Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 16 1 2017 01 04 1 6 EN Payam Khomand Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran Ghobad Moradi Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran Behrooz Ahsan Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran Setareh Abtahi Departments of Neurology, Tohid Hospital, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran 2016 01 29 2016 11 01 Background: This study was performed to compare the effects of low dose interferon beta-1 (IFN-β-1) (CinnoVex, 30 mcg) and high dose IFN-β-1 (REBIF, 44 mcg) on the reduction of the number and size of plaques in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: This historical cohort study, which was performed in 2014 in Sanandaj (western part of Iran). 43 MS patients in two groups were investigated. The first group, which included 19 patients, was treated using high dose IFN (44 mcg) and the second group, which was consisted of 24 patients, was treated using low dose IFN (30 mcg). Patients’ data were collected and analyzed by the Stata version 11 software; the analyses were performed using statistical t-test, chi-square test, Fisher test, and logistic regression. Results: Both drugs were effective in controlling active demyelinating plaque and in preventing plaque activation (P = 0.633). The impact of both drugs in the reduction of the number and size of plaques was evaluated. Based on the results of the MRI, high dose IFN therapy was more effective than the low dose IFN drugs and had a better performance in terms of reducing the number of plaques and in stop-and-recovery (P = 0.039), as well as in reducing the plaque size (P = 0.050). Conclusion: The high dose IFN therapy was more effective than the low dose IFN therapy in reducing the number and size of brain plaques in patients with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS). https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/975 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/975/312

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 16 1 2017 01 04 41 42 EN Sama Bitarafan Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Kiana Amani Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Ali Sahraian Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Payam Sarraf Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Danesh Soltani Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Abdorreza Naser Moghadasi Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Hossein Harirchian Iranian Center of Neurological Research, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2016 09 27 2016 10 26 The first attack of multiple sclerosis presented immediat https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/1144 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/1144/320

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 16 1 2017 01 04 34 40 EN Mohammad Ali Sahraian Multiple Sclerosis Research Center, Neuroscience Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Sahebkar Department of Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Sabzevar University of Medical Sciences, Sabzevar, Iran Rouhollah Dehghani Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Department of Environment Health, School of Health, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran Milad Derakhshan-Jazari Department of Occupational Health, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Vahid Kazami-Moghaddam Department of Environmental Health, School of Health, Neyshabur University of Medical Sciences, Neyshabur, Iran Ebrahim Kouchaki Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran 2016 01 02 2016 11 18 There has been a global rising trend in recent years in the incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS). Despite being an MS low-risk region, this disease has also been recently on the rise in the Middle East. As part of the Middle East, Iran has not been spared either; however, the cause of this dramatic increase remains to be discovered. This study reviews possible reasons for this increase in Iran. Although many factors such as the increased rate of smoking, lifestyle changes, modernization, and contact with toxic solvents can be proposed as reasons for this sudden rise in the prevalence of MS in Iran, these factors cannot be taken as definite causes and further studies are required to prove their impact. https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/950 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/950/311

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 16 1 2017 01 04 45 49 EN Josef Finsterer Krankenanstalt Rudolfstiftung, Vienna, Austria Gabor Geza Kovacs Institute of Neurology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria 2015 11 30 2016 11 28 Psoriasis, bulbar involvement, and diarrhea in late myoclonic epileps https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/914 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/914/317

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 16 1 2017 01 04 53 54 EN Gholam Ali Shahidi Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahdi Safdarian Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2016 07 30 2016 11 20 Fahr disease: Idiopathic basal ganglia calcification https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/1108 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/1108/319

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 16 1 2017 06 21 1335 1335 Iranian journal of neurology Iranian journal of neurology Official journal of Iranian Neurological Association 2017 06 21 Official journal of Iranian Neurological Association https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/1335 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/1335/336

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 16 1 2017 01 04 7 14 EN Mozaffar Hosseininezhad Department of Neurology, Poursina Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran Hannan Ebrahimi Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran Seyed Mohammad Seyedsaadat Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran Babak Bakhshayesh Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Poursina Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran Motahareh Asadi Student Research Committee, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran Amir Reza Ghayeghran Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Poursina Hospital, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran 2016 07 14 2016 11 25 Background: Stroke is the leading cause of death and functional disability. While there have been major advances regarding the management of stroke, a significant proportion of people are still unaware of stroke-related symptoms and risk factors. This study was performed to assess the awareness of stroke’s warning signs and risk factors among a sample of Iranian population. Methods: A total of 649 participants were randomly selected using systematic randomization from the list of telephone numbers obtained from the telephone directory. Demographic characteristics were recorded. Participants were asked to answer questions regarding the awareness about stroke, its warning signs and risk factors. Results: Patients’ mean age was 32.0 ± 12.2 years old, and 56.4% were women. Hypertension and history of stroke were major risk factors, and loss of consciousness, vertigo and ataxia were major warning signs of stroke correctly identified by respondents. Multiple linear regressions showed that age (β = 0.277, P < 0.001), academic level of education (β = 6.41, P = 0.01), housewifery (β = 8.9, P < 0.001), jobs related to medical care (β = 13.17, P = 0.016) and previous information about stroke (β = 18.71, P < 0.001) were significant predictors of the overall awareness about stroke. Conclusion: The awareness of people about stroke, its risk factors and warning signs were good in this study. The awareness toward stroke can be associated with factors such as age, academic level of education, job and previous information about stroke. Further studies are recommended to program public multimedia and health education in academies and colleges. https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/1092 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/1092/323

