Non-invasive neuroimaging plays a crucial role in the assessment of the human spinal cord, but it is quite challenging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important modality to obtain both high-resolution anatomical and functional information concerning the spinal cord. Besides conventional MRI, advanced MRI techniques could provide novel information about the microstructure and neural function of the spinal cord, thereby enhancing the understanding of spinal cord neurology and pathology of various spinal disorders.

Objective: To construct brain tumors and their surrounding anatomical structures through the method of registration, fusion and, three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction based on multimodal image data and to provide the visual information of tumor, skull, brain, and vessels for preoperative evaluation, surgical planning, and function protection.
Methods: The image data of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were collected from fifteen patients with confirmed brain tumors. We reconstructed brain tumors and their surrounding anatomical structures using NeuroTech software.
Results: The whole 3D structures including tumor, brain surface, skull, and vessels were successfully reconstructed based on the CT and MRI images. Reconstruction image clearly shows the tumor size, location, shape, and the anatomical relationship of tumor and surrounding structures. We can hide any reconstructed images such as skull, brain tissue, blood vessles, or tumors. We also can adjust the color of reconstructed images and rotate images to observe the structures from any direction. Reconstruction of brain and skull can be semi transparent to display the deep structure; reconstruction of the structures can be axial, coronal, and sagittal cutting to show relationship among tumor and surrounding structures. The reconstructed 3D structures clearly depicted the tumor features, such as size, location, and shape, and provided visual information of the spatial relationship among its surrounding structures.
Conclusions: The method of registration, fusion, and 3D reconstruction based on multimodal images to provide the visual information is feasible and practical. The reconstructed 3D structures are useful for preoperative assessment, incision design, the choice of surgical approach, tumor resection, and functional protection.

Objective: Use heparin during cardiac arrest (CA) in rabbits and observe the serum intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and hippocampal S100β protein expressions after cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR).
Methods: Thirty-two New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into, Group I, control group; Group II, saline group; Group III, heparin group. Each animal underwent continuous hemodynamic monitoring including mean arterial pressure (MBP), heart rate (HR), and the end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (PetCO₂). Twenty-four hours after resuscitation, serum and hippocampal neurons were collected from all animals. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum ICAM-1 and immunohistochemistry to detect the S100β protein in hippocampal neurons. According to the rate of positive cells, each hippocampal specimen was categorized into four expression levels.
Results: The differences in the serum ICAM-1 concentration in the three groups were statistically significant. The expression of S100β protein in the hippocampus showed eight cases in group I at level 1 and none in groups II and III. There was 1 case in group II and 7 cases in group III at level 2; five cases in group II and 2 cases in group III at level 3; 2 cases in group II and 1 case in group III at level 4. The expression strength of S100β protein in the three groups differed significantly (P < 0.05).
Conclusions: Heparin therapy can reduce the expression of serum ICAM-1 and S100β protein in hippocampal neurons during CPR. It is possible that heparin can have a positive effect on brain protection during CPR.

Pituitary adenoma coexisting with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and carotid aneurysm is extremely rare. CSF rhinorrhea may cause pneumocephalus and intracranial infection. Rupture of the aneurysm may cause fatal consequence. The authors report such a rare case to draw more attentions. A 55-year-old man presented with sexual dysfunction for 2 years. The serum prolactin was tested as 1,600 ng/ml (normal range, 1.39-24.2). Enhanced cranial MR showed an evident lesion at the sellar area, invading the right cavernous sinus. Prolactinoma was diagnosed. He took bromocriptine for one year and received gamma knife therapy thereafter. Four months after the treatment of gamma knife, he got CSF rhinorrhea and nasal bleeding. The endoscopic transnasal-sphenoidal approach was performed to resect the tumor and repair the dura defect. The CSF rhinorrhea stopped after the surgery, however his nasal bleeding continued. The digital subtraction angiography (DSA) showed an aneurysm at the right cavernous internal carotid. The endovascular coil embolization was performed to treat the aneurysm. The patient recovered well. The coexistence of CSF rhinorrhea and pituitary adenoma is a high risk factor for the rupture of cavernous internal carotid aneurysm. When treating patients with pituitary adenoma and CSF rhinorrhea, doctors should exclude the aneurysm. When nasal bleeding occurs, the hemorrhage of internal carotid should be considered, and appropriate measures should be taken immediately.

Objective: Neurocutaneous melanosis (NCM) in adult patients was rare, and few cases had been reported. In this report, we summarized the features of NCM in adult patients for providing useful information about this rare clinical entity.
Methods: In this report, we present a case of a 41-year-old woman, who was eventually diagnosed with NCM with intraspinal malignant melanoma. The clinical features, treatments, and prognosis of cases of NCM in adults were thoroughly reviewed and discussed.
Results: A 41-year-old woman was eventually diagnosed with NCM with intraspinal malignant melanoma. The post-operative course was uneventful and her symptoms significantly improved (VAS: 3 points). However, she developed symptoms of intracranial hypertension and deteriorated rapidly after 11 months of operation, and died 1 month later. To date, only 15 cases of NCM in adults have been reported in the English literature. Analyses showed that the average age was 33.8 years (range 19-65 years), and 11 patients (68.8%) were between 20 and 40 years. A slight male predominance (M:F/11:5) was found. For the 12 cases which detailed follow-up information was available, 9 patients (75%) died, with a survival time ranging from 1 day to 29 months post-operation. Death occurred within the first month of operation in 6 cases (46.2%). The median survival time was 3 months.
Conclusions: We presented a rare case of NCM with intraspinal malignant melanoma in an adult patient. Although rare, this clinical entity causes significant mortality and has poor prognosis.

