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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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Monteiro Neto JR, Ribeiro GD, Magalhães RSS, Follmer C, Outeiro TF, Eleutherio ECA. Glycation modulates superoxide dismutase 1 aggregation and toxicity in models of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2023; 1869:166835. [PMID: 37558009 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2023.166835] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Different SOD1 proteoforms are implicated## in both familial and sporadic cases of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), an aging-associated disease that affects motor neurons. SOD1 is crucial to neuronal metabolism and health, regulating the oxidative stress response and the shift between oxidative-fermentative metabolism, which is important for astrocyte-neuron metabolic cooperation. Neurons have a limited capacity to metabolize methylglyoxal (MGO), a potentially toxic side product of glycolysis. MGO is highly reactive and can readily posttranslationally modify proteins, in a reaction known as glycation, impacting their normal biology. Here, we aimed to investigate the effect of glycation on the aggregation and toxicity of human SOD1WT (hSOD1WT). Cells with deficiency in MGO metabolism showed increased levels of hSOD1WT inclusions, displaying also reduced hSOD1WT activity and viability. Strikingly, we also found that the presence of hSOD1WT in stress granules increased upon MGO treatment. The treatment of recombinant hSOD1WT with MGO resulted in the formation of SDS-stable oligomers, specially trimers, and thioflavin-T positive aggregates, which can promote cell toxicity and TDP-43 pathology. Together, our results suggest that glycation may play a still underappreciated role on hSOD1WT and TDP-43 pathologies in sporadic ALS, which could open novel perspectives for therapeutic intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- José R Monteiro Neto
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Gabriela D Ribeiro
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Rayne S S Magalhães
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cristian Follmer
- Laboratory of Biological Chemistry of Neurodegenerative Disorders, Department of Physical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Tiago F Outeiro
- Department of Experimental Neurodegeneration, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration, University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany; Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37075 Göttingen, Germany; Translational and Clinical Research Institute, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Newcastle University, Framlington Place, Newcastle Upon Tyne NE2 4HH, UK; Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Göttingen, Germany
| | - Elis C A Eleutherio
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Chang C, Zhao Q, Liu P, Yuan Y, Liu Z, Hu Y, Li W, Hou X, Tang X, Jiao B, Guo J, Shen L, Jiang H, Tang B, Zhang X, Wang J. ALS-plus related clinical and genetic study from China. Neurol Sci 2023; 44:3557-3566. [PMID: 37204564 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-06843-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder. An increasing number of researchers have found extra motor features in ALS, which are also called ALS-plus syndromes. Besides, a great majority of ALS patients also have cognitive impairment. However, clinical surveys of the frequency and genetic background of ALS-plus syndromes are rare, especially in China. METHODS We investigated a large cohort of 1015 patients with ALS, classifying them into six groups according to different extramotor symptoms and documenting their clinical manifestations. Meanwhile, based on their cognitive function, we divided these patients into two groups and compared demographic characteristics. Genetic screening for rare damage variants (RDVs) was also performed on 847 patients. RESULTS As a result, 16.75% of patients were identified with ALS-plus syndrome, and 49.5% of patients suffered cognitive impairment. ALS-plus group had lower ALSFRS-R scores, longer diagnostic delay time, and longer survival times, compared to ALS pure group. RDVs occurred less frequently in ALS-plus patients than in ALS-pure patients (P = 0.042) but showed no difference between ALS-cognitive impairment patients and ALS-cognitive normal patients. Besides, ALS-cognitive impairment group tends to harbour more ALS-plus symptoms than ALS-cognitive normal group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSION In summary, ALS-plus patients in China are not rare and show multiple differences from ALS-pure patients in clinical and genetic features. Besides, ALS-cognitive impairment group tends to harbour more ALS-plus syndrome than ALS-cognitive normal group. Our observations correspond with the theory that ALS involves several diseases with different mechanisms and provide clinical validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng Chang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Health Management Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Department of Neurology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, People's Republic of China
| | - Qianqian Zhao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Pan Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yanchun Yuan
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhen Liu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Yiting Hu
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wanzhen Li
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaorong Hou
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuxiong Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Jiao
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Jifeng Guo
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Lu Shen
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong Jiang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
- School of Basic Medical Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
| | - Beisha Tang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, People's Republic of China
- Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China
| | - Xuewei Zhang
- Health Management Center, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, People's Republic of China
| | - Junling Wang
- Department of Neurology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, 87 Xiangya Rd, Changsha, Hunan, People's Republic of China.
- Key Laboratory of Hunan Province in Neurodegenerative Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China.
- Hunan International Scientific and Technological Cooperation Base of Neurodegenerative and Neurogenetic Diseases, Changsha, People's Republic of China.
- Engineering Research Center of Hunan Province in Cognitive Impairment Disorders, Central South University, Changsha, China.
- National Clinical Research Center for Geriatric Diseases, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, People's Republic of China.
