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Li J, Gao C, Wang Q, Liu J, Xie Z, Zhao Y, Yu M, Zheng Y, Lv H, Zhang W, Yuan Y, Meng L, Deng J, Wang Z. Elevated serum circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2024:e16493. [PMID: 39324867 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The substantial role of inflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is gaining support from recent research. Studies indicate that circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA (ccf-mtDNA) can activate the immune system and is associated with neurodegenerative diseases. This research was designed to quantify ccf-mtDNA levels in the serum of ALS patients. METHODS The medical records of ALS patients were reviewed. Serum ccf-mtDNA levels of patients with ALS (n = 62) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 46) were measured and compared. Additionally, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 26 ALS patients. Correlations between variables were analyzed. RESULTS Serum ccf-mtDNA was notably higher in the patients with ALS. When stratified by genotype, the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) mutation group showed the greatest increase in ccf-mtDNA levels relative to other ALS patients. Among all 108 individuals, a cut-off set at 1.1 × 105 mtDNA copies on a receiver-operating characteristic curve identified patients with ALS with 80.7% sensitivity and 50.0% specificity; the area under the curve was 0.69 (p < 0.001). Furthermore, serum ccf-mtDNA levels correlated negatively with the progression rate of ALS (ΔFS; rs = -0.26, p = 0.044), but not the ALSFRS-R score (rs = 0.06, p = 0.625). Importantly, the correlation between ccf-mtDNA and ΔFS was more pronounced in the SOD1 mutation group (rs = -0.62, p = 0.018). Lastly, a significant positive association was observed between serum ccf-mtDNA levels and IL-6 levels in ALS (r s= 0.41, p = 0.038). CONCLUSION Our study found increased serum ccf-mtDNA in ALS patients, suggesting a link to inflammatory processes and disease mechanism. Moreover, ccf-mtDNA could be an indicator for ALS progression, especially in those with the SOD1 mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieyu Li
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Chao Gao
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Qingqing Wang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jing Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Zhiying Xie
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yawen Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Yu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yiming Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - He Lv
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yun Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Lingchao Meng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
| | - Jianwen Deng
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, Ministry of Education/National Health Commission, Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhaoxia Wang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Neurovascular Disease Discovery, Beijing, China
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Maccabeo A, Pateri MI, Pili F, Pilotto S, Pierri V, Muroni A, Ercoli T, Montisci R, Marchetti MF, Martis A, Fazzini L, Defazio G, Puligheddu M, Borghero G. Takotsubo syndrome in a Sardinian amyotrophic lateral sclerosis cohort. J Neurol 2024:10.1007/s00415-024-12681-x. [PMID: 39254699 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12681-x] [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: 07/31/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/01/2024] [Indexed: 09/11/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is known to be associated with varying degrees of autonomic and cardiovascular dysfunction. Recent case reports showed that ALS may be linked to Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). We assessed the frequency of TTS in an incident ALS cohort from Sardinia, Italy, and investigated the relationship of TTS with ALS course. METHODS We retrospectively examined a 10-year (2010-2019) incident cohort of ALS patients of Sardinian ancestry, reported TTS frequency and patients' clinical characteristics. Following, we checked for TTS among patients with ALS onset after 2019 and focused on the same features as for the incident cohort. RESULTS Our incident cohort included 344 ALS patients and 5 of them (1.45%) developed TTS. All were female and their median onset age was 71.5 years (IQR 62.75-77). Two patients had spinal and three bulbar onset, though all patients had bulbar involvement and were at an advanced stage of disease (ALSFRS ≤ 25, King's ≥ 3) at TTS diagnosis. We identified a potential TTS trigger in three patients (hospitalization for PEG placement, pneumonia). Among patients who had ALS onset after 2019, we identified a further TTS case and described it. CONCLUSION TTS is not a rare condition in ALS. Female sex, bulbar involvement, and later age of disease onset may be important risk factors for developing this cardiac condition and a physical or psychological trigger is often observed. Despite autonomic dysfunction in ALS has been already demonstrated, the precise physiopathological mechanism underlying TTS needs to be further clarified.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Maccabeo
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Institute of Neurology, Policlinico Universitario di Monserrato, University of Cagliari, 09042, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - M I Pateri
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Institute of Neurology, Policlinico Universitario di Monserrato, University of Cagliari, 09042, Cagliari, Italy
| | - F Pili
- Neurology Unit, AOU Cagliari, Hospital D. Casula Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - S Pilotto
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Institute of Neurology, Policlinico Universitario di Monserrato, University of Cagliari, 09042, Cagliari, Italy
| | - V Pierri
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Institute of Neurology, Policlinico Universitario di Monserrato, University of Cagliari, 09042, Cagliari, Italy
| | - A Muroni
- Neurology Unit, AOU Cagliari, Hospital D. Casula Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - T Ercoli
- Department of Neurology, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 10, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - R Montisci
- Cardiology Unit, AOU Cagliari, Hospital D. Casula Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - M F Marchetti
- Cardiology Unit, AOU Cagliari, Hospital D. Casula Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - A Martis
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Institute of Cardiology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - L Fazzini
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, Institute of Cardiology, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - G Defazio
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neurosciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
| | - M Puligheddu
- Neurology Unit, AOU Cagliari, Hospital D. Casula Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
| | - G Borghero
- Neurology Unit, AOU Cagliari, Hospital D. Casula Monserrato, Cagliari, Italy
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Poletti B, Aiello EN, Consonni M, Iazzolino B, Torre S, Solca F, Faltracco V, Telesca A, Palumbo F, Dalla Bella E, Bersano E, Riva N, Verde F, Messina S, Doretti A, Maranzano A, Morelli C, Calvo A, Silani V, Lauria G, Chiò A, Ticozzi N. Prevalence and motor-functional correlates of frontotemporal-spectrum disorders in a large cohort of non-demented ALS patients. J Neurol 2024:10.1007/s00415-024-12658-w. [PMID: 39235524 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12658-w] [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: 07/28/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed at (1) delivering generalizable estimates of the prevalence of frontotemporal-spectrum disorders (FTSDs) in non-demented ALS patients and (2) exploring their motor-functional correlates. METHODS N = 808 ALS patients without FTD were assessed for motor-functional outcomes-i.e., disease duration, severity (ALSFRS-R), progression rate (ΔFS), and stage (King's and Milano-Torino-MiToS-systems)-cognition-via the cognitive section of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS)-and behaviour-via the ECAS-Carer Interview. Neuropsychological phenotypes were retrieved via Strong's revised criteria-i.e., ALS cognitively and behaviourally normal (ALScbn) or cognitively and/or behaviourally impaired (ALSci/bi/cbi). RESULTS Defective ECAS-Total performances were detected in ~ 29% of patients, with the ECAS-Executive being failed by the highest number of patients (~ 30%), followed by the ECAS-Language, -Fluency, and -Memory (~ 15-17%) and -Visuospatial (~ %8). Apathy was the most frequent behavioural change (~ 28%), followed by loss of sympathy/empathy (~ 13%); remaining symptoms were reported in < 4% of patients. The distribution of Strong's classifications was as follows: ALScbn: 46.7%; ALSci/bi/cbi: 22.9%/20.0%/10.4%. Multinomial regressions on Strong's classifications revealed that lower ALSFRS-R scores were associated with a higher probability of ALSbi and ALScbi classifications (p ≤ .008). Higher King's and MiToS stages were associated with a higher probability of ALSbi classification (p ≤ .031). CONCLUSIONS FTSDs affect ~ 50% of non-demented ALS patients, with cognitive deficits being as frequent as behavioural changes. A higher degree of motor-functional involvement is associated with worse behavioural outcomes-with this link being weaker for cognitive deficits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Poletti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Edoardo Nicolò Aiello
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Monica Consonni
- 3rd Neurology Unit and Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Iazzolino
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Silvia Torre
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Solca
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Faltracco
- 3rd Neurology Unit and Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessandra Telesca
- Neuroalgology Unit, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
- Neurointensive Care Unit, Department of Neurosurgery, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Francesca Palumbo
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Eleonora Dalla Bella
- 3rd Neurology Unit and Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Enrica Bersano
- 3rd Neurology Unit and Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- 3rd Neurology Unit and Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
| | - Federico Verde
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, "Dino Ferrari" Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Messina
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alberto Doretti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Alessio Maranzano
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Claudia Morelli
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, City of Health and Science University Hospital of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, "Dino Ferrari" Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Lauria
- 3rd Neurology Unit and Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Adriano Chiò
- "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Center, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, City of Health and Science University Hospital of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Science and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, "Dino Ferrari" Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
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Huang L, Liu M, Tang J, Gong Z, Li Z, Yang Y, Zhang M. The role of ALDH2 rs671 polymorphism and C-reactive protein in the phenotypes of male ALS patients. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1397991. [PMID: 39290715 PMCID: PMC11405379 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1397991] [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: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 08/07/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) rs671 (A) allele has been implicated in neurodegeneration, potentially through oxidative and inflammatory pathways. The study aims to investigate the effects of the ALDH2 rs671 (A) allele and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) on the clinical phenotypes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in male and female patients. Methods Clinical data and ALDH2 rs671 genotype of 143 ALS patients, including 85 males and 58 females, were collected from January 2018 to December 2022. All patients underwent assessment using the Chinese version of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS). Complete blood count and metabolic profiles were measured. Clinical and laboratory parameters were compared between carriers and non-carriers of the rs671 (A) allele in males and females, respectively. The significant parameters and rs671 (A) Allele were included in multivariate linear regression models to identify potential contributors to motor and cognitive impairment. Mediation analysis was employed to evaluate any mediation effects. Results Male patients carrying rs671 (A) allele exhibited higher levels of hs-CRP than non-carriers (1.70 mg/L vs. 0.50 mg/L, p = 0.006). The rs671 (A) allele was identified as an independent risk factor for faster disease progression only in male patients (β = 0.274, 95% CI = 0.048-0.499, p = 0.018). The effect of the rs671 (A) allele on the executive function in male patients was fully mediated by hs-CRP (Indirect effect = -1.790, 95% CI = -4.555--0.225). No effects of the rs671 (A) allele or hs-CRP were observed in female ALS patients. The effects of the ALDH2 rs671 (A) allele and the mediating role of hs-CRP in male patients remained significant in the sensitivity analyses. Conclusion The ALDH2 rs671 (A) allele contributed to faster disease progression and hs-CRP mediated cognitive impairment in male ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lifang Huang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Mao Liu
- Department of Neurology, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | - Jiahui Tang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Zhenxiang Gong
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zehui Li
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yuan Yang
- Department of Neurology, The Central Hospital of Enshi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Enshi, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Shanxi Academy of Medical Sciences, Tongji Shanxi Hospital, Third Hospital of Shanxi Medical University, Taiyuan, China
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Gong Z, Deng W, Li Z, Tang J, Zhang M. Association between apathy and caregiver burden in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2024; 14:e080803. [PMID: 39231554 PMCID: PMC11407208 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-080803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the relationship among patients' apathy, cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety, and caregiver burden in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). DESIGN A cross-sectional study design was used. SETTING The study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in Wuhan, Hubei, China. PARTICIPANTS A total of 109 patients with ALS and their caregivers were included. OUTCOME MEASURES Patients with ALS were screened using the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural Screen, Beck Depression Inventory-II, Generalised Anxiety Disorder-7 and Apathy Scale to assess their cognition, depression, anxiety and apathy, respectively. The primary caregivers completed the Zarit Burden Interview. The association between apathy, cognitive impairment, depression, anxiety and caregiver burden was analysed using logistic regression. Mediation models were employed to investigate the mediating effect of patients' apathy on the relationship between depression/anxiety and caregiver burden. RESULTS Patients in the high caregiver burden group exhibited significantly higher levels of depression, anxiety and apathy compared with those in the low caregiver burden group (p<0.05). There was a positive association observed between caregiver burden and disease course (rs=0.198, p<0.05), depression (rs=0.189, p<0.05), anxiety (rs=0.257, p<0.05) and apathy (rs=0.388, p<0.05). There was a negative association between caregiver burden and the Revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (rs=-0.275, p<0.05). Apathy was an independent risk factor for higher caregiver burden (OR 1.121, 95% CI 1.041 to 1.206, p<0.05). Apathy fully mediated the relationship between depression and caregiver burden (β=0.35, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.54, p<0.05) while partially mediating the relationship between anxiety and caregiver burden (β=0.34, 95% CI 0.16 to 0.52, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Apathy, depression and anxiety exerted a detrimental impact on caregiver burden in individuals with ALS. Apathy played a mediating role in the relationship between depression and caregiver burden and between anxiety and caregiver burden. These findings underscore the importance of identifying apathy and developing interventions for its management within the context of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenxiang Gong
- Department of Neurology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Wenhua Deng
- Department of Neurology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Zehui Li
- Department of Neurology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Jiahui Tang
- Department of Neurology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Huazhong University of Science and Technology Tongji Medical College Tongji Hospital, Wuhan, Hubei, China
- Department of Neurology, Shanxi Bethune Hospital, Taiyuan, China
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Müller KJ, Schmidbauer ML, Schönecker S, Kamm K, Pelz JO, Holzapfel K, Papadopoulou M, Bakola E, Tsivgoulis G, Naumann M, Hermann A, Walter U, Dimitriadis K, Reilich P, Schöberl F. Diagnostic accuracy and confounders of vagus nerve ultrasound in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-a single-center case series and pooled individual patient data meta-analysis. J Neurol 2024; 271:6255-6263. [PMID: 39085618 PMCID: PMC11377580 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12601-z] [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: 06/09/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Several single-center studies proposed utility of vagus nerve (VN) ultrasound for detecting disease severity, autonomic dysfunction, and bulbar phenotype in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the resulting body of literature shows opposing results, leaving considerable uncertainty on the clinical benefits of VN ultrasound in ALS. METHODS Relevant studies were identified up to 04/2024 and individual patient data (IPD) obtained from the respective authors were pooled with a so far unpublished cohort (from Munich). An IPD meta-analysis of 109 patients with probable or definite ALS (El Escorial criteria) and available VN cross-sectional area (CSA) was performed, with age, sex, ALS Functional Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-R), disease duration, and bulbar phenotype as independent variables. RESULTS Mean age was 65 years (± 12) and 47% of patients (± 12) had bulbar ALS. Mean ALSFRS-R was 38 (± 7), and mean duration was 18 months (± 18). VN atrophy was highly prevalent [left: 67% (± 5), mean CSA 1.6mm2 (± 0.6); right: 78% (± 21), mean CSA 1.8 mm2 (± 0.7)]. VN CSA correlated with disease duration (mean slope: left - 0.01; right - 0.01), but not with ALSFRS-R (mean slope: left 0.004; mean slope: right - 0.002). Test accuracy for phenotyping bulbar vs. non-bulbar ALS was poor (summary receiver operating characteristic area under the curve: left 0.496; right 0.572). CONCLUSION VN atrophy in ALS is highly prevalent and correlates with disease duration, but not with ALSFRS-R. VN CSA is insufficient to differentiate bulbar from non-bulbar ALS phenotypes. Further studies are warranted to analyze the link between VN atrophy, autonomic impairment, and survival in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina J Müller
- Department of Neurology With Friedrich Baur Institute, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Moritz L Schmidbauer
- Department of Neurology With Friedrich Baur Institute, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Sonja Schönecker
- Department of Neurology With Friedrich Baur Institute, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Katharina Kamm
- Department of Neurology With Friedrich Baur Institute, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Johann O Pelz
- Department of Neurology, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Korbinian Holzapfel
