[ difference of psychopathology in patients with multiple sclerosis with and without substance abuse]

Background and Aims: Substance abuse may have different effects on multiple sclerosis. Till now, studies on substance abuse and its correlation with psychopathology, type and severity of multiple sclerosis are limited. We conducted this study to evaluate the psychopathology of patients with multiple sclerosis with and without substance abuse

Methods: In this case-control, cross-sectional study performed in 2012, 125 patients with multiple sclerosis in Kerman were enrolled. From all, 100 patients did not have substance abuse and 25 ones had substance abuse. In each group, the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory-III [MCMI-III] test was done by patient and the patients' Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] were determined. We used DSM IVTR criteria to diagnose substance abuse

Results: The frequency of obsessive convulsive disorder [OCD] was significantly higher in patients without substance abuse and paranoia, delusional, and sadistic were significantly higher in substance abuse group [P<0.05]. The achieved Expanded Disability Status Scale [EDSS] was significantly higher in substance abusers. Also, the type of multiple sclerosis was different between the two groups. The relapsing-remitting type was higher in the group without substance abuse and the progressive-relapsing type was higher in the group with substance abuse

Conclusion: Psychiatric disorders were seen in both groups. Substance abuse had correlation with psychopathology, type and severity of multiple sclerosis

[ effect of priacetam in aphasia due to acute brain ischemic stroke: clinical trial]

Background and Aims: Stroke incidence is 15 million people world wide annually and one third of these patients suffer from aphasia. Aphasia is often associated with significant disability in patients. Costs due to cerebrovascular diseases play an important role in national health expenditures. We aimed to assess the effect of piracetam in treatment of aphasia

Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke after completing informed consent form were divided randomly into two groups. The intervention group recieved standard treatment and 4800 mg piracetam daily for 12 weeks and the control group received standard treatment plus placebo. All patients on admission, and one, two, and three months post-stroke were evaluated using Nilipour Farsi aphasia test

Results: A total of 40 patients with stroke and mean age of 60.1 +/- 17.2 years were assessed. Among them, the Broca aphasia had the most frequency and global and Wernicke aphasia had the least. The aphasia test showed significant difference between the intervention and control groups at the first and second months of follow-up; but the difference was not significant at the third month

Conclusion: Totally, piracetam does not affect the rate of recovery from aphasia, despite increasing patients' early recovery

Boxer thrombus: a large highly mobile thrombus in a normal functioning left ventricle

A 45-year-old woman with complaint of left side weakness admitted to neurology ward. Trans-esophageal echocardiography showed a large, highly mobile mass in left ventricle with its tip looking like a fist, punching the aortic valve cusps. Emergency operation was done and the mass was confirmed to be a large thrombus and was removed completely. During the follow up, patient was free of symptoms

Point mutations on mitochondrial DNA in Iranian patients with Friedreich's ataxia

Mitochondrial DNA [mt DNA] is considered a candidate modifier factor for neuro-degenerative disorders. The most common type of ataxia is Friedreich's ataxia [FA]. The aim of this study was to investigate different parts of mt DNA in 20 Iranian FA patients and 80 age-matched controls by polymerase chain reaction [PCR] and automated DNA sequencing methods to find any probable point mutations involved in the pathogenesis of FA. We identified 13 nucleotide substitutions including A3505G, T3335C, G3421A, G8251A, A8563G, A8563G, G8584A, T8614C, T8598C, C8684T, A8701G, G8994A and A9024G. Twelve of 13 nucleotide substitutions had already been reported as polymorphism. One of the nucleotide substitutions [A9024G] had not been reported before. The A9024G nucleotide substitution does not change its amino acid. The controls were also investigated for this polymorphism which was found in two of them [2.5%].None of the mutations found in this study can affect the clinical manifestations of FA. This survey also provides evidence that the mtDNA A9024G allele is a new nonpathogenic polymorphism. We suggest follow-up studies for this polymorphism in different populations

Investigation on mtDNA deletions and twinkle gene mutation (G1423C) in Iranian patients with chronic progressive external opthalmoplagia.

BACKGROUND: Chronic progressive external ophthalmoplagia (CPEO) is a phenotypic mitochondrial disorder that affects external ocular and skeletal muscles and is associated with a single or multiple mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) deletions and also nuclear gene mutations. There are also some reports about the relationship between CPEO and the nuclear Twinkle gene which encodes a kind of mitochondrial protein called Twinkle. AIMS: To study the mtDNA deletions and Twinkle gene G1423C point mutation in Iranian patients with CPEO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected 23 muscle samples from patients with CPEO, 9 women (mean age 34.3 years) and 14 men (36.7 years). Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method was used to find the presence of single or multiple deletions in mtDNA. Single stranded conformational polymorphism (SSCP) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods were carried out to investigate point mutation (G1423C) in the Twinkle gene in all DNA samples. RESULTS: Different sizes of mtDNA deletions were detected in 16 patients (69.6%). Each of the 5.5, 7, 7.5 and 9 kb deletions existed only in 1 patient. Common deletion (4977bp) and 8 kb deletion were detected in 5 and 3 patients respectively. Multiple deletions were also present in 4 patients. Out of 23 patients included in our study, two cases (8.7%) had Twinkle gene mutation (G1423C) and 5 patients (21.7%) did not show any deletions in mtDNA or the Twinkle gene mutation. CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence that the investigation of mtDNA and Twinkle gene mutations in CPEO may help with early diagnosis and prevention of the disease. Patients who did not show deletions in the mtDNA or G1423C mutation in the Twinkle gene may have other mtDNA, Twinkle or nuclear gene mutations.