BackgroundOxidative stress is implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine, but no published studies have examined both oxidative stress levels and oxidative DNA damage on the same patient group.MethodsIn this study, total oxidant status (TOS); total antioxidant status (TAS); oxidative stress index (OSI); and 8-hydroxy-2′-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG), which is an indicator of oxidative DNA damage, were measured in the plasma samples of 50 prophylactic unmediated migraineurs (11 with aura and 39 without aura) and 30 matched healthy volunteers.ResultsNo significant differences in TAS, TOS, and OSI values were observed between patients and controls. However, plasma 8-OHdG levels were found to be significantly higher in migraine patients than in the control group (p = 0.001); this increase in plasma 8-OHdG levels was more prominent in cases with migraine without aura than with aura (p = 0.001). Our results suggested an evidence of oxidative stress-related DNA damage in migraine.ConclusionDNA damage reflected by plasma 8-OHdG did not studied in migraine before. Therefore, further research on oxidative stress-related DNA damage and the extent of its clinical manifestations in migraine may provide additional data to our current knowledge.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Anosmia or hyposmia, often accompanied by changes in taste, is recognized as a common symptom that can assist in the diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 . The pathogenesis of olfactory dysfunction in COVID-19is not yet fully understood. MR imaging represents a useful anatomic imaging method for the evaluation of olfactory dysfunction associated with varying etiologies, including viral infection, trauma, and neurodegenerative processes. This case-control study was conducted to compare quantitative measurements of olfactory anatomic structures between patients diagnosed with COVID-19 associated with persistent olfactory dysfunction and healthy controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS:This study has a retrospective design. Cranial MR imaging was performed on all participants in both the patient and control groups. The bilateral olfactory bulb volume, olfactory tract length, and olfactory sulcus depth were measured in all patients.RESULTS: A total of 116 people aged 18-60 years, including 36 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and 80 controls, were included in the study. All measured values were compared between the patient and control groups. The right, left, and total olfactory bulb volume values were significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group. The patient group also had significantly lower right and left olfactory sulcus depth and olfactory tract length values compared with those in the control group.CONCLUSIONS: MR imaging findings can be used to demonstrate olfactory injury in patients with COVID-19. The olfactory pathway may represent an alternative route for virus entry into the central nervous system.

BackgroundUrotensin-II (U-II) is a peptide recognized by its potent vasoconstrictor activity in many vascular events, however the role of urotensin-II in migraine has not been considered yet. The molecular mechanisms and genetics of migraine have not been fully clarified yet, but it is well-known that vascular changes considerably contribute in pathophysiology of migraine and also its complications. The aim of this study was to analyze the plasma U-II levels along with genotype distributions and allele frequencies for UTS2 Thr21Met and Ser89Asn polymorphisms among the patients with migraine without aura (MWoA).MethodsOne hundred eighty-six patients with MWoA and 171 healthy individuals were included in this study. Plasma U-II levels were measured in attack free period. The genotype and allele frequencies for the Thr21Met (T21M) and Ser89Asn (S89N) polymorphisms in the UTS2 gene were analyzed.ResultsPlasma U-II levels were significantly higher in MWoA patients (p = 0.002). We detected a significant association between the T21M polymorphism in the UTS2 gene and migraine (53.8 % in patients, 40.4 % in controls, p = 0.035), but not with S89N polymorphism (p = 0.620). A significant relationship was found between U-II levels and MIDAS score (β = 0.508, p = 0.001).ConclusionOur study suggests that U-II may play a role in migraine pathogenesis; also Thr21Met polymorphism was associated with the risk of migraine disease. Further studies are needed for considering the role of U-II in migraine pathophysiology and for deciding if UTS2 gene may be a novel candidate gene in migraine cases.

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<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> This study aimed to reveal whether retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL) inner plexiform layer, and choroidal layer (CL) thicknesses differed in patients with migraine. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to measure these neurovascular structural changes and determine the relationship between these structures and cranial white matter hyperintensities (WMHs). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> This retrospective comparative registry study included a total of 155 individuals aged 18–55 (mean, 33.50 ± 8.34), consisting of 110 migraine patients and 45 healthy controls. <b><i>Results:</i></b> RNFLs were thinner in the migraine group than the control group but not to a statistically significant degree. However, in both eyes, peripapillary RNLF thickness in some specific quadrants was found to be significantly thinner in the patient group than the control group. GCLs were significantly thinner in the migraine group than the control group. CLs were significantly thicker in the migraine group than in the control group. There was no significant difference between the OCT parameters of patients with and without WMH. An inverse correlation was found between disease duration and CL thickness. CLs were significantly thicker in patients in attack periods than those in attack-free periods. There was no significant difference between the OCT parameters of the migraine with aura and migraine without aura subgroups. <b><i>Discussion/Conclusions:</i></b> Retinal neural and vascular structures might be affected in migraine sufferers, including those in subgroups. Rebound vasodilation may cause alterations in CL thickness during a migraine attack. Factors other than hypoperfusion may contribute to the pathophysiology responsible for the formation of WMH.

OBJECTIVES: Our study aimed to investigate neurological symptoms in patients with COVID-19 and contribute to this area of limited knowledge. BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence shows that neurotropism is a common feature of Coronaviruses (CoVs). Like the other CoVs, SARS-CoV 2 uses angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). The brain is thought to express ACE2 receptors detected on glial cells and neurons. There are also ACE2 receptors in skeletal muscles. Our study aimed to investigate neurological symptoms in patients with COVID-19 and contribute to this area of limited knowledge. METHODS: A total of 51 patients, presented to hospitalized in our hospital between March 23, 2020 and April 16, 2020 were included in the study. The diagnosis of all patients included in the study was made according to the WHO interim guideline. The patients were divided into two subgroups as mild and severe course according to the severity of the disease. RESULTS: Neurological symptoms were detected in 16 (31.37 %) patients. Muscle injury was detected in 10 (19.61 %) patients. The most common neurological symptom was headache (n: 9, 17.65 %). When the frequency of all neurological symptoms was compared in those with severe and mild disease, no signifi cant differences were found between the groups. When the frequency of muscular involvement was compared in patients with severe and mild course, no signifi cant differences were found between the groups. CONCLUSION: The nervous system and skeletal muscle system may be among viral targets. Detection of some neurological fi ndings may be valuable in predicting the course of the disease. Some laboratory values can allow predicting disease severity and neurological symptoms (Tab. 5, Ref. 23).

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