Objective:To investigate the underlying neuroimaging mechanism of migraine without aura (MwoA) by using methods of voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and resting-state functional connectivity (FC).Methods:Twenty-five MwoA patients admitted to Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from September 2020 to June 2023 were recruited as MwoA group, and 22 volunteers were recruited as healthy control (HC) group. Demographic, clinical characteristics, scores of Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) of all subjects were collected; MwoA patients also received Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire, Headache Impact Test-6 and headache Visual Analogue Scale assessments. All subjects underwent high-resolution 3D-T 1 and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging scanning. The SPM12 software was used to compare the difference in gray matter volume (GMV) between the 2 groups by VBM method. The GRETNA software was adopted to calculate the whole brain FC with anatomical automatic labeling 90 as the regions of interest, and the difference in FC between the 2 groups was statistically analyzed by two-sample t-test. Pearson partial correlation was used to analyze the correlation between brain GMV and FC changes and clinical features and scale scores of MwoA patients. Results:There existed no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups in age, gender, education, scores of HAMA, HAMD and MoCA (all P>0.05). Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire, Headache Impact Test-6 and headache Visua Analogue Scale scores of MwoA patients were (8.86±4.55), (50.27±6.35) and (6.68±1.73). Compared with the HC group, GMV was significantly decreased in the right superior frontal gyrus (SFG), right cingulate gyrus (CG) and left thalamus in the MwoA group ( P<0.05, false discovery rate corrected). In addition, the MwoA group showed decreased FC between left thalamus and right cuneus, left lingual gyrus (LG) and bilateral precuneus; decreased FC between right thalamus and right cuneus, right LG and right precuneus; decreased FC between right cuneus and left precuneus and right SFG; decreased FC between left LG and bilateral precuneus, decreased FC between right LG and right precuneus and left SFG; decreased FC between left precuneus and bilateral SFG, and between right precuneus and right SFG (edge P<0.001, component P<0.05, network-based statistics correction, interation=2 000). In MwoA patients, the FC (z-value) between left thalamus and right cuneus was negatively correlated with the duration of disease ( r=-0.530, P=0.011). Conclusions:MwoA patients showed decreased GMV in right SFG, CG and left thalamus. In MwoA patients, FC between thalamus and visual network (VN) and default mode network (DMN) was significantly decreased, and FC among VN, DMN and executive control network was significantly decreased. These changes in brain structure and function may be an adaptive change in the central sensitivity and responsiveness to pain stimuli, and may be an important neuroimaging mechanism of MwoA.

Objective:To investigate the differences in resting-state functional connectivity (FC) between patients with vestibular migraine (VM) and migraine without aura (MwoA) in order to infer the possible neuroimaging mechanisms of VM.Methods:Thirty VM patients admitted to the Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from December 2019 to December 2022 were selected as the experimental group (EG) (6 males and 24 females, with mean age of 38.3 years) and 26 MwoA patients as the control group (7 males and 19 females, mean age 35.5 years). General demographic and clinical data such as gender, age, year of education, course of disease and frequency of attacks were collected for all the patients, as well as data of Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), headache Visual Arialogue Scale (VAS), Headache Impact Test 6 (HIT-6) and Migraine Disability Assessment Questionnaire (MIDAS). VM patients were also assessed by Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), dizziness VAS and Vestibular Disorders Activities of Daily Living (VADL) scales. All patients underwent resting-sate functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) scans. Bilateral parietal opercular cortex 2 (OP2) and primary visual cortex (V1) were used as regions of interests (ROIs). Differences in FC between ROIs and other brain regions were calculated between the two groups. In view of the brain regions with significant differences, z-values of FC were extracted for each subject in the EG, and Pearson partial correlation analysis was conducted between z-values of FC and clinical characteristics of patients, P<0.05 was considered to have significant correlation. SPSS 22.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results:There was no significant difference in gender, age, years of education, course of disease, frequency of attack and scores of MoCA, HAMA and HAMD between the two groups ( P>0.05). Headache VAS, HIT-6 and MIDAS scores in VM patients were significantly lower than those in MwoA patients ( P<0.05). Compared with MwoA patients, the FC between left OP2 and bilateral precuneus and left thalamus was significantly increased in VM patients, and the FC between right OP2 and left thalamus and right anterior cingulate gyrus were significantly increased ( P<0.05, False Discovery Rate correction). Correlation analysis showed that the FC between left OP2 and left precuneus was positively correlated with DHI score in VM patients ( P=0.007, r=0.480), and the FC between right OP2 and left thalamus was positively correlated with the disease course in VM patients ( P=0.015, r=0.439). Conclusions:The pathogenesis of VM may be related to the altered FC of vestibular, pain and visual-motor networks, abnormalities of these neural pathways may be important imaging biomarkers of VM pathogenesis.