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Jellinger KA. The Spectrum of Cognitive Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: An Update. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:14647. [PMID: 37834094 PMCID: PMC10572320 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241914647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Cognitive dysfunction is an important non-motor symptom in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) that has a negative impact on survival and caregiver burden. It shows a wide spectrum ranging from subjective cognitive decline to frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and covers various cognitive domains, mainly executive/attention, language and verbal memory deficits. The frequency of cognitive impairment across the different ALS phenotypes ranges from 30% to 75%, with up to 45% fulfilling the criteria of FTD. Significant genetic, clinical, and pathological heterogeneity reflects deficits in various cognitive domains. Modern neuroimaging studies revealed frontotemporal degeneration and widespread involvement of limbic and white matter systems, with hypometabolism of the relevant areas. Morphological substrates are frontotemporal and hippocampal atrophy with synaptic loss, associated with TDP-43 and other co-pathologies, including tau deposition. Widespread functional disruptions of motor and extramotor networks, as well as of frontoparietal, frontostriatal and other connectivities, are markers for cognitive deficits in ALS. Cognitive reserve may moderate the effect of brain damage but is not protective against cognitive decline. The natural history of cognitive dysfunction in ALS and its relationship to FTD are not fully understood, although there is an overlap between the ALS variants and ALS-related frontotemporal syndromes, suggesting a differential vulnerability of motor and non-motor networks. An assessment of risks or the early detection of brain connectivity signatures before structural changes may be helpful in investigating the pathophysiological mechanisms of cognitive impairment in ALS, which might even serve as novel targets for effective disease-modifying therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kurt A Jellinger
- Institute of Clinical Neurobiology, Alberichgasse 5/13, A-1150 Vienna, Austria
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Hsueh S, Chao C, Chen T, Chen Y, Hsueh H, Tsai L, Wu W, Hsieh S. Brain imaging signatures in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Correlation with peripheral motor degeneration. Ann Clin Transl Neurol 2023; 10:1456-1466. [PMID: 37340732 PMCID: PMC10424648 DOI: 10.1002/acn3.51835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the clinical significance of brain imaging signatures in the context of clinical neurological deficits in association with upper and lower motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS We performed brain MRI examinations to quantitatively evaluate (1) gray matter volume and (2) white matter tract fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), and mean diffusivity (MD). Image-derived indices were correlated with (1) global neurological deficits of MRC muscle strength sum score, revised amyotrophic lateral sclerosis functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R), and forced vital capacity (FVC), and (2) focal scores of University of Pennsylvania Upper motor neuron score (Penn score) and the summation of compound muscle action potential Z scores (CMAP Z sum score). RESULTS There were 39 ALS patients and 32 control subjects matched for age and gender. Compared to controls, ALS patients had a lower gray matter volume in the precentral gyrus of the primary motor cortex, which was correlated with FA of corticofugal tracts. The gray matter volume of the precentral gyrus was correlated with FVC, MRC sum score, and CMAP Z sum score, while the FA of the corticospinal tract was linearly associated with CMAP Z sum score and Penn score on multivariate linear regression model. INTERPRETATION This study indicated that clinical assessment of muscle strength and routine measurements on nerve conduction studies provided surrogate markers of brain structural changes for ALS. Furthermore, these findings suggested parallel involvement of both upper and lower motor neurons in ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sung‐Ju Hsueh
- Department of NeurologyNational Taiwan University Hospital Yunlin BranchDouliu CityYunlin CountyTaiwan
- Department of NeurologyNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Chi‐Chao Chao
- Department of NeurologyNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Ta‐Fu Chen
- Department of NeurologyNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Ya‐Fang Chen
- Department of Medical ImagingNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Hsueh‐Wen Hsueh
- Department of NeurologyNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell BiologyNational Taiwan University College of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Li‐Kai Tsai
- Department of NeurologyNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of NeurologyNational Taiwan University Hospital Hsinchu BranchZhubei CityHsinchu CountyTaiwan
| | - Wen‐Chau Wu
- Department of Medical ImagingNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
- Graduate Institute of Medical Device and ImagingCollege of MedicineNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
| | - Sung‐Tsang Hsieh
- Department of NeurologyNational Taiwan University HospitalTaipeiTaiwan
- Department of Anatomy and Cell BiologyNational Taiwan University College of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
- Graduate Institute of Clinical MedicineNational Taiwan University College of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
- Center of Precision MedicineNational Taiwan University College of MedicineTaipeiTaiwan
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6
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Manera U, D'Ovidio F, Cabras S, Torrieri MC, Canosa A, Vasta R, Palumbo F, Grassano M, De Marchi F, Mazzini L, Mora G, Moglia C, Calvo A, Chiò A. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis regional progression intervals change according to time of involvement of different body regions. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:872-880. [PMID: 36617536 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The prediction of disease course is one of the main targets of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) research, particularly considering its wide phenotypic heterogeneity. Despite many attempts to classify patients into prognostic categories according to the different spreading patterns at diagnosis, a precise regional progression rate and the time of involvement of each region has yet to be clarified. The aim of our study was to evaluate the functional decline in different body regions according to their time of involvement during disease course. METHODS In a population-based dataset of ALS patients, we analysed the functional decline in different body regions according to time and order of regional involvement. We calculated the regional progression intervals (RPIs) between initial involvement and severe functional impairment using the ALS Functional Rating Scale revised (ALSFRS-r) subscores for the bulbar, upper limb, lower limb and respiratory/thoracic regions. Time-to-event analyses, adjusted for age, sex, ALSFRS-r pre-slope (ΔALSFRS-R), cognitive status, and mutational status were performed. RESULTS The duration of RPI differed significantly among ALS phenotypes, with the RPI of the first region involved being significantly longer than the RPIs of regions involved later. Cox proportional hazard models showed that in fact a longer time between disease onset and initial regional involvement was related to a reduced duration of the RPI duration in each different body region (bulbar region: hazard ratio [HR] 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.06-1.16, p < 0.001; upper limb region: HR 1.16, 95% CI 1.06-1.28, p = 0.002; lower limb region: HR 1.11, 95% CI 1.03-1.19, p = 0.009; respiratory/thoracic region: HR 1.10, 95% CI 1.06-1.14, p = 0.005). CONCLUSIONS We found that the progression of functional decline accelerates in regions involved later during disease course. Our findings can be useful in patient management and prognosis prediction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umberto Manera
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Fabrizio D'Ovidio
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Sara Cabras
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Maria Claudia Torrieri
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Canosa
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R., Rome, Italy
| | - Rosario Vasta
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Palumbo
