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Nijs M, Van Damme P. The genetics of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Curr Opin Neurol 2024; 37:560-569. [PMID: 38967083 PMCID: PMC11377058 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000001294] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has a strong genetic basis, but the genetic landscape of ALS appears to be complex. The purpose of this article is to review recent developments in the genetics of ALS. RECENT FINDINGS Large-scale genetic studies have uncovered more than 40 genes contributing to ALS susceptibility. Both rare variants with variable effect size and more common variants with small effect size have been identified. The most common ALS genes are C9orf72 , SOD1 , TARDBP and FUS . Some of the causative genes of ALS are shared with frontotemporal dementia, confirming the molecular link between both diseases. Access to diagnostic gene testing for ALS has to improve, as effective gene silencing therapies for some genetic subtypes of ALS are emerging, but there is no consensus about which genes to test for. SUMMARY Our knowledge about the genetic basis of ALS has improved and the first effective gene silencing therapies for specific genetic subtypes of ALS are underway. These therapeutic advances underline the need for better access to gene testing for people with ALS. Further research is needed to further map the genetic heterogeneity of ALS and to establish the best strategy for gene testing in a clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Nijs
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Leuven Brain Institute, University of Leuven (KU Leuven)
| | - Philip Van Damme
- Laboratory of Neurobiology, Department of Neuroscience, Leuven Brain Institute, University of Leuven (KU Leuven)
- Neurology Department, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Liu X, Zhang X, Chang T, Zhao Z, Zhang Y, Yang X, Lu M. Causal relationships between genetically predicted particulate air pollutants and neurodegenerative diseases: A two-sample Mendelian randomization study. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 284:116960. [PMID: 39208585 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 08/26/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Accumulating observational studies have linked particulate air pollutants to neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). However, the causal links and the direction of their associations remain unclear. Therefore, we adopted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (TSMR) design using the GWAS-based genetic instruments of particulate air pollutants (PM2.5 and PM10) from the UK Biobank to explore their causal influence on four common neurodegenerative diseases. Estimates of causative relationships were generated by the Inverse variance weighted (IVW) method with multiple sensitive analyses. The heterogeneity and pleiotropy tests were additionally performed to verify whether our findings were robust. Genetically predicted PM2.5 and PM10 could elevate the occurrence of AD (odds ratio [OR] = 2.22, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.53-3.22, PIVW = 2.85×10-5, PFalsediscovery rate[FDR]= 2.85×10-4 and OR = 2.41, 95 % CI: 1.26-4.60, PIVW = 0.008, PFDR=0.039, respectively). The results were robust in sensitive analysis. However, no evidence of causality was found for other NDDs. Our present study suggests that PM2.5 and PM10 have a detrimental effect on AD, which indicates that improving air quality to prevent AD may have pivotal public health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjie Liu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xuening Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China; Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Tongmin Chang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Zengle Zhao
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Yuan Zhang
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiaorong Yang
- Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China; Clinical Research Center of Shandong University, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
| | - Ming Lu
- Department of Epidemiology and Health Statistics, School of Public Health, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China; Clinical Epidemiology Unit, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China; Clinical Research Center of Shandong University, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China.
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3
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Lescouzères L, Patten SA. Promising animal models for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis drug discovery: a comprehensive update. Expert Opin Drug Discov 2024; 19:1213-1233. [PMID: 39115327 DOI: 10.1080/17460441.2024.2387791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons. Several animal models have been generated to understand ALS pathogenesis. They have provided valuable insight into disease mechanisms and the development of therapeutic strategies. AREAS COVERED In this review, the authors provide a concise overview of simple genetic model organisms, including C. elegans, Drosophila, zebrafish, and mouse genetic models that have been generated to study ALS. They emphasize the benefits of each model and their application in translational research for discovering new chemicals, gene therapy approaches, and antibody-based strategies for treating ALS. EXPERT OPINION Significant progress is being made in identifying new therapeutic targets for ALS. This progress is being enabled by promising animal models of the disease using increasingly effective genetic and pharmacological strategies. There are still challenges to be overcome in order to achieve improved success rates for translating drugs from animal models to clinics for treating ALS. Several promising future directions include the establishment of novel preclinical protocol standards, as well as the combination of animal models with human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Lescouzères
- INRS - Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC, Canada
- Early Drug Discovery Unit, Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Shunmoogum A Patten
- INRS - Centre Armand Frappier Santé Biotechnologie, Laval, QC, Canada
- Departement de Neurosciences, Université de Montréal, Montreal, Canada
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Faggioli G, Menotti L, Marchesin S, Chió A, Dagliati A, de Carvalho M, Gromicho M, Manera U, Tavazzi E, Di Nunzio GM, Silvello G, Ferro N. An extensible and unifying approach to retrospective clinical data modeling: the BrainTeaser Ontology. J Biomed Semantics 2024; 15:16. [PMID: 39210467 PMCID: PMC11363415 DOI: 10.1186/s13326-024-00317-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Automatic disease progression prediction models require large amounts of training data, which are seldom available, especially when it comes to rare diseases. A possible solution is to integrate data from different medical centres. Nevertheless, various centres often follow diverse data collection procedures and assign different semantics to collected data. Ontologies, used as schemas for interoperable knowledge bases, represent a state-of-the-art solution to homologate the semantics and foster data integration from various sources. This work presents the BrainTeaser Ontology (BTO), an ontology that models the clinical data associated with two brain-related rare diseases (ALS and MS) in a comprehensive and modular manner. BTO assists in organizing and standardizing the data collected during patient follow-up. It was created by harmonizing schemas currently used by multiple medical centers into a common ontology, following a bottom-up approach. As a result, BTO effectively addresses the practical data collection needs of various real-world situations and promotes data portability and interoperability. BTO captures various clinical occurrences, such as disease onset, symptoms, diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, and relapses, using an event-based approach. Developed in collaboration with medical partners and domain experts, BTO offers a holistic view of ALS and MS for supporting the representation of retrospective and prospective data. Furthermore, BTO adheres to Open Science and FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles, making it a reliable framework for developing predictive tools to aid in medical decision-making and patient care. Although BTO is designed for ALS and MS, its modular structure makes it easily extendable to other brain-related diseases, showcasing its potential for broader applicability.Database URL https://zenodo.org/records/7886998 .
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Affiliation(s)
- Guglielmo Faggioli
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Laura Menotti
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Stefano Marchesin
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy.
