Scientific Program

Conference Series Ltd invites all the participants across the globe to attend 25th World Congress on Neurology and Neurodisorders Melbourne, Australia.

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Scientific Program Day 1
Scientific Program Day 2

Day 2 :

Keynote Forum

Galia Valentinova Anguelova

Leiden University Medical Centre

Keynote: : Increased brain activation during motor imagery suggests central abnormality in Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy

Time : 11:00-11:30

Conference Series Neurodisorders Congress 2018 International Conference Keynote Speaker Galia Valentinova Anguelova photo
Biography:

G.V. Anguelova completed her medical training in 2014 at the Leiden University Medical Centre. In 2012 she also obtained an engineering masters degree in Biomedical engineering (Biomechatronics) at the Technical University in Delft, The Netherlands. She is currently finishing her PhD thesis on Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy and is working as a neurology resident in Haaglanden Medisch Centrum in the Hague.

Abstract:

Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy (NBPP) may lead to permanent impairment of arm function. As NBPP occurs when central motor programs develop, these may be ill-formed. We studied elbow flexion and motor imagery with fMRI to search for abnormal motor programming. We compared the cortical activity of adults with conservatively treated NBPP to that of healthy individuals stratified for hand dominance, using fMRI BOLD tasks of elbow flexion and motor imagery of flexion. Additionally, resting-state networks and regional gray matter volume were studied. Sixteen adult NBPP patients (seven men; median age 29 years) and sixteen healthy subjects (seven men, median age 27 years) participated. Cortical activation was significantly higher in patients during flexion imagery compared to healthy individuals and it increased with lesion extent and muscle weakness. The contralateral and ipsilateral premotor cortex, and the contralateral motor cortex showed stronger activity during imagined flexion in the right-handed NBPP subjects compared to healthy individuals. Activity patterns during actual flexion did not differ between groups. No differences in resting-state network connectivity or gray matter amount were found between the groups. NBPP affected imagined but not actual elbow flexion, suggesting an impairment of motor planning which would indicate abnormal motor programming in NBPP.

Keynote Forum

Wei Chieh, Chang

ChairPerson

Keynote: Preliminary experience in Taiwan of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery for patients with essential tremor

Time : 17

Conference Series Neurodisorders Congress 2018 International Conference Keynote Speaker Wei Chieh, Chang photo
Biography:

Wei Chieh, Chang belongs to Department of neurosurgery and Department of neurology , focused on Ultrasound Brain Treatment Center, Show Chwan Memorial  Hospital, Chang Hua  .

Abstract:

During the study period, a total of 12 patients (10 males and 2 females, age from 27 to 76 years-old and symptoms persisted from 6 to 35 years) with ET were successfully underwent MRgFUS unilateral VIM thalamotomy (10 left VIMs and 2 right VIMs). All the enrolled patients were evaluated before the treatment and after with a clinical control of the treatment effectiveness. The target was defined real time with patient’s subjective statements during low power sonication. As a consequence, the treatment protocol was adapted by applying repetition of the final temperatures 56°C to 59°C. MRI showed thermal lesions on VIM in T2-weighted (T2w) images after sonication. All the ET treated patients who completed the procedure showed immediately free from  tremor , with no intra- or post operation severe permanent side effects.

 

CONCLUSIONS: 

This is the  first  experience in Taiwan of a unilateral thalamotomy using the MRgFUS. Our experience demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and accuracy of the  MRgFUS  thalamotomy in treating ET. In the treatment of movement disorders, the MRgFUS may be an alternative choice.

  • Spinal Cord Injury | Brain Aneurysm | Autism | Restoration | Post-Stroke
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Session Introduction

Malcolm R Hooper

OXYMED, Australia

Title: Hyperbaric oxygen therapy combined with (LOKOMAT) robotic exoskeleton assisting neuroplasticity in brain and spinal cord injury
Speaker
Biography:

Malcolm R Hooper is an International Executive Director serving both the International Hyperbaric Medical Foundation (IHMF) and the International Hyperbaric Medical Association (IHMA). He is a regular speaker at international symposiums on the topic of hyperbaric oxygen therapy applications in the modern era.

