Tooth-in-eye standardized longitudinal radiological CT monitoring: Clinical impact in a fourteen-year series.

Purpose: Report the natural history of laminar resorption quantitatively and qualitatively on serial CT after sight-restoring osteo-odonto-keratoprosthesis (OOKP) surgery, conduct OOKP survival analysis, and describe how standardized CT monitoring using a three-prong approach aids clinical evaluation and management, including decision-making for prophylactic OOKP exchange.

Method: CT data of OOKPs consecutively recruited over a 14-year period since program inception were retrospectively evaluated for laminar resorption on (1) linear measurements, (2) volumetry, (3) cross-sectional imaging and three-dimensional rendering. Findings in relation to ophthalmic complications on clinical follow-up were described, and OOKP Kaplan-Meier survival analysis performed.

Limited value of serum neurofilament light chain in diagnosing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

A biomarker specific for the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis must be sensitive across a spectrum of clinical heterogeneity. Neurofilament light chain levels in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis correlate with the rate of disability progression. Previous attempts to establish a diagnostic role for neurofilament light chain have been limited to comparison with healthy individuals or controls with alternative diagnoses unlikely to be confused with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in real-world clinical practice.

Repeated unilateral handgrip contractions alter functional connectivity and improve contralateral limb response times.

In humans, motor learning is underpinned by changes in sensorimotor network functional connectivity (FC). Unilateral contractions increase FC in the ipsilateral primary motor cortex (M1) and supplementary motor area (SMA); areas involved in motor planning and execution of the contralateral hand. Therefore, unilateral contractions are a promising approach to augment motor performance in the contralateral hand.

Multicentre appraisal of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis biofluid biomarkers shows primacy of blood neurofilament light chain.

The routine clinical integration of individualized objective markers of disease activity in those diagnosed with the neurodegenerative disorder amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a key requirement for therapeutic development. A large, multicentre, clinic-based, longitudinal cohort was used to systematically appraise the leading candidate biofluid biomarkers in the stratification and potential therapeutic assessment of those with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Incident patients diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ( = 258), other neurological diseases ( = 80) and healthy control participants ( = 101), were recruited and followed at intervals of 3-6 months for up to 30 months.

A nudge towards better lumbar puncture practice.

Background: Despite a body of evidence demonstrating reduced incidence of post-lumbar puncture headache associated with pencil-point (vs bevelled-edge) needles, their use remains variable in the UK.

Methods: A multimodal longitudinal intervention was performed over a 12-month period at a tertiary neurology referral centre. In addition to simulation training using pencil-point needles and an electronic documentation pro forma, a change in the default needles presented in clinical environments was performed.

Therapeutic non-invasive brain stimulation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: rationale, methods and experience.

The neurodegenerative syndrome amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterised by increased cortical excitability, thought to reflect pathological changes in the balance of local excitatory and inhibitory neuronal influences. Non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) has been shown to modulate cortical activity, with some protocols showing effects that outlast the stimulation by months. NIBS has been suggested as a potential therapeutic approach for disorders associated with changes in cortical neurophysiology, including ALS.

Vascular tortuosity in relationship with hypertension and posterior fossa volume in hemifacial spasm.

Background: Hemifacial spasm (HFS) is a disabling neurological condition. Vascular tortuosity in HFS patients has not been quantified objectively and its relationship with hypertension and posterior fossa volume (PF) is unknown. In a case control magnetic resonance imaging and angiographic (MRI/A) study, we quantified and compared the vascular tortuosity in HFS and controls, and evaluated its relationship with hypertension and PF.