[Features of aphasic disorders in patients with acute cerebrovascular disorder in the posterior cerebral artery basin]. / Osobennosti afaticheskikh rasstroistv u patsientov s ostrym narusheniem mozgovogo krovoobrashcheniya v basseine zadnei mozgovoi arterii.

Aphasia is a systemic disorder of formed speech that develops as a result of local brain lesions. Most aphasias are characterized by damage to secondary cortical fields, which in turn are responsible for the performance of the functions of gnosis and praxis, which explains the variability in the manifestations of speech disorders in patients with acute cerebrovascular accidents. However, it is necessary in each case to diagnose the central pathological mechanism, which underlies the development of the entire syndrome and determines the entire clinical picture. The most important task of a speech therapist-aphasiologist is to qualify the defect, namely to isolate the mechanism and analyze the syndrome in order to select individual methods of corrective restoration. This article presents a case of a patient with an ischemic stroke in the left posterior cerebral artery with the development of amnestic aphasia in combination with alexia without agraphia.

[Selection of Appropriate Approaches to Preserve Brain Function for Deep Seated Brain Tumors:Our Experience of Two Posterior Thalamic Cases].

What is the most important factor to achieve successful surgery for deep-seated brain tumors with preservation of brain functions? Definitely, it is to identify the tumor origin site at which a tumor arose and select appropriate surgical approaches that immediately lead directly to the site in the early stage of surgery, minimizing damages of cortices and important white matter bundles, and controlling main arterial supply to the tumor. For this, neurosurgeons must have thorough knowledge of brain anatomy and function, and tailor the best surgical approach for each patient, based on three-dimensional anatomical simulation. For lesions situated in the posterior and lower part of the thalamus and extending to the lateral part, two "cross-court" approaches; the occipital transtentorial/falcine and infratentorial supracerebellar transtentorial approaches, provide a wide corridor to even the lateral aspect of the thalamus and early access to the posterior choroidal arteries, usually main feeders of this territory tumors, without damaging any cerebral cortices and major white matter bundles. Here, we describe the selection of approaches for two representative cases and demonstrate surgical procedures and postoperative courses.

Psychotic Disorder after Left Posterior Cerebral Artery Stroke-An Atypical Event.

INTRODUCTION: Stroke survivors usually present physical and neuropsychiatric complications. Post-stroke psychosis (PSPsy) is a particularly neglected sequel despite its disruptive nature. OBJECTIVES: To present a case of early emerging neuropsychiatric symptoms following a left posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke. To review and discuss PSPsy clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, and clinical outcomes. CLINICAL CASE: A previously autonomous 68-year-old woman with vascular risk factors and depressive disorder presented to the emergency department with a 5-day history of disorientation, motor aphasia, and right hypoesthesia. Computer tomography revealed a left PCA stroke. She was started on acetylsalicylic acid and rosuvastatin and discharged the next day. Afterward, the patient developed a depressive mood, emotional lability, periods of confusion, delusions of persecution, guilt and unworthiness, auditory hallucinations, and suicide ideation. She was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and started on risperidone with a good response, being discharged after 15 days with the resolution of psychiatric symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: PSPsy is more common after right hemisphere lesions and usually develops after some months. Nevertheless, our patient presented PSPsy following an ischemic event of the left PCA, with neuropsychiatric symptomatology dominating the clinic since the beginning. The involvement of the retrosplenial cortex or its connections was likely important for this atypical presentation. Due to the lack of guidelines on approaching PSPsy, most patients are treated with the same strategies used for non-stroke patients. A better comprehension of the anatomical basis underlining the symptomatology in these patients could deepen the understanding of psychosis and psychotic disorders.

