Mamta Bhushan Singh

Efficacy of minocycline in acute ischemic stroke: A single-blinded, placebo-controlled trial

BACKGROUND Minocycline is a semisynthetic derivative of the tetracycline group of antibiotics, which have neuroprotective effects. In animal stroke models, minocycline had shown promising evidence to improve clinical and functional outcomes. OBJECTIVE To analyze the effect of oral minocycline in acute ischemic stroke patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a randomized single-blinded open-label study. The study group received oral minocycline 200 mg/day for 5 days and the control group received oral vitamin B capsules. Baseline assessment included the following: National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, modified Barthel Index (mBI), modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of brain including Diffusion Weighted Imaging (DWI), chest X-ray, and routine laboratory investigations. The clinical scales were repeated at days 1, 7, and 30. The end point was outcomes at 3 months (90 days). Statistical analysis was done with SPSS 11.5 (P<0.05). Paired t-test and multiple-measures Analysis Of Variance (ANOVA) were used. RESULTS Fifty patients with acute ischemic stroke were included in the study. Of these, 23 patients received minocycline and 27 patients received placebo i.e., vitamin B capsules. NIHSS score in patients receiving minocycline had shown statistically significant improvement at day 30 and 90 as compared with the controls. Similarly, mRS scores and BI showed significant improvement in patients receiving minocycline at three months as compared to the control group. No mortality, myocardial infarctions, recurrent strokes, and hemorrhagic transformations were noted in both groups. CONCLUSIONS Patients with acute ischemic stroke had significantly better outcome with minocycline treatment as compared with those administered placebo. The above findings suggest that minocycline can be helpful in reducing the clinical deficits after acute ischemic stroke.

Hyperacute thrombolysis with IV rtPA of acute ischemic stroke: Efficacy and safety profile of 54 patients at a tertiary referral center in a developing country

BACKGROUND Given the constraints of resources, thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is under evaluation in developing countries. Prothrombin time (PT), platelet count and activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) may not be feasible within the time window. AIM To evaluate the safety and efficacy of thrombolysis in selected patients without the coagulation profile. DESIGN Open, nonrandomized, observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty-four stroke patients were classified using TOAST criteria (large artery atherosclerotic = 13; cardioembolic = 12; small vessel occlusion = 22; other determined etiology =three; undetermined etiology = four). The mean time to reach emergency was 2.4h (1.15-3.4), the mean door to CT, 24 min (10-47) and the door to recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (r-tPA) injection, 26.8 min (25-67). The NIHSS scores ranged from 11 to 22 (mean = 15.5 +/- 2.7). Patients with history of liver or renal disease or those on anticoagulants were excluded. The PT, aPTT and platelet count were not done. Recombinant tissue plasminogen activator was administered at a dosage of 0.9 mg/Kg. RESULTS Thirty-five patients (65%) significantly improved on NIHSS at 48 h (> or =4 points) (mean change = 10; range= 4-17). At one month, 43 (79%) improved on Barthel Index (mean change = 45%). One each developed small frontal lobe hemorrhage and recurrent stroke; one died of aspiration; and eight showed no improvement. CONCLUSIONS Hyperacute thrombolysis was found useful and safe in selected patients with AIS even without the coagulation studies.

Modulation of epileptiform EEG discharges in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: An investigation of reflex epileptic traits

Purpose:  Previous studies have suggested that cognitive tasks modulate (provoke or inhibit) the epileptiform electroencephalography (EEG) discharges (EDs) in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). Their inhibitory effect was found to be especially frequent (64–90%). These studies arbitrarily defined modulation as a >100% increase or >50% decrease of the EDs compared with baseline, which may not sufficiently distinguish from spontaneous fluctuations. The aim of our study was to assess the modulation of EDs and the precipitation of myoclonic seizures by cognitive tasks and by conventional provocation methods, taking into account also the spontaneous fluctuation of EDs.

Biphasic illness pattern due to early relapse in Japanese-B virus encephalitis.

