Objective To observe the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and the regulation of neuregulin-1β (NRG-1β) in brain tissue in rats following cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury. Methods The animal models of middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (MCAO/R) were established by a monofilament method from left external-internal carotid artery in 200 adult healthy male Wistar rats. The rat models in the treatment group (75 rats) and in control group (75 rats) were injected with 1.5%NRG-1β 5 μl and 0.1 mol/L PBS 5 μl, respectively, from internal carotid artery (ICA). The cerebral infarct volume was measured by TFC stain, the apoptosis was identified with in situ TUNEL method, and the expression of MMP-9 was detected by immunohistochemical and immunofluorescent double staining and Western blotting analysis. Results Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion can induce apoptosis and expression of MMP-9 in cerebral cortex and striatum. With the ischemic time prolonging, the number of apototic cells in cortex from ischemic 0, 0. 5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2. 0 h increased from 1.78 ± 0. 15,5. 78 ± 0. 51,10. 35 ± 0. 77, 21.50 ± 1.19 to 32. 00 ± 1.78, while the number of apoptotic cells in stratum from ischemic also increased significantly from 1.46±0.21, 4. 12±0.54, 7.33±0.71, 16.54 ± 1.63 to 19.03± 1.44 (t =9.31- 37.78, P < 0. 01) and the expression of MMP-9 increased significantly (t = 7.73-27.75, P < 0. 01) in the control group. With NRG-1β treatment, the number of apoptotie cells in cortex from ischemic 0, 0. 5,1.0, 1.5 and 2. 0 h reduced from 1.66±0. 11,4. 80±0. 61,5.63±0. 56, 9.75±1.22 to 13.54 ±1.26; while the number of apoptotic cells in striatum from ischemic also decreased significantly from 1.34 ± 0. 14, 3.35 ± 0. 32, 4. 55± 0. 50, 7. 63 ±1.41 to 10. 46 ± 0. 98 (t = 2. 74-18. 93, P < 0. 05), the expression of MMP-9 decreased (t = 3.85-12. 09, P < 0. 01), and the infarct volume decreased significantly (t = 4. 645-13. 043,P < 0. 01) compared with those in the control group at the same timepoint and the corresponding region. Conclusions The expression of MMP-9 is increased after cerebral ischemia/ reperfusion, and it may contribute to the inflammatory reaction. NRG-1β might down-regulate the expression of MMP-9 to inhibit apoptosis inducing by inflammatory reaction in cerebral ischemic reperfusion.

Objective To study the change of glutamate transporter (GluTs) function of hippocampus in seizures rats induced by KA, and explore the role of GluTs in the mechanism of epilepsy.Methods 60 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into two groups: KA group(Ⅰ group) and control group(Ⅱ group). Each group was randomly divided into five subgroups according to different time after kindling, including 4 h, 24 h, 48 h, 5 d,and 7 d after injection. GluTs function was studied by means of assay of 3H-L-glutamate uptake in synaptosomes and tissue sections of hippocampus.Results The function of GluTs in synaptosomes was singnificently decreased at any time (all P

Objective To explore the clinical and MRI features multiple system atrophy (MSA) and the significance of diagnosing its clinical subtypes.Methods Clinical data and MRI features of 28 patients with MSA were retrospectively analyzed and compared.Results Cerebellar signs (75.0%) were dominant clinic features in olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA). Brain MRI showed atrophy of pontine (91.7%) and cerebellar vermis (91.7%), fourth ventricle dilatation (83.8%) and T2WI high intensity in pontocerebellar region (63.6%). Extrapyramidal signs (80.0%) were found in striatonigral degeneration (SND) with apparent basal ganglia changes such as putamen atrophy (60.0%) and lineal T2WI high intensity of the lateral margin of the putamen (putamen slit) (80.0%). Shy-Drager syndrom (SDS) presented mainly with autonomic nerve system (81.8%), and autonomic nerve system failures appeared earlier and more severe than the other two subtypes of MSA. Conclusions MRI examination may be useful in diagnosis of MSA and its subtypes. Pontine atrophy, T2WI high intensity, especially pontine cross sign may support diagnosis of OPCA. However, putamen atrophy and putamen slit are the specific imaging signs in SND.

Objective To investigate the changing features of microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2) expression, which was a neural dendrite marker, of epileptic rat and the intervention results after using Diazepam. The relations between MAP2 and epileptogenesis were also explored.Methods Model of epileptic rat was established by Pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and divided into PTZ-NA group,PTZ-Diazepam group, Diazepam-PTZ group and normal control group. Immunohistochemistry method was applied on hippocampus of epileptic rats to determine the change of MAP2 immunoreactivity (MAP2-IR) with or without Diazepam intervention at various time points. MAP2-IR was showed by mean optical density (COD).Results In the PTZ-NA group and PTZ-Diazepam group, MAP2-IR in molecular cell layer of hippocampal dentate gyrus increased after 3 days (all P

AIM:To investigate the time course of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) and the effects of 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) on the expressions of NF-κB,interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in hippocampus after seizures. METHODS:Epilepsy were induced by kainic acid through cerebral ventricular injection. Western blotting was used to detect NF-κB p65 expression in nucleus at various experiment groups. Moreover,mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β and COX-2 in different experiment groups were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis. RESULTS:NF-κB p65 immunoreactivity began to increase in the nuclear fraction at 2 h (P<0.05),kept rising at 12 h (P<0.05) and returned to control level at 24 h after epilepsy seizures. Furthermore,3-AB sharply decreased the accumulation of NF-κB p65 in nucleus (P<0.05). In addition,3-AB significantly decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1β and COX-2 which obviously increased in hippocampus at 6 h after epilepsy seizures (P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Seizures triggers NF-κB nucleus translocation and promotes the expressions of IL-1β and COX-2 in hippocampus. In addition,poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibition by 3-AB suppresses NF-κB associated inflammatory pathway in epileptic rat hippocampus.