Successful Thrombectomy of the Posterior Cerebral Artery P2 Segment in a 61-Year-Old Man with Acute Ischaemic Stroke: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND Acute ischemic stroke in the posterior cerebral artery (PCA) territory can lead to persistent disabling deficits. The PCA is divided into 4 segments. The P2 segment begins at the posterior communicating artery and curves around the midbrain and above the tentorium cerebelli. This report is of a 61-year-old man with acute ischemic stroke involving the left hippocampus treated with direct thrombectomy of the P2 segment of the PCA. CASE REPORT A 61-year-old white man presented with transient amnesia, aphasia, right-sided hemianopia, dizziness, and persistent acute memory deficits. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a left hippocampal acute ischemic stroke with left PCA occlusion in the P2 segment. Despite a low National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score and the already-formed lesion in the hippocampus, successful stent retriever thrombectomy was performed due to a considerable perfusion-diffusion mismatch and a persistent potentially disabling neurocognitive deficit. Due to partial thrombus dislocation, occlusion of the common origin of the right posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) and anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) occurred and was immediately treated by thrombectomy to prevent severe cerebellar infarction. His clinical symptoms completely resolved and a neuropsychological exam showed no residual deficits. CONCLUSIONS Thrombectomy of the P2 segment of the PCA is feasible and can be considered to treat patients with acute occlusion at risk for persistent disabling deficits, based on clinical estimation of the impact of such deficits and the presence of potentially salvageable brain tissue. Potential procedural complications should be sought out and immediately treated, if technically feasible.

Comparable dynamic cerebral autoregulation and neurovascular coupling of the posterior cerebral artery between healthy men and women.

AIMS: Most studies focus on dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) in the middle cerebral artery (MCA), and few studies investigated neurovascular coupling (NVC) and dCA in the posterior cerebral artery (PCA). We investigated NVC and dCA of the PCA in healthy volunteers to identify sex differences. METHODS: Thirty men and 30 age-matched women completed dCA and NCV assessments. The cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) and mean arterial pressure were evaluated using transcranial Doppler ultrasound and a servo-controlled plethysmograph, respectively. The dCA parameters were analyzed using transfer function analysis. The NCV was evaluated by eyes-open and eyes-closed (24 s each) periodically based on voice prompts. The eyes-open visual stimulation comprised silent reading of Beijing-related tourist information. RESULTS: The PCA gain was lower than that of the MCA in all frequency ranges (all p < 0.05). Phase was consistent across the cerebrovascular territories. The cerebrovascular conductance index (CVCi) and mean CBFV (MV) of the PCA were significantly higher during the eyes-open than eyes-closed period (CVCi: 0.50 ± 0.12 vs. 0.38 ± 0.10; MV: 42.89 ± 8.49 vs. 32.98 ± 7.25, both p < 0.001). The PCA dCA and NVC were similar between the sexes. CONCLUSION: We assessed two major mechanisms that maintain cerebral hemodynamic stability in healthy men and women. The visual stimulation-evoked CBFV of the PCA was significantly increased compared to that during rest, confirming the activation of NVC. Men and women have similar functions in PCA dCA and NCV.

Replaced posterior cerebral artery.

PURPOSE: Replaced posterior cerebral artery (PCA), defined as a hyperplastic anterior choroidal artery (AChA) supplying all branches of the PCA, is an extremely rare anatomical variation. To the best of our knowledge, there are only a few reports of replaced PCA. METHODS: Herein, we report a case of replaced PCA diagnosed by digital subtraction angiography. RESULTS: A 76-year-old woman visited a neurosurgical clinic because of headache and vertigo. Magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance angiography incidentally revealed a left internal carotid artery aneurysm. She was referred to our hospital for further examination and treatment of the unruptured intracranial aneurysm. Left internal carotid angiography revealed a paraclinoid aneurysm. We also incidentally found an anomalous hyperplastic AChA distal to the aneurysm. This hyperplastic AChA supplied not only the AChA territory but also the entire PCA territory. No vessels that could be a normal AChA or posterior communicating artery were identified along the left internal carotid artery. Vertebral angiography demonstrated that the left PCA was not visualized. With these findings, we diagnosed anomalous hyperplastic AChoA in this case as replaced PCA. CONCLUSION: Careful imaging assessment is important to identify replaced PCA. Both direct findings of a hyperplastic AChA course and perfusion territory and indirect findings of the absence of the original PCA are useful in the diagnosis of replaced PCA.

