Background and purpose:Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is often encountered during the clinical course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Accumulated evidence has indicated involvement of ferroptosis in AIS. Our aim was to investigate the association between serum levels of ferroptosis markers and severity of AIS in COVID-19 patients. Methods:Twenty-nine consecutively enrolled COVID-19+ pneumonia patients with AIS due to middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion, 25 COVID-19+ pneumonia patients without AIS and 26 AIS patients without COVID-19 infection were included. Serum levels of ferroptosis markers glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), dipeptidylpeptidase-4 (DPP4) and soluble transferrin receptor 1 (sTFR1) were measured by ELISA. Results:While serum GPX4 levels were comparable among groups, COVID-19 patients with and without AIS showed significantly increased serum sTFR1 levels and COVID-19 patients with AIS showed significantly decreased serum DPP4 levels. In patients with COVID-19 and AIS, serum levels of DPP4 and sTFR1 respectively showed negative and positive correlation with levels of D-dimer and/or C-reactive protein (CRP). Levels of ferroptosis markers did not correlate with clinical/prognostic features of pneumonia or AIS. Nevertheless, COVID-19 patients with higher (≥ 131 pg/ ml) sTFR1 levels were more likely to exhibit severe pneumonia, increased clinical severity of AIS (assessed by the national institutes of health stroke and modified Rankin scales) and elevated D-dimer/CRP levels. Our results indicate TFR1 as a potential role player in both COVID-19 pneumonia and arterial thrombosis associated with COVID-19 infection. The biomarker utility of sTFR1 in these disorders should further be evaluated. Conclusion:Our results suggest that AIS associated with COVID-19 have a different pathogenesis.

Objective: To reveal the profile and practice in patients with acute stroke who received intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA) and/or neurointerventional therapy in Turkiye. Materials and Methods: On World Stroke Awareness Day, May 10, 2018, 1,790 patients hospitalized in 87 neurology units spread over 30 health regions were evaluated retrospectively and prospectively. Results: Intravenous tPA was administered to 12% of 859 cases of acute ischemic stroke in 45 units participating in the study. In the same period, 8.3% of the cases received neurointerventional treatment. The rate of good prognosis [modified Rankin score (mRS) 0-2] at discharge was 46% in 83 patients who received only IV tPA [age: 67 +/- 12 years; National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS): 12 +/- 6; hospital stay, 24 +/- 29 days]; 35% in 51 patients who underwent thrombectomy (MT) alone (age: 64 +/- 13 years; NIHSS: 14.1 +/- 6.5; length of hospital stay, 33 +/- 31 days), 19% in those who received combined treatment (age: 66 +/- 14 years; NIHSS: 15.6 +/- 5.4; length of hospital stay, 26 +/- 35 days), and 56% of 695 patients who did not receive treatment for revascularization (age: 70 +/- 13 years; NIHSS: 7.6 +/- 7.2; length of hospital stay, 21 +/- 28 days). The symptom-to-door time was 87 +/- 53 minutes in the IV treatment group and 200 +/- 26 minutes in the neurointerventional group. The average door-to-needle time was 66 +/- 49 minutes in the IV tPA group. In the neurothrombectomy group, the door-to-groin time was 103 +/- 90 minutes, and the TICI 2b-3 rate was 70.3%. In 103 patients who received IV tPA, the discharge mRS 0-2 was 41%, while the rate of mRS 0-1 was 28%. In 71 patients who underwent neurothrombectomy, the mRS 0-2 was 31% and mRS 0-1 was 18%. The door-to-groin time was approximately 30 minutes longer if IV tPA was received (125 +/- 107 and 95 +/- 83 minutes, respectively). Symptomatic bleeding rates were 4.8% in IV recipients, 17.6% among those who received only MT, and 15% in combined therapy. Globally, the hemorrhage rate was 6.8% in patients receiving IV tPA and 16.9% in MT. Conclusion: IV thrombolytic and neurointerventional treatment applications in acute ischemic stroke in Turkiye can provide the anticipated results. Heterogeneity has begun to be reduced in our country with the dissemination of the system indicated by the "Directive on Health Services to be Provided to Patients with Acute Stroke."