AIM:To investigate the time course of nuclear factor-?B (NF-?B) and the effects of 3-aminobenzamide (3-AB) on the expressions of NF-?B,interleukin-1? (IL-1?) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in hippocampus after seizures. METHODS:Epilepsy were induced by kainic acid through cerebral ventricular injection. Western blotting was used to detect NF-?B p65 expression in nucleus at various experiment groups. Moreover,mRNA and protein expressions of IL-1? and COX-2 in different experiment groups were determined by RT-PCR and Western blotting analysis. RESULTS:NF-?B p65 immunoreactivity began to increase in the nuclear fraction at 2 h (P

Objective To investigate the clinical,genetic and neuroimaging features by reporting a family with dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica. Methods The proband was examined clinically by neuroimaging,electromyography ( EEG),skin and muscles pathology and hematology.The patients with the illness in the family were followed up and the pedigree was drawn.Results There were 6 patients with dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica of the 27 family members in the family.All patients had disproportionate myoclonus,epilepsy,progressive cerebellar ataxia performance. Proband brain MRI showed cerebral atrophy.Cerebellar and cortical atrophy were more serious than other parts.There were long T,and long T2 signals in the white matter,high signal in T2FLAIR.EEG showed bursts of spike-low wave,polyspilke-low waves and polyspike waves distributing in the whole brain.Pathology of the skin and muscles was normal.Conclusions Dyssynergia cerebellaris myoclonica is an autosomal dominant disease,characterised by myoclonus,progressive cerebellar ataxia and epilepsy.Brain MRI shows cerebral cortical and cerebellar atrophy,abnormal signal in white matter.EEG showes spike and ware wave.The diagnosis is mainly based on family history,typical clinical manifestations,brain MRI and EEG changes.

Objective To investigate the value of gradient echo T2'* -weighted imaging for detection of familial cerebral cavernous malformation (FCCM). Methods Twenty-six members in 2 families of FCCM were examined at 3.0 T by using CT, conventional MRI and GRE T2'*2'-WI sequences to detect numbers of FCCM. Results Twelve cases of FCCM were found by GRE T2'*-WI sequences. These patients all had multiple lesions(average of 23). The lesions were mainly located in ganglia area, followed by cortico-subcortical, thalamus, cerebellar and brain stem. These lesions appeared as special reticulated core of mixed signal intensity with a surrounding rim of decreased signal intensity representing bemosiderin from previous hemorrhages. The numbers of lesions (average of 5-17) and cases of FCCM (average of 3-9) examined by the conventional MRI were decreasing in the order of SE, DWI, T2FLAIR, T1WI and T2WI, each less than GRE T2'*-WI. CT only identified 3 cases with big lesions combined with hemorrhage and calcification.Conclusions GRE T2'*-WI could be a better choice of MRI sequence in diagnosing FCCM compared with CT and conventional MRI.

Objective To explore the role of proton MR spectroscopic imaging(1H-MRSI)and diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)in the diagnosis of adrenoleukodystrophy and to demonstrate the involvement of fibers by using the technique of DTT.Methods 1H-MRSI,DTI and routine imaging examinations were performed in 6 patients with ALD.The values of NAA,Cho,Cr,ADC,and FA were evaluated in different regions of lesion.The involved fibers were demonstrated by using the technique of DTT.Results The ratios of NAA/Cr(0.55±0.19)and NAA/Cho(0.22±0.11)were lower(F=7.693,7.751),and Cho/Cr(2.54±0.37)was higher(F=6.348)in the initial lesions,where higher ADC values(1.49±0.36,F=5.226)and the lowest FA values(0.21±0.08,F=5.139)were also observed(P＜0.05).The decreases of NAA/Cr(1.16±0.03)and NAA/Cho(0.45±0.17)in adjacent regions were more distinct than those of remote regions(t=1.769,1.842,P＜0.05).In the developing regions,the ADC values(0.89±0.03)were lower and the FA values(0.45±0.07)were the highest.There was negative correlation between NAA/Cho and ADC values(r=-0.71,P＜0.05),and there was positive correlation between NAA/Cho and FA values(r=0.31,P＜0.05).Discontinuations and fragments of fibres were observed in corpus callosum and pyramidal tract.Conclusions Combination of 1H-MRSI and DTI can offer a sensitive method for the early diagnosis and monitor the progress of white matter.DTT can be used to directly observe the involvement of fibers.

Objective:To do factor analysis related to post-stro ke anxiety.Method:206 inpatients(male 126,female 80,mean age 63?16 )with stroke were tested with SAS,DNF,MMSE,LES and ADL.Results:T h e rate of anxiety after 1 month of stroke in our sample was 18.4%(38 cases).Mu lt i-factorial analysis showed,many factors including female,younger at onset,sever ity of stroke,poor general physical condition,less compliance with treatment,and other psycho-social factors(heavier family burden,less income,more life events, less social support)were all associated with anxiety after stroke.Conchus ion:Anxiety is a common complication after stroke,its occurrence were asso ciated with a variety of factors including severity of illness and psychosocial factors.