Acute Phase Of Stroke Research Articles

Dexterity in the Acute Phase of Stroke: Impairments and Neural Substrates

Background Stroke can impair manual dexterity, leading to loss of independence following incomplete recovery. Enhancing our understanding of dexterity impairment may improve neurorehabilitation. Objectives The study aimed to measure dexterity components in acute stroke patients with and without hand motor deficits, compare them to those of healthy controls (HC), and to explore the neural substrates involved in specific components of dexterity. Methods We used the Dextrain Manipulandum to quantify fine finger force control, finger selection accuracy, coactivation, and reaction time (RT). Dexterity was evaluated twice (2 days apart) in 74 patients and 14 HC. Voxel-Lesion-Symptom-Mapping (VLSM) was used to analyze the relationship between tissue damage and dexterity. Results. Due to severe paresis or fatigue, 24 patients could not perform these tasks. In 50 patients (included 4.6 ± 3.3 days post-stroke), finger force control improved (P < .001), as it did in HC (P = .03) who performed better than patients on both evaluations. Accuracy of finger selection did not improve significantly in any group, but the HC performed better on both evaluations. Unexpectedly, coactivation was better in patients than in HC at D3 (P = .03). There were no between-group differences in RT. VLSM showed that damage to the superior temporal gyrus (STG) impaired finger force control while damage to the posterior limb of the internal capsule (PLIC) impaired finger selectivity. Conclusions Acute stroke affecting the STG or PLIC impaired selective components of dexterity. Patients with mild to moderate impairment showed better finger force control and accuracy selection within 48 hours, suggesting the feasibility of detecting early dexterity improvements.

Abstract TP278: Identifying High-Risk Patients With Poor Prognosis in Acute Phase of Ischemic Stroke: Treatment-Specific Risk Scales Developed From the National Neurological Medical Center of China

Background: There is still a lack of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) prognostic prediction scales to assist in more scientific and efficient clinical management of patients. Objective: Real-world data were utilized to construct and validate an easily popularized prediction score for poor prognosis in the acute phase of AIS so as to provide a basis for clinical monitoring and intervention of specific indicators. Method: Patients discharged from Huashan Hospital, Fudan University between 2015 and 2021 were consecutively included. AIS with premorbid mRS ≤ 2 within 72 hours of onset was included. Patients treated with arterial thrombectomy were excluded. Subjects were divided into "intravenous thrombolysis group" and "non-intravenous thrombolysis group". Based on the data of discharge patients from 2015 to 2020 (Model Training Set), logistic regression model with restricted cubic splines were applied to construct the "prognostic scale of AIS acute stage based on treatment stratification, PAIST Scale". Performance of the scale was tested using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) based on data from patients discharged in 2021 (External Validation Set). Result: A total of 1971 patients (437 thrombolysis) were included. The "PAIST Scale" of the thrombolysis patients included: Baseline NIHSS (5-15 = 11, ≥ 16 = 20), deep vein thrombosis (yes = 5), Neuron specific enolase (&gt; 13 ng/ml = 3), and neutrophil percentage (&gt; 70% = 5). The "PAIST Scale" of the Non-thrombolytic population: Baseline NIHSS (5-15 = 12, ≥ 16 = 20), deep venous thrombosis (yes = 4), Neuron specific enolase (&gt; 12.5 ng/ml = 1), neutrophil percentage (&gt; 66% = 3), age (&gt; 64y = 2), fasting blood glucose (&gt; 5.8 mmol/l = 2), serum potassium (&lt; 3.8 mmol/L = 1). In the external validation set, the AUC-ROC values of "PAIST Scale" were 0.855 in the non-thrombolysis group and 0.778 in the thrombolysis group. Meanwhile, patients defined as high-risk by the "PAIST scale" had an actual incidence of poor prognosis of 76.92% in the thrombolysis group (&gt; 19 points) and 61.11% in the non-thrombolysis group (&gt; 17 points). Conclusion: The "PAIST Scale" established in this study can effectively identify patients at high risk of poor prognosis in the acute phase among patients with mild to moderate stroke.

Clinical and organisational quality indicators for the optimal management of acute ischaemic stroke in the era of thrombectomy: a scoping review and expert consensus study

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to identify clinical and organisational quality indicators conducive to the optimal interdisciplinary management of acute-phase ischaemic stroke.MethodA scoping review based on the six-step methodological...