Stroke has become the leading cause of disability and death in China. At present, intravenous thrombolysis is one of the most effective treatment for acute ischemic stroke, but not all patients can benefit from intravenous thrombolysis. In recent years, the exploration of predictive models for the outcomes after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke has attracted increasing attention. This article systematically reviews the scoring models for predicting the functional outcome, death and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke, with the aim of screening the scoring system suitable for clinical application and providing reference for the clinical diagnosis, evaluation and treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and severity of cerebral microbleeds(CMBs) in patients with different stroke classifications of cerebral infarction. Methods: From October 2016 to December 2017, the clinical data of patients with acute cerebral infarction in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were collected through the prospective study.The SWI technique was used to screen the CMBs.According to the TOAST and OCSP classifications, the prevalence and severity of CMBs in patients with different stroke classifications of cerebral infarction were analyzed. Results: A total of 254 patients with cerebral infarction were enrolled, there were 136 patients(53.54%) in CMBs group and 118 patients(46.46%) in no CMBs group.The prevalence of CMBs in patients with different TOAST classifications was large artery atherosclerosis(54.29%), small-artery occlusion(64.15%), cardioembolism(40.43%), stroke of other determined etiology(33.33%), stroke of undetermined etiology(38.46%), and the difference was statistically significant(χ²=12.206, P=0.016). The prevalence of CMBs in patients with different OCSP classifications was total anterior circulation infarcts(43.75%), partial anterior circulation infarcts(51.19%), posterior circulation infarcts(49.18%), lacunar infarcts(67.53%), and the difference was statistically significant(χ²=8.944, P=0.030). The severity of CMBs in patients with different TOAST classifications was large artery atherosclerosis[mild(55.26%), moderate(26.32%), severe(15.79%)], small-artery occlusion[mild(25.00%), moderate(33.82%), severe(41.18%)], cardioembolism[mild(57.89%), moderate(26.32%), severe(15.79%)), stroke of other determined etiology[mild(50.00%), moderate(33.33%), severe(16.67%)], stroke of undetermined etiology[mild(60.00%), moderate(20.00%), severe(20.00%)], and the difference was statistically significant(Fisher exact test, P=0.025). The severity of CMBs in patients with different OCSP classifications was total anterior circulation infarcts[mild(57.14%), moderate(28.57%), severe(14.29%)], partial anterior circulation infarcts[mild(52.50%), moderate(32.50%), severe(15.00%)], posterior circulation infarcts[mild(50.00%), moderate(33.33%), severe(16.67%)], lacunar infarcts[mild(25.00%), moderate(32.69%), severe(42.31%)], and the difference was statistically significant(Fisher exact test, P=0.023). Conclusion The prevalence and severity of CMBs in patients with different stroke classifications of cerebral infarction are variable.The prevalence of CMBs in small-artery occlusion and lacunar infarcts are the highest and give first place to severe CMBs(number of lesions≥10). We should pay attention to these two stroke classifications by early recognition and taking targeted clinical strategies.