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Marianna Papadopoulou
- Department of Physiotherapy, Laboratory of Neuromuscular and Cardiovascular Study of Motion, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Bakola
- Second Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Markus Naumann
- Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Augsburg, Augsburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Hermann
- Deutsches Zentrum Für Neurodegenerative, Erkrankungen Rostock/Greifswald, Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section Albrecht Kossel, Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Uwe Walter
- Deutsches Zentrum Für Neurodegenerative, Erkrankungen Rostock/Greifswald, Rostock, Germany
- Center for Transdisciplinary Neurosciences Rostock, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Center, Rostock, Germany
| | - Konstantinos Dimitriadis
- Department of Neurology With Friedrich Baur Institute, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Peter Reilich
- Department of Neurology With Friedrich Baur Institute, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Florian Schöberl
- Department of Neurology With Friedrich Baur Institute, LMU University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
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7
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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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8
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Carlton J, Powell P, Rowen D, Williams C, Griffiths AW, Hobson E, McDermott C. Development of a novel patient reported outcome measure for health-related quality of life in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PROQuALS): study protocol. Health Qual Life Outcomes 2024; 22:69. [PMID: 39215326 PMCID: PMC11365122 DOI: 10.1186/s12955-024-02286-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 08/21/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) can be used to assess the impact of health conditions upon an individual's health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Whilst PROMs have been used to quantify the HRQoL impact of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), existing instruments may not fully capture what matters to people living with ALS (plwALS) or be appropriate to be used directly to inform the cost-effectiveness of new treatments. This highlights a need for a new condition-specific PROM that can both capture what's important to plwALS and be used in economic evaluation. This study has two key aims: 1) to produce a novel PROM for measuring HRQoL in plwALS (PROQuALS). 2) to value a set of items from the novel PROM to generate an associated preference-weighted measure (PWM) that will enable utility values to be generated. METHODS A mixed-methods study design will be conducted across three stages. Stage 1 involves concept elicitation and the generation of draft PROM content from a robust and comprehensive systematic review of HRQoL in ALS, with input from plwALS. Stage 2 consists of cognitive debriefing of the draft PROM content to ascertain its content validity (Stage 2a), followed by a psychometric survey (Stage 2b) to assess statistical performance. Evidence from Stage 2 will be used to make decisions on the final content and format of the novel PROM. Stage 3 will involve valuation and econometric modeling using health economics methods to generate preference weights, so a PWM derived from the novel PROM can be used in the cost-effectiveness analyses of treatments. Patient and clinical advisory groups will have critical, collaborative input throughout the project. DISCUSSION The novel PROM will be designed to comprehensively assess important aspects of HRQoL to plwALS and to quantify HRQoL in terms of subjective impact. The PROQuALS measure will be available for use in research and healthcare settings. The associated PWM component will extend and enable the use of PROQuALS in cost-effective analyses of new treatments for ALS. TRIAL REGISTRATION Not applicable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jill Carlton
- Sheffield Centre of Health and Related Research (SCHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
| | - Philip Powell
- Sheffield Centre of Health and Related Research (SCHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Donna Rowen
- Sheffield Centre of Health and Related Research (SCHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Claire Williams
- Sheffield Centre of Health and Related Research (SCHARR), University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | | | - Esther Hobson
- Division of Neuroscience, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
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9
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Radakovic R, Carroll A, Altiero A, Reichwein C, Walsh S, Niven E, Abrahams S, Simmons Z. Self-perceived quality of life, cognitive and behavioural impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 2024:10.1007/s00415-024-12639-z. [PMID: 39196396 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12639-z] [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: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 08/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Self-perceived quality of life (QoL) is important in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although caregiver burden and strain have been related to cognitive and behavioural impairment, there has been no comprehensive research looking at these impairments and how they may influence self-perceived QoL subdomains. AIMS To explore how cognitive and behavioural impairment are related to different areas of self-perceived QoL using disease-specific measures. METHODS This was a quantitative, cross-sectional, observational cohort study, utilising existing specialist ALS clinic data. Clinical and demographic variables were available as well as multidimensional measures, ALS-specific QoL Short Form (ALSsQoL-SF) results and the data from the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS). Group comparison and regression analyses were performed. RESULTS Data from 121 participants with ALS were analysed. 61.2% (N = 74) had either cognitive and/or behavioural impairment, with 28.9% (N = 35) with cognitive impairment (ALSci), 14.1% (N = 17) with behavioural impairment (ALSbi) and 18.2% (N = 22) with both (ALScbi). 38.8% (N = 47) were classified as having no impairments (ALSni). Those with ALSbi had significantly lower QoL in the domains of negative emotions and the interaction with people and the environment compared to those with ALSci and ALSni (ps < 0.05). Further, those with ALScbi had significantly lower QoL in the intimacy domains than those with ALSci and ALSni (ps < 0.05). Regression analysis showed specific cognitive and behavioural (inclusive of psychosis) predictors associated with specific QoL subdomains. CONCLUSIONS Behavioural impairments effect QoL in specific subdomains, namely relating to internalising (negative emotions) and externalising (interaction with people and the environment subdomains, intimacy).
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Affiliation(s)
- Ratko Radakovic
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Therapies, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK.
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK.
| | - Amy Carroll
- Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychological Therapies, Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich, UK
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, Norwich, UK
| | - Alair Altiero
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Carrie Reichwein
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Susan Walsh
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
| | - Elaine Niven
- Human Cognitive Neuroscience-Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Psychology, School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Law, University of Dundee, Dundee, DD1 4HN, UK
| | - Sharon Abrahams
- Human Cognitive Neuroscience-Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Zachary Simmons
- Department of Neurology, Pennsylvania State University, Hershey, PA, USA
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10
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Jiang Q, Wei Q, Zhang L, Yang T, Lin J, Xiao Y, Li C, Hou Y, Ou R, Liu K, Zhao B, Wu Y, Lai X, Shang H. Peripheral immunity relate to disease progression and prognosis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:465-474. [PMID: 38270154 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2024.2306969] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease. Abnormalities in the peripheral immune system in ALS have been paid attention; however, the results of changes in peripheral immune parameters were inconsistent. METHODS A total of 1109 ALS patients were enrolled in the study. All patients received clinical evaluation and peripheral immune parameters measurement. The outcomes were analyzed by correlation analysis, multiple linear regression and cox survival analysis. RESULTS We found that ALS patients had significantly higher percentage of CD4+ T cells (39.3 vs. 37.1%, p < 0.001) and CD4+/CD8+ ratio (1.88 vs. 1.72, p = 0.011), significantly lower IgG (11.73 vs.12.82, p < 0.001) and IgA (2130.70 vs. 2284.8, p = 0.013) compared with the health controls. In the multivariate linear model, we found that each increase of 1.262, 0.278, and 4.44E-4 in ALSFRS-R scores were significantly associated with each increment of lymphocyte count, IgG, and IgA, respectively. However, each decrease of 0.341, 0.068, and 0.682 in ALSFRS-R score was associated with each increment in neutrophils, CD4+ T cells, and CD4+/CD8+ ratio, respectively. Cox survival regression analysis showed that the death risk of ALS patients was related to the levels of C3 (HR 0.592, 95% CI 0.361-0.973). CONCLUSION We found that there were differences in peripheral immune parameters of ALS patients with the severity of the disease, especially neutrophil, lymphocyte, CD4+ T, and IgG; C3 is an independent predictor of survival in ALS patients. More studies are needed to elucidate the mechanisms associated with altered immune parameters in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qirui Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianqian Wei
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Lingyu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Tianmi Yang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junyu Lin
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chunyu Li
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yanbing Hou
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ruwei Ou
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Kuncheng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Bi Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ying Wu
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xiaohui Lai
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huifang Shang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders and Immunology, Rare Disease Center, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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11
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Didcote L, Al-Chalabi A, Goldstein LH. How the coronavirus pandemic affected the lives of people with ALS and their spouses in the UK from spouses' perspectives: a qualitative study. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:625-633. [PMID: 38720470 PMCID: PMC11098060 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2024.2346501] [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: 01/27/2024] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study set out to investigate, using qualitative methodology, the experiences of spouses of people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) during the coronavirus pandemic, with particular focus on spouse distress and cognitive and behavioral change in people with ALS (pwALS). METHODS Qualitative semi-structured interviews of nine spouses of pwALS living in England were conducted between 11/09/2020 and 20/04/2021, focusing on spouses' perspectives of how their lives and the lives of pwALS were affected by the pandemic and related lockdowns. Interviews were subject to thematic analysis. RESULTS Four superordinate themes were identified from the spouses' interviews: (i) pandemic behaviors, which encompassed accounts of cautious behavior, relaxation of cautious behavior, and other people's attitudes to shielding the person with ALS; (ii) changes to daily life caused by the pandemic and progression of ALS; (iii) distress in spouses, which included anxiety, depression, and burden; and (iv) ALS-related behavioral impairment. Spouses also provided mixed accounts of telehealth care, pointing out its convenience but some felt that face-to-face appointments were preferable. CONCLUSIONS While many reactions to the pandemic reported by spouses of pwALS may have been similar to those of the general population or other vulnerable groups, interviews indicated the potential for the pandemic to have made more apparent certain aspects of behavioral change in pwALS with which carers may require support. Clinicians need to acknowledge spouses' concerns about the potential limitations of remote clinical consultations, enquire about cognitive and behavioral change, and consider how input should be best provided in such limiting circumstances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lyndsay Didcote
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Ammar Al-Chalabi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, King’s College London, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, London, UK, and
- Department of Neurology, King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Laura H. Goldstein
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK
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12
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Keetharuth AD, Gould RL, McDermott CJ, Thompson BJ, Rawlinson C, Bradburn M, Bursnall M, Kumar P, Turton EJ, Tappenden P, White D, Howard RJ, Serfaty MA, McCracken LM, Graham CD, Al‐Chalabi A, Goldstein LH, Lawrence V, Cooper C, Young T. Cost-effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy for people living with motor neuron disease, and their health-related quality of life. Eur J Neurol 2024; 31:e16317. [PMID: 38660985 PMCID: PMC11235598 DOI: 10.1111/ene.16317] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/26/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Given the degenerative nature of the condition, people living with motor neuron disease (MND) experience high levels of psychological distress. The purpose of this research was to investigate the cost-effectiveness of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), adapted for the specific needs of this population, for improving quality of life. METHODS A trial-based cost-utility analysis over a 9-month period was conducted comparing ACT plus usual care (n = 97) versus usual care alone (n = 94) from the perspective of the National Health Service. In the primary analysis, quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were computed using health utilities generated from the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were also carried out. RESULTS Difference in costs was statistically significant between the two arms, driven mainly by the intervention costs. Effects measured by EQ-5D-5L were not statistically significantly different between the two arms. The incremental cost-effectiveness was above the £20,000 to £30,000 per QALY gained threshold used in the UK. However, the difference in effects was statistically significant when measured by the McGill Quality of Life-Revised (MQOL-R) questionnaire. The intervention was cost-effective in a subgroup experiencing medium deterioration in motor neuron symptoms. CONCLUSIONS Despite the intervention being cost-ineffective in the primary analysis, the significant difference in the effects measured by MQOL-R, the low costs of the intervention, the results in the subgroup analysis, and the fact that ACT was shown to improve the quality of life for people living with MND, suggest that ACT could be incorporated into MND clinical services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anju D. Keetharuth
- School of Medicine and Population Health, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related ResearchUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | | | | | - Benjamin J. Thompson
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related ResearchUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | | | - Mike Bradburn
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related ResearchUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Matt Bursnall
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related ResearchUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Pavithra Kumar
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related ResearchUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Emily J. Turton
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related ResearchUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Paul Tappenden
- School of Medicine and Population Health, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related ResearchUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - David White
- School of Medicine and Population Health, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related ResearchUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | | | - Marc A. Serfaty
- Division of PsychiatryUniversity College LondonLondonUK
- Priory Hospital North LondonLondonUK
| | | | | | - Ammar Al‐Chalabi
- Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience InstituteKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Laura H. Goldstein
- Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Vanessa Lawrence
- Health Service & Population Research Department, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & NeuroscienceKing's College LondonLondonUK
| | - Cindy Cooper
- Clinical Trials Research Unit, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related ResearchUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
| | - Tracey Young
- School of Medicine and Population Health, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related ResearchUniversity of SheffieldSheffieldUK
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13
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Dubbioso R, Spisto M, Verde L, Iuzzolino VV, Senerchia G, Salvatore E, De Pietro G, De Falco I, Sannino G. Voice signals database of ALS patients with different dysarthria severity and healthy controls. Sci Data 2024; 11:800. [PMID: 39030186 PMCID: PMC11271596 DOI: 10.1038/s41597-024-03597-2] [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: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/21/2024] Open
Abstract
This paper describes a new publicly-available database of VOiCe signals acquired in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) patients (VOC-ALS) and healthy controls performing different speech tasks. This dataset consists of 1224 voice signals recorded from 153 participants: 51 healthy controls (32 males and 19 females) and 102 ALS patients (65 males and 37 females) with different severity of dysarthria. Each subject's voice was recorded using a smartphone application (Vox4Health) while performing several vocal tasks, including a sustained phonation of the vowels /a/, /e/, /i/, /o/, /u/ and /pa/, /ta/, /ka/ syllable repetition. Basic derived speech metrics such as harmonics-to-noise ratio, mean and standard deviation of fundamental frequency (F0), jitter and shimmer were calculated. The F0 standard deviation of vowels and syllables showed an excellent ability to identify people with ALS and to discriminate the different severity of dysarthria. These data represent the most comprehensive database of voice signals in ALS and form a solid basis for research on the recognition of voice impairment in ALS patients for use in clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raffaele Dubbioso
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Myriam Spisto
- Department of Psychology of the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, 81100, Italy
| | - Laura Verde
- Department of Mathematics and Physics of the University of Campania "Luigi Vanvitelli", Caserta, 81100, Italy
| | - Valentina Virginia Iuzzolino
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Senerchia
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Elena Salvatore
- Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Pietro
- Department of Information Sciences and Technologies, Pegaso University, Naples, 80143, Italy
| | - Ivanoe De Falco
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Institute for High-Performance Computing and Networking (ICAR), Naples, 80131, Italy
| | - Giovanna Sannino
- National Research Council of Italy (CNR), Institute for High-Performance Computing and Networking (ICAR), Naples, 80131, Italy.
