Nervous System Diseases Commons^™

Plasma Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein Is Elevated In Cognitively Normal Older Adults At Risk Of Alzheimer’S Disease, Pratishtha Chatterjee, Steve Pedrini, Erik Stoops, Kathryn Goozee, Victor L. Villemagne, Prita R. Asih, Inge M. W. Verberk, Preeti Dave, Kevin Taddei, Hamid R. Sohrabi, Henrik Zetterberg, Kaj Blennow, Charlotte E. Teunissen, Hugo M. Vanderstichele, Ralph N. Martins

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2021, The Author(s). Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), an astrocytic cytoskeletal protein, can be measured in blood samples, and has been associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, plasma GFAP has not been investigated in cognitively normal older adults at risk of AD, based on brain amyloid-β (Aβ) load. Cross-sectional analyses were carried out for plasma GFAP and plasma Aβ1–42/Aβ1–40 ratio, a blood-based marker associated with brain Aβ load, in participants (65–90 years) categorised into low (Aβ−, n = 63) and high (Aβ+, n = 33) brain Aβ load groups via Aβ positron emission tomography. Plasma GFAP, Aβ1–42, and Aβ1–40 …

Asymmetric Thinning Of The Cerebral Cortex Across The Adult Lifespan Is Accelerated In Alzheimer’S Disease, James M. Roe, Didac Vidal-Piñeiro, Øystein Sørensen, Andreas M. Brandmaier, Sandra Düzel, Hector A. Gonzalez, Rogier A. Kievit, Ethan Knights, Simone Kühn, Ulman Lindenberger, Athanasia M. Mowinckel, Lars Nyberg, Denise C. Park, Sara Pudas, Melissa M. Rundle, Kristine B. Walhovd, Anders M. Fjell, René Westerhausen, Colin L. Masters, Ashley I. Bush, Christopher Fowler, David Darby, Kelly Pertile, Carolina Restrepo, Blaine Roberts, Jo Robertson, Rebecca Rumble

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

© 2021, The Author(s). Aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are associated with progressive brain disorganization. Although structural asymmetry is an organizing feature of the cerebral cortex it is unknown whether continuous age- and AD-related cortical degradation alters cortical asymmetry. Here, in multiple longitudinal adult lifespan cohorts we show that higher-order cortical regions exhibiting pronounced asymmetry at age ~20 also show progressive asymmetry-loss across the adult lifespan. Hence, accelerated thinning of the (previously) thicker homotopic hemisphere is a feature of aging. This organizational principle showed high consistency across cohorts in the Lifebrain consortium, and both the topological patterns and temporal dynamics …

Core Alzheimer’S Disease Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarker Assays Are Not Affected By Aspiration Or Gravity Drip Extraction Methods, James D. Doecke, Cindy Francois, Christopher J. Fowler, Erik Stoops, Pierrick Bourgeat, Stephanie R. Rainey-Smith, Qiao-Xin Li, Colin L. Masters, Ralph N. Martins, Victor L. Villemagne, Steven J. Collins, Hugo Marcel Vanderstichele

Research outputs 2014 to 2021

Background: CSF biomarkers are well-established for routine clinical use, yet a paucity of comparative assessment exists regarding CSF extraction methods during lumbar puncture. Here, we compare in detail biomarker profiles in CSF extracted using either gravity drip or aspiration. Methods: Biomarkers for β-amyloidopathy (Aβ1–42, Aβ1–40), tauopathy (total tau), or synapse pathology (BACE1, Neurogranin Trunc-p75, α-synuclein) were assessed between gravity or aspiration extraction methods in a sub-population of the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study (cognitively normal, N = 36; mild cognitive impairment, N = 8; Alzheimer’s disease, N = 6). Results: High biomarker concordance between extraction methods was seen …

A Veteran Neurologist’S Book Offers Tools For Navigating The 'Turbulent World' Of Huntington's Disease, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Hyperhomocysteinemia In The Progression Of Parkinson's Disease, Marisa A. Ducach, Pritpal S. Saggu

Physician Assistant Capstones, 2020-current

Abstract:

Objective:To assess the prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in Parkinson’s Disease (PD) and if this elevated serum level can be used as a predictive biomarker in risk assessment for the progression of cognitive decline in PD.

Design:Systematic Literature Review

Methods:A literature search was conducted through Google Scholar and Pubmed using phrases such as, “Parkinson's Disease”, and “homocysteine”, “Parkinson’s progression. Three articles, measuring serum homocysteine levels and cognitive functioning in PD patients, were selected, analyzed, and compared to assess for a relationship between homocysteine levels and cognitive decline in PD.

