Blue Eyes Technology

The Blue Eyes technology aims at creating computational machines that have perceptual and sensory ability like those of human beings. It uses non-obtrusive sensing method, employing most modern video cameras and microphones to identify the user’s actions through the use of imparted sensory abilities. The machine can understand what a user wants, where he is looking at, and even realize his physical or emotional states. The Blue Eyes Technology developed is intended to be a complex solution for monitoring and recording the operator’s conscious brain involvement as well as his/her physiological condition. This shows yet another development in the field of Brain Computer Interface. The basic idea behind this technology is to give the computer the human power. We all have some perceptual abilities. That is we can understand each other’s feelings. For example we can understand one’s emotional state by analysing his facial expression. If we add these perceptual abilities of human to computers would enable computers to work together with human beings as intimate partners. The “BLUE EYES” technology aims at creating computational machines that have perceptual and sensory ability like those of human beings. This paper discusses the concept of blue eyes technology.

Contralateral C7 nerve transfer in the treatment of upper-extremity paralysis: a review of anatomical basis, surgical approaches, and neurobiological mechanisms

The previous three decades have witnessed a prosperity of contralateral C7 nerve (CC7) transfer in the treatment of upper-extremity paralysis induced by both brachial plexus avulsion injury and central hemiplegia. From the initial subcutaneous route to the pre-spinal route and the newly-established post-spinal route, this surgical operation underwent a series of innovations and refinements, with the aim of shortening the regeneration distance and even achieving direct neurorrhaphy. Apart from surgical efforts for better peripheral nerve regeneration, brain involvement in functional improvements after CC7 transfer also stimulated scientific interest. This review summarizes recent advances of CC7 transfer in the treatment of upper-extremity paralysis of both peripheral and central causes, which covers the neuroanatomical basis, the evolution of surgical approach, and central mechanisms. In addition, motor cortex stimulation is discussed as a viable rehabilitation treatment in boosting functional recovery after CC7 transfer. This knowledge will be beneficial towards improving clinical effects of CC7 transfer.

Blindness paving the path to the diagnosis of metastatic prostate carcinoma: A unique case presentation

Background: Intracranial metastases from prostate adenocarcinoma are very unusual and typically occur late in the course of the disease, and initial presentation with symptomatic brain involvement, especially vision loss is very rare (with this being only the sixth such reported case to the best of our knowledge). The present case elucidates how a diagnosis was reached in such a scenario and the management provided. Case presentation: A 66-year-old gentleman presented with loss of vision and headache with no other ocular or neurological complaint. Computed tomography (CT) of his head revealed a destructive lesion involving the clivus and a space-occupying lesion (SOL) in occipito-parietal region. Detailed inquiry regarding the possible primary source of suspected the metastatic lesion revealed an increased frequency of urination, nocturia, and significant weight loss. His serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were raised. He was treated by surgical hormonal therapy and his visual symptoms improved. Conclusion: Awareness of such a presentation can lead to an accurate diagnosis. Initiation of appropriate therapy can successfully alleviate the neurologic deficits.

Clinical features of respiratory syncytial virus bronchiolitis in an infant: rapid and fatal brain involvement

Background Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) infection is a significant cause of bronchiolitis and pneumonia, mostly responsible for hospitalization and infant death worldwide. However, in recent years the importance of extrapulmonary RSV manifestations, especially at neurological level, have become evident. Seizures, lethargy, ataxia and status epilepticus are suggestive of brain involvement, but also in their absence a direct neurological damage RSV-related need to be evaluated. Case presentation A 40-day old male infant was admitted to the Emergency Department with severe bronchiolitis and dyspnea. The patient was reported to be coughing for a week with a vomiting episode in the previous two days. The nasopharyngeal swab confirmed the diagnosis of RSV infection and blood gas test showed hypoxemia and respiratory acidosis. For these reasons, the patient was provided with oxygen therapy. A few hours later, after an initial improvement in clinical parameters, a worsening of respiratory dynamics occurred and the patient was prepared for endotracheal intubation, but in the meantime death occurred. During all the observation period in the Emergency Room, no signs of neuropathological damage were evident. Post mortem examination showed lungs congestion with alveolar atelectasis and white matter degradation with severe edema at brain level. Microbiological analysis performed on autoptic samples confirmed the presence of RSV genome in tracheobronchial aspirate, meningeal swabs, pericardic and abdominal fluids, lung and brain biopsies. Conclusions RSV is usually associated with respiratory diseases, however, as reported by an increasingly number of studies, the systemic dissemination of virus during severe disease can lead to a sudden infant death. The clinical picture herein reported showed a severe bronchiolitis resulting in a fatal and underestimated cerebral involvement due to RSV neurotropic behaviour and underline the need for clinicians to pay more attention to neurological involvement of RSV infection, even in absence of cerebral damage evidence.

Does COVID-19 Affect Adult Neurogenesis? A Neurochemical Perspective

COVID-19 has been found to cause neuropsychiatric symptoms which indicate brain involvement. SARS-CoV-2 may enter the brain by damaging and penetrating olfactory mucosa and via other possible routes like damaged blood–brain barrier, and hematologic spread. With SARS-CoV-2 having a higher affinity to ACE2 receptors, brain regions that have higher ACE2 receptors like the hippocampus, are more vulnerable to the effect of the viral invasion. In addition, immune cell activation, an important feature of COVID-19, leads to cytokine storm which causes neurotoxicity, neuroinflammation, and neurodegeneration. Impaired adult neurogenesis is related to many psychiatric disorders including depression, bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder, schizophrenia, and PTSD. It is known to be related to the depletion of neurotransmitters, dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, GABA, and glutamate which play a major role in adult neurogenesis. A recent study reveals that SSRI which acts by increasing serotonin is proven beneficial in COVID-19 patients. Thus, the current chapter will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on adult neurogenesis with emphasis on the role of ACE2 and neurotransmitters.

