Türker Sahiner

Epidemiology and symptomatology of migraine among school children: Denizli urban area in Turkey

Objective.—This study was aimed at finding the prevalence, associated factors, and symptomatology of migraine among 5 to 8 grades of secondary and 9 to 11 grades of high school children (age range between 11 and 18 years old) in the Denizli urban area in the western part of Turkey.

The role of bcl-2 family of genes during kindling.

Summary:  Purpose: Several experimental models of human temporal lobe epilepsy have shown that apoptotic death of neurons is an important part of this degenerative disease. However, the role of apoptotic regulators is not clear during the epileptogenesis. Therefore we investigated the expression pattern of bcl‐2 family of genes during the formation of kindling model of epilepsy in rats.

Effects of hyperbilirubinemia on cerebrocortical electrical activity in newborns

In our study, cerebrocortical electrical activity was recorded as an indicator of bilirubin neurotoxicity. Bilirubin especially affects the thalamus and cerebral cortex. Inasmuch as rhythmic oscillations on the EEG arise from the interaction between cortex and thalamus, electrophysiologic effects of bilirubin on the rhythmic oscillations with long-term postnatal age were investigated. Brain maturation was also analyzed with power spectral analysis quantitatively. For this purpose, 141 EEG records were taken (in the first week, 15th d, at the end of the first month, and at the third month) from 17 infants with hyperbilirubinemia and 22 healthy infants. In all records, the major frequency component was formed by the delta frequency in both groups. In the first records of the hyperbilirubinemia group, the delta frequency was higher than the control group; however the theta, alpha, and beta frequencies and the amplitude levels were lower (p < 0.001). These changes were found to be significantly correlated with the bilirubin levels (p < 0.001). On the 15th d the amplitude of the hyperbilirubinemia group increased to similar levels as the control group. At the frequency bands of delta and theta, there were significant changes related to postnatal age (p < 0.001). In all cerebral regions, the delta frequency decreased and the theta frequency increased with age. However, in the hyperbilirubinemia group the delta frequency was higher, the theta frequency was lower, and the changes between the groups disappeared in the third month despite the differences at all regions of the brain. In terms of the vertex, k complex, and sleep spindle, there were no differences between both groups in the third month (p > 0.05). We conclude that hyperbilirubinemia affects the cerebrocortical electrical activity but appears to be time limited.

Familial influence on parkinsonism in a rural area of Turkey (Kızılcaboluk–Denizli): A community-based case-control study

This population‐based study on parkinsonism in a genetically isolated community from a rural area of Turkey aimed to provide a selective evaluation of environmental and heritable risk factors. An increased prevalence of parkinsonism (4.1%) was detected in the village of Kızılcaboluk for people 65 years of age and older. This study included 36 patients with parkinsonism living in Kızılcaboluk and three times that number of age‐ and sex‐matched people serving as controls. A questionnaire including demographic data, family history, education, occupation, data on exposures to pesticides, smoking, alcohol intake, and head trauma was administered. We found a significant association of parkinsonism cases with a positive family history in first‐degree relatives (odds ratio [OR], 7.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.52–22.17; P < 0.0001) and with pesticide exposure (OR, 2.96; 95% CI, 1.31–6.69; P = 0.015) compared to the control subjects. The value of genetically isolated populations for the identification of genetic risk factors for common and complex disorders has gained much attention recently because the genetic make‐up of these populations is likely to be less complex than that of the general population and our findings should prompt investigations to the nature of a familial aggregation of parkinsonism in this population.

Progressive autosomal dominant optic atrophy and sensorineural hearing loss in a Turkish family

Purpose: To describe the clinical features, mode of inheritance, and linkage analysis of ten affected members of a three-generation family with progressive optic atrophy and progressive hearing loss. Materials and methods: The proband, a 10-year-old boy, presented with progressive visual failure. Ten other members in his family, including his mother, half-sister, aunt, two uncles, grandfather, and some of the cousins, also had progressive visual loss and hearing loss. Six affected and four unaffected cases were examined in detail. Blood samples were drawn from 16 members for DNA extraction. Two loci previously described for optic atrophy were tested for linkage in the present family. Results: The mode of inheritance was clearly autosomal dominant. Six members of the family were found to have progressive optic atrophy and hearing loss, both starting in the first decade of life. Total or red-green color blindness was detected in some patients. None of the members of this family showed evidence of other systemic disorders; however, four had blepharochalasis. No other cause could be found for the hearing or the visual loss. Linkage analysis excluded OPA1 and OPA2. Conclusion: The present Turkish family belongs to the group of individuals with autosomal dominantly inherited optic atrophies with hearing loss. Linkage analysis excluded OPA1 and OPA2, indicating that a novel gene defect underlies the disease in this family. Further genome-wide linkage analysis and identification of the disease-associated gene will help define the pathophysiology of this syndrome.

