Background and Objectives: This study was performed for the purpose of assessing whether antiepileptic levetiracetam treatment produces a change in brain volumes in children with epilepsy. To that end, we compared the volumes of the basal ganglia (caudate nucleus, putamen, globus, hip-pocampus, and thalamus) at magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and after treatment (months 18–24) in pediatric epilepsy patients using levetiracetam. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study involved a volumetric comparison of patients presenting to the Balikesir University Medical Faculty pediatric neurology clinic between 01.08.2019 and 01.11.2023 and diagnosed with epilepsy, and who underwent cranial MRI before and 18–24 months after treatment at the radiology department. The demographic and clinical characteristics (age, sex, family history of epilepsy, type of epilepsy, and EEG features (normal, abnormal, epileptiform)) of the patients included in the study were recorded. Results: The comparison of basal ganglia volumes at cranial MRI before and at months 18–24 of treatment revealed significant differences in the left caudate nucleus, right putamen, left putamen, left globus pallidus, right thalamus, left thalamus, and right hippocampal regions. Conclusions: In conclusion, differing findings are encountered at cranial imaging in patients with epilepsy, depending on the seizure frequency, activity, and the type of antiepileptic drugs used. This study compared basal ganglia volumes on cranial MRIs taken before and 18–24 months after treatment in pediatric epilepsy patients using levetiracetam. A significant increase was observed in the volumes of basal ganglia (caudate nucleus, putamen, globus pallidus, hippocampus, and thalamus) on the MRIs of pediatric epilepsy patients using levetiracetam.

BACKGROUND:Chronic urticaria (CU) is a skin condition causing itchy hives that can significantly impact quality of life. While medications like omalizumab can help, some patients may seek additional relief. This study aimed to investigate the potential benefits of acupuncture, a traditional Chinese medicine practice, as an adjunctive therapy alongside omalizumab for CU patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS:We enrolled 31 CU patients who received acupuncture in addition to omalizumab (study group) and 30 CU patients who received omalizumab only (controls). Mean scores of each CU-Quality of life (QoL) and urticaria control test (UCT) scores after acupuncture were compared with the pre-acupuncture scores and with the scores of the controls. RESULTS:There was no significant difference in mean food limitation, symptom embarrassment, cosmetics, and sports scores before and after acupuncture (P>0.005). Other CU-QoL scores were significantly lower after acupuncture compared to pre-acupuncture scores (P<0.005). Mean total CU-QoL score was significantly lower (P0.005). Other CU-QoL scores were significantly lower in the acupuncture group compared to the controls (P<0.005). Mean total CU-QoL score was significantly lower (P=0.006) and mean UCT score was significantly higher (P<0.001) in acupuncture group compared to the controls. CONCLUSIONS:Acupuncture is an effective adjunctive therapy for CU patients already receiving omalizumab, and can improve quality of life and disease control in these patients.

Background and Objectives: This study aims to assess white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) in pediatric migraine patients and to elucidate the pathophysiology of the disease. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 patients diagnosed with migraine and 28 healthy individuals undergoing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans for various reasons in our hospital between September 2019 and April 2023 were included in the study. We evaluated the presence, number, locations, and volumetric measurement of WMHs and the relationship between hyperintensity and attack profiles in migraine patients. Results: WMHs were observed at MRI in 18 (60%) of the 30 migraine patients and in 8 (28.6%) of the 28 controls. One hyperintense lesion was detected in nine members of the patient group, two in six patients, five in one patient, eight in one patient and nine in one. One hyperintense lesion was detected in eight healthy control group members. WMHs were significantly more common in the migraine patients than in the control group (p = 0.016). There was no significant relationship between hyperintensity in migraine patients and attack duration or frequency. Analysis also revealed no significant difference in terms of hyperintensity volumes (mm³) between the study group (19.73 ± 24.26) and the control group (5.62 ± 1.83). Conclusions: This study set out to show that migraine exerts neurological effects that are not solely limited to pain by emphasizing the pronounced differences observed on the brain MRIs of migraine patients. These findings may help us achieve a better understanding of the effects of migraine on cerebral structures and functions and identify therapeutic strategies in the future.

