فصلنامه علوم اعصاب شفای خاتم
سال نهم شماره 3 (پیاپی 48، تابستان 1400)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a mental disorder and affects a person's linguistic skills and social interactions. With the production of Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI) and the development of their processing tools, the use of these images in identifying and evaluating the brain function of autistic people received a lot of attention. However, in this approach using the functional connectivity matrices leads to the creation of feature space with very high dimensions. Some of these features are dependent, unnecessary and additional, which reduces the quality of detection and increases the number of calculations. Therefore, regarding the large dimensions of the search space, the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm has been used as one of the powerful meta-heuristic search tools in selecting the optimal features.

To evaluate the capability of the proposed method, the principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm is used as a standard dimension reduction method. In this study, the Support Vector Machines (SVM) classifier was used to detect autistic and healthy persons on the ABIDE database data. Feature space has been generated based on a functional connectivity matrix which has 6670 dimensions.

SVM accuracy in high-dimensional specialty space is 56%. The proposed method based on PSO eliminates 3442 redundant features and increases classification accuracy up to 62.19 % that performs better than PCA. The findings show that this meta-heuristic algorithm by removing almost half of the features results in a 6% increase in classification precision.

The results indicate the ability of SVM in comparison with the Random Forest and K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN). PSO algorithm was used for dimension reduction of the input data space.

Emotional effects on human time perception are generally attributed to the arousal factor, which is hypothesized to be responsible for speeding up or slowing down the internal clock. The aim of the present study was to investigate the arousal effect on time distortion with the help of event-related potentials (ERPs) that can provide direct electrophysiological measures of arousal rather than self-report indices which have been the common approach in the previous studies. In this study, a temporal bisection task was employed to assess the temporal responses of participants to emotional faces that varied in arousal dimension. The N170 component was used as an objective measure of induced arousal by different emotional faces.

Electroencephalography was recorded in 20 participants who performed a temporal bisection task using high arousal pleasant stimuli (happy faces) and neutral ones as stimuli.

Behavioral data revealed that temporal bisection points were significantly smaller for high arousal pleasant stimuli (happy faces) compared to neutral ones, while changes in N170 amplitude were independent of the emotional modulation of facial stimuli.

In the light of the dual-stage theory of emotional processing, it seems that the N170 component is not appropriate to measure the arousal index of emotional faces in implicit tasks, and probably later components may be a better indicator for this index.

This study aimed to examine the effects of six weeks of bilateral motor trainings in the mirror on the power of grip in affected hands in children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

In this clinical trial study, 16 children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy were divided into two groups of bilateral motor exercises with and without mirror. In addition to the usual rehabilitation program, both groups performed motor exercises according to their instructions. The grip strength of the affected hand in both groups was assessed using a digital dynamometer pre and post intervention.

The results showed that both groups had a significant improvement in grip strength scores of the affected hand after six weeks of intervention. Also, the between group comparisons showed that the mirror training group was better than other group in the above -mentioned variable.

The pattern of these findings suggests that despite the effect of bilateral motor exercises on the grip strength of children with spastic hemiplegic cerebral palsy, bilateral motor exercises with a mirror had a greater effect, which can be explained by the mechanism of mirror neurons.

The prevalence of the Covid-19 virus has affected the participation of the elderly in physical activity because restrictions have forced them to stay at home. This study aimed was to investigate the effect of eight weeks web-based aerobic exercise on working memory in older women.

This study was quasi-experimental study. The statistical population in this study was all elderly women in Kermanshah, Iran. Thirty inactive elderly women who participated in the research voluntarily were randomly divided into experimental and control groups. Before the start of the training protocol Participants' working memory were measured using the N-Back test. The experimental group performed their exercises, which included web-based aerobic exercises for eight weeks and three sessions per week. To test the research hypotheses analysis of covariance was used in SPSS 23 software.

The results showed that web-based aerobic exercise had a significant effect on working memory of Kermanshah elderly women.

Using web-based aerobic exercises can improve working memory in older women. Therefore, due to the limitations of movement caused by the Covid-19 pandemic and importance of the elderly being active for maintain cognitive health, it is recommended that the elderly use the web-based aerobic exercise.

Attempting to recognize specific QEEG markers in depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders is the one of main interests of research in quantitative electroencephalography. The purpose of the present study was to compare the absolute power of brain waves in the frontal area in people with major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

The method of this study is causal-comparative. The statistical population of this study consisted of all individuals with major depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder referring to the mental health Clinic of Fatemi Hospital in 2019 in Ardabil, Iran. 15 people with major depressive disorder and 15 subjects with obsessive-compulsive disorder were selected by purposeful sampling. Furthermore, 15 normal individuals were selected via the sampling method from the relatives of patients. Psychiatric diagnosis and structured clinical interview, Beck depression inventory, and Foa et al. obsessive-compulsive inventory were used to collect data. The QEEG recording was performed at the Psychological Laboratory of Mohaghegh Ardabili University and the data were analyzed by Neuroguide software.

