Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Oct 2024
Multicenter StudyClinical value of plasma ALZpath pTau217 immunoassay for assessing mild cognitive impairment.
Among plasma biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD), pTau181 and pTau217 are the most promising. However, transition from research to routine clinical use will require confirmation of clinical performance in prospective cohorts and evaluation of cofounding factors. ⋯ Plasma pTau217 and pTau181 both correlate with AD, but the fold change in pTau217 makes it better to diagnose cerebral amyloidosis, and predict cognitive decline and conversion to AD dementia.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Oct 2024
ReviewGenetics of inherited peripheral neuropathies and the next frontier: looking backwards to progress forwards.
Inherited peripheral neuropathies (IPNs) encompass a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of disorders causing length-dependent degeneration of peripheral autonomic, motor and/or sensory nerves. Despite gold-standard diagnostic testing for pathogenic variants in over 100 known associated genes, many patients with IPN remain genetically unsolved. Providing patients with a diagnosis is critical for reducing their 'diagnostic odyssey', improving clinical care, and for informed genetic counselling. ⋯ However, the scarcity of additional families and functional data supporting variants in potential novel genes is prolonging patient diagnostic uncertainty and contributing to the missing heritability of IPNs. We review the last decade of IPN disease gene discovery to highlight novel genes, structural variation and short tandem repeat expansions contributing to IPN pathogenesis. From the lessons learnt, we provide our vision for IPN research as we anticipate the future, providing examples of emerging technologies, resources and tools that we propose that will expedite the genetic diagnosis of unsolved IPN families.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Oct 2024
A phase I trial of accelerated intermittent theta burst rTMS for amnestic MCI.
Emerging evidence suggests that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) enhances cognition in mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Accelerated intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) rTMS protocols are promising as they substantially reduce burden by shortening the treatment course, but the safety, feasibility, and acceptability of iTBS have not been established in MCI. ⋯ Our findings support the safety, feasibility, and acceptability of accelerated iTBS in aMCI. In addition, we provide evidence of target engagement in the form of improved cognition following treatment. These promising results directly inform future trials aimed at optimizing treatment parameters.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Oct 2024
Routine CSF parameters as predictors of disease course in multiple sclerosis: an MSBase cohort study.
It remains unclear whether routine cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) parameters can serve as predictors of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease course. ⋯ In RRMS, the presence of CSF OCBs predicts shorter time to disability milestones, whereas CSF pleocytosis could be protective. This could however not be found in PPMS. CSF pleocytosis is associated with short-term inflammatory disease activity in RRMS. CSF analysis provides prognostic information which could aid in clinical and therapeutic decision-making.