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Background&Objective: This study is designed to deteremine the sex differences in volume and surface anatomical parameters in the cingulate cortex of the left cerebral hemispheres in healthy right - handed subjects. Materials&Methods: This cross - sectional descriptive study was performed on 72 human brains (38 males, 34 females). The brains belonged to right - handed subjects who had died of non - neurologic causes. The age of males and females was similar. The brains were removed from the cranium no longer than 24 hours postmortem and were fixed in 4% formaldehyde solution. The right hemisphere of each brain was used for neuropathologic examinations (to confirm the health of the brain) and the left one was used for stereologic analyses. The estimation of the volume, surface areas, and thickness of the cingulate cortex was performed on photographs of 5 mm serial coronal sections of the left hemispheres using unbiased stereological methods (with point and linear grids). The results were analyzed by t- student test. Results: The volumes of the left cingulate cortex in males and females were 10.923.06 and 10.52.30cm3, respectively. The outer surface area was 43.8710.73 cm2 in males and 43.748.68cm2 in females. The inner surface areas in males and females were 34.8711.56 and 36.558.08cm2, respectively. There was no significant difference between two sexes in the volume and surface areas of the left cingulate cortex. The mean thickness of the left cingulate cortex in males and females were 2.880.5 and 2.510.3mm, respectively. The mean thickness of the left cingulate cortex in females was 12.85% smaller than males (P<0.05). Conclusion: Although the volume and outer and inner surface areas of the left cingulated cortex are similar between two sexes, the cortical thickness of this area in healthy right - handed females is significanlty smaller than males. The functional significance of these sexual differences and similarities in human brain is not clear. However, scientists must be aware of them in their morphometrical studies on human brain.

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Background & Objective: Monitoring the depth of anesthesia is very important to prevent undesirable events during surgery, such as intra operative awareness and overdosing. It is shown that anesthetic agents have direct effects on synaptic activity of brain neurons. So there is a great interest on electroencephalogram analysis as a depth of anesthesia estimator. Due to difficulties in visual explanation of EEG, automatic and computer based signal processing methods have been used to assess the depth of anesthesia. Investigating the relationship between conscious level of patients and electrical activity of brain neurons was the main aim of this study. Materials & Methods: In this study, EEG signals of six patients undergoing aortic valve replacement surgery have been acquired and recorded in a computer. After applying signal processing methods to these data, 3 different measures included temporal, spectral and bispectral parameters have been extracted. Mean values of mentioned parameters in different anesthetic regimens and levels have been analyzed by ANOVA in SPSS software. Results: Extracted temporal parameter is correlated with depth of anesthesia in deep anesthetic levels and spectral one is correlated with depth of anesthesia in moderate and light levels (P<0.05). Bispectral parameter is correlated with the depth of anesthesia only in ICU (P<0.05). Conclusion: Findings of this study confirm the relationship between consciousness and electrical activity of brain neurons and recommend the use of EEG processing techniques to monitor, control and estimate the depth of anesthesia in operating room and ICU ward.

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Background and Objective: Brain computed-tomography (CT) scan has a well documented accuracy in detecting the tumors this study was carried out to assess the conformity and correlation of CT-Scan diagnosis of the brain tumors with pathological findings in Ghaem Hospital Mashad University of Medical Sciences-Iran. Materials and Methods: This descriptive prospective study was done on 75 patients, 5-83 years, with the clinical suspicion of brain tumors. According to the CT-Scan findings 1-3 differential diagnosis were made for each patient. This was followed by surgery and biopsy, and the CT-Scan diagnoses were compared with pathological findings. Results: The best conformity and correlation of radiologic and pathologic diagnosis was seen in pituitary adenoma, acoustic neuroma, epidermoid cyst and craniopharyngioma. Also, according to the CT-Scan findings, the highest degree of sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value, were related to pituitary adenoma, high grade astrocytoma and meningioma. Conclusion: This study showed thant no single imaging modality may claim optimal sensitivity or specificity for the assessment of CNS disorders, although several imaging methods carry independent and complementary information, and CT-scan has different ability for diagnosis of different kind of tumors.

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Background and Objective: Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder of the brain,which occures in first few years of life, and characterized by symptoms such as qualititative impairments in verbal and non verbal communication, reciprocal social interactions, inability to communicate with others, stereotyped patterns of behavior, loss of eye contact and inappropriate facial expressions. Its prevalence is 2-5 in 10000 children and is greater in boys. Due to retarded language development, differential diagnosis other than those used with communication, behavioral and sensorial deficits should be made with Sensorineural or conductive hearing loss. The aim of this study was to determine whether children with autism have abnormalities affecting the cochlear nerve or auditory pathway in brainstem.