Objective To investigate the predictors of early neurological deterioration (END) after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with acute ischemic stroke and its impact on short-term outcomes. Methods From January 2017 to April 2019, patients with acute ischemic stroke treated with intravenous thrombolysis in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University were enrolled retrospectively. END was defined as the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score within 7 days after admission increased by ≥2 compared with the baseline. The short-term outcomes were evaluated by the modified Rankin Scale at discharge. 0-2 was defined as good outcomes and 3-6 was defined as poor outcomes. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of END and their correlation with short-term outcomes. Results A total of 199 patients with acute ischemic stroke received intravenous thrombolysis were enrolled. The median age was 68 years (interquartile range: 62- 76 years), 69 were women (34. 7％), and the baseline median NIHSS score was 6 (interquartile range: 3- 12). END occurred in 35 patients (17. 6％). Symptom progression occurred mainly 2 days after admission (31 patients, 88. 6％). Most of the causes of END were ischemic progression or recurrence (28 patients, 80. 0％). The univariate analysis showed that fasting blood glucose and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage were associated with END (all P < 0. 05). However, multivariate logistic regression analysis did not find independent predictors of END. Excluding 12 patients with missing short-term outcome data, a total of 187 patients were included in the short-term outcome analysis. Among them, 110 patients had good outcomes and 77 had poor outcomes. Univariate analysis showed that ischemic heart disease, atrial fibrillation, mild stroke, etiological classification, baseline NIHSS score, absolute lymphocyte count, fasting blood sugar, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, whether to receive interventional therapy, and END were correlated with short-term outcomes (all P < 0. 05 ). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that high baseline NIHSS score (odds ratio 1. 350, 95％ confidence interval 1. 182-1. 541; P < 0. 001) and END (odds ratio 32. 540, 95％ confidence interval 6. 149- 172. 21; P < 0. 001 ) were the independent risk factors for short-term poor outcomes. Conclusions END still occurs in some patients after intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke, and END is an independent risk factor for short-term poor outcomes.

Objective To investigate the correlation between post-stroke depression(PSD) and cerebral microbleeds(CMBs)in elderly patients with ischemic stroke.Methods In the prospective study,220 elderly patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled and followed up to one month after onset.Finally a total of 214 elderly patients performed a follow-up.According to DSM-Ⅳ Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,patients were divided into the PSD group and non-PSD group.The degree of depression was evaluated by17-item Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD-17)score,and patients were divided into mild depression,moderate depression and severe depression group.The loci number,distribution and location of CMBs lesions were assessed by SWI.Patients were divided into brain lobe type,deep lobe type and mixed type according to the CMBs lesion location.The influence of CMBs or not,loci number and location of CMBs lesions on PSD were compared.Results A total of 214 elderly patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled,in whom 84(84/214,39.3％)had PSD with 29(34.5％)males and 55(65.5％)females.According to the HAMD scale,there were 51 patients (60.7 ％) with mild depression,25 (29.8 ％) with moderate depression,and 8 (9.5 ％) with severe depression.The prevalence rate of CMBs was 62.5 ％ (32/51) in mild depression group,71.0 ％ (22/25) in moderate depression group,81.8 ％ (6/8)in severe depression group and 45.4 ％ (49/108)in non PSD group(all P=0.008).The number of CMBs lesions were(4.5±1.2)in mild depression group,(7.8± 2.0)in moderate depression group,(12.6±2.7)in severe depression group and(1.8±0.5)in non-PSD group,with the statistically significant differences between groups (F =2.79,P =0.041).The proportions of CMBs lesions location(brain lobe type,deep lobe type and mixed type)were 40.6 ％ (13/32),34.4％(11/32) and 25.0％ (8/32) in mild depression group,36.4％(8/22),40.9％(9/22) and 22.7％(5/22) in moderate depression group,33.3％ (2/6),50.0％ (3/6) and 16.7％ (1/6) in severe depression group,40.8％ (20/49),12.2％ (6/49) and 46.9％ (23/49) in non-PSD group,respectively (Fisher exact test,P =0.043).The proportions of CMBs lesions distribution(left side,right side and double side)were 37.5％(12/32),43.8％(14/32) and 18.8％(6/32) in mild depression group,36.4％ (8/22),40.9％ (9/22) and 22.7％ (5/22) in moderate depression group,50.0％ (3/6),33.3％ (2/6)and 16.7％(1/6) in severe depression group,36.7％(18/49),40.8％(20/49) and 22.5％(11/49) in non-PSD group,and the difference was not statistically significant (Fisher exact test,P =0.998).Conclusions The prevalence rate of CMBs,number of CMBs lesions and deep lobe type of CMBs are closely related to the degree of post-stroke depression in the elderly.The distribution of CMBs lesions has no relevance with the degree of post stroke depression in the elderly.Elderly patients with ischemic stroke at high risk of post-stroke depression can be identified by evaluating CMBs for early intervention,which is worthy of promotion in clinical work.

