Füsun Mayda Domaç

IL-6 Levels in Migraine Patients Receiving Topiramate

There is considerable evidence suggesting that cytokines play important roles in pain and in mediating neurovascular inflammation associated with migraine headaches. Although consensus exists to recommend topiramate (TPM) for migraine prevention, the mechanism of action in this regard is unknown. We measured serum interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) levels in 66 migraine patients. Of these patients, 23 (34.9%) were taking TPM for migraine, and 43 (65.1%) were not. The IL‐6 levels were compared with those of healthy controls without migraine, from the population living in the same region. The mean IL‐6 levels in migraine patients taking TPM and patients who did not were 67.06 ± 92.09 pg/mL and 44.09 ± 59.19 pg/mL, respectively (P > 0.05). The IL‐6 levels were higher in the patients taking TPM. The IL‐6 level in the controls was 8.60 ± 7.36 pg/mL, which was significantly lower than the patient group using TPM (P = 0.001). Our results show that, although IL‐6 may be involved in pain induction or inflammatory mechanisms of migraine attacks, the serum IL‐6 level was not reduced in migraine patients receiving TPM therapy. In conclusion, we found high IL‐6 levels in migraine patients both with and without TPM therapy, suggesting that high IL‐6 levels during pain‐free periods could be a conditioning factor, making patients more vulnerable to pain attacks in chronic migraine. Further studies investigating the possible mechanism of TPM in migraine are needed.

Interleukin-6 Levels in Tension Headache Patients

ObjectiveCytokines are pain mediators in neurovascular inflammation. This study examined interleukin 6 (IL-6) levels in the serum of tension-type headache (TTH) patients, to determine if inflammation plays a role in the pathogenesis of this condition. MethodsSerum IL-6 levels were studied in 42 patients and 37 healthy controls from the same region. Of the patients, 20 (47.6%) experiencing TTH less than 15 days per month were placed in episodic tension-type headache (ETTH) group, and 22 (52.3%) with TTH more than 15 days per month were placed in chronic tension-type headache (CTTH) group. ResultsThe IL-6 level was significantly higher in the patients than in the controls. The IL-6 level of CTTH patients was higher than the controls (P<0.01). The IL-6 level was similar between ETTH and CTTH patients. Correlation analysis revealed a positive relationship only between age and IL-6 level in the patients. ConclusionsCTTH and ETTH patients had an elevated serum IL-6 level compared with controls. Therefore, we believe that IL-6 may be involved in pain induction or inflammatory mechanisms in TTH. Furthermore studies of the possible connection between chronicity of headaches and cytokine levels are needed.

Low scores on the Benton Facial Recognition Test associated with vertebrobasilar insufficiency.

BACKGROUND Decreased posterior cerebral circulation has been observed in patients with vertebrobasilar insufficiency (VBI). Reduced cerebral perfusion may have an impact on mental performance as measured by the Benton Facial Recognition Test (BFRT). We evaluated the usefulness of BFRT in identifying cognitive decline in patients with VBI by correlating test performance with total blood flow in the vertebrobasilar system and other variables such as educational level and gender. MATERIALS AND METHODS Thirty-three participants without dementia (mini-mental state examination; MMSE >27) and cranial magnetic resonance imaging abnormality, but with atherosclerotic risk factors were involved in the study. Nineteen subjects had a total vertebrobasilar flow volume less than 200 ml/min (Group I), and 14 subjects had a flow volume more than 200 ml/min (Group II). RESULTS The groups were similar in regard to gender, age, and educational level. BFRT results were 19.53 ± 3.12 and 22.36 ± 2.73 for Groups I and II, respectively (p=0.01). The educational level was the main factor affecting the BFRT score in Group I (p=0.04). DISCUSSION BFRT is clearly impaired in VBI as measured by Doppler ultrasound examination. We concluded that the test appears to adequately distinguish cognitive levels between VBI and other patients. Additionally, our results suggest that education is associated with BFRT results, and for normative purposes, gender consideration is unnecessary. Further studies are needed to investigate the association between VBI and memory dysfunction in early dementia.

Optic neuropathy related to hydrogen peroxide inhalation

Optic neuropathy related to toxins is a complex, multifactorial disease potentially affecting individuals of all ages. We report a case of presumed toxic optic neuropathy secondary to H2O2 exposure. This has not been previously reported, and the temporal relationship of the exposure to the optic neuropathy is compelling, although not definite, evidence of a causal relationship.

Association of matrix metalloproteinase-3 with lesion localization and size in acute ischemic stroke

Corresponding Author: Füsun Mayda Domaç E-mail: fusundomac@yahoo.com.tr Submitted: 14 September 2017 Accepted: 30 January 2018 You may cite this article as: Özyılmaz A, Mayda Domaç F, Mısırlı CH, Özkan D. Association of matrix metalloproteinase-3 with lesion localization and size in acute ischemic stroke. Neurol Sci Neurophysiol 2018; 35(3): 113-118. Abstract Objective: The importance of molecular markers as predictors of stroke risk and ischemic damage has been increasing. Various studies suggested the association of matrix metalloproteinases with destruction of the blood brain barrier, vasogenic edema, and tissue damage in cerebral ischemia. We aimed to investigate the role of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) in ischemic stroke and its association with the size and localization of the infarct.

P178 Visual event related potentials in migraneous patients

were carried out in the Neurophysiology Laboratuary of Marmara University Faculty of Medicine. Results: The latencies of N75 and P100 were found to be significantly longer in the study group than the control group (p<0,05) while the amplitudes in the study group were lower than the control group (p<0,05). When comparisons were made according to the duration of the disease (longer than 10 years and less than 10 years) N145 latency was found to be longer in patients with longer duration of disease (p<0,05). P100 latency was found to be significantly longer in patients with aura than the patients without aura (p<0,05). When patients were examined according to the localization as left unilateral headache, right unilateral headache and bilateral headache, the P100 latencies were higher in the patients with left hemicranial headache. Conclusion: Our results seem to support mechanisms like spreading depression and neuronal injury devoloping after repeated attacks in migraneous patients.

MO26 Blink reflex studies in migraine and tension-type headache

modulation. In this study, we analysed the effect of the CPT on the processing of SP and PT stimuli in subjects using subjective pain ratings and EPs. Method: Healthy subjects (10m/12f) were electrically stimulated at the left middle fingertip during two protocols. In a protocol the right hand was immersed in water of 0-1°C (CPT) or 32°C (control). Subjects had to withdraw and re-immerse their hand after subsequently 3 and 1 minute until the end of the protocol. Grand average EPs and numeric rating scale (NRS) scores were averaged from 105 stimuli of 5 stimulus amplitudes or number of pulses (NoP). Results: The results showed a decrease of amplitude of EP components and decrease of subjective ratings by CPT, for both SP and PT. The relationship between NRS and stimulus amplitude or NoP was unchanged by CPT. For both SP and PT both N150 and P300 EP amplitudes decreased by CPT. Conclusion: NRS scores and EP component amplitudes decreased by CPT. The different effects for SP and PT were not changed by CPT. Inhibition by CPT might be ascribed to activation of endogenous pain modulation by DNIC. These results are promising to further our knowledge of the nociceptive system.