Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 2023
Genetically determined serum serine level has a novel causal effect on multiple sclerosis risk and predicts disability progression.
There are currently no specific biomarkers for multiple sclerosis (MS). Identifying robust biomarkers for MS is crucial to improve disease diagnosis and management. ⋯ These findings support investigating serine as an important candidate biomarker for MS onset and disability progression.
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 2023
Multicenter StudySpinal cord reserve in multiple sclerosis.
The spinal cord (SC) is a preferential target of multiple sclerosis (MS) damage highly relevant towards disability. Differential impact of such damage could be due to the initial amount of SC tissue, as described for the brain parenchyma (brain reserve concept). We aimed to test the existence of SC reserve by using spinal canal area (SCaA) as a proxy. ⋯ A larger SCaA may be protective against disability in MS, possibly supporting the existence of SC reserve.
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 2023
Observational StudyPrognostic biomarkers in prodromal α-synucleinopathies: DAT binding and REM sleep without atonia.
Isolated rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behaviour disorder (iRBD) is a prodromal state of clinical α-synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease and Lewy body dementia. The lead-time until conversion is unknown. The most reliable marker of progression is reduced striatal dopamine transporter (DAT) binding, but low availability of imaging facilities limits general use. Our prospective observational study aimed to relate metrics of REM sleep without atonia (RWA)-a hallmark of RBD-to DAT-binding ratios in a large, homogeneous sample of patients with RBD to explore the utility of RWA as a marker of progression in prodromal α-synucleinopathies. ⋯ In this large single-centre prospective observational study, we found evidence that DAT-binding ratios in patients with iRBD can be used to describe a continuum in the neurodegenerative process. Overlap with non-synucleinopathies and clinical α-synucleinopathies, however, precludes the use of DAT-binding ratios as a precise diagnostic marker. The parallel course of RWA metrics and DAT-binding ratios suggests in addition to existing data that RWA, part of the routine diagnostic workup in these patients, may represent a marker of progression. Based on our findings, we suggest ranges of RWA values to estimate whether patients are in an early, medium or advanced state within the prodromal phase of α-synucleinopathies, providing them with important information about time until possible conversion.
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 2023
Multiple sclerosis mortality in New Zealand: a nationwide prospective study.
Mortality data from Europe and North America show a shorter life expectancy for people with multiple sclerosis (MS). It is not known if a similar mortality risk exists in the southern hemisphere. We analysed the mortality outcomes of a comprehensive New Zealand (NZ) MS cohort, 15 years postrecruitment. ⋯ New Zealanders with MS have a median survival age 7.2 years lower than the general population and twice the mortality risk. The survival gap was greater for progressive-onset disease and for those with an early age of onset.
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Jul 2023
Molecules of senescent glial cells differentiate Alzheimer's disease from ageing.
Ageing is a major risk factor for Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is accompanied by cellular senescence and thousands of transcriptional changes in the brain. ⋯ Our findings demonstrated the different patterns of CSF biomarkers related to senescent glial cells between normal ageing and AD, implicating these biomarkers could identify the road node in healthy path off to neurodegeneration and improve the accuracy of clinical AD diagnosis, which would help promote healthy ageing.