Materials and Methods: In this case – control study, auditory brainstem responses were recorded from 12 autistic children and 12 normal children aged 3-12 years in rehabilitation Zafar central in Tehran – Iran during 2005. Absolute latency values of waves I, III and V and interpeak latencies of I-III, III-V and I-V were compared with the results of 12 normal children as control group.

Results: Wave V could be traced down to 25 dB nHL in both normal and autistic groups. Absolute latency of Wave V and Interpeak latencies of III-V and I-V were significantly prolonged in Autistic children in comparison with control group.

Conclusion: This study showed a slowing in nerve conduction in auditory pathway in brainstem of autism patients. The brainstem lesion may be a part of neurological damage in autistic children that accounts for deviant language, cognition and social development. Prolongation of wave V, III-V and I-V IPLs can be a marker for early diagnosis of autism.

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Background and Objective: Multiple sclerosis is one of demyelinating disorder of CNS that is an uncommon cause of the sensorineural hearing loss. This study was done to determine the hearing loss in multiple sclerosis patients.

Materials and Methods: This case-control study was performed on 60 (44 women, 16 men) multiple sclerosis patients and 38 (27 women, 11 men) normal subjects by pure tone audiometery, otoacustic emissions and auditory brainstem responses in Gilan provine, Iran during 2010-11. Data was analyzed by using SPSS-17, Chi-Square and Fischer tests.

Results: 12.5% of case and 3.9% of the control ears had abnormal pure tone audiometery (P<0.05). The frequencies of abnormal HF-pure tone audiometery and two modalities of otoacustic emission did not show any significant differences in two groups. Abnormal autidory brainstem response of ears were observed in 20% and 9.2% of cases and controls, respectively (P<0.05). 20% of case and 9.2% of the control ears had abnormal auditory brainstem response (P<0.05). The absolute latencies of waves I, II and V had not significant differences between two groups. Inter peak latencies of I-III and III-V waves were observed in 10% and 11.7% in cases ears and 1.3% and zero percent in controls, respecticely. 6.7% of cases and 2.6% of control ears had retrocochlear abnormality.

Conclusion: Hearing loss detected by pure tone audiometery and auditory brainstem response is more common in multiple sclerosis compared to normal population.

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The latest reported incidence of subarachnoid hemorrhage due to aneurysms and arterio-venous malformations (AVMs) is around 15 per 100,000 pregnancies. It is also the third leading cause of maternal death from non obstetric causes accounting for 12% of total mortality. A pregnant woman with 42 years old G5P4Lch4 had vaginal delivery in 12 Aug 2009. One week after delivery she was visited by General Physician due to headache. She was admitted with signs of dizinous, vomiting projectile and painful stimuli, hospital consciousness level 5 and coma. CT scan was demonstrated a massive bleeding inside the brain. Massive hemorrhage into the ventricle was detected following neurosurgery. She was dead due to cardiac arrest after 10 days. Based on this case report, woman with headache following delivery should be recommended for cerebral aneurysm.

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Background and Objective: Antiepileptic drugs can partiality control or achieve the convulsion. There are controversial issues about the use and effect of ethanol to control epileptic convulsion seizers. This study was done to determine the effect of ethanol on microvascular alterations in the brain cortex of epileptic mice treated by valporic acid (VPA). Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, 36 BALB/c mice were allocated randomly into six groups including: 1-PTZ (Pentylenetetrazol), 2- Ethanol, 3- VPA+ PTZ, 4- ethanol + PTZ, 5-ethanol+ VPA+ PTZ and control groups. The animal brains were excluded and stained by Hematoxilin and eosin. Thirty-six optical microscopic field from each group were selected and microvascular count were determined. Immunohistochemical method was used for detection of injuries in the vascular brain tissue. Results: Mean number of brain microvascular cortex significantly increaed in PTZ+ethanol and PTZ+ethanol+VPA groups in compare to controls (P<0.05). Infiltration and thrombophlebitis were observed in vessels and cortical brain tissues in mice which received ethanol and PTZ. Proliferations in endothelial vascular cells were seen in PTZ and VPA+ethanol groups. Immunohistochemical method showed the endothelial cells of PTZ+ethanol groups were more stained in compare to the other experimental groups. Conclusion: Ethanol + PTZ cause cellular infiltration and damage to the cortical brain vessels although VPA reduces histological altheretions.