| | - Adriano Chió
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R, Rome, Italy
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Cittá della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Arianna Dagliati
- Department of Industrial and Information Engineering, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Gromicho
- Faculdade de Medicina, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Umberto Manera
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | | | | | - Gianmaria Silvello
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
| | - Nicola Ferro
- Department of Information Engineering, University of Padova, Padova, Italy
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Lempel N, Shelly S, Chorin O, Rock R, Eliyahu A, Finezilber Y, Poran H, Feinstein-Goren N, Segev M, Reznik-Wolf H, Barel O, Orion D, Anis S, Regev M, Yonath H, Dominissini D, Blatt I, Hassin-Baer S, Dori A, Pras E, Greenbaum L. The yield of genetic workup for middle-aged and elderly patients with neurological disorders in a real-world setting. J Neurol Sci 2024; 463:123074. [PMID: 38968664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2024.123074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Genetic workup is becoming increasingly common in the clinical assessment of neurological disorders. We evaluated its yield among middle-aged and elderly neurological patients, in a real-world context. This retrospective study included 368 consecutive Israeli patients aged 50 years and older (202 [54.9%] males), who were referred to a single neurogenetics clinic between 2017 and mid-2023. All had neurological disorders, without a previous molecular diagnosis. Demographic, clinical and genetic data were collected from medical records. The mean age at first genetic counseling at the clinic was 62.3 ± 7.8 years (range 50-85 years), and the main indications for referral were neuromuscular, movement and cerebrovascular disorders, as well as cognitive impairment and dementia. Out of the 368 patients, 245 (66.6%) underwent genetic testing that included exome sequencing (ES), analysis of nucleotide repeat expansions, detection of specific mutations, targeted gene panel sequencing or chromosomal microarray analysis. Overall, 80 patients (21.7%) received a molecular diagnosis due to 36 conditions, accounting for 32.7% of the patients who performed genetic testing. The diagnostic rates were highest for neuromuscular (58/186 patients [31.2%] in this group, 39.2% of 148 tested individuals) and movement disorders (14/79 [17.7%] patients, 29.2% of 48 tested), but lower for other disorders. Testing of nucleotide repeat expansions and ES provided a diagnosis to 28/73 (38.4%) and 19/132 (14.4%) individuals, respectively. Based on our findings, genetic workup and testing are useful in the diagnostic process of neurological patients aged ≥50 years, in particular for those with neuromuscular and movement disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noga Lempel
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Shahar Shelly
- Department of Neurology, Rambam Medical Center, Haifa, Israel; Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Haifa, Israel; Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, United States of America
| | - Odelia Chorin
- The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Rachel Rock
- The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Aviva Eliyahu
- The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Yael Finezilber
- The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Hana Poran
- The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Neta Feinstein-Goren
- The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Meirav Segev
- The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Haike Reznik-Wolf
- The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Ortal Barel
- The Genomics Unit, Sheba Cancer Research Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - David Orion
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Neurology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Saar Anis
- Department of Neurology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Movement Disorders Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Miriam Regev
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Hagith Yonath
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Department of Internal Medicine A, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Dan Dominissini
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; The Genomics Unit, Sheba Cancer Research Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; The Wohl Institute for Translational Medicine, Sheba Cancer Research Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Ilan Blatt
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sharon Hassin-Baer
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Neurology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; Movement Disorders Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Amir Dori
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; Department of Neurology, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Elon Pras
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel
| | - Lior Greenbaum
- Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel; The Danek Gertner Institute of Human Genetics, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel; The Joseph Sagol Neuroscience Center, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
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6
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Vaage AM, Meyer HE, Landgraff IK, Myrstad M, Holmøy T, Nakken O. Physical Activity, Fitness, and Long-Term Risk of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Prospective Cohort Study. Neurology 2024; 103:e209575. [PMID: 38924713 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000209575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Observational studies have demonstrated an increased amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) risk among professional athletes in various sports. For moderately increased levels of physical activity and fitness, the results are diverging. Through a cohort study, we aimed to assess the relationship between indicators of physical activity and fitness (self-reported physical activity and resting heart rate) and long-term ALS risk. METHODS From a large Norwegian cardiovascular health survey (1985-1999), we collected information on self-reported physical activity in leisure time, resting heart rate, and other cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with ALS were identified through health registries covering the whole population. We fitted Cox proportional hazard models to assess the risk of ALS according to levels of self-reported physical activity in 3 categories (1: sedentary; 2: minimum 4 hours per week of walking or cycling; 3: minimum 4 hours per week of recreational sports or hard training), and resting heart rate modeled both on the continuous scale and as quartiles of distribution. RESULTS Out of 373,696 study participants (mean 40.9 [SD 1.1] years at inclusion), 504 (41.2% women) developed ALS during a mean follow-up time of 27.2 (SD 5.0) years. Compared with participants with the lowest level of physical activity, the hazard ratio was 0.71 (95% CI 0.53-0.95) for those with the highest level. There were no clear associations between resting heart rate and ALS in the total sample. In men, the hazard ratio of ALS was 0.71 (95% CI 0.53-0.95) for those reporting moderate levels of physical activity and 0.59 (95% CI 0.42-0.84) for those reporting high levels, compared with those reporting low levels. Men with resting heart rate in the lowest quartile had 32% reduced risk of ALS (hazard ratio 0.68, 95% CI 0.49-0.94) compared with those in the second highest quartile. In women, no association was detected between neither self-reported levels of physical activity nor resting heart rate and ALS risk. DISCUSSION Indicators of high levels of physical activity and fitness are associated with a reduced risk of ALS more than 30 years later in men, but not in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anders M Vaage
- From the Department of Neurology (A.M.V., T.H., O.N.), Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog; Institute of Clinical Medicine (A.M.V., T.H.), University of Oslo; Department of Physical Health and Ageing (H.E.M.), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo; Department of Community Medicine and Global Health (H.E.M.), University of Oslo; and Department of Internal Medicine (I.K.L., M.M.), and Department of Medical Research (M.M.), Bærum Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Gjettum, Norway
| | - Haakon E Meyer
- From the Department of Neurology (A.M.V., T.H., O.N.), Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog; Institute of Clinical Medicine (A.M.V., T.H.), University of Oslo; Department of Physical Health and Ageing (H.E.M.), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo; Department of Community Medicine and Global Health (H.E.M.), University of Oslo; and Department of Internal Medicine (I.K.L., M.M.), and Department of Medical Research (M.M.), Bærum Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Gjettum, Norway
| | - Ida K Landgraff
- From the Department of Neurology (A.M.V., T.H., O.N.), Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog; Institute of Clinical Medicine (A.M.V., T.H.), University of Oslo; Department of Physical Health and Ageing (H.E.M.), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo; Department of Community Medicine and Global Health (H.E.M.), University of Oslo; and Department of Internal Medicine (I.K.L., M.M.), and Department of Medical Research (M.M.), Bærum Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Gjettum, Norway
| | - Marius Myrstad
- From the Department of Neurology (A.M.V., T.H., O.N.), Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog; Institute of Clinical Medicine (A.M.V., T.H.), University of Oslo; Department of Physical Health and Ageing (H.E.M.), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo; Department of Community Medicine and Global Health (H.E.M.), University of Oslo; and Department of Internal Medicine (I.K.L., M.M.), and Department of Medical Research (M.M.), Bærum Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Gjettum, Norway
| | - Trygve Holmøy
- From the Department of Neurology (A.M.V., T.H., O.N.), Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog; Institute of Clinical Medicine (A.M.V., T.H.), University of Oslo; Department of Physical Health and Ageing (H.E.M.), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo; Department of Community Medicine and Global Health (H.E.M.), University of Oslo; and Department of Internal Medicine (I.K.L., M.M.), and Department of Medical Research (M.M.), Bærum Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Gjettum, Norway
| | - Ola Nakken
- From the Department of Neurology (A.M.V., T.H., O.N.), Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog; Institute of Clinical Medicine (A.M.V., T.H.), University of Oslo; Department of Physical Health and Ageing (H.E.M.), Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo; Department of Community Medicine and Global Health (H.E.M.), University of Oslo; and Department of Internal Medicine (I.K.L., M.M.), and Department of Medical Research (M.M.), Bærum Hospital, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Gjettum, Norway
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Castelli L, Vasta R, Allen SP, Waller R, Chiò A, Traynor BJ, Kirby J. From use of omics to systems biology: Identifying therapeutic targets for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:209-268. [PMID: 38802176 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.02.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a heterogeneous progressive neurodegenerative disorder with available treatments such as riluzole and edaravone extending survival by an average of 3-6 months. The lack of highly effective, widely available therapies reflects the complexity of ALS. Omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomic and proteomics have contributed to the identification of biological pathways dysregulated and targeted by therapeutic strategies in preclinical and clinical trials. Integrating clinical, environmental and neuroimaging information with omics data and applying a systems biology approach can further improve our understanding of the disease with the potential to stratify patients and provide more personalised medicine. This chapter will review the omics technologies that contribute to a systems biology approach and how these components have assisted in identifying therapeutic targets. Current strategies, including the use of genetic screening and biosampling in clinical trials, as well as the future application of additional technological advances, will also be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lydia Castelli
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Rosario Vasta
- ALS Expert Center,'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States
| | - Scott P Allen
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Rachel Waller
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Adriano Chiò
- ALS Expert Center,'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Bryan J Traynor
- Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States; RNA Therapeutics Laboratory, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, NIH, Rockville, MD, United States; National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, United States; Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, United States; Reta Lila Weston Institute, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology,University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Janine Kirby
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom; Neuroscience Institute, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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8