Abstract:

LOKOMAT Robotic Gait Assisted Walking is a sophisticated exoskeleton where the patient is fitted with a harness, suspended from the wheel chair and strapped into the exoskeleton. The LOKOMAT kinetic settings can be varied and specifically adjusted throughout the training session to match the individual requirements of the individual. Some patients have high level spasticity and others a complete loss of tone. Robotic assisted training can provide numerous accurate repetitions necessary to restore activity especially walking function with neurologic patients. Improving a patient to the point that he/she no longer needs a wheelchair to move would lead to reducing the economic burden associated wheel chair-associated complications including pressure ulcers, circulatory disorders, osteoporosis and attendant care. LOKOMAT provides excellent opportunity to 'best-fit' the patients specific capabilities and capacity to re-train function. Gait Training can lead to functional improvements in balance, lower limb motor recovery, walking speed, endurance, and other important gait characteristics such as symmetry, stride length and double stance time. LOKOMAT Gait Training can not only improve the gait in neurological patients but also positively affect cardiovascular performance and reductions in spasticity, bone loss and bladder/bowel complications. The combination effects of hyperbaric oxygen therapy and LOKOMAT Gait Training are explored.

Adam Mate

Stroke Association, Australia

Title: The amazing life of Adam Mate – Brain aneurysm and stroke survivor
Speaker
Biography:

Adam completed a Bachelor of Applied Science (Intellectual Disability) at the age of 24 years from RMIT University, Bundoora Campus and a Diploma ofOccupational Health and Saftey at Swinburne University, Hawthorn Campus. He also has a qualification in Training and Assessment, is an active ambassador for the Stroke Foundation of Australia. Adam is a Motivational Speaker who works in the field of Disability Support and is an Adaptive Ski Coach for the Disabled Winter Sports Association (DWA).

Abstract:

Adam is a 43 year old brain aneurysm and stroke survivor and father of one. At the age of 11 he suffered a severe stroke and brain aneurysm. He went from being a popular, energetic student who was doing extremely well in school, to a comatose, brain damaged, quadriplegic given less than 20 percent chance of survival.His family were told to prepare for the worst and medical staff were reticent to give them any hope for the future. After five and a half months in a coma he defied medical odds to wake from the coma and into a new world. He had to learn every life skill again, from walking, talking and eating to understanding who his family were.Prior to the stroke Adam was a keen skier. Medical professionals were, and still are, amazed that he can now snow ski without any impediment or disability. He suffers from Dystonia but finds that skiing relaxes his muscles and frees his body. Skiing was key to his recovery and confidence. Adam is a disability advocate who wants to make a positive mark on the world by sharing his story of survival, rehabilitation and achievement.

Malcolm R Hooper

OXYMED, Australia

Title: The final frontier – Repair and functional restoration
Speaker
Biography:

Malcolm R Hooper is an International Executive Director serving both the International Hyperbaric Medical Foundation (IHMF) and the International Hyperbaric Medical Association (IHMA). He is a regular speaker at international symposiums on the topic of hyperbaric oxygen therapy applications in the modern era.

Abstract:

Almost 20 to 30% of the body’s consumption of oxygen occurs within 3 to 5% of the body mass; the brain and spinal cord structures. These structures are extremely sensitive to oxygen deficiency. The final frontier in the treatment of degenerative neurovascular disorders including brain and spinal cord injury is focused on repair and functional restoration. This involves the use of neural growth factors to promote axonal sprouting, activation of idling and non-functional neurons whilst promoting neovascularization (new capillary formation) of the damaged (Penumbra) areas. The extent of neurovascular deterioration can be significantly diminished with Hyperbaric Oxygenation (HBOT), which expands the therapeutic window. HBOT primes the body and provides a fertile neurovascular platform for mobilizing the patient’s own immune and circulating stem cell capacity. HBOT activates dormant and inactive nerve cells and promotes plasticity to hasten recovery. A single two hour exposure to HBOT at 2 ATA doubles circulating CD34+ progenitor stem cells (primordial cells targeted to salvage and restore damaged structures) and at approximately 40 hours HBOT, stem cell activity increases eight fold (800%).

Manjula Ricciardi

Northland District Health Board, New Zealand

Title: ES- LS post-stroke
Speaker
Biography:

Manjula Ricciardi is a Geriatrician and Stroke Physician. She has collected experiences on acute stroke management and stroke rehab. She is currently an Acute Stroke Physician and Community Leader for the Rehabilitation Stroke Service at Whangarei Hospital. She is a Member of British Association of Stroke Physician UK, Stroke Society of Australasian, Australasia Stroke Trials Network and has Fellowship with RACP. She also has particular interest for rehabilitation post-stroke.