Japanese-B virus encephalitis (JE) is considered a uniphasic illness with a variable outcome. Biphasic illness patterns have never been reported previously. From an endemic zone in India we observed six patients of JE (from 62 patients treated in 7 years) who had an early relapse resulting in the biphasic clinical course. Five had poor socio-economic status and three had laboratory evidence of nutritional deficiency. Two patients were adults and the other four were children. Fever, rigors, headaches, body aches, altered consciousness, rigidity and tremors predominated the first phase of illness. During the second phase, behavioural changes, dystonia, pen-oral dyskinesia, drooling, mutism and muscle wasting due to anterior horn cell involvement were the important features. Though the serial antibody titres against the JE virus showed a four-fold rise in the initial or late convalescent phases, there was no increase during the second phase of the illness as compared to the first phase. On MRI, fresh lesions appeared during the second phase at the sites known for their involvement in JE, suggesting recrudescence of the virus. One patient survived with major sequelae, two with minor sequelae and the other three had complete recovery. We conclude that some patients with JE may have an early relapse after partial recovery, giving rise to the biphasic illness pattern. A locally prevalent genetic variant of the virus or host factors may be responsible for the altered clinical course of the disease. Biphasic illness does not necessarily mean a bad prognosis.

Surgery for medically intractable epilepsy due to postinfectious etiologies.

Medically intractable epilepsy (MIE) resulting from postinfectious etiologies requiring surgery have been uncommonly reported. A series of 28 cases are presented (hospital prevalence 5.7%). The mean duration of epilepsy prior to surgery was 8.2 ± 2.1 years. The mean time of onset of epilepsy after central nervous system infection was 1.4 ± 0.9 years (range 0–19 years). The pathologies included postpyogenic meningitic/encephalitic sequel (8), neurocysticercosis (6), tuberculomas/posttuberculous etiology (4), postpyogenic abscess of otogenic etiology (4), posttraumatic abscess–related gliosis (2), and gliosis of unknown infectious etiology (4) cases. Surgery included mesial temporal (11), lateral temporal (4), frontal (9), parietal (2) resections and hemispherotomy (1). Hippocampal sclerosis was seen in nine cases (4 neurocysticercosis) and this occurred in younger persons as compared to neocortical epilepsies. Good outcome (Engel class I and II) was seen in 23 of 28 cases (Engel class I in 17).

Seasonal Differences and Circadian Variation in Stroke Occurrence and Stroke Subtypes

BACKGROUND India is a subtropical country with clear seasonal variations in weather conditions. Seasonal and circadian variation in occurrence of subtypes of cerebrovascular disease has been of interest in several studies from different countries and climate zones, but discrepant results have made the conclusions unclear. The aim of the present study was to observe the seasonal and circadian variation in the occurrence of stroke and its subtypes among our population. METHODS This was a cross-sectional observational study based on new cases and past cases of stroke on follow-up, conducted between January 2011 and December 2012 in the Department of Neurology, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India. The date and time of onset of the stroke was recorded. The categorization of months into season was in accordance with the Indian Meteorological Department guidelines. The time of onset was distributed into 6 hourly intervals. Statistical calculations were performed using Stata version 12.1 and SPSS version 20. RESULTS A total of 583 patients were included for the study. The rate of occurrence of stroke was highest in the late morning 0600-1159 hours (P value <.001) compared with other times of the day, regardless of gender or age for both ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes. It was lowest in late evening (1800-2359 hours) quadrant compared with other quadrants. Although there was no significant difference found by dichotomizing the groups into two 6-month periods, there was an increasing trend in number of patients with stroke during the months November-February. There was no difference in stroke occurrence between the types of stroke or within each type among different seasons with different temperatures. Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment (TOAST) classification of ischemic strokes also did not show any association with season or circadian rhythm. CONCLUSIONS There is a significant increase in occurrence of strokes between 0600 and 1159 hours and lowest between 1800-2359 hours. No significant variation in stroke occurrence or subtype for any of the seasons was observed.

Effect of probiotic VSL#3 in the treatment of minimal hepatic encephalopathy: A non-inferiority randomized controlled trial.

Minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) impairs daily functioning and health‐related quality of life in chronic liver disease (CLD). Lactulose is the standard treatment but has side‐effects. Probiotics have an encouraging role in MHE. The aim of the present study was to test whether probiotics are non‐inferior to lactulose in improving MHE.

