21^st World Congress on Neurology and Therapeutics March 15-17, 2018 London, UK

Biography:

Hardeep Sahota is a FY1 Doctor at Chelsea and Westminister Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, he is currently on a stroke rehabiliation ward caring for patients who have been transferred from hyper acute stroke units. His long term long goal is to become a Neurosurgeon

Abstract:

We present a very tragic case of a women in her early 60’s who had a confirmed diagnosis of right sided non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma. Interestingly, she had complained of unilateral right sided hand weakness and altered sensenations. She went on to have a CT and MRI scan with the thought that her cancer had metastasied to her brain. However, MRI went on to reveal that she had gone onto have cerebral infarct, infact the strokes were multiple and resulting in profound dense weakness. A literature search revealed that marantic endocarditits whilst a rare cause of stroke in the general population is not so uncommon cause of stroke in the presence of underlying cancer diagnosis. Hence we would like to highlight the uncommon causes for cardioembolic stroke. 

Biography:

Chaonan Yang has completed his Master's degree from Graduate Institute of Integrated Medicine, China Medical University, Taiwan. He is now the attending Physician of Neurology in China Medical University Hospital, Taipei branch

Abstract:

A case of 53-year-old female patient with insidiously feet numbness initially, with the progressive ascending numbness and mild to moderate weakness of lower limbs reaching the maximum impairment for two months. Initial examination found decreased DTR on bilateral ankle reflex without weakness. It takes about two months to the nadir, very slow progressive ascending weakness and paresthesia. She took rehabilitation for two months and has received PRF (Pulsed Radio Frequency) therapy one month later symptom onset under the impression of mild L4/L5 HIVD and radiculopathy by neurosurgery doctor. With 42°C electrode stimulation in bilateral L5 DRG (dorsal root ganglion) she has developed sudden electric shock-like sensation in the whole back area with radiation to 4 limbs soon after PRF stimulation, and the symptoms lasted for 3-4 weeks when moving back or neck. And slowly relieved, DTR was increased two months later when she came to our neurologic clinic and she walked with the help of a stick. The spinal cord MRI revealed a long extended spinal cord lesion from T9-T11. The VEP (visual evoked potential) showed prolonged latencies bilaterally without any eye symptom. Further brain MRI showed lesion at right middle cerebellar peduncular. Lab data was not remarkable. CSF study showed no active inflammation or infection. IgG index: 0.54, blood test for AQP4 Ab showed positive. Lhermitte’s sign (LS) is one of the sensory symptoms of the spinal cord that is frequently seen in NMOSD. But it was rare under pulsed radiofrequency situation. Physician should be aware of the disease course and should always put spinal cord lesion into consideration before invasive procedure.

Biography:

Jameelah Saeedi is a certified Saudi Neurologist who specializes in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunological Diseases. She received her Medical qualification from King Abdulaziz University in Saudi Arabia in 2001 followed by two-boards in Neurology from Saudi Commission for Health Specialties and the Jordanian Medical Council in 2007. She is a alumni of University of British Columbia where she pursued her fellowship and training in Neuroimmunology and Multiple Sclerosis with Professor Peter Rieckman in 2009. In 2010, she received two more fellowships in Electromyography and Boutlinum Toxin Injection treatment from the University of Toronto. She is one of few leading pioneers who holds vast knowledge, experience, sub-specializes and practices Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunological Diseases in Saudi Arabia. She has been working at King Fahad Medical City as a Subspecialty Consultant and KFMC Comprehensive Neuroimmunology Program Director. She is currently working at King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz University Hospital in Saudi Arabia.