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Maurizio Grassano
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- ALS Center, Department of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Letizia Mazzini
- ALS Center, Department of Neurology, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Maggiore della Carità, Novara, Italy
| | - Gabriele Mora
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
| | - Adriano Chiò
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Neurology 1, AOU Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, Turin, Italy
- Institute of Cognitive Sciences and Technologies, C.N.R., Rome, Italy
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Zaino D, Serchi V, Giannini F, Pucci B, Veneri G, Pretegiani E, Rosini F, Monti L, Rufa A. Different saccadic profile in bulbar versus spinal-onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Brain 2023; 146:266-277. [PMID: 35136957 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awac050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Two clinical phenotypes characterize the onset of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): the spinal variant, with symptoms beginning in the limbs, and the bulbar variant, affecting firstly speech and swallowing. The two variants show some distinct features in the histopathology, localization and prognosis, but to which extent they really differ clinically and pathologically remains to be clarified. Recent neuropathological and neuroimaging studies have suggested a broader spreading of the neurodegenerative process in ALS, extending beyond the motor areas, toward other cortical and deep grey matter regions, many of which are involved in visual processing and saccadic control. Indeed, a wide range of eye movement deficits have been reported in ALS, but they have never been used to distinguish the two ALS variants. Since quantifying eye movements is a very sensitive and specific method for the study of brain networks, we compared different saccadic and visual search behaviours across spinal ALS patients (n = 12), bulbar ALS patients (n = 6) and healthy control subjects (n = 13), along with cognitive and MRI measures, with the aim to define more accurately the two patients subgroups and possibly clarify a different underlying neural impairment. We found separate profiles of visually-guided saccades between spinal (short saccades) and bulbar (slow saccades) ALS, which could result from the pathologic involvement of different pathways. We suggest an early involvement of the parieto-collicular-cerebellar network in spinal ALS and the fronto-brainstem circuit in bulbar ALS. Overall, our data confirm the diagnostic value of the eye movements analysis in ALS and add new insight on the involved neural networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Domenica Zaino
- Eye tracking and Visual Application Lab (EVA Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy.,Neurology and Neurometabolic Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Valeria Serchi
- Eye tracking and Visual Application Lab (EVA Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Fabio Giannini
- Centre for Motor Neuron Diseases, Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Barbara Pucci
- Neurology and Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neuroscience, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giacomo Veneri
- Eye tracking and Visual Application Lab (EVA Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Elena Pretegiani
- Eye tracking and Visual Application Lab (EVA Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Francesca Rosini
- Eye tracking and Visual Application Lab (EVA Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Lucia Monti
- Unit of Neuroimaging and Neurointervention, Department of Neurological and Neurosensorial Sciences, AOUS, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandra Rufa
- Eye tracking and Visual Application Lab (EVA Lab), Department of Medicine, Surgery and Neurosciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy
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8
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Banack SA, Dunlop RA, Stommel EW, Mehta P, Cox PA. miRNA extracted from extracellular vesicles is a robust biomarker of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 2022; 442:120396. [PMID: 36081303 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2022.120396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES We examined miRNA biomarkers for ALS extracted from extracellular vesicles in blood samples using a large and diverse patient and control population. Different blood collection and storage protocols by different investigators could impact repeatability of miRNA analysis. We tested the hypotheses that miRNA extracted from extracellular vesicles using immunoaffinity purification techniques are robust and repeatable across investigators, laboratories and in a broad ALS population. METHODS De-identified patient blood plasma samples obtained from the U.S. National ALS Biorepository were compared with plasma from non-ALS controls. Extracellular vesicles were extracted and isolated using L1CAM immunoaffinity purification. Total RNA was extracted, and miRNA quantified using qPCR following careful quality control measures. Gene fold expressions of eight miRNAs were compared using a Mann-Whitney two-tailed test. RESULTS One hundred blinded, blood plasma samples were analyzed. Thirty-five men and 15 women with ALS were compared with controls consisting of 30 men and 20 women. None of the ALS patient cohort reported family members with ALS suggesting sporadic ALS. Five of the eight biomarkers previously published were found to significantly discriminate ALS patient samples from control samples. DISCUSSION The methods used in this study provide a repeatable measure of miRNA biomarkers that statistically differentiate ALS patient samples from control samples. The broad inclusion criteria for both the ALS patient cohort and controls along with the collection of blood samples by different investigators suggest that these methods are robust and represent good candidates for further research and development aimed at clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Elijah W Stommel
- Department of Neurology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | - Paul Mehta
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, National ALS Registry (CDC/ATSDR), Atlanta, GA, USA
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Del Tredici K, Braak H. Neuropathology and neuroanatomy of TDP-43 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Curr Opin Neurol 2022; 35:660-671. [PMID: 36069419 DOI: 10.1097/wco.0000000000001098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Intracellular inclusions consisting of the abnormal TDP-43 protein and its nucleocytoplasmic mislocalization in selected cell types are hallmark pathological features of sALS. Descriptive (histological, morphological), anatomical, and molecular studies all have improved our understanding of the neuropathology of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS). This review highlights some of the latest developments in the field. RECENT FINDINGS Increasing evidence exists from experimental models for the prion-like nature of abnormal TDP-43, including a strain-effect, and with the help of neuroimaging-based studies, for spreading of disease along corticofugal connectivities in sALS. Progress has also been made with respect to finding and establishing reliable biomarkers (neurofilament levels, diffusor tensor imaging). SUMMARY The latest findings may help to elucidate the preclinical phase of sALS and to define possible mechanisms for delaying or halting disease development and progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelly Del Tredici
- Clinical Neuroanatomy Section, Department of Neurology, Center for Biomedical Research, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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10