A logarithmic spiral is a self-similar spiral curve, which often appears in nature, e.g., mollusk shells. In the normal tissues of the human body, the cochlea is also an approximate logarithmic spiral. However, approximate logarithmic spirals are rarely, if ever, reported in tumors. Recently, we treated a 26-year-old woman with a one-year history of headache. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed a possible brain tumor with radiological characteristics similar to a typical logarithmic spiral, which has seldom been observed before. Because of the obvious clinical symptoms and discomfort, as well as the possible presence of an intracranial tumor, we performed a craniotomy and tumor resection. Perioperatively, we found an intact tumor capsule, with contents that appeared like egg-drop soup mixed with hairs. A post-operative pathological diagnosis of a dermoid cyst was made. However, more interestingly, the logarithmic spiral could be described mathematically with a high goodness of fit. In this paper, we present this case with various clinical images.

Post-stroke neuropsychiatric (NP) disorders are common and have complex etiologies. Multiple factors such as lesion location, personality characteristics, socioeconomic status, pre-stroke psychiatric history, and family support are the determining factors in most cases. Although depression and anxiety are more common, emotional incontinence and catastrophic reactions are also frequently observed. Post-stroke depression (PSD) has been associated with an increased risk of stroke recurrence. Despite its serious consequences and high prevalence, PSD remains undetected and untreated. Treatment options of NP disorders depend on severity, presentation at the time of diagnosis, and patient cooperation, and include antidepressants, mood stabilizers, exercise therapy, psychotherapy, and even revascularization. The efficient management of NP disorders improves outcomes, quality of life, and survival rates in post-stroke patients. However, very few studies have identified definitive treatment for these patients; therefore, further research is required.

Barker first used transcranial magnetic stimulation in 1985 in human brain function research. Since then, it has gradually been developed into a secure and non-invasive treatment method for neurological diseases. In 1994, Pascual Leone first used it for the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD) and observed an improvement in the motor symptoms of most of the patients. Recent studies have confirmed that both motor and non-motor symptoms of patients with PD could be improved through biochemical, electrophysiological, and functional magnetic resonance imaging analysis. Different therapeutic applications can be achieved by adjusting the stimulation parameters. Physical factors affecting the therapeutic effect include the shape and size of the coil, array orientation, materials and intensity, frequency of stimulus, etc.; the biological factors include stimulating targets, baseline, circadian rhythms, cerebral cortex thickness, and so on. This paper will review these factors and provide a reference for future research.

With the fast-growing aging population, dementia has become a health priority. However, in the past, medicine was largely dealing with physical disorders, and not enough knowledge and experience have been accumulated for mental health. The main and first symptom of this disorder is the loss of memory; hence, understanding the hippocampal formation is the key to tackling dementia. In 2007, a milestone book titled "Hippocampus Book" was published. One of the authors/editors is the 2014 Nobel Laureate in Physiology and Medicine, Professor John O'Keefe. It is a MUST-READ encyclopedia about the hippocampal formation, for those who wish to commit themselves to helping the patients with dementia. The formation consists of the hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, subiculum, presubiculum, parasubiculum, and dentate gyrus. The hippocampus is further divided into CA1, CA2, and CA3. The entorhinal cortex is the gateway of receiving all sensory information from the neocortex, while the subiculum is the exit for the efferent projections to the neocortex. Memory is divided into short-term and long-term memory. The former does not require protein synthesis while the latter does. The electrophysiological activities of creating these memories are short-term potentiation and long-term potentiation respectively. In most cases, the entorhinal cortex is the first structure to be damaged, and even short-term memory cannot be created. However, all except spatial memory are stored in the neocortex. Damage to the hippocampal formation would not affect the storage and retrieval of memories. Hence, past memories may remain intact in the early phases of the disorder. This devastating progressive disease has no cure. However, the highly plastic hippocampal formation may offer us some hope. It is the responsibility of the pharmaceutical industries to develop new drugs. Clinicians should add their efforts to the endeavor. The author would suggest that they explore insulin-like growth factors, brain stimulation, cell transplantation, and animal-assisted therapy to find some innovative solutions to help patients with dementia. As the current status of neuroscience stands, the animal-assisted therapy seems to stand out among all methods. It alleviates symptoms and stabilizes the ailment.

There were two stages in the history of the studies on ascending reticular activating system of the brain (ARAS). The first stage began with the ARAS discovery by Magoun and Moruzzi and the following investigations using the methods of stimulation and lesion at that time mainly in acute cats. These studies led to the hypothesis of a "diffuse" and "unspecific" ARAS of the brain stem. The second stage was associated with using more precise neurophysiological and histochemical methods mainly in chronically operated free-moving cats and rats. By 2010, the idea of the ARAS as an organized hierarchy of the cerebral "waking centers" distributed along the entire cerebral axis and releasing all the known neuromediators of low molecular weight together with the most important neuropeptides was formulated. To date, the aforementioned hypothesis has been revised again. The glutamatergic activating system has been discovered and described in detail. Presumably, this system is responsible for the appearance of electroencephalogram (EEG) arousal reaction and maintenance of the neocortex in the state of tonic depolarization during wakefulness and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. Its destruction results in a deep comatose-like state. At the same time, the activity of all other "waking centers" is probably the result of the cortical activation.