MRI lesion distribution criteria for MS, NMOSD and MOGAD differentiation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) can share similar features, posing diagnostic challenges. In this study, we identified sets of conventional MRI lesion distribution criteria proposed for disease differentiation and investigated their clinical utility.

Methods: We searched five electronic databases for English-written and peer-reviewed diagnostic accuracy studies that included brain MRI at least.

Beyond Physical Disability: The Social Cognition Challenges in Quality of Life Among Multiple Sclerosis Patients.

Background/objectives: Social cognition impairment is common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and could implicate the well-being of patients by promoting difficulties in social interactions. This study investigated the relationship between social cognition and quality of life (QoL) in patients with MS (PwMSs).

Methods: In total, 100 PwMSs, enrolled as per distinct criteria, underwent neuropsychological assessment using validated questionnaires and scales.

Clinical Efficacy of a Combined Cognitive-Language Rehabilitation Intervention: Evidence From Greek Patients With Stroke-Induced Aphasia.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to implement a novel intervention program integrating cognitive remediation and traditional speech and language therapy (SLT) in persons with aphasia (PWA) and to assess the effectiveness of this combined program in improving aphasic deficits.

Method: PWA following stroke were assigned to one of two study groups. In the combined treatment group (CTG; n = 12), participants were treated with traditional SLT and computerized cognitive training utilizing the Rehacom rehabilitation software, while the SLT group (SLTG; n = 10) received only traditional SLT targeting both speech comprehension and expression.

The role of microglia in multiple sclerosis: implications for treatment with Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitors.

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease affecting the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by inflammation and neurodegeneration. The pathophysiology of MS, especially its progressive forms, involves various cellular components, including microglia, the primary resident immune cells of the CNS. This review discusses the role of microglia in neuroinflammation, tissue repair, and neural homeostasis, as well as their involvement in MS and explores potential therapeutic strategies targeting microglial function.

Towards Multiple Sclerosis Personalised Interventions Based on Real-World Predictive Analytics.

This study investigates the use of machine learning (ML) techniques to predict intervention response in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) using real-world data from wearable devices. Data from 27 PwMS, monitored over two months were analyzed with several state-of-the-art ML models to predict the efficacy of a computerized cognitive intervention targeting cognitive decline. A model based on Support Vector Machines achieved high accuracy in identifying patient response within the first 2-3 weeks of intervention, aided by feature selection methods like Mutual Information and Recursive Feature Elimination.

The role of complement in the immunopathogenesis of acetylcholine receptor antibody-positive generalized myasthenia gravis: bystander or key player?

The complement system is a key component of the innate immune system. In antiacetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive (Ab+) generalized myasthenia gravis (MG), complement activation has long been considered a principal driver of pathology. Understanding the role of complement in AChR-Ab+ generalized MG has gained increasing importance in recent years, as anticomplement drugs have been approved for clinical use or are undergoing phase II/III clinical trials.

Standardized Definition of Progression Independent of Relapse Activity (PIRA) in Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis.

Importance: Progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) is a significant contributor to long-term disability accumulation in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS). Prior studies have used varying PIRA definitions, hampering the comparability of study results.

Objective: To compare various definitions of PIRA.

Communication deficits in multiple sclerosis: Interactions with cognitive dysfunction and their impact on employment status.

Background: People living with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) are at risk of experiencing communication difficulties that can limit their vocational outcomes.

Objective: To investigate clinical and cognitive variables that may contribute to communication restrictions in PwMS, and to evaluate how these factors affect vocational status.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 502 PwMS underwent clinical and cognitive assessment tasks and were administered self-reported measures assessing fatigue and mood.

Impact of Mast Cell Activation on Neurodegeneration: A Potential Role for Gut-Brain Axis and Infection.

Background: The innate immune response aims to prevent pathogens from entering the organism and/or to facilitate pathogen clearance. Innate immune cells, such as macrophages, mast cells (MCs), natural killer cells and neutrophils, bear pattern recognition receptors and are thus able to recognize common molecular patterns, such as pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), and damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), the later occurring in the context of neuroinflammation. An inflammatory component in the pathology of otherwise "primary cerebrovascular and neurodegenerative" disease has recently been recognized and targeted as a means of therapeutic intervention.

ADNP is essential for sex-dependent hippocampal neurogenesis, through male unfolded protein response and female mitochondrial gene regulation.

Essential for brain formation and protective against tauopathy, activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) is critical for neurogenesis and cognitive functions, while regulating steroid hormone biogenesis. As such, de novo mutations in ADNP lead to syndromic autism and somatic ADNP mutations parallel Alzheimer's disease progression. Furthermore, clinical trials with the ADNP fragment NAP (the investigational drug davunetide) showed efficacy in women suffering from the tauopathy progressive supranuclear palsy and differentially boosted memory in men (spatial) and women (verbal), exhibiting prodromal Alzheimer's disease.

