Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Dec 2022
ReviewA systematic review of adeno-associated virus gene therapies in neurology: the need for consistent safety monitoring of a promising treatment.
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies are generating much excitement in the rare disease field, particularly for previously untreatable neurological conditions. Efficacy has been claimed for several gene therapy products and the number of trials is rapidly increasing. However, reports of severe treatment-related adverse reactions are emerging, including death. ⋯ We also collate an increasing number of adverse reactions. Overwhelmingly, these results make a case for unified reporting of adverse events. This is likely to be critical for improving the safety of these promising treatments.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Dec 2022
ReviewA systematic review of adeno-associated virus gene therapies in neurology: the need for consistent safety monitoring of a promising treatment.
Adeno-associated virus (AAV) gene therapies are generating much excitement in the rare disease field, particularly for previously untreatable neurological conditions. Efficacy has been claimed for several gene therapy products and the number of trials is rapidly increasing. However, reports of severe treatment-related adverse reactions are emerging, including death. ⋯ We also collate an increasing number of adverse reactions. Overwhelmingly, these results make a case for unified reporting of adverse events. This is likely to be critical for improving the safety of these promising treatments.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Oct 2022
ReviewA novel diagnostic approach for patients with adult-onset dystonia.
Adult-onset dystonia can be acquired, inherited or idiopathic. The dystonia is usually focal or segmental and for a limited number of cases causal treatment is available. In recent years, rapid developments in neuroimmunology have led to increased knowledge on autoantibody-related dystonias. ⋯ The basic principle of the algorithm is that genetic testing is unlikely to lead to changes in management in three groups: (1) patients with an acquired form of adult-onset dystonia; (2) patients with neurodegenerative disorders, presenting with a combined movement disorder including dystonic symptoms and (3) patients with adult-onset isolated focal or segmental dystonia. Throughout the approach, focus lies on early identification of treatable forms of dystonia, either acquired or genetic. This novel diagnostic approach for adult-onset dystonia can help clinicians to decide when to perform additional tests, including genetic testing and facilitates early aetiological diagnosis, to enable timely treatment.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Oct 2022
ReviewA novel diagnostic approach for patients with adult-onset dystonia.
Adult-onset dystonia can be acquired, inherited or idiopathic. The dystonia is usually focal or segmental and for a limited number of cases causal treatment is available. In recent years, rapid developments in neuroimmunology have led to increased knowledge on autoantibody-related dystonias. ⋯ The basic principle of the algorithm is that genetic testing is unlikely to lead to changes in management in three groups: (1) patients with an acquired form of adult-onset dystonia; (2) patients with neurodegenerative disorders, presenting with a combined movement disorder including dystonic symptoms and (3) patients with adult-onset isolated focal or segmental dystonia. Throughout the approach, focus lies on early identification of treatable forms of dystonia, either acquired or genetic. This novel diagnostic approach for adult-onset dystonia can help clinicians to decide when to perform additional tests, including genetic testing and facilitates early aetiological diagnosis, to enable timely treatment.
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J. Neurol. Neurosurg. Psychiatr. · Sep 2022
ReviewEfficacy of deep brain stimulation for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder: systematic review and meta-analysis.
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is an established and growing intervention for treatment-resistant obsessive-compulsive disorder (TROCD). We assessed current evidence on the efficacy of DBS in alleviating OCD and comorbid depressive symptoms including newly available evidence from recent trials and a deeper risk of bias analysis than previously available. PubMed and EMBASE databases were systematically queried using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. ⋯ Secondary analysis revealed a 1 standardised effect size (Hedges' g) reduction in depressive scale symptoms. Both RCTs and non-RCTs were determined to have a predominantly low risk of bias. A strong evidence base supports DBS for TROCD in relieving both OCD and comorbid depression symptoms in appropriately selected patients.