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Huang TN, Shih YT, Yen TL, Hsueh YP. Vcp overexpression and leucine supplementation extend lifespan and ameliorate neuromuscular junction phenotypes of a SOD1G93A-ALS mouse model. Hum Mol Genet 2024; 33:935-944. [PMID: 38382647 PMCID: PMC11102594 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddae022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Many genes with distinct molecular functions have been linked to genetically heterogeneous amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), including SuperOxide Dismutase 1 (SOD1) and Valosin-Containing Protein (VCP). SOD1 converts superoxide to oxygen and hydrogen peroxide. VCP acts as a chaperon to regulate protein degradation and synthesis and various other cellular responses. Although the functions of these two genes differ, in the current report we show that overexpression of wild-type VCP in mice enhances lifespan and maintains the size of neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) of both male and female SOD1G93A mice, a well-known ALS mouse model. Although VCP exerts multiple functions, its regulation of ER formation and consequent protein synthesis has been shown to play the most important role in controlling dendritic spine formation and social and memory behaviors. Given that SOD1 mutation results in protein accumulation and aggregation, it may direct VCP to the protein degradation pathway, thereby impairing protein synthesis. Since we previously showed that the protein synthesis defects caused by Vcp deficiency can be improved by leucine supplementation, to confirm the role of the VCP-protein synthesis pathway in SOD1-linked ALS, we applied leucine supplementation to SOD1G93A mice and, similar to Vcp overexpression, we found that it extends SOD1G93A mouse lifespan. In addition, the phenotypes of reduced muscle strength and fewer NMJs of SOD1G93A mice are also improved by leucine supplementation. These results support the existence of crosstalk between SOD1 and VCP and suggest a critical role for protein synthesis in ASL. Our study also implies a potential therapeutic treatment for ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tzyy-Nan Huang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec 2, Academia Rd, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yu-Tzu Shih
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec 2, Academia Rd, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan, ROC
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Tzu-Li Yen
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec 2, Academia Rd, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Ping Hsueh
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128 Sec 2, Academia Rd, Taipei, 11529, Taiwan, ROC
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9
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Karafoulidou E, Kesidou E, Theotokis P, Konstantinou C, Nella MK, Michailidou I, Touloumi O, Polyzoidou E, Salamotas I, Einstein O, Chatzisotiriou A, Boziki MK, Grigoriadis N. Systemic LPS Administration Stimulates the Activation of Non-Neuronal Cells in an Experimental Model of Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Cells 2024; 13:785. [PMID: 38727321 PMCID: PMC11083572 DOI: 10.3390/cells13090785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
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. In this study, we used the SMNΔ7 experimental mouse model of SMA to scrutinize the effect of systemic LPS administration, a strong pro-inflammatory stimulus, on disease outcome. Systemic LPS administration promoted a reduction in SMN expression levels in CNS, peripheral lymphoid organs, and skeletal muscles. Moreover, peripheral tissues were more vulnerable to LPS-induced damage compared to CNS tissues. Furthermore, systemic LPS administration resulted in a profound increase in microglia and astrocytes with reactive phenotypes in the CNS of SMNΔ7 mice. In conclusion, we hereby show for the first time that systemic LPS administration, although it may not precipitate alterations in terms of deficits of motor functions in a mouse model of SMA, it may, however, lead to a reduction in the SMN protein expression levels in the skeletal muscles and the CNS, thus promoting synapse damage and glial cells' reactive phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleni Karafoulidou
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Health Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (E.K.); (P.T.); (C.K.); (M.-K.N.); (I.M.); (O.T.); (E.P.); (I.S.)
| | - Evangelia Kesidou
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Health Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (E.K.); (P.T.); (C.K.); (M.-K.N.); (I.M.); (O.T.); (E.P.); (I.S.)
| | - Paschalis Theotokis
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Health Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (E.K.); (P.T.); (C.K.); (M.-K.N.); (I.M.); (O.T.); (E.P.); (I.S.)
| | - Chrystalla Konstantinou
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Health Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (E.K.); (P.T.); (C.K.); (M.-K.N.); (I.M.); (O.T.); (E.P.); (I.S.)
| | - Maria-Konstantina Nella
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Health Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (E.K.); (P.T.); (C.K.); (M.-K.N.); (I.M.); (O.T.); (E.P.); (I.S.)
| | - Iliana Michailidou
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Health Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (E.K.); (P.T.); (C.K.); (M.-K.N.); (I.M.); (O.T.); (E.P.); (I.S.)
| | - Olga Touloumi
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Health Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (E.K.); (P.T.); (C.K.); (M.-K.N.); (I.M.); (O.T.); (E.P.); (I.S.)
| | - Eleni Polyzoidou
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Health Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (E.K.); (P.T.); (C.K.); (M.-K.N.); (I.M.); (O.T.); (E.P.); (I.S.)
| | - Ilias Salamotas
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Health Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (E.K.); (P.T.); (C.K.); (M.-K.N.); (I.M.); (O.T.); (E.P.); (I.S.)
| | - Ofira Einstein
- Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ariel University, Ariel 40700, Israel;
| | - Athanasios Chatzisotiriou
- Department of Physiology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Marina-Kleopatra Boziki
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Health Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (E.K.); (P.T.); (C.K.); (M.-K.N.); (I.M.); (O.T.); (E.P.); (I.S.)
| | - Nikolaos Grigoriadis
- Laboratory of Experimental Neurology and Neuroimmunology, 2nd Neurological University Department, AHEPA General Hospital of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Health Science, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece; (E.K.); (E.K.); (P.T.); (C.K.); (M.-K.N.); (I.M.); (O.T.); (E.P.); (I.S.)
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10
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Canosa A, Cabras S, Di Pede F, Manera U, Vasta R, Moglia C, Calvo A, Gallone S, Chiò A. A mother and her daughter carrying a pathogenic expansion of the HTT gene with a phenotype encompassing motor neuron disease and Huntington's disease. Clin Genet 2024; 105:430-433. [PMID: 38092667 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 12/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2024]
Abstract
Recently, pathogenic expansions (range 40-64 CAG repeats) in the HTT gene have been found in patients diagnosed with pure frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD/ALS). We report a mother with Huntington's disease (HD) associated with motor neuron disease (MND) signs and her daughter suffering from ALS with subtle signs of HD, both carrying a pathogenic allele of the HTT gene (i.e., >39 repeats). The co-occurrence of MND and chorea has been reported in previous cases. Subjects showing both ALS and HD signs and carrying HTT pathogenic expansions in two generations of the same kindred have never been reported so far. The study of the overlap of disease mechanisms at the cellular level between TDP-43 and Huntingtin is relevant in an era offering promising strategies of targeted treatments in neurodegenerative disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Canosa
- ALS Centre, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- SC Neurologia 1U, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R, Rome, Italy
| | - Sara Cabras
- ALS Centre, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- University of Camerino, Centre for Neuroscience, Camerino, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Pede
- ALS Centre, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Umberto Manera
- ALS Centre, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- SC Neurologia 1U, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Rosario Vasta
- ALS Centre, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- ALS Centre, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- SC Neurologia 1U, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- ALS Centre, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- SC Neurologia 1U, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), Turin, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gallone
- SC Neurologia 1U, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Adriano Chiò
- ALS Centre, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- SC Neurologia 1U, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R, Rome, Italy
- Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT), Turin, Italy
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11
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Martin EJ, Santacruz C, Mitevska A, Jones IE, Krishnan G, Gao FB, Finan JD, Kiskinis E. Traumatic injury causes selective degeneration and TDP-43 mislocalization in human iPSC-derived C9orf72-associated ALS/FTD motor neurons. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.21.586073. [PMID: 38585915 PMCID: PMC10996466 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.21.586073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/09/2024]
Abstract
A hexanucleotide repeat expansion (HRE) in C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, patients with the HRE exhibit a wide disparity in clinical presentation and age of symptom onset suggesting an interplay between genetic background and environmental stressors. Neurotrauma as a result of traumatic brain or spinal cord injury has been shown to increase the risk of ALS/FTD in epidemiological studies. Here, we combine patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with a custom-built device to deliver biofidelic stretch trauma to C9orf72 patient and isogenic control motor neurons (MNs) in vitro. We find that mutant but not control MNs exhibit selective degeneration after a single incident of severe trauma, which can be partially rescued by pretreatment with a C9orf72 antisense oligonucleotide. A single incident of mild trauma does not cause degeneration but leads to cytoplasmic accumulation of TDP-43 in C9orf72 MNs. This mislocalization, which only occurs briefly in isogenic controls, is eventually restored in C9orf72 MNs after 6 days. Lastly, repeated mild trauma ablates the ability of patient MNs to recover. These findings highlight alterations in TDP-43 dynamics in C9orf72 ALS/FTD patient MNs following traumatic injury and demonstrate that neurotrauma compounds neuropathology in C9orf72 ALS/FTD. More broadly, our work establishes an in vitro platform that can be used to interrogate the mechanistic interactions between ALS/FTD and neurotrauma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eric J. Martin
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - Citlally Santacruz
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Angela Mitevska
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Ian E. Jones
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Gopinath Krishnan
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - Fen-Biao Gao
- RNA Therapeutics Institute, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA 01605, USA
| | - John D. Finan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Evangelos Kiskinis
- The Ken & Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
- Simpson Querrey Institute, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
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12
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Ross JP, Akçimen F, Liao C, Kwan K, Phillips DE, Schmilovich Z, Spiegelman D, Genge A, Dupré N, Dion PA, Farhan SMK, Rouleau GA. Rare-variant and polygenic analyses of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in the French-Canadian genome. Genet Med 2024; 26:100967. [PMID: 37638500 DOI: 10.1016/j.gim.2023.100967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 08/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE The genetic etiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) includes few rare, large-effect variants and potentially many common, small-effect variants per case. The genetic risk liability for ALS might require a threshold comprised of a certain amount of variants. Here, we tested the degree to which risk for ALS was affected by rare variants in ALS genes, polygenic risk score, or both. METHODS 335 ALS cases and 356 controls from Québec, Canada were concurrently tested by microarray genotyping and targeted sequencing of ALS genes known at the time of study inception. ALS genome-wide association studies summary statistics were used to estimate an ALS polygenic risk score (PRS). Cases and controls were subdivided into rare-variant heterozygotes and non-heterozygotes. RESULTS Risk for ALS was significantly associated with PRS and rare variants independently in a logistic regression model. Although ALS PRS predicted a small amount of ALS risk overall, the effect was most pronounced between ALS cases and controls that were not heterozygous for a rare variant in the ALS genes surveyed. CONCLUSION Both PRS and rare variants in ALS genes impact risk for ALS. PRS for ALS is most informative when rare variants are not observed in ALS genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay P Ross
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Fulya Akçimen
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Calwing Liao
- Department of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, MA; Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA; Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA
| | - Karina Kwan
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Daniel E Phillips
- Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Biology, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Zoe Schmilovich
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Dan Spiegelman
- Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Angela Genge
- Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Nicolas Dupré
- Division of Neurosciences, CHU de Québec, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
| | - Patrick A Dion
- Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Sali M K Farhan
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Guy A Rouleau
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Montréal Neurological Institute and Hospital, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada; Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada.