Tyrosine 136 phosphorylation of α-synuclein aggregates in the Lewy body dementia brain: involvement of serine 129 phosphorylation by casein kinase 2

Serine 129 (S129) phosphorylation of α-synuclein (αSyn) is a central feature of Lewy body (LB) disease pathology. Although the neighboring tyrosine residues Y125, Y133, and Y136 are also phosphorylation sites, little is known regarding potential roles of phosphorylation cross-talk between these sites and its involvement in the pathogenesis of LB disease. Here, we found that αSyn aggregates are predominantly phosphorylated at Y136 in the Lewy body dementia brain, which is mediated by unexpected kinase activity of Casein kinase 2 (CK2). Aggregate formation with S129 and Y136 phosphorylation of recombinant αSyn (r-αSyn) were induced by CK2 but abolished by replacement of S129 with alanine (S129A) in vitro. Mutation of Y136 to alanine (Y136A) promoted aggregate formation and S129 phosphorylation of r-αSyn by CK2 in vitro. Introduction of Y136A r-αSyn oligomers into cultured cells exhibited increased levels of aggregates with S129 phosphorylation compared to wild-type r-αSyn oligomers. In addition, aggregate formation with S129 phosphorylation induced by introduction of wild-type r-αSyn oligomers was significantly attenuated by CK2 inhibition, which resulted in an unexpected increase in Y136 phosphorylation in cultured cells. Our findings suggest the involvement of CK2-related αSyn Y136 phosphorylation in the pathogenesis of LB disease and its potential as a therapeutic target.

A longitudinal study of medial temporal lobe volumes in Graves' disease

Background Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common features of Graves' disease (GD), in hyperthyroidism and after treatment. The mechanism behind these symptoms is unknown, but reduced hippocampal volumes have been observed in association with increased thyroid hormone levels. Methods Sixty-two women with newly diagnosed GD underwent assessment including magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in hyperthyroidism and 48 of them were followed up after a mean of 16.4 ± 4.2 SD months of treatment. Matched thyroid-healthy controls were also assessed twice at a 15-month interval. MR images were automatically segmented using multi-atlas propagation with enhanced registration. Regional medial temporal lobe (MTL) volumes for amygdalae and hippocampi were compared with clinical data and data from symptom questionnaires and neuropsychological tests. Results Patients had smaller MTL regions than controls at inclusion. At follow-up, all four MTL regions had increased volumes and only the volume of the left amygdala remained reduced compared to controls. There were significant correlations between the level of TSH receptor antibodies (TRAb) and MTL volumes at inclusion and also between the longitudinal difference in the levels of fT3 and TRAb and the difference in MTL volumes. There were no significant correlations between symptom or test scores and any of the four MTL volumes. Conclusion Dynamic alterations in the amygdalae and hippocampi in GD reflect a previously unknown level of brain involvement both in the hyperthyroid state of the condition and after treatment. The clinical significance, as well as the mechanisms behind these novel findings, warrant further study of neurological consequences of GD.

Development of pulmonary tuberculosis in the patient with systemic sarcoidosis and brain involvement

The article presents a clinical case of pulmonary tuberculosis with destruction and bacterial excretion in the patient with systemic sarcoidosis and cerebral lesions. Tuberculosis was characterized by the infiltrate and cavity in S1+2 of the left lung, tuberculous mycobacteria were detected by microscopy, GeneXpertMBT/Rif, and culture. Systemic sarcoidosis with brain involvement was diagnosed based on intrathoracic lymphadenopathy in 2015, development of dissemination in the lungs and neurological symptoms by 2018, deterioration of changes by 2019, rapid partial resolution of foci in the lungs, and moderate regression of neurological disorders during the treatment with prednisolone. A full course of anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy (316 doses) resulted in persistent sputum conversion, resolution of the infiltrate and cavity healing. Prednisolone was administered simultaneously for 318 days with increased doses (45-35 mg) for the first 2 months, then titrated down to 15 mg and remained so until the end of the treatment with gradual reduction and discontinuation. Changes in the lungs and improvement of clinical and radiological manifestations of neurosarcoidosis were documented.

Brain MRI in SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia patients with newly developed neurological manifestations suggestive of brain involvement

The increased frequency of neurological manifestations, including central nervous system (CNS) manifestations, in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is consistent with the virus's neurotropic nature. In most patients, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a sensitive imaging modality in the diagnosis of viral encephalitides in the brain. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of brain lesion patterns on brain MRI in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia patients who developed focal and non-focal neurological manifestations. In addition, it will compare the impact of the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) as an index of deteriorating cerebral function on positive brain MRIs in both neurological manifestations. This retrospective study included an examination of SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia patients with real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) confirmation, admitted with clinicoradiologic evidence of COVID-19 pneumonia, and who were candidates for brain MRI due to neurological manifestations suggesting brain involvement. Brain imaging acquired on a 3.0 T MRI system (Skyra; Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) with a 20-channel receive head coil. Brain MRI revealed lesions in 38 (82.6%) of the total 46 patients for analysis and was negative in the remaining eight (17.4%) of all finally enclosed patients with RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia. Twenty-nine (63%) patients had focal neurological manifestations, while the remaining 17 (37%) patients had non-focal neurological manifestations. The patients had a highly significant difference (p = 0.0006) in GCS, but no significant difference (p = 0.4) in the number of comorbidities they had. Brain MRI is a feasible and important imaging modality in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia who develop neurological manifestations suggestive of brain involvement, particularly in patients with non-focal manifestations and a decline in GCS.