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Dharmadasa T, Pavey N, Tu S, Menon P, Huynh W, Mahoney CJ, Timmins HC, Higashihara M, van den Bos M, Shibuya K, Kuwabara S, Grosskreutz J, Kiernan MC, Vucic S. Novel approaches to assessing upper motor neuron dysfunction in motor neuron disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: IFCN handbook chapter. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 163:68-89. [PMID: 38705104 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.04.010] [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: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 05/07/2024]
Abstract
Identifying upper motor neuron (UMN) dysfunction is fundamental to the diagnosis and understanding of disease pathogenesis in motor neuron disease (MND). The clinical assessment of UMN dysfunction may be difficult, particularly in the setting of severe muscle weakness. From a physiological perspective, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) techniques provide objective biomarkers of UMN dysfunction in MND and may also be useful to interrogate cortical and network function. Single, paired- and triple pulse TMS techniques have yielded novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in MND, and have provided important pathogenic insights, particularly pertaining to site of disease onset. Cortical hyperexcitability, as heralded by reduced short interval intracortical inhibition (SICI) and increased short interval intracortical facilitation, has been associated with the onset of lower motor neuron degeneration, along with patterns of disease spread, development of specific clinical features such as the split hand phenomenon, and may provide an indication about the rate of disease progression. Additionally, reduction of SICI has emerged as a potential diagnostic aid in MND. The triple stimulation technique (TST) was shown to enhance the diagnostic utility of conventional TMS measures in detecting UMN dysfunction in MND. Separately, sophisticated brain imaging techniques have uncovered novel biomarkers of neurodegeneration that have bene associated with progression. The present review will discuss the utility of TMS and brain neuroimaging derived biomarkers of UMN dysfunction in MND, focusing on recently developed TMS techniques and advanced neuroimaging modalities that interrogate structural and functional integrity of the corticomotoneuronal system, with an emphasis on pathogenic, diagnostic, and prognostic utility.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanuja Dharmadasa
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital City Campus, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Nathan Pavey
- Brain and Nerve Research Center, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Sicong Tu
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Australia
| | - Parvathi Menon
- Brain and Nerve Research Center, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - William Huynh
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Australia
| | - Colin J Mahoney
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Australia
| | - Hannah C Timmins
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Australia
| | - Mana Higashihara
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mehdi van den Bos
- Brain and Nerve Research Center, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kazumoto Shibuya
- Neurology, Chiba University, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kuwabara
- Neurology, Chiba University, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Julian Grosskreutz
- Precision Neurology, Excellence Cluster Precision Medicine in Inflammation, University of Lübeck, University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein Campus, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney, and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Brain and Nerve Research Center, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
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Zhang Z, He X, Cui J, Wang J, Shi B. Translation and reliability and validity of the Chinese version of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Specific Quality of Life-Short Form. J Patient Rep Outcomes 2024; 8:57. [PMID: 38856805 PMCID: PMC11164839 DOI: 10.1186/s41687-024-00738-4] [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: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/11/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To translate Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Specific Quality of Life-Short Form (ALSSQOL-SF) and test its reliability and validity, so that explore feasibility in Chinese mainland and make up the gap of specific tools for measuring quality of life of patients with ALS. METHODS This was a cross-sectional design. The Brislin translation model was used to translate ALSSQOL-SF, and the Chinese version of ALSSQOL-SF (C-ALSSQOL-SF) was revised through cultural adaptation and pre-test. The convenience sampling method was used to investigate 138 patients with ALS in Tianjin to test the reliability and validity of the C-ALSSQOL-SF. RESULTS The C-ALSSQOL-SF included 20 items, covering 6 dimensions: physical symptoms, bulbar function, negative emotion, interaction with people and the environment, religiosity and intimacy. The scale-level content validity index (S-CVI) of C-ALSSQOL-SF was 0.964, and the item-level content validity index (I-CVI) was between 0.857 to 1.000. The results of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) showed that CMIN/DF = 1.161, RMSEA = 0.034, GFI = 0.892, IFI = 0.976, TLI = 0.969, CFI = 0.975, and the 6-factor model fitted well. The scores of C-ALSSQOL-SF and WHOQOL-BREF were positively correlated (r = 0.745). The Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.85, the Cronbach's α coefficient of each dimension was between 0.59 to 0.86, and the split-half reliability was 0.78. CONCLUSION The Chinese version of ALSSQOL-SF has good reliability and validity, and can be used as a tool to evaluate the quality of life of patients with ALS in Chinese mainland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijie Zhang
- Hospice Care Research Center, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qi Xiang Tai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Xin He
- Hospice Care Research Center, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qi Xiang Tai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
- Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, 24 Binshui Road, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300060, China
| | - Jialu Cui
- Hospice Care Research Center, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qi Xiang Tai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Hospice Care Research Center, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qi Xiang Tai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China
| | - Baoxin Shi
- Hospice Care Research Center, Tianjin Medical University, 22 Qi Xiang Tai Road, Heping District, Tianjin, 300070, China.