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13
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Yuan Y, Bailey JM, Rivera-Lopez GM, Atchison WD. Preferential potentiation of AMPA-mediated currents in brainstem hypoglossal motoneurons by subchronic exposure of mice expressing the human superoxide dismutase 1 G93A gene mutation to neurotoxicant methylmercury in vivo. Neurotoxicology 2024; 100:72-84. [PMID: 38065418 PMCID: PMC10877233 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuro.2023.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023]
Abstract
The exact causes of Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), a progressive and fatal neurological disorder due to loss of upper and/or lower motoneurons, remain elusive. Gene-environment interactions are believed to be an important factor in the development of ALS. We previously showed that in vivo exposure of mice overexpressing the human superoxide dismutase 1 (hSOD1) gene mutation (hSOD1G93A; G93A), a mouse model for ALS, to environmental neurotoxicant methylmercury (MeHg) accelerated the onset of ALS-like phenotype. Here we examined the time-course of effects of MeHg on AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated currents in hypoglossal motoneurons in brainstem slices prepared from G93A, hSOD1wild-type (hWT) and non-carrier WT mice following in vivo exposure to MeHg. Mice were exposed daily to 3 ppm (approximately 0.7 mg/kg/day) MeHg via drinking water beginning at postnatal day 28 (P28) and continued until P47, 64 or 84, then acute brainstem slices were prepared, and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) or AMPA-evoked currents were examined using whole cell patch-clamp recording technique. Brainstem slices of untreated littermates were prepared at the same time points to serve as control. MeHg exposure had no significant effect on either sEPSCs or AMPA-evoked currents in slices from hWT or WT mice during any of those exposure time periods under our experimental conditions. MeHg also did not cause any significant effect on sEPSCs or AMPA-currents in G93A hypoglossal motoneurons at P47 and P64. However, at P84, MeHg significantly increased amplitudes of both sEPSCs and AMPA-evoked currents in hypoglossal motineurons from G93A mice (p < 0.05), but not the sEPSC frequency, suggesting a postsynaptic action on AMPARs. MeHg exposure did not cause any significant effect on GABAergic spontaneous inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs). Therefore, MeHg exposure in vivo caused differential effects on AMPARs in hypoglossal motoneurons from mice with different genetic backgrounds. MeHg appears to preferentially stimulate the AMPAR-mediated currents in G93A hypoglossal motoneurons in an exposure time-dependent manner, which may contribute to the AMPAR-mediated motoneuron excitotoxicity, thereby facilitating development of ALS-like phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukun Yuan
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Michigan State University, Life Sciences Building, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI 48824-1317, USA.
| | - Jordan M Bailey
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Michigan State University, Life Sciences Building, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI 48824-1317, USA
| | - Gretchen M Rivera-Lopez
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Michigan State University, Life Sciences Building, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI 48824-1317, USA
| | - William D Atchison
- Department of Pharmacology/Toxicology, Michigan State University, Life Sciences Building, 1355 Bogue Street, East Lansing, MI 48824-1317, USA
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14
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Zheng Q, Wang D, Lin R, Chen Y, Huang H, Xu Z, Zheng C, Xu W. Mendelian randomization analysis suggests no associations of human herpes viruses with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1299122. [PMID: 38156274 PMCID: PMC10754516 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1299122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/23/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The causal associations between infections with human herpes viruses (HHVs) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been disputed. This study investigated the causal associations between herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella-zoster virus (VZV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), HHV-6, and HHV-7 infections and ALS through a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) method. Methods The genome-wide association studies (GWAS) database were analyzed by inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode methods. MR-Egger intercept test, MR-PRESSO test, Cochran's Q test, funnel plots, and leaveone-out analysis were used to verify the validity and robustness of the MR results. Results In the forward MR analysis of the IVW, genetically predicted HSV infections [odds ratio (OR) = 0.9917; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.9685-1.0154; p = 0.4886], HSV keratitis and keratoconjunctivitis (OR = 0.9897; 95% CI: 0.9739-1.0059; p = 0.2107), anogenital HSV infection (OR = 1.0062; 95% CI: 0.9826-1.0304; p = 0.6081), VZV IgG (OR = 1.0003; 95% CI: 0.9849-1.0160; p = 0.9659), EBV IgG (OR = 0.9509; 95% CI: 0.8879-1.0183; p = 0.1497), CMV (OR = 0.9481; 95% CI: 0.8680-1.0357; p = 0.2374), HHV-6 IgG (OR = 0.9884; 95% CI: 0.9486-1.0298; p = 0.5765) and HHV-7 IgG (OR = 0.9991; 95% CI: 0.9693-1.0299; p = 0.9557) were not causally associated with ALS. The reverse MR analysis of the IVW revealed comparable findings, indicating no link between HHVs infections and ALS. The reliability and validity of the findings were verified by the sensitivity analysis. Conclusion According to the MR study, there is no evidence of causal associations between genetically predicted HHVs (HSV, VZV, EBV, CMV, HHV-6, and HHV-7) and ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingcong Zheng
- Department of Spinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Orthopedics, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Du Wang
- Arthritis Clinical and Research Center, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Rongjie Lin
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yuchao Chen
- Department of Paediatrics, Fujian Provincial Hospital South Branch, Fuzhou, China
| | - Haoen Huang
- Department of Spinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Zixing Xu
- Department of Spinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Orthopedics, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Chunfu Zheng
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Weihong Xu
- Department of Spinal Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Orthopedics, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of the First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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15
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Vasta R, Callegaro S, Sgambetterra S, Cabras S, Di Pede F, De Mattei F, Matteoni E, Grassano M, Bombaci A, De Marco G, Fuda G, Marchese G, Palumbo F, Canosa A, Mazzini L, De Marchi F, Moglia C, Manera U, Chiò A, Calvo A. Presymptomatic geographical distribution of ALS patients suggests the involvement of environmental factors in the disease pathogenesis. J Neurol 2023; 270:5475-5482. [PMID: 37491680 PMCID: PMC10576667 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11888-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given that the pathogenetic process of ALS begins many years prior to its clinical onset, examining patients' residential histories may offer insights on the disease risk factors. Here, we analyzed the spatial distribution of a large ALS cohort in the 50 years preceding the disease onset. METHODS Data from the PARALS register were used. A spatial cluster analysis was performed at the time of disease onset and at 1-year intervals up to 50 years prior to that. RESULTS A total of 1124 patients were included. The analysis revealed a higher-incidence cluster in a large area (435,000 inhabitants) west of Turin. From 9 to 2 years before their onset, 105 cases were expected and 150 were observed, resulting in a relative risk of 1.49 (P = 0.04). We also found a surprising high number of patients pairs (51) and trios (3) who lived in the same dwelling while not being related. Noticeably, these occurrences were not observed in large dwellings as we would have expected. The probability of this occurring in smaller buildings only by chance was very low (P = 0.01 and P = 0.04 for pairs and trios, respectively). CONCLUSIONS We identified a higher-incidence ALS cluster in the years preceding the disease onset. The cluster area being densely populated, many exposures could have contributed to the high incidence ALS cluster, while we could not find a shared exposure among the dwellings where multiple patients had lived. However, these findings support that exogenous factors are likely involved in the ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Vasta
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy.