Accessory posterior cerebral artery (hyperplastic anterior choroidal artery) associated with contralateral accessory middle cerebral artery incidentally diagnosed by magnetic resonance angiography.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of accessory posterior cerebral artery (PCA) [hyperplastic anterior choroidal artery (AChA)] associated with contralateral accessory middle cerebral artery (MCA) incidentally diagnosed by magnetic resonance (MR) angiography. METHODS: A 71-year-old man with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation underwent cranial MR imaging and MR angiography of the intracranial region using a 1.5-T scanner for the evaluation of brain and vascular lesions. RESULTS: On MR angiography, two right PCAs of equal size arose from the internal carotid artery instead of the basilar artery. Additionally, a small left MCA branch arose from the proximal A2 segment of the anterior cerebral artery (ACA). CONCLUSION: One of the branches of the PCA rarely arises from the AChA. This variation is referred to as a hyperplastic AChA or accessory PCA. The latter name was recently proposed and may be more appropriate than the former name. An MCA branch arising from the ACA is called an accessory MCA. It is a frontal branch of two types: proximal-origin and distal-origin. The distal-origin accessory MCA arises from the distal A1 segment, A1-A2 junction or proximal A2 segment. Distal-origin accessory MCAs are rare. Our patient had two rare variations: an accessory right PCA and a distal-origin accessory left MCA. To identify cerebral arterial variations, especially accessory MCA, volume-rendering images are more useful than maximum-intensity projection images on MR angiography.

Anatomical Features of Posterior Cerebral Arteries and Basilar Artery in 170 Anatolian Fresh Cadavers: Implications for Surgical Planning and Intervention.

BACKGROUND: The posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs) are terminal branches of the basilar artery (BA) and are responsible for the primary supply of the occipital lobe. Saccular aneurysm is most commonly seen close to the bifurcation of the BA. Various surgical interventions are performed for aneurysms. Therefore, the anatomy and localization of the BA and PCA are crucial. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of these arteries in a large Anatolian population. METHODS: The study included 170 Anatolian fresh cadavers. The diameters of the BA and PCA were measured. Correlations according to sex and age groups were analyzed. The Q1, Q2, and Q3 angles between the right and left PCA, between the right PCA and BA, and between the left PCA and BA, respectively, were measured. The location of the PCA relative to the sulcus pontocruralis (pontocrural groove) was also evaluated. RESULTS: The diameter of the artery increased with age and was higher in males than in females. Q1 and Q2 diameters were larger in males, while the Q3 diameter was larger in females. The Q1 angle between the right and left PCAs was found to be higher in age range 40-59 years with a mean of 87.33 ± 17.91 mm. Finally, the bifurcation point of the PCA was most frequently located above the sulcus pontocruralis (pontocrural groove) and least frequently located on the sulcus pontocruralis (pontocrural groove). CONCLUSIONS: The findings of our study will contribute to the planning of surgical approaches, the development of endovascular devices, the success of invasive procedures, and the reduction of complications.

Validation of Vascular Location Subcodes for Acute Ischemic Stroke by the International Classification of Diseases-10.

