Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Mar 2020
Historical ArticleOne hundred years of shared interest.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Feb 2020
ReviewPain and the immune system: emerging concepts of IgG-mediated autoimmune pain and immunotherapies.
The immune system has long been recognised important in pain regulation through inflammatory cytokine modulation of peripheral nociceptive fibres. Recently, cytokine interactions in brain and spinal cord glia as well as dorsal root ganglia satellite glia have been identified important- in pain modulation. The result of these interactions is central and peripheral sensitisation of nociceptive processing. ⋯ Other pain disorders, like complex regional pain disorder, have been associated with IgGs against β2-adrenergic receptor, muscarinic-2 receptors, AChR-nicotinic ganglionic α-3 receptors and calcium channels (N and P/Q types), but less consistently with immune treatment response. Here, we outline how the immune system contributes to development and regulation of pain, review specific IgG-mediated pain disorders and summarise recent development in therapy approaches. Biological agents to treat pain (anti-calcitonin gene-related peptide and anti-nerve growth factor) are also discussed.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Feb 2020
Genetic variants in incident SUDEP cases from a community-based prospective cohort with epilepsy.
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a leading cause of epilepsy-related mortality in young adults. It has been suggested that SUDEP may kill over 20 000 people with epilepsy in China yearly. The aetiology of SUDEP is unclear. Little is known about candidate genes for SUDEP in people of Chinese origin as most studies have ascertained this in Caucasians. No candidate genes for SUDEP in Chinese people have been identified. ⋯ These three genes were previously related to heart disease, providing support to the hypothesis that underlying heart disorder may be a driver of SUDEP risk.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Feb 2020
ReviewMultifocal motor neuropathy: controversies and priorities.
Despite 30 years of research there are still significant unknowns and controversies associated with multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) including disease pathophysiology, diagnostic criteria and treatment. Foremost relates to the underlying pathophysiology, specifically whether MMN represents an axonal or demyelinating neuropathy and whether the underlying pathophysiology is focused at the node of Ranvier. In turn, this discussion promotes consideration of therapeutic approaches, an issue that becomes more directed in this evolving era of precision medicine. ⋯ Anti-GM1 IgM antibodies are identified in at least 40% of patients. There have been recent developments in the use of neuromuscular ultrasound and MRI to aid in diagnosing MMN and in further elucidation of its pathophysiological mechanisms. The present Review will critically analyse the knowledge accumulated about MMN over the past 30 years, culminating in a state-of-the-art approach to therapy.