Objective: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common directly preventable cause of ischemic stroke. There is no dependable neurology-based data on the spectrum of stroke caused by AF in Turkiye. Within the scope of NoroTek-Turkiye (TR), hospital-based data on acute stroke patients with AF were collected to contribute to the creation of acute-stroke algorithms.Materials and Methods: On May 10, 2018 (World Stroke Awareness Day), 1,790 patients hospitalized at 87 neurology units in 30 health regions were prospectively evaluated. A total of 929 patients [859 acute ischemic stroke, 70 transient ischemic attack (TIA)] from this study were included in this analysis.Results: The rate of AF in patients hospitalized for ischemic stroke/TIA was 29.8%, of which 65% were known before stroke, 5% were paroxysmal, and 30% were diagnosed after hospital admission. The proportion of patients with AF who received "effective" treatment [international normalization ratio >= 2.0 warfarin or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) at a guideline dose] was 25.3%, and, either no medication or only antiplatelet was used in 42.5% of the cases. The low dose rate was 50% in 42 patients who had a stroke while taking NOACs. Anticoagulant was prescribed to the patient at discharge at a rate of 94.6%; low molecular weight or unfractionated heparin was prescribed in 28.1%, warfarin in 32.5%, and NOACs in 31%. The dose was in the low category in 22% of the cases discharged with NOACs, and half of the cases, who received NOACs at admission, were discharged with the same drug.Conclusion: NoroTekTR revealed the high but expected frequency of AF in acute stroke in Turkiye, as well as the aspects that could be improved in the management of secondary prophylaxis. AF is found in approximately one-third of hospitalized acute stroke cases in Turkiye. Effective anticoagulant therapy was not used in three-quarters of acute stroke cases with known AF. In AF, heparin, warfarin, and NOACs are planned at a similar frequency (one-third) within the scope of stroke secondary prophylaxis, and the prescribed NOAC dose is subtherapeutic in a quarter of the cases. Non-medical and medical education appears necessary to prevent stroke caused by AF.

ObjectivesCOVID-19 infection is associated with an increased risk of acute ischemic stroke (AIS). Although the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown, autoimmunity has been implicated as a potential role player.MethodsTo investigate the presence and clinical impact of neuronal cell surface antibodies in COVID-19 associated AIS, patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and AIS (n = 30), COVID-19 pneumonia without AIS (n = 32) and AIS without COVID-19 infection (n = 27) were recruited. Serum anti-neuronal antibodies directed against well-characterized and novel cell surface antibodies were evaluated by cell-based assays and indirect immunohistochemistry, respectively.ResultsNone of the recruited patients displayed well-characterized neuronal cell surface antibodies. Ten patients in the COVID-19 pneumonia with AIS group and three patients in the COVID-19 pneumonia without AIS group exhibited antibodies to neuropil of hippocampus and cerebellum. Neuropil-antibody positive patients showed trends towards milder clinical severity and reduced blood levels of inflammation factors.ConclusionOur results confirm the presence of neuropil antibodies in patients with COVID-19 infection and identify a putative antibody-driven association between AIS and COVID-19. The antigenic targets and potential pathogenic action of these antibodies need to be further explored.