| | - S Callegaro
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - S Sgambetterra
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - S Cabras
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- International School of Advanced Studies, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - F Di Pede
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - F De Mattei
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - E Matteoni
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - M Grassano
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - A Bombaci
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Queen Square Institute of Neurology, UCL, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - G De Marco
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - G Fuda
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - G Marchese
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - F Palumbo
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - A Canosa
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Science and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - L Mazzini
- ALS Center, Department of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Maggiore della Carità, and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - F De Marchi
- ALS Center, Department of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Maggiore della Carità, and University of Piemonte Orientale, Novara, Italy
| | - C Moglia
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - U Manera
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - A Chiò
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Science and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - A Calvo
- ALS Center, Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
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16
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Goutman SA, Savelieff MG, Jang DG, Hur J, Feldman EL. The amyotrophic lateral sclerosis exposome: recent advances and future directions. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:617-634. [PMID: 37709948 PMCID: PMC11027963 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00867-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/16/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease of motor neuron degeneration with typical survival of only 2-5 years from diagnosis. The causes of ALS are multifactorial: known genetic mutations account for only around 70% of cases of familial ALS and 15% of sporadic cases, and heritability estimates range from 8% to 61%, indicating additional causes beyond genetics. Consequently, interest has grown in environmental contributions to ALS risk and progression. The gene-time-environment hypothesis posits that ALS onset occurs through an interaction of genes with environmental exposures during ageing. An alternative hypothesis, the multistep model of ALS, suggests that several hits, at least some of which could be environmental, are required to trigger disease onset, even in the presence of highly penetrant ALS-associated mutations. Studies have sought to characterize the ALS exposome - the lifetime accumulation of environmental exposures that increase disease risk and affect progression. Identifying the full scope of environmental toxicants that enhance ALS risk raises the prospect of preventing disease by eliminating or mitigating exposures. In this Review, we summarize the evidence for an ALS exposome, discussing the strengths and limitations of epidemiological studies that have identified contributions from various sources. We also consider potential mechanisms of exposure-mediated toxicity and suggest future directions for ALS exposome research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen A Goutman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Masha G Savelieff
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Dae-Gyu Jang
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Junguk Hur
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND, USA
| | - Eva L Feldman
- Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
- NeuroNetwork for Emerging Therapies, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA.
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17
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Akçimen F, Lopez ER, Landers JE, Nath A, Chiò A, Chia R, Traynor BJ. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: translating genetic discoveries into therapies. Nat Rev Genet 2023; 24:642-658. [PMID: 37024676 PMCID: PMC10611979 DOI: 10.1038/s41576-023-00592-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Recent advances in sequencing technologies and collaborative efforts have led to substantial progress in identifying the genetic causes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This momentum has, in turn, fostered the development of putative molecular therapies. In this Review, we outline the current genetic knowledge, emphasizing recent discoveries and emerging concepts such as the implication of distinct types of mutation, variability in mutated genes in diverse genetic ancestries and gene-environment interactions. We also propose a high-level model to synthesize the interdependent effects of genetics, environmental and lifestyle factors, and ageing into a unified theory of ALS. Furthermore, we summarize the current status of therapies developed on the basis of genetic knowledge established for ALS over the past 30 years, and we discuss how developing treatments for ALS will advance our understanding of targeting other neurological diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fulya Akçimen
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Elia R Lopez
- Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA
| | - John E Landers
- Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Avindra Nath
- Section of Infections of the Nervous System, National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Adriano Chiò
- Rita Levi Montalcini Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R, Rome, Italy
- Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Citta' della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Ruth Chia
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Bryan J Traynor
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Therapeutic Development Branch, National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Rockville, MD, USA.
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.
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18
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Borg R, Purkiss A, Cacciottolo R, Herrera P, Cauchi RJ. Loss of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis risk factor SCFD1 causes motor dysfunction in Drosophila. Neurobiol Aging 2023; 126:67-76. [PMID: 36944290 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2023.02.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/15/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neuromuscular disease mostly resulting from a complex interplay between genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Common genetic variants in the Sec1 Family Domain Containing 1 (SCFD1) gene have been associated with increased ALS risk in the most extensive genome-wide association study (GWAS). SCFD1 was also identified as a top-most significant expression Quantitative Trait Locus (eQTL) for ALS. Whether loss of SCFD1 function directly contributes to motor system dysfunction remains unresolved. Here we show that moderate gene silencing of Slh, the Drosophila orthologue of SCFD1, is sufficient to cause climbing and flight defects in adult flies. A more severe knockdown induced a significant reduction in larval mobility and profound neuromuscular junction (NMJ) deficits prior to death before metamorphosis. RNA-seq revealed downregulation of genes encoding chaperones that mediate protein folding downstream of Slh ablation. Our findings support the notion that loss of SCFD1 function is a meaningful contributor to ALS and disease predisposition may result from erosion of the mechanisms protecting against misfolding and protein aggregation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Borg
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Angie Purkiss
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Rebecca Cacciottolo
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Paul Herrera
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta
| | - Ruben J Cauchi
- Centre for Molecular Medicine and Biobanking, Biomedical Sciences Building, University of Malta, Msida, Malta; Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta, Msida, Malta.