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Marino C, Grimaldi M, Sommella EM, Ciaglia T, Santoro A, Buonocore M, Salviati E, Trojsi F, Polverino A, Sorrentino P, Sorrentino G, Campiglia P, D’Ursi AM. The Metabolomic Profile in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Changes According to the Progression of the Disease: An Exploratory Study. Metabolites 2022; 12:metabo12090837. [PMID: 36144241 PMCID: PMC9504184 DOI: 10.3390/metabo12090837] [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: 07/13/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative pathology of the upper or lower motor neuron. Evaluation of ALS progression is based on clinical outcomes considering the impairment of body sites. ALS has been extensively investigated in the pathogenetic mechanisms and the clinical profile; however, no molecular biomarkers are used as diagnostic criteria to establish the ALS pathological staging. Using the source-reconstructed magnetoencephalography (MEG) approach, we demonstrated that global brain hyperconnectivity is associated with early and advanced clinical ALS stages. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (1H-NMR) and high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) spectroscopy, here we studied the metabolomic profile of ALS patients' sera characterized by different stages of disease progression-namely early and advanced. Multivariate statistical analysis of the data integrated with the network analysis indicates that metabolites related to energy deficit, abnormal concentrations of neurotoxic metabolites and metabolites related to neurotransmitter production are pathognomonic of ALS in the advanced stage. Furthermore, analysis of the lipidomic profile indicates that advanced ALS patients report significant alteration of phosphocholine (PCs), lysophosphatidylcholine (LPCs), and sphingomyelin (SMs) metabolism, consistent with the exigency of lipid remodeling to repair advanced neuronal degeneration and inflammation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmen Marino
- PhD Program in Drug Discovery and Development, Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | - Manuela Grimaldi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | - Eduardo Maria Sommella
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | - Tania Ciaglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | - Angelo Santoro
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | - Michela Buonocore
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | - Emanuela Salviati
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | - Francesca Trojsi
- Department of Advanced Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Via Maggiore Salvatore Arena, Contrada San Benedetto, 81100 Caserta, Italy
| | - Arianna Polverino
- Institute of Diagnosis and Treatment Hermitage Capodimonte, Cupa delle Tozzole, 2, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Sorrentino
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of National Research Council, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
- Institut de Neurosciences des Systèmes, Aix-Marseille Université, 13284 Marseille, France
| | - Giuseppe Sorrentino
- Institute of Diagnosis and Treatment Hermitage Capodimonte, Cupa delle Tozzole, 2, 80131 Naples, Italy
- Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems of National Research Council, Via Campi Flegrei 34, 80078 Pozzuoli, Italy
- Department of Motor and Wellness Sciences, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Via Ammiraglio Ferdinando Acton, 38, 80133 Naples, Italy
| | - Pietro Campiglia
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy
| | - Anna Maria D’Ursi
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, Fisciano, 84084 Salerno, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-089969748
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11
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Takeda T, Kokubun S, Saito Y, Tsuneyama A, Ishikawa A, Isose S, Ito K, Arai K, Koreki A, Sugiyama A, Kuwabara S, Honda K. Progressive medial temporal degeneration with TDP-43 pathology is associated with upper limb and bulbar onset types of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol 2022; 269:5497-5509. [PMID: 35708789 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11217-5] [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: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 06/05/2022] [Accepted: 06/06/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to clarify the relationship between progressive medial temporal atrophy and onset subtype in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). METHODS Medial temporal atrophy, ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS), and cognitive function were assessed in 119 patients who were grouped into three ALS subtypes: bulbar, upper limb, and lower limb onset. Medial temporal atrophy, represented by a Z-score, was determined using an analysis software of magnetic resonance images known as the voxel-based specific regional analysis system for Alzheimer's disease (VSRAD). Among 119 patients, 60 underwent follow-up VSRAD, ALSFRS, and cognitive testing. The sequential data were compared among onset subtypes. Furthermore, TDP-43 pathology was assessed in 20 autopsied patients (including seven who underwent VSRAD before death) to examine the relationships among medial temporal atrophy, onset subtypes, and severity of the hippocampal TDP-43 pathology. RESULTS Multiple regression analysis revealed that the Z-score at baseline was associated with the age of onset and duration of illness. A high Z-score at baseline and the bulbar/upper limb subtypes affected the progression rate of Z-score. Pathological examination revealed increased hippocampal TDP-43 pathology score associated with bulbar and upper limb subtypes. Moreover, the Z-score before death correlated with the hippocampal TDP-43 pathology score. CONCLUSION Medial temporal atrophy in ALS is associated with bulbar and upper limb onset subtypes. This progression may be related to the extent of TDP-43 pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Takeda
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan.
| | - Sayuri Kokubun
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
| | - Yumiko Saito
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
| | - Atsuko Tsuneyama
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
| | - Ai Ishikawa
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
| | - Sagiri Isose
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
| | - Kimiko Ito
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
| | - Kimihito Arai
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
| | - Akihiro Koreki
- Department of Psychiatry, National Hospital Organisation Shimofusa Psychiatric Medical Center, Chiba, Japan
| | - Atsuhiko Sugiyama
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Satoshi Kuwabara
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kazuhiro Honda
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, 673 Nitona-cho, Chuo-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba, 260-8712, Japan
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12
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Shibuya K, Otani R, Suzuki YI, Kuwabara S, Kiernan MC. Neuronal Hyperexcitability and Free Radical Toxicity in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Established and Future Targets. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 15:ph15040433. [PMID: 35455429 PMCID: PMC9025031 DOI: 10.3390/ph15040433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2022] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating disease with evidence of degeneration involving upper and lower motor neuron compartments of the nervous system. Presently, two drugs, riluzole and edaravone, have been established as being useful in slowing disease progression in ALS. Riluzole possesses anti-glutamatergic properties, while edaravone eliminates free radicals (FRs). Glutamate is the excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain and spinal cord and binds to several inotropic receptors. Excessive activation of these receptors generates FRs, inducing neurodegeneration via damage to intracellular organelles and upregulation of proinflammatory mediators. FRs bind to intracellular structures, leading to cellular impairment that contributes to neurodegeneration. As such, excitotoxicity and FR toxicities have been considered as key pathophysiological mechanisms that contribute to the cascade of degeneration that envelopes neurons in ALS. Recent advanced technologies, including neurophysiological, imaging, pathological and biochemical techniques, have concurrently identified evidence of increased excitability in ALS. This review focuses on the relationship between FRs and excitotoxicity in motor neuronal degeneration in ALS and introduces concepts linked to increased excitability across both compartments of the human nervous system. Within this cellular framework, future strategies to promote therapeutic development in ALS, from the perspective of neuronal excitability and function, will be critically appraised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kazumoto Shibuya
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8677, Japan; (K.S.); (R.O.); (Y.-i.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Ryo Otani
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8677, Japan; (K.S.); (R.O.); (Y.-i.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Yo-ichi Suzuki
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8677, Japan; (K.S.); (R.O.); (Y.-i.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Satoshi Kuwabara
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba 260-8677, Japan; (K.S.); (R.O.); (Y.-i.S.); (S.K.)