Objective To explore pathogenesis and influencing factors of poor outcome in patients with wake-up stroke.Methods In this prospective study,patients with acute ischemic stroke who were hospitalized in the Department of Neurology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from October 2016 to December 2017 were continuously collected.All patients were divided into wake-up stroke group and non-wake-up stroke group according to the onset time.The clinical data of demographics,vascular risk factors,imaging examination,laboratory examination of the two groups were collected to identify the pathogenesis of wake-up stroke.Followed up to six months of onset,the patients were divided into poor outcome (modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score ＞2) and good outcome (mRS score 0-2) subgroups according to mRS score.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors of poor outcome in patients with wake-up stroke.Results A total of 178 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled in the study,including 42 patients (23.60％) in the wake-up stroke group and 136 patients (76.40％) in the non-wake-up stroke group.Followed up to six months of onset,11 patients lost,and 167 patients were followed up finally.There were 40 patients (23.95％) in the wake-up stroke group,including 17 patients (42.50％) with poor outcome and 23 patients (57.50％) with good outcome.There were 127 patients (45.64％) in the non-wake-up stroke group,including 32 patients (25.20％) with poor outcome and 95 patients (74.80％) with good outcome.The difference of poor outcome between the two groups was statistically significant (x2=4.393,P=0.036).Comparison of the demographic and baseline data of the wake-up stroke group and the non-wake-up stroke group showed that the differences between variables such as atrial fibrillation and double-dose hypertension were statistically significant.Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in vascular risk factors,Trial of Org 10172 in Acute Stroke Treatment etiology,stroke severity,number of stroke lesions,treatment patterns,and number of cerebral microbleeds between the poor and good outcome subgroups.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the moderate to severe stroke (odds ratio (OR)=3.838,95％ confidence interval (Co 2.162-5.890,P=0.018),the number of lesions in cerebral microbleeds (OR=2.113,95％CI 1.291-2.868,P=0.049) were independent risk factors for poor outcome of wake-up stroke.Intravenous thrombolysis (OR=0.427,95％CI 0.242-0.615,P=0.036) was an independent protective factor for poor outcome of wake-up stroke.Conclusions The onset of wake-up stroke is closely related to atrial fibrillation and reverse scoop hypertension with higher incidence of poor outcome.Early adequate imaging screening and stroke severity assessment have important reference to guide clinical treatment and predict outcome.

Objective To investigate the influencing factors and outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke having negative results in diffusion weighted imaging (DWI).Methods In prospective study, the patients with acute ischemic stroke, admitted to our hospital from October 2016 to January 2018, were selected as research subjects. The demographic and baseline characteristics, imaging data and laboratory examination data were collected. According to the signals of first DWI, the patients were divided into positive DWI group and negative DWI group. The influencing factors of negative results in DWI were clearly defined by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses. The patients from negative DWI group were rechecked for DWI one week after first DWI. All patients were followed up for 90 d, and the outcomes were evaluated by modified Rankin scale (mRS).Results A total of 312 patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled finally. The negative rate of DWI was 12.82％ (40/312). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that mild stroke (odds ratio [OR]= 2.533, 95％ confidence interval[CI]: 1.436-3.984,P=0.038), lacunar infarction (OR=4.668, 95％CI: 2.203-6.543,P=0. 005), arteriole occlusion (OR=4.236, 95％CI: 2.448-6.348,P=0.009), brainstem lesion (OR=1.629, 95％CI: 1.035-2.693,P=0.049) and time of onset within hyper-acute period (OR=4.074, 95％CI: 2.683-6.576, P=0.013) were influencing factors for negative results in DWI. The negative rate of DWI in the negative DWI group was reduced to 7.05％ (22/312) one week after first DWI. Totally, 302 patients finished the 90 d of follow up; 40 patients were into the negative DWI group, with poor outcome rate of 27.50％ (11/40); 262 patients were into the positive DWI group, with poor outcome rate of 30.15％ (79/262); the difference of poor outcome rates between the two groups was not statistically significant (P>0.05).Conclusion s The negative results in DWI in patients with acute ischemic stroke are closely related to severity of stroke, TOAST etiological types, locations of the lesions, sizes of the lesions and time of onset. Review of DWI can reduce negative rate of DWI. The outcomes of patients with acute ischemic stroke having negative results in DWI are not better than those with positive results in DWI. The patients with acute ischemic stroke having negative results in DWI and having onset within hyper-acute period should not be excluded from intravenous thrombolytic treatment.

