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Oliveira Santos M, Swash M, de Carvalho M. Current challenges in primary lateral sclerosis diagnosis. Expert Rev Neurother 2024; 24:45-53. [PMID: 38093670 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2295010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a rare, adult-onset and slowly progressive motor neuron disorder whose clinical core is characterized by upper motor neuron (UMN) dysfunction. Its formal diagnosis is clinically based and disease duration-dependent. Differentiating PLS from other disorders involving UMN can be challenging, particularly in the early stages. AREAS COVERED Our review covers and discusses different aspects of the PLS field, including the diagnostic criteria and its limitations, its differential diagnosis and their major pitfalls, and the actual role of neurophysiology, neuroimaging, genetics, and molecular biomarkers. Symptomatic treatment of the different manifestations is also addressed. The authors searched MEDLINE and Scopus. They also searched the reference lists of articles identified by our search strategy and reviewed and selected those deemed relevant. They selected papers and studies based on the quality of the report, significance of the findings, and on the author's critical appraise and expertise. EXPERT OPINION It is important to investigate novel molecular biomarkers and plan multicenter clinical trials for PLS. However, this will require a large international project to recruit enough patients, particularly given the diagnostic uncertainty of the current clinical criteria. A better understanding of PLS pathophysiology is crucial for designing disease-targeted therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel Oliveira Santos
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Michael Swash
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Barts and the London School of Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Institute of Physiology, Instituto de Medicina Molecular João Lobo Antunes, Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital de Santa Maria, Centro Hospitalar Universitário de Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
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Hassan A, Mittal SO, Hu WT, Josephs KA, Sorenson EJ, Ahlskog JE. Does limited EMG denervation in early primary lateral sclerosis predict amyotrophic lateral sclerosis? Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2022; 23:554-561. [PMID: 35170382 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2022.2039714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
Objective: We assessed whether a cohort of patients with primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) and limited electromyography (EMG) motor unit denervation changes evolve into amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with prolonged follow-up. Methods: We initially ascertained all PLS patients diagnosed at Mayo Clinic-Rochester (1990-2016). Of 64 total cases, 43 had normal EMGs ("pure" PLS) during the first 4 years after symptom onset and were the focus of a prior publication, documenting absence of evolution to ALS. The remaining 21 patients had limited motor unit changes on EMG needle examination (denervation and most with fibrillation or fasciculation potentials) but insufficient to raise a strong suspicion of ALS; these 21 patients were followed to determine whether they evolved into ALS. Results: Of these 21 patients, the median follow-up was 7 years' disease duration (range: 4-27 years; IQR 5-8.5). They included 11 females (52%) with median onset-age of 57 years (range: 42-72 years). Two patients (10%) subsequently met revised El Escorial criteria for ALS after 7 and 13 years, respectively. The remainder had stable EMG changes with a persistent PLS phenotype. Among these remaining 19 patients, the PLS course was somewhat more aggressive than our previously reported series of 43 patients devoid of EMG denervation. The paraparetic variant was more common than the hemiparetic and bulbar variants, similar to "pure" PLS. Conclusions: Among PLS patients with definite but limited EMG denervation, 2/21 (10%) later developed ALS. The patients in this series had a more progressive clinical course compared to our previously reported pure PLS cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anhar Hassan
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Shivam O Mittal
- Department of Neurology, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, and
| | - William T Hu
- Department of Neurology, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | | | | | - J Eric Ahlskog
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Sahu R, Upadhayay S, Mehan S. Inhibition of extracellular regulated kinase (ERK)-1/2 signaling pathway in the prevention of ALS: Target inhibitors and influences on neurological dysfunctions. Eur J Cell Biol 2021; 100:151179. [PMID: 34560374 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejcb.2021.151179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell signal transduction pathways are essential modulators of several physiological and pathological processes in the brain. During overactivation, these signaling processes may lead to disease progression. Abnormal protein kinase activation is associated with several biological dysfunctions that facilitate neurodegeneration under different biological conditions. As a result, these signaling pathways are essential in understanding brain disorders' development or progression. Recent research findings indicate the crucial role of extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1/2 (ERK-1/2) signaling during the neuronal development process. ERK-1/2 is a key component of its mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) group, controlling certain neurological activities by regulating metabolic pathways, cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. ERK-1/2 also influences neuronal elastic properties, nerve growth, and neurological and cognitive processing during brain injuries. The primary goal of this review is to elucidate the activation of ERK1/2 signaling, which is involved in the development of several ALS-related neuropathological dysfunctions. ALS is a rare neurological disorder category that mainly affects the nerve cells responsible for regulating voluntary muscle activity. ALS is progressive, which means that the symptoms are getting worse over time, and there is no cure for ALS and no effective treatment to avoid or reverse. Genetic abnormalities, oligodendrocyte degradation, glial overactivation, and immune deregulation are associated with ALS progression. Furthermore, the current review also identifies ERK-1/2 signaling inhibitors that can promote neuroprotection and neurotrophic effects against the clinical-pathological presentation of ALS. As a result, in the future, the potential ERK-1/2 signaling inhibitors could be used in the treatment of ALS and related neurocomplications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Sahu
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Shubham Upadhayay
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India
| | - Sidharth Mehan
- Neuropharmacology Division, Department of Pharmacology, ISF College of Pharmacy, Moga, Punjab, India.
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McKenna MC, Corcia P, Couratier P, Siah WF, Pradat PF, Bede P. Frontotemporal Pathology in Motor Neuron Disease Phenotypes: Insights From Neuroimaging. Front Neurol 2021; 12:723450. [PMID: 34484106 PMCID: PMC8415268 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.723450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Frontotemporal involvement has been extensively investigated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) but remains relatively poorly characterized in other motor neuron disease (MND) phenotypes such as primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), progressive muscular atrophy (PMA), spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), spinal bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), post poliomyelitis syndrome (PPS), and hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP). This review focuses on insights from structural, metabolic, and functional neuroimaging studies that have advanced our understanding of extra-motor disease burden in these phenotypes. The imaging literature is limited in the majority of these conditions and frontotemporal involvement has been primarily evaluated by neuropsychology and post mortem studies. Existing imaging studies reveal that frontotemporal degeneration can be readily detected in ALS and PLS, varying degree of frontotemporal pathology may be captured in PMA, SBMA, and HSP, SMA exhibits cerebral involvement without regional predilection, and there is limited evidence for cerebral changes in PPS. Our review confirms the heterogeneity extra-motor pathology across the spectrum of MNDs and highlights the role of neuroimaging in characterizing anatomical patterns of disease burden in vivo. Despite the contribution of neuroimaging to MND research, sample size limitations, inclusion bias, attrition rates in longitudinal studies, and methodological constraints need to be carefully considered. Frontotemporal involvement is a quintessential clinical facet of MND which has important implications for screening practices, individualized management strategies, participation in clinical trials, caregiver burden, and resource allocation. The academic relevance of imaging frontotemporal pathology in MND spans from the identification of genetic variants, through the ascertainment of presymptomatic changes to the design of future epidemiology studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Clare McKenna
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Philippe Corcia
- Department of Neurology-Neurophysiology, CRMR ALS, Tours, France.,UMR 1253 iBrain, University of Tours, Tours, France.,LITORALS, Federation of ALS Centres: Tours-Limoges, Limoges, France
| | - Philippe Couratier
- LITORALS, Federation of ALS Centres: Tours-Limoges, Limoges, France.,ALS Centre, Limoges University Hospital (CHU de Limoges), Limoges, France
| | - We Fong Siah
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | | | - Peter Bede
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.,Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
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5
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Bede P, Pradat PF, Lope J, Vourc'h P, Blasco H, Corcia P. Primary Lateral Sclerosis: Clinical, radiological and molecular features. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2021; 178:196-205. [PMID: 34243936 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2021.04.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS) is an uncommon motor neuron disorder. Despite the well-recognisable constellation of clinical manifestations, the initial diagnosis can be challenging and therapeutic options are currently limited. There have been no recent clinical trials of disease-modifying therapies dedicated to this patient cohort and awareness of recent research developments is limited. The recent consensus diagnostic criteria introduced the category 'probable' PLS which is likely to curtail the diagnostic journey of patients. Extra-motor clinical manifestations are increasingly recognised, challenging the view of PLS as a 'pure' upper motor neuron condition. The post mortem literature of PLS has been expanded by seminal TDP-43 reports and recent PLS studies increasingly avail of meticulous genetic profiling. Research in PLS has gained unprecedented momentum in recent years generating novel academic insights, which may have important clinical ramifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- P Bede
- Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Sorbonne University, Paris, France; Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
| | - P-F Pradat
- Pitié-Salpêtrière University Hospital, Sorbonne University, Paris, France
| | - J Lope
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - P Vourc'h
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, CHRU Bretonneau, Tours, France; UMR 1253 iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, France
| | - H Blasco
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, CHRU Bretonneau, Tours, France; UMR 1253 iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, France
| | - P Corcia
- UMR 1253 iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, France; ALS and MND centre (FILSLAN), University of Tours, "iBrain", inserm, France
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6
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Corcia P, Lunetta C, Couratier P, Vourc'h P, Gromicho M, Desnuelle C, Soriani MH, Pinto S, de Carvalho M. Familial clustering of primary lateral sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Supplementary evidence for a continuum. Eur J Neurol 2021; 28:2780-2783. [PMID: 34110677 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14960] [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: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a motor neuron disorder characterized by a pure upper motor neuron degeneration in the bulbar and spinal regions. The key difference with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is the lower motor neuron system integrity. Despite important literature on this disease, the pathophysiology of PLS remains unknown, and the link with ALS still balances between a continuum and a separate entity from ALS. METHODS We report nine families in which both PLS and ALS cases occurred, in general among first-degree relatives. RESULTS The patients with PLS and ALS had a typical disease presentation. Genetic studies revealed mutations in SQSMT1, TBK1, and TREM2 genes in two PLS patients and one ALS patient. CONCLUSIONS These results strongly support a phenotypic continuum between PLS and ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Corcia
- ALS Center, CHU Bretonneau Tours, Tours, France.,UMR 1253 iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France
| | - Christian Lunetta
- NEMO Clinical Center, Serena Onlus Foundation, Milan, Italy.,NEMO Lab, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Patrick Vourc'h
- UMR 1253 iBrain, Université de Tours, Inserm, Tours, France.,Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, CHU Tours, Tours, France
| | - Marta Gromicho
- Faculty of Medicine, Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | | | | | - Susana Pinto
- Faculty of Medicine, Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Mamede de Carvalho
- Faculty of Medicine, Instituto de Fisiologia, Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal.,Department of Neurosciences and Mental Health, Hospital de Santa Maria-Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal
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7
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Paganoni S, De Marchi F, Chan J, Thrower SK, Staff NP, Datta N, Kisanuki YY, Drory V, Fournier C, Pioro EP, Goutman SA, Atassi N, Jeon M, Caldwell S, Mcdonough T, Gentile C, Liu J, Turner M, Denny C, Felice K, Green M, Scarberry S, Abu-Saleh S, Nefussy B, Hastings D, Kim S, Swihart B, Arcila-Londono X, Newman DS, Silverman M, Genge A, Salmon K, Elman L, Mccluskey L, Almasy K, Gotkine M, Goslin K, Cummings A, Edwards EK, Rivner M, Bouchard K, Quarles B, Kwan J, Jaffa M, Baloh R, Allred P, Walk D, Maiser S, Manousakis G, Ferment V, Fernandes JAM, Thaisetthawatkul P, Heimes D, Phillips M, Sams L, Kahler M, Corcoran A, Larriviere DG, Chotto S, Juba G. The NEALS primary lateral sclerosis registry. Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2020; 21:74-81. [PMID: 32915077 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2020.1804591] [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: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive upper motor neuron dysfunction. Because PLS patients represent only 1 to 4% of patients with adult motor neuron diseases, there is limited information about the disease's natural history. The objective of this study was to establish a large multicenter retrospective longitudinal registry of PLS patients seen at Northeast ALS Consortium (NEALS) sites to better characterize the natural progression of PLS. Methods: Clinical characteristics, electrophysiological findings, laboratory values, disease-related symptoms, and medications for symptom management were collected from PLS patients seen between 2000 and 2015. Results: The NEALS registry included data from 250 PLS patients. Median follow-up time was 3 years. The mean rate of functional decline measured by ALSFRS-R total score was -1.6 points/year (SE:0.24, n = 124); the mean annual decline in vital capacity was -3%/year (SE:0.55, n = 126). During the observational period, 18 patients died, 17 patients had a feeding tube placed and 7 required permanent assistive ventilation. Conclusions: The NEALS PLS Registry represents the largest available aggregation of longitudinal clinical data from PLS patients and provides a description of expected natural disease progression. Data from the registry will be available to the PLS community and can be leveraged to plan future clinical trials in this rare disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Paganoni