| | - Matthew C. Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Centre, Department of Neurology, University of Sydney, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney 2050, Australia
- Correspondence:
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13
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Zakharova MN, Abramova AA. Lower and upper motor neuron involvement and their impact on disease prognosis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neural Regen Res 2022; 17:65-73. [PMID: 34100429 PMCID: PMC8451581 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.314289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive muscle wasting, breathing and swallowing difficulties resulting in patient’s death in two to five years after disease onset. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, both upper and lower motor neurons of the corticospinal tracts are involved in the process of neurodegeneration, accounting for great clinical heterogeneity of the disease. Clinical phenotype has great impact on the pattern and rate of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis progression and overall survival prognosis. Creating more homogenous patient groups in order to study the effects of drug agents on specific manifestations of the disease is a challenging issue in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinical trials. Since amyotrophic lateral sclerosis has low incidence rates, conduction of multicenter trials requires certain standardized approaches to disease diagnosis and staging. This review focuses on the current approaches in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis classification and staging system based on clinical examination and additional instrumental methods, highlighting the role of upper and lower motor neuron involvement in different phenotypes of the disease. We demonstrate that both clinical and instrumental findings can be useful in evaluating severity of upper motor neuron and lower motor neuron involvement and predicting the following course of the disease. Addressing disease heterogeneity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis clinical trials could lead to study designs that will assess drug efficacy in specific patient groups, based on the disease pathophysiology and spatiotemporal pattern. Although clinical evaluation can be a sufficient screening method for dividing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients into clinical subgroups, we provide proof that instrumental studies could provide valuable insights in the disease pathology.
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14
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Zhang H, Chen L, Tian J, Fan D. Disease duration of progression is helpful in identifying isolated bulbar palsy of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. BMC Neurol 2021; 21:405. [PMID: 34686150 PMCID: PMC8532334 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-021-02438-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Compared with typical bulbar onset amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), isolated bulbar palsy (IBP), an often under-understood variant of ALS, is characterized by symptoms confined to bulbar region for extended periods and relative preservation of limb and ventilation function. To find a cutoff value of disease duration that can distinguish IBP from typical bulbar onset ALS well, the association of survival with disease progression in bulbar onset ALS patients was analyzed. Methods Clinical data of bulbar onset ALS patients were collected from January 2009 to December 2013. The duration from bulbar onset to first significant limb involvement was analyzed by a cutoff point analysis with maximally selected log-rank statistics and dichotomized to categorize patient outcomes. The patients were divided into two groups, the IBP and typical bulbar onset ALS groups, according to the cutoff value. Clinical features were compared. Results 115 bulbar onset ALS patients were recruited, and the duration from bulbar onset to first significant limb involvement was associated with survival (P < 0.001). The cutoff duration was 20 months. 19 patients were identified as IBP and 96 patients as typical bulbar onset ALS using 20 months as the cutoff duration. Female was more common, limb weakness was less frequent and pure upper motor neuron (UMN) bulbar signs were more frequent in the IBP group than in the typical bulbar onset ALS group (P = 0.047; P = 0.004; P = 0.031). The median survival time of the IBP group was significantly longer than that of the typical bulbar onset ALS group (64 months and 26 months, respectively; P < 0.001). Conclusions A cutoff duration of 20 months from bulbar onset to first significant limb involvement may be used to specifically distinguish IBP from typical bulbar onset ALS. IBP was characterized by female predominance, relative preservation of limb function, more pure UMN bulbar signs and a relatively benign prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huagang Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, No. 49, North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Lu Chen
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, No. 49, North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, China.,Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Biomarker and Translational Research in Neurodegenerative diseases, Beijing, China
| | - Jinzhou Tian
- Neurology Centre, Dongzhimen Hospital, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, China
| | - Dongsheng Fan
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Third Hospital, No. 49, North Garden Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100191, 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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Spencer PS. Parkinsonism and motor neuron disorders: Lessons from Western Pacific ALS/PDC. J Neurol Sci 2021; 433:120021. [PMID: 34635325 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.120021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 08/06/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Recognized worldwide as an unusual "overlap" syndrome, Parkinsonism and motor neuron disease, with or without dementia, is best exemplified by the former high-incidence clusters of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Parkinsonism-Dementia Complex (ALS/PDC) in Guam, USA, in the Kii Peninsula of Honshu Island, Japan, and in Papua, Indonesia, on the western side of New Guinea. Western Pacific ALS/PDC is a disappearing neurodegenerative disorder with multiple and sometime overlapping phenotypes (ALS, atypical parkinsonism, dementia) that appear to constitute a single disease of environmental origin, in particular from exposure to genotoxins/neurotoxins in seed of cycad plants (Cycas spp.) formerly used as a traditional source of food (Guam) and/or medicine (Guam, Kii-Japan, Papua-Indonesia). Seed compounds include the principal cycad toxin cycasin, its active metabolite methylazoxymethanol (MAM) and a non-protein amino acid β-N-methylamino-L-alanine (L-BMAA); each reproduces components of ALS/PDC neuropathology when individually administered to laboratory species in single doses perinatally (MAM, L-BMAA) or repeatedly for prolonged periods to young adult animals (L-BMAA). Human exposure to MAM, a potent DNA-alkylating mutagen, also has potential relevance to the high incidence of diverse mutations found among Guamanians with/without ALS/PDC. In sum, seven decades of intensive study of ALS/PDC has revealed field and laboratory approaches leading to discovery of disease etiology that are now being applied to sporadic neurodegenerative disorders such as ALS beyond the Western Pacific region. This article is part of the Special Issue "Parkinsonism across the spectrum of movement disorders and beyond" edited by Joseph Jankovic, Daniel D. Truong and Matteo Bologna.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter S Spencer
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, USA.