Study of DSM-IV Axis I psychiatric disorders in patients with refractory complex partial seizures using a short structured clinical interview

Psychiatric disorders are a source of significant comorbidity in patients with refractory epilepsy, yet are often underrecognized. We assessed the prevalence of DSM-IV Axis I psychiatric disorders using a short structured clinical interview (Mini-International Psychiatric Interview [MINI]) in patients with medically refractory complex partial seizures. Consecutive patients with refractory epilepsy being evaluated with video/EEG monitoring and imaging for seizure focus localization and lateralization underwent MINI evaluation to assess for the presence of psychiatric disorders. Among 117 patients (74 male, 43 female) studied, 57 (48.7%) had at least one psychiatric disorder; 19 (16.2%) had depression, 10 (8.5%) dysthymia, 27 (23.0%) anxiety disorder, and 11(9.4%) other disorders. Most clinical features and epilepsy-related variables had no significant association with psychiatric disorder on logistic regression analysis. Almost half of the patients with refractory focal seizures have a coexistent psychiatric disorder, and its presence or absence cannot be predicted by their clinical profiles. All patients should be assessed and treated for psychiatric comorbidity to improve overall quality of life.

Risk factors of dementia in North India: a case–control study

Objective: The prevalence of dementia in northern India is among the lowest in the world but reasons are unclear. The aim of the study was to evaluate the risk and protective factors for dementia in North India. Methods: In a case–control study, we investigated demographic, medical, genetic, dietary, lifestyle, and sociocultural protective and risk factors associated with dementia. Results: 150 patients of dementia (118 males and 32 females) and 150 healthy controls (112 males and 38 females) were included in the study. Diabetes, depression, hyperhomocysteinemia, hyperlipidemia, APOE ε4 gene, BMI, use of saturated fatty acids, pickles in diet, urban living, and lack of exercise were associated with independent risk of dementia. Various dietary factors and sociocultural factors, like cognitively stimulating activities, active socialization, living in joint families, increased intake of polyunsaturated fats, fruits, and salads conferred protection against dementia. Conclusions: Dietary, lifestyle, and sociocultural interventions may be protective against dementia.

A prospective study of in-hospital mortality and discharge outcome in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage

BACKGROUND Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is associated with high mortality and morbidity. Various clinical and imaging predictors of mortality have been observed in previous studies. AIMS To study factors associated with in-hospital mortality in patients with ICH and observe the disability status of patients [assessed by modified Rankin scale (mRS)] at the time of discharge. DESIGN Prospective observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS All consecutive patients with acute hypertensive ICH admitted during the study period were enrolled. Data recorded included: Demographics, clinical, biochemical and cranial computed tomography (CT) findings. Primary outcome was defined as either death or survival within the hospital. mRS was used to assess outcome at discharge. RESULTS Of the total 214 patients with ICH (193 supratentorial and 21 infratentorial), 70 (32.7%) patients died during the hospital stay. On bivariate analysis, low Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score, ventilatory assistance, higher hematoma volume, midline shift, hydrocephalus and intraventricular hematoma (IVH) were associated with mortality. ICH grading scale (ICH-GS) and ICH scores were higher in patients who died (P < 0.0001). Ninety-five (44.6%) patients underwent a neurosurgical intervention; 66 (45.8%) patients among the survivors compared with 29 (41.4%) among those who died (P = 0.54, Odds Ratio (OR) 0.83, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.46-1.48). Independent predictors of mortality included a higher baseline hematoma volume ( P = 0.04 OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.00-1.02), lower GCS ( P = 0.01 OR 2.57, 95%CI 1.25-5.29), intraventricular extension of hematoma ( P = 0.007 OR 2.66, 95% CI 1.26-5.56) and ventilatory requirement (P < 0.0001 OR 8.34, 95%CI 2.75-25.38). Among survivors (n = 144), most were disabled [mRS 0-3, 7 (4.8%) and mRS 4-5, 137 (95.13%)] at discharge. CONCLUSIONS Low GCS, higher baseline ICH volume, presence of IVH and need for ventilatory assistance are independent predictors of mortality. Most of the patients at discharge were disabled. Surgery did not improve mortality or outcome.