Brain structural differences in temporal lobe and frontal lobe epilepsy patients: A voxel-based morphometry and vertex-based surface analysis

Purpose Exploration of the effect of chronic recurrent seizures in focal epilepsy on brain volumes has produced many conflicting reports. To determine differences in brain structure in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and extratemporal epilepsy (using frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) a surrogate) further, we performed a retrospective analysis of a large cohort of patients with seizure-onset zone proven by intracranial monitoring. Methods A total of 120 TLE patients, 86 FLE patients, and 54 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. An analysis of variance of voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to seek morphometric brain differences among TLE patients, FLE patients, and healthy controls. Additionally, a vertex-based surface analysis was utilized to analyze the hippocampus and thalamus. Significant side-specific differences in hippocampal gray matter volume were present between the left TLE (LTLE), right TLE RTLE (RTLE), and control groups ( p<0.05, family-wise error (FWE) corrected). Results Vertex analyses revealed significant volume reduction in inferior parts of the left hippocampus in the LTLE group and lateral parts of the right hippocampus in the RTLE group compared to controls ( p<0.05, FWE corrected). Significant differences were also detected between the LTLE and control group in the bilateral medial and inferior thalamus ( p<0.05, FWE corrected). FLE patients did not exhibit focal atrophy of gray matter across the brain. Conclusion Our results highlight the variation in morphometric lateralized changes in the brain between different epilepsy onset zones, providing critical insight into the natural history of people with drug-resistant focal epilepsies.

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PECULIARITIES OF STRUCTURAL CHANGES IN BRAIN OF PATIENTS WITH HYPERTENSION, HYPOTHYROIDISM AND DURING THE COMORBID COURSE OF THESE TWO DISEASES

Актуальні проблеми сучасної медицини Вісник Української медичної стоматологічної академії ◽

10.31718/2077-1096.20.4.67 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

pp. 67-71

Author(s):

M.I. Lesiv ◽

V.A. Hryb

Keyword(s):

Frontal Lobe ◽

Gray Matter ◽

Structural Changes ◽

Structural Parameters ◽

Control Group ◽

Group Iii ◽

Average Value ◽

Group I ◽

Significant Difference ◽

The Brain

This article presents the investigation of structural parameters of the brain in 67 patients aged 47.23 ± 2.64 years, whose duration of the disease was 13.27 ± 0.75 (from 2 to 19) years. The control group included 18 healthy individuals of the same age (47.84 ± 0.36 years), whose selection was carried out based on the anamnesis and the absence of hypothyroidism and hypertension. According to the data we discussed in our previous publications, during neuropsychological testing we registered memory deterioration in patients with hypertension assessed by the test for learning 10 words according to the method proposed by A.R. Luria (p <0.05), as well as serial counting by the Matisse scale (p <0.05). The patients with hypothyroidism were found as demonstrating attention deficiency (p <0.05) by applying the method of "Selectivity of attention" (G. Munsterberg test). For more detailed assessment, we used Schulte tables, the result of which demonstrates the state of the domain of the patient's executive functions and proves the instability of attention. The analysis of the results showed that taking into account the interaction between hypertension and hypothyroidism, the most affected cognitive domains were memory and attention, respectively (p <0.05). To diagnose cognitive and mnestic disorders of all groups, we used MR imaging, measured the transverse dimensions of the medial, lateral (temporal horn) and vertical perihippocampal spaces, and evaluated the volume of gray matter (cortex) of the frontal lobe of the brain in 3 zones. The measurements were performed in the right and left hemispheres. There was a significant increase in the indices of the medial and upper perihippocampal right and left in the patients in group III compared with the groups I and II. The lateral perihypocampal index did not differ significantly in the three groups (p> 0.05). Thus, taking into account the interaction of factors (hypertension and hypothyroidism), the patients were found to have an increase in perihippocampal indices (p> 0.05). Based on the data in table 2, in the patients of group I the average value of the frontal lobe was 634.06 ± 10.92. In the patients of group II, the average value of the frontal lobe was 638.6 ± 7.82, and in the patients of group III, the average value of the frontal lobe was 601.3 ± 3,325. There was no statistically significant difference between groups I and II (p = 0.05). But groups I and III demonstrated statistically significant difference between the indicators (p <0.05). We also found a statistically significant difference between groups II and III (p <0.05). Thus, in patients with hypertension, hypothyroidism and hypertension with concomitant hypothyroidism, an increase in perihippocampal indices, a decrease in the volume of gray matter (cortex) of the frontal lobe of the brain (right and left), significantly exceeded possible (involutional or otherwise). Thus, the results of the study indicate that in cases of isolated hypertension, hypothyroidism, and in the comorbidity of hypertension and hypothyroidism, there has been detected a significant acceleration of atrophic processes.