Vorstellung eines Patienten, der aufgrund von Hirudo Medicinalis einen kombinierten Netzhautarterien- und Venenverschluss entwickelte. Eine 55-jährige Patientin wurde mit der Vordiagnose Pseudotumor cerebri in unsere Klinik überwiesen. In ihrer Anamnese wurde eine Woche zuvor eine Blutegeltherapie im Periokularbereich durchgeführt. Bei ihrer biomikroskopischen Untersuchung war die Fundoskopie mit einem bilateralen kombinierten Netzhautvenen- und Arterienverschluss vereinbar. In der kranialen Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) wurde eine akute multiple Diffusionseinschränkung festgestellt. In der neuroradiologischen und neuropathologischen Beratung wurde ein Zusammenhang mit einem entzündlichen Prozess vermutet. Trotz aller ärztlichen Untersuchungen und Behandlungen konnte beim Patienten keine Verbesserung des Sehvermögens erreicht werden. Darüber hinaus wurden in der zweijährigen Nachuntersuchung keine systemischen Befunde festgestellt, die diese Situation erklären könnten. Es ist zu bedenken, dass ein kombinierter Netzhautvenen- und Arterienverschluss, der selten beobachtet wird, bei einem entzündlichen Prozess im Zusammenhang mit Hirudo Medicinalis auftreten kann. Abstract To present a patient who developed combined retinal artery and vein occlusion due to Hirudo medicinalis. A 55-year-old female patient was referred to our clinic with a pre-diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri. In her history, leech therapy was applied to the periocular area a week before. On her biomicroscopic evaluation, fundoscopy was compatible with bilateral combined retinal vein and artery occlusion. Acute multiple diffusion restriction was detected in cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In neuroradiological and neuropathological consultation, the findings were thought to be associated with an inflammatory process. Despite all the medical evaluation and treatment, the patient could not achieve visual improvement. Besides, no systemic findings were detected in two years follow-up that could explain this situation. It should be kept in mind that combined retinal vein and artery occlusion, which is rarely observed, may be seen with an inflammatory process associated with Hirudo medicinalis.

Objective: Nutritional status assessment, dysphagia evaluation and enteral feeding decision are important determinants of prognosis in acute neurovascular diseases. Materials and Methods: NoroTek is a point prevalence study conducted with the participation of 87 hospitals spread across all health sub regions of Turkey conducted on 10-May-2018 (World Stroke Awareness Day). A total of 972 hospitalized neurovascular patients [female: 53%, age: 69 +/- 14; acute ischemic stroke in 845; intracerebral hematoma (ICH) in 119 and post-resuscitation encephalopathy (PRE) in 8] with complete data were included in this sub-study. Results: Gastrostomy was inserted in 10.7% of the patients with ischemic stroke, 10.1% of the patients with ICH and in 50% of the patients with PRE. Independent predictors of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) administration were The National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at admission [exp (ss): 1.09 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.05-1.14, per point] in ischemic stroke; and mechanical ventilation in ischemic [exp (ss): 6.18 (95% CI: 3.16-12.09)] and hemorrhagic strokes [exp (ss): 26.48 (95% CI: 1.36-515.8)]. PEG was found to be a significant negative indicator of favorable (modified Rankin's scale score 0-2) functional outcome [exp (ss): 0.032 (95% CI: 0.004-0.251)] but not of in-hospital mortality [exp (ss): 1.731 (95% CI: 0.785-3.829)]. Nutritional and swallowing assessments were performed in approximately two-thirds of patients. Of the nutritional assessments 69% and 76% of dysphagia assessments were completed within the first 2 days. Tube feeding was performed in 39% of the patients. In 83.5% of them, tube was inserted in the first 2 days; 28% of the patients with feeding tube had PEG later. Conclusion: The NoroTek study provided the first reliable and large-scale data on key quality metrics of nutrition practice in acute stroke in Turkey. In terms of being economical and accurate it makes sense to use the point prevalence method.

Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the rate of unplanned pregnancies, changes in seizure frequencies during the 6 months before the pregnancy, during the pregnancy, and the 6 months after the pregnancy, and antiseizure medication (ASM) compliances in women with epilepsy (WWEs). Materials and Methods: The study retrospectively evaluated WWEs who were followed up in the epilepsy outpatient clinic of a training and research hospital between 1997-2021 and had used ASMs for at least 6 months prior to their pregnancy. Results: The study assessed a total of 158 pregnancies for 77 WWEs, with 112 pregnancies resulting in live births, 71.4% of which were unplanned pregnancies. Unplanned pregnancies are more common in less educated women (p = 0.02). Of the women, 35 self-discontinued their ASMs during pregnancy, and these women were younger than the WWEs who continued taking their ASMs (p = 0.003). In addition, folic acid supplement use was lower in women who self-discontinued their ASMs (p = 0.031). The rate of increase in seizure frequency during postpartum period compared to pregnancy was higher in women who self -discontinued ASMs (p = 0.032). Conclusion: Self–discontinuation of ASM during pregnancy is related to an increase in postpartum seizure frequency. WWEs should be given advice on how to minimize the risk of seizure during the postpartum period.