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19
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Fisher EM, Greensmith L, Malaspina A, Fratta P, Hanna MG, Schiavo G, Isaacs AM, Orrell RW, Cunningham TJ, Arozena AA. Opinion: more mouse models and more translation needed for ALS. Mol Neurodegener 2023; 18:30. [PMID: 37143081 PMCID: PMC10161557 DOI: 10.1186/s13024-023-00619-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a complex disorder most of which is 'sporadic' of unknown origin but approximately 10% is familial, arising from single mutations in any of more than 30 genes. Thus, there are more than 30 familial ALS subtypes, with different, often unknown, molecular pathologies leading to a complex constellation of clinical phenotypes. We have mouse models for many genetic forms of the disorder, but these do not, on their own, necessarily show us the key pathological pathways at work in human patients. To date, we have no models for the 90% of ALS that is 'sporadic'. Potential therapies have been developed mainly using a limited set of mouse models, and through lack of alternatives, in the past these have been tested on patients regardless of aetiology. Cancer researchers have undertaken therapy development with similar challenges; they have responded by producing complex mouse models that have transformed understanding of pathological processes, and they have implemented patient stratification in multi-centre trials, leading to the effective translation of basic research findings to the clinic. ALS researchers have successfully adopted this combined approach, and now to increase our understanding of key disease pathologies, and our rate of progress for moving from mouse models to mechanism to ALS therapies we need more, innovative, complex mouse models to address specific questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M.C. Fisher
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Linda Greensmith
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Andrea Malaspina
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Pietro Fratta
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Michael G. Hanna
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Giampietro Schiavo
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, WC1E 6BT UK
| | - Adrian M. Isaacs
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, WC1E 6BT UK
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Richard W. Orrell
- UCL Queen Square Motor Neuron Disease Centre, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Department of Clinical and Movement Neurosciences, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
| | - Thomas J. Cunningham
- MRC Prion Unit at UCL, Courtauld Building, 33 Cleveland Street, London, W1W 7FF UK
| | - Abraham Acevedo Arozena
- Research Unit, Hospital Universitario de Canarias, ITB-ULL and CIBERNED, La Laguna, 38320 Spain
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20
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Antonioni A, Govoni V, Brancaleoni L, Donà A, Granieri E, Bergamini M, Gerdol R, Pugliatti M. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Air Pollutants in the Province of Ferrara, Northern Italy: An Ecological Study. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:ijerph20085591. [PMID: 37107873 PMCID: PMC10138704 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20085591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
The etiopathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is still largely unknown, but likely depends on gene-environment interactions. Among the putative sources of environmental exposure are air pollutants and especially heavy metals. We aimed to investigate the relationship between ALS density and the concentration of air pollution heavy metals in Ferrara, northern Italy. An ecological study was designed to correlate the map of ALS distribution and that of air pollutants. All ALS cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2017 (Ferrara University Hospital administrative data) were plotted by residency in 100 sub-areas, and grouped in 4 sectors: urban, rural, northwestern and along the motorway. The concentrations of silver, aluminium, cadmium, chrome, copper, iron, manganese, lead, and selenium in moss and lichens were measured and monitored in 2006 and 2011. Based on 62 ALS patients, a strong and direct correlation of ALS density was observed only with copper concentrations in all sectors and in both sexes (Pearson coefficient (ρ) = 0.758; p = 0.000002). The correlation was higher in the urban sector (ρ = 0.767; p = 0.000128), in women for the overall population (ρ = 0.782, p = 0.000028) and in the urban (ρ = 0.872, p = 0.000047) population, and for the older cohort of diagnosed patients (2000-2009) the assessment correlated with the first assessment of air pollutants in 2006 (ρ = 0.724, p = 0.008). Our data is, in part, consistent with a hypothesis linking copper pollution to ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annibale Antonioni
- Unit of Clinical Neurology, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.A.); (E.G.)
- Doctoral Program in Translational Neurosciences and Neurotechnologies, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Vittorio Govoni
- Unit of Clinical Neurology, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Lisa Brancaleoni
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Alessandro Donà
- Unit of Clinical Neurology, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Enrico Granieri
- Unit of Clinical Neurology, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.A.); (E.G.)
| | - Mauro Bergamini
- Preventive Medicine and Risk Assessment, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Renato Gerdol
- Department of Environmental and Prevention Sciences, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
| | - Maura Pugliatti
- Unit of Clinical Neurology, Department of Neurosciences and Rehabilitation, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy; (A.A.); (E.G.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0532-239309
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21
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Stipa G, Ancidoni A, Vanacore N, Bellomo G. Raw Water and ALS: A Unifying Hypothesis for the Environmental Agents Involved in ALS. Ann Neurosci 2023; 30:124-132. [PMID: 37706096 PMCID: PMC10496797 DOI: 10.1177/09727531221120358] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Different studies identified the presence of several altered genes in familial and sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) forms. The experimental data, together with the epidemiological data, would seem to suggest the existence of molecular mechanisms (e.g., axonal transport) related to these genes, together with a susceptibility of the same genes to certain environmental factors that would therefore suggest an impact of the environment on the etiopathogenesis of ALS. In our review, we considered the most relevant environmental clusters around the world, collecting different hypotheses and underlining common environmental factors among the different clusters. Moreover, further epidemiological data identified a higher risk of ALS in professional athletes and, in particular, in soccer and football players. Despite this increased risk of ALS highlighted by the epidemiological evidence in aforementioned sports, the mechanisms remain unclear. At last, the use of raw water has been associated with ALS risk. The aim of the present review is to characterize a possible relationship between these clusters, to be explored in the context of the interaction between genetic and environmental factors on the etiopathogenesis of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Stipa
- Clinical Neurophysiology Division, Neuroscience Department, S. Maria University Hospital, Terni, Italy
| | - Antonio Ancidoni
- National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (ISS), Roma, Italy
| | - Nicola Vanacore
- National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (ISS), Roma, Italy
| | - Guido Bellomo
- National Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, National Institute of Health (ISS), Roma, Italy
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22
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Spencer PS, Palmer VS, Kisby GE, Lagrange E, Horowitz BZ, Valdes Angues R, Reis J, Vernoux JP, Raoul C, Camu W. Early-onset, conjugal, twin-discordant, and clusters of sporadic ALS: Pathway to discovery of etiology via lifetime exposome research. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1005096. [PMID: 36860617 PMCID: PMC9969898 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1005096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 02/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The identity and role of environmental factors in the etiology of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) is poorly understood outside of three former high-incidence foci of Western Pacific ALS and a hotspot of sALS in the French Alps. In both instances, there is a strong association with exposure to DNA-damaging (genotoxic) chemicals years or decades prior to clinical onset of motor neuron disease. In light of this recent understanding, we discuss published geographic clusters of ALS, conjugal cases, single-affected twins, and young-onset cases in relation to their demographic, geographic and environmental associations but also whether, in theory, there was the possibility of exposure to genotoxic chemicals of natural or synthetic origin. Special opportunities to test for such exposures in sALS exist in southeast France, northwest Italy, Finland, the U.S. East North Central States, and in the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. Given the degree and timing of exposure to an environmental trigger of ALS may be related to the age at which the disease is expressed, research should focus on the lifetime exposome (from conception to clinical onset) of young sALS cases. Multidisciplinary research of this type may lead to the identification of ALS causation, mechanism, and primary prevention, as well as to early detection of impending ALS and pre-clinical treatment to slow development of this fatal neurological disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S. Spencer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Valerie S. Palmer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Glen E. Kisby
- College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest, Western University of Health Sciences, Lebanon, OR, United States
| | - Emmeline Lagrange
- Department of Neurology, Reference Center of Neuromuscular Disease and ALS Consultations, Grenoble University Hospital, Grenoble, France
| | - B. Zane Horowitz
- Department of Emergency Medicine, Oregon-Alaska Poison Center, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Raquel Valdes Angues
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Jacques Reis
- University of Strasbourg, Faculté de Médecine, Strasbourg, France
| | - Jean-Paul Vernoux
- Normandie Université, UNICAEN, Unité de Recherche Aliments Bioprocédés Toxicologie Environnements, Caen, France
| | - Cédric Raoul
- INM, University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - William Camu
- ALS Reference Center, Montpellier University Hospital and University of Montpellier, INSERM, Montpellier, France
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23
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Calluori S, Stark R, Pearson BL. Gene-Environment Interactions in Repeat Expansion Diseases: Mechanisms of Environmentally Induced Repeat Instability. Biomedicines 2023; 11:515. [PMID: 36831049 PMCID: PMC9953593 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines11020515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Short tandem repeats (STRs) are units of 1-6 base pairs that occur in tandem repetition to form a repeat tract. STRs exhibit repeat instability, which generates expansions or contractions of the repeat tract. Over 50 diseases, primarily affecting the central nervous system and muscles, are characterized by repeat instability. Longer repeat tracts are typically associated with earlier age of onset and increased disease severity. Environmental exposures are suspected to play a role in the pathogenesis of repeat expansion diseases. Here, we review the current knowledge of mechanisms of environmentally induced repeat instability in repeat expansion diseases. The current evidence demonstrates that environmental factors modulate repeat instability via DNA damage and induction of DNA repair pathways, with distinct mechanisms for repeat expansion and contraction. Of particular note, oxidative stress is a key mediator of environmentally induced repeat instability. The preliminary evidence suggests epigenetic modifications as potential mediators of environmentally induced repeat instability. Future research incorporating an array of environmental exposures, new human cohorts, and improved model systems, with a continued focus on cell-types, tissues, and critical windows, will aid in identifying mechanisms of environmentally induced repeat instability. Identifying environmental modulators of repeat instability and their mechanisms of action will inform preventions, therapies, and public health measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Calluori
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Barnard College of Columbia University, 3009 Broadway, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Rebecca Stark
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Brandon L. Pearson
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
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24
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Strong MJ, Swash M. Finding Common Ground on the Site of Onset of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurology 2022; 99:1042-1048. [PMID: 36261296 PMCID: PMC9754652 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000201387] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
The fundamental origin of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has remained an enigma since its earliest description as a relentlessly progressive degeneration with prominent neuromuscular manifestations that are associated with upper and lower motor neuron dysfunction. Although this remains the hallmark of ALS, a significant proportion of patients will also demonstrate one or more features of frontotemporal dysfunction, including a frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Understanding whether these 2 seemingly disparate syndromes are simply reflective of the co-occurrence of 2 distinct pathologic processes or the clinical manifestations of a common pathophysiologic derangement involving the brain more widely has gripped contemporary ALS researchers. Supporting a commonality of causation, both ALS and FTD show an alteration in the metabolism of TAR DNA-binding protein 43, marked by a shift in nucleocytoplasmic localization alongside a broad range of neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions consisting of pathologic aggregates of RNA-binding proteins. Similarly, several disease-associated or disease-modifying genetic variants that are shared between the 2 disorders suggest shared underlying mechanisms. In both, a prominent glial response has been postulated to contribute to non-cell-autonomous spread. A more contemporary hypothesis, however, suggests that syndromes of cortical and subcortical dysfunction are driven by impairments in discrete neural networks. This postulates that such networks, including networks subserving motor or cognitive function, possess unique and selective vulnerabilities to either single molecular toxicities or combinations thereof. The co-occurrence of one or more network dysfunctions in ALS and FTD is thus a reflection not of unique neuroanatomic correlates but rather of shared molecular vulnerabilities. The basis of such shared vulnerabilities becomes the fulcrum around which the next advances in our understanding of ALS and its possible therapy will develop.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J Strong
- From the Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences (M.J.S.), Western University, London, Canada; Department of Neurology (M.S.), Barts and the London School of Medicine QMUL, United Kingdom; and Institute of Neuroscience (M.S.), University of Lisbon, Portugal.
