Post-stroke depression: an update.

INTRODUCTION: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is the most common mood disorder following a stroke, and also the main factor limiting recovery and rehabilitation in stroke patients. In addition, it may increase mortality by up to ten times. DEVELOPMENT: PSD occurs in 1 in 3 stroke patients and more than half of all cases are neither diagnosed nor treated. Several mechanisms, including biological, behavioral, and social factors, are involved in its pathogenesis. Symptoms usually occur within the first three months after stroke (early onset PSD), and less frequently at a later time (late onset PSD). Symptoms resemble those of other types of depression, although there are some differences: PSD patients experience more sleep disturbances, vegetative symptoms, and social withdrawal. For PSD diagnosis, we recommended vigilance and use of specific diagnostic tools such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ-2). The treatments of choice are selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). However, there are still many unanswered questions in the treatment of PSD, such as the best time to start treatment or the effects of antidepressants on cognition and motor function, among others. CONCLUSIONS: Neurologists play a pivotal role in the care and management of patients recovering from stroke. They must be familiar with methods for early detection and treatment of PSD, as this can facilitate a patient's functional recovery and social reintegration, and improve quality of life for patients and their families.

Description of series of 10 patients with hypnic headache: Discussion of the diagnostic criteria.

INTRODUCTION: Hypnic headache is a rare primary headache. The diagnostic criteria of the International Headache Classification (IHS) for this condition are discussed, as they have been modified in the new edition of the 2013. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The clinical characteristics, and fulfilment of the criteria of the IHS classification in a series of 10patients diagnosed in our Headaches Clinic, are analyzed. RESULTS: The mean age of onset of symptoms was 52.1years (SD: 13.4; range: 28-69). The pain was reported as oppressive in 60% of the patients, and as sharp in 30%. The headache was described as holocranial in 60% and hemicranial in 40%. They occurred exclusively during night-time sleep in 80% of the patients. The mean duration of headache was 136.5minutes (range: 10-480). The mean number of days per month was 16.4 (range: 3-30), and 50% had less than 15 headache days per month. No patient had autonomic manifestations, 70% had phonophobia, 50% had photophobia, and 50% had both. All of them (100%) had a VAS score equal to or higher than 8. CONCLUSIONS: The criteria for hypnic headache of the new classification are best suited to the characteristics of these patients. Our results show the major changes in the criteria: pain is not always dull, headache frequency may be less than 15days a month, and it can occur in people under age 50. There may be phonophobia or photophobia only, or both. Although it does not form part of the diagnostic criteria, the pain intensity in our series was higher than described.

Pharmacological therapy in the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke in the oldest-old patients: has it improved in recent decades?

INTRODUCTION: Population aging has caused an increase in strokes in very elderly patients (VEP). We assess how secondary prevention of ischemic stroke has changed in VEP in recent decades. METHOD: Retrospective study of discharges due to ischemic stroke in the Virgen Macarena, Virgen del Rocio and Valme hospitals in Seville (Spain), during the periods 1999-2001, 2014-16 and 2019-2020. VEP were considered those with ≥80 years. RESULT: We studied 1806 patients, 349 (19.3%) were VEP. Over the years, VEPs have doubled (13.5% vs. 25.9% and 28% p = 0.0001) and age has increased (83.3 ±â€¯3 vs. 84.1 ±â€¯3 vs. 85.2 ±â€¯4 p = 0.001). Comparing the periods, the VEPs have more hypertension (69.9% vs. 84.8% vs. 84.6%; p = 0.0001) and dyslipidemia (12% vs. 41.7% vs. 52.3%; p = 0.0001) and have prescribed more antihypertensives (69.1% vs. 86.7% vs. 92.3%; p = 0.0001), statins (5.3% vs. 78% vs. 81.5%; p = 0.0001) and anticoagulants (16.5% vs. 19.4% vs. 53.1%; p = 0.001), increasing the number of antihypertensives (1 ±â€¯0.9 vs. 1.6 ±â€¯0, 9 vs. 1.9 ±â€¯0.8 drugs p = 0.0001), and high-intensity statins (2.3% vs. 42.7 vs. 69.2% p = 0.0001). Comparing the VEPs with the younger ones, there were no differences in antihypertensive treatment in any period, there were differences in antithrombotic treatment in the first period, and with statins the differences were maintained until the end. CONCLUSIONS: In the last 20 years the number of VEPs has doubled, exceeding a quarter of the discharges. Although there is improvement in secondary stroke prevention in VEPs, there is room for improvement.

