Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology
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As a biomarker of axonal injury, neurofilament light chain (NFL) in multiple system atrophy (MSA) patients and Parkinson's disease (PD) patients has been investigated by numerous studies. However, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) NFL changes are conflicting in MSA patients relative to PD patients to date. Therefore, the current study was carried out to find out possible heterogeneity sources. ⋯ Therefore, CSF NFL increased in MSA patients relative to PD patients. Meta-regression showed that NFL was associated with α-synuclein in CSF of MSA patients relative to healthy controls. Due to the influence of heterogeneity sources, more prospective large sample studies are still needed to assess CSF NFL changes in MSA patients relative to PD patients.
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Meta Analysis
Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for the treatment of traumatic brain injury: a meta-analysis.
Compelling evidence suggests the advantage of hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in traumatic brain injury. The present meta-analysis evaluated the outcomes of HBOT in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Prospective studies comparing hyperbaric oxygen therapy vs. control in patients with mild (GCS 13-15) to severe (GCS 3-8) TBI were hand-searched from medical databases using the terms "hyperbaric oxygen therapy, traumatic brain injury, and post-concussion syndrome". ⋯ The results of eight studies (average age of patients, 23-41 years) reveal a higher post-treatment GCS score in the HBOT group (pooled difference in means = 3.13, 95 % CI 2.34-3.92, P < 0.001), in addition to greater improvement in GOS and lower mortality, as compared to the control group. However, no significant change in the PTSD score was observed. Patients undergoing hyperbaric therapy achieved significant improvement in the GCS and GOS with a lower overall mortality, suggesting its utility as a standard intensive care regimen in traumatic brain injury.
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Recent studies show that heterozygous variant of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) increase the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) but with inconclusive results. Here, we conducted a meta-analysis to summarize and clarify the association between TREM2 variants and AD, and examined the relationship between TREM2 genetic variant and the etiology of AD. Relevant case-control studies were retrieved and collected according to established inclusion criteria. ⋯ In overall meta-analysis, the summary ORs for rs75932628, rs104894002, and rs143332484 were 2.70 [95% CI: 2.24, 3.24; P < 0.001], 7.21 (95% CI: 1.28, 40.78; P = 0.025), and 1.65 (95% CI: 1.24, 2.21; P = 0.001), respectively, indicating that the TREM2 rs75932628, rs104894002, and rs143332484 may contribute to AD risk. However, sensitivity analysis showed that the results of rs104894002 and rs143332484 should be interpreted with caution, and larger sample size, particularly in different ethnicities, are needed to validate the two variants. The current meta-analysis demonstrates that TREM2 is a candidate gene for AD susceptibility, and TREM2 variant rs75932628 may be a risk factor for AD.
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Review Meta Analysis
Vitamin D status and Parkinson's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
To estimate the associations between vitamin D status and Parkinson's disease (PD). We searched electronic databases of the human literature in PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library up to February, 2014 using the following keywords: 'vitamin D' or '25(OH)D' and 'status' or 'deficiency' or 'insufficiency' and 'Parkinson's disease'. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted on observational studies that reported the association between blood vitamin D levels and PD. ⋯ Patients with vitamin D insufficiency [25(OH)D level <75 nmol/l] had an increased risk of PD (OR 1.5, 95 % CI 1.1-2.0). Patients with vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D level <50 nmol/l] experienced a twofold increased risk of PD (OR 2.2, 95 % CI 1.5-3.4). Low vitamin D levels are associated with an increased risk of PD.
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Review Meta Analysis
Voxelwise meta-analysis of white matter abnormalities in progressive supranuclear palsy.
White matter deficits constitute one element of the network dysfunction that underlies progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). Cumulative evidence of white matter abnormalities in patients with PSP has been reported using voxel-based morphometry (VBM), but these studies have not been quantitatively reviewed and not all findings have been entirely concordant. Whole-brain VBM studies comparing PSP patients with healthy controls (HC) were systematically searched in the PubMed and EMABSE databases from January 1990 to April 2013. ⋯ No WMV increase was reported. Meta-regression showed both MMSE and UPDRS III scores correlated with WM changes in the regions from bilateral midbrain to basal ganglia. Our findings provide evidence for white matter atrophy in the midbrain, pons and several regions near the basal ganglia, representing the main pathophysiology of PSP.