These results demonstrate the facilitation of memory encoding which is an important feature for the construction of an implantable neural prosthetic to improve human memory.

The main objective was to review the evidence for management of epilepsy associated with hypothalamic hamartomas. We performed a systemic review of the literature through July 2012 that studied patients with hypothalamic hamartomas and related epilepsy. Articles meeting selection criteria were rated according to the American Academy of Neurology classification of evidence scheme. Recommendations were linked to the strength of the evidence and as follows: (a) precocious puberty is associated more with the pedunculated type and epilepsy typified by gelastic seizures with the sessile form of hypothalamic hamartomas (class III); (b) significant behavioral and cognitive deficits are associated with patients with hypothalamic hamartomas (class III); (c) video electroencephalography (EEG) findings are extremely variable particularly across the different ages and do not affect surgical outcome (class III); d) various surgical techniques (transcallosal and endoscopic resection) resulted in 49% to 54% seizure freedom, 15% with a pterional approach as well as about 40% with radiosurgery (class III).

Background and purpose: Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and oxygen metabolism (rCMRO 2 ) in whole brain, white matter, gray matter and lenticular nuclei were studied in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) as well as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND).Methods: Treatment-naïve PLHIV underwent neurocognitive assessment and magnetic resonance (MR) measurement of rCBF and rCMRO 2 with repeat after 12 months of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Age-and sex-matched controls underwent single MR measurements. Regional CBF and rCMRO 2 were compared amongst symptomatic, asymptomatic, normal HAND and controls using analysis of variance. Longitudinal analysis of HAND worsening (≥1 category) was assessed after 12 months of ART and correlated with rCBF and rCMRO 2 measured by MR imaging using the paired-sample t test.Results: Thirty PLHIV completed baseline and 12-month assessments (29 with rCMRO 2 measurement). At baseline HAND assessment, 13% had no cognitive impairment, 27% had asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment, 60% had mild neurocognitive disorder and none had HIV-associated dementia. At 12 months, 13% had no cognitive impairment, 20% had asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment, 50% had mild neurocognitive disorder and 17% had HIV-associated dementia. In those without HAND worsening (N = 21) rCMRO 2 remained stable and in those with HAND worsening (N = 8) rCMRO 2 measurement declined from baseline to 12 months in white matter (2.05 ± 0.40 to 1.73 ± 0.51, p = 0.03) and lenticular nuclei (4.32 ± 0.39 to 4.00 ± 0.51, p = 0.05). Conclusions:In recently diagnosed PLHIV, no association was found between rCBF or rCMRO 2 and cognitive impairment at baseline. There was a reduction in rCMRO 2 in those with worsening of cognitive function at 12 months on ART. Reduction in rCMRO 2 may be a biomarker of cognitive decline in PLHIV.