Efficacy of Intermittent Theta-Burst Stimulation and Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation in Treatment of Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment.

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of intermittent theta-burst stimulation (iTBS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with cognitive training in the treatment of post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) requires further investigation. METHODS: We randomly assigned 60 patients with PSCI to receive iTBS (n = 21), tDCS (n = 19), or cognitive training alone (n = 20). Cognitive function was evaluated by the Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA), and the performance of activities of daily living (ADL) was assessed with the modified Barthel Index (MBI). Of these patients, 14 participated in the functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) measurement. RESULTS: After six weeks of treatment, cognitive function improved in all three groups of PSCI patients. Compared with patients receiving only cognitive training, the cognitive function of patients in the iTBS combined with cognitive training (p = 0.003) and tDCS combined with cognitive training groups (p = 0.006) showed greater improvement. The cognitive improvement from tDCS was related to the activation of the frontopolar cortex (FPC), while the improvement of cognition by iTBS was based on the activation of the stimulation site (the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex) and some distant regions. CONCLUSIONS: Both iTBS and tDCS in addition to cognitive training appear to improve cognitive function and quality of life of patients with PSCI, compared to cognitive training alone. tDCS improved cognitive function by improving the patient's valuation, motivation, and decision-making substructures, while iTBS improved patients' assessment and decision-making abilities, improving cognitive control and, ultimately, overall cognitive function.

[Jiao's scalp acupuncture combined with virtual reality rehabilitation training for motor dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease: a randomized controlled trial].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy between Jiao's scalp acupuncture combined with virtual reality (VR) rehabilitation training and VR rehabilitation training alone for motor dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: A total of 52 patients with PD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 26 cases in each group. The patients in both groups were treated with routine basic treatment, and the patients in the control group were treated with VR rehabilitation training. The patients in the observation group were treated with Jiao's scalp acupuncture on the basis of the control group. The scalp points included the movement area, balance area and dance tremor control area. Both groups were treated once a day, 5 times a week for a total of 8 weeks. Before treatment and 4 and 8 weeks into treatment, the gait parameters (step distance, step width, step speed and step frequency), timed "up and go" test (TUGT) time and unified Parkinson's disease rating scale part Ⅲ (UPDRS-Ⅲ) score were compared between the two groups, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: Four weeks into treatment, except for the step width in the control group, the gait parameters of the two groups were improved, the TUGT time was shortened, and the UPDRS-Ⅲ scores were reduced (P<0.01, P<0.05); the step distance in the observation group was better than that in the control group, and the UPDRS-Ⅲ score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05). Eight weeks into treatment, the gait parameters of the two groups were improved, the TUGT time was shortened, and the UPDRS-Ⅲ scores were reduced (P<0.01); the step distance and step speed in the observation group were better than those in the control group, the TUGT time in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group, and the UPDRS-Ⅲ score in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (P<0.05, P<0.01). The total effective rate was 92.3% (24/26) in the observation group, which was higher than 69.2% (18/26) in the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Jiao's scalp acupuncture combined with VR rehabilitation training could improve the gait parameters, walking ability and motor function in patients with PD. The clinical effect is better than VR rehabilitation training alone.

MiR-130a-3p Has Protective Effects in Alzheimer's Disease via Targeting DAPK1.

The present study investigated the role and potential mechanisms of miR-130a-3p in AD. SH-SY5Y cells were treated with Aß 1-42 to construct AD cell models. APP/PS1 mice were used for the animal experiments. MiR-130a-3p was downregulated in Aß-induced SH-SY5Y cells. Overexpression of miR-130a-3p attenuates Aß induced SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis. Low miR-130a-3p expression was detected in the hippocampus tissues of AD mice. The Morris water maze (MWM) results indicated that miR-130a-3p upregulation reduced the escape latency time and increased the time of AD mice spent in the target quadrant. DAPK1 was the target gene of miR-130a-3p. High DAPK1 mRNA level was detected in Aß treated PC 12 cells and in the hippocampus tissues of AD mice. It was concluded that overexpression of miR-130a-3p may attenuate Aß-induced neurotoxicity and improve the cognitive function of AD mice via targeting DAPK1.

[Therapeutic effect of acupoint catgut embedding on irritable bowel syndrome of diarrhea type].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effects of irritable bowel syndrome of diarrhea type (deficiency of spleen and stomach) treated with acupoint catgut embedding therapy. METHODS: Sixty cases of irritable bowel syndrome of diarrhea type were randomly divided into an acupoint catgut embedding group and a medication group. In acupoint catgut embedding group, acupoint catgut embedding therapy was given at Tianshu (ST 25), Dachang shu (BL 25) and Zusanli (ST 36), etc., once treatment every 10 days and 3 treatments in all. In medication group, Pinaverium Bromide was orally taken for 50 mg, 3 times a day and 30 days in all. The therapeutic effects were compared after 3Q days treatment and the recurrence rates were observed after 3 months in both groups. RESULTS: The total effective rate was 86.7% (26/30) in acupoint catgut embedding group, superior to that of 56.7% (11/30) in medication group (P < 0.05). The recurrence rate was 15.4% (4/26) in acupoint catgut embedding group, which was lower than that of 64. 7% (11/17) in medication group after 3 months (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The curative effect of irritable bowel syndrome of diarrhea type (deficiency of spleen and stomach) treated by acupoint catgut embedding is superior to that by Pinaverium Bromide, with low recurrence rate.