as well as neuromodulation. Such findings provide evidence for a cytokine model of cognitive function, which shows that cytokines play an intimate role in the molecular and

https://www.selleckchem.com/products/GDC-0449.html cellular mechanisms subserving learning, memory and cognition under physiological conditions. These cytokine-mediated cognitive processes have implications in the long-term development and pathogenesis of specific neuropsychiatric disorders such as major depression and dementia. The identification of this central role of cytokines in various brain activities during health provides greater insight into normal brain functions, especially synaptic plasticity, memory and cognition, and facilitates the understanding of specific biological mechanisms involved in neuropsychiatric diseases, such as dementia and depression. In order to extend the suggested cytokine model of cognitive function onto other members of the cytokine family, future research is required to investigate the physiological effects of other cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN gamma), alpha(1)-antichymotrypsin and IL-2 on cognitive function at the XAV-939 manufacturer molecular level under immunologically unchallenged conditions. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Objective: The incidence of cranial and cervical nerve injury during carotid endarterectomy (CEA) ranges from less than 7.6% to more than 50%. Lesions are mainly

due to surgical maneuvers such as traction, compression, tissue electrocoagulation, clamping, and extensive dissections. The use of dexamethasone (DEX) and its beneficial

effects in spinal cord injuries selleck screening library have already been described. We investigated whether DEX could also be beneficial to minimize the incidence of cranial and cervical nerve injury during CEA.

Purpose: To evaluate whether dexamethasone is able to reduce the incidence of cranial nerve injuries.

Materials and Methods: From March 1999 through April 2006, 1126 patients undergoing CEA because of high-grade carotid stenosis were enrolled and randomized by predetermined randomization tables into two groups. The first group, “”A”", included 586 patients that all received an intravenous administration of dexamethasone following a therapeutic scheme. The second group, “”B”", included 540 control subjects that received the standard pre- and postoperative therapy. All patients were submitted to a deep cervical plexus block, eversion carotid endarterectomy, and selective shunting. Three days after the operation, an independent neurologist and otorhinolaryngologist evaluated the presence of cranial nerve deficits. All patients (group A and group B) showing nerve injuries continued the treatment (8 mg of dexamethasone once in the morning) for 7 days and were re-evaluated after 2 weeks, 30 days, and every 3 months for 1. year. Recovery time took from 2 weeks to 12 months, with a mean time of 3.6 months.