COVID-19 has been associated with central nervous system manifestations; however, cerebral venous thrombosis is rarely reported. A 34-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital with headache and recurrent seizures; she was recently discharged after COVID-19 pneumonia. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging and magnetic resonance venography showed cortical vein thrombosis in the right frontal lobe. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in cerebrospinal fluid analysis. The patient was anticoagulated and put on antiepileptics. The most probable mechanism underlying the venous thrombosis is COVID-19-associated hypercoagulability. However, the relation between the viral RNA in cerebrospinal fluid analysis and the thrombosis is controversial.

Background and purpose:Prevalence of acute ische-mic stroke (AIS) is increased in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). A proposed hypothesis is increased virus-induced propensity to hypercoagulation resulting in arterial thrombosis. Our aim was to provide evidence regarding the involvement of neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation (NETosis) in COVID-19 related AIS.Methods:Twenty-six consecutively enrolled COVID-19+ pneumonia patients with AIS, 32 COVID-19+ pneumonia patients without AIS and 24 AIS patients without COVID-19 infection were included to the study. Clinical characteristics of recruited patients were collected. Serum levels of citrullinated histone H3 (H3Cit; a factor of NETosis), IL-8 and C5a (mediators associated with NETosis) were measured by ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay).Results:H3Cit levels were significantly higher in COVID-19+ AIS patients, whereas all study groups showed comparable IL-8 and C5a levels. There were no significant differences among etiological subgroups of AIS patients with or without COVID-19. AIS patients with COVID-19 showed relatively increased white blood cell, lymphocyte, neutrophil, D-dimer, C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels than control groups. H3Cit levels did not correlate with clinical/prognostic features and inflammation parameters. H3Cit and IL-8 levels were correlated in COVID-19 patients without stroke but not in COVID-19 positive or negative AIS patients.Conclusion:Increased levels of inflammation parameters and H3Cit in COVID-19 related AIS suggest that NETosis may cause susceptibility to arterial thrombosis. However, H3Cit levels do not correlate with clinical severity measures and inflammation parameters diminishing the prognostic biomarker value of NETosis factors. Moreover, the link between IL-8 and NETosis appears to be abolished in AIS.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) has been associated with a plethora of neurological manifestations including polyneuropathy and polyradiculopathy. A 27-year-old man with a recent upper respiratory system infection presented with difficulty in walking. His neurological examination revealed reduced muscle strength in both proximal and distal lower limb muscles without sensory and autonomic signs. Needle electromyography showed abnormal spontaneous activity and reduced recruitment of motor units in muscles innervated by multiple lumbo-sacral roots. Cerebrospinal examination showed increased protein levels with normal cell counts. While spinal MRI was normal, whole-body CT and PET examination showed disseminated lymph node enlargement. Anti-EBV viral capsid antigen and anti-nuclear antigen IgG but not IgM was positive, whereas EBV PCR was negative in blood. Analysis of inguinal lymph node biopsy showed reactive lymphoid hyperplasia and EBV DNA. Leucine-rich glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI1) antibody was found in serum but not in CSF. All clinical, imaging, and electrophysiological findings improved following steroid and intravenous immunoglobulin treatment. These findings suggested the acute involvement of lumbo-sacral spinal roots and/or motor neurons. Purely motor polyradiculopathy has been reported in both EBV-positive and LGI1 antibody-positive patients, and EBV infection is known to precede different autoimmune manifestations. Whether EBV infection may trigger LGI1 autoimmunity and cause involvement of spinal motor roots and/or motor neurons needs to be further studied.

Anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (anti-GAD-ab) are associated with various neurologic conditions. High titers of anti-GAD-abs are observed in stiff person syndrome and subacute cerebellar degeneration. Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and other autoimmune endocrinopathies may coexist in patients who are anti-GAD-ab positive. Herein, we describe a 62-year-old female patient with a past medical history of diabetes mellitus (DM) and smoking, presenting with gradual progression of gait ataxia, dizziness, and vertigo for 6 weeks. A neurologic examination revealed gaze-evoked nystagmus and left-sided dysmetria. She could stand up only with double-sided support. Laboratory examinations showed remarkably increased serum and cerebrospinal fluid anti-GAD-ab levels. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging was unremarkable. Coexisting autoimmune endocrine diseases were also investigated and the patient was also diagnosed as having T1DM and Hashimoto thyroiditis. Paraneoplastic etiologies were excluded. Treatment was starred with intravenous methylprednisolone. Due to a lack of significant clinical improvement, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) was administered. With minimal improvement of gait ataxia, the patient was followed with prednisone 1 g/day for 1 day and then IVIG 400 mg/kg/day for 1 day once per month. Although it is a rare disease, anti-GAD-ab-associated cerebellar ataxia should be considered, especially in female patients with coexisting aucoimmune disorders, for prompt initiation of immunocherapy.

Diagnosis of the syndrome of headache and neurological deficits with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lymphocytosis (HaNDL) is based on clinical features, and no diagnostic biomarkers are available. We present a case presenting with characteristic features of HaNDL and an MRI lesion in the splenium of corpus callosum. CSF neurofilament light chain (NFL) levels were assessed in this patient together with 7 additional HaNDL patients, 18 multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, and 15 primary headache patients. Both HaNDL and primary headache patients showed significantly lower NFL levels than MS patients. Our results suggest that increased CSF levels of NFL and neuroaxonal loss are not characteristic features of HaNDL. Neurological disorders mimicking HaNDL often present with increased levels of NFL, and thus CSF measurement of NFL might be useful in differential diagnosis of HaNDL.

Morvan syndrome (MoS) is typically characterized by neuromyotonia, sleep dysfunction, dysautonomia, and cognitive dysfunction. However, MoS patients with mild peripheral nerve hyperexcitability (PNH) or encephalopathy features have been described. A 46-year-old woman presented with a 2-month history of constipation, hyperhidrosis, and insomnia. Neurologic examination revealed muscle twitching and needle electromyography showed myokymic discharges in all limbs. No clinical or electrophysiological features of neuromyotonia were present. Although the patient denied any cognitive symptoms, neuropsychological assessment revealed executive dysfunction, while other cognitive domains were preserved. Cranial and spinal MRIs were unrevealing and tumor investigation proved negative. Polysomnography examination revealed total insomnia, which was partially reversed upon immune-modulatory therapy. Investigation of a broad panel of antibodies revealed serum leucine-rich glioma inactivated protein 1 and contactin-associated protein 2 antibodies. The features of this case indicate that the presentation of PNH syndromes may show significant variability and that MoS patients may not necessarily exhibit full-scale PNH and encephalopathy symptoms.

Introduction - Although the involvement of the hypoglossal nerve together with other cranial nerves is common in several pathological conditions of the brain, particularly the brainstem, isolated hypoglossal nerve palsy is a rare condition and a diagnostic challenge. Case presentation - The presented patient arrived to the hospital with a history of slurred speech and an uncomfortable sensation on his tongue. Neurological examination showed left-sided hemiatrophy of the tongue with fasciculations and deviation towards the left side during protrusion. Based on the clinical and MRI findings, a diagnosis of hypoglossal nerve schwannoma was made. Discussion - Hypoglossal nerve palsy may arise from multiple causes such as trauma, infections, neoplasms, and endocrine, autoimmune and vascular pathologies. In our case, the isolated involvement of the hypoglossal nerve was at the skull base segment, where the damage to the hypoglossal nerve may occur mostly due to metastasis, nasopharyngeal carcinomas, nerve sheath tumors and glomus tumors. Conclusion - Because of the complexity of the region's anatomy, the patient diagnosed with hypoglossal nerve schwannoma was referred for gamma knife radiosurgery.