BACKGROUND: Vascular region of infarct is part of the International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) coding scheme for ischemic stroke. These data could potentially be used for studies about vascular location, such as comparisons of anterior versus posterior circulation stroke. The objective of this study was to evaluate the validity of these subcodes. METHODS: We selected a random sample of 100 hospitalizations specifying 50 with anterior circulation ICD-10 ischemic stroke (carotid, anterior cerebral artery [CA], middle CA) and 50 with posterior circulation stroke (vertebral, basilar, cerebellar, posterior CA). The gold standard primary vascular distribution was scored using imaging studies and reports, blinded to the subcode. We compared gold-standard distribution to coded distribution and calculated the operating characteristics of ICD-10 posterior circulation versus anterior circulation codes with the gold standard. We also calculated the kappa statistic for agreement across all 7 vascular regions. RESULTS: In our population of 100 strokes, mean NIHSS was 8 (SD, 8). Head CT was performed in 95 % (95/100) and MRI in 77 % (77/100). The gold standard classified 55 primary posterior circulation strokes (26 PCA, 16 cerebellar, 8 basilar, 5 vertebral), 44 primary anterior circulation strokes (35 MCA, 6 carotid, 3 ACA), and 1 stroke with no infarct on imaging. The accuracy of the ICD-10 classification for primary posterior circulation stroke versus anterior circulation/no infarct was: sensitivity 89 % (49/55); specificity 98 % (44/45); positive predictive value 98 % (49/50); negative predictive value 88 % (44/50). The reliability of the 7-region classification was excellent (kappa 0.85). CONCLUSIONS: We found that ICD-10 classification of vascular location in routine practice correlates strongly with gold-standard localization for hospitalized ischemic stroke and supports validity in differentiating posterior versus anterior circulation. At a more granular vascular level, the location reliability was excellent, although limited data were available for some subcodes.

Effect of anesthetic strategies on distal stroke thrombectomy in the anterior and posterior cerebral artery.

BACKGROUND: Numerous questions regarding procedural details of distal stroke thrombectomy remain unanswered. This study assesses the effect of anesthetic strategies on procedural, clinical and safety outcomes following thrombectomy for distal medium vessel occlusions (DMVOs). METHODS: Patients with isolated DMVO stroke from the TOPMOST registry were analyzed with regard to anesthetic strategies (ie, conscious sedation (CS), local (LA) or general anesthesia (GA)). Occlusions were in the P2/P3 or A2-A4 segments of the posterior and anterior cerebral arteries (PCA and ACA), respectively. The primary endpoint was the rate of complete reperfusion (modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction score 3) and the secondary endpoint was the rate of modified Rankin Scale score 0-1. Safety endpoints were the occurrence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage and mortality. RESULTS: Overall, 233 patients were included. The median age was 75 years (range 64-82), 50.6% (n=118) were female, and the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score was 8 (IQR 4-12). DMVOs were in the PCA in 59.7% (n=139) and in the ACA in 40.3% (n=94). Thrombectomy was performed under LA±CS (51.1%, n=119) and GA (48.9%, n=114). Complete reperfusion was reached in 73.9% (n=88) and 71.9% (n=82) in the LA±CS and GA groups, respectively (P=0.729). In subgroup analysis, thrombectomy for ACA DMVO favored GA over LA±CS (aOR 3.07, 95% CI 1.24 to 7.57, P=0.015). Rates of secondary and safety outcomes were similar in the LA±CS and GA groups. CONCLUSION: LA±CS compared with GA resulted in similar reperfusion rates after thrombectomy for DMVO stroke of the ACA and PCA. GA may facilitate achieving complete reperfusion in DMVO stroke of the ACA. Safety and functional long-term outcomes were comparable in both groups.

The effects of P2 segment of posterior cerebral artery to thalamus blood supply pattern on gait in cerebral small vessel disease: A 7 T MRI based study.

Gait disturbance is a manifestation of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). The posterolateral thalamus (PL), whose blood is mainly supplied by the P2 segment of posterior cerebral artery (P2-PCA), plays pivotal roles in gait regulation. We investigated the influence of the distance between P2-PCA and PL on gait with varying CSVD burden. 71 participants were divided into low and high CSVD burden groups. The distance from P2-PCA to PL was measured using 7 T TOF-MRA and categorized into an immediate or distant PCA-to-thalamus pattern. Functional connectivity (FC) and voxel-based morphometry were assessed to evaluate functional and structural alterations. In the low CSVD burden group, immediate PCA-to-thalamus supply strongly correlates with longer step length and higher wave phase time percent, and exhibited enhanced FCs in left supplementary motor area, right precentral cortex (PreCG.R). While in the high CSVD burden group, no association between PCA-to-thalamus pattern and gait was found, and we observed reduced FC in PreCG.R with immediate PCA-to-thalamus pattern. Higher CSVD burden was associated with decreased gray matter density in bilateral thalamus. However, no significant structural thalamic change was observed between the two types of PCA-to-thalamus patterns in all patients. Our study demonstrated patients with immediate PCA-to-thalamus supply exhibited better gait performance in low CSVD burden populations, which also correlated with enhanced FCs in motor-related cortex, indicating the beneficial effects of the immediate PCA-to-thalamus supply pattern. In the higher burden CSVD populations, the effects of PCA-to-thalamus pattern on gait are void, attributable to the CSVD-related thalamic destruction and impairment of thalamus-related FC.