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16
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Current Concepts on Genetic Aspects of Mitochondrial Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22189832. [PMID: 34575995 PMCID: PMC8469731 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22189832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 09/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), neurodegenerative motor neuron disorder is characterized as multisystem disease with important contribution of genetic factors. The etiopahogenesis of ALS is not fully elucidate, but the dominant theory at present relates to RNA processing, as well as protein aggregation and miss-folding, oxidative stress, glutamate excitotoxicity, inflammation and epigenetic dysregulation. Additionally, as mitochondria plays a leading role in cellular homeostasis maintenance, a rising amount of evidence indicates mitochondrial dysfunction as a substantial contributor to disease onset and progression. The aim of this review is to summarize most relevant findings that link genetic factors in ALS pathogenesis with different mechanisms with mitochondrial involvement (respiratory chain, OXPHOS control, calcium buffering, axonal transport, inflammation, mitophagy, etc.). We highlight the importance of a widening perspective for better understanding overlapping pathophysiological pathways in ALS and neurodegeneration in general. Finally, current and potentially novel therapies, especially gene specific therapies, targeting mitochondrial dysfunction are discussed briefly.
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Liguori F, Amadio S, Volonté C. Fly for ALS: Drosophila modeling on the route to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis modifiers. Cell Mol Life Sci 2021; 78:6143-6160. [PMID: 34322715 PMCID: PMC11072332 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-021-03905-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2021] [Revised: 07/20/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare, devastating disease, causing movement impairment, respiratory failure and ultimate death. A plethora of genetic, cellular and molecular mechanisms are involved in ALS signature, although the initiating causes and progressive pathological events are far from being understood. Drosophila research has produced seminal discoveries for more than a century and has been successfully used in the past 25 years to untangle the process of ALS pathogenesis, and recognize potential markers and novel strategies for therapeutic solutions. This review will provide an updated view of several ALS modifiers validated in C9ORF72, SOD1, FUS, TDP-43 and Ataxin-2 Drosophila models. We will discuss basic and preclinical findings, illustrating recent developments and novel breakthroughs, also depicting unsettled challenges and limitations in the Drosophila-ALS field. We intend to stimulate a renewed debate on Drosophila as a screening route to identify more successful disease modifiers and neuroprotective agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Liguori
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Amadio
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143, Rome, Italy
| | - Cinzia Volonté
- Preclinical Neuroscience, IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 65, 00143, Rome, Italy.
- Institute for Systems Analysis and Computer Science "A. Ruberti", National Research Council (IASI-CNR), Via dei Taurini 19, 00185, Rome, Italy.
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Dharmadasa T. Cortical Excitability across the ALS Clinical Motor Phenotypes. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11060715. [PMID: 34071187 PMCID: PMC8230203 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11060715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/25/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by its marked clinical heterogeneity. Although the coexistence of upper and lower motor neuron signs is a common clinical feature for most patients, there is a wide range of atypical motor presentations and clinical trajectories, implying a heterogeneity of underlying pathogenic mechanisms. Corticomotoneuronal dysfunction is increasingly postulated as the harbinger of clinical disease, and neurophysiological exploration of the motor cortex in vivo using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) has suggested that motor cortical hyperexcitability may be a critical pathogenic factor linked to clinical features and survival. Region-specific selective vulnerability at the level of the motor cortex may drive the observed differences of clinical presentation across the ALS motor phenotypes, and thus, further understanding of phenotypic variability in relation to cortical dysfunction may serve as an important guide to underlying disease mechanisms. This review article analyses the cortical excitability profiles across the clinical motor phenotypes, as assessed using TMS, and explores this relationship to clinical patterns and survival. This understanding will remain essential to unravelling central disease pathophysiology and for the development of specific treatment targets across the ALS clinical motor phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thanuja Dharmadasa
- Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, Oxford University, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK;
- Brain and Mind Centre, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
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Espíndola G, Scheffer DDL, Latini A. Commentary: Urinary Neopterin, a New Marker of the Neuroinflammatory Status in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:645694. [PMID: 33833664 PMCID: PMC8021780 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.645694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Gisele Espíndola
- Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.,Ambulatório de Doenças Neuromusculares e Neurogenéticas Hospital Universitário Polydoro Ernani de São Thiago, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil.,Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Médicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Débora da Luz Scheffer
- Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
| | - Alexandra Latini
- Laboratório de Bioenergética e Estresse Oxidativo, Departamento de Bioquímica, Centro de Ciências Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil
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20
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Marques C, Burg T, Scekic-Zahirovic J, Fischer M, Rouaux C. Upper and Lower Motor Neuron Degenerations Are Somatotopically Related and Temporally Ordered in the Sod1 Mouse Model of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11030369. [PMID: 33805792 PMCID: PMC7998935 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11030369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating and fatal neurodegenerative disease arising from the combined degeneration of upper motor neurons (UMN) in the motor cortex, and lower motor neurons (LMN) in the brainstem and spinal cord. This dual impairment raises two major questions: (i) are the degenerations of these two neuronal populations somatotopically related? and if yes (ii), where does neurodegeneration start? If studies carried out on ALS patients clearly demonstrated the somatotopic relationship between UMN and LMN degenerations, their temporal relationship remained an unanswered question. In the present study, we took advantage of the well-described Sod1G86R model of ALS to interrogate the somatotopic and temporal relationships between UMN and LMN degenerations in ALS. Using retrograde labelling from the cervical or lumbar spinal cord of Sod1G86R mice and controls to identify UMN, along with electrophysiology and histology to assess LMN degeneration, we applied rigorous sampling, counting, and statistical analyses, and show that UMN and LMN degenerations are somatotopically related and that UMN depletion precedes LMN degeneration. Together, the data indicate that UMN degeneration is a particularly early and thus relevant event in ALS, in accordance with a possible cortical origin of the disease, and emphasize the need to further elucidate the molecular mechanisms behind UMN degeneration, towards new therapeutic avenues.