[Cryptogenic new-onset super-refractory status epilepticus following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. A case report]. / Estado epiléptico superrefractario de nueva aparición criptógeno tras vacunación contra el SARS-CoV-2. A propósito de un caso.

INTRODUCTION: New-onset super-refractory status epilepticus (NOSRSE) is a neurological emergency characterised by the development of status epilepticus in a patient without epilepsy or any known prior neurological disease and with no clear structural, toxic or metabolic cause, which recurs after 24 hours of induced coma. The most common identifiable cause is inflammatory-autoimmune. Consequently, we present a case of NOSRSE related to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination as an opportunity to investigate the dysimmune origin of this pathology. CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 40-year-old male who presented at the emergency department with fever and headache with no clear source of infection. His personal history included bacterial meningitis in childhood without any sequelae and protein S deficiency without treatment at the time, as well as vaccination with ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 21 days earlier. He was initially diagnosed with a urinary tract infection and treated with cefuroxime. Two days later, he was taken back to the emergency department with confusional symptoms and tonic-clonic seizures. He did not respond to midazolam and finally required sedation and orotracheal intubation for refractory status epilepticus. While in hospital, he required a number of lines of antiepileptic drugs, ketamine, a ketogenic diet, immunotherapy and plasmapheresis in order to successfully limit NOSRSE. The aetiological study offered normal results for serology, antineuronal antibodies in serum and cerebrospinal fluid, transthoracic echocardiography, testicular ultrasound and computed tomographic angiography. Only the control MRI scan showed a diffuse and bilateral alteration of the right hemispheric cortex and thalamic pulvinar as the only finding. CONCLUSION: It is crucial to report suspected adverse reactions associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, thereby allowing continued monitoring of the risk/benefit ratio of vaccination.

TITLE: Estado epiléptico superrefractario de nueva aparición criptógeno tras vacunación contra el SARS-CoV-2. A propósito de un caso.Introducción. El estado epiléptico superrefractario de nueva aparición (NOSRSE) es una emergencia neurológica caracterizada por el desarrollo de estado epiléptico en un paciente sin epilepsia ni enfermedad neurológica previa conocida y sin clara causa estructural, tóxica o metabólica, que recurre tras 24 horas del coma inducido. La causa identificable más frecuente es la inflamatoria-autoinmune. En consecuencia, planteamos un caso de NOSRSE relacionado con la vacunación para el SARS-CoV-2 como una oportunidad de indagar el origen disinmune de esta patología. Caso clínico. Varón de 40 años que acude al servicio de urgencias refiriendo fiebre y cefalea sin claro foco infeccioso. Entre sus antecedentes personales destacamos una meningitis bacteriana en la infancia sin secuelas y un déficit de proteína S sin tratamiento en ese momento, así como vacunación con ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 21 días antes. Fue inicialmente diagnosticado de infección del tracto urinario y tratado con cefuroxima. Dos días después, se le llevó de nuevo a urgencias con cuadro confusional y crisis tonicoclónicas, sin respuesta al midazolam, y requirió finalmente sedación e intubación orotraqueal por estado epiléptico refractario. Durante su ingreso requirió múltiples líneas de antiepilépticos, quetamina, dieta cetógena, inmunoterapia y plasmaféresis para conseguir limitar el NOSRSE. El estudio etiológico ofrecía normalidad de los resultados de serología, anticuerpos antineuronales en el suero y líquido cefalorraquídeo, ecocardiografía transtorácica, ecografía testicular y angiotomografía computarizada. Únicamente la resonancia magnética de control mostró una alteración difusa y bilateral de la corteza hemisférica y pulvinar talámica derecha como único hallazgo. Conclusión. Es crucial notificar las sospechas de reacciones adversas asociadas a la vacunación frente al SARS-CoV-2, permitiendo así una supervisión continuada de la relación riesgo/beneficio de ésta.