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14
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Liu X, Chen L, Ye S, Liu X, Zhang Y, Fan D. Postural instability and lower extremity dysfunction in upper motor neuron-dominant amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1406109. [PMID: 39076845 PMCID: PMC11284044 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1406109] [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: 03/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/31/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Upper motor neuron-dominant ALS (UMND ALS) is recognized to have early onset and good prognosis, but may have a rapid decline in motor function due to gait instability in the early stage. We investigated changes in lower extremity function in UMND ALS, particularly UMND ALS patients accompanied with postural instability or repeated falls (UMND ALS plus). Results Among the 2,353 ALS patients reviewed, 211 (9.0%) had UMND ALS. UMND ALS had a longer diagnosis delay and restricted symptoms. Although UMND ALS patients had better lower extremity function and strength than matched classic ALS patients on first evaluation, there was no difference in the time of needing assistance or not being able to walk after disease onset. In contrast, UMND ALS plus has severe UMN symptoms and a more rapid decline in motor function. The lower extremity function was no better than that in the matched classic ALS. The prognosis of UMND ALS and UMND ALS plus were significantly better than those of overall ALS. Conclusion UMND ALS has restricted symptoms but has a rapid decline in lower extremity function in the early stage of the disease. The motor function decline of UMND ALS plus is as fast as classic ALS. Whether these patients represent a distinct subgroup of ALS deserves further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyi Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Shan Ye
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Yingshuang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Dongsheng Fan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China
- Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative Diseases, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory for Neuroscience, National Health Commission, Ministry of Education, Peking University, Beijing, China
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15
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M Amaral D, Soares DF, Gromicho M, de Carvalho M, Madeira SC, Tomás P, Aidos H. Temporal stratification of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients using disease progression patterns. Nat Commun 2024; 15:5717. [PMID: 38977678 PMCID: PMC11231290 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49954-y] [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: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Identifying groups of patients with similar disease progression patterns is key to understand disease heterogeneity, guide clinical decisions and improve patient care. In this paper, we propose a data-driven temporal stratification approach, ClusTric, combining triclustering and hierarchical clustering. The proposed approach enables the discovery of complex disease progression patterns not found by univariate temporal analyses. As a case study, we use Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a neurodegenerative disease with a non-linear and heterogeneous disease progression. In this context, we applied ClusTric to stratify a hospital-based population (Lisbon ALS Clinic dataset) and validate it in a clinical trial population. The results unravelled four clinically relevant disease progression groups: slow progressors, moderate bulbar and spinal progressors, and fast progressors. We compared ClusTric with a state-of-the-art method, showing its effectiveness in capturing the heterogeneity of ALS disease progression in a lower number of clinically relevant progression groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela M Amaral
- LASIGE, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
- Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Diogo F Soares
- LASIGE, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Marta Gromicho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular and Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Instituto de Medicina Molecular and Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Sara C Madeira
- LASIGE, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Pedro Tomás
- INESC-ID, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Helena Aidos
- LASIGE, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal.
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16
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Liang W, Liu Y, Zhao Y, Chen Y, Yin Y, Zhai L, Li Z, Gong Z, Zhang J, Zhang M. Quantitative MRI Analysis of Brachial Plexus and Limb-Girdle Muscles in Upper Extremity Onset Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 60:291-301. [PMID: 37767949 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.29027] [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: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent evidence highlights the potential of axonal degeneration as a biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) detection. However, the diagnostic potential of peripheral nerve axon changes in ALS remains unclear. PURPOSE To evaluate the diagnostic performance of quantitative MRI of the brachial plexus and limb-girdle muscles (LGMs) in patients with upper extremity onset of ALS. STUDY TYPE Retrospective. POPULATION 47 patients with upper extremity onset of ALS and 20 healthy volunteers. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE 3-T, three-dimensional sampling perfection with application-optimized contrasts using different flip angle evolutions with short-tau inversion recovery sequences, T2-weighted turbo spin-echo Dixon sequence. ASSESSMENT The cross-sectional area (CSA) and nerve-muscle T2 signal intensity ratio (nT2) of the bilateral brachial plexus as well as the CSA and fat fraction (FF) of the bilateral LGMs were assessed by two radiologists. Disease severity and clinical stage of ALS patients were assessed by two neurologists. STATISTICAL TESTS Student's t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, binary logistic regression, interclass correlation coefficient, receiver operating characteristic analysis, and correlation analysis were performed for MRI quantitative metrics and clinical variables. Significance level: P < 0.05. RESULTS In the affected limbs of patients with ALS, the CSA of the brachial plexus roots, trunks, and cords and the nT2 values of the brachial plexus trunks were significantly smaller than in the healthy controls. In the LGMs, the affected limbs of ALS showed significantly smaller CSA and higher FF than controls. The model containing parameters such as brachial plexus trunk CSA, subscapularis CSA, infraspinatus CSA, and subscapularis FF had excellent diagnostic efficacy for ALS. Additionally, increased subscapularis FF and supraspinatus FF were correlated with disease severity, and subscapularis CSA was negatively correlated with the clinical stage. DATA CONCLUSION Brachial plexus thinning, LGM atrophy, and fatty infiltration might serve as MRI-derived biomarkers for ALS with upper extremity onset. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 4 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiqiang Liang
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yali Zhao
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Yangyang Yin
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Linhan Zhai
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zehui Li
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Zhenxiang Gong
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, China
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17
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Riva N, Domi T, Pozzi L, Lunetta C, Schito P, Spinelli EG, Cabras S, Matteoni E, Consonni M, Bella ED, Agosta F, Filippi M, Calvo A, Quattrini A. Update on recent advances in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 2024; 271:4693-4723. [PMID: 38802624 PMCID: PMC11233360 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12435-9] [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: 04/09/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/09/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
In the last few years, our understanding of disease molecular mechanisms underpinning ALS has advanced greatly, allowing the first steps in translating into clinical practice novel research findings, including gene therapy approaches. Similarly, the recent advent of assistive technologies has greatly improved the possibility of a more personalized approach to supportive and symptomatic care, in the context of an increasingly complex multidisciplinary line of actions, which remains the cornerstone of ALS management. Against this rapidly growing background, here we provide an comprehensive update on the most recent studies that have contributed towards our understanding of ALS pathogenesis, the latest results from clinical trials as well as the future directions for improving the clinical management of ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nilo Riva
- 3Rd Neurology Unit and Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Fondazione IRCCS "Carlo Besta" Neurological Insitute, Milan, Italy.
| | - Teuta Domi
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Laura Pozzi
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Christian Lunetta
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Neurorehabilitation Unit of Milan Institute, 20138, Milan, Italy
| | - Paride Schito
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Edoardo Gioele Spinelli
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Cabras
- ALS Centre, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin; SC Neurologia 1U, AOU città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrico Matteoni
- ALS Centre, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin; SC Neurologia 1U, AOU città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Monica Consonni
- 3Rd Neurology Unit and Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Fondazione IRCCS "Carlo Besta" Neurological Insitute, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Dalla Bella
- 3Rd Neurology Unit and Motor Neuron Disease Centre, Fondazione IRCCS "Carlo Besta" Neurological Insitute, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Agosta
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute Huniversity, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- Department of Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Neuroimaging Research Unit, Department of Neurology, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- Vita-Salute Huniversity, Milan, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- ALS Centre, 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin; SC Neurologia 1U, AOU città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Angelo Quattrini
- Experimental Neuropathology Unit, Division of Neuroscience, Institute of Experimental Neurology, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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18
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Aiello EN, Torre S, Solca F, Curti B, De Luca G, Gendarini C, Cocuzza A, Colombo E, Maranzano A, Verde F, Morelli C, Messina S, Doretti A, Silani V, Ticozzi N, Poletti B. Ecological validity of performance-based cognitive screeners in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: preliminary evidence. Neurol Sci 2024:10.1007/s10072-024-07660-z. [PMID: 38904901 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07660-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study aimed at preliminarily assessing, in a cohort of non-demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, the ecological validity, and more specifically the veridicality, of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS) and the ALS Cognitive Behavioral Screen (ALS-CBS™), by relating their scores to caregiver-report ratings of cognitive changes. METHODS N = 147 patient-caregiver dyads were recruited. Patients were administered the ECAS and ALS-CBS™, whilst caregiver the Caregiver Behavioral Questionnaire (CBQ) and Beaumont Behavioural Inventory (BBI). An Ecological Cognitive Functioning Index (ECFI) was derived from those items of the CBQ and BBI that tap on executive and language changes. Ecological validity was assessed via both correlational and predictive analyses net of caregiver-rated behavioural changes (as assessed by the ECAS-Carer Interview). RESULTS The ECFI was associated with the total scores on both the ECAS (p = .014) and ALS-CBS™ (p = .017). When looking at ECAS and ALS-CBS™ subscales, those assessing verbal fluency were selectively associated with the ECFI. The ECFI was higher in patients performing defectively on the ECAS (p = .004) and on the ALS-CBS™ (p = .027). DISCUSSION This study suggests that both the ECAS and the ALS-CBS™ represent a valid estimate of non-demented ALS patients' cognitive status in the real world, also highlighting the clinical relevance of cognitive changes reported by caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Nicolò Aiello
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Silvia Torre
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Federica Solca
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Beatrice Curti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Giulia De Luca
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Claudia Gendarini
- Neurology Residency Program, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Alessandro Cocuzza
- Neurology Residency Program, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Eleonora Colombo
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Alessio Maranzano
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Federico Verde
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milano, MI, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, "Dino Ferrari" Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Claudia Morelli
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Stefano Messina
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Alberto Doretti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milano, MI, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milano, MI, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, "Dino Ferrari" Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milano, MI, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, "Dino Ferrari" Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Barbara Poletti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milano, MI, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy.
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19
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Yang T, Wei Q, Li C, Ou R, Lin J, Cheng Y, Xiao Y, Shang H. Peripheral immunity involvement in the cognitive impairment of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1405275. [PMID: 38882692 PMCID: PMC11176427 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1405275] [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: 03/22/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Recent research has indicated the significance of immune activation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the impact of peripheral immunity on cognitive impairment in sporadic ALS remains poorly characterized. Therefore, we aim to assess the relationship between peripheral immune parameters and cognitive impairment in patients with sporadic ALS. Methods A case-control study involving 289 patients with sporadic ALS was conducted. All participants underwent cognitive assessment and measurements of blood immune parameters. The main outcomes included adjusted odds ratios (ORs) in multivariate logistic regression analysis and adjusted coefficients in a multivariate linear regression model. Sensitivity analysis was performed with stratification by the King's clinical stage. Results Cognitive impairment was observed in 98 (33.9%) patients. Higher counts of leukocyte (OR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.29 to 0.95; p = 0.03), neutrophil (OR, 0.48; 95% CI, 0.26 to 0.88; p = 0.02), and monocyte (OR, 0.33; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.60; p < 0.001) were significantly associated with better cognitive preformence in sporadic ALS, particularly among patients in King's clinical stages 1 and 2. Conversely, a higher percentage of CD4+ T cells was linked to an increased risk of cognitive impairment (OR, 2.79; 95% CI, 1.52 to 5.09; p = 0.001), particularly evident in patients in King's clinical stage 3. Conclusion These results highlight the involvement of peripheral immunity in the cognitive impairment of sporadic ALS and suggest dynamic and intricate roles that vary across disease stages. Elucidating the links between immunity and ALS sheds light on the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying this fatal neurodegenerative disorder and informs potential immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianmi Yang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianqian Wei
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chunyu Li
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Ruwei Ou
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junyu Lin
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yangfan Cheng
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yi Xiao
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Huifang Shang
- Department of Neurology, Laboratory of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Rare Diseases Center, National Clinical Research Center for Geriatrics, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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20
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Hobson E, McDermott C. Advances in symptom management and in monitoring disease progression in motor neuron disease. INTERNATIONAL REVIEW OF NEUROBIOLOGY 2024; 176:119-169. [PMID: 38802174 DOI: 10.1016/bs.irn.2024.04.004] [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
The aim of supportive management of motor neuron disease is to improve survival, promote good quality of life and patient independence and autonomy whilst preparing for future progression and the end of life. Multidisciplinary specialist care aims to address the multifaceted and interacting biopsychosocial problems associated with motor neuron disease that leads to proven benefits in both survival and quality of life. This chapter will explore principles, structure and details of treatment options, and make recommendations for practice and for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther Hobson
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Division of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom
| | - Christopher McDermott
- Sheffield Institute for Translational Neuroscience, Division of Neuroscience, School of Medicine and Population Health, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, United Kingdom.
