Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Apr 2014
Atrophy in distinct corticolimbic networks in frontotemporal dementia relates to social impairments measured using the Social Impairment Rating Scale.
Patients with frontotemporal dementia (FTD) often exhibit prominent, early and progressive impairments in social behaviour. We developed the Social Impairment Rating Scale (SIRS), rated by a clinician after a structured interview, which grades the types and severity of social behavioural symptoms in seven domains. In 20 FTD patients, we used the SIRS to study the anatomic basis of social impairments. ⋯ Our findings underscore observations that FTD is associated with heterogeneous social symptoms that can be understood in a refined manner by measuring impairments in component processes subserved by dissociable neural networks. Furthermore, these findings support the validity of the SIRS as an instrument to measure the social symptoms of patients with FTD. Ultimately, we hope it will be useful as a longitudinal outcome measure in natural history studies and in clinical trials of putative interventions to improve social functioning.
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Apr 2014
Autoantibody biomarkers in childhood-acquired demyelinating syndromes: results from a national surveillance cohort.
Autoantibodies to glial, myelin and neuronal antigens have been reported in a range of central demyelination syndromes and autoimmune encephalopathies in children, but there has not been a systematic evaluation across the range of central nervous system (CNS) autoantibodies in childhood-acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS). ⋯ A range of CNS-directed autoantibodies were found in association with childhood ADS. Although these antibodies are clinically relevant when associated with the specific neurological syndromes that have been described, further studies are required to evaluate their roles and clinical relevance in demyelinating diseases.
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Apr 2014
Autocrine MMP-2/9 secretion increases the BBB permeability in neuromyelitis optica.
Pathological breakdown of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is thought to constitute the beginning of the disease process in neuromyelitis optica (NMO). In the current study, we investigated possible molecular mechanisms responsible for the breakdown of BBB using NMO sera. ⋯ The autocrine secretion of MMP-2/9 by BMECs induced by humoral factors, other than IgG, in sera obtained from NMOSD patients potentially increases BBB permeability. IgG obtained from NMOSD sera, apart from anti-AQP4 antibodies, affect the BBB by upregulating VCAM, thereby facilitating the entry of inflammatory cells into the central nervous system.
-
J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Apr 2014
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyEvidence-based patient information programme in early multiple sclerosis: a randomised controlled trial.
To evaluate the efficacy of an evidence-based patient information programme aiming to increase informed choice in patients with early multiple sclerosis (MS). ⋯ The intervention significantly increased informed choice and relevant risk knowledge without negative side effects.