Precise spinal cord and nerve root decompression is crucial for treating cervical disc herniation. Decompression of the lateral nerve root portion can be a blind procedure, potentially causing insufficient decompression.

Therapeutic Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling (FESC) involves the application of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) that is synchronized with the cycling motion, thus facilitating a harmonized activation of the lower limb musculature that mirrors the cyclical movements associated with locomotion. Electrical impulses are transmitted through electrodes strategically placed on the epidermis over the designated muscle groups. Post-stroke lower limb impairments often manifest as muscle weakness, irregular muscle coactivation, and compromised joint torque coupling during gait and posture, which can diminish the flexibility of the cortical motor network, ultimately resulting in restricted motor behavior and impaired walking functionality. The repetitive characteristics of the cycling exercise are believed to foster motor learning while enhancing muscle strength, endurance, and coordination. In terms of functional outcomes, FES cycling has demonstrated benefits in enhancing overall mobility and daily living activities. Clinical trials have reported improvements in gait speed, symmetry and balance which can translate to better performance in tasks such as walking and standing. This paper reviews the evidences for lower limb FES cycling in stroke population, mechanisms of action, implications for clinical practice and technological advancements.

Altered mentation is a frequent but challenging clinical presentation with causes comprising infections, trauma, stroke, toxins, dyshomeostasis and very rarely, autoimmune encephalitis (AIE). AIE is characterized by neuropsychiatric symptoms and antibodies against several neural proteins; one such protein being contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2).

Therapeutic Functional Electrical Stimulation Cycling (FESC) involves the application of Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) that is synchronized with the cycling motion, thus facilitating a harmonized activation of the lower limb musculature that mirrors the cyclical movements associated with locomotion. Electrical impulses are transmitted through electrodes strategically placed on the epidermis over the designated muscle groups. Post-stroke lower limb impairments often manifest as muscle weakness, irregular muscle coactivation, and compromised joint torque coupling during gait and posture, which can diminish the flexibility of the cortical motor network, ultimately resulting in restricted motor behavior and impaired walking functionality. The repetitive characteristics of the cycling exercise are believed to foster motor learning while enhancing muscle strength, endurance, and coordination. In terms of functional outcomes, FES cycling has demonstrated benefits in enhancing overall mobility and daily living activities. Clinical trials have reported improvements in gait speed, symmetry and balance which can translate to better performance in tasks such as walking and standing. This paper reviews the evidences for lower limb FES cycling in stroke population, mechanisms of action, implications for clinical practice and technological advancements.

We examine the relationship between substance use disorder (SUD) and schizophrenia, emphasizing the role of dopaminergic neurotransmission and genetic predispositions within the context of Reward Deficiency Syndrome (RDS). Our hypothesis posits that a deficiency in gamma-type endorphins leads to persistent hyperdopaminergic activity, amplifying schizophrenia-related symptoms such as hallucinations. Thus, alcohol use may function as a physiological self-healing mechanism by increasing gamma-endorphin levels, thereby mitigating dopaminergic hyperactivity. Additionally, we propose that the DRD2 Taq1 A2 allele could offer protection against SUD in certain individuals with schizophrenia, whereas the Taq1 A1 allele may heighten susceptibility to SUD due to impaired dopaminergic reward processing. The proposed dual genetic pathways arise from the independent yet interrelated genetic bases of SUD and schizophrenia, both involving the dopamine system. Epidemiological studies reveal that psychiatric comorbidity correlates with heightened psychopathology, risky behaviors, and diminished psychosocial performance. Further advanced research, including neuroimaging, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and epigenetic analyses, is needed to unravel the dopaminergic mecha- nisms underlying SUD and schizophrenia. Understanding these genetic links may pave the way for precise interventions tailored to specific subpopulations. The findings extend the conceptualization of RDS as a framework for understanding psychiatric and addic- tive disorders, reinforcing the critical role of dopamine dysregulation in their etiology.

Multifamily groups have demostrated their effectiveness in different clinical and healthcare setting, primarily in patients with mental health problems. However, their benefits in patients with acquired brain damage have been little investigated. Interfamily therapy is base don dialogic practices and attachment. However, due to the intrinsic characteristics of our simple, we sought to delve deeper into the concept of emphaty( focusing primarily on perspective- taking and empathic concern, as mesoured by an interpesonal Reactivity Index (IRI) assesemnt intrument). Using multifamily therapy, we aimed to investigat, in a simple of 34 patients, whether imporvementes in empathy accurred after attending 10 sessiones. We also sought to explore the level of satisfac- tion with multifamily therapy.