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Frontal Lobe Epilepsy Presenting as a Psychotic Disorder With Delusions and Hallucinations: A Case Study

CNS Spectrums ◽

10.1017/s1092852900012207 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 4 (9) ◽

pp. 64-66,82 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Bonnie J. Ramsey

Keyword(s):

Temporal Lobe Epilepsy ◽

Frontal Lobe ◽

Psychotic Disorder ◽

Temporal Lobe ◽

Psychotic Disorders ◽

Psychotic Symptoms ◽

Frontal Lobe Epilepsy ◽

Unique Case ◽

Frontal Lobe Seizures

AbstractAlthough psychotic symptoms are a recognized manifestation of epilepsy, these are more often associated with seizures of the temporal lobe type. While 10% of children with temporal lobe epilepsy develop a psychotic disorder by adulthood, the literature does not report any cases of psychotic disorders associated with frontal lobe seizures in children. This article presents a unique case of a girl whose frontal lobe seizures were associated with delusional psychotic symptoms. Once her seizure disorder was identified through electroencephalography (EEG) and appropriate anticonvulsant therapy was initiated, her associated psychotic symptoms resolved.

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Is suicidal ideation associated with allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis?

Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia ◽

10.1590/s1806-37562017000000129 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 31-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Martín Bedolla-Barajas ◽

Norma Angélica Pulido-Guillén ◽

Bolívar Vivar-Aburto ◽

Jaime Morales-Romero ◽

José Raúl Ortiz-Peregrina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Allergic Rhinitis ◽

Suicidal Ideation ◽

Allergic Asthma ◽

Allergic Diseases ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

University Hospital ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

And Control

ABSTRACT Objective: To investigate whether there is an association between suicidal ideation (SI) and allergic diseases in adults. Methods: This was a comparative cross-sectional study involving individuals ranging from 20 to 50 years of age recruited from a university hospital in the city of Guadalajara, Mexico. We included patients with a confirmed diagnosis of allergic asthma, those with a confirmed diagnosis of allergic rhinitis, and healthy controls. All subjects completed the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), which includes an item that evaluates the presence of suicidal thoughts or desires within the last two weeks, in order to identify SI. Results: The sample comprised 115 patients with allergic asthma, 111 patients with allergic rhinitis, and 96 healthy controls. The number of individuals identified with SI in the three groups were, respectively, 17 (14.8%), 13 (11.7%), and 8 (8.3%). Regarding the presence of SI, no statistically significant association was found in the allergic asthma group (OR = 1.98; 95% CI: 0.78-4.64; p = 0.154) or in the allergic rhinitis group (OR = 1.46; 95% CI: 0.58-3.68; p = 0.424) when they were compared with the control group. However, the presence of depression was associated with SI in the three groups: allergic asthma (OR = 12.36; 95% CI: 2.67-57.15; p = 0.001); allergic rhinitis (OR = 6.20; 95% CI: 1.66-23.14; p = 0.006); and control (OR = 21.0; 95% CI: 3.75-117.36; p < 0,001). Conclusions: In comparison with the control group, no association was found between SI and the groups with allergic diseases. In contrast, there was association between SI and depression in the three groups.

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Effect of an extract of Aloe vera on the biodistribution of sodium pertechnetate (Na99mTcO4) in rats

Acta Cirurgica Brasileira ◽

10.1590/s0102-86502009000500008 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 24 (5) ◽

pp. 383-386 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Cecília Maria de Carvalho Xavier Holanda ◽

Monique Batista da Costa ◽

Natália Chilinque Zambão da Silva ◽

Maurício Ferreira da Silva Júnior ◽

Vanessa Santos de Arruda Barbosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aqueous Extract ◽

Aloe Vera ◽

Treated Group ◽

Control Group ◽

Blood Levels ◽

Control Groups ◽

High Increase ◽

Tropical Plant ◽

And Control ◽

The Brain

PURPOSE: Aloe vera is a tropical plant popularly known in Brazil as babosa. We have investigated the effect of aqueous extract of Aloe vera on the biodistribution of Na99mTcO4 and laboratorial parameters in Wistar rats. METHODS: Twelve animals were divided into treated and control groups. In the treated group, Aloe vera was given by gavage (5mg/mL/day) during 10 days. The control group received sorbitol by the same way and period. One hour after the last dose, we injected 0.1mL of Na99mTcO4 by orbital plexus. After 60 min, all the animals were killed. Samples were harvested from the brain, liver, heart, muscle, pancreas, stomach, femur, kidneys, blood, testis and thyroid and the percentage of radioactivity (%ATI/g) was determined. Biochemical dosages were performed. RESULTS: There was a significant increase of %ATI/g in blood, femur, kidneys, liver, stomach, testis and thyroid and also in blood levels of AST and ALT. A significant decrease in levels of glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, creatinine and urea occurred. The statistical analyses were performed by Mann-Whitney test and T-Student test (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The aqueous extract of Aloe vera facilitated the uptake of Na99mTcO4 in organs of rats and it was responsible to a high increase of levels of AST and ALT.