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21
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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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22
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Moțățăianu A, Mănescu IB, Șerban G, Bărcuțean L, Ion V, Bălașa R, Andone S. Exploring the Role of Metabolic Hormones in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:5059. [PMID: 38791099 PMCID: PMC11121721 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25105059] [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: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons. Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between metabolic dysregulation and ALS pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between metabolic hormones and disease progression in ALS patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 44 ALS patients recruited from a tertiary care center. Serum levels of insulin, total amylin, C-peptide, active ghrelin, GIP (gastric inhibitory peptide), GLP-1 active (glucagon-like peptide-1), glucagon, PYY (peptide YY), PP (pancreatic polypeptide), leptin, interleukin-6, MCP-1 (monocyte chemoattractant protein-1), and TNFα (tumor necrosis factor alpha) were measured, and correlations with ALSFRS-R, evolution scores, and biomarkers were analyzed using Spearman correlation coefficients. Subgroup analyses based on ALS subtypes, progression pattern of disease, and disease progression rate patterns were performed. Significant correlations were observed between metabolic hormones and ALS evolution scores. Insulin and amylin exhibited strong correlations with disease progression and clinical functional outcomes, with insulin showing particularly robust associations. Other hormones such as C-peptide, leptin, and GLP-1 also showed correlations with ALS progression and functional status. Subgroup analyses revealed differences in hormone levels based on sex and disease evolution patterns, with male patients showing higher amylin and glucagon levels. ALS patients with slower disease progression exhibited elevated levels of amylin and insulin. Our findings suggest a potential role for metabolic hormones in modulating ALS progression and functional outcomes. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore the therapeutic implications of targeting metabolic pathways in ALS management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Moțățăianu
- Department of Neurology, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- 1st Neurology Clinic, Mures County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 540136 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Ion Bogdan Mănescu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Georgiana Șerban
- Doctoral School, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Laura Bărcuțean
- Department of Neurology, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- 1st Neurology Clinic, Mures County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 540136 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Valentin Ion
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Analytical Chemistry and Drug Analysis, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- Drug Testing Laboratory, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Rodica Bălașa
- Department of Neurology, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- 1st Neurology Clinic, Mures County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 540136 Târgu Mureș, Romania
| | - Sebastian Andone
- Department of Neurology, University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Târgu Mureș ‘George Emil Palade’, 540142 Târgu Mureș, Romania
- 1st Neurology Clinic, Mures County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 540136 Târgu Mureș, Romania
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23
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Zhdanov DD, Gladilina YA, Blinova VG, Abramova AA, Shishparenok AN, Eliseeva DD. Induction of FoxP3 Pre-mRNA Alternative Splicing to Enhance the Suppressive Activity of Regulatory T Cells from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients. Biomedicines 2024; 12:1022. [PMID: 38790984 PMCID: PMC11117958 DOI: 10.3390/biomedicines12051022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Forkhead box protein 3 (FoxP3) is a key transcription factor responsible for the development, maturation, and function of regulatory T cells (Tregs). The FoxP3 pre-mRNA is subject to alternative splicing, resulting in the translation of multiple splice variants. We have shown that Tregs from patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) have reduced expression of full-length (FL) FoxP3, while other truncated splice variants are expressed predominantly. A correlation was observed between the reduced number of Tregs in the peripheral blood of ALS patients, reduced total FoxP3 mRNA, and reduced mRNA of its FL splice variant. Induction of FL FoxP3 was achieved using splice-switching oligonucleotides capable of base pairing with FoxP3 pre-mRNA and selectively modulating the inclusion of exons 2 and 7 in the mature mRNA. Selective expression of FL FoxP3 resulted in the induction of CD127low, CD152, and Helios-positive cells, while the cell markers CD4 and CD25 were not altered. Such Tregs had an increased proliferative activity and a higher frequency of cell divisions per day. The increased suppressive activity of Tregs with the induced FL FoxP3 splice variant was associated with the increased synthesis of the pro-apoptotic granzymes A and B, and perforin, IL-10, and IL-35, which are responsible for contact-independent suppression, and with the increased ability to suppress telomerase in target cells. The upregulation of Treg suppressive and proliferative activity using splice-switching oligonucleotides to induce the predominant expression of the FoxP3 FL variant is a promising approach for regenerative cell therapy in Treg-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dmitry D. Zhdanov
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
- Department of Biochemistry, Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia named after Patrice Lumumba (RUDN University), Miklukho-Maklaya St. 6, 117198 Moscow, Russia
| | - Yulia A. Gladilina
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Varvara G. Blinova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Anna A. Abramova
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia;
| | - Anastasia N. Shishparenok
- Laboratory of Medical Biotechnology, Institute of Biomedical Chemistry, Pogodinskaya St. 10/8, 119121 Moscow, Russia; (Y.A.G.); (V.G.B.); (A.A.A.); (A.N.S.)
| | - Daria D. Eliseeva
- Research Center of Neurology, Volokolamskoe Shosse, 80, 125367 Moscow, Russia;
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24
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Nolano M, Provitera V, Caporaso G, Fasolino I, Borreca I, Stancanelli A, Iuzzolino VV, Senerchia G, Vitale F, Tozza S, Ruggiero L, Iodice R, Ferrari S, Santoro L, Manganelli F, Dubbioso R. Skin innervation across amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinical stages: new prognostic biomarkers. Brain 2024; 147:1740-1750. [PMID: 38123494 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad426] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 11/26/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Over recent decades, peripheral sensory abnormalities, including the evidence of cutaneous denervation, have been reported among the non-motor manifestations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, a correlation between cutaneous innervation and clinical features has not been found. The aims of this study were to assess sensory involvement by applying a morpho-functional approach to a large population of ALS patients stratified according to King's stages and correlate these findings with the severity and prognosis of the disease. We recruited 149 ALS patients and 41 healthy controls. Patients undertook clinical questionnaires for small fibre neuropathy symptoms (Small Fiber Neuropathy Symptoms Inventory Questionnaire) and underwent nerve conductions studies (NCS) and 3-mm punch skin biopsies from leg, thigh and fingertip. We assessed intraepidermal nerve fibre (IENF) and Meissner corpuscle (MC) density by applying an indirect immunofluorescence technique. Moreover, a subset of 65 ALS patients underwent a longitudinal study with repeat biopsies from the thigh at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Serum NfL levels were measured in 40 patients. Sensory symptoms and sensory NCS abnormalities were present in 32.2% and 24% of patients, respectively, and increased across clinical stages. Analogously, we observed a progressive reduction in amplitude of the sensory and motor ulnar nerve potential from stage 1 to stage 4. Skin biopsy showed a significant loss of IENFs and MCs in ALS compared with healthy controls (all P < 0.001). Across the clinical stages, we found a progressive reduction in MCs (P = 0.004) and an increase in IENFs (all P < 0.027). The increase in IENFs was confirmed by the longitudinal study. Interestingly, the MC density inversely correlated with NfL level (r = -0.424, P = 0.012), and survival analysis revealed that low MC density, higher NfL levels and increasing IENF density over time were associated with a poorer prognosis (all P < 0.024). To summarize, in patients with ALS, peripheral sensory involvement worsens in parallel with motor disability. Furthermore, the correlation between skin innervation and disease activity may suggest the use of skin innervation as a putative prognostic biomarker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Nolano
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Provitera
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Caporaso
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
| | - Ines Fasolino
- Institute of Polymers, Composites and Biomaterials-National Research Council (IPCB-CNR), Naples 80125, Italy
| | - Ilaria Borreca
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
| | - Annamaria Stancanelli
- Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Skin Biopsy Lab, Neurological Rehabilitation Unit of Telese Terme Institute, Telese Terme, Benevento 82037, Italy
| | - Valentina V Iuzzolino
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Gianmaria Senerchia
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Floriana Vitale
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Stefano Tozza
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Lucia Ruggiero
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Rosa Iodice
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Sergio Ferrari
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Policlinico GB Rossi, Verona 37134, Italy
| | - Lucio Santoro
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dubbioso
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples Federico II, Naples 80131, Italy
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Parnianpour P, Benatar M, Briemberg H, Dey A, Dionne A, Dupré N, Evans KC, Frayne R, Genge A, Graham SJ, Korngut L, McLaren DG, Seres P, Welsh RC, Wilman A, Zinman L, Kalra S. Mismatch between clinically defined classification of ALS stage and the burden of cerebral pathology. J Neurol 2024; 271:2547-2559. [PMID: 38282082 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12190-x] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the clinical stratification of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients in relation to in vivo cerebral degeneration. One hundred forty-nine ALS patients and one hundred forty-four healthy controls (HCs) were recruited from the Canadian ALS Neuroimaging Consortium (CALSNIC). Texture analysis was performed on T1-weighted scans to extract the texture feature "autocorrelation" (autoc), an imaging biomarker of cerebral degeneration. Patients were stratified at baseline into early and advanced disease stages based on criteria adapted from ALS clinical trials and the King's College staging system, as well as into slow and fast progressors (disease progression rates, DPR). Patients had increased autoc in the internal capsule. These changes extended beyond the internal capsule in early-stage patients (clinical trial-based criteria), fast progressors, and in advanced-stage patients (King's staging criteria). Longitudinal increases in autoc were observed in the postcentral gyrus, corticospinal tract, posterior cingulate cortex, and putamen; whereas decreases were observed in corpus callosum, caudate, central opercular cortex, and frontotemporal areas. Both longitudinal increases and decreases of autoc were observed in non-overlapping regions within insula and precentral gyrus. Within-criteria comparisons of autoc revealed more pronounced changes at baseline and longitudinally in early- (clinical trial-based criteria) and advanced-stage (King's staging criteria) patients and fast progressors. In summary, comparative patterns of baseline and longitudinal progression in cerebral degeneration are dependent on sub-group selection criteria, with clinical trial-based stratification insufficiently characterizing disease stage based on pathological cerebral burden.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedram Parnianpour
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, 562 Heritage Medical Research Centre, 11313-87 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G2S2, Canada.