Trends in the use of statins after ischaemic stroke: Have clinical practices changed?

INTRODUCTION: The role of statins after ischaemic stroke changed with the publication of the SPARCL study in 2006. We analyse how this has influenced the prescription of statins in this patient population. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients discharged with ischaemic stroke at the Virgen Macarena, Virgen del Rocío, and Valme hospitals in Seville (Spain) over two periods: 1999-2001 and 2014-2016. RESULTS: The study included 1575 patients: 661 (42%) were women and mean age (standard deviation) was 69 (10) years. Patients from the later period are older (68 [10] vs 71 [11]; P = .0001); include a higher proportion of women; and present higher rates of dyslipidaemia, hypertension, and diabetes. At discharge, statins were used in 18.7% of patients (vs 86.9% in the first period; P = .0001), with high-intensity statins prescribed in 11.1% of cases (vs 54.4%; P = .0001). In both periods, atorvastatin was the most commonly prescribed statin (80 mg: 6% vs 42.7%; 40 mg: 5.1% vs 11.1%). In the first period, the use of statins and high-intensity statins was correlated with hypercholesterolaemia, and inversely correlated with age. In the second period, statin use was correlated with hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia, and high-intensity statin use was correlated with ischaemic heart disease and inversely correlated with age. CONCLUSION: There has been a clear change in the prescription of statins to patients with ischaemic stroke at discharge. However, many patients remain undertreated and the use of these drugs needs to be optimised.

Analysis of headache management in Andalusia.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Headache is a frequent reason for consultation between primary care physicians, emergency services physicians, and neurology specialists; however, it is not always well managed. The Andalusian Society of Neurology's Headache Study Group (SANCE) aimed to analyse headache management at different levels of care. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study with data gathered through a retrospective survey in July 2019. Participants completed a series of structured questionnaires on different social and work-related variables from 4 different groups of healthcare professionals (primary care [PC], emergency departments, neurology departments, headache units). RESULTS: A total of 204 healthcare professionals completed the survey: 35 emergency department physicians, 113 PC physicians, 37 general neurologists, and 19 neurologists specialising in headache. Eighty-five percent of PC physicians reported prescribing preventive drugs, which were maintained for at least 6 months (59%), with flunarizine and amitriptyline being the most commonly used. Most patients attended at neurology consultations (65%) are referred by PC physicians, with changes in the headache pattern being the main reason for referral (74%). Healthcare professionals across all levels of care showed great interest in headache and in receiving training in headache management (97% of PC physicians, 100% of emergency services physicians, 100% of general neurologists). CONCLUSIONS: Migraine sparks great interest among healthcare professionals from different levels of care. Our results also reveal a lack of resources for headache management, which is reflected in the long waiting times. Other means of bilateral communication between different levels of care should be explored (eg, e-mail).

Neurophysiology training in the Neurology Specialist Education Program in Spain.

INTRODUCTION: The training period in neurophysiology is a substantial part of the Neurology Specialist Program in Spain. The National Neurology Committee (La Comisión Nacional de Neurología (CNN), which is the body reporting to the Ministries of Health and Education, must ensure compliance to the Program. MATERIAL AND METHODS: During the first trimester of 2008, the CNN sent a questionnaire, in which there was a question asking about this training period, to each of the managers of the 69 teaching units accredited for neurology training in Spain, for them to answer. RESULTS: Of the 69 questionnaires issued, 49 were received completed, which was a response rate of 71%. The neurophysiology training period of the neurology specialist program in Spain was carried out in the same hospital in 44 teaching unit (90%): the remaining 5 sent their neurology trainees to 4 different hospitals. The Unit that carried out the neurophysiology training period was incorporated into the Neurology Department in 27 (55%) cases, and the formula was mixed in 3 (6%). A total of 69% of tutors were satisfied with the training, but was 90% in the hospitals where the unit was integrated into Neurology, and was 65% where this relationship did not exist. The neurologists in training were informed about EEG in 49% of education units, performed EMG/ENG 57%, and informed about evoked potentials in 35% after their training period. CONCLUSIONS: Although the level of satisfaction is high, the level of responsibility assumed by the neurologists in training during their rotation into neurophysiology does not appear to comply to the demands laid out in the training program, particularly in these units not integrated into Neurology Departments.