Endovascular Treatment in Precommunicating Segment Aneurysms of Posterior Cerebral Artery.

BACKGROUND: Precommunicating (P1) segment aneurysms of the posterior cerebral artery are rare, with few studies reported to date. Herein, we address the clinical and radiologic outcomes of their endovascular treatment. METHODS: For this study, we retrieved prospectively collected data on 35 consecutive patients with 37 P1 aneurysms, analyzing the clinical ramifications and morphologic outcomes of treatment. All subjects received endovascular interventions between January 2001 and October 2021. RESULTS: There were 16 aneurysms (43.2%) of P1 segment sidewalls and 21 (56.8%) at P1/posterior communicating artery junctions. Five (13.5%) were fusiform, and 14 (37.8%) were ruptured. In 14 patients (40%), 16 aneurysms (43%) were associated with intracranial arterial occlusive disease of the anterior circulation. Selective coiling was undertaken in 34 aneurysms (91.9%), using single (n = 24) or double (n = 4) microcatheters, microcatheter protection (n = 2), or stents (n = 4); and trapping was done in 3 (8.1%). No procedure-related morbidity or mortality resulted. Excluding the trapped lesions, angiographic follow-up of 29 aneurysms obtained >6 months after embolization (mean, 12.4 month) revealed stable occlusion in 21 (72.4%), with some recanalization in the other 8 (minor: 3/29, 10.4%; major: 5/29, 17.2%). CONCLUSIONS: Aneurysms of P1 segment (vs. other locations) are strongly associated with intracranial arterial occlusive disease of the anterior circulation and thus are likely flow related. Endovascular treatment of such lesions seems safe and efficacious, despite the array of technical strategies that their distinctive anatomic configurations impose.

Half-and-Half Approach for Multiple Aneurysms at the Superior Cerebellar and Middle Cerebral Arteries.

Aneurysms at the superior cerebellar artery (SCA) are commonly treated endovascularly because of their location around the basilar artery,1,2 but they are not intimately related with thalamoperforators. Therefore in younger patients, those with wide-necked aneurysms, or those with multiple ipsilateral aneurysms, surgery remains a treatment option.3 We present a 52-year-old woman with dizziness in whom multiple, unruptured intracranial aneurysms were identified. Imaging demonstrated a 9-mm right-sided SCA aneurysm and 5-mm right and mirror 3-mm left M1 segment middle cerebral artery aneurysms. The patient gave consent to undergo surgery after counseling regarding her treatment options. A pterional and temporal craniotomy was performed to allow for half-and-half subtemporal and transsylvian approaches (Video 1). Here, we discuss the nuances of the approach related to the anatomy of SCA aneurysms. The challenges of the surgery can be mediated with techniques including division of the tentorium for enhanced exposure and early proximal control with temporary clinping or the use of adenosine (cardiac arrest). Our patient remained neurologically stable postoperatively and in 1-year follow-up. SCA aneurysms are easily visualized by the subtemporal and transsylvian approaches; they are frequently located adjacent to the posterior cerebral artery above and the SCA below. A modified transcavernous approach using the orbitozygomatic craniotomy has been described for access to basilar tip aneurysms.4 While comparable, this case demonstrates the efficient workflow to clip multiple aneurysms using a single, combined approach. In patients with multiple aneurysms presenting ipsilaterally or with comorbid conditions that complicate endovascular embolization, surgery should be considered as a definitive and safe treatment strategy. The patient consented to publication.