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Background and Objective: The Detection of neurologic signs for topographical disorders in central nerves system can prevent unnecessary neuroimaging techniques such as MRI. This study was performed to determine the diagnostic value of physical examination for topographic detection of infratentorial lesions in patients with cerebrovascular syndromes. Methods: This descriptive study was done on 200 patients with cerebrovascular syndrome in Qaem Hospital in Mashhad, north-east Iran during 2011. Regarding to topographic physical examination, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and accuracy of signs of syndromes were compared to MRI as gold standard method. Results: The accuracy of tetraparesis and crossed syndromes for localization of brain lesion in brainstem was 79% and 83%, respectively. The accuracy of hemiataxia for localization of brain lesion in ipsilateral cerebellar hemisphere was 98%. The accuracy of Wallenberg syndrome for localization of brain lesion in posterolateral medulla was 98%. Conclusion: Using clinical neuro-examination skills and accurate topographic physical examination can prevent unwanted MRI technique for the diagnoses of cerebrovascular syndromes.

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Background and Objective: The size of the human body is studied in anthropometry. In the one field of anthropometry, the relation of skull and brain size with body weight and height in human are studied. This study was done to determine the relation between cranial capacity and brain weight with body weight and height in 18-26 years old Iranian students. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done on 286 students (150 females and 136 males) in Arak, Iran. Cranial capacity, brain weight, body weight and height, cerebral index and the ratio of brain to body (cerebral quotient) in 18-26 years old students were measeared. Results: The mean of cranial capacity in males and females were 1393.71 and 1168.71 mm3, respectively (P<0.05). The mean of brain weight in males and females were 1445.19 and 1209.61 gram, respectively (P<0.05). The mean of cerebral index in males and females were 1.99 and 2.2, respectively (P<0.05). Positive statistical correlation was seen between cranial capacity with body weight, height and BMI in both gender. Conclusion: Cranianl capacity and brain weight in males was more than females while cerebral index was more in females.

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Background and Objective: After chronic stress, brain volume and weight reduces and in turn, adrenal weight and volume increases. This study was performed to determine the effect of chronic stress and memantine administration within amygdala on the alterations of brain’s volume and weight ratio to volume and weight of the adrenal gland on male mice.

Methods: In this experimental study, bi- or unilateral amygdala cannulation was preformed stereotaxically. A week after recovery, animals were received different doses of memantine (1, 0.5, and 0.1 µg/mouse), five min before stress induction. Electric foot shock induced to animals for seven consecutive days. At the end of the seventh day, animals were sacrificed and their brain and adrenal glands were fixed in formalin 4%. The volume and weight was determined by mercury immersion and accurate balance respectively.

Results: Stress non- significantly reduced brain’s volume ratio to volume of the adrenal gland and brain’s weight ratio to weight of the adrenal gland. Memantine administration within amygdala inhibited stress effect. Memantine administration in low and medium doses within right and left amygdala significantly increased brain’s volume and weight ratio to volume and weight of the adrenal gland (P<0.05).

Conclusion: Memantine dose and side dependently inhibits the effect of induced stress in male mice. Also, unilateral memantine administration within the left and right amygdala was more effective.

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Background and Objective: The blood–brain barrier (BBB) is considered to be the main barrier to drug transport into the central nervous system. In this study, the capability of biopartitioning micellar chromatography (BMC) using the mixed micellar system of Brij-35/sodium dodecyl sulfate (Brij-35/SDS, 85:15 mol/mol) has been studied to predict pharmacokinetic parameter (BBB penetration ability) of 14 basic drugs.

Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the potential of BMC using mixed micellar system (Brij-35/SDS, 85:15 mol/mol) in 0.04 M at physiological pH 7.4 was evaluated to predict pharmacokinetic parameter (BBB penetration ability) of 14 basic drugs. The regression model for the prediction of blood-brain distribution coefficient is derived from the multiple linear regression analysis using the training set in mixed micellar mobile phase. Also, the predictive ability of model was evaluated for a prediction set of 5 compounds (Chlorpromazine, Mianserin, Propranolol, Cimetidine, and Thioridazine). The fair R2 indicates good stability and predictive ability of the developed model for the drugs not included in modeling.

Results: The relationship between the BMC retention data of 14 basic drugs and their log BB parameter showed a good statistically model (R2=0.822, F=25.42, SE=0.225, R2CV=0.781).

Conclusion: This study points out the usefulness of mixed micellar solution of Brij-35/SDS, 85:15 (mol/mol) in BMC as a high-throughput primary screening tool that can provide key information about the blood-brain distribution of basic drugs in a simple and economical way.

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Background and Objective: The electromagnetic field producer sets in daily life causes concerns about the adverse effects of such waves on human health. This study was done to evaluate the effect of cell phones microwaves on histologic structures of some visceral organs in rat.