Update of Anticoagulation Use in Cardioembolic Stroke With a Special Reference to Endovascular Treatment.

Cardioembolic stroke is a major cause of morbidity, with a high risk of recurrence, and anticoagulation represents the mainstay of secondary stroke prevention in most patients. The implementation of endovascular treatment in routine clinical practice complicates the decision to initiate anticoagulation, especially in patients with early hemorrhagic transformation who are considered at higher risk of hematoma expansion. Late hemorrhagic transformation in the days and weeks following stroke remains a potentially serious complication for which we still do not have any established clinical or radiological prediction tools. The optimal time to initiate therapy is challenging to define since delaying effective secondary prevention treatment exposes patients to the risk of recurrent embolism. Consequently, there is clinical equipoise to define and individualize the optimal timepoint to initiate anticoagulation combining the lowest risk of hemorrhagic transformation and ischemic recurrence in cardioembolic stroke patients. In this narrative review, we will highlight and critically outline recent observational and randomized relevant evidence in different subtypes of cardioembolic stroke with a special focus on anticoagulation initiation following endovascular treatment. We will refer mainly to the commonest cause of cardioembolism, non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and examine the possible risk and benefit of anticoagulation before, during, and shortly after the acute phase of stroke. Other indications of anticoagulation after ischemic stroke will be briefly discussed. We provide a synthesis of available data to help clinicians individualize the timing of initiation of oral anticoagulation based on the presence and extent of hemorrhagic transformation as well as stroke severity.

Hypertensive and Non-hypertensive Hospital Admission Blood Pressure Association with Cognitive Function in Stroke Patients

Highlight: A comparative study of hypertension and non-hypertension on cognitive function. Hospital admission blood pressure and cognitive function in acute-phase stroke patients. Blood pressure is not associated with cognitive function. ABSTRACT Introduction: Cognitive impairment is one of the many stroke effects. White matter damage, microinfarcts, microbleeding, atrophy, and amyloid buildup in the brain due to stroke are all potential causes of this condition. Cognitive impairment studies have yet to provide a definitive explanation for how this condition develops following a stroke. Blood pressure is one of several risk factors for stroke. Meanwhile, few studies have been conducted on the association between blood pressure and cognitive function in stroke patients, and no definitive results have been established. Objective: This research was designed to examine and evaluate the difference in the measured cognitive function category between hypertensive and non-hypertensive hospital admission blood pressure stroke patients. Methods: This research used a cross-sectional design with a consecutive sampling method on acute stroke patients at Dr. Soetomo General Academic Hospital. The MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination) was carried out to assess the degree of cognitive function. The blood pressure measured is the hospital admission blood pressure. Results: There were 40 patients included in this study. A total of 36 patients (90%) were in the hypertension group (blood pressure ≥ 130/80 mmHg), and 4 patients (10%) were in the non-hypertension group (blood pressure &lt; 130/80 mmHg). The MMSE results showed that 10 patients performed with no cognitive impairment, 12 patients performed with mild cognitive impairment, and 18 patients performed with severe cognitive impairment. Statistical analysis of the Mann-Whitney U test showed that p = 0.561. Conclusion: There was no difference in the measured cognitive function category between hypertensive and non-hypertensive hospital admission blood pressure stroke patients.

Safety of ipsilesional anodal transcranial direct current stimulation in acute photothrombotic stroke: implications for early neurorehabilitation

Early rehabilitation in the acute phase of stroke, that bears unique neuroplastic properties, is the current standard to reduce disability. Anodal transcranial direct current stimulation can augment neurorehabilitation in chronic stroke. Studies in the acute phase are sparse and held back by inconclusive preclinical data pointing towards potential negative interaction of the excitability increasing tDCS modality with stroke-induced glutamate toxicity. In this present study, we aimed to evaluate structural and behavioral safety of anodal tDCS applied in the acute phase of stroke. Photothrombotic stroke including the right primary motor cortex was induced in rats. 24 h after stroke anodal tDCS was applied for 20 min ipsilesionally at one of four different current densities in freely moving animals. Effects on the infarct volume and on stroke induced neuroinflammation were assessed. Behavioral consequences were monitored. Infarct volume and the modified Neurological Severity Score were not affected by anodal tDCS. Pasta handling, a more sensitive task for sensorimotor deficits, and microglia reactivity indicated potentially harmful effects at the highest tDCS current density tested (47.8 A/m2), which is more than 60 times higher than intensities commonly used in humans. Compared to published safety limits of anodal tDCS in healthy rats, recent stroke does not increase the sensitivity of the brain to anodal tDCS, as assessed by lesion size and neuroinflammatory response. Behavioral deficits only occurred at the highest intensity, which was associated with increased neuroinflammation. When safety limits of commonly used clinical tDCS are met, augmentation of early neurorehabilitation after stroke by anodal tDCS appears to be feasible.

Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Literature Review.

Stroke is an infarction of the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord, or retina) that results from a disruption in cerebral blood flow either due to ischemia or hemorrhage. Complications of acute stroke are common and include pneumonia, urinary tract infection, myocardial infarction, deep vein thrombosis, and pulmonary embolism, among several others, all of which increase the risk of poor clinical outcomes. Gastrointestinal bleeding is a well-known complication that can occur during the acute phase of stroke. In this review, we have summarized the existing data regarding the incidence, pathophysiology, risk factors, morbidity, mortality, and management strategies for gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Direct Exposure to Outdoor Air Pollution Worsens the Functional Status of Stroke Patients Treated with Mechanical Thrombectomy

Background The effect of air pollutants on the functional status of stroke patients in short-term follow-up is unknown. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of air pollution occurring in the stroke period and during hospitalization on the functional status of patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy (MT). Methods Our study included stroke patients for which the individual-level exposure to ambient levels of O3, CO, SO2, NO2, PM2.5, and PM10 during the acute stroke period was assessed. The correlations between the air pollutants’ concentration and the patients’ functional state were analyzed. A total of 499 stroke patients (mean age: 70) were qualified. Results The CO concentration at day of stroke onset was found to be significant regarding the functional state of patients on the 10th day (OR 0.014 95% CI 0–0.908, p = 0.048). The parameters which increased the risk of death in the first 10 days were as follows: NIHSS (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.15–1.42; p &lt; 0.001), intracranial bleeding (OR 4.08; 95% CI 1.75–9.76; p = 0.001), and SO2 concentration on day 2 (OR 1.21; 95% CI 1.02–1.47; p = 0.03). The parameters which increased the mortality rate within 90 days include age (OR 1.07; 95% CI 1.02–1.13; p = 0.005) and NIHSS (OR 1.37; 95% CI 1.19–1.63; p &lt; 0.001). Conclusions Exposure to air pollution with CO and SO2 during the acute stroke phase has adverse effects on the patients’ functional status. A combination of parameters, such as neurological state, hemorrhagic transformation, and SO2 exposure, is unfavorable in terms of the risk of death during a hospitalization due to stroke. The risk of a worsened functional status of patients in the first month of stroke rises along with the increase in particulate matter concentrations within the first days of stroke.

Effects of anodal transcranial direct current stimulation over motor cortex on resting-state brain activity in the early subacute stroke phase: A power spectral density analysis