Results: Elevated homocysteine levels are associated with worse cognitive …

The Role Of Anti-Inflammatory Cytokine Interleukin-10 (Il-10) In Tauopathies, Lea L. Weston

Biomedical Sciences ETDs

Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease, that are associated with pathological accumulation of the microtubule associated protein tau (MAPT, or tau) (Lee et al., 2001). Abnormal hyperphosphorylated tau (pTau) strongly correlate with cognitive impairment (Nelson et al., 2012). Neuroinflammation is also associated with tauopathies (Gerhard et al., 2006b; Edison et al., 2008) and is implicated in driving tau pathology (Yoshiyama et al., 2007, Maphis et al., 2015b). Therefore, it is compelling to understand the role of anti-inflammatory cytokines in limiting neuroinflammation and tau pathology. Interleukin-10 (IL-10) is a well-established anti-inflammatory cytokine with roles in limiting inflammation in the central …

Focal Cortical Dysplasia With Prolonged Ictal Asystole, A Case Report, Ahmad Wali, Fowzia Siddiqui

Section of Neurology

Introduction: Cortical dysplasia carries significant morbidities such as seizures and delayed milestones. Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) causes refractory epilepsy with various seizure types depending on the location and extent of the dysplasia. FCD in the temporal region and the insular cortex may cause ictal bradycardia (IB) and ictal asystole (IA). Video EEG (VEEG) with simultaneous EKG recording can better diagnose these cardiac abnormalities in FCD. We describe a case of refractory epilepsy. The patient's clinical seizures were usually followed by syncope. VEEG revealed frequent seizures some of which were associated with prolonged ictal asystole.
Results: A 15 years old female …

Implementation Of Comprehensive Foot Exams In Primary Care: A Quality Improvement Project, Dora Elia Trevino

Doctor of Nursing Practice

The purpose of this quality improvement project was to increase performance and documentation of provider comprehensive foot exams (CFEs) by 50% among patients with Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in a small clinic in the southwestern United States.

The project leader assessed clinic systems including the electronic health record (EHR) to identify means to increase CFE completion and documentation rate for patients with T2DM being seen for a chronic disease management (CDM) appointment. A process was created to incorporate a hardcopy CFE documentation form into the EHR and create a pop-up care reminder notification system. Staff and the provider were educated …

Systems Genetics And Systems Biology Analysis Of Paraquat Effects In Bxd Recombinant Inbred Mice, Carolina Del Valle Torres Rojas

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

Paraquat (PQ) is a chemical herbicide that is used in many countries including the United States. It is also highly acutely toxic to humans and has been used as a means of suicide. As PQ is applied mainly in agricultural settings, it moves to soil and well water. Chronic low dose exposure via drinking water may have adverse effects on humans, including increased risk for sporadic Parkinson’s disease (sPD). The etiology of sPD is unclear and the most accepted hypothesis states it is the result of the interaction between environmental factors and genetic susceptibility. Increasing evidence led us to infer …

Early Diagnosis Of Alzheimer’S Disease In The Primary Care Setting, Raymond R. Romano

Theses and Dissertations (ETD)

The burden of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) affects not just the individual but also families, providers, and society. Early recognition and diagnosis of AD may reduce cost by reducing interaction with the health care system, earlier initiation of treatment, and prolonging time to long- term care. Primary care providers, the first contact for diagnosis of patients with AD, are not fulfilling the potential of early diagnosis for a variety of reasons. Biomarkers of AD emerge on average 15 to 20 years before clinical diagnosis, yet currently established biomarkers are not easily available in the primary care setting. A growing body of …

Qki-Mediated Cholesterol Biosynthesis In Eye Lens And Myelin Of The Central Nervous System, Seula Shin, Seula Shin

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Cells obtain cholesterol in two ways, de novo biosynthesis and uptake from circulation. While most tissues utilize both sources, eye lens and brain depend extensively on cholesterol biosynthesis due to the limited supply from circulation. Lens cell membrane consists of highest portion of cholesterol. Brain is the most cholesterol-rich organ, which accounts for 23% of total cholesterol. Genetic mutations of cholesterol biosynthesis enzymes in humans and animal models present cataracts and hypomyelinating disorders linked to neurological impairment. Yet, it remains unclear how gene expression of cholesterol biosynthesis is regulated in lens and brain. Therefore, studying cholesterol biosynthesis in both tissues …

Qki-Mediated Cholesterol Biosynthesis In Eye Lens And Myelin Of The Central Nervous System, Seula Shin, Seula Shin

Dissertations and Theses (Open Access)

Cells obtain cholesterol in two ways, de novo biosynthesis and uptake from circulation. While most tissues utilize both sources, eye lens and brain depend extensively on cholesterol biosynthesis due to the limited supply from circulation. Lens cell membrane consists of highest portion of cholesterol. Brain is the most cholesterol-rich organ, which accounts for 23% of total cholesterol. Genetic mutations of cholesterol biosynthesis enzymes in humans and animal models present cataracts and hypomyelinating disorders linked to neurological impairment. Yet, it remains unclear how gene expression of cholesterol biosynthesis is regulated in lens and brain. Therefore, studying cholesterol biosynthesis in both tissues …

After A Horrid Year, Free Streaming Of ‘Dancing At The Vatican' Is An Inspirational Gift And A Call To Aid Huntington's Disease Families, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Diagnosing And Managing Post-Stroke Aphasia, Shannon M. Sheppard, Rajani Sebastian

Communication Sciences and Disorders Faculty Articles and Research

Introduction: Aphasia is a debilitating language disorder and even mild forms of aphasia can negatively affect functional outcomes, mood, quality of life, social participation, and the ability to return to work. Language deficits after post-stroke aphasia are heterogeneous.