| | - Michael Benatar
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, USA
| | - Hannah Briemberg
- Division of Neurology, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Avyarthana Dey
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, 562 Heritage Medical Research Centre, 11313-87 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G2S2, Canada
| | - Annie Dionne
- Axe Neurosciences, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | - Nicolas Dupré
- Axe Neurosciences, CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Québec City, QC, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada
| | | | - Richard Frayne
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Angela Genge
- Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Simon J Graham
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Lawrence Korngut
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | | | - Peter Seres
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Robert C Welsh
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, David Geffen School of Medicine, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Alan Wilman
- Department of Radiology and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
| | - Lorne Zinman
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Research Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Sanjay Kalra
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, 562 Heritage Medical Research Centre, 11313-87 Ave, Edmonton, AB, T6G2S2, Canada
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada
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26
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Gebrehiwet P, Brekke J, Rudnicki SA, Mellor J, Wright J, Earl L, Ball N, Iqbal H, Thomas O, Castellano G. Time from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis symptom onset to key disease milestones: analysis of data from a multinational cross-sectional survey. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:345-357. [PMID: 38156828 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2297795] [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: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the average time from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) symptom onset to 11 pre-defined milestones, overall and according to ALS progression rate and geographic location. METHODS Data were drawn from the Adelphi Real World ALS Disease-Specific ProgrammeTM, a point-in-time survey of neurologists caring for people living with ALS (pALS) conducted in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States from 2020-2021. ALS progression rate was calculated using time since symptom onset and ALS Functional Rating Scale Revised score. RESULTS Survey results were available for N = 1003 pALS (progression rate for N = 867). Mean time from symptom onset was 3.8 months to first consultation, 8.0 months to diagnosis, 16.2 months to employment change (part-time/sick leave/retirement/unemployment), 17.5 months to use of a walking aid, 18.5 months to first occurrence of caregiver support, 22.8 months to use of a wheelchair, 24.6 months to use of a communication aid, 27.3 months to use of a respiratory aid, 28.6 months to use of gastrostomy feeding, 29.7 months to use of eye gaze technology and 30.3 months to entering a care facility. Multivariate analysis indicated significant effects of fast (versus slow) progression rate on time to reach all 11 milestones, as well as US (versus European) location, age, body mass index and bulbar onset (versus other) on time to reach milestones. CONCLUSIONS pALS rapidly reached clinical and disease-related milestones within 30 months from symptom onset. Milestones were reached significantly faster by pALS with fast versus slow progression. Geographic differences were observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulos Gebrehiwet
- Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Cytokinetics, Incorporated ,South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Johan Brekke
- Medical Affairs, Cytokinetics, Incorporated, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Stacy A Rudnicki
- Clinical Research, Cytokinetics, Incorporated, South San Francisco, CA, USA and
| | | | - Jack Wright
- Real World Evidence, Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
| | - Lucy Earl
- Real World Evidence, Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
| | - Nathan Ball
- Real World Evidence, Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
| | - Halima Iqbal
- Real World Evidence, Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
| | - Owen Thomas
- Real World Evidence, Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
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27
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Stenson K, Fecteau TE, O'Callaghan L, Bryden P, Mellor J, Wright J, Earl L, Thomas O, Iqbal H, Barlow S, Parvanta S. Health-related quality of life across disease stages in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: results from a real-world survey. J Neurol 2024; 271:2390-2404. [PMID: 38200398 PMCID: PMC11055770 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12141-y] [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: 08/24/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by a rapid disease course, with disease severity being associated with declining health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in persons living with ALS (pALS). The main objective of this study was to assess the impact of disease progression on HRQoL across King's, Milano-Torino Staging (MiToS), and physician-judgement clinical staging. Additionally, we evaluated the impact of the disease on the HRQoL of care partners (cALS). METHODS Data were sourced from the Adelphi ALS Disease Specific Programme (DSP)™, a cross-sectional survey of neurologists, pALS and cALS presenting in a real-world clinical setting between July 2020 and March 2021 in Europe and the United States. RESULTS Neurologists (n = 142) provided data for 880 pALS. There were significant negative correlations between all three clinical staging systems and EuroQol (European Quality of Life) Five Dimension Five Level Scale (EQ-5D-5L) utility scores and visual analogue scale (VAS) ratings. Although not all differences were significant, 5-item Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Assessment Questionnaire (ALSAQ-5) scores showed a stepwise increase in HRQoL impairment at each stage of the disease regardless of the staging system. At later stages, high levels of fatigue and substantial activity impairment were reported. As pALS disease states progressed, cALS also experienced a decline in HRQoL and increased burden. CONCLUSIONS Across outcomes, pALS and cALS generally reported worse outcomes at later stages of the disease, highlighting an unmet need in this population for strategies to maximise QoL despite disease progression. Recognition and treatment of symptoms such as pain and fatigue may lead to improved outcomes for pALS and cALS.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - L O'Callaghan
- Biogen, Cambridge, MA, USA
- Sage Therapeutics, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - J Mellor
- Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
| | - J Wright
- Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
| | - L Earl
- Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
| | - O Thomas
- Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
| | - H Iqbal
- Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
| | - S Barlow
- Adelphi Real World, Bollington, UK
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28
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Azad A, Gökmen ÜR, Uysal H, Köksoy S, Bilge U, Manguoğlu AE. Autophagy dysregulation plays a crucial role in regulatory T-cell loss and neuroinflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:336-344. [PMID: 37908143 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2273365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Neuroinflammation is the hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease. Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are essential in immune tolerance and neuroinflammation prevention. It has been shown that a significant decrease in Treg and FoxP3 protein expression is observed in ALS patients. The main reason for the FoxP3+ Treg loss in ALS is unknown. In this study, the role of autophagy dysregulation in FoxP3+ Tregs in ALS was investigated. METHODS Twenty-three ALS patients and 24 healthy controls were recruited for the study. Mononuclear cells (MNCs) were obtained from peripheral blood, and then Tregs were isolated. Isolated Tregs were stained with FoxP3 and LC3 antibodies and analyzed in flow cytometry to determine autophagy levels in FoxP3+ Tregs in patients and controls. RESULTS The mean of FoxP3+ LC3+ cells, were 0.47 and 0.45 in patients and controls, respectively. The mean of FoxP3+ LC3- cells was 0.15 in patients and 0.20 in controls, p = 0.030 (p < 0.05). There is no significant correlation between ALSFRS-R decay rate and autophagy level in patients. Also, there is no significant difference between autophagy levels in FoxP3+ Tregs in patients with rapidly progressing ALS and slow-progressing ALS. CONCLUSION Excessive autophagy levels in FoxP3+ Tregs in ALS patients can potentially be an explanation for an increased cell death and result in worsened neuroinflammation and disease onset. However, the disease progress is not attributable to autophagy levels in FoxP3+ Tregs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asef Azad
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ümmü Rana Gökmen
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Hilmi Uysal
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Sadi Köksoy
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey, and
| | - Uğur Bilge
- Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ayşe Esra Manguoğlu
- Department of Medical Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
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29
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Washington KT, Mechling CA, Pitzer KA, Maiser S, Mehta AK. Identifying the Unmet Needs of People Living With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A National Survey to Inform Interdisciplinary Palliative Care. Am J Hosp Palliat Care 2024:10499091241248653. [PMID: 38657132 DOI: 10.1177/10499091241248653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction/Aims: This national survey builds on previous qualitative research examining potential palliative care needs among people living with ALS (pALS) by quantifying and investigating relationships among pALS' stage of illness progression; physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intimacy-related concerns; advance care planning behaviors; perceptions of feeling heard and understood by healthcare providers; and overall quality of life. Methods: Researchers partnered with national organizations to recruit pALS to participate in a one-time survey comprising items from validated instruments (eg, the ALS Specific Quality of Life Instrument-Revised) and researcher-generated measures. Data were analyzed using logistic and linear regression. Results: Among pALS (n = 112), many respondents indicated they had discussed their wishes for end-of-life care with family or friends, shared their wishes with providers, and documented their wishes in writing (79.5%, 49.1%, and 63.4%, respectively). Mean (M) quality of life scores were moderate (M ≈ 6 of 10). Illness stage was associated with documentation of end-of-life care wishes but not with having discussed these wishes with others or with overall quality of life. Reported emotional intimacy received was comparable to that desired (difference = .01 of 10); however, a greater desire for physical intimacy relative to that received was indicated (difference = 1.75 of 10). Discussion: Interdisciplinary palliative care teams may enhance ALS care by promoting advance care planning behaviors (particularly discussing one's wishes with healthcare providers), providing interventions to improve quality of life, and supporting pALS in navigating challenges related to physical intimacy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karla T Washington
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Charlton A Mechling
- Program in Occupational Therapy, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Kyle A Pitzer
- Division of Palliative Medicine, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, MO, USA
| | - Samuel Maiser
- Department of Neurology and Internal Medicine, Hennepin Healthcare, Minneapolis, MN, USA
- Department of Neurology and Internal Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Ambereen K Mehta
- Department of Internal Medicine, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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30
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Dai T, Lou J, Kong D, Li J, Ren Q, Chen Y, Sun S, Yun Y, Sun X, Yang Y, Shao K, Li W, Zhao Y, Meng X, Yan C, Lin P, Liu S. Choroid plexus enlargement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients and its correlation with clinical disability and blood-CSF barrier permeability. Fluids Barriers CNS 2024; 21:36. [PMID: 38632611 PMCID: PMC11025206 DOI: 10.1186/s12987-024-00536-6] [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: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Using in vivo neuroimaging techniques, growing evidence has demonstrated that the choroid plexus (CP) volume is enlarged in patients with several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. However, although animal and postmortem findings suggest that CP abnormalities are likely important pathological mechanisms underlying amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the third most common neurodegenerative disease, no available study has been conducted to thoroughly assess CP abnormalities and their clinical relevance in vivo in ALS patients to date. Thus, we aimed to determine whether in vivo CP enlargement may occur in ALS patients. We also aimed to identify the relationships of CP volume with clinical disabilities and blood-CSF barrier (BCSFB) permeability in ALS patients. METHODS In this retrospective study, based on structural MRI data, CP volume was assessed using a Gaussian mixture model and underwent further manual correction in 155 ALS patients and 105 age- and sex-matched HCs from October 2021 to April 2023. The ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) was used to assess clinical disability. The CSF/serum albumin quotient (Qalb) was used to assess BCSFB permeability. Moreover, all the ALS patients completed genetic testing, and according to genetic testing, the ALS patients were further divided into genetic ALS subgroup and sporadic ALS subgroup. RESULTS We found that compared with HCs, ALS patients had a significantly higher CP volume (p < 0.001). Moreover, compared with HCs, CP volume was significantly increased in both ALS patients with and without known genetic mutations after family-wise error correction (p = 0.006 and p < 0.001, respectively), while there were no significant differences between the two ALS groups. Furthermore, the CP volume was significantly correlated with the ALSFRS-r score (r = -0.226; p = 0.005) and the Qalb (r = 0.479; p < 0.001) in ALS patients. CONCLUSION Our study first demonstrates CP enlargement in vivo in ALS patients, and continues to suggest an important pathogenetic role for CP abnormalities in ALS. Moreover, assessing CP volume is likely a noninvasive and easy-to-implement approach for screening BCSFB dysfunction in ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingjun Dai
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, West Wenhua Street No.107, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Jianwei Lou
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, West Wenhua Street No.107, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Deyuan Kong
- School of Clinical Medicine, Shandong Second Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jinyu Li
- Department of Neurology, Xiamen Branch, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, 361015, Xiamen, China
| | - Qingguo Ren
- Department of Radiology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Yujing Chen
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, West Wenhua Street No.107, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Sujuan Sun
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, West Wenhua Street No.107, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Yan Yun
- Department of Radiology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Xiaohan Sun
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, West Wenhua Street No.107, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Yiru Yang
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China
| | - Kai Shao
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, West Wenhua Street No.107, 250012, Jinan, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Wei Li
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, West Wenhua Street No.107, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Yuying Zhao
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, West Wenhua Street No.107, 250012, Jinan, China
| | - Xiangshui Meng
- Department of Radiology, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Chuanzhu Yan
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, West Wenhua Street No.107, 250012, Jinan, China
- Department of Clinical Laboratory, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, China
| | - Pengfei Lin
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, West Wenhua Street No.107, 250012, Jinan, China.
| | - Shuangwu Liu
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Shandong University, West Wenhua Street No.107, 250012, Jinan, China.
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan, China.
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31
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Zhang QJ, Lin J, Wang YL, Chen L, Ding Y, Zheng FZ, Song HH, Lv AW, Li YY, Guo QF, Lin MT, Hu W, Xu LQ, Zhao WL, Fang L, Cui MC, Fu ZF, Chen WJ, Zhang J, Wang ZQ, Wang N, Fu Y. Detection of pTDP-43 via routine muscle biopsy: A promising diagnostic biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain Pathol 2024:e13261. [PMID: 38602336 DOI: 10.1111/bpa.13261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurodegenerative disease, pathologically characterized by TDP-43 aggregates. Recent evidence has been indicated that phosphorylated TDP-43 (pTDP-43) is present not only in motor neurons but also in muscle tissues. However, it is unclear whether testing pTDP-43 aggregation in muscle tissue would assist in the diagnosis of ALS. We propose three key questions: (i) Is aggregation of pTDP-43 detectable in routine biopsied muscles? (ii) Can detection of pTDP-43 aggregation discriminate between ALS and non-ALS patients? (iii) Can pTDP-43 aggregation be observed in the early stages of ALS? We conducted a diagnostic study comprising 2 groups: an ALS group in which 18 cases underwent muscle biopsy screened from a registered ALS cohort consisting of 802 patients and a non-ALS control group, in which we randomly selected 54 muscle samples from a biospecimen bank of 684 patients. Among the 18 ALS patients, 3 patients carried pathological GGGGCC repeats in the C9ORF72 gene, 2 patients carried SOD1 mutations, and 7 patients were at an early stage with only one body region clinically affected. The pTDP-43 accumulation could be detected in routine biopsied muscles, including biceps brachii, deltoid, tibialis anterior, and quadriceps. Abnormal aggregation of pTDP-43 was present in 94.4% of ALS patients (17/18) compared to 29.6% of non-ALS controls (16/54; p < 0.001). The pTDP-43 aggregates were mainly close to the sarcolemma. Using a semi-quantified pTDP-43 aggregates score, we applied a cut-off value of 3 as a diagnostic biomarker, resulting in a sensitivity of 94.4% and a specificity of 83.3%. Moreover, we observed that accumulation of pTDP-43 occurred in muscle tissues prior to clinical symptoms and electromyographic lesions. Our study provides proof-of-concept for the detection of pTDP-43 accumulation via routine muscle biopsy which may serve as a novel biomarker for diagnosis of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi-Jie Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jie Lin
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - You-Liang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Long Chen
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ying Ding
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Fu-Ze Zheng
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Huan-Huan Song
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ao-Wei Lv
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Yu-Ying Li
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Qi-Fu Guo
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Min-Ting Lin
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wei Hu
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Liu-Qing Xu
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wen-Long Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ling Fang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Meng-Chao Cui
- Key Laboratory of Radiopharmaceuticals, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, China
| | - Zhi-Fei Fu
- Public Technology Service Center, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Wan-Jin Chen
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- Department of Pathology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
- National Human Brain Bank for Health and Disease, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Zhi-Qiang Wang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ning Wang
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
| | - Ying Fu
- Department of Neurology, Fujian Institute of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Department of Neurology, National Regional Medical Center, Binhai Campus of The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Molecular Neurology, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, China
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Chen S, Huan X, Xu C, Luo S, Zhao C, Zhong H, Zheng X, Qiao K, Dong Y, Wang Y, Liu C, Huang H, Chen Y, Zou Z. Eomesodermin expression in CD4 +T-cells associated with disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. CNS Neurosci Ther 2024; 30:e14503. [PMID: 37850654 PMCID: PMC11017423 DOI: 10.1111/cns.14503] [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: 08/09/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
AIM To clarify the role of Eomesodermin (EOMES) to serve as a disease-relevant biomarker and the intracellular molecules underlying the immunophenotype shifting of CD4+T subsets in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS The derivation and validation cohorts included a total of 148 ALS patients and 101 healthy controls (HCs). Clinical data and peripheral blood were collected. T-cell subsets and the EOMES expression were quantified using multicolor flow cytometry. Serum neurofilament light chain (NFL) was measured. In 1-year longitudinal follow-ups, the ALSFRS-R scores and primary endpoint events were further recorded in the ALS patients of the validation cohort. RESULTS In the derivation cohort, the CD4+EOMES+T-cell subsets were significantly increased (p < 0.001). EOMES+ subset was positively correlated with increased serum NFL levels in patients with onset longer than 12 months. In the validation cohort, the elevated CD4+EOMES+T-cell proportions and their association with NFL levels were also identified. The longitudinal study revealed that ALS patients with higher EOMES expression were associated with higher progression rates (p = .010) and worse prognosis (p = .003). CONCLUSIONS We demonstrated that increased CD4+EOMES+T-cell subsets in ALS were associated with disease progression and poor prognosis. Identifying these associations may contribute to a better understanding of the immunopathological mechanism of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheng Chen
- Department of NeurologyFujian Medical University Union HospitalFuzhouChina
- Institute of Clinical NeurologyFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Xiao Huan
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of NeurologyHuashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chun‐Zuan Xu
- Department of NeurologyFujian Medical University Union HospitalFuzhouChina
- Institute of Clinical NeurologyFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Su‐Shan Luo
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of NeurologyHuashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Chong‐Bo Zhao
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of NeurologyHuashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Hua‐Hua Zhong
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of NeurologyHuashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Xue‐Ying Zheng
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health and Key Laboratory of Public Health SafetyFudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Kai Qiao
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of NeurologyHuashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Yi Dong
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of NeurologyHuashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Ying Wang
- Department of PharmacyFudan University Huashan HospitalShanghaiChina
| | - Chang‐Yun Liu
- Department of NeurologyFujian Medical University Union HospitalFuzhouChina
- Institute of Clinical NeurologyFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Hua‐Pin Huang
- Department of NeurologyFujian Medical University Union HospitalFuzhouChina
- Institute of Clinical NeurologyFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
| | - Yan Chen
- Huashan Rare Disease Center and Department of NeurologyHuashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan UniversityShanghaiChina
| | - Zhang‐Yu Zou
- Department of NeurologyFujian Medical University Union HospitalFuzhouChina
- Institute of Clinical NeurologyFujian Medical UniversityFuzhouChina
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Yamamoto Y, Fujita K, Yamazaki H, Haji S, Osaki Y, Izumi Y. Constipation in patients with motor neuron disease: A retrospective longitudinal study. Heliyon 2024; 10:e27951. [PMID: 38524582 PMCID: PMC10957436 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e27951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/29/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Constipation has been recently recognized as a complication associated with motor and autonomic dysfunction in patients with motor neuron disease (MND), typified by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the long-term characteristics of constipation remain unclear in patients with MND. We longitudinally investigated the prevalence and risk factors of constipation in a consecutive cohort of patients with MND. Methods Data from Japanese patients with MND enrolled in a single-center registry from June 2017 to December 2021 were retrospectively investigated. The diagnosis of ALS was based on the updated Awaji criteria, and other MND subtypes were also included. The presence or absence of constipation symptoms was determined by referring to the Rome III criteria. The clinical backgrounds and symptoms of patients with and without constipation were compared. Results Among 155 consecutive patients (female, 63; age, 66.5 ± 12.4 years), 30.3% had constipation at diagnosis and 52.9% after a median follow-up of 18 months. Univariate analysis showed that female sex, use of tracheostomy and invasive ventilation, and delivery of enteral nutrition were more frequent in the constipation group. The Revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale score was significantly lower in the constipation group, especially for the sub-items related to physical motor function. Multivariate analysis showed that the use of enteral nutrition was an independent risk of constipation, with an odds ratio of 3.69 (95% CI, 1.49-9.17; p = 0.005). Conclusion Constipation had a high prevalence in patients with MND with impaired motor function. Controlling defecation is important in patients with MND, especially during enteral nutrition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuki Yamamoto
- Department of Neurology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Japan
- Department of Neurology, Tokushima Prefectural Central Hospital, 1-10-3 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Koji Fujita
- Department of Neurology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Hiroki Yamazaki
- Department of Neurology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Shotaro Haji
- Department of Neurology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yusuke Osaki
- Department of Neurology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Japan
| | - Yuishin Izumi
- Department of Neurology, Tokushima University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, 3-18-15 Kuramoto-cho, Tokushima, Japan
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Moțățăianu A, Andone S, Stoian A, Bălașa R, Huțanu A, Sărmășan E. A Potential Role of Interleukin-5 in the Pathogenesis and Progression of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A New Molecular Perspective. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:3782. [PMID: 38612591 PMCID: PMC11011909 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25073782] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cumulative data suggest that neuroinflammation plays a prominent role in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathogenesis. The purpose of this work was to assess if patients with ALS present a specific peripheral cytokine profile and if it correlates with neurological disability assessed by ALSFRS-R, the rate of disease progression, and the pattern of disease progression (horizontal spreading [HSP] versus vertical spreading [VSP]). We determined the levels of 15 cytokines in the blood of 59 patients with ALS and 40 controls. We identified a positive correlation between levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin [IL]-17F, IL-33, IL-31) and the age of ALS patients, as well as a positive correlation between IL-12p/70 and survival from ALS onset and ALS diagnosis. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between the ALSFRS-R score in the upper limb and respiratory domain and IL-5 levels. In our ALS cohort, the spreading pattern was 42% horizontal and 58% vertical, with patients with VSP showing a faster rate of ALS progression. Furthermore, we identified a negative correlation between IL-5 levels and the rate of disease progression, as well as a positive correlation between IL-5 and HSP of ALS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study reporting a "protective" role of IL-5 in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anca Moțățăianu
- 1st Neurology Clinic, Mures County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania; (A.M.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.B.); (E.S.)
