Clinical Research Directory

The Study on the Efficacy of tDCS Stimulation of the Cerebellum Combined With XingNaoJing Injection in Patients With Consciousness Disorders After Cranial Injury

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of tDCS stimulation of cerebellum combined with Xingnaojing on patients with disturbance of consciousness after craniocerebral injury, and to clarify the relationship between the following two points: (1) to clarify whether MMN, P300, fNIRS, BAEP, SEP can be used as objective indicators to distinguish VS from MCS. (2) To clarify the changes of consciousness level and brain function in DoC patients with craniocerebral injury treated with tDCS stimulation of cerebellum combined with Xingnaojing.

Evaluation of Essential Metal Metabolism

Disturbance of consciousness (DoC) is a state in which consciousness is altered following brain damage and can manifest in several conditions that result from the loss of regulation of the neural function of the two components of consciousness, alertness and awareness. It is known that the main causes of disorders of consciousness have important effects on the disruption of essential metal homeostasis. In particular, myocardial infarction and heart failure, ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke and head trauma trigger phenomena of diffuse axonal damage, hypoxia and re-perfusion that profoundly alter the metabolism of cerebral O2 that reacts with essential metals , in Fenton-type reactions whose predominant effect is an extensive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-oxidant molecules. Fe, Cu and zinc (Zn) are essential metals for life: two thirds of the proteins in our body use these metals that play a crucial role as catalysts or structural elements of proteins in various biological processes, such as cellular respiration in mitochondria, the production and maturation of red and white blood cells, the elasticity of connective tissue, the production of myelin and the production of some neurotransmitters. For this reason, the biology of essential metals has a major impact on our health and the disruption of their homeostasis inexorably leads to disease. These metals are very important for the metabolism of the Central Nervous System (CNS) and Cu, in particular, even in adults, is involved in the production of myelin and in the production of some neurotransmitters of the diffuse modulatory systems . Cu is a cofactor of the enzymes dopamine β-hydroxylase, and monoamine oxidase involved in the balance of catecholamines , and is altered in some disorders of Cu metabolism.