Areas covered: The first part of this manuscript reviews the traditional syndrome-based classification approach as well as recent advances in aphasia classification that incorporate automatic speech recognition for aphasia classification. The second part of this manuscript reviews the behavioral approaches to aphasia treatment and recent advances such as noninvasive brain stimulation techniques and pharmacotherapy options to augment the effectiveness of …

Happy Thanksgiving! And Hail To The Pharmaceutical And Biotech Industries – And The Scientists!, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Efficacy And Safety Of Abobotulinumtoxina For Upper Limb Spasticity In Children With Cerebral Palsy: A Randomized Repeat-Treatment Study, Mauricio R. Delgado, Ann Tilton, Jorge Carranzo-Del Rio, Nigar Dursun, Marcin Bonikowski, Resa Aydin, Iwona Maciag-Tymecka, Joyce Oleszek, Edward Dabrowski, Anne-Sophie Grandoulier, Philippe Picaut, The Dysport In Pul Study Group

School of Medicine Faculty Publications

Aim: To assess the efficacy and safety of repeat abobotulinumtoxinA injections in reducing upper limb spasticity in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Method: This was a double-blind, repeat-cycle study (NCT02106351) in children with CP (2–17y). Children were randomized to receive 2U/kg (control), 8U/kg, or 16U/kg abobotulinumtoxinA injections into the target muscle group (wrist or elbow flexors) and additional muscles alongside occupational therapy via a home-exercise therapy program (HETP; minimum five 15min sessions/wk). Children received 8U/kg or 16U/kg plus HETP in cycles 2 to 4. Results: During cycle 1, 210 children (126 males, 84 females; mean age [SD] 9y [4y 5mo], …

Annual Huntington Study Group Meeting Reveals An Hd Community Energized To Aid Families, Develop Treatments, Kenneth P. Serbin

At Risk for Huntington's Disease

No abstract provided.

Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (Cidp) In A Patient With Diabetes: A Primary Care Perspective, Jordan Dever, Adam M. Franks, Laura M. Given, William Rollyson, Adrienne Mays-Kingston

Marshall Journal of Medicine

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a recurrent and progressive disease that causes proximal, symmetrical extremity weakness. The disease is diagnosed using clinical features, electrophysiologic testing, albumino-cytological disassociation in the cerebrospinal fluid, and sural nerve plexus biopsy. However, because of the low sensitivity of diagnostic criteria and other similar neuropathies, including diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), accurate diagnosis is difficult. Differentiating between these diseases is especially important as CIDP’s changes are reversible and DPN’s are not. Making this differentiation allows for symptomatic improvement in a patient’s quality of life that would not be achieved otherwise. Early recognition and treatment, with modalities including …

Anesthetic Use In Status Epilepticus: A Concise Review, Furkan M. Yilmaz, Lauren A. Igneri, Yasir A. Yilmaz, Evren Burakgazi-Dalkilic

Cooper Rowan Medical Journal

The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent literature focusing on intravenous (IV) administration of commonly used anesthetics, including midazolam, pentobarbital/ thiopental, propofol, and ketamine in the treatment of status epilepticus (SE). Anesthetics should be reserved as third-line therapy for the treatment of SE when benzodiazepines and other second-line agents fail to terminate the seizure. We have reviewed the literature related to the treatment of status epilepticus, refractory status epilepticus, super-refractory status epilepticus, anesthetics, midazolam, pentobarbital/thiopental, propofol, and ketamine. This paper focuses on the pharmacology, dosages, major side effects, and clinical use of IV anesthetics in the treatment …

Gains Across Who Dimensions Of Function After Robot-Based Therapy In Stroke Subjects, Jennifer Wu, Lucy Dodakian, Jill See, Erin Burke Quinlan, Lisa Meng, Jeby Abraham, Ellen C. Wong, Vu Le, Alison Mckenzie, Steven C. Cramer

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

Background

Studies examining the effects of therapeutic interventions after stroke often focus on changes in loss of body function/structure (impairment). However, improvements in activities limitations and participation restriction are often higher patient priorities, and the relationship that these measures have with loss of body function/structure is unclear.

Objective

This study measured gains across WHO International Classification of Function (ICF) dimensions and examined their interrelationships.

Methods

Subjects were recruited 11 to 26 weeks after hemiparetic stroke. Over a 3-week period, subjects received 12 sessions of intensive robot-based therapy targeting the distal arm. Each subject was assessed at baseline and at 1 …