BACKGROUND: High-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) has been found to ameliorate cognitive impairment. However, the effects of HF-rTMS remain unknown in chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH).
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of HF-rTMS on cognitive improvement and its potential mechanisms in CCH mice.
METHODS: Daily HF-rTMS therapy was delivered after bilateral carotid stenosis (BCAS) and continued for 14 days. The mice were randomly assigned to three groups: the sham group, the model group, and the HF-rTMS group. The Y maze and the new object recognition test were used to assess cognitive function. The expressions of MAP-2, synapsis, Myelin basic protein(MBP), and brain-derived growth factors (BDNF) were analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and western blot to evaluate neuronal plasticity and white matter myelin regeneration. Nissl staining and the expression of caspase-3, Bax, and Bcl-2 were used to observe neuronal apoptosis. In addition, the activation of microglia and astrocytes were evaluated by fluorescence staining. The inflammation levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and Tumor Necrosis Factor(TNF)-α were detected by qPCR in the hippocampus of mice in each group.
RESULTS: Via behavioral tests, the BCAS mice showed reduced a rate of new object preference and decreased a rate of spontaneous alternations, while HF-rTMS significantly improved hippocampal learning and memory deficits. In addition, the mice in the model group showed decreased levels of MAP-2, synapsis, MBP, and BDNF, while HF-rTMS treatment reversed these effects. As expected, activated microglia and astrocytes increased in the model group, but HF-rTMS treatment suppressed these changes. HF-rTMS decreased BCAS-induced neuronal apoptosis and the expression of pro-apoptotic protein (Caspase-3 and Bax) and increased the expression of anti-apoptotic protein (Bcl-2). In addition, HF-rTMS inhibited the expression of inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α).
CONCLUSIONS: HF-rTMS alleviates cognitive impairment in CCH mice by enhancing neuronal plasticity and inhibiting inflammation, thus serving as a potential method for vascular cognitive impairment.

Bilateral carotid artery stenosis in the context of subclavian steal syndrome is an extremely rare finding. We report the case of a 75-year-old woman who presented with a transient ischemic attack. Bilateral internal carotid stenosis associated with left subclavian steal syndrome was diagnosed. Left internal carotid endarterectomy was performed under locoregional anesthesia. Inflation of a blood pressure cuff reversed the neurologic symptoms that appeared after internal carotid clamping. This rarely reported case remains a challenge to diagnose and treat because of its complex mechanisms and multiple risk factors. Our case highlights the importance of the surgical strategy adopted and the need for a good initial assessment.

We present a case of an adult with concurrent severe aortic coarctation, bilateral carotid artery stenosis, and anomalous right subclavian artery, posing the interventional dilemma of accepting potential cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome vs hypoperfusion ischemic injury. Transcatheter stenting of the aortic coarctation was successfully performed without any neurological deficits. (Level of Difficulty: Beginner.).

Transient ischemic attack (TIA) shakes can present as epilepsy which could lead to misdiagnosis. When a patient present with neurological findings we must ensure our differentials remain broad. As a physician, we must ensure our role in analyzing the full clinical picture of our patients. We present the case of a 75-year-old man with multiple comorbidities who presented with limb shaking and seizure-like symptoms and who was found to have bilateral carotid stenosis. After finding bilateral carotid stenosis, it ultimately led to the diagnosis of \"TIA Shakes.\" Overall, this case re-emphasizes the importance of diagnosis and correctly managing our patients.

OBJECTIVE: The treatment strategy for bilateral carotid stenosis (BCS) is not clear. We report our experience of treating 12 patients with BCS using separate carotid artery stenting (CAS) using the restrict protective method. The order of treatment site and the protective method are also discussed.
METHODS: Between April 2012 and November 2016, 24 lesions in 12 patients (range, 44-83 years; mean, 71 years; 1 woman) underwent CAS at Kariya Toyota General Hospital. These cases were reviewed retrospectively. In all cases, CAS was first performed on the more severely stenosed site. All procedures were performed using the proximal protective method involving balloons and a filter device. We took into consideration adverse events including death from any cause, major stroke within 30 days, and death between 30 days and 1 year later from any stroke.
RESULTS: All procedures were successfully performed under local anesthesia. There was not a single case that showed intolerance during flow arrest to prevent distal embolisms. We observed no adverse events, restenosis, or recurrent symptoms during follow-up.
CONCLUSIONS: Good outcomes can be achieved in patients with BCS when attempting separate CAS using the restrict protective method.

BACKGROUND: Carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and carotid stenting (CAS) are beneficial procedures for patients with high-grade cervical carotid stenosis. However, it is sometimes difficult to manage patients with bilateral carotid stenosis. To decide the treatment strategy, one of the most important questions is whether contralateral stenosis increases the risk of patients undergoing CEA.
METHODS: This retrospective study included 201 patients with carotid stenosis who underwent a total of 219 consecutive procedures (CEA 189/CAS 30). We retrospectively analyzed outcomes in patients with carotid stenosis who were treated with either CEA or CAS and evaluated whether or not contralateral lesions increases the risk of patients undergoing CEA or CAS. Furthermore, we retrospectively verified our treatment strategy for bilateral carotid stenosis.
RESULTS: The incidences of perioperative complications were 5.3% in the CEA patients and 6.7% in the CAS patients, respectively. There was no significant difference between these 2 groups. The existences of contralateral occlusion and/or contralateral stenosis were not associated with perioperative complications in both the groups. There were 32 patients with bilateral severe carotid stenosis (>50%). Of those, 13 patients underwent bilateral revascularizations; CEA followed by CEA in 8, CEA followed by CAS in 3, CAS followed by CEA + coronary artery bpass grafting in 1, and CAS followed by CAS in 1.
CONCLUSIONS: Our date showed that the existence of contralateral carotid lesion was not associated with perioperative complications, and most of our cases with bilateral carotid stenosis initially underwent CEA.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to estimate the correlation of echodensity and textural features, using ultrasound and digital image analysis, between plaques in patients with bilateral carotid stenosis.
METHODS: Cross-sectional observational study.
METHODS: Patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy were recruited from Vascular Surgery at the Royal Victoria and Jewish General hospitals in Montreal, Canada. Bilateral pre-operative carotid ultrasound and digital image analysis was performed to extract echodensity and textural features using a commercially available Plaque Texture Analysis software (LifeQMedical Ltd). Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed. Partial correlation coefficients for PCA and individual imaging variables between surgical and contralateral plaques were calculated with adjustment for age, sex, contralateral stenosis, and statin use.
RESULTS: In the whole group (n = 104), the six identified PCA variables and 42/50 individual imaging variables were moderately correlated (r = .211-.641). Correlations between sides were increased in patients with ≥50% contralateral stenosis and symptomatic patients.
CONCLUSIONS: Textural and echodensity features of carotid plaques were similar between two sides in patients with bilateral stenosis, supporting the notion that plaque instability is determined by systemic factors. Patients with unstable features of one plaque should perhaps be monitored more closely or treated more aggressively for their contralateral stenosis, particularly if this is hemodynamically significant.