Abstract:

Neuromyeltis optica (NMO) also known as Devic's disease is an immune-mediated inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS). Immune cells and auto-antibodies primarily attack optic nerves and spinal cord. NMO and multiple sclerosis (MS) are distinct diseases with some similar clinical and radiological features. In 2004, anti-AQP4 antibodies (NMO-IgG) was first reported to be associated with the disease, Since this discovery, the disease spectrum has significantly widened. Patients without the typical spinal cord and optic nerve manifestations have also been diagnosed with NMO. In 2015, new diagnostic criteria were published defining anti-AQP4 positive and negative disease with a new unified term, NMO spectrum disorder (NMOSD) to describe the disease. Although majority of NMO patients are positive for serum AQP-4 antibodies, some can exhibit negative results despite using the most sensitive available technique. The others might have antibodies targeting myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG). In my presentation, I will discuss the new diagnostic criteria for NMO, the differences between anti-MOG NMO and anti–AQP-4 NMO, the radiological features of the disease, as well as some practical points in the diagnosis and management of the disease. I will also present real cases that I have encountered during my clinical practice

Biography:

Vakhtang Fedotov completed his 1^st year of Medicine in Kharkiv National Medical University during September 2016-June 2017. During 2005-2016, he studied in private school “Ochag Gymnasium” and has finished it with excellent marks and a gold medal. He is a winner of regional chemical competition. Since 2015, he is a member of the minor Academy of Sciences. He took part in Biology and Anatomy conferences previously.

Abstract:

Introduction: Gait is a kind of visiting card of any person which says a lot about the individual. It can testify both health status and possible pathology. The gait of a person is the harmonious interaction of muscles, bones, eyes and the inner ear under the control of the central nervous system. Despite clinical significance and widespread prevalence, gait disturbances have not been the subject of special studies until recently. This has determined the subject of our preliminary communication.

Purpose: The purpose is to study some mechanisms of human gait.

Materials & Methods: The studies were performed in 4 patients with Parkinson's disease, 5 patients suffering from ischemic stroke, 4 patients with peroneal nerve neuropathy, and 2 patients with myopathy. The comparison group involved 7 healthy volunteers. All patients and the study group underwent clinical examination, electromyography and biomechanical studies.

Results: We have seen obvious differences in patients during electromyography: high-frequency, high-amplitude curves during muscle contraction in healthy volunteers were recorded; the amplitude of the potentials increased and subsequently decreased in patients with Parkinson, spindle shapes were also recorded and; patients with peroneal nerve neuropathy showed singular irregular potentials in amplitude and frequency. The nature of the EMG changes indicated the different anatomical level of injury of the particular anatomical structure involved in the act of walking. So, EMG studies allowed us to objectivize changes in the process of neuromuscular transmission in various diseases. Within the biomechanical parameters, we measured PI (inclination of the pelvis) - the angle between the line joining the middle of the upper surface of the sacrum with the center of the femoral head and perpendicular to the upper surface of the sacrum, restored at the point 0. This measure also varied in patients with different pathologies. PI (50.1°) - patients with peroneal nerve neuropathy and volunteers; PI (less than 35°) - patients with stroke and; PI (between 35° and 50.1°) patients with myopathy and Parkinson's disease. In the vertical position, the spino-pelvic balance is regulated by the neuromuscular system. Therefore, it is logical to assume that alterations in neuromuscular transmission also change the parameters of the spino-pelvic balance.

Conclusions: The person’s gait being individual and absolutely unique testifies both to a healthy status and even reflects the presence of a possible pathology. The type of pathological gait depends on which of the links of the locomotor chain has suffered: corticospinal tract, extrapyramidal system, musculoskeletal system, etc. In setting the correct diagnosis in the presence of a pathological gait, the clinical examination is of utmost importance along with electromyography and biomechanical examinations. We will be presenting our overall study details and results with case examples.

Biography:

Neil Senior is a Board certified Child Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist in Vermont. He received his medical degree from The University of Queensland Medical School, Australia and has been in practice for more than 20 years. He did his Internship in Christchurch New Zealand, Child psychiatry Internship in University of Vermont Medical School and Adult Psychiatry Internship in Dartmouth Medical School New Hampshire. He is a staff Psychiatrist and Medical Director Brattleboro Retreat and Out Patient Child, Adolescent and Adult Psychiatrist at Otter Creek Associates Brattleboro, Vermont.