| | - Michael Swash
- From the Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences (M.J.S.), Western University, London, Canada; Department of Neurology (M.S.), Barts and the London School of Medicine QMUL, United Kingdom; and Institute of Neuroscience (M.S.), University of Lisbon, Portugal
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25
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Theme 01 - Epidemiology and Informatics. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2120677] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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26
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Calvo A, Canosa A, Moglia C, Manera U, Grassano M, Vasta R, Palumbo F, Cugnasco P, Gallone S, Brunetti M, De Marchi F, Arena V, Pagani M, Dalgard C, Scholz SW, Chia R, Corrado L, Dalfonso S, Mazzini L, Traynor BJ, Chio A. Clinical and Metabolic Signature of UNC13A rs12608932 Variant in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurol Genet 2022; 8:e200033. [PMID: 36313067 PMCID: PMC9608390 DOI: 10.1212/nxg.0000000000200033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives To characterize the clinical and cognitive behavioral phenotype and brain 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-d-glucose-PET (18F-FDG-PET) metabolism of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) carrying the rs12608932 variant of the UNC13A gene. Methods The study population included 1,409 patients with ALS without C9orf72, SOD1, TARDBP, and FUS mutations identified through a prospective epidemiologic ALS register. Control participants included 1,012 geographically matched, age-matched, and sex-matched participants. Clinical and cognitive differences between patients carrying the C/C rs12608932 genotype and those carrying the A/A + A/C genotype were assessed. A subset of patients underwent 18F-FDG-PET. Results The C/C genotype was associated with an increased risk of ALS (odds ratio: 1.54, 95% confidence interval 1.18–2.01, p = 0.001). Patients with the C/C genotype were older, had more frequent bulbar onset, and manifested a higher rate of weight loss. In addition, they showed significantly reduced performance in the letter fluency test, fluency domain of Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS) and story-based empathy task (reflecting social cognition). Patients with the C/C genotype had a shorter survival (median survival time, C/C 2.25 years, interquartile range [IQR] 1.33–3.92; A/A + C/C: 2.90 years, IQR 1.74–5.41; p = 0.0001). In Cox multivariable analysis, C/C genotype resulted to be an independent prognostic factor. Finally, patients with a C/C genotype had a specific pattern of hypometabolism on brain 18F-FDG-PET extending to frontal and precentral areas of the right hemisphere. Discussion C/C rs12608932 genotype of UNC13A is associated with a specific motor and cognitive/behavioral phenotype, which reflects on 18F-FDG-PET findings. Our observations highlight the importance of adding the rs12608932 variant in UNC13A to the ALS genetic panel to refine the individual prognostic prediction and reduce heterogeneity in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Calvo
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Antonio Canosa
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Umberto Manera
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Maurizio Grassano
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Rosario Vasta
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Francesca Palumbo
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Paolo Cugnasco
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Salvatore Gallone
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Maura Brunetti
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Arena
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Marco Pagani
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Clifton Dalgard
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Sonja W Scholz
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Ruth Chia
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Lucia Corrado
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Sandra Dalfonso
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Bryan J Traynor
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
| | - Adriano Chio
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., M.G., R.V., F.P., P.C., M.B., A. Chio), University of Torino, Turin, Italy; Neurology 1 (A. Calvo, A. Canosa, C.M., U.M., S.G., A. Chio), Azienda Universitario-Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy; Neuroscience Institute of Turin (NIT) (A. Calvo, A. Chio), Turin, Italy; Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies (A. Canosa, M.P., A. Chio), C.N.R., Rome, Italy; ALS Center (F.D.M., L.M.), Department of Neurology, Maggiore della Carità Hospital, University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy; Positron Emission Tomography Centre AFFIDEA-IRMET S.p.A. (V.A.), Turin, Italy; Department of Medical Radiation Physics and Nuclear Medicine (M.P.), Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden; Department of Anatomy (C.D.), Physiology & Genetics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; The American Genome Center (C.D.), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda, MD; Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Unit (S.W.S.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD; Department of Neurology (S.W.S., B.J.T.), Johns Hopkins University Medical Center, Baltimore, MD; Neuromuscular Diseases Research Section (R.C., B.J.T.), Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD; and Department of Health Sciences (L.C., S.D.D.), University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy
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Bongioanni P, Del Carratore R, Dolciotti C, Diana A, Buizza R. Effects of Global Warming on Patients with Dementia, Motor Neuron or Parkinson's Diseases: A Comparison among Cortical and Subcortical Disorders. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192013429. [PMID: 36294010 PMCID: PMC9602967 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192013429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Exposure to global warming can be dangerous for health and can lead to an increase in the prevalence of neurological diseases worldwide. Such an effect is more evident in populations that are less prepared to cope with enhanced environmental temperatures. In this work, we extend our previous research on the link between climate change and Parkinson's disease (PD) to also include Alzheimer's Disease and other Dementias (AD/D) and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/Motor Neuron Diseases (ALS/MND). One hundred and eighty-four world countries were clustered into four groups according to their climate indices (warming and annual average temperature). Variations between 1990 and 2016 in the diseases' indices (prevalence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years) and climate indices for the four clusters were analyzed. Unlike our previous work on PD, we did not find any significant correlation between warming and epidemiological indices for AD/D and ALS/MND patients. A significantly lower increment in prevalence in countries with higher temperatures was found for ALS/MND patients. It can be argued that the discordant findings between AD/D or ALS/MND and PD might be related to the different features of the neuronal types involved and the pathophysiology of thermoregulation. The neurons of AD/D and ALS/MND patients are less vulnerable to heat-related degeneration effects than PD patients. PD patients' substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc), which are constitutively frailer due to their morphology and function, fall down under an overwhelming oxidative stress caused by climate warming.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Bongioanni
- Medical Specialties Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56100 Pisa, Italy
- NeuroCare onlus, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | | | - Cristina Dolciotti
- Medical Specialties Department, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, 56100 Pisa, Italy
- NeuroCare onlus, 56100 Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Diana
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Cagliari, 09100 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Roberto Buizza
- Life Science Institute, Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna, 56100 Pisa, Italy
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28
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Zhang J, Liu X, Liang H, Xu S, Wang X, Xu R. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in seven provinces of Chinese mainland: A cross-sectional survey from 2015 to 2016. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:946353. [PMID: 36185468 PMCID: PMC9519999 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.946353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The large-scale survey about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) based on both population and hospitals in the Chinese mainland has been deficient at present. To this end, we conducted a cross-sectional survey about ALS based on the population and hospitals in seven provinces of the Chinese mainland in 2015–2016. Methods We surveyed patients with ALS in seven provinces in eastern, middle, and western China. Among them, 13 prefecture-level cities, 13 municipal districts, 13 counties, 26 streets, 52 communities, 39 towns, and 78 administrative villages were selected for the population-based survey. Totally, 13 class-3 general hospitals, 13 class-2 general hospitals, and 26 street health centers or community health service centers in urban districts, and 13 county-level general hospitals, 39 township health centers, and 78 village clinics in rural districts were recruited for the hospital-based survey. Results Among the Chinese mainland, the total prevalence of ALS was slightly lower than that of the world's other nations or districts. The male patients were more than female patients. The prevalence of rural residents was more than that of urban residents. The prevalence of farmers was higher than that of other professions. The majority of ALS was not accompanied by other chronic diseases. The peak onset age of ALS was higher, familial ALS (fALS) cases were slightly more, and the average survival duration of sporadic ALS (sALS) was slightly lower compared with the previous investigation data. The hospitalization expenses of almost 60% of ALS were not more than 10,000 Chinese Yuan. Conclusion Hospitalization expenses in our survey objectives were the lowest in the current reported countries and districts. A farmer was a possible higher risk profession for ALS, the majority of ALS were not accompanied by other chronic diseases. Our survey provided more information on the epidemiology of ALS worldwide and supplied the deficiency of epidemiology survey about ALS from the Chinese mainland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaoqing Liu