Abstract:

Stroke is the most common cause of   symptomatic seizures after middle age. Post-stroke seizures have been categorized as either early onset (ES) or late onset seizures (LS). ES are defined as those occurring within 7-30 days after stroke onset. Seizures occurring after this time frame are defined as LS. The frequency of seizures in stroke ranges between 2.3% and 14%.  Early seizures are risks for recurrent seizures though not for the development of epilepsy but LS do carry a higher recurrence rate. Independent risk factors for post-stroke epilepsy include stroke severity, cortical symptoms, haemorrhagic stroke, total circulation infarcts, haemorragic transformation, young age at stroke, intravenous thrombolysis and ES. Post-stroke seizures identification has many implications for clinical practice.  LS and epilepsy not only dramatically diminish the quality o life and cause serious morbidity but also negatively affects patient’s families and boarder community. 

Mohammed M Refaat

Ibb University, Yemen

Title: Enhancement of neural regeneration after spinal cord injury using muscle graft in experimental dogs
Speaker
Biography:

Mohammed Alobaidi was completed PhD in mental health from Baghdad University 2003. And I got a degree (Professor) in 2012. worked Professor of mental health and clinical psychology at several universities. Clinical psychotherapist and worked in several hospitals, Then she served as Dean of the Psychological Counseling Center in Ibb, Yemen and Head of Mental Health at Majd Specialist Hospital. More than 21 published scientific research. And wrote 6 books in the specialty. Participated in a number of scientific conferences. Many psychological services provided in the field of humanitarian and voluntary work, especially psychological support to groups which suffered war and conflicts.

Abstract:

Spinal cord injuries can cause severe disability. The principal treatments for traumatic SCI include surgical stabilization. Using muscle as a scaffold is a new approach. This work aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of muscle graft as a scaffold for the growing axons organizing their growth, preventing gliosis in the damaged area and enhancing neural recovery in canine model of traumatic spinal cord injury. 14 dogs were divided into Group-1: 4 dogs subjected to Sham operation, Group-2: 5 dogs subjected to dorsal laminectomy with excision of 1 cm segment of the spinal cord and Group-3: 5 dogs subjected to dorsal laminectomy then muscle graft was inserted into the spinal cord gap. The animals of all groups were euthanatized after 8 weeks. Olby and modified Tarlov scores were used to clinically evaluate the therapeutic effects. Spinal cord specimens were subjected to histological, morphometric and statistical studies. Olby and modified Tarlov scores revealed significant improvement in group-3. Histological sections showed overgrowth of axons on the muscle graft. CD44 and CD105 stains were positive for endogenous stem cells. This study proved the clinical efficacy of muscle grafting as a tool for induction of neurodegeneration after traumatic spinal cord injury.

Wei Chieh Chang

Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Taiwan

Title: Preliminary experience in Taiwan of magnetic resonance-guided focused ultrasound surgery for patients with essential tremor
Speaker
Biography:

Wei Chieh Chang is presently working in Department of neurosurgery in Focused Ultrasound Brain Treatment Cente at Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Taiwan.

Abstract:

Background & Aim: The Magnetic Resonance-guided Focused Ultrasound (MRgFUS) technology offers feasible results in unilateral thalamotomy with optimized accuracy. We describe here the initial result of MRgFUS surgery for patients with Essential Tremor (ET) in Show Chwan Memorial Hospital. Methods: The authors describe the results of MRgFUS in 12 patients with ET during the period from June 2017 to February 2018. A unilateral Ventralis Intermedius (VIM) thalamotomy was performed in patients with dominant hand tremor and medications refractory. In all treatments, a 1.5-T MRI scanner was used for planning and monitoring. Primary relief symptoms were evaluated with subjective statement and tremography. The Clinical Rating Scale for Tremor (CRST) and the MR examinations were performed before the treatment and immediately, 3 and 6 months after operation. Results: During the study period, a total of 12 patients (10 males and 2 females, age from 27 to 76 years-old and symptoms persisted from 6 to 35 years) with ET were successfully underwent MRgFUS unilateral VIM thalamotomy (10 left VIMs and 2 right VIMs). All the enrolled patients were evaluated before the treatment and after with a clinical control of the treatment effectiveness. The target was defined real time with patient’s subjective statements during low power sonication. As a consequence, the treatment protocol was adapted by applying repetition of the final temperatures 56 °C to 59 °C. MRI showed thermal lesions on VIM in T2-weighted (T2w) images after sonication. All the ET treated patients who completed the procedure showed immediately free from tremor, with no intra or post operation severe permanent side effects. Conclusion: This is the first experience in Taiwan of a unilateral thalamotomy using the MRgFUS. Our experience demonstrated the feasibility, safety and accuracy of the MRgFUS thalamotomy in treating ET. In the treatment of movement disorders, the MRgFUS may be an alternative choice.

