The Association between HbA1c Levels, Olfactory Memory and Cognition in Normal, Pre-Diabetic and Diabetic Persons.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Recent data have shown that olfactory dysfunction is strongly related to Alzheimer's Disease (AD) that is often preceded by olfactory deficits suggesting that olfactory dysfunction might represent an early indicator of future cognitive in prediabetes. METHODS: We have applied to a group of normal (n=15), prediabetic (n=16) and type 2 diabetic outpatients (n=15) olfactory testing, 1.5-T MRI scanner and detailed cognitive evaluation including the standard Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) form, Short Blessed Test (SBT), Letter Fluency Test (LFT) and the category fluency test with animal, Fruit and Vegetable Naming (CFT). RESULTS: We have shown that Odour Threshold (OT), Discrimination (OD), and Identification (OI) scores and most cognitive test results were significantly different in the prediabetes and diabetes group compared to those in the control group. OD and OT were significantly different between the prediabetes and diabetes group, although the cognitive test results were only significantly different in the prediabetes and diabetes group compared to those in the control group. In evaluating the association between OI, OT, OD scores and specific cognitive tests, we have found, that impaired olfactory identification was the only parameter that correlated significantly with the SBT both in the pre-diabetes and diabetes group. Although spot glucose values were only correlated with OT, HbA1c levels were correlated with OT, OD, and OI, as well as results of the letter fluency test suggesting that HbA1c levels rather than the spot glucose values play a critical role in specific cognitive dysfunction. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first prospective study to demonstrate a strong association between olfactory dysfunction and specific memory impairment in a population with prediabetes and diabetes suggesting that impaired olfactory identification might play an important role as a specific predictor of memory decline.

The therapeutic role of minocycline in Parkinson's disease.

Minocycline, a semisynthetic tetracycline-derived antibiotic, has been shown to exert anti-apoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. Furthermore, there is rapidly growing evidence suggesting that minocycline may have some neuroprotective activity in various experimental models such as cerebral ischemia, traumatic brain injury, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease, and multiple sclerosis. In this perspective review, we summarize the preclinical and clinical findings suggesting the neuroprotective role of minocycline in PD.

Anaesthetic Management with Thromboelastography in a Patient with Glanzmann Thrombasthenia.

Glanzmann thrombastenia (GT) is a rare disease of an autosomal recessive inheritance characterized with fatal bleeding tendency. The anaesthesiologist should be cognizant of the risk involved and be prepared with necessary measures. In this paper, we present a GT case of a 9-year-old male with hypospadias, which was successfully repaired after platelet transfusions according to the thromboelastography tracings.

Olanzapine-Induced Malignant Neuroleptic Syndrome.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), caused by antipsychotic therapy, shows itself with mental status alteration, high fever, autonomic dysfunction, and muscle rigidity. It is a rare idiosyncratic reaction with mortality risk. The etiology is still unknown. NMS-related mortality and morbidity can be decreased by cessation of the used drug and aggressive treatment. Olanzapine is a thienobenzodiazepine, a member of atypical antipsychotic drugs; its structure and effects on neurotransmitters resemble clozapine. Here we report a case of bipolar disorder receiving olanzapine therapy for 10 years, who developed NMS without rigidity. We emphasized the importance of early hydration and hemodiafiltration therapy.