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases: a delayed pandemic? / Influencia de la infección SARS-CoV-2 sobre enfermedades neurodegenerativas y neuropsiquiátricas: ¿una pandemia demorada?

INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in December 2019 in the Chinese city of Wuhan and has since spread across the world. At present, the virus has infected over 1.7 million people and caused over 100 000 deaths worldwide. Research is currently focused on understanding the acute infection and developing effective treatment strategies. In view of the magnitude of the epidemic, we conducted a speculative review of possible medium- and long-term neurological consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection, with particular emphasis on neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases of neuroinflammatory origin, based on the available evidence on neurological symptoms of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. DEVELOPMENT: We systematically reviewed the available evidence about the pathogenic mechanisms of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the immediate and lasting effects of the cytokine storm on the central nervous system, and the consequences of neuroinflammation for the central nervous system. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 is a neuroinvasive virus capable of triggering a cytokine storm, with persistent effects in specific populations. Although our hypothesis is highly speculative, the impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection on the onset and progression of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases of neuroinflammatory origin should be regarded as the potential cause of a delayed pandemic that may have a major public health impact in the medium to long term. Cognitive and neuropsychological function should be closely monitored in COVID-19 survivors.

Will neurological care change over the next 5 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Key informant consensus survey. / ¿Va a cambiar la neurología tras la pandemia de COVID-19 en los próximos 5 años? Estudio de enfoque mediante informadores clave.

INTRODUCTION: The COVID-19 pandemic will give rise to long-term changes in neurological care, which are not easily predictable. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A key informant survey was used to enquire about the changes expected in the specialty over the next 5 years. The survey was completed by heads of neurology departments with broad knowledge of the situation, having been active during the pandemic. RESULTS: Despite a low level of consensus between participants, there was strong (85%) and moderate consensus (70%) about certain subjects, mainly the increase in precautions to be taken, the use of telemedicine and teleconsultations, the reduction of care provided in in-person consultations to avoid the presence of large numbers of people in waiting rooms, the development of remote training solutions, and the changes in monitoring visits during clinical trials. There was consensus that there would be no changes to the indication of complementary testing or neurological examination. CONCLUSION: The key informant survey identified the foreseeable changes in neurological care after the pandemic.

Trends in the use of statins after ischaemic stroke: Have clinical practices changed? / Tendencias en el uso de estatinas tras un ictus isquémico. ¿Hemos cambiado nuestra práctica clínica?

INTRODUCTION: The role of statins after ischaemic stroke changed with the publication of the SPARCL study in 2006. We analyse how this has influenced the prescription of statins in this patient population. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study of patients discharged with ischaemic stroke at the Virgen Macarena, Virgen del Rocío, and Valme hospitals in Seville (Spain) over two periods: 1999-2001 and 2014-2016. RESULTS: The study included 1575 patients: 661 (42%) were women and mean age (standard deviation) was 69 (10) years. Patients from the later period are older (68 [10] vs 71 [11]; P=.0001); include a higher proportion of women; and present higher rates of dyslipidaemia, hypertension, and diabetes. At discharge, statins were used in 18.7% of patients (vs 86.9% in the first period; P=.0001), with high-intensity statins prescribed in 11.1% of cases (vs 54.4%; P=.0001). In both periods, atorvastatin was the most commonly prescribed statin (80mg: 6% vs 42.7%; 40mg: 5.1% vs 11.1%). In the first period, the use of statins and high-intensity statins was correlated with hypercholesterolaemia, and inversely correlated with age. In the second period, statin use was correlated with hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia, and high-intensity statin use was correlated with ischaemic heart disease and inversely correlated with age. CONCLUSION: There has been a clear change in the prescription of statins to patients with ischaemic stroke at discharge. However, many patients remain undertreated and the use of these drugs needs to be optimised.

