Background - Our objectives were to determine the differences in the vestibular evoked myogenic potential (VEMP) responses in patients diagnosed with early staged idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) compared to the normal population and evaluate the vestibular system disorder causing balance-posture disorders. Second aim of this study was to investigate caloric test responses particularly in early staged PD compared to normal population. Material and methods - Thirty patients (14 females and 16 males; mean age, 60.6 +/- 13.1 years) diagnosed with idiopathic PD and 28 healthy subjects (20 males and 8 females; mean age, 59.1 +/- 6.4 years) were included. The patient and control groups were subdivided according to their age, gender and the patient group was subdivided according to onset time of the Parkinson symptoms, Hoehn-Yahr staging. The subgroups were compared for VEMP and caloric test responses. Results - There were no significant differences between the study and control groups for right and left VEMP measurements. Patients over 60 years and under 60 years did not show significant differences in terms of right and left mean VEMP measurements. However, P1 amplitude was significantly lower in patients over 60 years old (P = .004). Gender, disease duration, BERG balance scale and Hoehn-Yahr stage had no effect on the VEMP amplitudes. There was no significant correlation with the side of Parkinsonian symptoms to the side of canal paresis (P = .566) and the side on which no VEMP response was obtained in caloric test. Conclusion - VEMP responses were not different between PD and healthy subjects. VEMP P1 amplitude was decreased with age in PD group. Canal paresis and symptoms side were not statistically correlated in caloric test.

Background Measurement of serum/plasma levels of inflammatory factors in restless legs syndrome (RLS) has been the subject of a few studies, as various inflammatory diseases may demonstrate an association with RLS. The albumin/globulin ratio (AGR) is a parameter that considers two proteins that are indicators of inflammation and has been shown to increase in some inflammatory diseases. No study has evaluated the relationship between RLS and AGR yet. In our study, we examined the usability of AGR as a diagnostic biomarker in RLS patients. Methodology A total of 88 patients and 89 control individuals were included in the study retrospectively. The two groups were compared in terms of AGR levels. RLS patients were divided into four groups according to the International Restless Legs Syndrome Study Group Rating Scale score and the relationship between disease severity and AGR values ​​was examined. Results Albumin levels of the study group were higher than the control group. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups regarding globulin and AGR levels. Conclusions Serum albumin levels could be useful in RLS compared to globulin or AGR values. This needs to be supported by new studies with larger patient series, multicenter design, and including multiple parameters such as patients' muscle mass, nutritional habits, and exercise status.

Introduction Osmophobia is hypersensitivity to certain odors. Although osmophobia is a symptom related to migraine, it is also reported in tension-type headache (TTH). Osmophobia is recommended for inclusion in the migraine diagnostic criteria because it increases sensitivity and shows absolute specificity. However, there is no evidence of the association between TTH and osmophobia. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of osmophobia in a cohort of migraine and TTH patients. Methods For the current analysis, patients who met the inclusion criteria among patients diagnosed with migraine and TTH according to the International Classification of Headache Disorders III criteria in the neurology outpatient clinics of Ankara City Hospital and Akyaz & imath; State Hospital were selected retrospectively. A total of 214 patients (129 with migraine and 85 with TTH) were included in the study. Patients' characteristics, visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores, and Migraine Disability Assessment Scale (MIDAS) scores were recorded. Osmophobia characteristics in migraine and TTH patients were compared along with clinical parameters between the groups and within the groups. Results Osmophobia was found in 68% of migraine patients. The most common type of smell that migraine patients experienced was the scent of perfume. A total of 31.3% of the patients with TTH had osmophobia. While the most irritating odorant in migraine patients was perfume (32%), in TTH patients, it was the smell of food (10.5%). There were no significant differences between osmophobia, and age, education level, disease duration, pain frequency, attack duration, or VAS score in both migraine patients and TTH patients. There was also no significant difference between migraine patients with (2.42) and without (2.33) osmophobia in terms of the MIDAS score. Discussion Our study indicates that osmophobia observed in migraine is valuable in differential diagnosis. However, it can be significantly identified in TTH patients. It should be used together with other supporting criteria in differential diagnosis. It would also be useful to question the characteristics of osmophobia in more detail in the anamnesis.

Background and Objectives: Semaphorins are immunoregulatory proteins involved in inflammation and neurovascular modulation. Their roles in ischemic stroke pathogenesis and prognosis have recently gained attention. This study aimed to evaluate serum levels of semaphorin 3A, 3F, 4A, 4D, and 7A in patients with acute ischemic stroke and investigate their relationship with disease severity and prognosis. Materials and Methods: A total of 45 patients with acute ischemic stroke and 39 control individuals were enrolled. Serum semaphorin levels were measured using ELISA. Clinical data, including TOAST classification, NIHSS scores, and laboratory parameters, were recorded. Correlations between semaphorin levels and clinical or biochemical variables were analyzed statistically. Results: Semaphorin 4A levels were significantly lower and semaphorin 7A levels significantly higher in the patient group compared to controls (p < 0.001). Semaphorin 7A positively correlated with NIHSS scores (r = 0.390. p = 0.008). Semaphorin 3A and 4A levels showed significant correlations with inflammatory markers and lipid profiles. Semaphorin 3A was higher in female patients. No associations were found with TOAST subtypes or treatment modalities. Five (11.1%) patients died due to stroke-related complications, no significant differences in semaphorin levels were observed between survivors and non-survivors. Conclusions: Semaphorin 3A, 4A, and 7A levels may serve as potential biomarkers for inflammation and disease severity in acute ischemic stroke. Semaphorin 7A, in particular, showed strong prognostic value due to its association with stroke severity. These findings suggest that semaphorins could aid in clinical risk stratification and early intervention planning in ischemic stroke.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the Turkish validity and reliability of the Neurorehabilitation Experience Questionnaire, which assesses the experiences of patients receiving neurorehabilitation.