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 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/736 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/736/7

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 14 3 2015 10 14 158 163 EN Babak Daneshfard Research Center for Traditional Medicine and History of Medicine AND Essence of Parsiyan Wisdom Institute, Traditional Medicine and Medicinal Plant Incubator, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Sadegh Izadi Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center AND Department of Neurology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Abdolhamid Shariat Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center AND Clinical Neurology Research Center AND Department of Neurology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Mohammad Amin Toudaji Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center AND Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Zahra Beyzavi Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center AND Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Leila Niknam Shiraz Neuroscience Research Center AND Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2015 10 14 Background: Stroke is the main cause of physical disability and the second leading cause of death worldwide. Two-thirds of all strokes occur in the developing countries. Despite being preventable, stroke is increasingly becoming a major health issue in these countries. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology of stroke in Shiraz, Iran, one of the main referral centers in the southwestern part of Iran. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on all stroke patients admitted to the Namazee Hospital, affiliated to Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, between August 2010 and January 2011. Patients’ demographic data, atherosclerosis risk factors, type of stroke, drug history, outcomes, and neurological signs were recorded. Chi-square test, Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, t-test, and Mann–Whitney U-test were used to analyze the data. Results: A total of 305 patients with stroke, aged 27-97 years (mean ± SD = 68.33 ± 12.99), 269 patients (88.2%) had ischemic stroke (IS) and 36 (11.8%) had hemorrhagic stroke (HS). 133 patients (43.6%) were men and 172 (56.4%) were women. 11.4% of the patients with IS and 40.6% with HS died during hospitalization, causing 12.1% death in all stroke patients [Odds ratio (Or) = 5.34, 95% Confidence intervals (CI) = 2.35-12.11]. Hypertension, ischemic heart disease, diabetes, and recurrent stroke were the most common risk factors. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that the epidemiology of stroke in the southwestern part of Iran may be similar to other places. However, it seems necessary and helpful to design a registration system for patients with stroke in Shiraz Namazee Hospital. https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/737 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/737/8

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 14 3 2015 10 14 164 167 EN Hatice Kose-Ozlece Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kafkas University Medical Faculty, Kars, Turkey Faik Ilık Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Mevlana University, Konya, Turkey Kursat Cecen Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Kafkas University Medical Faculty, Kars, Turkey Nergiz Huseyınoglu Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kafkas University Medical Faculty, Kars, Turkey Ataman Serım Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Kafkas University Medical Faculty, Kars, Turkey 2015 10 14 Background: Besides the well-known adverse effects of valproate (VPA), disorders related to male reproductive functions have been reported. Furthermore, only a limited number of previous studies have reported the relationship between VPA dose and impairment of the hormonal axis and semen quality. A patient with reversible changes that occurred in the sperm parameters after a dose increment of VPA. Methods: A 34-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy almost 15 years ago was admitted to our clinic. His seizures responded well to high doses of VPA treatment. Results: As the VPA dose was increased, consecutive semen analyses were performed and averaged for each dose; the results showed a remarkable decline in the sperm count and a manifest loss of sperm motility. VPA treatment was gradually diminished and stopped; meanwhile, treatment with another antiepileptic (lamotrigin) was initiated to control the patient’s seizures. Nine months later, the patient’s semen analysis was within normal ranges. After modification of the patient’s treatment regimen, he and his wife had a healthy baby. Conclusion: We suggest that VPA-dependent impairments in the hormone and semen analysis parameters were reversible after the termination of medical treatment, and that the VPA treatment did not cause permanent hormonal deregulation and, these side effects are dose dependent. https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/view/738 https://ijnl.tums.ac.ir/index.php/ijnl/article/download/738/9

Tehran University of Medical Sciences Current Journal of Neurology 2717-011X 14 3 2015 10 14 168 170 EN Ali Asadi-Pooya Department of Neurology, School Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran AND Department of Neurology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College AND Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA Mohsen Farazdaghi Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Nahid Ashjazadeh Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran 2015 10 14 Background: We investigated the effects of carbamazepine (CBZ) on semen parameters in men with newly diagnosed epilepsy, by performing semen analysis before starting any antiepileptic drugs, and then after st