  • Post-Stroke Depression | Neonatal Brachial Plexus Palsy | Neurobehavioral | ACE Inhibitor | Multiple Sclerosis | Potassium Redistribution
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Session Introduction

Javier Sánchez

Surgical Medical Research Centre, Cuba

Title: Effects of policosanol plus aspirin on the recovery of ischemic stroke: a randomized controlled study
Speaker
Biography:

Javier V. Sanchez was graduated as Medical Doctor in 1993 in Havana University (Cuba) with Honours and Gold Diploma and achieved the title of Second Degree Specialist in Neurology and Intensive Care in 1996 and 1997, respectively. In 2000 he achieved two master’s Degrees: one in Medical Urgency and Primary Care, other in Master in Cerebrovascular Disease, but granted by the Medical Sciences University (Havana, Cuba). In 2002 he obtained a Master in Neurosciences and Behaviour Biology in Pablo de Olavide University (Sevilla, Spain). In 2014 he achieved the scientific degree of PhD in Medical Sciences granted by the Ministry of Higher Education, Cuba.

 

Abstract:

Antiplatelet therapy lowers the risk of recurrent stroke. Policosanol has shown to reduce platelet aggregation in experimental and clinical studies. This study investigated whether policosanol plus aspirin (AS) could improve the neurological outcome as compared to placebo + AS in patients with a recent ischemic stroke. Ninety-two (92) patients with a modified Rankin Scale score (mRSs) ≥2 - ≤4 after suffering an ischemic stroke within 30 days before enrolment were randomized to placebo or policosanol (20 mg/day) + aspirin (AS) (125 mg/day) (pla + AS or poli + AS) for 6 months. The primary efficacy variable was to obtain a better stroke outcome (mRSs ≤1) compared to pla +AS. Platelet aggregation was a secondary variable. After 12 and 24 weeks on therapy, the rates of poli + AS patients who achieved mRSs ≤1 were significantly (p<0.01 and p<0.00001, respectively) greater than in the pla + AS group. Poli + AS given for 6 weeks reduced significantly (p<0.00001 vs baseline, p<0.01 vs pla + AS) the mean mRSs values (24.1%), and this effect improved thereafter, so that reductions of 31.0% and 55.2% were found after 12 and 24 weeks, respectively. Also, poli + AS reduced significantly arachidonic acid- (41.0%) and ADP-induced (24.8%) platelet aggregation. Treatments were well tolerated. There were not withdrawals due to adverse experiences. In conclusion, poli added to standard AS treatment improved the neurological recovery as compared to pla + AS, and decreased platelet aggregation in patients with recent ischemic stroke.

 

Ghulam Rasool Mashori

University of Medical & Health Sciences for Women, Pakistan

Title: Lisinopril an ACE inhibitor and its effect on insulin release
Speaker
Biography:

Ghulam Rasool Mashori is currently working as a Professor and Director in Peoples University of Medical & Health Sciences for Women, Pakistan. He has completed his PhD from the Faculty of Medicine, University Kebangsaan Malaysia in 1994. He holds number of experiences in the area of quality control and research at NIH, Islamabad, Pakistan and also worked as Deputy D.G. (Pharmacolvigilance) in Drugs Control Organization, Ministry of Health. He has been the Director, Central Drugs Laboratory, Ministry of Health Government of Pakistan. He has been teaching/supervising MPhil and PhD fellows in Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center, Karachi, Pakistan. He has been keenly involved in research work and is playing supervisory role at MPhil and PhD levels. He holds managerial and administrative experiences with very reputed organizations. He has also worked as the Director of National Institute of Management (NIPA). He has published more than 30 research papers in reputed journals and has been serving as an Editorial Board Member of reputed journals.

