Journal of the neurological sciences
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MRI assessments were correlated with serial Combined Mini-Mental Cognitive Capacity Screening Examinations (CMC). Vascular-MCI (VMCI), Neurodegenerative MCI (NMCI) and Parkinson-Lewy body MCI (PLB-MCI) were compared during conversions to dementia. Mild cognitive impairments (MCI) are identifiable prodromes for all dementia subtypes. MRI abnormalities are characterized among MCI subjects prodromal for dementia of Alzheimer's disease (DAT), vascular dementia (VaD) and Parkinson-Lewy body dementia (PLBD). ⋯ This study confirms different MCI subtypes prior to conversion to different dementias listed, recognizable by specific MRI abnormalities.
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The role of tau phosphorylation and tau aggregation in the pathology of a transgenic mouse model that overexpresses GSK-3beta and FTDP-17 tau has been analyzed. In that model we have suggested a possible role for tau phosphorylation, but not for tau aggregation, in the cognitive impairment found in the transgenic mouse.
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The mitochondria have several important functions in the cell. A mitochondrial dysfunction causes an abatement in ATP production, oxidative damage and the induction of apoptosis, all of which are involved in the pathogenesis of numerous disorders. This review focuses on mitochondrial dysfunctions and discusses their consequences and potential roles in the pathomechanism of neurodegenerative disorders. ⋯ In certain disorders, there is a quinolinic acid overproduction, while in others the alterations in brain kynurenic acid levels are more pronounced. A more precise knowledge of these alterations yields a basis for getting better therapeutic possibilities. The last part of the review discusses metabolic disturbances and changes in the kynurenine metabolic pathway in Parkinson's, Alzheimer's and Huntington's diseases.
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Genetic predisposition to stroke has been proven in animal models and in humans. Unraveling the genetic factors that play a role in common stroke is very difficult, as the causation of stroke is multifactorial (a combination of environmental and genetic risk factors) and the genetic part is very complex (polygenic, multiple genes play a role). Many common risk factors for stroke like diabetes and arterial hypertension are partly inherited, so many genetic loci contribute more or less to the stroke phenotype. ⋯ These disorders can serve as models to study environmental or genetic factors that contribute also to the common forms of stroke. Animal model of stroke can also provide valuable information on genetic factors involved in stroke predisposition. In this review, the focus lies on monogenic forms of stroke that can serve as models to study the more common phenotypes.
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Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Vascular Dementia (VaD) are the most common types of dementia and are progressive diseases affecting millions of people. Despite the high sensitivity of MRI to neurological disorders it has not thus far been found to be specific for the detection of either of these pathologies. In the present study high b-value q-space diffusion-weighted MRI (DWI) was applied to VaD and AD. ⋯ This pattern of WM changes may be utilized as a diagnosis criterion. Conventional diffusion tensor imaging did not show significant changes between either of the groups and controls. These results demonstrate the potential of high b-value DWI in the diagnosis of dementia.