Knowing Patients Better After a Stroke and Secondary Prevention.

The habits and lifestyles are the fundamental factors in the control of cardiovascular risk. Patients who have had a cerebrovascular accident (CVA) have a high risk of having a new event with similar characteristics. The exponentially growing success, penetration and adherence of the new communication technologies, based on applications (APPs), allows to use them to obtain information and influence the risk factors. We propose that empowering patients in their disease can make a more efficient management of it. For this reason, we designed and developed a system which integrates a mobile application and a web application. This system also makes use of peripheral devices to monitor patients and allow the automatic acquisition of information to enable the characterization of this kind of patients in relation to habits and lifestyle. At the same time, the system can also empower these patients with their disease to do secondary prevention.

[Statins and cerebrovascular disease: new perspectives in stroke prevention]. / Estatinas y enfermedad cerebrovascular: nuevas perspectivas en la prevención del ictus.

INTRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT: The role played by statins in the prevention of strokes has been subject to controversy for a long time, especially because no clear correlation between levels of cholesterol in serum and strokes has yet been established. Nevertheless, a number of randomised trials with statins and several meta-analyses that were carried out later have proved that statins lower the incidence of all kinds of strokes, with a 21% reduction in the relative risk. It has also been shown that this effect is essentially due to the degree to which LDL cholesterol (cholesterol linked to low-density lipoproteins) is reduced, which has a lowering effect on lipid levels. It has also been shown that statins have others beneficial effects apart from reducing cholesterol levels and that these may be independent of the subject's basal lipid levels. We are referring to the so-called pleiotropic effects, which include stabilisation of the atherosclerotic plaque, an antiinflammatory effect, an antithrombotic effect and enhanced vasomotor reactivity. CONCLUSION: The recent appearance of the results of the SPARCL (Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels) study and the guidelines published by the American Heart Association and the Spanish Neurology Society, which grant statins a leading role in stroke prevention, both open up new horizons for the use of statins in cerebrovascular pathologies.

[Tight control of blood pressure after ischemic stroke is associated with nocturnal hypotension episodes]. / El control estricto de la presion arterial tras un ictus isquemico se asocia con la aparicion de episodios de hipotension nocturna.

AIM: To evaluate whether a tighter blood pressure (BP) control in patients with recent ischemic stroke is associated with the presence of nocturnal hypotension (NHP) episodes. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We included one hundred consecutive patients who had been discharged for ischemic stroke in the previous six months. To evaluate adequacy of BP control in these patients office BP and 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring values were used. RESULTS: We studied 63 males and 37 females; mean age was 69 ± 11 years. Sixty-eight lacunar and 32 non-lacunar strokes were included. Episodes of NHP were observed in 59 patients. Clinical hypertension was present in 34 patients. An abnormal pattern of circadian rhythm of BP was present in 72 subjects. Only 18 patients had BP within normal limits. Episodes of NHP were more frequent in subjects with good BP control versus patients with bad BP control: 88.8% and 52.4 % respectively (p = 0.007). The presence of NHP episodes was also inversely related to number of BP parameters altered (p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Tight control of BP after ischemic stroke is associated with a high frequency of NHP episodes. It is likely that aggressively lowering BP levels within the normal range after an ischemic stroke may be not beneficial, particularly in elderly patients.