IntroductionDespite promising results, the effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) in the early stages of stroke and its impact on brain activity have been poorly studied. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of tDCS applied over the ipsilesional motor cortex on resting-state brain activity in the early subacute phase of stroke. MethodsThis is a pilot, randomized, double-blind, proof-of-concept study. The patients with stroke were randomly assigned into two groups: anodal tDCS (A-tDCS) or sham tDCS (S-tDCS). For A-tDCS, the anode was placed over the ipsilesional motor cortex, while the cathode was placed over the left or right supraorbital area (Fp2 for left stroke or Fp1 for right stroke). For the real stimulation, a constant current of 1.0 mA was delivered for 20 min and then ramped down linearly for 30 s, maintaining a resistance below 10 kΩ. For the sham stimulation, the stimulator was turned on, and the current intensity was gradually increased for 30 s, tapered off over 30 s, and maintained for 30 min without stimulation. Each stimulation was performed for three consecutive sessions with an interval of 1 h between them. The primary outcome was spectral electroencephalography (EEG) analysis based on the Power Spectral Density (PSD) determined by EEG records of areas F3, F4, C3, C4, P3, and P4. Brain Vision Analyzer software processed the signals, EEG power spectral density (PSD) was calculated before and after stimulation, and alpha, beta, delta, and theta power were analyzed. The secondary outcomes included hemodynamic variables based on the difference between baseline (D0) and post-intervention session (D1) values of systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (RR) and peripheral oxygen saturation (SPO2). Mann-Whitney test was used to compare position measurements of two independent samples; Fisher's exact test was used to compare two proportions; paired Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the median differences in the within-group comparison, and Spearman correlations matrix among spectral power analysis between EEG bands was performed to verify consistency of occurrence of oscillations. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.05. ResultsAn increase in PSD in the alpha frequency in the P4 region was observed after the intervention in the A-tDCS group, as compared to the placebo group (before = 6.13; after = 10.45; p < 0.05). In the beta frequency, an increase in PSD was observed in P4 (before = 4.40; after = 6.79; p < 0.05) and C4 (before = 4.43; after = 6.94; p < 0.05) after intervention in the A-tDCS group. There was a reduction in PSD at delta frequency in C3 (before = 293.8; after = 58.6; p < 0.05) after intervention in the A-tDCS group. In addition, it was observed a strong relationship between alpha and theta power in the A-tDCS group before and after intervention. However, the sham group showed correlations between more power bands (alpha and theta, alpha and delta, and delta and theta) after intervention. There was no difference in hemodynamic variables between the intra- (before and after stimulation) and inter-groups (mean difference). ConclusionAnodal tDCS over the ipsilesional motor cortex had significant effects on the brain electrical activity in the early subacute stroke phase, increasing alpha and beta wave activities in sensorimotor regions while reducing slow delta wave activity in motor regions. These findings highlight the potential of anodal tDCS as a therapeutic intervention in the early stroke phase.

Bilateral versus unilateral upper limb training in (sub)acute stroke: A systematic and meta-analysis.

Integrating high dosage bilateral movements to improve upper limb (UL) recovery after stroke is a rehabilitation strategy that could potentially improve bimanual activities. This study aims to compare the effects of bilateral with unilateral UL training on upper limb impairments and functional independence in (sub)acute stroke. Five electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, PEDro, ScienceDirect, Web of Science) were systematically searched from inception to June 2023. Randomised controlled trials comparing the effect of bilateral training to unilateral training in stroke survivors (< 6 months poststroke) were included. The treatment effect was computed by the standard mean differences (SMDs). The review included 14 studies involving 706 participants. Bilateral training yielded a significant improvement on UL impairments measured by FMA-UE compared to unilateral training (SMD = 0.48; 95% CI: 0.08 to 0.88; P = 0.02). In addition, subgroup analysis based on the severity of UL impairments reported significant results in favour of bilateral UL training in improving UL impairments compared to unilateral training in "no motor capacity" patients (SMD = 0.66; 95% CI: 0.16 to 1.15; P = 0.009). Furthermore, a significant difference was observed in favour of bilateral UL training compared to unilateral UL training on daily activities measured by Functional Independence Measure (SMD = 0.45; 0.13 to 0.78; P = 0.006). Bilateral UL training was superior to unilateral training in improving impairments measured by FMA-UE and functional independence in daily activities measured by Functional Independence Measure in (sub)acute stroke. Bilateral upper limb training promotes recovery of impairments and daily activities in (sub)acute phase of stroke.

Inhibition of ASIC1a Improves Behavioral Recovery after Stroke.

Stroke continues to be a leading cause of death and long-term disabilities worldwide, despite extensive research efforts. The failure of multiple clinical trials raises the need for continued study of brain injury mechanisms and novel therapeutic strategies for ischemic stroke. The contribution of acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a) to neuronal injury during the acute phase of stroke has been well studied; however, the long-term impact of ASIC1a inhibition on stroke recovery has not been established. The present study sought to bridge part of the translational gap by focusing on long-term behavioral recovery after a 30 min stroke in mice that had ASIC1a knocked out or inhibited by PcTX1. The neurological consequences of stroke in mice were evaluated before and after the stroke using neurological deficit score, open field, and corner turn test over a 28 d period. ASIC1a knock-out and inhibited mice showed improved neurological scores more quickly than wild-type control and vehicle-injected mice after the stroke. ASIC1a knock-out mice also recovered from mobility deficits in the open field test more quickly than wild-type mice, while PcTX1-injected mice did not experience significant mobility deficits at all after the stroke. In contrast to vehicle-injected mice that showed clear-sidedness bias in the corner turn test after stroke, PcTX1-injected mice never experienced significant-sidedness bias at all. This study supports and extends previous work demonstrating ASIC1a as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of ischemic stroke.

