Background and Purpose-In our study we hypothesized that statins improve endothelial function in patients with lacunar infarctions (LI). Cerebral and systemic endothelial function was determined before and after 3-months treatment with atorvastatin. Methods-Cerebral endothelial function was determined by L-arginine reactivity and systemic endothelial function by flow-mediated dilatation (FMD) in patients with LI (18 patients, aged 61.1Ϯ7.6 years), 20 age-and gender-matched patients with similar risk factors (SR) and 19 age-and gender-matched healthy controls. The mean arterial velocity (v m ) in both middle cerebral arteries was measured by transcranial Doppler sonography before, during and after a 30-minute intravenous infusion of L-arginine. FMD of the brachial artery after hyperaemia was determined. The measurements were repeated after 3-months treatment with 40 mg of atorvastatin per day. Results-L-arginine reactivity was decreased in LI patients (13.1Ϯ8.4%) and in patients with SR compared with healthy controls (PՅ0.01). FMD was more impaired in patients with LI (0.06Ϯ4.9%) compared with patients with SR and healthy controls (PՅ0.01). After atorvastatin treatment, L-arginine reactivity and FMD improved in both patients with LI (17.1Ϯ7.6%; 7.0Ϯ5.7%) and patients with SR (PՅ0.01). Previously mildly increased cholesterol values normalized. Conclusion-The

Our sincere thanks go also to all PARENT Joint Action workshops participants for their support and valuable insights. Finally, we would like to thank the European Commission and participating Member States who have made PARENT Joint Action possible.

The European monitoring of excess mortality for public health action (EuroMOMO) network monitors weekly excess all-cause mortality in 27 European countries or subnational areas. During the first wave of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic in Europe in spring 2020, several countries experienced extraordinarily high levels of excess mortality. Europe is currently seeing another upsurge in COVID-19 cases, and EuroMOMO is again witnessing a substantial excess all-cause mortality attributable to COVID-19.

Our results suggest that subtle autonomic dysfunction occurs even in PHD and EHD.

Our study showed that systemic endothelial function is not impaired in migraine patients without comorbidities, neither in those with or without aura. Considering these findings, the investigation of cerebral endothelial function would be useful in a further investigation of the role of endothelial (dys)function in migraine pathophysiology.