- Jiangxi Province Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Nanchang, China
| | - Huiting Liang
- Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, China
| | - Shengyuan Xu
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China
| | - Xiaohua Wang
- Department of Geriatrics and General Practice/General Family Medicine, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China
- *Correspondence: Renshi Xu
| | - Renshi Xu
- Department of Neurology, Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital, Clinical College of Nanchang College, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang Medical College, Nanchang, China
- Xiaohua Wang
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29
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Saastamoinen P, Laaksovirta H, Leino-Arjas P, Rahkonen O. New evidence on the association of occupation with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A register-based case-control study in Finland. Front Neurol 2022; 13:859824. [PMID: 36188364 PMCID: PMC9515316 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.859824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a serious neurodegenerative disease that usually leads to death within a few years from diagnosis. The risk factors for ALS are still largely unknown. However, it is assumed that environmental factors play a role in disease onset. Occupation is suggested as a potential risk factor, but findings are inconsistent. The aim of this study was to assess the association of occupation with ALS in Finland. Register data were used to avoid recall bias and to obtain a large enough sample to detect the potential associations.MethodsThis case-control study included ALS cases that occurred between 1980 and 2015 in Finland (n = 4,781). ALS cases were identified from the causes of death register. For each ALS case, six controls were selected matched for sex and birth-year. The date of death of the ALS case was set as index date. Information on occupation was obtained from Statistics Finland for all subjects. The focus was on the longest-held occupation on 2-digit level (70 groups). The association of occupation with ALS was analyzed using conditional logistic regression.ResultsCompared to “clerical work and other office work,” the risk of ALS was increased in “packing and wrapping work” (OR 1.53, 95% CI 1.08–2.17), “laundering, dry cleaning and pressing work” (OR 1.83, 95% CI 1.08–3.08), and “travel service work” (OR 8.75, CI 2.76–27.74). A decreased risk was found in “planning, administrative and research work in the technical fields” (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.48–0.98). Of the significant associations identified, only “travel service work” was significant after FDR multiple testing correction.ConclusionsThis study identified occupations in which the risk of ALS was increased. Further studies are needed to pinpoint the potential exposures in these occupations that may trigger the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peppiina Saastamoinen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
- Finnish Medical Association, Helsinki, Finland
- *Correspondence: Peppiina Saastamoinen
| | | | | | - Ossi Rahkonen
- Department of Public Health, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
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30
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Cai Z, Yin K, Liu Q, Liu M, Yang X, Cui L. Association between abnormal expression and methylation of LGALS1 in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain Res 2022; 1792:148022. [PMID: 35872012 DOI: 10.1016/j.brainres.2022.148022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 07/17/2022] [Accepted: 07/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE DNA methylation has been identified to play an important role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Galectin-1, encoded by LGALS1 gene, has been proved to be associated with ALS. We aimed to investigate the association between the expression and methylation of LGALS1 in blood samples from ALS patients. METHODS Forty-five patients diagnosed with ALS were enrolled. Thirty-two healthy relatives consisted the control group. Among them, samples from 12 patients and 12 controls consisted the exploration samples. In the exploration samples, mRNA expression levels were detected by quantitative real-time PCR. In all the samples, DNA methylation levels of one CpG island containing 12 CpG sites in the gene promoter were detected by bisulfite sequencing PCR, and galectin-1 levels were examined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Associations between the gene expression and methylation level, as well as between the region-specific methylation level and clinical variables were calculated. RESULTS The mRNA expression level of LGALS1 was significantly increased and the promoter of LGALS1 was hypomethylated in ALS patients. Serum galectin-1 levels were significantly elevated in the ALS patients. The ALS group had significantly lower methylation level at certain CpG sites than the control group. There were significant negative associations between abnormal expression and methylation of LGALS1, as well as between region-specific methylation levels and the age of onset. CONCLUSIONS The aberrant expression and DNA methylation of LGALS1 and their association reveals epigenetic changes in ALS patients, which are helpful for early intervention and treatment for the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengyi Cai
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Kaili Yin
- McKusick-Zhang Center for Genetic Medicine, State Key Laboratory of Medical Molecular Biology, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, School of Basic Medicine Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
| | - Qing Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mingsheng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xunzhe Yang
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College and Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China; Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
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31
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Coleman MP. Axon Biology in ALS: Mechanisms of Axon Degeneration and Prospects for Therapy. Neurotherapeutics 2022; 19:1133-1144. [PMID: 36207571 PMCID: PMC9587191 DOI: 10.1007/s13311-022-01297-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/02/2022] [Indexed: 10/10/2022] Open
Abstract
This review addresses the longstanding debate over whether amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a 'dying back' or 'dying forward' disorder in the light of new gene identifications and the increased understanding of mechanisms of action for previously identified ALS genes. While the topological pattern of pathology in animal models, and more anecdotally in patients is indeed 'dying back', this review discusses how this fits with the fact that many of the major initiating events are thought to occur within the soma. It also discusses how widely varying ALS risk factors, including some impacting axons directly, may combine to drive a common pathway involving TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) and neuromuscular junction (NMJ) denervation. The emerging association between sterile alpha and TIR motif-containing 1 (SARM1), a protein so far mostly associated with axon degeneration, and sporadic ALS is another major theme. The strengths and limitations of the current evidence supporting an association are considered, along with ways in which SARM1 could become activated in ALS. The final section addresses SARM1-based therapies along with the prospects for targeting other axonal steps in ALS pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Coleman
- John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair, Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Cambridge, Robinson Way, Cambridge, CB2 0PY, UK.
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32
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Xu J, Minobe E, Kameyama M. Ca2+ Dyshomeostasis Links Risk Factors to Neurodegeneration in Parkinson’s Disease. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:867385. [PMID: 35496903 PMCID: PMC9050104 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.867385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD), a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor dysfunction, results from the death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc). Although the precise causes of PD are still unknown, several risk factors for PD have been determined, including aging, genetic mutations, environmental factors, and gender. Currently, the molecular mechanisms underlying risk factor-related neurodegeneration in PD remain elusive. Endoplasmic reticulum stress, excessive reactive oxygen species production, and impaired autophagy have been implicated in neuronal death in the SNc in PD. Considering that these pathological processes are tightly associated with intracellular Ca2+, it is reasonable to hypothesize that dysregulation of Ca2+ handling may mediate risk factors-related PD pathogenesis. We review the recent findings on how risk factors cause Ca2+ dyshomeostasis and how aberrant Ca2+ handling triggers dopaminergic neurodegeneration in the SNc in PD, thus putting forward the possibility that manipulation of specific Ca2+ handling proteins and subcellular Ca2+ homeostasis may lead to new promising strategies for PD treatment.
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