Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Oct 2024
Identification of DAGLA as an autoantibody target in cerebellar ataxia.
We aimed to investigate the clinical, imaging and fluid biomarker characteristics in patients with antidiacylglycerol lipase alpha (DAGLA)-autoantibody-associated cerebellitis. ⋯ We propose that anti-DAGLA autoantibodies detected in CSF, with a characteristic tissue IIFA pattern, represent novel biomarkers for rapidly progressive cerebellitis.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Oct 2024
Nigrostriatal blood-brain barrier opening in Parkinson's disease.
The nigrostriatal system is especially vulnerable to neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a limiting factor for delivery of therapeutic agents to the brain. This pilot study aimed to demonstrate safety, feasibility and tissue penetration (by 18F-Choline-positron emission tomography (PET)) of MR-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) simultaneous BBB opening (BBB-O) in the substantia nigra (SN) and putamen in PD. ⋯ BBB-O of the nigrostriatal system is a feasible and well-tolerated approach in patients with PD. 18F-Choline-PET uptake indicates penetration into the parenchyma after BBB-O, which suggests that the opening is functionally effective. This minimally invasive technique could facilitate delivery of putative neurorestorative molecules to brain regions vulnerable to neurodegeneration.
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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
Pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis: genetic, environmental and random mechanisms.
The pathogenesis of multiple sclerosis (MS) requires both genetic factors and environmental events. The question remains, however, whether these factors and events completely describe the MS disease process. This question was addressed using the Canadian MS data, which includes 29 478 individuals, estimated to represent 65-83% of all Canadian patients with MS. ⋯ This analysis explicitly includes all of those genetic factors and environmental events (including their interactions), which are necessary for MS pathogenesis, regardless of whether these factors, events and interactions are known, suspected or as yet unrecognised. Nevertheless, in addition, a 'truly' random mechanism also seems to play a critical role in disease pathogenesis. This observation provides empirical evidence, which undermines the widely-held deterministic view of nature. Moreover, both sexes seem to share a similar genetic and environmental disease basis. If so, then it is this random mechanism, which is primarily responsible for the currently-observed differences in MS disease expression between susceptible women and susceptible men.