Abstract:

DSM-5 child psychiatry diagnoses have low inter-rater reliability, often overlap with each other and tend to be limiting in their descriptions. By focussing on a patient's target symptoms one can both simplify treatment interventions and hence hopefully improve outcomes

Biography:

Mohammad Shamsul Ola is an Associate Professor in the Department of Biochemistry at King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. He completed his Postdoctoral Training at Medical College of Georgia and Pennsylvania State University, USA and subsequently joined as a Faculty Member at King Saud University in 2008. He is an established Scientist working in the research area of cellular and molecular mechanism of diabetic retinopathy. He has made fundamental discoveries that have greatly added to our understanding of vision impairment caused by diabetes. His research on altered metabolism in diabetes has contributed a thorough understanding of the molecular causes of impairment in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. His major area of research interest includes molecular mechanism of neurodegeneration, and oxidative stress and neuroprotection in diabetic retinopathy. 

Abstract:

Excess extracellular glutamate is known to cause excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration in the brain and retina under various pathological conditions. Diabetes-induced altered level of glutamate is believed to be a major factor to cause neurodegeneration in diabetic retina, leading to diabetic retinopathy. The purpose of this study was to understand the regulation of glutamate metabolism in non-diabetic and diabetic rat retinas. We performed glutamate metabolic studies in the rat retinas and in cultured Muller cells. We analyzed both rate of anaplerosis (de novo synthesis of glutamate and glutamine) and cataplerosis (catabolism of glutamate) in the control and diabetic rat retinas. We measured metabolites in those rat retinas using spectrophotometric, high performance liquid chromatography and radioisotopic techniques. In addition, we also analyzed glutamate uptake in the cultured retinal Muller cells under glutamate depletion conditions. Results of anaplerosis indicated that the level of glutamate and glutamine synthesis significantly decreased in diabetic retina compared to control (p<0.05). Cataplerosis experiments showed that glutamate oxidized to CO₂ and lactate, and their levels were significantly decreased in diabetic retina compared to control. Glutamate uptake experiments in Muller cells suggested that the rate of glutamate transport increased when cells were depleted of glutamate. Thus, glutamate metabolism experiments suggest that the rate of anaplerosis of glutamate did not increase in the diabetic rat retina, however cataplerosis decreased, which gives the basis of an increased intracellular level of glutamate within Muller cells. Glutamate uptake experiments in cultured Muller cells suggest that either high or low intracellular levels of glutamate may hinder the rate of glutamate uptake. Thus, these results suggest the basis of glutamate excitotoxicity and neurodegeneration due to increased intracellular level of glutamate in the diabetic retina

Biography:

Tansel Comoglu was graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Pharmacy in 1991. She received her MSc degree on Pharmaceutical Technology. She obtained her PhD degree in 2002 and she worked as an Assistant Professor in 2010 and received her Associate Professor title in 2011. She was awarded Post-Doctoral Research support by the Scientific and Technological Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) and continued her work in Tromso University, Institute of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, Norway on “physics of tabletting” in 2005. In 2017, she was appointed as Full Professor of Pharmaceutical Technology at the Ankara University, Faculty of Pharmacy. She has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of “Pharmaceutical Development and Technology” since 2012 and “AAPS Pharmaceutical Sciences and Technology Journal” since 2015 and is the Writer of more than 30 scientific articles, and 3 international book chapters.

Abstract:

Parkinson's is a major neurodegenerative disorder that occurs due to loss of dopaminergic neurons in basal ganglia. Conventional therapy includes surgery that involves a lot of risk and administration of levodopa which is accompanied by poor bioavailability, short half-life, and side effects. In this present study, poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles-based drug delivery system to improve the bioavailability of the drug was evaluated. Nanoparticles were prepared by double emulsion solvent evaporation technique (w/o/w). The process of encapsulation of drugs by double emulsion/evaporation in a matrix of PLGA can be divided into three successive steps: first, an aqueous solution of the active compound is emulsified into an organic solution of the hydrophobic coating polymer; second, this primary water-in-oil emulsion (w/o) is dispersed in water with formation of a double water-oil-water emulsion (w/o/w); third, the organic solvent is removed with formation of solid particles. In our study, the effect of inner phase, evaporation time and polymers’ moleculer weight on entrapment efficiency were evaluated. In the experiment, 5% poly vinyl alcohol is used as outer phase and 2 mL dichloromethane is used as the oil phase. The drug encapsulation efficiency were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). 10 μl of supernatant was injected into an Agilent 1100 liquid chromatograph to determine the actual amounts of Levodopa non-incorporated within the nanoparticles. Separation was achieved using a C18 column (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm) at a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min and a detection of 280 nm. All the analysis was performed at 25°C. An increase in the encapsulation efficiency was observed in the nanoparticles prepared with PLGA with the lower molecular weight, showing that PLGA with the lower molecular weight effectively trapped Levodopa. When 1% Tween 80 solution was used in the inner phase with a 20 mM HCl solution a shortened evaporation time and an increased drug encapsulation were observed. 