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fabiola De Marchi
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - James Chan
- Department of Biostatistics, Harvard Medical School, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sara K Thrower
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Neil Datta
- Hospital for Special Care, New Britain, CT/University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Yaz Y Kisanuki
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Vivian Drory
- Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv-Yafo, Israel
| | | | - Erik P Pioro
- Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Nazem Atassi
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | - Maryangel Jeon
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah Caldwell
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Timothy Mcdonough
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caroline Gentile
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jianing Liu
- Department of Neurology, Sean M. Healey & AMG Center for ALS at Mass General, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | | | | | - Kevin Felice
- Hospital for Special Care, New Britain, CT/University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Misty Green
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Stephanie Scarberry
- Department of Neurology, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Debbie Hastings
- Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Sangri Kim
- Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Blake Swihart
- Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | | | | | | | - Angela Genge
- Montreal Neurological Institute & Hospital, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Lauren Elman
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Leo Mccluskey
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Kelly Almasy
- Department of Neurology, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Marc Gotkine
- Department of Neurology, The Agnes Ginges Center for Human Neurogenetics, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
| | | | | | | | - Michael Rivner
- Department of Neurology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Kristy Bouchard
- Department of Neurology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Brandy Quarles
- Department of Neurology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA, USA
| | - Justin Kwan
- University of Maryland Medical Center, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Matthew Jaffa
- University of Maryland Medical Center, College Park, MD, USA
| | - Robert Baloh
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Peggy Allred
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - David Walk
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Samuel Maiser
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Georgios Manousakis
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Valerie Ferment
- Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - J Americo M Fernandes
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | - Deborah Heimes
- Department of Neurological Sciences, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | | | - Laura Sams
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Melissa Kahler
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Alecia Corcoran
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | | | | | - Gracy Juba
- Ochsner Health System, New Orleans, LA, USA
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Finegan E, Li Hi Shing S, Siah WF, Chipika RH, Chang KM, McKenna MC, Doherty MA, Hengeveld JC, Vajda A, Donaghy C, Hutchinson S, McLaughlin RL, Hardiman O, Bede P. Evolving diagnostic criteria in primary lateral sclerosis: The clinical and radiological basis of "probable PLS". J Neurol Sci 2020; 417:117052. [PMID: 32731060 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.117052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2020] [Revised: 07/15/2020] [Accepted: 07/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Primary lateral sclerosis is a rare neurodegenerative disorder of the upper motor neurons. Diagnostic criteria have changed considerably over the years, and the recent consensus criteria introduced 'probable PLS' for patients with a symptom duration of 2-4 years. The objective of this study is the systematic evaluation of clinical and neuroimaging characteristics in early PLS by studying a group of 'probable PLS patients' in comparison to a cohort of established PLS patients. METHODS In a prospective neuroimaging study, thirty-nine patients were stratified by the new consensus criteria into 'probable' (symptom duration 2-4 years) or 'definite' PLS (symptom duration >4 years). Patients were evaluated with a standardised battery of clinical instruments (ALSFRS-r, Penn upper motor neuron score, the modified Ashworth spasticity scale), whole genome sequencing, and underwent