- Department of Neurology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Sebastian Andone
- 1st Neurology Clinic, Mures County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania; (A.M.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.B.); (E.S.)
- Department of Neurology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Adina Stoian
- 1st Neurology Clinic, Mures County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania; (A.M.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.B.); (E.S.)
- Department of Pathophysiology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Rodica Bălașa
- 1st Neurology Clinic, Mures County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania; (A.M.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.B.); (E.S.)
- Department of Neurology, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Adina Huțanu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Mures County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, 540142 Targu Mures, Romania
| | - Emanuela Sărmășan
- 1st Neurology Clinic, Mures County Clinical Emergency Hospital, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania; (A.M.); (S.A.); (A.S.); (R.B.); (E.S.)
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McHutchison CA, Wuu J, McMillan CT, Rademakers R, Statland J, Wu G, Rampersaud E, Myers J, Hernandez JP, Abrahams S, Benatar M. Temporal course of cognitive and behavioural changes in motor neuron diseases. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2024; 95:316-324. [PMID: 37827570 PMCID: PMC10958376 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2023-331697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/06/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cognitive and behavioural dysfunction may occur in people with motor neuron disease (MND), with some studies suggesting an association with the C9ORF72 repeat expansion. Their onset and progression, however, is poorly understood. We explored how cognition and behaviour change over time, and whether demographic, clinical and genetic factors impact these changes. METHODS Participants with MND were recruited through the Phenotype-Genotype-Biomarker study. Every 3-6 months, the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS) was used to assess amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) specific (executive functioning, verbal fluency, language) and ALS non-specific (memory, visuospatial) functions. Informants reported on behaviour symptoms via semi-structured interview. RESULTS Participants with neuropsychological data at ≥3 visits were included (n=237, mean age=59, 60% male), of which 18 (8%) were C9ORF72 positive. Baseline cognitive impairment was apparent in 18 (8%), typically in ALS specific domains, and associated with lower education, but not C9ORF72 status. Cognition, on average, remained stable over time, with two exceptions: (1) C9ORF72 carriers declined in all ECAS domains, (2) 8%-9% of participants with baseline cognitive impairment further declined, primarily in the ALS non-specific domain, which was associated with less education. Behavioural symptoms were uncommon. CONCLUSIONS In this study, cognitive dysfunction was less common than previously reported and remained stable over time for most. However, cognition declines longitudinally in a small subset, which is not entirely related to C9ORF72 status. Our findings raise questions about the timing of cognitive impairment in MND, and whether it arises during early clinically manifest disease or even prior to motor manifestations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Caroline A McHutchison
- School of Philosophy, Psychology, and Language Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Joanne Wuu
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Corey T McMillan
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Rosa Rademakers
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Jeffrey Statland
- Department of Neurology, The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | - Gang Wu
- Department of Computational Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Evadnie Rampersaud
- Department of Computational Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jason Myers
- Department of Computational Biology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
| | - Jessica P Hernandez
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
| | - Sharon Abrahams
- School of Philosophy, Psychology, and Language Sciences, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
- Euan MacDonald Centre for Motor Neuron Disease Research, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Michael Benatar
- Department of Neurology, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida, USA
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Tzeplaeff L, Jürs AV, Wohnrade C, Demleitner AF. Unraveling the Heterogeneity of ALS-A Call to Redefine Patient Stratification for Better Outcomes in Clinical Trials. Cells 2024; 13:452. [PMID: 38474416 PMCID: PMC10930688 DOI: 10.3390/cells13050452] [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] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Despite tremendous efforts in basic research and a growing number of clinical trials aiming to find effective treatments, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains an incurable disease. One possible reason for the lack of effective causative treatment options is that ALS may not be a single disease entity but rather may represent a clinical syndrome, with diverse genetic and molecular causes, histopathological alterations, and subsequent clinical presentations contributing to its complexity and variability among individuals. Defining a way to subcluster ALS patients is becoming a central endeavor in the field. Identifying specific clusters and applying them in clinical trials could enable the development of more effective treatments. This review aims to summarize the available data on heterogeneity in ALS with regard to various aspects, e.g., clinical, genetic, and molecular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tzeplaeff
- Department of Neurology, Rechts der Isar Hospital, Technical University of Munich, 81675 München, Germany
| | - Alexandra V. Jürs
- Translational Neurodegeneration Section “Albrecht Kossel”, Department of Neurology, University Medical Center Rostock, 18057 Rostock, Germany
| | - Camilla Wohnrade
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School, 30625 Hannover, Germany;
| | - Antonia F. Demleitner
- Department of Neurology, Rechts der Isar Hospital, Technical University of Munich, 81675 München, Germany
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He D, Liu Y, Dong S, Shen D, Yang X, Hao M, Yin X, He X, Li Y, Wang Y, Liu M, Wang J, Chen X, Cui L. The prognostic value of systematic genetic screening in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. J Neurol 2024; 271:1385-1396. [PMID: 37980296 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12079-1] [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: 09/06/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with complex genetic architecture. Emerging evidence has indicated comorbidity between ALS and autoimmune conditions, suggesting a potential shared genetic basis. The objective of this study is to assess the prognostic value of systematic screening for rare deleterious mutations in genes associated with ALS and aberrant inflammatory responses. METHODS A discovery cohort of 494 patients and a validation cohort of 69 patients were analyzed in this study, with population-matched healthy subjects (n = 4961) served as controls. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to identify rare deleterious variants in 50 ALS genes and 1177 genes associated with abnormal inflammatory responses. Genotype-phenotype correlation was assessed, and an integrative prognostic model incorporating genetic and clinical factors was constructed. RESULTS In the discovery cohort, 8.1% of patients carried confirmed ALS variants, and an additional 15.2% of patients carried novel ALS variants. Gene burden analysis revealed 303 immune-implicated genes with enriched rare variants, and 13.4% of patients harbored rare deleterious variants in these genes. Patients with ALS variants exhibited a more rapid disease progression (HR 2.87 [95% CI 2.03-4.07], p < 0.0001), while no significant effect was observed for immune-implicated variants. The nomogram model incorporating genetic and clinical information demonstrated improved accuracy in predicting disease outcomes (C-index, 0.749). CONCLUSION Our findings enhance the comprehension of the genetic basis of ALS within the Chinese population. It also appears that rare deleterious mutations occurring in immune-implicated genes exert minimal influence on the clinical trajectories of ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Di He
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Yining Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Siqi Dong
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital and Institute of Neurology, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Dongchao Shen
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Xunzhe Yang
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Meng Hao
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xianhong Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xinyi He
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Li
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Mingsheng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Dongcheng District, Beijing, China
| | - Jiucun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Engineering, Collaborative Innovation Center for Genetics and Development, School of Life Sciences and Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Research Unit of Dissecting the Population Genetics and Developing New Technologies for Treatment and Prevention of Skin Phenotypes and Dermatological Diseases (2019RU058), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Xiangjun Chen
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital and Institute of Neurology, National Center for Neurological Disorders, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
- Research Unit of Dissecting the Population Genetics and Developing New Technologies for Treatment and Prevention of Skin Phenotypes and Dermatological Diseases (2019RU058), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China.
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital (PUMCH), Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College (CAMS & PUMC), Dongcheng District, Beijing, China.