Methods: In this experimental study, 80 immature Wistar male rats with weight of 100-140 gram and 5 to 6 weeks age were randomly allocated into 3 experimental groups and one control group. The experimental rats were exposed to cell phones microwaves 5 hours a day for 1, 2 and 3 months. The control group received no radiation. After the experimental period rats were sacrificed and the appropriate tissues of the lung, heart, liver, brain and pancreas were prepared. Sections in 5 µm thicknesses were stained by hematoxylin and eosin and studied microscopically.

Results: Histological changes including edema, inflammatory cell infiltration and cell degeneration in the lung and mild degeneration and coagulation necrosis of the myocardial cells in the heart were observed. Histopthological examination of the liver revealed dilation of central veins and sinusoids, vacuolization of hepatocytes and mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration. Limited changes were observed in pancreas and brain. Histological changes were increased in the groups that were exposed longer period of time to radiation.

Conclusion: This study indicated that the harmful effect of cell phones radiation on rat tissues depending on the duration of exposure.

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Background and Objective: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a development nervous disorder that it is usually caused by a defect in the executive functions of the brain and reduces the amount of attention, accuracy, and increased mobility and impulsive behaviors in the individual. This study was performed to determine the effectiveness of cognitive rehabilitation and cognitive rehabilitation after drug therapy on the executive functions of brains of childrens with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
Methods: In this clinical trial study, 45 children with ADHD were randomly divided into three groups including one control and two intervention groups, were monitored by the education counseling center. Intervention group one (cognitive rehabilitation) and intervention group two (cognitive rehabilitation after medication) were received therapeutic intervention for 12 sessions of 45 minutes, twice a week. No intervention was performed for the control group. After the last treatment session, a post-test was performed. The follow-up phase took place 1.5 months after the end of the last intervention session.
Results: The executive functions of the brains of children with cognitive impairment in the cognitive rehabilitation group and the cognitive rehabilitation group after drug therapy showed a significant increase in comparison with the control group (P<0.05). The executive functions of fertilizer after 1.5 months of follow-up in the cognitive rehabilitation group after drug therapy were higher than in the cognitive rehabilitation group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Cognitive rehabilitation therapy after drug therapy was more effective in treating increased executive functions of the brain in children with cognitive impairment than cognitive rehabilitation therapy alone.

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Background and Objective: Researches has shown that exercise and nutrition exercises can have a different effect on serum Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF( levels and resting blood pressure in young people. This study was done to determine the effect of a period of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with omega-3 supplementation on the serum levels of BDNF and resting blood pressure in inactive male students.
Methods: In this clinical trail study, 32 non-athlete male students were randomly divided into control, supplements, training and training + supplement. Subjects in supplementary group were received daily (2000 mg) of omega-3 capsules. The training groups were also subjected to HIIT training for 6 weeks. The training + Supplemental group also included a combination of the same training program were associated with omega-3 supplementation. BDNF levels were measured by ELISA method 24 and 48 hours perior the exercise protocol and after the last training session. Blood pressure disturbances were also evaluated at the same time and before blood sampling according to the recommendations of the British Heart Association.
Results: The serum levels of BDNF in the group after 6 weeks in the training + supplementation group and the training group increased significantly compared to the pre-test values (P˂0.05). Also, a significant difference between-group training + supplementation group and training, supplementation and control groups were observed (P˂0.05). Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly reduced in training + supplementary, training and supplementation groups compared to pretest values (P˂0.05). A significant reduction in systolic blood pressure in the training + supplementation group was observed compared to supplemental and control groups (P˂0.05).
Conclusion: HIIT combined with supplementation with omega-3 supplementation improved the BDNF serum level and reducing resting blood pressure in inactive male students.

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Background and Objective: Because of tissue variety, signs, symptoms, and higher mortality and morbidity, central nervous system (CNS) tumors are of special importance in diagnosis and treatment. Knowledge of the epidemiology of these tumors helps with health system planning. This study aimed to obtain more data on the epidemiologic specifications of these neoplasms.
Methods: This descriptive-analytical study focuses on 141 patients (58 Male and 83 female) with CNS tumors who visited the 5th Azar Hospital, Gorgan, Iran, during 2013-17. All the data were obtained from hospital medical records in the Neurosurgery and Oncology Department. All demographic data were recorded, such as age, sex, tumor type, signs, symptoms, and risk factors. In cases with incomplete data, the files were completed with interviews and phone calls.
Results: The tumors in 94 (66.6%) patients were benign, and 47 (33.3%) patients had malignant and metastatic tumors. The most common signs were headache (n=43, 30.5%) and convulsion (n=24, 17%). No relationship was found between CNS tumors, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia.
Conclusion: Regarding the high mortality of CNS tumors, early adequate attention to signs and symptoms helps earlier diagnosis. However, more studies on larger samples are needed to find more risk factors.