The results showed that the absolute power of delta (F= 3.444), theta (F= 51.566), alpha (F= 217.1144), and beta (F= 175.555) waves differ between people with depressive disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder compared to the control group. The delta, theta, and alpha absolute power at frontal lobes of patients with obsessive-compulsion significantly increased, and the alpha and beta absolute power at frontal lobes of patients with major depressive disorder significantly decreased compared to the control group.

These results showed that the pattern of brain waves can be posed as an index for diagnosing and follow-upping of the therapeutic outcomes of major depression and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Furthermore, it can be used in designing neurofeedback interventions for these disorders.

Tissue engineering is a part of biotechnology that includes the development of biological implants for tissue regeneration to improve tissue or organ function. This study aimed to investigate the effect of cerium oxide nanoparticles on the interactions between adipose tissue stem cells and decellularized sciatic nerve scaffolds in rats.

Rats were anesthetized by injecting a mixture of ketamine (80 mg/kg) and xylazine (10 mg/kg). Sciatic nerve fragments (15 mm) were removed above the three-pronged site in the thigh muscle and decellularized after cleaning the surrounding tissues using the Sandal method. Then, adipose tissue mesenchymal cells were implanted on the scaffold, and the growth and viability of the cells implanted on the scaffold in the presence of cerium oxide nanoparticles were measured by MTT assay.

The results of histological evaluations showed that the scaffolds were completely decellularized and hematoxylin/eosin and Dapi staining confirmed these results. Specialized tissue evaluation by Masson trichrome staining as well as biomechanical analysis showed that collagen and elastin fibers were relatively preserved in the extracellular matrix. Cell viability on the scaffold increased in the presence of nanoparticles.

Cerium oxide nanoparticles increase cell stability, proliferation, and maintenance of adipose tissue mesenchymal cells and may be beneficial in the treatment of peripheral nerve lesions.

Patients with epilepsy face a variety of physical and psychological tensions that reduce their quality of life. Considering the relationship between cognitive emotion regulation and social self-efficacy with diseases of the central nervous system, one of the methods that can help rehabilitate patients with epilepsy is schema therapy. The present study aimed to determine the effectiveness of schema therapy on cognitive emotion regulation and social self-efficacy in adolescents with epilepsy.

This investigation was a semi-experimental study with a pre-test/post-test and a control group. The sample consisted of 30 adolescents with epilepsy in Rasht, Iran in the year 2021 selected by the convenience sampling method and randomly assigned into two experimental and control groups (each group 15 individuals). The Cognitive Emotion Regulation Questionnaire and Social Self-Efficacy Scale were used to collect data before and after the treatment. The 10-session schema therapy was performed for the experimental group, but the control group did not receive any treatment.

The analysis of covariance results showed that schema therapy improved cognitive emotion regulation and social self-efficacy in adolescents with epilepsy.

Schema therapy can be a suitable treatment method to improve emotion regulation and social skills in adolescents with epilepsy and can be beneficial in increasing the life satisfaction of these patients.

Caregivers' emotions can affect the quality of life of patients with epilepsy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mediating role of dimensions of spiritual intelligence in the relationship between mindfulness and expressed emotion in the caregivers of epileptic patients.

This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. The study sample consisted of 90 epileptic patients and their caregivers that were selected by convenience sampling method and responded to the expressed emotion, Kentucky Mindfulness Skills, and Spiritual Intelligence questionnaires. The hypothesis of the research was investigated by hierarchical regression analysis using the proposed steps of Baron and Kenny.

The hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that in the first step, mindfulness (beta=-0.39) can predict expressed emotion. In the second step, mindfulness (beta=-0.28) and only the ability to deal with problems dimension of spiritual intelligence (beta=-0.27) predict expressed emotion. Due to the decrease of the beta value of mindfulness in the second stage compared to the first stage, the partial mediating role of the ability to deal with problems in the relationship between mindfulness and the expressed emotion is confirmed.

Mindfulness is associated with the expressed emotion of caregivers of patients with epilepsy, and the ability to deal with problems as one of the dimensions of spiritual intelligence plays a mediating role. Therefore, it is suggested to pay more attention to psychological training in promoting the mindfulness and spiritual intelligence of caregivers of epileptic patients.

Infection with SARS-CoV-2 spread rapidly around the world and is recognized by the World Health Organization as a pandemic. Psychological disorders, such as anxiety, have caused countless problems for societies during the last years. In the present study, various clinical features of patients with COVID-19 disease, particularly psychosomatic symptoms, were investigated.

Clinical characteristics of 2928 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, including risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease as well as anxiety were collected in different cities in Iran (Tehran, Karaj, Hamedan, and Kermanshah) and analyzed.

Our data have shown different patterns of clinical features and anxiety rates in patients with COVID-19 in various regions of Iran. However, the characteristics of chronic inflammatory lung disease were similar in these patients in various areas.

Geographical factors, as well as the medical facilities of the participants, may affect the clinical features of patients with COVID-19 disease.

