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Background: Parkinson’s disease, though a common neurodegenerative disease, is still elusive regarding its pathobiology. Neuronal degeneration in the midbrain substantia nigra by excess oxidative stress may play a role. As ceruloplasmin (Cp), a plasma protein is important to maintain intracellular iron homeostasis and reduce cellular oxidative stress, decreased serum Cp level may be an important factor in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in the department of Neurology, BSMMU. Forty-five Parkinson’s disease patients and equal number of controls were selected. Serum ceruloplasmin level was measured in the department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BSMMU. Results: Mean serum Cp level was significantly lower (p-value <0.001) in case (27.64 mg/dl) than in control group (33.10 mg/dl). Conclusion: The association of low serum Cp level with Parkinson’s disease may indicate a possible iron homeostasis abnormality as a pathogenic factor in Parkinson’s disease. Bangladesh Journal of Neuroscience 2018; Vol. 34 (2): 63-65

Background: Stroke is responsible for the highest mortality and disability among adult population in Bangladesh. With a death rate of 125.6 per 100,000 populations, Bangladesh ranks 34th globally for stroke related death. This study was aimed to find out association of plasma BNP with acute ischemic stroke severity which may help in management of these patients. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Neurology, BSMMU, Dhaka from June 2018 to October 2019. Total 45 subjects with history within 7 days and confirmed by CT scan of head or MRI of brain were selected purposively from the Neurology departments of BSMMU, NINS&H and Internal Medicine department of DMCH, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Venous blood samples were collected from these patients and analyzed at the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, BSMMU, Dhaka for estimation of plasma BNP. Results: This study found increased plasma BNP of >100 pg/ml in 31.1 % of acute ischemic stroke patients. Mean plasma BNP level was (74.76±52.96 pg/ml) in acute ischemic stroke patient. Significant negative correlation was found between concentration of plasma BNP and time passed in days from first appearance of stroke symptoms (r = - 0.791; p < 0.001). Conclusion: Plasma BNP level was significantly associated with baseline severity of acute ischemic stroke. Bangladesh Journal of Neuroscience 2018; Vol. 34 (2): 85-91

Background: Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder. Many hypotheses have been put forward for PD pathogenesis including role of lipid metabolism. Methods: This case control study was carried out in the department of neurology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, from April 2018 to September 2019. A total of 90 persons were enrolled as study population after satisfying inclusion and exclusion criteria. Among them, 42 PD patients were grouped as cases and 48 healthy persons were controls. Results: We have compared the mean (±SD) value (mg/dl) of serum lipid variables among the cases and the controls. Serum total cholesterol in PD patients was found lower than that of control group (176.88 ± 41.12 vs 209.27 ± 43.69 mg/dl) which was statistically significant (p = 0.001) and mean (±SD) value (mg/dl) of serum LDL-C in PD patients was also found significantly lower than that of control group (107 .44 ± 39.04 vs 127.40 ± 37.83 mg/dl, p = 0.017). Serum TG levels were also significantly lower among PD patients than that of controls (152.40 ±77.86 vs 206.71 ±94.76 mg/dl, p = 0.04). Serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were statistically similar among cases and controls (39.81 ± 9.79 vs 39.33 ±12.21 mg/dl, p = 0.840). Conclusion: There is an association between low serum TC, LDL-C and TG levels with PD. Further prospective studies are necessary to confirm the association. Bangladesh Journal of Neuroscience 2018; Vol. 34 (2): 66-71

Polyneuropathy is an initial presentation and essential feature of POEMS ( polyneuropathy, organomegaly, endocrinopathy, M-protein, and skin changes) syndrome. Neuropathy is typically distal, symmetric and slowly progressive with demyelinating changes. After a gradual proximal spread, it usually results in severe muscle weakness and functional disabilities. In the present report, we describe a 40-year-old diabetic male presented with gradually progressive weakness of both lower limbs for 1 year followed by the involvement of both upper limbs for the last 3 months. On examination hyperpigmentation, lymphadenopathy, gynecomastia, anasarca, hepatomegaly, bilateral optic disc swelling, sensory-motor polyneuropathy was found. Laboratory findings showed IgG lambda monoclonal gammopathy, raised VEGF, sensory-motor demyelinating and axonal polyneuropathy. All findings were consistent with POEMS syndrome. The patient was treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone cyclical therapy with some clinical improvement. Bangladesh Journal of Neuroscience 2019; Vol. 35 (1): 51-56