Atypical Presentation of Longstanding Overt Ventriculomegaly in Adults: A Case Report.

Hydrocephalus involves the enlargement of the ventricular system due to increased cerebrospinal fluid. This condition often presents with ventriculomegaly, associated with cognitive decline, gait disturbances, visual changes, and other neurological symptoms. In adults, hydrocephalus may result from longstanding overt ventriculomegaly in adults (LOVA), characterized by macrocephaly, subnormal IQ, urinary incontinence, and gait issues. In a recent case report, a 52-year-old Hispanic female displayed similar predisposing factors and radiological findings for a LOVA diagnosis. Despite the absence of focal neurological deficits or typical complaints, she experienced a breakthrough seizure episode after years without incident.

Knee Buckling as an Atypical Adverse Effect of Clozapine: A Case Report.

Clozapine has become a widely popular and effective medication in the treatment of refractory schizophrenia and refractory bipolar disorder. Although the use of clozapine proves to be an effective resort, it has to be closely monitored due to its narrow therapeutic range and multiple dangerous adverse effects. In rare cases, clozapine has been known to cause an antagonistic myoclonic jerk that leads to knee buckling. Here, we present the case of a 29-year-old female who is being treated for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar, manic type, who reported two instances of knee buckling associated with falls while taking clozapine.

The Role of Electroconvulsive Therapy in the Treatment of Catatonia Associated With Lewy Body Dementia: A Case Report.

Catatonia is a complex amalgamation of neuropsychiatric symptoms that can manifest in both psychiatric and neurological conditions. The treatment of catatonia related to psychiatric illnesses is well documented as it typically responds to benzodiazepines and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). However, the treatment of catatonia related to neurological disorders has shown to be more difficult, particularly when associated with Lewy Body Dementia (LBD). Here, we present the case of a 78-year-old woman with LBD, Bipolar I, depressive type, who successfully underwent twelve ECT sessions to treat catatonia refractory to benzodiazepine therapy. The effectiveness of the treatment was measured using the Bush-Françis Catatonia Scale (BFCS) to measure her catatonic symptoms as she progressed through the therapy. This report highlights the importance of considering ECT as a leading therapeutic approach in this particular subset of patients who do not respond adequately to pharmaceutical therapy and medical titrations.

Exploring the Value of Hosting a Grassroots Neuroscience Workshop That Facilitates Near-Peer Engagement Between Medical Students and High School Students (Local Brain Bee Participants) in a Developing Country in the Caribbean.

Objective This article explores the value of hosting a grassroots neuroscience workshop that facilitates near-peer engagement between year-one medical students and local Brain Bee finalists (high school students). Near-peer mentoring is a formal relationship in which more academically advanced students guide immediate junior students. We hypothesized that similar activities have teaching, learning, and psychosocial benefits for all and can be easily replicated. Activity The Grenada National Brain Bee Challenge was launched in 2009 as a competition for high school students. Annually, there are at least 100 high school students registering to participate in the national challenge. In 2018, a grassroots neuroscience symposium, a local initiative, was created to prepare high school students who participated in the preliminary rounds for the final local and International Brain Bee competition. Traditionally, it is hosted annually by faculty at St. George's University School of Medicine (SOM). However, in 2022, the symposium was hosted by medical students. The symposium is designed as an eight-hour tutorial one-day session. The students rotate between facilitators as small group teams during each teaching hour. There are icebreakers, content presentations, and neuroanatomy skills stations. The medical students demonstrate expertise in neuroscience content and other aspects of professional competence. The activity was also designed to offer students of diversified backgrounds the opportunity to affect their educational pathways through role modeling, mirroring, and mentorship. Was this change beneficial to both sets of students (medical and high school)? Results and discussion We aim to determine the value of the near-peer relationship between the local 2022 Brain Bee finalists (high school students) (n=28) and university (medical) students (n=11). Participants were surveyed about their experience. Data were de-identified and grouped according to common themes. A thematic analysis was conducted on the data retrieved from the literature review. Data suggest that both high school and university (medical) students report benefits after participating in near-peer engagement at a grassroots neuroscience symposium. In this teaching model, the medical students are the more experienced instructors and transfer their knowledge and skills about the field to the high school students. The medical students have an opportunity to consolidate their personal learning and give back to the Grenadian community. While informal teaching occurs often, this type of near-peer engagement with students from the community helps medical students develop both personal and professional skills such as confidence, knowledge, and respect. This grassroots initiative is easily replicated in a medical curriculum. The major benefits experienced by the high school student participants (of various socioeconomic backgrounds) were access to educational resources. The symposium requires active engagement, fosters a sense of belonging, and promotes interest in pursuing careers in health, research, academia, and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Conclusion Participating high school students of various genders and socioeconomic backgrounds gained equal access to educational resources and may select careers in health-related sciences. Participating medical students developed knowledge and teaching skills and engaged in a service-learning opportunity.

The role of maternal diet on offspring gut microbiota development: A review.

In offspring, an adequate maternal diet is important for neurodevelopment. One mechanism by which maternal diet impacts neurodevelopment is through its dynamic role in the development of the gut microbiota. Communication between the gut, and its associated microbiota, and the brain is facilitated by the vagus nerve, in addition to other routes. Currently, the mechanisms through which maternal diet impacts offspring microbiota development are not well-defined. Therefore, this review aims to investigate the relationship between maternal diet during pregnancy and offspring microbiota development and its impact on neurodevelopment. Both human and animal model studies were reviewed to understand the impact of maternal diet on offspring microbiota development and potential consequences on neurodevelopment. In the period after birth, as reported in both human and model system studies, maternal diet impacts offspring bacterial colonization (e.g., decreased presence of Lactobacillus reuteri as a result of a high-fat maternal diet). It remains unknown whether these changes persist into adulthood and whether they impact vulnerability to disease. Therefore, further long-term studies are required in both human and model systems to study these changes. Our survey of the literature indicates that maternal diet influences early postnatal microbiota development, which in turn, may serve as a mechanism through which maternal diet impacts neurodevelopment.