Criteria for the diagnosis of vascular dementia (VaD) that are reliable, valid, and readily applicable in a variety of settings are urgently needed for both clinical and research purposes. To address this need, the Neuroepidemiology Branch of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) convened an International Workshop with support from the Association Internationale pour la Recherche et l'Enseignement en Neurosciences (AIREN), resulting in research criteria for the diagnosis of VaD. Compared with other current criteria, these guidelines emphasize (1) the heterogeneity of vascular dementia syndromes and pathologic subtypes including ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes, cerebral hypoxic-ischemic events, and senile leukoencephalopathic lesions; (2) the variability in clinical course, which may be static, remitting, or progressive; (3) specific clinical findings early in the course (eg, gait disorder, incontinence, or mood and personality changes) that support a vascular rather than a degenerative cause; (4) the need to establish a temporal relationship between stroke and dementia onset for a secure diagnosis; (5) the importance of brain imaging to support clinical findings; (6) the value of neuropsychological testing to document impairments in multiple cognitive domains; and (7) a protocol for neuropathologic evaluations and correlative studies of clinical, radiologic, and neuropsychological features. These criteria are intended as a guide for case definition in neuroepidemiologic studies, stratified by levels of certainty (definite, probable, and possible). They await testing and validation and will be revised as more information becomes available.

This paper describes the development of MEMS force sensors constructed using paper as the structural material. The working principle on which these paper-based sensors are based is the piezoresistive effect generated by conductive materials patterned on a paper substrate. The device is inexpensive (~$0.04/device for materials), simple to fabricate, light weight, and disposable. Paper can be readily folded into three-dimensional structures to increase the stiffness of the sensor while keeping it light in weight. The entire fabrication process can be completed within one hour without expensive cleanroom facilities using simple tools (e.g., a paper cutter and a painting knife). We demonstrated that the paper-based sensor can measure forces with moderate performance (i.e., resolution: 120 µN, measurement range: ±16 mN, and sensitivity: 0.84 mV/mN), and we applied this sensor to characterizing the mechanical properties of a soft material. Leveraging the same sensing concept, we also developed a paper-based balance with a measurement range of 15 g, and a resolution of 390 mg.2

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An experimental model of cerebral ischemia and infarction can be produced by occluding a middle cerebral artery in animals. Most surgical approaches to the artery require removal of some portion of the cranium, which may modify or prevent the changes of intracranial pressure and the development of pressure gradients that are caused by ischemic cerebral edema or brain swelling. A transorbital approach for the exposure of a middle cerebral artery requires only enlargement of the optic foramen, which can be sealed immediately after occlusion of the artery. The lack of disturbance and manipulation of the brain and the maintenance of the integrity of the cranium result in a superior experimental model.

Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) that induce hepatic enzyme activity may alter the metabolism of most hormonal methods of contraception, and this may affect their contraceptive efficacy. There is also the potential for the hormonal method to affect the AED. Women may also be prescribed AEDs to treat conditions other than epilepsy, such as chronic pain and migraine. These effects should be considered in the choice of both the treatment of the 239 IntroductionEpilepsy affects up to 1.0% of the population. About half of these patients are women, many of childbearing age, and most of them will seek advice about contraception at some time. The choice of contraceptive method is influenced by many factors, and women will expect, and should receive, appropriate information about the various options for safe and effective contraception. 1 This counselling requires a consideration of the age of the patient, their socioeconomic and educational status, the type of epilepsy and the most suitable antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment. This short review summarises those factors specific to epilepsy that influence this choice and makes recommendations about contraceptive practice for these patients. This information also applies to women prescribed AEDs for the treatment of chronic pain conditions and migraine. In general, women on AEDs may use a hormonal contraceptive if they wish to do so, after a full discussion with their physician of the alternatives available and any recommended modifications of the chosen regimen that may be necessary.The optimal choice of hormonal contraceptive is affected by whether or not the prescribed antiepileptic medication induces liver enzyme activity [i.e. an enzymeinducing antiepileptic drug (EIAED)].Important Note: Some of the practical management suggestions in this review are not licensed and if used they should be prescribed on a 'named patient basis' 2 by a registered medical practitioner. These recommendations are indicated in the text by the abbreviation NL. Interaction of hormonal contraceptives with AEDsSome AEDs induce cytochrome P450 hepatic enzyme activity, which increases the rate of metabolism of both ethinylestradiol (EE) and progestogens, thereby lowering the blood levels of these hormones, perhaps by 50% or more (Tables 1 and 2), dependent on individual variation.It is therefore very important to know whether a patient is taking an AED that affects hormonal contraception (i.e. an EIAED) before prescribing a hormonal contraceptive, Contraception for women taking antiepileptic drugs