INTRODUCTIONWe aimed to assess central and peripheral nervous system involvement in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients without any neurological signs and symptoms by performing electrophysiological investigations.METHODSThirty-eight SLE patients and 35 healthy volunteers participated in this study. Peripheral nerve conduction and brainstem reflexes were evaluated by performing nerve conduction studies (NCSs) and blink reflex (BR) and masseter inhibitory reflex (MIR) recordings.RESULTSEleven patients (29%) had an abnormality in at least 1 NCS parameter, and 1 (2.6%) patient was diagnosed with polyneuropathy. The number of patients with abnormal BR and MIR was 23 (60.5%) and 14 (37%), respectively. The contralateral R2 latency of BR and the silent period 1 (SP1) latency of MIR were significantly prolonged in the patients compared with the controls (p=0.015 and p<0.001, respectively).CONCLUSIONThis study showed that irrespective of peripheral nervous system involvement, brainstem reflexes could be affected in SLE patients even without clinical neurological findings. Brainstem reflex abnormalities suggested that the functional integrity of the inhibitory or excitatory interneurons in the lateral caudal pons and lateral medulla is disturbed in SLE patients.

Introduction: Paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) has a similar risk with persistent AF for ischemic stroke. Holter monitorization (HM) and other long-term monitorization methods increased the detection of PAF and short-lasting runs of tachyarrhythmias. Their classification as PAF and roles in the etiology of ischemic stroke is controversial. In this study, we aimed to investigate the frequency of any duration of PAF and clinical characteristics of the patients with acute ischemic stroke who have undergone 24-hrs HM. Methods: Patients with acute ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) hospitalized in the Neurology ward and undergone 24-hrs of HM during their hospital stay were included in the study. HM reports, clinical, and laboratory characteristics were analyzed, retrospectively. Patients were grouped into three based on HM: 1st group, without PAF; 2nd group, PAF > 30 seconds (s) and 3rd group, PAF<30s. Results: PAF of any duration was detected in 18.8% (n=49) of 261 patients. The duration of PAF was <30s in 16.1% (n=42) and >30s in 2.7% (n=7) of the patients. The mean age, left atrium diameter and CHA2DS2-VASc scores of the second group were significantly higher than the first group (p<0.001, p<0.001 and p=0.007; respectively). The mean age, left atrium diameter, modified Rankin Scores (mRS), and CHA2DS2-VASc scores of the third group were significantly higher than the first group (p<0.001; for all). There was no difference between the second and the third groups in means of mean age, left atrial diameter, MRS, and CHA2DS2-VASc scores (p<0.017, for all). Conclusion: In this study, 24-hrs HM in the early period of acute ischemic stroke results yielded a high frequency of PAF<30s and predictive features were in parallel with the literature.

INTRODUCTIONStroke prevalence is known to increase with age. Approximately 50% of acute ischemic stroke patients are aged between 70 and 89 years.METHODSIn this study, records of 770 ischemic stroke patients who were 70-89 years old were retrospectively examined (407 septuagenarians and 363 octogenarians). The demographics, comorbid conditions, ischemic stroke type, and stroke outcome for the two age groups were analyzed.RESULTSComorbid hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and HbA1c levels of ≥6.5% more frequently occurred in septuagenarians than in octogenarians (80.6% versus 70.8%, p=0.002; 32.2% versus 21.8%, p=0.001; and 35% versus 23.2%, p=0.003, respectively), whereas atrial fibrillation was significantly higher in octogenarians (49.3% versus 41.5%, p=0.03). Hypercholesterolemia, previous stroke history, and antiaggregant and/or anticoagulant use were not significantly different between the two age groups. Based on the Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project classification, the most common stroke subtype in the septuagenarian group was a lacunar infarction and in the octogenarian group, it was a partial anterior circulation infarct. According to the Modified Ranking Score, the number of patients living independently was higher for septuagenarians (42.8% versus 27.8%, p<0.001).CONCLUSIONThe present findings indicate that the clinical characteristics of ischemic stroke differed between septuagenarians and octogenarians. Therefore, elderly stroke patients cannot be accepted as a homogeneous group. Because this is a hospital-based study, our findings need to be tested via additional epidemiological studies.