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Evans LJ, O'Brien D, Shaw PJ. Current neuroprotective therapies and future prospects for motor neuron disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:327-384. [PMID: 38802178 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.04.003] [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
Four medications with neuroprotective disease-modifying effects are now in use for motor neuron disease (MND). With FDA approvals for tofersen, relyvrio and edaravone in just the past year, 2022 ended a quarter of a century when riluzole was the sole such drug to offer to patients. The acceleration of approvals may mean we are witnessing the beginning of a step-change in how MND can be treated. Improvements in understanding underlying disease biology has led to more therapies being developed to target specific and multiple disease mechanisms. Consideration for how the pipeline of new therapeutic agents coming through in clinical and preclinical development can be more effectively evaluated with biomarkers, advances in patient stratification and clinical trial design pave the way for more successful translation for this archetypal complex neurodegenerative disease. While it must be cautioned that only slowed rates of progression have so far been demonstrated, pre-empting rapid neurodegeneration by using neurofilament biomarkers to signal when to treat, as is currently being trialled with tofersen, may be more effective for patients with known genetic predisposition to MND. Early intervention with personalized medicines could mean that for some patients at least, in future we may be able to substantially treat what is considered by many to be one of the most distressing diseases in medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura J Evans
- The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, and the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - David O'Brien
- The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, and the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Pamela J Shaw
- The Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, and the NIHR Sheffield Biomedical Research Centre, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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Vucic S, de Carvalho M, Bashford J, Alix JJP. Contribution of neurophysiology to the diagnosis and monitoring of ALS. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:87-118. [PMID: 38802184 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.04.001] [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
This chapter describes the role of neurophysiological techniques in diagnosing and monitoring amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Despite many advances, electromyography (EMG) remains a keystone investigation from which to build support for a diagnosis of ALS, demonstrating the pathophysiological processes of motor unit hyperexcitability, denervation and reinnervation. We consider development of the different diagnostic criteria and the role of EMG therein. While not formally recognised by established diagnostic criteria, we discuss the pioneering studies that have demonstrated the diagnostic potential of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) of the motor cortex and highlight the growing evidence for TMS in the diagnostic process. Finally, accurately monitoring disease progression is crucial for the successful implementation of clinical trials. Neurophysiological measures of disease state have been incorporated into clinical trials for over 20 years and we review prominent techniques for assessing disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Steve Vucic
- Brain and Nerve Research Centre, Concord Clinical School and Department of Neurology, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Faculty of Medicine, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal; Department of Neurosciences, CHULN, Centro Académico de Medicina de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - James Bashford
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - James J P Alix
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITraN), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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Ashkarran AA, Tadjiki S, Lin Z, Hilsen K, Ghazali N, Krikor S, Sharifi S, Asgari M, Hotchkin M, Dorfman A, Ho KS, Mahmoudi M. Protein Corona Composition of Gold Nanocatalysts. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 2024; 7:1169-1177. [PMID: 38633595 PMCID: PMC11020068 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.4c00028] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 02/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The interaction between nanoparticles (NPs) and biological environments is profoundly influenced by a stable, strongly adsorbed "hard" protein corona. This corona significantly determines the NPs' pharmacokinetics and biological destiny. Our study delves into the mechanisms by which colloidal Au nanocrystals that are synthesized electrochemically without surface-capping organic ligands, known as CNM-Au8, traverse the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and target human brain tissue for treating neurodegenerative disorders. We discovered that upon interaction with human plasma, CNM-Au8 gold nanocrystals (AuNCs) effectively attract a variety of crucial apolipoproteins, notably apolipoproteins E, to their surfaces. This interaction likely facilitates their passage through the BBB. Furthermore, the coronas of these AuNCs exhibit a substantial presence of albumin and a notable absence of opsonin-based proteins, contributing to prolonged blood circulation. These characteristics align well with the clinical performance observed for the CNM-Au8 NCs. This study highlights that AuNCs with intentionally engineered structures and surfactant-free surfaces can create a distinct protein corona composition. This finding holds significant promise for the development of advanced therapeutic agents aimed at combating neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Akbar Ashkarran