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21
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Ranieri F, Mariotto S, Dubbioso R, Di Lazzaro V. Brain Stimulation as a Therapeutic Tool in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Current Status and Interaction With Mechanisms of Altered Cortical Excitability. Front Neurol 2021; 11:605335. [PMID: 33613416 PMCID: PMC7892772 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2020.605335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last 20 years, several modalities of neuromodulation, mainly based on non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) techniques, have been tested as a non-pharmacological therapeutic approach to slow disease progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). In both sporadic and familial ALS cases, neurophysiological studies point to motor cortical hyperexcitability as a possible priming factor in neurodegeneration, likely related to dysfunction of both excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms. A trans-synaptic anterograde mechanism of excitotoxicity is thus postulated, causing upper and lower motor neuron degeneration. Specifically, motor neuron hyperexcitability and hyperactivity are attributed to intrinsic cell abnormalities related to altered ion homeostasis and to impaired glutamate and gamma aminobutyric acid gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) signaling. Several neuropathological mechanisms support excitatory and synaptic dysfunction in ALS; additionally, hyperexcitability seems to drive DNA-binding protein 43-kDA (TDP-43) pathology, through the upregulation of unusual isoforms directly contributing to ASL pathophysiology. Corticospinal excitability can be suppressed or enhanced using NIBS techniques, namely, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), as well as invasive brain and spinal stimulation. Experimental evidence supports the hypothesis that the after-effects of NIBS are mediated by long-term potentiation (LTP)-/long-term depression (LTD)-like mechanisms of modulation of synaptic activity, with different biological and physiological mechanisms underlying the effects of tDCS and rTMS and, possibly, of different rTMS protocols. This potential has led to several small trials testing different stimulation interventions to antagonize excitotoxicity in ALS. Overall, these studies suggest a possible efficacy of neuromodulation in determining a slight reduction of disease progression, related to the type, duration, and frequency of treatment, but current evidence remains preliminary. Main limitations are the small number and heterogeneity of recruited patients, the limited “dosage” of brain stimulation that can be delivered in the hospital setting, the lack of a sufficient knowledge on the excitatory and inhibitory mechanisms targeted by specific stimulation interventions, and the persistent uncertainty on the key pathophysiological processes leading to motor neuron loss. The present review article provides an update on the state of the art of neuromodulation in ALS and a critical appraisal of the rationale for the application/optimization of brain stimulation interventions, in the light of their interaction with ALS pathophysiological mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Federico Ranieri
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Sara Mariotto
- Neurology Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Raffaele Dubbioso
- Department of Neurosciences, Reproductive Sciences and Odontostomatology, University of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
- Unit of Neurology, Neurophysiology, Neurobiology, Department of Medicine, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome, Italy
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Zhang L, Toyoshima Y, Takeshima A, Shimizu H, Tomita I, Onodera O, Takahashi H, Kakita A. Progressive supranuclear palsy: Neuropathology of patients with a short disease duration due to unexpected death. Neuropathology 2020; 41:174-182. [PMID: 33205528 DOI: 10.1111/neup.12707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2020] [Revised: 07/27/2020] [Accepted: 08/27/2020] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) presents with a wide variety of signs/symptoms, making early initial diagnosis difficult. We investigated the clinical and neuropathological features of five patients with autopsy-proven PSP of short duration, ranging from 11 to 41 months (average, 26.2 months) due to unexpected death, focusing particularly on the distribution and severity of neuronal loss as well as neuronal and glial tau pathology in the affected brain. Clinical features were studied retrospectively through careful review of the medical records, and neuropathological examinations were carried out, along with tau immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody AT8. These patients were diagnosed as having probable PSP (n = 4) and suggestive PSP (n = 1), respectively. In all cases, neuronal loss was evident in the substantia nigra, subthalamic nucleus, globus pallidus, and locus ceruleus. AT8-identified tau lesions, that is, pretangles/neurofibrillary tangles (PTs/NFTs), tufted astrocytes (TAs), and coiled bodies/neuropil threads (CBs/NTs), were distributed widely in the brain regions, especially in patients with longer disease duration. All cases showed variation in the regional tau burden among PTs/NFTs, TAs, and CBs/NTs. There was also a tendency for tau deposition to be more predominant in neuronal cells in the brainstem and cerebellum and in glial cells in the cerebral cortex and subcortical gray matter. These findings suggest that in PSP, the initial signs/symptoms are associated with degeneration and subsequent death of neurons with pathological tau deposition, and that the tau deposition in neuronal cells is independent of that in glial cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lu Zhang
- Departments of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Yasuko Toyoshima
- Departments of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Akari Takeshima
- Departments of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Shimizu
- Departments of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Itsuro Tomita
- Department of Neurology, Nagasaki-kita Hospital, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Osamu Onodera
- Departments of Neurology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Hitoshi Takahashi
- Departments of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Akiyoshi Kakita
- Departments of Pathology, Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
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Bajc Česnik A, Motaln H, Rogelj B. The Impact of ALS-Associated Genes hnRNPA1, MATR3, VCP and UBQLN2 on the Severity of TDP-43 Aggregation. Cells 2020; 9:cells9081791. [PMID: 32731393 PMCID: PMC7465640 DOI: 10.3390/cells9081791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder, characterized by cytoplasmic inclusions of RNA-binding protein TDP-43. Despite decades of research and identification of more than 50 genes associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the cause of TDP-43 translocation from the nucleus and its aggregation in the cytoplasm still remains unknown. Our study addressed the impact of selected ALS-associated genes on TDP-43 aggregation behavior in wild-type and aggregation prone TDP-43 in vitro cell models. These were developed by deleting TDP-43 nuclear localization signal and stepwise shortening its low-complexity region. The SH-SY5Y cells were co-transfected with the constructs of aggregation-prone TDP-43 and wild-type or mutant ALS-associated genes hnRNPA1, MATR3, VCP or UBQLN2. The investigated genes displayed a unique impact on TDP-43 aggregation, generating distinct types of cytoplasmic inclusions, similar to those already described as resembling prion strains, which could represent the basis for neurodegenerative disease heterogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Bajc Česnik
- Department of Biotechnology, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.B.Č.); (H.M.)
- Graduate School of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Helena Motaln
- Department of Biotechnology, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.B.Č.); (H.M.)
| | - Boris Rogelj
- Department of Biotechnology, Jozef Stefan Institute, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia; (A.B.Č.); (H.M.)
