Background: Benzodiazepines (BZDs) are a class of depressant drugs that have enjoyed widespread use
in conventional clinical management of anxiety-related conditions such as panic disorders that require
therapeutic central relaxation and sedation. Meanwhile, prolonged administration of benzodiazepines even
at low doses has however been linked to variety of undesirable effects such as discontinuation relapse with
the associated risk of abuse and dependency. Aim: This study investigated the behavioral, histological
and biochemical outcomes of long-term low dose diazepam use and explored the potential role of nigella
sativa oil (NSO) in the amelioration of the associated side effects. Methods: Adult Wistar rats (n=32)
were randomized into four groups that received normal saline; diazepam; diazepam + NSO; or NSO only,
respectively for 14 days. At the end of the period of the various exposures, the rats were taken through
behavioral paradigms after which they were sacrificed for chemical and histological profiling. Results:
diazepam-exposed rats exhibited stress-related manifestations with relatively poor performance in memory-
related tasks. Repeated diazepam ingestion reduced brain antioxidant biomarkers while causing elevation
of brain oxidative stress markers. On histological observation, mild degenerative changes were evident
in the various brain regions of the diazepam-exposed rats. Conclusion: Interventional nigella sativa oil
administration showed therapeutic potentials by mitigating and reversing the observed effects of diazepam,
largely due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects as observed in the present study.

Background: Pyrethroids pose health risks to humans. Therefore, it is imperative to assess the preventive
benefits of thymoquinone against neurotoxicity induced by cypermethrin- in the hippocampal dentate
gyrus. Methods: Forty male adult Wistar rats with an average weight of 180-200g were randomly allocated
to five (5) groups, and each comprising eight rats (n=8 per group). The groups were designated
as follows, through oral administrations for 14 days: 0.5ml phosphate- buffered saline (PBS) was given
to group one; Group two received 20mg/kg of cypermethrin (CYM); Group three received 10 mg/kg of
thymoquinone (THQ); Group four received 20 mg/kg of cypermethrin followed by 10mg/kg of thymoquinone
(CYM-10mgTHQ); and Group five received 20 mg/kg and 5mg/kg cypermethrin and thymoquinone
respectively (CYM-5 mgTHQ). Behavioral, histological, immunohistochemical, and biochemical analyses
were conducted post-treatment. Results: Cypermethrin administration caused the rise in pro-inflammatory
cytokine TNF-α, Nuclear Factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and increased expression of astrocytes, microglia, and
pro-apoptotic protein Bax. Additionally, cypermethrin reduced levels of anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10
and acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Cytoarchitectural disruption of dentate gyrus were observed.
Cognitive deficits were evident. Thymoquinone treatment attenuated TNF-α and NF-κB elevation, reduced
astrocyte, microglial, and Bax expression, and increased IL-10 and AChE. Conclusion: Thymoquinone
demonstrated anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects against cypermethrin-induced neurotoxicity,
improving cognitive function in rats.

Early childhood is a vital period for brain development, characterized by rapid growth and high plasticity.
Adverse experiences during this time, such as abuse, neglect, violence, and poverty, can significantly affect
neurodevelopment and have lasting impacts on mental health and behavior. This review explores the
influence of early adversity on brain development, emphasizing key mecha-nisms and outcomes. Research
indicates that early adversity causes alterations in brain regions like the prefrontal cortex, amygdala, hippocampus,
and corpus callosum, impairing cognitive functions such as learning, memory, and executive
functioning. Chronic stress disrupts the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, resulting in elevated
cortisol levels that hinder emotional regulation and heighten the risk of mental health disorders such as
depression and anxiety. Epigenetic changes show how adversity can modify gene expression, affecting
brain development without altering the DNA sequence. The repercussions of early adversity include cognitive
deficits, emotional and beha-vioral problems, and social development challenges. However, resilience
factors, including indivi-dual traits and supportive environments, can mitigate these negative impacts.
Robust study designs, such as longitudinal and multidisciplinary approaches, are crucial for understanding
the long-term effects of early adversity. Ethical considerations and precise measurement are vital for
protecting vulnerable populations. Policy implications suggest that findings should inform child welfare,
edu-cation, and mental health policies, focusing on early identification and intervention. Practitioners
should adopt trauma-informed approaches, implement early intervention programs, and support parents
and caregivers. Addressing early childhood adversity is crucial for promoting healthy neu-rodevelopment
and well-being. Comprehensive interventions can reduce adverse effects, support healthy development,
and contribute to a resilient society.

This review explores the intricate relationship between hormonal fluctuations and emotional regulation,
emphasizing the critical role of hormones in mood, stress responses, and psychological well-being. By
examining key hormones involved in emotional regulation—such as those from the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-
Adrenal (HPA) axis, gonadal hormones (estrogen and testosterone), thyroid hormones, oxytocin,
and metabolic hormones like insulin, leptin, and ghrelin—we uncover how these biochemical messengers
impact emotional states and contribute to mood disorders. The paper discusses methodological challenges
and future research directions, highlighting the necessity for interdisciplinary approaches to deepen our
understanding of hormonal influences on emotional regulation.
The review underscores the importance of considering hormonal mechanisms in developing targeted treatments
for mood disorders, advocating for a holistic perspective that bridges endocrinology and psychology.
By integrating current research findings with clinical implications, our objective is to enhance the biological
foundation of emotional regulation, paving the way for innovative therapeutic strategies and improved
mental health care. This comprehensive overview aims not only to consolidate existing knowledge but also
to identify gaps in research, encouraging further exploration into the hormonal underpinnings of emotional
states. Through this endeavor, we aspire to contribute to a broader understanding of emotional regulation,
offering new perspectives on treating mood disorders and enhancing overall emotional well-being.

A hemispherectomy is a surgical procedure in which the basal ganglia are retained but the entire cerebral hemisphere is removed. This technique was used by Dandy in 1928 to remove a glioma. McKenzie, a Canadian doctor, performed the first hemispherectomy on an epileptic patient in 1938. A comprehensive review of the scientific literature was carried out using the recommended guidelines. Using PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews) guidelines, this study carefully evaluated the scholarly
literature on surgical outcomes and treatment regimens. We followed the EXCEL criteria, Rayyan
(Intelligent Systematic Review), and R software. Academic publications were found in databases such as
ScienceDirect and PubMed/MEDLINE Studies published in English up until January 2024. Our study
of epileptic patients with intractable epilepsy involved a total of 1157 patients, of whom 708 underwent
hemispherectomy. Table 1-2-3, and Figure 2,3,4, 5show the patients’ demographic breakdown: 195 patients,
or 27.54%, had cortical dysplasia, seizures, or Rasmussen encephalitis; 305 patients, or 43.08%, had
seizures; 87 patients, or 12.29%, had strokes or Weber syndrome; 449 patients, or 72.8% of the patients,
out of 325 patients, had the Engel type 1 classification; and 232 patients, or 51.67% of the patients, had
Engel type 2. The results of this pediatric systematic review led us to the conclusion that, once an infant’s
nonexistent seizure count is reached, either through conservative or immunoregulatory therapy or brain stimulation,
hemispherectomy is the most stable course of action. Intractable epilepsy is essentially treatable.