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Brain Volumetric Changes and Cognitive Functions in Epileptic Patients

QJM ◽

10.1093/qjmed/hcaa054 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 113 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

A A Ashour ◽

A M A Nassef ◽

E M Awad ◽

A M Hazzou ◽

M A Nada ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Functions ◽

Brain Volume ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Whole Brain ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Epileptic Patients ◽

Generalized Epilepsy ◽

Patients With Epilepsy ◽

And Control

Abstract Background Epilepsy is a serious common neurological disorder that can affect any age. Cognitive functions are highly prevalent in patients with epilepsy and is more likely to occur in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). Associations were found between cognitive functions and brain volume loss in patients with epilepsy. Objective This work was carried out to assess the volumetric changes in brain of epileptic patients to use it as a biomarker for cognitive dysfunction in adult and adolescent patients with epilepsy. Patients and Methods A case control study was conducted to include 61 patients, 20 of which diagnosed with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE), 21 with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and 20 with frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) who were selected from the epilepsy outpatient clinic in Ain Shams university hospitals along with 23 age and sex matched healthy controls. Both cases and control groups were subjected to Magnetic resonance imaging MRI brain volumetry and detailed cognitive testing. An informed consent was taken from each adult patient, guardian of adolescent patient and healthy control. Results Statistically significant difference in comprehension subcategory of the Wechsler adult intelligence scale (WAIS) between patients with IGE and healthy controls denoting poorer social judgment in the IGE group. The IGE group also showed poorer performance in digit symbol subcategory of the same test denoting worse psychomotor speed and sustained attention. Also, significant difference in similarities subcategory was found between TLE group and control group denoting poorer abstract thinking among the TLE group. The IGE and TLE groups also showed lower attention and concentration than control group in the mental control subcategory of the Wechsler memory scale (WMS) yet failed to show superiority over each other. No statistically significant difference was found on comparing the whole brain volume between cases and control groups. A statistically significant direct relationship was found between the arithmetic subcategory of WAIS and the whole brain volume of the patients among the patients of the FLE group. Conclusion Patients with IGE had worse psychomotor speed, sustained attention and concentration than healthy controls in addition to poorer social judgment. Also, patients with TLE showed lower attention and concentration together with poorer abstract thinking despite normal IQ. The study also concluded that increased whole brain volume in patients with frontal lobe epilepsy is associated with better mathematical problem solving.

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Visfatin Levels May be an Early Marker of Atherosclerosis in Patients with Acromegaly

Hormone and Metabolic Research ◽

10.1055/a-0998-4079 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 51 (10) ◽

pp. 649-654

Author(s):

Hamide Piskinpasa ◽

Yildiz Okuturlar ◽

Sema Ciftci Dogansen ◽

Yasemin Sefika Akdeniz ◽

Ayse Esen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Ankle Brachial Index ◽

Intima Media Thickness ◽

Carotid Intima Media Thickness ◽

Control Group ◽

Healthy Controls ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Normal Ratio ◽

Visfatin Level ◽

And Control ◽

Control Study

AbstractThe purpose of the study was to compare serum visfatin levels between patients with acromegaly and healthy controls and to evaluate the relationships between visfatin levels and epicardial fat thickness (EFT), carotid intima media thickness (cIMT), and ankle brachial index (ABI). We conducted a cross-sectional case-control study of 54 patients with acromegaly (37 females and 17 males) and 34 healthy controls (22 females and 12 males). Serum visfatin was measured by ELISA. Acromegalic and control participants and those with active or controlled acromegaly were compared with respect to their serum visfatin, clinical and metabolic parameters, EFT, cIMT, and ABI. Linear correlation was used to identify associations between these parameters and visfatin in all participants. Serum visfatin and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were higher in the acromegaly group than in the control group (p<0.001 and p=0.007, respectively). There was no difference in visfatin between the active and controlled acromegaly groups, but HbA1c was higher in the active than the controlled acromegaly group (p<0.04). EFT, cIMT, and ABI were similar between the acromegaly and control groups and between the active and controlled acromegaly groups. Serum visfatin positively correlated with HbA1c, growth hormone (GH), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1)/upper limit of normal ratio (r=0.245, p=0.024; r=0.259, p=0.017; and r=0.282, p=0.009, respectively). This study has revealed that a high visfatin level is associated with glycemic dysregulation and higher levels of GH and IGF-1 in acromegalic patients.

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