Endovascular therapy versus best medical management for isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Isolated posterior cerebral artery occlusions (iPCAO) were underrepresented in pivotal randomized clinical trial (RCTs) of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) in ischemic stroke, and the benefit of EVT in this population is still indeterminate. We performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis to compare the safety and efficacy of EVT compared to best medical management (BMM) in patients with iPCAO. METHODS: We searched Medline/PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane databases up to May 2023 for eligible studies reporting outcomes of patients with iPCAO treated with EVT or BMM. We pooled odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Seven studies involving 2560 patients were included. EVT was associated with significantly higher likelihood of early neurological improvement (OR, 2.31 [95% CI, 1.38-2.91]; p < 0.00001) and visual field normalization (OR, 3.08 [95% CI, 1.76-5.38]; p < 0.0001) compared to BMM. Rates of good functional outcomes (mRS 0-2) were comparable between the two arms (OR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.70-1.10]; p = 0.26). Symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) was comparable between the two groups (OR, 1.94 [95% CI, 0.96-3.93]; p = 0.07). Mortality was also similar between the two groups (OR, 1.36; [95% CI, 0.77-2.42]; p = 0.29). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with iPCAO, EVT was associated with visual and early neurological improvement but with a strong trend toward increased sICH. Survival and functional outcomes may be slightly poorer. The role of EVT in iPCAO remains uncertain.

Anatomical differences of intracranial arteries according to sex: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Intracranial aneurysms are more common in women than in men. Some anatomical variants of the circle of Willis (CoW) are associated with a higher risk of developing intracranial aneurysms. We hypothesized that variations of the CoW are sex dependent which may partly explain why intracranial aneurysms are more common in women. We systematically reviewed and meta-analyzed the literature to compare the presence of anatomical variations of the CoW between women and men in the general population. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic search in Pubmed and EMBASE using predefined criteria, following the PRISMA guidelines was performed. The presence of different CoW anatomical variants and a complete CoW was compared between women and men using an inverse variance weighted random effects meta-analysis to calculate relative risks (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). RESULTS: Fourteen studies were included reporting on 5478 healthy participants (2511 women, 2967 men). Bilateral fetal type posterior cerebral arteries (RR 2.79; 95%CI 1.65-4.72, I2=0%), and a complete CoW (RR 1.24, 95%CI 1.13-1.36; I2=0%) were more prevalent in women than in men. The variants absence or hypoplasia of one of the anterior cerebral arteries (RR 0.58, 95%CI 0.38-0.88, I2=57%) and hypoplasia or absence of both posterior communicating arteries (RR 0.79, 95%CI 0.71-0.87, I2=0%) were more prevalent in men. CONCLUSIONS: Several anatomical variations of the CoW are sex dependent, with some variants being more common in women while others in men. Future research should assess how these sex-specific CoW variants relate to the sex-specific occurrence of intracranial aneurysms.

Psychotic Disorder after Left Posterior Cerebral Artery Stroke-An Atypical Event

Introduction: Stroke survivors usually present physical and neuropsychiatric complications. Post-stroke psychosis (PSPsy) is a particularly neglected sequel despite its disruptive nature. Objectives: To present a case of early emerging neuropsychiatric symptoms following a left posterior cerebral artery (PCA) stroke. To review and discuss PSPsy clinical manifestations, pathophysiology, and clinical outcomes. Clinical Case: A previously autonomous 68-year-old woman with vascular risk factors and depressive disorder presented to the emergency department with a 5-day history of disorientation, motor aphasia, and right hypoesthesia. Computer tomography revealed a left PCA stroke. She was started on acetylsalicylic acid and rosuvastatin and discharged the next day. Afterward, the patient developed a depressive mood, emotional lability, periods of confusion, delusions of persecution, guilt and unworthiness, auditory hallucinations, and suicide ideation. She was admitted to a psychiatric hospital and started on risperidone with a good response, being discharged after 15 days with the resolution of psychiatric symptoms. Conclusions: PSPsy is more common after right hemisphere lesions and usually develops after some months. Nevertheless, our patient presented PSPsy following an ischemic event of the left PCA, with neuropsychiatric symptomatology dominating the clinic since the beginning. The involvement of the retrosplenial cortex or its connections was likely important for this atypical presentation. Due to the lack of guidelines on approaching PSPsy, most patients are treated with the same strategies used for non-stroke patients. A better comprehension of the anatomical basis underlining the symptomatology in these patients could deepen the understanding of psychosis and psychotic disorders. (AU)

