-
Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2024Traumatic brain injury (TBI) negatively impacts social communication in part due to social cognitive difficulties, which may include reduced mental state term (MST) use...
INTRODUCTION
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) negatively impacts social communication in part due to social cognitive difficulties, which may include reduced mental state term (MST) use in some discourse genres. As social cognitive difficulties can negatively impact relationships, employment, and meaningful everyday activities, assessing and treating these difficulties post-TBI is crucial. To address knowledge gaps, the present study examined MST use in the narrative retells of adults with and without severe TBI to compare between-group performance, evaluate changes over the first two years post-TBI, and investigate the impact of participant and injury-related variables.
METHODS
The total number of MSTs, ratio of MSTs to total utterances, and diversity of MSTs were identified in the Cinderella narratives of 57 participants with no brain injury and 57 with TBI at 3, 6, 9, 12, and 24-months post-TBI.
RESULTS
Reduced MST use in participants with TBI was found at 3, 6, 9, and 12-months post-TBI, but these reductions disappeared when story length (total utterances) was accounted for. Further, MST diversity did not differ between groups. Similarly, although the total number of MSTs increased over time post-TBI, no changes were observed in the ratio of MSTs to total utterances or MST diversity over time. Injury severity (post-traumatic amnesia duration), years of education, and verbal reasoning abilities were all related to MST use.
DISCUSSION
Overall, although individuals used fewer MSTs in complex story retells across the first year following severe TBI, this reduction reflected impoverished story content, rather than the use of a lower ratio of MSTs. Further, key prognostic factors related to MST use included injury severity, educational attainment, and verbal reasoning ability. These findings have important implications for social communication assessment and treatment targeting social cognition post-TBI.
PubMed: 38807634
DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2024.1386227 -
Indian Journal of Ophthalmology Jun 2024The response of retinal pathology to interventions in diabetic retinopathy (DR) is often independent of the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values at the point of care. This... (Review)
Review
The response of retinal pathology to interventions in diabetic retinopathy (DR) is often independent of the glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) values at the point of care. This is despite glucose control being one of the strongest risk factors for the development and progression of DR. Previous preclinical and clinical research has indicated metabolic memory, whereby past cumulative glucose exposure may continue to impact DR for a prolonged period. Preclinical studies have evaluated punitive metabolic memory through poor initial control of DM, whereas clinical studies have evaluated protective metabolic memory through good initial control of DM. In this narrative review, we evaluate the preclinical and clinical evidence regarding metabolic memory and discuss how this may form the basis of preventive care for DR by inducing "metabolic amnesia" in people with a history of uncontrolled diabetes in the past. While our review suggested mitochondrial biology may be one such target, research is still far from a possible clinical trial. We discuss the challenges in such research.
Topics: Humans; Diabetic Retinopathy; Blood Glucose; Risk Factors; Glycated Hemoglobin; Disease Progression
PubMed: 38804800
DOI: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_2563_23 -
Journal of Surgical Case Reports May 2024We report a case of a 47-year-old male who presented with altered mental status. A review of his records revealed a weight loss of 20 lbs over the past 6 years, a...
We report a case of a 47-year-old male who presented with altered mental status. A review of his records revealed a weight loss of 20 lbs over the past 6 years, a recent hospitalization for idiopathic polyneuropathy with failure to thrive, and prior surgeries for peptic ulcer disease and small bowel obstruction. He was alert but had retrograde amnesia and peripheral neuropathy. A diagnosis was made, and the patient improved with treatment but was unfortunately left with irreversible neurological deficits. We discuss the importance of recognizing the extraintestinal manifestations of gastrointestinal dysfunction following gastrointestinal surgery.
PubMed: 38800503
DOI: 10.1093/jscr/rjae326 -
Radiology Case Reports Aug 2024We present a unique case of transient global amnesia following intravenous administration of a non-ionic iodinated contrast agent for abdominal CT examination. Follow up...
We present a unique case of transient global amnesia following intravenous administration of a non-ionic iodinated contrast agent for abdominal CT examination. Follow up MR imaging and MR angiography studies revealed hippocampal microinfarction and transient cerebral vasospasm. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case capturing arterial vasospasm following intravenous use of iodinated contrast. Medical professionals handling contrast agents should note the potential for these rare but serious adverse effects.