Association of Chronic Periodontitis with Hemorrhagic Stroke: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Periodontitis is a chronic, multifactorial inflammatory condition linked to dysbiotic plaque biofilms and characterized by the gradual destruction of the structures supporting the teeth owing to compromised immune system function. Hemorrhagic stroke, which primarily occurs within the brain tissue or in the subarachnoid space as a blood leak of ruptured vessels, is a sudden neurological impairment caused by vascular damage in the central nervous system, resulting in focal neurological deficits. Chronic periodontitis (CP) and hemorrhagic stroke may share common pathogenic features involving inflammation and immune system activation, prompting researchers to investigate their potential connection.

The mediating role of processing speed on the relationship between executive functions and social cognition in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients.

This study examined the mediating role of processing speed between executive functions and social cognition in 67 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. Executive functions were assessed using the Trail Making Test-Part B (TMT-B) and the Stroop Neuropsychological Screening Test (SNST); social cognition with the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET); and processing speed with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Mediated effects were explored using a series of regression analyses and were further confirmed through bootstrapping procedures.

Recent Advances in Metabolomics and Lipidomics Studies in Human and Animal Models of Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurodegenerative and inflammatory disease of the central nervous system (CNS) that leads to a loss of myelin. There are three main types of MS: relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and primary and secondary progressive disease (PPMS, SPMS). The differentiation in the pathogenesis of these two latter courses is still unclear.

Multiple Sclerosis and Demyelinating Disorders: Past, Present, and Future.

In the past two decades, there has been a considerable increase of our knowledge with regards to the pathophysiology and management of various demyelinating diseases of the central nervous system [...

Targeting CNS myeloid infiltrates provides neuroprotection in a progressive multiple sclerosis model.

Demyelination and axonal injury in chronic-progressive Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are presumed to be driven by a neurotoxic bystander effect of meningeal-based myeloid infiltrates. There is an unmet clinical need to attenuate disease progression in such forms of CNS-compartmentalized MS. The failure of systemic immune suppressive treatments has highlighted the need for neuroprotective and repair-inducing strategies.

Cervical internal carotid artery fenestration: a rare cause of lumen "dissection''.

Purpose: To highlight the clinical and diagnostic importance of correctly identifying cervical internal carotid artery fenestration (fcICA), an extremely rare vascular anomaly, and to present a case where fcICA was initially misdiagnosed as a dissection in a patient with fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD).

Methods: A 47-year-old woman with pulsatile tinnitus underwent computed tomography angiography (CTA) and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) to differentiate between fenestration and dissection of the internal carotid artery.

Results: CTA revealed a fusiform dilatation of the distal C1 segment of the right internal carotid artery (ICA) with a linear filling defect, suggesting either fenestration or dissection.

Neurological Immune-Related Adverse Events Induced by Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors.

The use of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for the treatment of various advanced and aggressive types of malignancy has significantly increased both survival and long-term remission rates. ICIs block crucial inhibitory pathways of the immune system, in order to trigger an aggravated immune response against the tumor. However, this enhanced immune activation leads to the development of numerous immune-related adverse events (irAEs), which may affect any system.

Ovariectomy and High Fat-Sugar-Salt Diet Induced Alzheimer's Disease/Vascular Dementia Features in Mice.

While the vast majority of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is non-familial, the animal models of AD that are commonly used for studying disease pathogenesis and development of therapy are mostly of a familial form. We aimed to generate a model reminiscent of the etiologies related to the common late-onset Alzheimer's disease (LOAD) sporadic disease that will recapitulate AD/dementia features. Naïve female mice underwent ovariectomy (OVX) to accelerate aging/menopause and were fed a high fat-sugar-salt diet to expose them to factors associated with increased risk of development of dementia/AD.

Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor antibodies in autoimmune central nervous system disorders.

Background: Neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are abundant in the central nervous system (CNS), playing critical roles in brain function. Antigenicity of nAChRs has been well demonstrated with antibodies to ganglionic AChR subtypes (i.e.

Systemic LPS Administration Stimulates the Activation of Non-Neuronal Cells in an Experimental Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by deficiency of the survival motor neuron (SMN) protein. Although SMA is a genetic disease, environmental factors contribute to disease progression. Common pathogen components such as lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are considered significant contributors to inflammation and have been associated with muscle atrophy, which is considered a hallmark of SMA.

Cerebellar syndrome: do not miss anti-Tr antibodies testing.

We report a case of a 19-year-old woman with a subacute onset of visual disturbance and gait instability in the last three months. The neurological examination revealed horizontal nystagmus in the lateral gaze with a change of phase. The patient also described double vision in various gaze positions, with no clear opthalmoparesis.

Sex-Specific Differences and the Role of Environmental Enrichment in the Expression of Hippocampal CB Receptors following Chronic Unpredictable Stress.

Stress-related mental disorders have become increasingly prevalent, thus endangering mental health worldwide. Exploring stress-associated brain alterations is vital for understanding the possible neurobiological mechanisms underlying these changes. Based on existing evidence, the brain endogenous cannabinoid system (ECS) plays a significant role in the stress response, and disruptions in its function are associated with the neurobiology of various stress-related disorders.