In the present study, fractalkine levels were investigated in different brain regions and serum from the early postnatal period to adolescence. Thirty Wistar albino male rats aged 15, 30, and 41 days were used (n = 10 per group). After sacrifice, the prefrontal cortex, hypothalamus, thalamus, striatum, hippocampus, temporal lobe, and serum were analyzed by ELISA. A cumulative increase was observed in the thalamus, temporal lobe, and serum toward adolescence. In contrast, a cumulative decrease was observed in the hippocampus and striatum toward adolescence. The highest fractalkine levels were measured in the prefrontal cortex of 15-day-old rats, in the thalamus of 30-day-old rats, and in the thalamus and cerebellum of 41-day-old rats. Traumas that may occur during early developmental stages can negatively affect fractalkine production and neuroimmunity.

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, şizofreni ve bipolar bozukluk tanılı bireylerde serebellar vermis hacmini değerlendirmek ve bu değerleri sağlıklı bireylerle karşılaştırmaktır. Serebellumun, özellikle de vermisin, bilişsel ve duygusal süreçlerdeki rolü göz önüne alındığında, bu yapının psikiyatrik bozukluklardaki olası morfolojik değişikliklerinin incelenmesi nöropsikiyatrik araştırmalar açısından önem taşımaktadır. Gereç ve Yöntem: Çalışma, Balıkesir Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi Hastanesi Ruh Sağlığı ve Hastalıkları Polikliniği’ne 2017–2024 yılları arasında başvuran 26 şizofreni, 26 bipolar bozukluk ve 26 sağlıklı kontrol bireyinin retrospektif olarak incelendiği karşılaştırmalı kesitsel bir araştırmadır. Katılımcıların kraniyal manyetik rezonans (MR) görüntüleri Philips Ingenia 1.5 Tesla cihazı ile elde edilmiştir. T1-ağırlıklı sagittal görüntüler VolBrain yazılımı aracılığıyla analiz edilerek total serebellar vermis hacimleri hesaplanmıştır. Elde edilen veriler IBM SPSS 25 yazılımı ile analiz edilmiş, gruplar arası karşılaştırmalarda One-Way ANOVA, dağılım özelliklerine göre Kruskal–Wallis ve Pearson korelasyon testleri uygulanmıştır. Bulgular: Şizofreni, bipolar bozukluk ve kontrol grupları arasında total serebellar vermis hacimleri açısından istatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir fark saptanmamıştır (p > 0.05). Yaş ile vermis hacmi arasında anlamlı bir ilişki bulunmazken (p = 0.64), cinsiyet ile vermis hacmi arasında pozitif yönde orta düzeyde bir korelasyon tespit edilmiştir (p < 0.05). Bu sonuç, erkeklerde kadınlara kıyasla daha yüksek vermis hacimlerinin gözlendiğini göstermektedir. Sonuç: Bulgular, şizofreni ve bipolar bozuklukta serebellar vermis hacminin sağlıklı bireylerle karşılaştırıldığında yapısal olarak korunduğunu göstermektedir. Yaşın belirgin bir etkisi saptanmamış, ancak cinsiyet faktörünün vermis hacmi üzerinde anlamlı bir etkisi olduğu görülmüştür. Elde edilen sonuçlar, serebellar yapılarla ilişkili patofizyolojik süreçlerin yalnızca hacimsel değişikliklerle sınırlı olmayıp, işlevsel ve bağlantısal düzeyde de araştırılması gerektiğini göstermektedir. Daha yüksek manyetik alan gücüne sahip MR sistemleriyle yapılacak ileri çalışmaların, serebellumun psikiyatrik bozukluklardaki rolüne dair daha derinlemesine bilgiler sağlayacağı düşünülmektedir.