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Gebrehiwet P, Aggarwal S, Topaloglu O, Chiò A. Feasibility assessment of using the MiToS staging system for conducting economic evaluation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res 2024; 24:447-458. [PMID: 38235589 DOI: 10.1080/14737167.2024.2306819] [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: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study assessed the feasibility of using the Milano-Torino staging (MiToS) system for conducting economic evaluation to measure health outcomes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS A Markov model was developed using the MiToS system and evaluated with a hypothetical treatment versus standard of care. Health utilities and transition probabilities were derived from the literature. Four-time horizons (1, 5, 10, and 20 years) were examined. Treatment effects of 20-35% relative risk reduction (RRR) of progressing to the next MiToS stage were assessed. Three patient distribution scenarios were tested: (1) all patients began in stage 0; (2) patient distribution based on real-world TONiC study; (3) distribution based on the PRO-ACT database. Health outcomes (quality-adjusted life-years [QALYs], life-years [LYs]) were reported with a 3% discount rate. RESULTS A time horizon of 10 years fully captured treatment benefits: incremental QALYs were 0.28-0.60, 0.21-0.45, and 0.26-0.55 for scenarios 1-3, respectively; incremental LYs were 0.56-1.17, 0.46-0.97, and 0.53-1.11, respectively. CONCLUSION MiToS-based staging can be used for conducting economic analyses in ALS. Estimated incremental QALY and LY gains were meaningful within the context of ALS, for hypothetical treatments with RRR of 20-35%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paulos Gebrehiwet
- Health Economics and Outcomes Research, Cytokinetics, Incorporated, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Adriano Chiò
- 'Rita Levi Montalcini' Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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Aiello EN, Solca F, Torre S, Gentile F, Scheveger F, Olivero M, Colombo E, Maranzano A, Manzoni M, Morelli C, Doretti A, Verde F, Silani V, Ticozzi N, Poletti B. Frontotemporal-spectrum disorders and functional independence in non-demented ALS patients. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:1087-1095. [PMID: 37773576 PMCID: PMC10858065 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07074-3] [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: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study aimed at determining whether, net of motor confounders, neuropsychological features affect functional independence (FI) in activities of daily living (ADLs) in non-demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. METHODS N = 88 ALS patients without frontotemporal dementia were assessed for FI-Katz's Basic ADL Scale (BADL) and Lawton-Brody's Instrumental ADL Scale (IADL)-, cognition-Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS)-and behaviour-Beaumont Behavioural Inventory and Dimensional Apathy Scale. The association between cognitive and behavioural measures and BADL/IADL scores was assessed by covarying for demographics, anxiety and depression levels, disease duration and motor confounders-i.e. ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) scores, progression rate and both King's and Milano-Torino stages. RESULTS Higher scores on the ECAS-Language were associated with higher IADL scores (p = 0.005), whilst higher apathetic features-as measured by the Dimensional Apathy Scale (DAS)-were inversely related to the BADL (p = 0.003). Whilst IADL scores were related to all ECAS-Language tasks, the DAS-Initiation was the only subscale associated with BADL scores. Patients with abnormal ECAS-Language (p = 0.023) and DAS (p = 0.008) scores were more functionally dependent than those without. DISCUSSION Among non-motor features, language changes and apathetic features detrimentally affect FI in non-demented ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Nicolò Aiello
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Federica Solca
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Silvia Torre
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Francesco Gentile
- Neurology Residency Program, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Marco Olivero
- Neurology Residency Program, Università Degli Studi Di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Eleonora Colombo
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Alessio Maranzano
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Martina Manzoni
- Child Psychopathology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS E. Medea - La Nostra Famiglia, Bosisio Parini, Lecco, Italy
| | - Claudia Morelli
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Alberto Doretti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, MI, Italy
| | - Federico Verde
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, MI, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, "Dino Ferrari" Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, MI, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, "Dino Ferrari" Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, MI, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, "Dino Ferrari" Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy
| | - Barbara Poletti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Piazzale Brescia 20, 20149, Milan, MI, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
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Northall A, Doehler J, Weber M, Tellez I, Petri S, Prudlo J, Vielhaber S, Schreiber S, Kuehn E. Multimodal layer modelling reveals in vivo pathology in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2024; 147:1087-1099. [PMID: 37815224 PMCID: PMC10907094 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad351] [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: 06/28/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of motor control. Current understanding of ALS pathology is largely based on post-mortem investigations at advanced disease stages. A systematic in vivo description of the microstructural changes that characterize early stage ALS, and their subsequent development, is so far lacking. Recent advances in ultra-high field (7 T) MRI data modelling allow us to investigate cortical layers in vivo. Given the layer-specific and topographic signature of ALS pathology, we combined submillimetre structural 7 T MRI data (qT1, QSM), functional localizers of body parts (upper limb, lower limb, face) and layer modelling to systematically describe pathology in the primary motor cortex (M1), in 12 living ALS patients with reference to 12 matched controls. Longitudinal sampling was performed for a subset of patients. We calculated multimodal pathology maps for each layer (superficial layer, layer 5a, layer 5b, layer 6) of M1 to identify hot spots of demyelination, iron and calcium accumulation in different cortical fields. We show preserved mean cortical thickness and layer architecture of M1, despite significantly increased iron in layer 6 and significantly increased calcium in layer 5a and superficial layer, in patients compared to controls. The behaviourally first-affected cortical field shows significantly increased iron in L6 compared to other fields, while calcium accumulation is atopographic and significantly increased in the low myelin borders between cortical fields compared to the fields themselves. A subset of patients with longitudinal data shows that the low myelin borders are particularly disrupted and that calcium hot spots, but to a lesser extent iron hot spots, precede demyelination. Finally, we highlight that a very slow progressing patient (Patient P4) shows a distinct pathology profile compared to the other patients. Our data show that layer-specific markers of in vivo pathology can be identified in ALS patients with a single 7 T MRI measurement after first diagnosis, and that such data provide critical insights into the individual disease state. Our data highlight the non-topographic architecture of ALS disease spread and the role of calcium, rather than iron accumulation, in predicting future demyelination. We also highlight a potentially important role of low myelin borders, that are known to connect to multiple areas within the M1 architecture, in disease spread. Finally, the distinct pathology profile of a very-slow progressing patient (Patient P4) highlights a distinction between disease duration and progression. Our findings demonstrate the importance of in vivo histology imaging for the diagnosis and prognosis of neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Northall
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg 39120, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg 39120, Germany
| | - Juliane Doehler
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg 39120, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg 39120, Germany
| | - Miriam Weber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU), Magdeburg 39120, Germany
| | - Igor Tellez
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg 39120, Germany
| | - Susanne Petri
- Department of Neurology, Hannover Medical School (MHH), Hanover 30625, Germany
| | - Johannes Prudlo
- Department of Neurology, Rostock University Medical Centre, Rostock 18147, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Rostock 18147, Germany
| | - Stefan Vielhaber
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU), Magdeburg 39120, Germany
| | - Stefanie Schreiber
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Magdeburg 39120, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg (OVGU), Magdeburg 39120, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS) Magdeburg, Magdeburg 39120, Germany
| | - Esther Kuehn
- Institute for Cognitive Neurology and Dementia Research (IKND), Otto-von-Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg 39120, Germany
- Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences (CBBS) Magdeburg, Magdeburg 39120, Germany
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Tübingen 72076, Germany
- Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research (HIH), Tübingen 72076, Germany
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41
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Borghero G, Pili F, Muroni A, Ercoli T, Pateri MI, Pilotto S, Maccabeo A, Defazio G. Disease survival and progression in TARDBP ALS patients from Sardinia, Italy. J Neurol 2024; 271:929-934. [PMID: 37855870 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12037-x] [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: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 09/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Common genes implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) development may also influence its progression rate. The C9orf72 mutations featured a faster progression rate while the European SOD1 mutations were associated with a slower progression. In this study, we assessed the relationship between TARDBP and ALS progression/survival. METHODS ALS incident patients (2010-2019) were diagnosed by El Escorial revised criteria and staged over the disease course by the King's staging system. Disease progression was analysed by Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox regression models, with survival measured from symptom onset to death/tracheostomy or censor date. RESULTS The study population included 76 patients carrying TARDBP mutations (A382T/G295S), 28 patients carrying the C9orf72 GGGGCC expansion, and 158 patients who had no evidence of causative genetic mutations (nmALS group). TARDBP patients reached death/tracheostomy later than C9orf72 and nmALS patients, independently of possible prognostic indicators (sex, age at ALS onset, diagnostic delay, phenotype at onset, and family history of ALS). On King's staging, the time elapsed between disease onset (King's stage 1) and involvement of the second body region (King's stage 2B) was similar in TARDBP and nmALS patients but longer in TARDBP than in C9orf72 patients. TARDBP patients reached King's stages 3 and 4 later than C9orf72 and nmALS patients. CONCLUSIONS TARDBP patients have a better survival/prognosis than C9orf72-positive and nmALS patients. King's staging also suggested that the higher survival rate and the slower progression associated with the TARDBP mutation could mainly be attributed to the longer time elapsed between King's stages 2B to 3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe Borghero
- Institute of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Francesca Pili
- Institute of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonella Muroni
- Institute of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Tommaso Ercoli
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Maria Ida Pateri
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Silvy Pilotto
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Alessandra Maccabeo
- Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Giovanni Defazio
- Institute of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
- Department of Translational Biomedicine and Neurosciences, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", Bari, Italy
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Kläppe U, Sennfält S, Lovik A, Finn A, Bofaisal U, Zetterberg H, Blennow K, Piehl F, Kmezic I, Press R, Samuelsson K, Månberg A, Fang F, Ingre C. Neurodegenerative biomarkers outperform neuroinflammatory biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2024; 25:150-161. [PMID: 37789557 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2023.2263874] [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: 02/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To describe the diagnostic and prognostic performance, and longitudinal trajectories, of potential biomarkers of neuroaxonal degeneration and neuroinflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS This case-control study included 192 incident ALS patients, 42 ALS mimics, 114 neurological controls, and 117 healthy controls from Stockholm, Sweden. Forty-four ALS patients provided repeated measurements. We assessed biomarkers of (1)neuroaxonal degeneration: neurofilament light (NfL) and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy (pNfH) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and NfL in serum, and (2)neuroinflammation: chitotriosidase-1 (CHIT1) and monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) in CSF. To evaluate diagnostic performance, we calculated the area under the curve (AUC). To estimate prognostic performance, we applied quantile regression and Cox regression. We used linear regression models with robust standard errors to assess temporal changes over time. RESULTS Neurofilaments performed better at differentiating ALS patients from mimics (AUC: pNfH 0.92, CSF NfL 0.86, serum NfL 0.91) than neuroinflammatory biomarkers (AUC: CHIT1 0.71, MCP-1 0.56). Combining biomarkers did not improve diagnostic performance. Similarly, neurofilaments performed better than neuroinflammatory biomarkers at predicting functional decline and survival. The stratified analysis revealed differences according to the site of onset: in bulbar patients, neurofilaments and CHIT1 performed worse at predicting survival and correlations were lower between biomarkers. Finally, in bulbar patients, neurofilaments and CHIT1 increased longitudinally but were stable in spinal patients. CONCLUSIONS Biomarkers of neuroaxonal degeneration displayed better diagnostic and prognostic value compared with neuroinflammatory biomarkers. However, in contrast to spinal patients, in bulbar patients neurofilaments and CHIT1 performed worse at predicting survival and seemed to increase over time.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ulf Kläppe
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Stefan Sennfält
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anikó Lovik
- Unit of Integrative Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Methodology and Statistics Unit, Institute of Psychology, Leiden University, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Anja Finn
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ulrika Bofaisal
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Henrik Zetterberg
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Neurodegenerative Disease, UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK
- UK Dementia Research Institute at UCL, London, UK
- Hong Kong Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Clear Water Bay, Hong Kong, China
- Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA, and
| | - Kaj Blennow
- Clinical Neurochemistry Laboratory, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Mölndal, Sweden
- Department of Psychiatry and Neurochemistry, Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Mölndal, Sweden
| | - Fredrik Piehl
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ivan Kmezic
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Rayomand Press
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Kristin Samuelsson
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Månberg
- Division of Affinity Proteomics, Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Fang Fang
- Unit of Integrative Epidemiology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Caroline Ingre
- Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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Iazzolino B, Grassano M, Moglia C, Canosa A, Manera U, Vasta R, Cabras S, Callegaro S, Matteoni E, Di Pede F, Palumbo F, Mora G, Calvo A, Chiò A. High serum uric acid levels are protective against cognitive impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 2024; 271:955-961. [PMID: 37880536 PMCID: PMC10827906 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-12056-8] [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: 09/05/2023] [Revised: 10/08/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Uric acid (UA) has emerged as a factor that can modify cognitive function both in the general population and in people with neurodegenerative disorders. Since very few data are available concerning amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we explored the correlation of UA levels and cognitive impairment in a large cohort of ALS patients. METHODS We enrolled ALS patients consecutively seen at the Turin ALS expert center in the 2007-2018 period who underwent both cognitive/behavioral and UA evaluation at diagnosis. Patients were classified in 5 categories: normal cognition (ALS-CN), isolated cognitive impairment (ALSci), isolated behavioural impairment (ALSbi), cognitive and behavioural impairment (ALScbi), frontotemporal dementia (ALS-FTD). For this study, ALSci, ALSbi and ALScbi were merged as ALS with intermediate cognitive impairment (ALS-INT). RESULTS Out of the 841 ALS patients, 422 had ALS-CN, 271 ALS-INT and 148 ALS-FTD. The mean values of UA were significantly different among the cognitive subgroups of patients, with the lowest values in the ALS-FTD (ALS-CN, 288.5 ± 78.0 (μmol/L; ALS-INT, 289.7 ± 75.5 μmol/L; ALS-FTD, 271.8 ± 74.9 μmol/L; p = 0.046). The frequency of ALS-FTD was significantly higher in the 1st tertile of UA. Lower UA levels were independently associated with FTD (OR 1.32, 95% c.i. 1.01-1.43; p = 0.038) in binary logistic regression. CONCLUSIONS We found that in ALS lower UA serum levels are correlated with reduced frequency of co-morbid FTD. Patients with intermediate cognitive impairment showed UA levels similar to ALS-CN but higher than ALS-FTD, implying that higher UA levels can prevent or delay cognitive function deterioration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Iazzolino
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Maurizio Grassano
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Neurology I, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Canosa
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Neurology I, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Science and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy
| | - Umberto Manera
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Neurology I, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Rosario Vasta
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Sara Cabras
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- International School of Advanced Studies, University of Camerino, Camerino, Italy
| | - Stefano Callegaro
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Enrico Matteoni
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Di Pede
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Palumbo
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Gabriele Mora
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy
- Neurology I, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Adriano Chiò
- Department of Neuroscience "Rita Levi Montalcini", ALS Center, University of Turin, Via Cherasco 15, 10126, Turin, Italy.
- Neurology I, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy.
- Institute of Cognitive Science and Technologies, National Research Council, Rome, Italy.