- Biomedical Research Institute BRIS, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +386-1-477-3611
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Geser F, Fellner L, Haybaeck J, Wenning GK. Development of neurodegeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: from up or down? J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2020; 127:1097-1105. [PMID: 32500222 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-020-02213-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurological disease associated with neurodegeneration and intracellular pathological 43-kDa transactive response sequence DNA-binding protein (TDP-43) positive inclusions. The various clinical symptoms, such as motor disorders and cognitive impairment, reflect the degeneration of certain areas of the nervous system. Since the discovery of the significance of pathological TDP-43 for human disease including ALS, there has been an increasing number of studies reporting on the distribution and severity of neurodegeneration. These have rekindled the old debate about whether the first or second motor neuron is the primary site of degeneration in ALS. To shed light on this question, the following is a review of the relevant neuropathological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Geser
- Department of Neurology, Hegau-Bodensee-Klinikum Singen, Virchowstr. 10, 78224, Singen (Hohentwiel), Germany.
| | - L Fellner
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - J Haybaeck
- Department of Pathology, Neuropathology and Molecular Pathology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Neuropathology, Diagnostic and Research Institute of Pathology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - G K Wenning
- Division of Neurobiology, Department of Neurology, Medical University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
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Barp A, Gerardi F, Lizio A, Sansone VA, Lunetta C. Emerging Drugs for the Treatment of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Focus on Recent Phase 2 Trials. Expert Opin Emerg Drugs 2020; 25:145-164. [PMID: 32456491 DOI: 10.1080/14728214.2020.1769067] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rapidly progressive neurodegenerative disease involving both upper and lower motor neurons and resulting in increasing disability and death 3-5 years after onset of symptoms. Over 40 large clinical trials for ALS have been negative, except for Riluzole that offers a modest survival benefit, and Edaravone that modestly reduces disease progression in patients with specific characteristics. Thus, the discovery of efficient disease modifying therapy is an urgent need. AREAS COVERED Although the cause of ALS remains unclear, many studies have demonstrated that neuroinflammation, proteinopathies, glutamate-induced excitotoxicity, microglial activation, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction may play a key role in the pathogenesis. This review highlights recent discoveries relating to these diverse mechanisms and their implications for the development of therapy. Ongoing phase 2 clinical trials aimed to interfere with these pathophysiological mechanisms are discussed. EXPERT OPINION This review describes the challenges that the discovery of an efficient drug therapy faces and how these issues may be addressed. With the continuous advances coming from basic research, we provided possible suggestions that may be considered to improve performance of clinical trials and turn ALS research into a 'fertile ground' for drug development for this devastating disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Barp
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre, Fondazione Serena Onlus , Milan, Italy.,Dept. Biomedical Sciences of Health, University of Milan , Milan, Italy
| | | | - Andrea Lizio
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre, Fondazione Serena Onlus , Milan, Italy
| | - Valeria Ada Sansone
- NEuroMuscular Omnicentre, Fondazione Serena Onlus , Milan, Italy.,Dept. Biomedical Sciences of Health, University of Milan , Milan, Italy
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26
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Trojsi F, D’Alvano G, Bonavita S, Tedeschi G. Genetics and Sex in the Pathogenesis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): Is There a Link? Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:ijms21103647. [PMID: 32455692 PMCID: PMC7279172 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21103647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2020] [Revised: 05/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with no known cure. Approximately 90% of ALS cases are sporadic, although multiple genetic risk factors have been recently revealed also in sporadic ALS (SALS). The pathological expansion of a hexanucleotide repeat in chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) is the most common genetic mutation identified in familial ALS, detected also in 5–10% of SALS patients. C9orf72-related ALS phenotype appears to be dependent on several modifiers, including demographic factors. Sex has been reported as an independent factor influencing ALS development, with men found to be more susceptible than women. Exposure to both female and male sex hormones have been shown to influence disease risk or progression. Moreover, interplay between genetics and sex has been widely investigated in ALS preclinical models and in large populations of ALS patients carrying C9orf72 repeat expansion. In light of the current need for reclassifying ALS patients into pathologically homogenous subgroups potentially responsive to targeted personalized therapies, we aimed to review the recent literature on the role of genetics and sex as both independent and synergic factors, in the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, and prognosis of ALS. Sex-dependent outcomes may lead to optimizing clinical trials for developing patient-specific therapies for ALS.
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27
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Dong SQ, Liu XN, Yang WB, Zhou YN, Wang JC, Chen XJ. An exon 5 mutation (c.425G>C, p.Gly141Ala) in the SOD1 gene in a Chinese family associated with incomplete penetrance. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020; 21:473-476. [PMID: 32174179 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1738496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Si-Qi Dong
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiao-Ni Liu
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Neurology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Wen-Bo Yang
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan-Ni Zhou
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiu-Cun Wang
- Department of Anthropology and Human Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiang-Jun Chen
- Department of Neurology, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Institute of Neurology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Human Phenome Institute, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
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28
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Lo MW, Woodruff TM. Complement: Bridging the innate and adaptive immune systems in sterile inflammation. J Leukoc Biol 2020; 108:339-351. [PMID: 32182389 DOI: 10.1002/jlb.3mir0220-270r] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 02/19/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The complement system is a collection of soluble and membrane-bound proteins that together act as a powerful amplifier of the innate and adaptive immune systems. Although its role in infection is well established, complement is becoming increasingly recognized as a key contributor to sterile inflammation, a chronic inflammatory process often associated with noncommunicable diseases. In this context, damaged tissues release danger signals and trigger complement, which acts on a range of leukocytes to augment and bridge the innate and adaptive immune systems. Given the detrimental effect of chronic inflammation, the complement system is therefore well placed as an anti-inflammatory drug target. In this review, we provide a general outline of the sterile activators, effectors, and targets of the complement system and a series of examples (i.e., hypertension, cancer, allograft transplant rejection, and neuroinflammation) that highlight complement's ability to bridge the 2 arms of the immune system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin W Lo
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Trent M Woodruff
- School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
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