Predictive value of ApoB/ApoA-I for recurrence within 1 year after first incident stroke.

ApoB/ApoA-I ratio is a reliable indicator of cholesterol balance, particularly in the prediction of ischemic events risk. The aim of this study was to investigate the prognostic value of ApoB/ApoA-I for stroke recurrence within 1 year after the first incident. We retrospectively included patients who were first diagnosed with acute (<7 days after onset) ischemic stroke. Blood samples were collected on admission, and serum ApoB and ApoA-I concentrations were measured. We analyzed the relationship between ApoB/ApoA-I ratio and ischemic stroke recurrence within 1 year. A total of 722 patients with acute ischemic stroke were included, of whom 102 experienced stroke recurrence within 1 year, with a recurrence rate of 14.1%. Serum ApoB/ApoA-I concentrations on admission were higher in patients with stroke recurrence at 1 year compared with those with a good prognosis (P < 0.001). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve revealed a significant difference in cumulative stroke recurrence rates across ApoB/ApoA-I tertiles (log-rank P-value < 0.001). A positive correlation between the ApoB/ApoA-I ratio and the risk of stroke recurrence within 1 year was demonstrated using Cox regression analysis, which remained significant after adjusting for traditional risk factors [hazard ratio (HR) 4.007, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.661-9.666]. This relationship was particularly strong in patients with LAA stroke (HR 4.955, 95% CI 1.591-15.434). Subgroup analysis further revealed that a high ApoB/ApoA-I ratio was strongly associated with stroke recurrence regardless of whether patients had high or low LDL-C levels. ApoB/ApoA-I ratio, measured during the acute phase of the first stroke, was positively correlated with the risk of stroke recurrence within 1 year.

MiR-96-5p alleviates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in mice by inhibiting pyroptosis via downregulating caspase 1

Ischemic stroke is one of the leading causes of global mortality and disability. Nevertheless, successful treatment remains limited. In this study, we investigated the efficacy and the mechanism of miR-96-5p in protecting acute ischemic brain injury in adult mice. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in adult male C57BL/6 mice. MiR-96-5p or the negative control was administered via intracerebroventricular injection. The expression of pyroptosis-related genes and activation of various resident cells in the brain was assessed by RT-qPCR, western blot, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence. Modified neurological severity score, rotarod test, cylinder test, brain water content, and cerebral infarction volume were used to evaluate the behavioral deficits and the severity of brain injury after MCAO. Flow cytometry, TUNEL staining, and Nissl staining were employed to assess the neuron damage. MiR-96-5p decreased markedly in the ischemic stroke model in vivo and in vitro. MiR-96-5p mimics suppressed the expression of caspase 1 and alleviated the apoptosis rate in OGD/R treatment N2a cells, however, the miR-96-5p inhibitor caused the opposite results. Intracerebroventricular delivery of miR-96-5p agomir significantly mitigated behavioral deficits, brain water content, and cerebral infarction volume after MCAO. In addition, treatment with miR-96-5p agomir downregulated the expression of caspase 1/cleaved caspase 1 and Gsdmd/Gsdmd-N, while alleviating the neuron damage. In summary, overexpression of miR-96-5p suppresses pyroptosis and reduces brain damage in the acute phase of ischemic stroke, providing new insight into the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

Functional independence, clinical aspects, and sociodemographic factors in patients in the acute phase of stroke: an association analysis

