The purpose of this study is to investigate the nigrostriatal dopaminergic system in a genetically confirmed HD family. We used single Small molecule library photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) with the radiotracers [99mTc]TRODAT-1 and [123I]IBZM to study the binding potentials of dopamine transporter

(DAT) and dopamine D2 receptors in the striatum of 3 symptomatic HD patients, 1 mutation-negative member of the HD family, and 7 healthy controls. Specific binding potentials were calculated as (striatum-occipital lobe)/occipital lobe. Reduced binding potential of striatal dopamine D2 receptors was found in the 3 symptomatic HD patients. The DAT binding potential was reduced in 1 symptomatic HD patient. We also found that the more severe the clinical status, the lower the DAT and D2 receptor binding potentials, and the larger the bicaudate ratio. We showed that the postsynaptic part of the nigrostriatal pathway was involved. The presynaptic part is usually not affected but could occur in very advanced cases. Our findings suggest that SPECT imaging of D2 receptors is useful for diagnosing and monitoring HD. “
“The anatomical correlates of long-term meditators involved in practice click here of “SOHAM” meditation have been

studied using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). The VBM analysis indicates significantly higher gray matter density in brain stem, ventral pallidum, and supplementary

motor area in the meditators as compared with age-matched nonmeditators. The observed changes in Niclosamide brain structure are compared with other forms of meditation. “
“The authors present a case of multiple radiation-induced cavernous malformations of the cauda equina in a patient with a remote history of testicular cancer and extended field radiation therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated multiple nodular areas of enhancement coating the nerve roots of the cauda equina, mimicking an aggressive leptomeningeal process such as carcinomatous or infectious meningitis. Biopsy of one of these lesions revealed ectatic vascular channels devoid of intervening neuroglial tissue consistent with cavernous malformation. Cavernous malformations consist of dilated vascular spaces resembling sinusoids without interposed neural tissue. They may occur anywhere in the central nervous system (CNS) or along the peripheral nerves, but are relatively rare in the spine where they account for 5-12% of all vascular lesions.1978 Of those cavernous malformations occurring in the spine, a small minority have been described in the cauda equina — less than 20 reported cases in the literature.