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 16 1 2017 01 04 43 44 EN Ahmad Reza Khatoonabadi School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Shohreh Kaviani Department of Speech Therapy, School of Rehabilitation, Neuromuscular Rehabilitation Research Center, Semnan University of Medical Sciences, Semnan, Iran Noureddin Nakhostin-Ansari Department of Physiotherapy, School of Rehabilitation, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Neuromusculoskeletal Research Center, Iran university of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mahsa Saadati Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, National Population Studies and Comprehensive Management Institute, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Ehsan Shahverdi Students Research Committee, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Blood Transfusion Research Center, High Institute for Research Center and Education in Transfusion Medicine, Tehran, Iran 2016 01 22 2016 10 24 The effects of intensive language therapy in aphasic patients https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/969 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/969/318

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 16 1 2017 01 04 50 52 EN Masoud Mehrpour Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran 2015 11 29 2016 11 25 Endovascular management of chronic internal carotid occlusion with Penumbra system https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/912 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/912/316

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 16 1 2017 01 04 15 25 EN Seyed Ali Ghaffari Neurology Research Center, Department of Neurology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Department of Laboratory Sciences, School of Paramedicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Maryam Nemati Neurology Research Center, Department of Neurology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Hossain Hajghani Neurology Research Center, Department of Neurology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Hossainali Ebrahimi Neurology Research Center, Department of Neurology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Abdolkarim Sheikhi Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Dezful University of Medical Sciences, Dezful, Iran Abdollah Jafarzadeh Molecular Medicine Research Center, Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Rafsanjan University of Medical Sciences, Rafsanjan, Iran Department of Immunology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 2015 10 31 2016 11 25 Background: Interleukin (IL)-17/IL-23 axis performs a prominent role in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune disorders. This study aimed to investigate the concentrations of IL-17 in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and its relationship with gender, medication, disease forms and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in IL-23R gene, including rs11209026 and rs1004819. Methods: The blood specimens were obtained from 135 healthy individuals and 135 MS patients. The patients exhibited relapsing-remitting (RRMS; n = 65), primary progressive (PPMS; n = 19), secondary progressive (SPMS; n = 35) or progressive relapsing (PRMS; n = 14) MS. The DNA was analyzed for SNPs using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and IL-17 concentrations were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: We have observed elevated serum IL-17 concentrations in MS patients compared with healthy individuals (P < 0.001). The men with MS had higher IL-17 concentrations than women patients (P < 0.050). Untreated patients had significantly higher IL-17 concentrations than healthy individuals and treated patients (P < 0.001 and P < 0.010, respectively). The IL-17 concentrations were significantly decreased in patients treated with interferon-β (IFN-β), methylprednisolone or both drugs as compared with untreated MS patients (P < 0.050, P < 0.020 and P < 0.050, respectively). The IL-17 concentrations were also significantly higher in patients with RRMS and PRMS compared with healthy individuals (P < 0.005 and P < 0.010, respectively). The genetic variations at SNPs rs11209026 and rs1004819 were not significantly different between healthy individuals and patients. The IL-17 concentrations were not influenced by genetic variations at investigated SNPs. Conclusion: These results indicated higher levels of IL-17 in MS patients that may be influenced by disease patterns, medication and gender. No association was observed between investigated SNPs and MS. https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/874 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/874/332

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 16 1 2017 01 04 26 29 EN Kaveh Shafiei Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran Fatemeh Sedaghati Neurology Research Centre, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran 2016 02 07 2016 12 04 Background: Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a current practice in medicine to produce clinical practice guidelines from well-designed, randomized, controlled trials. We studied knowledge, attitude, and practice of EBM of neurologists who participated in the Iranian congress of neurology. Methods: A self-administered anonymous questionnaire was distributed and filled by neurologists. A total of 200 neurologists were randomly sampled and with response rate of 56%. 33.9% of responder had previously participated in EBM courses. Results: The average total knowledge score was 4.05 ± 0.80 out of a maximum possible score of 5.0. Textbooks were still the most favorite source of knowledge for our neurologists. A lack of time was the highest, and motivation the least mentioned barrier in using EBM. Conclusion: Overall, the Iranian neurologist had acceptable knowledge and attitude toward EBM and had same similar as found in other studies. https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/986 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/986/313

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 16 1 2017 01 04 30 33 EN Ehsan Kheradmand Neurosciences Research Center, Alzahra Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Shaghayegh Haghjooy-Javanmard Applied Physiology Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran Leila Dehghani Department of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine,, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Saadatnia Neurosciences Research Center, Alzahra Research Institute, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran 2016 05 27 2016 12 27 Background: Activated protein C (APC) inactivates factor V (FV) by cleavage of its heavy chain at Arg306, Arg506, Arg679, and Lys994. Mutational changes, which abolish APC cleavage sites, may predispose thrombosis by altering the inactivation process of FV. FV Leiden (FVL) (Arg506Glu) has been demonstrated as a strong risk factor for thrombosis. In the current study, we have studied whether mutations in the cleavage sites of FV for APC, not due to FVL, would have a role in presenting APC resistance (APCR) and initiation of a cerebral thrombotic event. Methods: A group of 22 patients with a history of cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT), who were not carriers of FVL enrolled in the study. The patients who had conditions associated with acquired APCR were excluded from the study. APCR test was performed on the remaining 16 patients, which showed APCR in 4 plasma samples. DNA sequencing was performed on four exons of FV of APCR patients, encoding Arg306, Arg506, Arg679, and Lys994. Results: Mutations were not found within nucleotides encoding the cleavage sites; neither was found within their close upstream and downstream sequences. Conclusion: Our results show that polymorphisms affecting cleavage sites of FV other than Arg506Glu it would be less likely to be the basis for APCR and its increased thrombosis susceptibility. In addition, it emphasizes on the importance of screening for APCR in the patients diagnosed with CVT. https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/1063 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/1063/314