Bilateral ptosis and gaze paresis due to unilateral thalamic lesions

In this report, we present three cases of bilateral ptosis associated with vertical and/or horizontal gaze paresis due to unilateral thalamic lesions. As far as we know, there is only one earlier report of bilateral ptosis due to an isolated thalamic lesion. In the light of our cases, we propose that cortical efferent pathways, known as supranuclear pathways, descend from supranuclear centers to diencephalic centers which serve eye opening. In addition, vertical and horizontal gaze may be affected by these thalamic lesions.

EFFECTS OF ONLINE COMPUTERIZED COGNITIVE TRAINING PROGRAM “BEYNEX” ON COGNITIVE TESTS OF ALZHEIMER’S PATIENTS ON RIVASTIGMINE THERAPY

four main constructs with similar Cronbach’s results; Symptoms, Prevention, Detection, and Treatment. Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient showed inverse relationships between knowledge scores and health literacy, education, years in a rural area, and site (r 1⁄4 -.31, -. 34, and -.44 respectively; p 1⁄4 .05.) Two predictors explained 41.6% of the variance (R 1⁄4.44, F(2,53)1⁄4 4.48, p <.05). Sociodemographic findings revealed that a majority of participants (86%) would want to participate in memory screening if offered, regardless of education or health literacy level. Conclusions:The BKAD survey is a good fit for use in rural populations. The BKAD may be a good fit for ethnically diverse populations with language barriers. (The BKAD has been translated into Spanish and Creole and is currently being tested in rural, ethnically diverse populations. The English version is available for use by conference attendees). There was a high degree of interest in early detection among those tested regardless of social determinants.

EFFECTS OF ONLINE COMPUTERIZED COGNITIVE TRAINING PROGRAM BEYNEX ON THE COGNITIVE TESTS OF INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBJECTIVE COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT (SCI)

Background:Clinical trials conducted on the efficacy of computerized cognitive training have not lead to any important breakthroughs. There is a growing consensus that this can, at least partially, be explained by methodological difficulties. Methods:60 patients with SCI diagnosis, aged 69.9069.44 on average, were subjected to Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), Cambridge Cognition (CANTAB tests: MOT, PRM, DMS, SWM, PAL, RTI) and Bayer Activity of Daily Living (ADL) Scale (BAYER). Later the age groups and education levels were normalized to randomly divide the subjects into two groups of 30. The first group was provided with a password to access a web-based program BEYNEX and asked to complete tasks, which included playing 3 varying 5minute long computer games, on a daily basis; and answering questions on ADL. They were expected towatch and practice a 3-minute physical exercise video as well. All tasks are designed within the parameters used by clinicians and take 15-20 minutes to complete daily. BEYNEX exercises are completely unique and are not in commercial use. Patients’ total activity time, ADL and game performances were monitored only by clinicians under 9 different graphics (ADL, Memory, Visual Perception, Speed, Problem-solving, Flexibility, Attention, Language Skills, Arithmetic). After 3 months or at least 1200 minutes of BEYNEX use, the diagnostic tests (MOCA, CANTAB, BAYER) were repeated for both test and control groups. Results:Among the two groups, there are no meaningful differences determined between the beginning and final results of MOCA and BAYER scales; whereas CANTAB results indicated statistically meaningful changes. The results of exercise practicing group showed positive improvement in parameters of Motor screening (MOT Median), Delayed Matching sample (DMS; Percent correct and Percent correct (all delays)), Paired Associated Learning (PAL; Total errors (adjusted) and Total errors (6 shapes, adjusted)). Pattern recognition memory (PRM), Spatial working memory (SWM) and Reaction time (RTI) parameters showed no change. Conclusions:Regularly practiced Internet-based activities positively affect particularly memory related cognitive parameters in elderly individuals with memory impairment. Though, it can be hard to detect the minor changes in diagnostic tests (MOCA), it’s significant to observe mild changes in different CANTAB test parameters.

Automatic analysis of hands clapping in severe Alzheimer patient via computer vision techniques

Background: In this work, we present a hands clapping rhythm analysis module of a video analytics framework, which monitors elderly patients and automatically collect statistical data about patient activities. Hands clapping activity is analyzed in terms of frequency of clapping, extent of clapping, and direction change. A severe level Alzheimer patient was chosen from an elderly house. Methods: The main idea makes use of optical flow vectors which represent themotion change of image features in consecutive frames. The algorithm steps are composed of detecting optical flow vectors in skin regions, clustering based on the direction, calculating the average flow vector in each cluster and observing these vectors over time. The magnitude of the average flow represents the speed of motion.