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Spinelli EG, Ghirelli A, Basaia S, Canu E, Castelnovo V, Cividini C, Russo T, Schito P, Falzone YM, Riva N, Filippi M, Agosta F. Structural and Functional Brain Network Connectivity at Different King's Stages in Patients With Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Neurology 2024; 102:e207946. [PMID: 38165325 PMCID: PMC10962907 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000207946] [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: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES There is currently no validated disease-stage biomarker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The identification of quantitative and reproducible markers of disease stratification in ALS is fundamental for study design definition and inclusion of homogenous patient cohorts into clinical trials. Our aim was to assess the rearrangements of structural and functional brain connectivity underlying the clinical stages of ALS, to suggest objective, reproducible measures provided by MRI connectomics mirroring disease staging. METHODS In this observational study, patients with ALS and healthy controls (HCs) underwent clinical evaluation and brain MRI on a 3T scanner. Patients were classified into 4 groups, according to the King's staging system. Structural and functional brain connectivity matrices were obtained using diffusion tensor and resting-state fMRI data, respectively. Whole-brain network-based statistics (NBS) analysis and comparisons of intraregional and inter-regional connectivity values using analysis of covariance models were performed between groups. Correlations between MRI and clinical/cognitive measures were tested using Pearson coefficient. RESULTS One hundred four patients with ALS and 61 age-matched and sex-matched HCs were included. NBS and regional connectivity analyses demonstrated a progressive decrease of intranetwork and internetwork structural connectivity of sensorimotor regions at increasing ALS stages in our cohort, compared with HCs. By contrast, functional connectivity showed divergent patterns between King's stages 3 (increase in basal ganglia and temporal circuits [p = 0.04 and p = 0.05, respectively]) and 4 (frontotemporal decrease [p = 0.03]), suggesting a complex interplay between opposite phenomena in late stages of the disease. Intraregional sensorimotor structural connectivity was correlated with ALS Functional Rating Scale-revised (ALSFRS-r) score (r = 0.31, p < 0.001) and upper motor neuron burden (r = -0.25, p = 0.01). Inter-regional frontal-sensorimotor structural connectivity was also correlated with ALSFRS-r (r = 0.24, p = 0.02). No correlations with cognitive measures were found. DISCUSSION MRI of the brain allows to demonstrate and quantify increasing disruption of structural connectivity involving the sensorimotor networks in ALS, mirroring disease stages. Frontotemporal functional disconnection seems to characterize only advanced disease phases. Our findings support the utility of MRI connectomics to stratify patients and stage brain pathology in ALS in a reproducible way, which may mirror clinical progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo G Spinelli
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (E.G.S., A.G., S.B., E.C., V.C., C.C., M.F., F.A.), Division of Neuroscience, and Neurology Unit (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., P.S., Y.M.F., M.F., F.A.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., M.F., F.A.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R., M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Alma Ghirelli
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (E.G.S., A.G., S.B., E.C., V.C., C.C., M.F., F.A.), Division of Neuroscience, and Neurology Unit (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., P.S., Y.M.F., M.F., F.A.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., M.F., F.A.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R., M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Silvia Basaia
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (E.G.S., A.G., S.B., E.C., V.C., C.C., M.F., F.A.), Division of Neuroscience, and Neurology Unit (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., P.S., Y.M.F., M.F., F.A.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., M.F., F.A.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R., M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Elisa Canu
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (E.G.S., A.G., S.B., E.C., V.C., C.C., M.F., F.A.), Division of Neuroscience, and Neurology Unit (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., P.S., Y.M.F., M.F., F.A.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., M.F., F.A.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R., M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Veronica Castelnovo
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (E.G.S., A.G., S.B., E.C., V.C., C.C., M.F., F.A.), Division of Neuroscience, and Neurology Unit (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., P.S., Y.M.F., M.F., F.A.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., M.F., F.A.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R., M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Camilla Cividini
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (E.G.S., A.G., S.B., E.C., V.C., C.C., M.F., F.A.), Division of Neuroscience, and Neurology Unit (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., P.S., Y.M.F., M.F., F.A.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., M.F., F.A.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R., M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Tommaso Russo
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (E.G.S., A.G., S.B., E.C., V.C., C.C., M.F., F.A.), Division of Neuroscience, and Neurology Unit (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., P.S., Y.M.F., M.F., F.A.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., M.F., F.A.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R., M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Paride Schito
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (E.G.S., A.G., S.B., E.C., V.C., C.C., M.F., F.A.), Division of Neuroscience, and Neurology Unit (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., P.S., Y.M.F., M.F., F.A.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., M.F., F.A.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R., M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Yuri M Falzone
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (E.G.S., A.G., S.B., E.C., V.C., C.C., M.F., F.A.), Division of Neuroscience, and Neurology Unit (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., P.S., Y.M.F., M.F., F.A.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., M.F., F.A.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R., M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Nilo Riva
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (E.G.S., A.G., S.B., E.C., V.C., C.C., M.F., F.A.), Division of Neuroscience, and Neurology Unit (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., P.S., Y.M.F., M.F., F.A.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., M.F., F.A.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R., M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Massimo Filippi
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (E.G.S., A.G., S.B., E.C., V.C., C.C., M.F., F.A.), Division of Neuroscience, and Neurology Unit (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., P.S., Y.M.F., M.F., F.A.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., M.F., F.A.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R., M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Federica Agosta
- From the Neuroimaging Research Unit (E.G.S., A.G., S.B., E.C., V.C., C.C., M.F., F.A.), Division of Neuroscience, and Neurology Unit (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., P.S., Y.M.F., M.F., F.A.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute; Vita-Salute San Raffaele University (E.G.S., A.G., T.R., M.F., F.A.); Neurorehabilitation Unit (N.R., M.F.), and Neurophysiology Service (M.F.), IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
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Liu S, Sun X, Ren Q, Chen Y, Dai T, Yang Y, Gong G, Li W, Zhao Y, Meng X, Lin P, Yan C. Glymphatic dysfunction in patients with early-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2024; 147:100-108. [PMID: 37584389 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Recently, an astrocytic aquaporin 4-dependent drainage system, that is, the glymphatic system, has been identified in the live murine and human brain. Growing evidence suggests that glymphatic function is impaired in patients with several neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. As the third most common neurodegenerative disease, although animal studies have indicated that early glymphatic dysfunction is likely an important pathological mechanism underpinning amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), no available study has been conducted to thoroughly assess glymphatic function in vivo in ALS patients to date, particularly in patients with early-stage ALS. Thus, using diffusion tensor imaging analysis along the perivascular space (ALPS) index, an approximate measure of glymphatic function in vivo, we aimed to explore whether glymphatic function is impaired in patients with patients with early-stage ALS, and the diagnostic performance of the ALPS index in distinguishing between patients with early-stage ALS and healthy subjects. We also aimed to identify the relationships between glymphatic dysfunction and clinical disabilities and sleep problems in patients with early-stage ALS. In this retrospective study, King's Stage 1 ALS patients were defined as patients with early-stage ALS. We enrolled 56 patients with early-stage ALS and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. All participants completed clinical screening, sleep assessment and ALPS index analysis. For the sleep assessment, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale and polysomnography were used. Compared with healthy control subjects, patients with early-stage ALS had a significantly lower ALPS index after family-wise error correction (P < 0.05). Moreover, receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that the area under the curve for the ALPS index was 0.792 (95% confidence interval 0.700-0.884). Partial correlation analyses showed that the ALPS index was significantly correlated with clinical disability and sleep disturbances in patients with early-stage ALS. Multivariate analysis showed that sleep efficiency (r = 0.419, P = 0.002) and periodic limb movements in sleep index (r = -0.294, P = 0.017) were significant predictive factors of the ALPS index in patients with early-stage ALS. In conclusion, our study continues to support an important role for glymphatic dysfunction in ALS pathology, and we provide additional insights into the early diagnostic value of glymphatic dysfunction and its correlation with sleep disturbances in vivo in patients with early-stage ALS. Moreover, we suggest that early improvement of glymphatic function may be a promising strategy for slowing the neurodegenerative process in ALS. Future studies are needed to explore the diagnostic and therapeutic value of glymphatic dysfunction in individuals with presymptomatic-stage neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuangwu Liu
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Xiaohan Sun
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Qingguo Ren
- Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Yujing Chen
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Tingjun Dai
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yiru Yang
- School of Nursing and Rehabilitation, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Gaolang Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Cognitive Neuroscience and Learning &IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Wei Li
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Yuying Zhao
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Xiangshui Meng
- Department of Radiology, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao 266000, China
| | - Pengfei Lin
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
| | - Chuanzhu Yan
- Research Institute of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disease, Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Jinan 250012, China
- Mitochondrial Medicine Laboratory, Qilu Hospital (Qingdao), Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Qingdao, Shandong 266000, China
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Khabibrakhmanov AN, Zueva IV, Petrov KA, Bogdanov EI, Mukhamedyarov MA. [Plasma and salivary acetylcholinesterase activity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis]. Zh Nevrol Psikhiatr Im S S Korsakova 2024; 124:128-134. [PMID: 38261295 DOI: 10.17116/jnevro2024124011128] [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] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Assessment of plasma and salivary acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and in an animal model of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS We studied 41 participants, aged 31 to 71 years, including 17 patients with diagnosed ALS (ALS group, average age 62.3±2.2), 9 patients with ALS mimics (disease control, average age 58.1±2.9), and 15 healthy people (normal control, average age 57.7±2.3). Plasma and salivary AChE activity was measured by using the Ellman colorimetric method. ALS severity was assessed using the ALSFRS-R scale. The King's College staging system and the Milano-Torino Scale (MiToS) were used to determine the stage of the disease. Transgenic FUS-mice were used as ALS model. RESULTS Plasma AChE activity in the ALS group did not significantly differ from the control groups. There was also no significant correlation between plasma AChE activity and disease parameters such as the stage, duration, rate of progression, and severity. In transgenic FUS-mice plasma AChE activity also did not differ from wild-type mice. However, it has been shown that patients with ALS have significantly higher saliva AChE activity compared to normal controls. However, patients with the bulbar form of ALS had significantly higher values of salivary AChE activity compared to healthy controls. CONCLUSION In patients with the bulbar form of ALS, an increase in salivary AChE activity was noted, which can be used for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. There is no significant change in plasma AChE activity in ALS patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - I V Zueva
- Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry - Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kazan, Russia
| | - K A Petrov
- Arbuzov Institute of Organic and Physical Chemistry - Kazan Scientific Center of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Kazan, Russia
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Poletti B, Aiello EN, Tagini S, Solca F, Torre S, Colombo E, Maranzano A, Bonetti R, Schevegher F, Morelli C, Doretti A, Verde F, Barbieri S, Mameli F, Priori A, Ferrucci R, Silani V, Cherubini P, Pravettoni G, Ticozzi N. An exploratory study on counterfactual thinking in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1281976. [PMID: 38111871 PMCID: PMC10726112 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1281976] [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: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives This study aimed at exploring (1) the motor and non-motor correlates of counterfactual thinking (CFT) abilities in non-demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and (2) the ability of CFT measures to discriminate these patients from healthy controls (HCs) and patients with and without cognitive impairment. Methods N = 110 ALS patients and N = 51 HCs were administered two CFT tasks, whose sum, resulting in a CFT Index (CFTI), was addressed as the outcome. Patients further underwent an in-depth cognitive, behavioral, and motor-functional evaluation. Correlational analyses were run to explore the correlates of the CFTI in patients. Logistic regressions were performed to test whether the CFTI could discriminate patients from HCs. Results The CFTI was selectively associated (p ≤ 0.005) with fluency and memory subscales of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS), but not with other variables. CFTI scores discriminated patients from HCs (p < 0.001) with high accuracy (82%), but not patients with a normal vs. defective performance on the ECAS-Total. Conclusion CFT measures in non-demented ALS patients were associated with verbal fluency and memory functions, and they were also able to discriminate them from HCs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Poletti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
| | - Edoardo Nicolò Aiello
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
| | - Sofia Tagini
- “Rita Levi Montalcini” Department of Neurosciences, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - Federica Solca
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
| | - Silvia Torre
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
| | - Eleonora Colombo
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
| | - Alessio Maranzano
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
| | - Ruggero Bonetti
- Neurology Residency Program, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | | | - Claudia Morelli
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
| | - Alberto Doretti
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
| | - Federico Verde
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Sergio Barbieri
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Francesca Mameli
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Alberto Priori
- Aldo Ravelli Center for Neurotechnology and Experimental Brain Therapeutics, Department of Health Sciences, International Medical School, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- ASST Santi Paolo e Carlo, San Paolo University Hospital, Milano, Italy
| | - Roberta Ferrucci
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milano, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Silani
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
| | - Paolo Cherubini
- Department of Neural and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
- Milan Center for Neuroscience, University of Milano-Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - Gabriella Pravettoni
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-Oncology, University of Milan, Milano, Italy
- Applied Research Division for Cognitive and Psychological Science, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Nicola Ticozzi
- Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milano, Italy
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, “Dino Ferrari” Center, Università degli Studi di Milano, Milano, Italy
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Kuan LH, Parnianpour P, Kushol R, Kumar N, Anand T, Kalra S, Greiner R. Accurate personalized survival prediction for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients. Sci Rep 2023; 13:20713. [PMID: 38001260 PMCID: PMC10673879 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-47935-7] [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: 05/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease. Accurately predicting the survival time for ALS patients can help patients and clinicians to plan for future treatment and care. We describe the application of a machine-learned tool that incorporates clinical features and cortical thickness from brain magnetic resonance (MR) images to estimate the time until a composite respiratory failure event for ALS patients, and presents the prediction as individual survival distributions (ISDs). These ISDs provide the probability of survival (none of the respiratory failures) at multiple future time points, for each individual patient. Our learner considers several survival prediction models, and selects the best model to provide predictions. We evaluate our learned model using the mean absolute error margin (MAE-margin), a modified version of mean absolute error that handles data with censored outcomes. We show that our tool can provide helpful information for patients and clinicians in planning future treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li-Hao Kuan
- Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
| | - Pedram Parnianpour
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Rafsanjany Kushol
- Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Neeraj Kumar
- Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Tanushka Anand
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Sanjay Kalra
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Russell Greiner
- Department of Computing Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Institute, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Alberta Machine Intelligence Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
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Abrahams S. Neuropsychological impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-frontotemporal spectrum disorder. Nat Rev Neurol 2023; 19:655-667. [PMID: 37828358 DOI: 10.1038/s41582-023-00878-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease with a rapid course, characterized by motor neuron dysfunction, leading to progressive disability and death. This Review, which is aimed at neurologists, psychologists and other health professionals who follow evidence-based practice relating to ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), examines the neuropsychological evidence that has driven the reconceptualization of ALS as a spectrum disorder ranging from a pure motor phenotype to ALS-FTD. It focuses on changes in cognition and behaviour, which vary in severity across the spectrum: around 50% individuals with ALS are within the normal range, 15% meet the criteria for ALS-FTD, and the remaining 35% are in the mid-spectrum range with milder and more focal impairments. The cognitive impairments include deficits in verbal fluency, executive functions, social cognition and language, and apathy is the most prevalent behavioural change. The pattern and severity of cognitive and behavioural change predicts underlying regional cerebral dysfunction from brain imaging and post-mortem pathology. Our increased recognition of cognition and behaviour as part of the ALS phenotype has led to the development and standardization of assessment tools, which have been incorporated into research and clinical care. Measuring change over the course of the disease is vital for clinical trials, and neuropsychology is proving to be a biomarker for the earliest preclinical changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sharon Abrahams
- Human Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
- Euan MacDonald Centre for MND Research, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK.
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Abstract
Although the past two decades have produced exciting discoveries in the genetics and pathology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), progress in developing an effective therapy remains slow. This review summarizes the critical discoveries and outlines the advances in disease characterization, diagnosis, imaging, and biomarkers, along with the current status of approaches to ALS care and treatment. Additional knowledge of the factors driving disease progression and heterogeneity will hopefully soon transform the care for patients with ALS into an individualized, multi-prong approach able to prevent disease progression sufficiently to allow for a dignified life with limited disability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hristelina Ilieva
- Jefferson Weinberg ALS Center, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Justin Kwan
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institute of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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