- Department
of Radiology and Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Soheyl Tadjiki
- Postnova
Analytics Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah 84102, United States
| | - Zijin Lin
- Department
of Radiology and Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Kylie Hilsen
- Department
of Radiology and Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Noor Ghazali
- Department
of Radiology and Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Sarah Krikor
- Department
of Radiology and Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Shahriar Sharifi
- Department
of Radiology and Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Meisam Asgari
- Department
of Medical Engineering, University of South
Florida, Tampa, Florida 33620, United States
| | - Michael Hotchkin
- Clene
Nanomedicine, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah 84121, United States
| | - Adam Dorfman
- Clene
Nanomedicine, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah 84121, United States
| | - Karen S. Ho
- Clene
Nanomedicine, Inc., Salt Lake City, Utah 84121, United States
| | - Morteza Mahmoudi
- Department
of Radiology and Precision Health Program, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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Wang Z, Henriques A, Rouvière L, Callizot N, Tan L, Hotchkin MT, Rossignol R, Mortenson MG, Dorfman AR, Ho KS, Wang H. A Mechanism Underpinning the Bioenergetic Metabolism-Regulating Function of Gold Nanocatalysts. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2304082. [PMID: 37767608 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202304082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023]
Abstract
Bioenergetic deficits are known to be significant contributors to neurodegenerative diseases. Nevertheless, identifying safe and effective means to address intracellular bioenergetic deficits remains a significant challenge. This work provides mechanistic insights into the energy metabolism-regulating function of colloidal Au nanocrystals, referred to as CNM-Au8, that are synthesized electrochemically in the absence of surface-capping organic ligands. When neurons are subjected to excitotoxic stressors or toxic peptides, treatment of neurons with CNM-Au8 results in dose-dependent neuronal survival and neurite network preservation across multiple neuronal subtypes. CNM-Au8 efficiently catalyzes the conversion of an energetic cofactor, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide hydride (NADH), into its oxidized counterpart (NAD+ ), which promotes bioenergy production by regulating the intracellular level of adenosine triphosphate. Detailed kinetic measurements reveal that CNM-Au8-catalyzed NADH oxidation obeys Michaelis-Menten kinetics and exhibits pH-dependent kinetic profiles. Photoexcited charge carriers and photothermal effect, which result from optical excitations and decay of the plasmonic electron oscillations or the interband electronic transitions in CNM-Au8, are further harnessed as unique leverages to modulate reaction kinetics. As exemplified by this work, Au nanocrystals with deliberately tailored structures and surfactant-free clean surfaces hold great promise for developing next-generation therapeutic agents for neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zixin Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | | | | | | | - Lin Tan
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
| | | | - Rodrigue Rossignol
- Cellomet, CARF Center, University of Bordeaux, 146 rue Léo Saignat, Bordeaux, 33000, France
| | - Mark G Mortenson
- Clene Nanomedicine, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, 84117, USA
- Clene Nanomedicine, Inc., North East, MD, 21901, USA
| | | | - Karen S Ho
- Clene Nanomedicine, Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, 84117, USA
| | - Hui Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA
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Ren J, Dewey RB, Rynders A, Evan J, Evan J, Ligozio S, Ho KS, Sguigna PV, Glanzman R, Hotchkin MT, Dewey RB, Greenberg BM. Evidence of brain target engagement in Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis by the investigational nanomedicine, CNM-Au8, in the REPAIR phase 2 clinical trials. J Nanobiotechnology 2023; 21:478. [PMID: 38087362 PMCID: PMC10717868 DOI: 10.1186/s12951-023-02236-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Impaired brain energy metabolism has been observed in many neurodegenerative diseases, including Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). In both diseases, mitochondrial dysfunction and energetic impairment can lead to neuronal dysfunction and death. CNM-Au8® is a suspension of faceted, clean-surfaced gold nanocrystals that catalytically improves energetic metabolism in CNS cells, supporting neuroprotection and remyelination as demonstrated in multiple independent preclinical models. The objective of the Phase 2 REPAIR-MS and REPAIR-PD clinical trials was to investigate the effects of CNM-Au8, administered orally