PubMed: 38800083
DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.04.079 -
Metabolomics : Official Journal of the... May 2024The chemical classification of Cannabis is typically confined to the cannabinoid content, whilst Cannabis encompasses diverse chemical classes that vary in abundance...
INTRODUCTION
The chemical classification of Cannabis is typically confined to the cannabinoid content, whilst Cannabis encompasses diverse chemical classes that vary in abundance among all its varieties. Hence, neglecting other chemical classes within Cannabis strains results in a restricted and biased comprehension of elements that may contribute to chemical intricacy and the resultant medicinal qualities of the plant.
OBJECTIVES
Thus, herein, we report a computational metabolomics study to elucidate the Cannabis metabolic map beyond the cannabinoids.
METHODS
Mass spectrometry-based computational tools were used to mine and evaluate the methanolic leaf and flower extracts of two Cannabis cultivars: Amnesia haze (AMNH) and Royal dutch cheese (RDC).
RESULTS
The results revealed the presence of different chemical compound classes including cannabinoids, but extending it to flavonoids and phospholipids at varying distributions across the cultivar plant tissues, where the phenylpropnoid superclass was more abundant in the leaves than in the flowers. Therefore, the two cultivars were differentiated based on the overall chemical content of their plant tissues where AMNH was observed to be more dominant in the flavonoid content while RDC was more dominant in the lipid-like molecules. Additionally, in silico molecular docking studies in combination with biological assay studies indicated the potentially differing anti-cancer properties of the two cultivars resulting from the elucidated chemical profiles.
CONCLUSION
These findings highlight distinctive chemical profiles beyond cannabinoids in Cannabis strains. This novel mapping of the metabolomic landscape of Cannabis provides actionable insights into plant biochemistry and justifies selecting certain varieties for medicinal use.
Topics: Cannabis; Metabolomics; Plant Leaves; Flowers; Plant Extracts; Cannabinoids; Molecular Docking Simulation; Flavonoids; Mass Spectrometry
PubMed: 38796627
DOI: 10.1007/s11306-024-02125-y -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024The advancements in deep learning have significantly enhanced the capability of image generation models to produce images aligned with human intentions. However,...
The advancements in deep learning have significantly enhanced the capability of image generation models to produce images aligned with human intentions. However, training and adapting these models to new data and tasks remain challenging because of their complexity and the risk of catastrophic forgetting. This study proposes a method for addressing these challenges involving the application of class-replacement techniques within a continual learning framework. This method utilizes selective amnesia (SA) to efficiently replace existing classes with new ones while retaining crucial information. This approach improves the model's adaptability to evolving data environments while preventing the loss of past information. We conducted a detailed evaluation of class-replacement techniques, examining their impact on the "class incremental learning" performance of models and exploring their applicability in various scenarios. The experimental results demonstrated that our proposed method could enhance the learning efficiency and long-term performance of image generation models. This study broadens the application scope of image generation technology and supports the continual improvement and adaptability of corresponding models.
PubMed: 38793943
DOI: 10.3390/s24103087 -
Current Issues in Molecular Biology May 2024The memory-enhancing activity of Matricaria chamomilla hydroalcoholic extract (MCE) is already being investigated by behavioral and biochemical assays in...
The memory-enhancing activity of Matricaria chamomilla hydroalcoholic extract (MCE) is already being investigated by behavioral and biochemical assays in scopolamine-induced amnesia rat models, while the effects of scopolamine (Sco) on cerebral glucose metabolism are examined as well. Nevertheless, the study of the metabolic profile determined by an enriched MCE has not been performed before. The present experiments compared metabolic quantification in characteristic cerebral regions and behavioral characteristics for normal, only diseased, diseased, and MCE- vs. Galantamine (Gal)-treated Wistar rats. A memory deficit was induced by four weeks of daily intraperitoneal Sco injection. Starting on the eighth day, the treatment was intraperitoneally administered 30 min after Sco injection for a period of three weeks. The memory assessment comprised three maze tests. Glucose metabolism was quantified after the 18F-FDG PET examination. The right amygdala, piriform, and entorhinal cortex showed the highest differential radiopharmaceutical uptake of the 50 regions analyzed. Rats treated with MCE show metabolic similarity with normal rats, while the Gal-treated group shows features closer to the diseased group. Behavioral assessments evidenced a less anxious status and a better locomotor activity manifested by the MCE-treated group compared to the Gal-treated group. These findings prove evident metabolic ameliorative qualities of MCE over Gal classic treatment, suggesting that the extract could be a potent neuropharmacological agent against amnesia.