TITLE: El control estricto de la presion arterial tras un ictus isquemico se asocia con la aparicion de episodios de hipotension nocturna.Objetivo. Evaluar si un control mas estricto de la presion arterial (PA) en pacientes con ictus isquemico reciente se asocia con la presencia de episodios de hipotension nocturna (HPN). Pacientes y metodos. Se incluyeron 100 pacientes consecutivos que habian sido dados de alta por ictus isquemico en los seis meses previos. Para evaluar el buen control de la PA en estos pacientes, se utilizaron valores de la PA en consulta y monitorizacion ambulatoria de la PA de 24 horas. Resultados. Se estudiaron 63 varones y 37 mujeres; la media de edad fue de 69 ± 11 años. Se incluyeron 68 ictus lacunares y 32 no lacunares. Se observaron episodios de HPN en 59 pacientes. La hipertension clinica estuvo presente en 34 pacientes. Un patron anormal del ritmo circadiano de la PA estaba presente en 72 sujetos. Solo 18 pacientes tenian la PA dentro de limites normales. Los episodios de HPN fueron mas frecuentes en los pacientes con buen control de la PA en comparacion con los pacientes con mal control: 88,8% y 52,4%, respectivamente (p = 0,007). La presencia de episodios de HPN tambien estaba inversamente relacionada con el numero de parametros de PA alterados (p = 0,001). Conclusiones. El control estricto de la PA tras un ictus isquemico se asocia con una alta frecuencia de episodios de HPN. Es probable que una reduccion intensiva de los niveles de la PA dentro del rango de la normalidad tras un ictus isquemico pueda no ser beneficiosa, en particular en los pacientes ancianos.

[Effectiveness and safety of gabapentin in the preventive treatment of migraine]. / Eficacia y seguridad de la gabapentina en el tratamiento preventivo de la migraña.

INTRODUCTION: Migraine is a frequent and disabling pathological condition with important socioeconomic repercussions. Recent studies have explored the use of antiepileptic drugs in the prophylactic treatment of migraine. Preliminary studies have shown that gabapentin is a drug that is effective and well tolerated by patients. AIM. To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of gabapentin in the prophylactic treatment of migraine. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A prospective, open, multicentre, random clinical study, carried out according to IHS criteria, which compares the effectiveness and safety of gabapentin in 1,200 mg/day and 2,000 mg/day doses as a preventive treatment for migraine over a 16 week period. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in patients treated with gabapentin, as compared with their basal state, in the following: a lower number of attacks (reduction in weeks 4, 10 and 16: 2.4 2.8, 2.9 2.9 and 3.1 2.9 attacks/month on a basal rate of 5.3 3.5 attacks/month), lower intensity (on a scale of 0 3 of increasing pain intensity: basal rate: 2.7 0.4, week 4: 1.8 0.9, week 10: 1.7 0.9, week 16: 1.4 1.0) and how long the pain lasts (basal rate 390 hours/month, week 4: 180 hours/month, week 10: 180 hours/month, week 16: 120 hours/month). No statistically significant differences were found between doses of 1,200 or 2,000 mg/day. Mild adverse effects were seen in 62 patients (37.8%): drowsiness (22.6%), asthenia (7.9%), dizziness (4.9%), abdominal pain (3.7%) and dazedness (3.7%). No serious adverse events occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Gabapentin can be considered an effective and safe drug in the preventive treatment of migraine.

[Hyperhomocysteinemia-related cerebral venous thrombosis]. / Trombosis venosa cerebral en relación con la hiperhomocisteinemia.

INTRODUCTION: Moderate hyperhomocysteinemia is a causal risk factor for atherosclerosis and venous thromboembolism. Recent researches have tried to find out a causal relationship. However, only a small number of cases have been reported on hyperhomocysteinemia and cerebral venous thrombosis in the world medical literature. CASE REPORT: We present the case of a 21 years old woman, and oral contraceptives taker, who consulted for a one week clinical picture of biparietal headache, nausea and vomiting. Examination revealed bilateral papilledema, and subsequent CT scan, MRI and MR angiography showed thrombosis of the left lateral sinus. Immunologic tests (antinuclear antibodies, antiphospholipid antibodies) were negative. Hypercoagulability studies showed persistent homocysteine high levels. The patient improved and was discharged after treatment with anticoagulants and therapeutic measures against brain edema. DISCUSSION: The 70 percent of the patients with thrombosis of the cerebral venous sinuses present hypercoagulable states, including moderate hyperhomocysteinemia. Several mechanisms are proposed for venous thrombosis in hyperhomocysteinemia, homocysteine induced endothelial dysfunction between others. Otherwise, oral contraceptives can increase the risk of venous thrombosis in other prothrombotic conditions. Folic acid and vitamins supplementation therapy are commented.