once daily for twelve or more weeks, on brain phosphorous-containing energy metabolite levels in participants with diagnoses of relapsing MS or idiopathic PD, respectively. RESULTS Brain metabolites were measured using 7-Tesla 31P-MRS in two disease cohorts, 11 participants with stable relapsing MS and 13 participants with PD (n = 24 evaluable post-baseline scans). Compared to pre-treatment baseline, the mean NAD+/NADH ratio in the brain, a measure of energetic capacity, was significantly increased by 10.4% after 12 + weeks of treatment with CNM-Au8 (0.584 units, SD: 1.3; p = 0.037, paired t-test) in prespecified analyses of the combined treatment cohorts. Each disease cohort concordantly demonstrated increases in the NAD+/NADH ratio but did not reach significance individually (p = 0.11 and p = 0.14, PD and MS cohorts, respectively). Significant treatment effects were also observed for secondary and exploratory imaging outcomes, including β-ATP and phosphorylation potential across both cohorts. CONCLUSIONS Our results demonstrate brain target engagement of CNM-Au8 as a direct modulator of brain energy metabolism, and support the further investigation of CNM-Au8 as a potential disease modifying drug for PD and MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jimin Ren
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Neurology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Richard B Dewey
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Neurology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Boca Raton, FL, 33486, USA
| | - Austin Rynders
- Clene Nanomedicine, Inc., 6550 S Millrock Dr., Suite G50, Salt Lake City, UT, 84121, USA
| | - Jacob Evan
- Clene Nanomedicine, Inc., 6550 S Millrock Dr., Suite G50, Salt Lake City, UT, 84121, USA
| | - Jeremy Evan
- Clene Nanomedicine, Inc., 6550 S Millrock Dr., Suite G50, Salt Lake City, UT, 84121, USA
| | - Shelia Ligozio
- Instat Clinical Research, A Veristat Company, 1 Wilson St., Chatham, NJ, 07928, USA
| | - Karen S Ho
- Clene Nanomedicine, Inc., 6550 S Millrock Dr., Suite G50, Salt Lake City, UT, 84121, USA.
| | - Peter V Sguigna
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Neurology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
| | - Robert Glanzman
- Clene Nanomedicine, Inc., 6550 S Millrock Dr., Suite G50, Salt Lake City, UT, 84121, USA
| | - Michael T Hotchkin
- Clene Nanomedicine, Inc., 6550 S Millrock Dr., Suite G50, Salt Lake City, UT, 84121, USA
| | - Richard B Dewey
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Neurology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
- Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, Boca Raton, FL, 33486, USA
| | - Benjamin M Greenberg
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Department of Neurology, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA
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8
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Pavey N, Hannaford A, Higashihara M, van den Bos M, Kiernan MC, Menon P, Vucic S. Utility of split hand index with different motor unit number estimation techniques in ALS. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 156:175-182. [PMID: 37967511 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.09.018] [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: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Utility of the split hand index (SI) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has been reported when using the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude method (SICMAP amp). A motor unit number index (MUNIX) based SI method (SIMUNIX) was purported to exhibit higher sensitivity. The present study assessed the clinical utility of SI, derived by CMAP amplitude, MUNIX and MScan-MUNE (SIMScanFit-MUNE) methods, in ALS. METHODS Sixty-two consecutive patients with neuromuscular symptoms (36 ALS and 26 ALS-mimics) were prospectively recruited. The SI was derived by dividing the product of the CMAP amplitude, MUNIX and MScan-MUNE values recorded over first dorsal interosseous and abductor pollicis brevis by values recorded over abductor digit minimi. RESULTS SICMAP amp, SIMUNIX and SIMScanFit-MUNE were significantly reduced in ALS, with SICMAP amp (area under curve (AUC) = 0.801) and SIMScanFit-MUNE (AUC = 0.805) exhibiting greater diagnostic utility than SIMUNIX (AUC = 0.713). SICMAP amp and SIMScanFit-MUNE exhibited significant correlations with clinical measures of functional disability and weakness of intrinsic hand muscles. CONCLUSIONS SI differentiated ALS from mimic disorders, with SICMAP amp and SIMScanFit-MUNE exhibiting greater utility. SIGNIFICANCE The split hand index represents could serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathan Pavey
- Brain and Nerve Research Centre, Concord Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Andrew Hannaford
- Brain and Nerve Research Centre, Concord Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Mana Higashihara
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute for Geriatrics and Gerontology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mehdi van den Bos
- Brain and Nerve Research Centre, Concord Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney; and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia
| | - Parvathi Menon
- Brain and Nerve Research Centre, Concord Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, NSW Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Brain and Nerve Research Centre, Concord Clinical School, The University of Sydney, Concord Hospital, Sydney, NSW Australia.
