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Purkartova Z, Krakorova K, Babuska V, Tuma J, Houdek Z, Roy Choudhury N, Kapl S, Kolinko Y, Sucha M, Porras-Garcia E, Kralickova M, Cendelin J. Quantification of Solid Embryonic Cerebellar Graft Volume in a Degenerative Ataxia Model. CEREBELLUM (LONDON, ENGLAND) 2024:10.1007/s12311-024-01676-z. [PMID: 38430389 DOI: 10.1007/s12311-024-01676-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
Substitution of lost neurons by neurotransplantation would be a possible management of advanced degenerative cerebellar ataxias in which insufficient cerebellar reserve remains. In this study, we examined the volume and structure of solid embryonic cerebellar grafts in adult Lurcher mice, a model of olivocerebellar degeneration, and their healthy littermates. Grafts taken from enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-positive embryos were injected into the cerebellum of host mice. Two or six months later, the brains were examined histologically. The grafts were identified according to the EGFP fluorescence in frozen sections and their volumes were estimated using the Cavalieri principle. For gross histological evaluation, graft-containing slices were processed using Nissl and hematoxylin-eosin staining. Adjustment of the volume estimation approach suggested that it is reasonable to use all sections without sampling, but that calculation of values for up to 20% of lost section using linear interpolation does not constitute substantial error. Mean graft volume was smaller in Lurchers than in healthy mice when examined 6 months after the transplantation. We observed almost no signs of graft destruction. In some cases, compact grafts disorganized the structure of the host's cerebellar cortex. In Lurchers, the grafts had a limited contact with the host's cerebellum. Also, graft size was of greater variability in Lurchers than in healthy mice. The results are in compliance with our previous findings that Lurcher phenotype-associated factors have a negative effect on graft development. These factors can hypothetically include cerebellar morphology, local tissue milieu, or systemic factors such as immune system abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdenka Purkartova
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Kristyna Krakorova
- Department of Neurology, Faculty Hospital in Pilsen and Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Vaclav Babuska
- Department of Medical Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Tuma
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Plzen, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Zbyněk Houdek
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Nilpawan Roy Choudhury
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Stepan Kapl
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Yaroslav Kolinko
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
- Laboratory of Quantitative Histology, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Martina Sucha
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Plzen, Czech Republic
| | - Elena Porras-Garcia
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cellular Biology, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain
| | - Milena Kralickova
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Cendelin
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Alej Svobody 76, 323 00, Plzen, Czech Republic.
- Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Biomedical Center, Faculty of Medicine in Pilsen, Charles University, Pilsen, Czech Republic.
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Cassidy E, Naylor S, Reynolds F. The meanings of physiotherapy and exercise for people living with progressive cerebellar ataxia: an interpretative phenomenological analysis. Disabil Rehabil 2017; 40:894-904. [DOI: 10.1080/09638288.2016.1277400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Cassidy
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Sandra Naylor
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
| | - Frances Reynolds
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Health and Life Sciences, Brunel University London, Uxbridge, United Kingdom
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Jones TM, Shaw JD, Sullivan K, Zesiewicz TA. Treatment of cerebellar ataxia. Neurodegener Dis Manag 2014; 4:379-92. [DOI: 10.2217/nmt.14.27] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
SUMMARY Symptoms of cerebellar degeneration include ataxia or wide-based gait, visual and speech dysfunction, dysmetria, and dyscoordination. The etiology of cerebellar degeneration is vast and often complex, and requires neuroimaging, lab assessments, and a thorough family history to delineate its cause. There is currently no accepted treatment of hereditary cerebellar degeneration, although several pharmaceutical agents have shown potential promise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tracy M Jones
- Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- James A Haley Veterans Administration Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Jessica D Shaw
- Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- James A Haley Veterans Administration Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Kelly Sullivan
- Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- James A Haley Veterans Administration Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA
| | - Theresa A Zesiewicz
- Department of Neurology, USF Ataxia Research Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA
- James A Haley Veterans Administration Hospital, Tampa, FL, USA
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Daker-White G, Greenfield J, Ealing J. "Six sessions is a drop in the ocean": an exploratory study of neurological physiotherapy in idiopathic and inherited ataxias. Physiotherapy 2013; 99:335-40. [PMID: 23507342 DOI: 10.1016/j.physio.2013.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2012] [Accepted: 02/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE An exploratory study to examine specialist neurological physiotherapy service provision and utilisation for people with progressive ataxia. DESIGN Qualitative study involving thematic analysis of accounts in semi-structured interviews with physiotherapists and patients. SETTING People with ataxia and specialist neuro-rehabilitation physiotherapists in Greater Manchester, UK. PARTICIPANTS 38 people with ataxia and 8 neurological-physiotherapists working in academic and hospital and community-based services in NHS and private settings. Recruiting physiotherapists experienced in working with the patient group was a challenge. INTERVENTIONS One hour cross-sectional semi-structured interview at physiotherapists' workplaces or in patients' own homes. RESULTS Neurological physiotherapy was experienced by 25 (66%) of the 38 people with ataxia. The overarching themes emerging from the analysis were 'making a difference,' engagement and service provision. A majority of both samples felt that services should be organised so as to provide longer term therapy and support that goes beyond short care packages followed by provision of home exercise programme. Engagement with services was linked to patient expectations, adherence and perception of outcomes. The most predominant codes in the data set were encapsulated by the theme 'making a difference,' which further included concerns about how to measure perceived clinical improvement (as experienced by patients) in the context of progressive decline. CONCLUSIONS The findings suggest a model of idealised service provision involving a holistic, open-access service including research efforts to improve the evidence base. Special attention needs to be paid to measuring improvements following therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gavin Daker-White
- Centre for Primary Care, Institute of Population Health, 5th Floor, Williamson Building, University of Manchester, Oxford Road, Manchester M13 9PL, United Kingdom.
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Hall DA, O'keefe JA. Fragile x-associated tremor ataxia syndrome: the expanding clinical picture, pathophysiology, epidemiology, and update on treatment. TREMOR AND OTHER HYPERKINETIC MOVEMENTS (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2012; 2. [PMID: 23439567 PMCID: PMC3570061 DOI: 10.7916/d8hd7tds] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2011] [Accepted: 11/21/2011] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X-associated tremor/ataxia syndrome (FXTAS) is a progressive degenerative movement disorder characterized by kinetic tremor, cerebellar gait ataxia, parkinsonism, and cognitive decline. This disorder occurs in both males and females, frequently in families with children who have fragile X syndrome. The clinical features of this disorder, both classic and newly described, are summarized in this paper. In screening studies, fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene premutation (55–200 CGG) expansions are most frequently seen in men with ataxia who have tested negative for spinocerebellar ataxias. Since the original description, the classic FXTAS phenotype has now been reported in females and in carriers of smaller (45–54 CGG) and larger (>200 CGG) expansions in FMR1. Premutation carriers may present with a Parkinson disease phenotype or hypotension, rather than with tremor and/or ataxia. Parkinsonism and gait ataxia may also be seen in individuals with gray zone (41–54 CGG) expansions. Studies regarding medication to treat the symptoms in FXTAS are few in number and suggest that medications targeted to specific symptoms, such as kinetic tremor or gait ataxia, may be most beneficial. Great progress has been made in regards to FXTAS research, likely given the readily available gene test and the screening of multiple family members, including parents and grandparents, of fragile X syndrome children. Expansion of genotypes and phenotypes in the disorder may suggest that a broader disease definition might be necessary in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah A Hall
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University, Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
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