Posterior cerebral artery involvement in unilateral moyamoya disease is exclusively ipsilateral and influenced by RNF213 mutation gene dose: The SUPRA Japan study: PCA involvement in unilateral moyamoya.

OBJECTIVES: The characteristics and clinical implications of posterior cerebral artery (PCA) involvement in unilateral moyamoya disease (U-MMD), such as laterality, frequency of the RNF213 p.R4810K mutation, and clinical outcomes, have not been well studied. POPULATION AND METHODS: We analyzed a cohort of 93 patients with U-MMD who participated in the SUPRA Japan study. Clinical characteristics and radiological examinations were collected from medical records. The presence of the p.R4810K mutation was determined using a TaqMan assay. The clinical outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the associations. RESULTS: Among the patients with U-MMD, PCA involvement was observed in 60.0 % (3/5) of patients with homozygous mutation, 11.3 % (7/62) of those with heterozygous mutation, and 3.8 % (1/26) of those with wild type, showing a significant linear trend (p < 0.001 for trend). PCA involvement was observed exclusively on the same side as the affected anterior circulation. Dyslipidemia and cerebral infarction at initial onset were independently associated with mRS ≥1. Hypertension was associated with mRS ≥1 and it was also linked to infarction at initial onset, suggesting a potential confounding effect. Although PCA involvement showed a trend for higher mRS, it was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate a gene dose effect of the p.R4810K mutation on PCA involvement, with the homozygous state showing the most significant effect. Both genetic and modifiable factors such as dyslipidemia may influence the progression of U-MMD.

The influence of maturation and sex on intracranial blood velocities during exercise in children.

Cerebral blood velocity (CBv) increases in response to moderate exercise in humans, but the magnitude of change is smaller in children compared with postpubertal adolescents and adults. Whether sex differences exist in the anterior or posterior CBv response to exercise across pubertal development remains to be determined. We assessed middle cerebral artery (MCAv) and posterior cerebral artery (PCAv) blood velocity via transcranial Doppler in 38 prepubertal (18 males) and 48 postpubertal (23 males) with cerebrovascular and cardiorespiratory measures compared at baseline and ventilatory threshold. At baseline, MCAv was higher in both sexes pre- versus postpuberty. Females demonstrated a greater MCAv (P < 0.001) than their male counterparts (prepubertal females; 78 ± 11 cm·s-1 vs. prepubertal males; 72 ± 8 cm·s-1, and postpubertal females; 68 ± 10 cm·s-1 vs. postpubertal males; 62 ± 7 cm·s-1). During exercise, MCAv remained higher in postpubertal females versus males (81 ± 15 cm·s-1 vs. 73 ± 11 cm·s-1), but there were no differences in prepuberty. The relative increase in PCAv was greater in post- versus prepubertal females (51 ± 9 cm·s-1 vs. 45 ± 11 cm·s-1; P = 0.032) but was similar in males and females. Our findings suggest that biological sex alters anterior cerebral blood velocities at rest in both pre- and postpubertal youth, but the response to submaximal exercise is only influenced by sex postpuberty.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Cerebral blood velocity (CBv) in the anterior circulation was higher in females compared with males irrespective of maturational stage, but not in the posterior circulation. In response to exercise, females demonstrated a greater CBv compared with males, especially post-peak height velocity (post-PHV) where the CBv response to exercise was more pronounced. Our findings suggest that both CBv at rest and in response to acute submaximal exercise are altered by biological sex in a maturity-dependent manner.