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Vucic S, Kiernan MC. Nanocrystalline gold (CNM-Au8): a novel bioenergetic treatment for ALS. Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:783-785. [PMID: 37740686 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2263368] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Steve Vucic
- Brain and Nerve Research Center, The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, The University of Sydney; and Department of Neurology, Sydney, NSW, Australia
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10
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Bireley JD, Morren JA. CNM-Au8: an experimental agent for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Expert Opin Investig Drugs 2023; 32:677-683. [PMID: 37642362 DOI: 10.1080/13543784.2023.2252738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Two established disease-specific therapies for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are riluzole and edaravone. Limitations of these medications include minimal progression slowing or survival benefit, and effectiveness only in selected populations, particularly for edaravone. AMX0035 and tofersen received US FDA approval in September 2022 and April 2023, respectively. However, phase 3 trials, further examining both medications' efficacy, are ongoing. CNM-Au8 is an efficient catalyst of energy metabolism and is therefore a potential disease-modifying treatment for ALS, a neurodegenerative condition in which there is bioenergetics impairment. AREAS COVERED In this review, we provide an overview of the current ALS treatment market, followed by a description of the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of CNM-Au8. The main preclinical and available early clinical evidence of CNM-Au8 is then described, as well as its potential as an ALS treatment. EXPERT OPINION Oral treatment with CNM-Au8 failed to meet primary clinical and electrodiagnostic endpoints in phase 2/3 clinical trials. Despite this failure, a number of exploratory endpoints included in phase 2/3 trials suggest CNM-Au8 has the potential to significantly slow clinical worsening, improve quality of life, and prolong survival in ALS. Further study of CNM-Au8 in a phase 3 clinical trial is currently underway.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Daniel Bireley
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - John A Morren
- Neuromuscular Center, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
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11
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Hu L, Tao Y, Jiang Y, Qin F. Recent progress of nanomedicine in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1228679. [PMID: 37457297 PMCID: PMC10340527 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1228679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of memory disruption in elderly subjects, with the prevalence continuing to rise mainly because of the aging world population. Unfortunately, no efficient therapy is currently available for the AD treatment, due to low drug potency and several challenges to delivery, including low bioavailability and the impediments of the blood-brain barrier. Recently, nanomedicine has gained considerable attention among researchers all over the world and shown promising developments in AD treatment. A wide range of nano-carriers, such as polymer nanoparticles, liposomes, solid lipid nanoparticles, dendritic nanoparticles, biomimetic nanoparticles, magnetic nanoparticles, etc., have been adapted to develop successful new treatment strategies. This review comprehensively summarizes the recent advances of different nanomedicine for their efficacy in pre-clinical studies. Finally, some insights and future research directions are proposed. This review can provide useful information to guide the future design and evaluation of nanomedicine in AD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqiang Hu
- Mental Health Center and West China-California Research Center for Predictive Intervention Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yiran Tao
- Mental Health Center and West China-California Research Center for Predictive Intervention Medicine, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Yanjiao Jiang
- College of Life Science and Technology, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Feng Qin
- Andrology Laboratory, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
- National Chengdu Center for Safety Evaluation of Drugs, State Key Laboratory of Biotherapy, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
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