Abstract:

Hypertension is a persistent raise of resting systolic (≥140 mmHg) and diastolic (≥90 mmHg) BP. In normal individuals BP ranges from 120/80 mmHg to 140/90 mmHg. Coronary Heart Diseases (CHD) develops more in diabetic hypertensives than in non-diabetics. CHD is the main cause of deaths worldwide. Management of hypertension has decreased the occurrence of stroke, heart failure and renal failure, however events of CHD has not been decreased to that level. On the contrary many antihypertensive drugs have diabetogenic effects via suppression of insulin. The purpose of the study was to observe effects of Lisinopril on insulin release by using rat isolated pancreas. Diazoxide was used as positive control i.e., known insulin suppressant drug. Dose used was based on therapeutic peak plasma concentration. Lisinopril at peak plasma level (150 ng/ml) did not inhibit insulin secretions significantly. In conclusion, at peak plasma level Lisinopril did not show any negative effect on insulin release.

Abbas Nikravesh

University of Medical Sciences, Iran

Title: Genetic background influences immunity-related genes in two Iranian ethnical multiple sclerosis groups
Speaker
Biography:

Abbas Nikravesh has obtained his PhD from Karolinska Institutet in Stockholm, Sweden in 2008. He is an Assistant Professor in Molecular Genetics in North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences, Bojnurd, Iran. His interested research area is genetics of multiple sclerosis.

Abstract:

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) remains a poorly-understood autoimmune disease in the Central Nervous System (CNS) with unknown etiology and pathogenesis. Iranian population consisted of different ethnical groups with a specific history and genetic background having different prevalence of MS and responses to drugs. So, to find the role of genetic background on the expression of immunity-related genes, we are trying to evaluate the expression of STAT3, lnc-DC and THRIL in MS patients and healthy controls of two different ethnicities including Sistani population in the south-east and Kurmanj population in the northeast of Iran. To assess the effect of ethnicity on the expression levels of the immunity-related genes, blood samples were obtained from two different cohorts including Sistani and Kurmanj MS patients and their relevant controls. The expressions of the selected genes were assessed by real time PCR method. Surprisingly, in stratification for ethnicity, our results showed that although the expression level of THRIL significantly increased in Kurmanj MS patients (P=0.03), this lncRNA down regulated in Sistani patients (P=0.028) in comparison with their relative healthy controls. Moreover, lnc-DC did not show any significantly different expression in both Kurmanj (P=0.33) and Sistani patients (P=0.54). In conclusion, our results showed that besides the role of lncRNAs in the pathogenesis of MS through different mechanism, to be more successful in effective MS therapies based on personalized medicine, genetic background is an important factor which must to be considered.

Azin Ebrahim Amini

University of Toronto, Canada

Title: Astrocytic gap junctions contribute to potassium redistribution over the neocortex
Speaker
Biography:

Azin Ebrahim Amini is pursuing her Masters from University of Toronto in the  epartment of Biomedical Engineering within Neuroscience platform. She has completed her Bachelors at University of Toronto where she double majored in Neuroscience and Physiology. Her interest to multidisciplinary sciences motivated her to learn advanced programming software along with designing a new method for recording intracranial brain activities. Along with being active in academic world she also takes on community service responsibility and engages in leadership and mentorship programs.

Abstract:

Extracellular potassium ion concentration ([K]e) is tightly regulated throughout the brain because it has a major impact on brain functionality. Potassium concentration is disrupted in many brain diseases such as stroke and epilepsy. My project is designed base on a well-developed experimental platform to investigate the effects of extracellular potassium redistribution in physiological states. All experiments were conducted in vivo in mouse neocortex. 2 double-barreled K-sensitive electrodes coupled with Local Field Potential (LFP) electrodes were placed 4 mm apart. 50 mM KCl solution was injected focally closer to one of the K-LFP electrodes. [K]e levels and LFP were measured in two different scenarios: (1) Pharmacological intervention (gap junction blockage) and (2) optical intervention (optogentics). Focally increased [K]e was associated with a transient depolarization which in turn spreads into neighboring tissues so called spreading depolarization. Gap junctional blockade in the peri-injection site simultaneously increased the amplitude and duration of the local [K]e response and the local field response was greatly prolonged. While in the remote injection site, [K]e response was decreased after gap junctional blockage application. Optical stimulation decreased the [K]e both in the peri-injection and remote site. Our preliminary results are evidence of slow K redistribution (take for minutes) throughout the astrocytic syncytium which is partly mediated via astrocytic gap junctions. Potassium redistribution across a large area of the cortex is not a well-studied area because most tudies have limited their focus on focal potassium dynamics. In this project we are addressing this gap using novel tools to lucidate potassium redistribution dynamics.