The Melanocortin and Endorphin Neuropeptides in Patients with Restless Legs Syndrome.

Objective: Based upon similarities between the urge to move and sensory discomfort of restless legs syndrome (RLS) and properties of melanocortin hormones, including their incitement of movement and hyperalgesia, we assessed plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH) and β-endorphin in RLS patients and controls.

Methods: Forty-two untreated moderate-to-severe RLS patients and 44 matched controls underwent venipuncture at 19:00, 20:30, and 22:00; 37 RLS and 36 controls had lumbar puncture at 21:30. CSF and plasma were analyzed for pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC), adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH), α-MSH, β-MSH, and β-endorphin by immunoassay.

COVID-19 and myocarditis: a brief review.

Cardiovascular complications (especially myocarditis) related to COVID-19 viral infection are not well understood, nor do they possess a well recognized diagnostic protocol as most of our information regarding this issue was derived from case reports. In this article we extract data from all published case reports in the second half of 2020 to summarize the theories of pathogenesis and explore the value of each diagnostic test including clinical, lab, ECG, ECHO, cardiac MRI and endomyocardial biopsy. These tests provide information that explain the mechanism of development of myocarditis that further paves the way for better management.

Subthalamic and Pallidal Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a surgical treatment in which stimulation electrodes are permanently implanted in basal ganglia to treat motor fluctuations and symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). Subthalamic nucleus (STN) and globus pallidus internus (GPi) are the commonly used targets for DBS in PD. Many studies have compared motor and non-motor outcomes of DBS in both targets.