RESUMO Objetivo Analisar a associação da independência funcional com aspectos clínicos de comprometimento neurológico, a localização e extensão do dano neuronal e os fatores sociodemográficos em pacientes na fase aguda do AVC. Método Estudo analítico de recorte transversal, realizado com 90 pacientes adultos e idosos acometidos por AVC isquêmico, que tiveram admissão no ambiente hospitalar nas primeiras 24 horas após o evento vascular. A coleta dos dados referentes aos aspectos clínicos e fatores sociodemográficos foi realizada pelo prontuário eletrônico e/ou entrevista para descrever o perfil dos pacientes, Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project, Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale e a Medida de Independência Funcional. Resultados O comprometimento neurológico, de acordo com a National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, foi associado à funcionalidade nas primeiras 24 horas após o AVC. Além disso, a presença de hipertensão arterial, idade, trabalho inativo, tabagismo e extensão do dano neuronal estiveram associados à dependência funcional, mas não permaneceram no modelo final deste estudo. Conclusão A dependência funcional está associada à hipertensão arterial, idade, trabalho inativo, tabagismo, extensão do dano neuronal e grau de comprometimento neurológico nas primeiras 24 horas após o evento vascular. Além disso, um nível mais elevado de comprometimento neurológico foi independentemente associado a níveis aumentados de dependência funcional.

Independência funcional, aspectos clínicos e fatores sociodemográficos em pacientes na fase aguda do Acidente Vascular Cerebral: uma análise de associação

ABSTRACT Purpose To analyze the association of functional independence with clinical aspects of neurological impairment, the location and extent of neuronal damage and sociodemographic factors in patients in the acute phase of stroke. Methods Analytical cross-sectional study in 90 adult and older patients affected by ischemic stroke, admitted to the hospital within 24 hours of the vascular event. Sociodemographic factors and clinical aspects data were collected from electronic medical records and/or interviews in order to depict the patients'profile, Oxfordshire Community Stroke Project, Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score, National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, and Functional Independence Measure. Results Neurological impairment, according to the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale, was associated with functioning in the first 24 hours after the stroke. Furthermore, the presence of arterial hypertension, age, inactive work, smoking and extent of neuronal damage were associated with functional dependence, but did not remain in the final model of this study. Conclusion Functional dependence is associated with arterial hypertension, age, inactive work, smoking, extent of neuronal damage, and degree of neurological impairment in the first 24 hours after the vascular event. Furthermore, a higher level of neurological impairment was independently associated with increased levels of functional dependence.

Persistent headache attributed to past ischemic stroke: A prospective cohort study.

To assess the incidence, characteristics, and risk factors for developing persistent headache attributed to past ischemic stroke. Although the most recent International Classification of Headache Disorders has recognized the existence of persistent headache attributed to past ischemic stroke, there has been limited research in this area. This was a prospective cohort study. We initially assessed patients hospitalized with ischemic stroke admitted within 72 h of symptom onset. All patients underwent diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging. These patients were re-interviewed by telephone 1 year after the stroke. Semi-structured questionnaires, the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and six-item Headache Impact Test were used. A total of 119 participants answered the interview conducted 1 year after the stroke. The mean (standard deviation) age was 64 (13.1) years, 82/119 (68.9%) were female, and the median (interquartile range) NIHSS score was 2 (1.0-4.0). The incidence rate of persistent headache attributed to past ischemic stroke was 12/119 (10.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.3-17.0%). The most frequent pattern presented was a migraine-like pattern in seven of the 12 (58.3%) patients, which had a substantial/severe impact on five of the 12 (41.7%). For most patients this headache continued, although it began to improve. Previous migraine (odds ratio 7.1, 95% CI 1.06-50.0; p = 0.043) and headache intensity in the acute phase of stroke (odds ratio 1.75, 95% CI 1.13-2.7; p = 0.012) were associated with the occurrence of persistent headache attributed to past ischemic stroke. Persistent headache attributed to past ischemic stroke is a frequent complication after stroke. It often has a significant impact on patients' lives and presents a migraine-like pattern as its most frequent phenotype.

Use of athletic tape in the speech-language-hearing treatment of post-stroke facial paralysis in the acute phase.