Biography:

Umur Kayabasi is a Graduate of Istanbul Medical Faculty. After working as a Resident in Ophthalmology, he completed his Clinical Fellowship Program of Neuro-Ophthalmology and Electrophysiology at Michigan State University in 1995. After working as a Consultant Neuro-Ophthalmologist in Istanbul, he worked at Wills Eye Hospital for three months as an Observer. He has been working at World Eye Hospital since 2000. He has chapters in different Neuro-Ophthalmology books, arranged international symposiums and attended TV programs to advertise the Neuro-Ophthalmology subspecialty. He has also given lectures at local and international meetings, published many papers in Neuro-Ophthalmology. He became an Assistant Professor at Uskudar University, Istanbul in 2016.

Abstract:

Introduction: Tau protein plays a crucial role in many neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Tau inclusions and amyloid beta (AB) depositions have been described in the post-mortem retina exams of AD patients. Cryo- electron microscopy (Cryo- EM) was recently used to detect the detailed structure of Tau filaments.

Methods & Results: We examined the retinas of PET-proven live AD patients by spectral domain optical scanning tomography (SD- OCT) and fundus auto fluoresce in (FAF). The hyper or hypo-fluorescent lesions in the retina were scanned by OCT and images that completely corresponded with the histopathological and Cryo-EM shapes of tau filaments were observed.

Conclusion: Retinal tau is a very promising target to detect early changes in AD and retinal imaging may be an exciting and trustable technique to predict and monitor the disease.

Biography:

Gehan Abdel-Raouf Ahmed has completed her PhD in Molecular Biophysics from Cairo University. She had initiated the Biophysics and Regenerative Medicine Research Group in Spectroscopy Department, Physics Division at National Research Centre, Egypt. She is working on Alzheimer’s disease from November 2016. She established the Medical Biophysics Laboratory in King Fahd Medical Research Centre, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia during September 2008 - April 2015. She is a Principle Investigator and Co-Investigator in many projects dealing with early diagnosis and prognosis of cancer.

Abstract:

In this work we have investigated the alterations in membrane physical properties and peroxidation mediated by AlCl₃ in isolated synaptosomes of rat cortical brain tissue after 21, 42 and 65 days. The potential therapeutic role of Lepedium sativum (LS) as a natural anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and as acetylcholinesterase inhibitor in treating AD was also assessed in a curative group. We adopted ATR-IR spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin labeling and trapping (NADPH oxidase (NOX) activity), MRI, histopathological study, and animal behavior test. The ATR-IR and EPR spectroscopy results revealed that synaptosomal membrane lipids undergo free radical attacks mainly at early stage of AD (21D ) and late 65D, due to Al toxicity. Al alters significantly the phospholipids membrane order, packing, membrane fluidity and polarity. These changes are time dependent. At late AD (42, 65D), the detected increase in synaptic membrane polarity renders the membrane hyperpolarized, that may obstacle the release of synaptic vesicles content into the synaptic cleft. Moreover, AD rats gave the lowest significant (P≤0.05) poking frequency compared to the control while curative group showed a great improvement with no significant changes between control and curative rats. MRI showed lateral ventricles dilation and brain atrophy only in the AD group. Gradual degenerative change was observed in AD cortical neurons with time; neurofibrillary tangles were appeared as magenta colored and looking like flames in the cytoplasm. In curative group, neurons looked more/or less similar to those of control. In conclusion, LS greatly restore membrane integrity and showed a promising curative effect.