Objective To investigate the screening of elderly patients with post?stroke depression (PSD) and to analyze risk factors. Methods In this prospective study, 220 elderly patients with ischemic stroke were enrolled. At one month after onset, 214 aged patients completed follow?up. According to the DSM?IV diagnosis standard, the patients were divided into PSD and non?PSD groups. Seventeen items of the Hamilton Depression Scale (HAMD) was used to evaluate the degree of depression, and the patients were divided into mild, moderate, and severe depression groups. The demographic and baseline clinical characteristics were compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors of PSD in individuals. Results (1) Of the 214 aged patients with ischemic stroke who completed follow?up, 84 had PSD including 29 (34.52%) men and 55 (65.48%) women. The detection rate of PSD was 39.25%. According to the HAMD, 51 (60.72%) aged patients were diagnosed with mild depression, 25 (29.76%) with moderate depression, and 8 (9.52%) with serious depression. (2) Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that advanced age (>75 years old), female sex, joblessness, being divorced or widowed, having cerebral microbleeds, experiencing social and family environment tension, having low cultural exposure, having moderate and severe neurologic deficits, and having a left?side lesion were the independent risk factors of PSD in elderly patients. Conclusion PSD is common in elderly patients. Evaluation of these risk factors can help identify aged patients at high risk for PSD to allow early intervention, which is worth promoting in clinical work.

Objective To investigate the correlation between cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and early neurological deterioration (END) in patients with acute ischemic stroke. Methods Consecutive patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled prospectively. The clinical data, imaging data, and laboratory data were collected. END was defined as the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score increased ≥2 within 7 d compared with the baseline. Susceptibility-weighted imaging was used to detecte CMBs. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent correlation between CMBs and END. Results A total of 246 patients with acute acute ischemic stroke were enrolled. The incidence of END was 38. 21％ (94/246), 72. 34％ (68/94) occurred within 72 h and 21. 28％ (20/94) occurred from 72 h to 7 d. The detection rate of CMBs in the END group was 72. 34％ (68/94) and that of CMBs in the non-END group was 43. 42％ (66/152). There was significant difference between the two groups (χ2 = 19. 587, P < 0. 001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that previous stroke or transient ischemic attack (odds ratio [ OR ] 1. 883, 95％ confidence interval [ CI ] 1. 284- 2. 277; P = 0. 033 ), large artery atherosclerosis (OR 4. 119, 95％ CI 2. 564-5. 771; P = 0. 003), baseline NIHSS score (OR 1. 682, 95％ CI 1. 320-1. 876; P = 0. 042), severe stroke (OR 4. 228, 95％ CI 2. 634-5. 917; P = 0. 003), onset to admission time (OR 2. 070, 95％ CI 1. 454-2. 582; P = 0. 029), and number of CMB ≥10 (OR 2. 728, 95％ CI 1. 834- 3. 217; P = 0. 016) were the independent risk factors for END. Conclusions END is common in patients with acute ischemic stroke, most of them occurred within 72 h. It is closely associated with the number of CMB, but it is not associated with the location of CMB lesions.