[Physiological variations of auditory brain-stem evoked potentials]. / Variaciones fisiológicas de los potenciales evocados auditivos del tronco cerebral.

From the beginning brainstem evoked response audiometry (BERA) has become a technique more and more useful in the daily clinic. In order to know the influence that over BERA have the stimulation parameters, record and individuals variables of each patient, we have developed a study over 50 healthy persons of both sex, with standard technical conditions of the studied different parameters. We agree with other authors in the mean latency values and waves amplitudes, except from the polarity in which our findings are different from those of the literature.

How to unfasten the Spanish Stroke Belt? Andalusia chooses research.

Andalusia in southern Spain, one of the largest regions in the European Union, has made a profound economic and social transformation that has led to establishment of a modern universal public health care system. However, due to its high stroke mortality rates, Andalusia is still known as the 'Spanish Stroke Belt'. To fight these figures, successive initiatives culminated in the launch of the Andalusian Plan for Stroke Care, to be developed during the period of 2011 to 2014. In addition, involved professionals have hypothesized that clinical and experimental research may contribute to improving stroke care in our community. To that end, one of the leading institutes of biomedical research in Andalusia, the Institute of Biomedicine of Seville (IBiS), has selected stroke as a flagship project in the region. Moreover, Seville, the capital of Andalusia, is now conducting a fusion process of its two largest hospitals, with the potential to generate a stroke alliance that will make it one of the main stroke hospitals in Europe (>2000 cases per year). It is anticipated that this will be an excellent platform to facilitate acute-phase clinical trials and speed the translation process from basic research in IBiS laboratories to the clinical setting. Furthermore, the recently created Andalusian Neurovascular Group is ready to develop prospective, collaborative, multicenter research projects that will evaluate interventions in areas of stroke care uncertainty. If we succeed in forging a link between research and health care quality, we may succeed in lowering the incidence of stroke and related mortality in the region in a short period of time.

[Triptans in clinical practice: effectiveness, tolerance and patient's satisfaction with medication (TRIPRACLI study)]. / Los triptanes en la practica clinica: eficacia, tolerancia y satisfaccion del paciente con los farmacos (estudio TRIPRACLI).

INTRODUCTION AND AIMS: This study was aimed determining the effectiveness, tolerance and satisfaction of patients with migraine as regards different triptans, according to the characteristics of their attacks. At the same time it sought to establish a predictive model that can be used to recommend one or another, depending on those characteristics. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective observation-based study conducted in headache units in a number of different centres. Patients included in the study were those with migraine who used the same triptan to treat their attacks. Data concerning preference, effectiveness, speed and tolerance were analysed. RESULTS: The analysis included 160 patients (88 females), with a mean age of 42.92 years. The most commonly used triptans were eletriptan, almotriptan and rizatriptan. Both patients and doctors reported a high degree of satisfaction (88% and 65%) with the triptan that was used. In the surveys on preference, patients preferred their current triptan to the previous one (83%) or to non-specific drugs. The overall score on a visual analogue scale was above 7 for all the triptans, without any differences from one to another. On analysing the use of a particular triptan depending on the characteristics of the attacks, no statistically significant differences were found. CONCLUSIONS: In this selected group of patients, triptans are a treatment that patients claim to be very satisfied with. Although there are no overall differences in the scores among different triptans, the fact that certain triptans are used more by patients after previous experiences with others suggests that they are more effective. We did not find any parameter that predicts the use of a particular triptan.