Cerebral ischemia results from glucose and oxygen reduction following insufficiency of brain blood supply. Ischemia could be induced in focal and diffuse models. A type of animal model of transient brain global ischemia is induced via common carotid arteries ligation and focal ischemia is induced by middle cerebral artery obstructions, which are the most common approach for investigation of the pathophysiology of brain ischemia and its mechanisms. Understanding of pathophysiological mechanisms of cerebral ischemia is important for the development of novel preventive and therapeutic approaches for brain ischemia.

In the present study, we have described the pathophysiological mechanisms of brain ischemic events, such as decreases in cerebral blood flow, glutamate neurotoxicity, oxidative stress, inflammation, brain edema, cholinergic system dysfunction, neural cell death, and hippocampal damage. Extensive efforts are being performed to find effective drugs with the least side effects for the modulation of pathways involved in brain ischemia. In summation, represented information may be an appropriate guide to design novel therapeutic strategies for brain ischemia.

The primary goal of intensive care after neurosurgery is to identify and prevent neurodegeneration by providing supportive activities to keep stable homeostasis. Factors such as surgery, anesthesia, or other illness-related issues influence the postoperative status of patients. In this regard, the nursing and medical staff aware of the neurosurgical procedures should plan special monitoring and follow-up period shortly after the surgery. In many neurosurgical centers, the postoperative care period may be relatively short, like limited craniotomies. However, the occurrence of cerebral edema, intracranial hemorrhage, seizures, or other life-threatening conditions prolongs the postoperative care for several days. Overall, maintaining airway safety, eliminating the need for ventilation, controlling blood circulation and fluid balance, nutrition, sedation control, and analgesics are the mainstays of care. Careful attention to each of these issues is essential to improve neurosurgical outcomes.

Robust postoperative care management, particularly in the early stages, is essential to ensure appropriate preoperative conditions. Nurses play a crucial role in monitoring patients following neurosurgical events.

The most common causes of brain and spinal cord injuries are accidents, falls, sports injuries, and trauma, which can lead to sensory and motor function deficits. Enormous efforts have been made to use stem cells to repair and prevent the development of complications caused by damage to the central nervous system. The main challenge in this field is to select the right stem cells to replace the lost nerve cells and prevent processes that disrupt the function of stem cells. In this review article, current information on various stem cells used in the treatment of damage to the nervous system, the possible mechanisms of their functions have been discussed. Furthermore, advantages and disadvantages of stem cell therapy are described based on the findings of basic and clinical studies. The high cost of stem cell therapy and unwanted side effects are major challenges in using stem cell therapy to repair the nervous system. Thus, more investigations are required to optimize cell therapy approaches in clinical settings.

The existence of different types of stem cells with diverse capabilities and solving existing problems can increase the hope of using of stem cell therapy to treat damage to the nervous system.

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the major cause of adult physical disability in the world. Despite advances in understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms of cerebral ischemia over the past few decades, the available therapies have not been effective for these patients. Nowadays, various animal models are used to study pathophysiology as well as risk factors, and to find therapeutic strategies for cerebral ischemia. These models divide into two forms: global cerebral ischemia and focal cerebral ischemia. Global ischemia models are divided into complete and incomplete models of ischemia, which are produced by occluding the cerebral blood flow completely or incompletely. Several focal cerebral ischemic stroke models have been developed in a variety of species that interrupt the blood flow to the brain in one or more areas of the brain. The vast majority of cerebral stroke cases are caused by transient or permanent occlusion of a cerebral blood vessel (ischemic stroke) eventually leading to brain infarction. The infarct size and the neurological outcome depend on a multitude of factors such as the duration and severity of ischemia, the existence of collateral systems, age, sex, and genetic background.

Thus, ischemic stroke is a highly complex and heterogeneous disorder. It is obvious that experimental models of stroke cannot cover all the specific aspects of this disease. Therefore, the success of preclinical stroke research in developing new therapeutics for these patients might rely on the selection of the appropriate animal stroke model. This review deals with the most common stroke models and also discusses the advantages and limitations of each model.

Cognitive bias modification procedures are considered therapist-independent, computer-based, and relatively new interventions, which are mainly used as outpatient therapies for anxiety, emotional disorders, and different types of addiction. This paper aimed to present the latest findings of the studies on cognitive bias modification to enhance the knowledge of experts and researchers of the effects of such procedures in both practice and theory. At first, cognitive bias modification was briefly defined. Then, its different procedures (attention bias modification, interpretation bias modification, and memory bias modification) and the therapies based on these modification procedures were introduced. Then, the studies conducted on the effectiveness of such therapies were reviewed and their results were discussed.

All the studies suggested, in a relatively consistent and significant way, that it is possible to modify cognitive bias processes in various disorders, such as anxiety and emotional disorders, mood disorders, chronic pain, obsessive disorders, addiction, and intellectual rumination. Furthermore, computer programs for cognitive bias modification and dot-probe tasks are suitable alternatives or complementary options for reducing or treating clinical symptoms and cognitive biases. In addition to the need for inventing therapy applications and adapting cultural characteristics of English versions for the Iranian population, new investigations are required to evaluate both the clinical crowd and the effectiveness of these modification procedures for various disorders.