial and episodic-like memories were assessed by the Barnes maze and What-Where-Which (WWWhich) tasks. Brain tissues were analyzed for mitochondrial function including active mitochondria, adenosine triphosphate, and reactive oxygen species levels, as well as membrane potential and cytochrome c oxidase activity. Apoptosis-related biomarkers, namely, Bax, Bcl-2, and caspase-3 were evaluated by Western blotting method. Laser treatments at wavelengths of 660 and 810 nm at 8 J/cmattenuated DG-impaired spatial and episodic-like memories. Also, results showed an obvious improvement in the mitochondrial function aspects and modulatory effects on apoptotic markers in aged mice. However, same wavelengths at the fluency of 4 J/cmhad poor effect on the behavioral and molecular indexes in aging model. This data indicates that transcranial LLLT at both of red and NIR wavelengths at the fluency of 8 J/cmhas a potential to ameliorate aging-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, apoptosis, and cognitive impairment.
• Recent Advances in Targeted Delivery of Tissue Plasminogen Activator for Enhanced Thrombolysis in Ischaemic Stroke Journal of Drug Targeting.   |   Pubmed ID: 28796540 Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) is the only FDA approved medical treatment for the ischaemic stroke. However, it associates with some inevitable limitations, including: short therapeutic window, extremely short half-life and low penetration in large clots. Systemic administration may lead to complications such as haemorrhagic conversion in the brain and relapse in the form of re-occlusion. Furthermore, ultrasound has been utilised in combination with contrast agents, echogenic liposome, microspheres or nanoparticles (NPs) carrying tPA for improving thrombolysis - an approach that has resulted in slight improvement of tPA delivery and facilitated thrombolysis. Most of these delivery systems are able to extend the circulating half-life and clot penetration of tPA. Various technologies employed for ameliorated thrombolytic therapy are in different phases, some are in final steps for clinical applications while some others are under investigations for their safety and efficacy in human cases. Here, recent progresses on the thrombolytic therapy using novel nano- and micro-systems incorporating tPA are articulated. Of these, liposomes and microspheres, polymeric NPs and magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are discussed. Key technologies implemented for efficient delivery of tPA and advanced thrombolytic therapy and their advantages/disadvantages are further expressed.
• No Evidence of Association Between Optic Neuritis and Secondary LHON MtDNA Mutations in Patients with Multiple Sclerosis Mitochondrion.   |   Pubmed ID: 28802665 Leber's Hereditary Optic Neuropathy (LHON) shares features with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Both diseases develop optic lesions. Frequent secondary LHON mutations in MS patients may explain the optic damage. Here, we tested the hypothesis that secondary LHON mutations are associated with optic neuritis (ON) in MS patients. We recruited 56 MS subjects with ON and 47 MS subjects without ON. DNA was extracted by salting out, after sampling of peripheral blood from each participant. We completed Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis with appropriate primers and restriction endonucleases for seven secondary LHON mutations. Products were visualized using 3% agarose gel electrophoresis with the aid of DNA safe stain in a UV transilluminator. Accuracy of the genotyping procedure was confirmed by sequencing. Data was analyzed using chi square and Fisher exact tests and logistic regression analysis. There was no significant difference between the numbers of MS subjects with ON and without ON that carried secondary LHON mutations (T4216C [P=0.1], A4917G [P=0.2], G13708A [P=0.6], G15257A [P=1], G15812A [P=0.8], G15927A [P=1], G15928A [P=0.4]). The evidence from the present study are not consistent with the hypothesis that secondary LHON mutations are associated with ON in MS subjects.
• Stroke Subtypes, Risk Factors and Mortality Rate in Northwest of Iran Iranian Journal of Neurology.   |   Pubmed ID: 29114365 Stroke is the second most common cause of death and first cause of disability in adults in the world. About 80% of all stroke deaths occur in developing countries. So far, the data on stroke epidemiology have been limited in Iran. Therefore, this study was focused on stroke demographic data, risk factors, types and mortality.A retrospective study was done in two university tertiary referral hospitals in Tabriz, northwest of Iran, from March 2008 to April 2013. Patients diagnosed with stroke were enrolled in the study. Demographic data, stroke subtypes, duration of hospitalization, stroke risk factors and hospital mortality rate were recorded for all the patients.A total number of 5355 patients were evaluated in the present study. Mean age of the patients was 67.5 ± 13.8 years, and 50.6% were men. Final diagnosis of ischemic stroke was made in 76.5% of the patients, intra-cerebral hemorrhage (ICH) with or without intra-ventricular hemorrhage (IVH) in 14.3% and subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in 9.2%. Stroke risk factors among the patients were hypertension in 68.8% of the patients, diabetes mellitus (DM) in 23.9%, smoking in 12.6% and ischemic heart diseases (IHD) in 17.1%. Mean hospital stay was 17.3 days. Overall, the in-hospital mortality was 20.5%.Compared to other studies, duration of hospital stay was longer and mortality rate was higher in this study. Hypertension was the most common risk factor and cardiac risk factors and DM had relatively lower rate in comparison to other studies. Because of insufficient data on the epidemiology, patterns, and risk factors of stroke in Iran, there is a necessity to develop and implement a national registry system.
• Neurotrophic Factors Hold Promise for the Future of Parkinson's Disease Treatment: is There a Light at the End of the Tunnel? Reviews in the Neurosciences.   |   Pubmed ID: 29305570 Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder and is characterized by a spectrum of clinicopathologic signs and a complex etiology. PD results from the degeneration of dopaminergic (DAergic) neurons in the substantia nigra. Current therapies for PD are only able to alleviate symptoms without stopping disease progression. In addition, the available therapeutic strategies do not have long-lasting effects. Furthermore, these therapies cause different ranges of adverse side effects. There is great interest in neurotrophic factors (NTFs) due to their ability to promote the survival of different neural cells. These factors are divided into four families: neurotrophins, neurokines, the glial cell line-derived NTF family of ligands, and the newly recognized cerebral DA NTF/mesencephalic astrocyte-derived NTF family. The protective and therapeutic effects of these factors on DAergic neurons make them suitable for the prevention of progressive cell loss in PD. Based on the above premise, we focus on the protective effects of NTFs, especially CDNF and MANF, on nigrostriatal DAergic neurons in PD.
• Atorvastatin Inhibits Cholesterol-induced Caspase-3 Cleavage Through Down-regulation of P38 and Up-regulation of Bcl-2 in the Rat Carotid Artery Cardiovascular Journal of Africa. Sep/Oct 23, 2017  |   Pubmed ID: 28498386 Atherosclerotic lesions in the carotid arteries lead to a broad range of cerebrovascular disorders such as vascular dementia and ischaemic stroke. Recent studies have verified the beneficial role of atorvastatin (AV) in atherosclerosis. Despite a large body of studies, the mechanisms underlying this effect have not been completely explained. In this study, several experiments were performed on atherosclerotic rat models to investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effect of AV in the carotid artery.