To verify the efficacy of using athletic tape associated with myofunctional therapy in the speech-language-hearing treatment of facial palsy after stroke in the acute phase. Randomized controlled clinical study with 88 patients with facial palsy in the acute phase of stroke. The sample was allocated in: Group 1: rehabilitation with orofacial myofunctional therapy and use of athletic tape on the paralyzed zygomaticus major and minor muscles; Group 2: rehabilitation alone with orofacial myofunctional therapy on the paralyzed face; Group 3: no speech-language-hearing intervention for facial paralysis. In the evaluation, facial expression movements were requested, and the degree of impairment was determined according to the House and Brackmann scale. Movement incompetence was obtained from measurements of the face with a digital caliper. After the evaluation, the intervention was carried out as determined for groups 1 and 2. The participants of the three groups were reassessed after 15 days. The statistical analysis used was the generalized equations. The groups were homogeneous in terms of age, measure of disability and functioning, severity of neurological impairment and pre-intervention facial paralysis. Group 1 had a significant improvement in the measure from the lateral canthus to the corner of the mouth, with better results than groups 2 and 3. The athletic tape associated with orofacial myofunctional therapy had better results in the treatment of facial paralysis after stroke in the place where it was applied.

Usefulness of Mechanical Thrombectomy in Patients with Cancer Who Developed Cerebral Infarction.

Mechanical thrombectomy (MT) is an established treatment for large vessel occlusion in the acute phase of stroke. However, its efficacy and safety in patients with cancer remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of MT against large vessel occlusion between patients with and without cancer. A total of 71 patients who underwent MT from August 2014 to November 2021 were included in this study. Patients with cancer and/or a history of cancer (n = 16) were included in the with cancer group and the remaining patients in the without cancer group (n = 55). The frequency of preoperative tissue plasminogen activator administration was significantly lower in the with cancer group (n = 2 [12.5%]) than in the without cancer group (n = 24 [43.6%]). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of treatment time, pass frequency, thrombolysis in cerebral infarction grade, modified Rankin scale score at 1 week after treatment [mRS (1w) ], modified Rankin scale score at discharge [mRS (ENT) ], modified Rankin scale score at 90 days after treatment [mRS (90 days) ], and length of hospital stay (days). In the multivariate analysis, if the objective variables were mRS (1w) and mRS (90 days), the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and preonset mRS scores were considered significant variables. The presence or absence of cancer was not considered an independent factor of mRS (1w), mRS (ENT), or mRS (90 days). Aggressive treatment may be recommended to patients with cancer and/or a history of cancer who present with a systemic condition that can be managed with MT.

Evidence and Recommendations for Acute Stroke Rehabilitation from the Japan Stroke Society: Abridged Secondary Publication of the Japanese-language Version.

In Japan, acute stroke rehabilitation has been expanding more steadily than previously with the nationwide establishment of primary stroke centers. However, Japan previously had no established guidelines for the rehabilitation. Consequently, rehabilitation programs and the provision systems for acute stroke varied among the facilities. To equalize and standardize acute stroke rehabilitation in Japan, it is necessary to develop clinical recommendations for rehabilitation. Therefore, the rehabilitation project team of the Japan Stroke Society aimed to develop the first recommendations for acute stroke rehabilitation in Japan. The recommendations are based on the results of a survey on the current status of acute stroke rehabilitation at primary stroke centers in Japan, which was completed in 2022, and on a literature review conducted by the rehabilitation project team. The recommendations consist of 19 clinical questions regarding the following topics of acute stroke rehabilitation: (1) head elevation and mobilization training, (2) acute complications, (3) training time and frequency for acute stroke rehabilitation, (4) dysphagia in the acute phase, and (5) acute rehabilitation during pandemics of novel and re-emerging infections, particularly novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The team members agreed on all answers for these 19 clinical questions. These recommendations suggest broad principles of rehabilitative intervention in the acute phase of stroke. In the near future, it is expected that the dissemination of these recommendations will result in an increase in the quality of acute stroke rehabilitation in Japan.

Time-resolved near-infrared spectroscopy in monitoring acute ischemic stroke patients – Case study

Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide, with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) accounting for the majority of cases. Early and accurate diagnosis of AIS is crucial for improving patient outcomes. Non-invasive monitoring techniques, such as time domain near-infrared spectroscopy (tdNIRS), have shown potential for real-time monitoring of AIS patients at the bedside. However, there is a need for further research to evaluate the effectiveness of tdNIRS in the acute phase of stroke. In this study, we present the results of a case report using tdNIRS to monitor AIS patients without any additional stimulation. The tdNIRS technique allows for non-invasively assessing cerebral oxygenation in absolute units, enabling accurate measurement of changes in oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentrations in the brain. Our aim was to determine the feasibility of tdNIRS in monitoring AIS patients.