Ischemia modified albumin and plasma oxidative stress markers in Alzheimer's disease.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine ischemia modified albumin (IMA) and oxidant status in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, we evaluated the IMA and oxidant status by measuring serum uric acid, albumin and gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) in AD. METHODS: The plasma albumin, uric acid, GGT and IMA levels were measured by spectrophotometric methods in 32 AD patients and 32 healthy controls. The Mini Mental Status Examination and Clinical Dementia Rating Scale were used to evaluate the cognitive functions of AD patients. RESULTS: AD patients had significantly higher IMA levels as compared to those of the controls respectively. Uric acid concentrations were significantly decreased and GGT values were significantly increased in AD when compared with control group. Albumin levels of the patients were also compared and no significant difference was detected. CONCLUSION: Oxidative stress and IMA levels rise in AD. However, large prospective studies are required to understand the mechanisms leading to increased IMA levels during AD, whether preceded or not by AD.

Greater occipital nerve block is an effective treatment method for primary headaches?

OBJECTIVES: Headache is one of the most common health problems, and it severely reduces the quality of life. The present study examines the efficacy of greater occipital nerve (GON) block in patients monitored for primary headaches. METHODS: The present study includes 53 patients monitored by the headache outpatient clinic from March 2017 to June 2018, evaluates them for headache type, attack duration, attack frequency, severity of pain, and analgesic intake and compares the initial values with the follow-up values at months 1, 3, and 6. RESULTS: The study group comprises 36 episodic migraine cases, 12 tension-type headache (TTH) cases, 4 chronic migraine cases, and 1 cluster headache case. In migraine group, VAS scores, attack durations, and the mean value of monthly number of attacks and analgesics taken significantly decrease compared to initial values at the end of the 6-month follow-up period. In TTH group, VAS scores, attack durations, and the mean value of monthly number of attacks and analgesics taken significantly decrease compared to initial values at the end of the 3-month follow-up period. Since only 2 of 12 patients completed the 6-month follow-up, although there was a decrease in the 6-month data, it was found to be statistically insignificant. CONCLUSION: Repetitive GON block is an effective treatment method for migraine and TTH.

Assessment of Atrial Conduction Times in Patients with Newly Diagnosed Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: An increased risk of ischemic stroke has been reported in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Atrial fibrillation (AF) is strongly associated with ischemic stroke. Prolonged atrial electromechanical delay (EMD) is an independent predictor for the development of AF. AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the atrial conduction parameters in patients with PD and to assess their relation with the severity of PD. STUDY DESIGN: We prospectively enrolled 51 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed PD and 31 age- and sex-matched non-PD subjects. METHODS: To assess atrial electromechanical coupling (PA), the time intervals from the onset of p wave on ECG to the late diastolic wave at the septal (PAs) and lateral (PAl) mitral annulus and lateral tricuspid annulus (PAt) were measured on Tissue Doppler Echocardiography (TDE). The difference between PAs-PAl, PAs-PAt, and PAl-PAt were defined as left intra-atrial, right intra-atrial, and interatrial EMD, respectively. P-wave dispersion (PWD) was calculated from the 12-lead ECG. RESULTS: PWD, PAs, PAl, and PAt durations were significantly prolonged in the PD group (all p < 0.001). Interatrial, right, and left intra-atrial EMD were also significantly longer in PD patients (p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p=0.002, resp.). There were significant positive correlations between disease severity (UPDRS score) and PWD (r=0.34, p=0.041), left intra-atrial (r=0.39, p=0.005), and interatrial EMD (r=0.35, p=0.012). By multivariate analysis, PWD (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.02-1.25; p=0.017), LA volume index (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.02-1.37; p=0.021), left intra-atrial (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.01-1.24; p=0.041), and interatrial EMD (OR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-1.16; p=0.026) were found as independent predictors of PD. CONCLUSION: Atrial conduction times were longer and correlated with the severity of disease in PD patients. Prolonged inter- and intra-atrial-EMD intervals were also found as independent correlates of PD. These findings may suggest an increased predisposition to atrial fibrillation in PD.