PubMed: 38785541
DOI: 10.3390/cimb46050273 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2024The aetiology of transient global amnesia (TGA) is still a matter of debate. Besides ischemia of the mesial temporal lobe including the hippocampus, migraine-like...
INTRODUCTION
The aetiology of transient global amnesia (TGA) is still a matter of debate. Besides ischemia of the mesial temporal lobe including the hippocampus, migraine-like mechanisms, epileptic seizures affecting mnestic structures, or venous congestion in the (para) hippocampal area due to jugular vein insufficiency have been discussed. We assessed the diameters of the intracranial arteries of TGA patients compared to controls to identify differences that support the hypothesis of reduced hippocampal perfusion as a pivotal factor in the pathophysiology of TGA.
METHODS
We reviewed magnetic resonance imaging time of flight angiographies (TOF-MRA) that were acquired during in-patient treatment of 206 patients with acute TGA.
RESULTS
The diameters of the vertebral artery (VA) in the V4 segment, the proximal basilar artery, and the internal carotid arteries were measured manually. We compared the findings with TOF-MRA images of an age and sex matched control group of neurological patients without known cerebrovascular pathology. In TGA patients the diameter of the right VA was significantly ( < 0.01) smaller compared to controls (2.09 mm vs. 2.35 mm). There were no significant differences in the diameters of the other vessels. Only the fetal variant of the posterior cerebral artery was slightly more common in TGA.
DISCUSSION
The smaller diameter (hypoplasia) of the right VA supports the hypothesis of a contribution of hemodynamic factors to the pathophysiology of TGA. The fact that hypoplasia represents a congenital condition might be the explanation why previous studies failed to find an increased rate of the classical (acquired) vascular risk factors.
PubMed: 38784899
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1398352 -
JAMA Health Forum May 2024
Topics: Humans
PubMed: 38753351
DOI: 10.1001/jamahealthforum.2024.1749 -
Alzheimer's Research & Therapy May 2024As one major symptom of Alzheimer's disease (AD), anterograde amnesia describes patients with an inability in new memory formation. The crucial role of the entorhinal...
BACKGROUND
As one major symptom of Alzheimer's disease (AD), anterograde amnesia describes patients with an inability in new memory formation. The crucial role of the entorhinal cortex in forming new memories has been well established, and the neuropeptide cholecystokinin (CCK) is reported to be released from the entorhinal cortex to enable neocortical associated memory and long-term potentiation. Though several studies reveal that the entorhinal cortex and CCK are related to AD, it is less well studied. It is unclear whether CCK is a good biomarker or further a great drug candidate for AD.
METHODS
mRNA expressions of CCK and CCK-B receptor (CCKBR) were examined in two mouse models, 3xTg AD and CCK knock-out (CCK) mice. Animals' cognition was investigated with Morris water maze, novel object recognition test and neuroplasticity with in-vitro electrophysiological recording. Drugs were given intraperitoneally to animals to investigate the rescue effects on cognitive deficits, or applied to brain slices directly to explore the influence in inducement of long-term potentiation.
RESULTS
Aged 3xTg AD mice exhibited reduced CCK mRNA expression in the entorhinal cortex but reduced CCKBR expression in the neocortex and hippocampus, and impaired cognition and neuroplasticity comparable with CCK mice. Importantly, the animals displayed improved performance and enhanced long-term potentiation after the treatment of CCKBR agonists.
CONCLUSIONS
Here we provide more evidence to support the role of CCK in learning and memory and its potential to treat AD. We elaborated on the rescue effect of a promising novel drug, HT-267, on aged 3xTg AD mice. Although the physiological etiology of CCK in AD still needs to be further investigated, this study sheds light on a potential pharmaceutical candidate for AD and dementia.
Topics: Animals; Alzheimer Disease; Mice; Receptor, Cholecystokinin B; Amnesia, Anterograde; Cholecystokinin; Mice, Transgenic; Disease Models, Animal; Entorhinal Cortex; Male; Mice, Knockout; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Long-Term Potentiation; Hippocampus; Aging
PubMed: 38750512
DOI: 10.1186/s13195-024-01472-1