structural and diffusion MRI. The imaging profile of the two PLS cohorts were contrasted to a dataset of 100 healthy controls. All 'probable PLS' patients subsequently fulfilled criteria for 'definite' PLS on longitudinal follow-up and none transitioned to develop ALS. RESULTS PLS patients tested negative for known ALS- or HSP-associated mutations on whole genome sequencing. Despite their shorter symptom duration, 'probable PLS' patients already exhibited considerable functional disability, upper motor neuron disease burden and the majority of them required walking aids for safe ambulation. Their ALSFRS-r, UMN and modified Ashworth score means were 83%, 98% and 85% of the 'definite' group respectively. Motor cortex thickness was significantly reduced in both PLS groups in comparison to controls, but cortical changes were less widespread in 'probable' PLS on morphometric analyses. Corticospinal tract and corpus callosum metrics were relatively well preserved in the 'probable' group in contrast to the widespread white matter degeneration observed in the 'definite' group. CONCLUSIONS Our clinical and radiological analyses support the recent introduction of the 'probable' PLS category, as this cohort already exhibits considerable disability and cerebral changes consistent with established PLS. Before the publication of the new consensus criteria, these patients would have not been diagnosed with PLS on the basis of their symptom duration despite their significant functional impairment and motor cortex atrophy. The introduction of this new category will facilitate earlier recruitment into clinical trials, and shorten the protracted diagnostic uncertainty the majority of PLS patients face.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eoin Finegan
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Stacey Li Hi Shing
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - We Fong Siah
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rangariroyashe H Chipika
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Kai Ming Chang
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland; Electronics and Computer Science, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Mary Clare McKenna
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Mark A Doherty
- Complex Trait Genomics Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jennifer C Hengeveld
- Complex Trait Genomics Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Alice Vajda
- Complex Trait Genomics Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Colette Donaghy
- Department of Neurology, Belfast, Western Health & Social Care Trust, UK
| | | | - Russell L McLaughlin
- Complex Trait Genomics Laboratory, Smurfit Institute of Genetics, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Orla Hardiman
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
| | - Peter Bede
- Computational Neuroimaging Group, Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland.
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9
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The clinical and radiological profile of primary lateral sclerosis: a population-based study. J Neurol 2019; 266:2718-2733. [PMID: 31325016 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-019-09473-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2019] [Revised: 07/09/2019] [Accepted: 07/11/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary lateral sclerosis is a progressive upper-motor-neuron disorder associated with markedly longer survival than ALS. In contrast to ALS, the genetic susceptibility, histopathological profile and imaging signature of PLS are poorly characterised. Suspected PLS patients often face considerable diagnostic delay and prognostic uncertainty. OBJECTIVE To characterise the distinguishing clinical, genetic and imaging features of PLS in contrast to ALS and healthy controls. METHODS A prospective population-based study was conducted with 49 PLS patients, 100 ALS patients and 100 healthy controls using genetic profiling, standardised clinical assessments and neuroimaging. Whole-brain and region-of-interest analyses were undertaken to evaluate patterns of grey and white matter degeneration. RESULTS In PLS, disease burden in the motor cortex is more medial than in ALS consistent with its lower limb symptom-predominance. PLS is associated with considerable cerebellar white and grey matter degeneration and the extra-motor profile of PLS includes marked insular, inferior frontal and left pars opercularis pathology. Contrary to ALS, PLS spares the postcentral gyrus. The body and splenium of the corpus callosum are preferentially affected in PLS, in contrast to the genu involvement observed in ALS. Clinical measures show anatomically meaningful correlations with imaging metrics in a somatotopic distribution. PLS patients tested negative for C9orf72 repeat expansions, known ALS and HSP-associated genes. CONCLUSIONS Multiparametric imaging in PLS highlights disease-specific motor and extra-motor involvement distinct from ALS. In a condition where limited post-mortem data are available, imaging offers invaluable pathological insights. Anatomical correlations with clinical metrics confirm the biomarker potential of quantitative neuroimaging in PLS.
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10
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Finegan E, Chipika RH, Shing SLH, Hardiman O, Bede P. Primary lateral sclerosis: a distinct entity or part of the ALS spectrum? Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2019; 20:133-145. [PMID: 30654671 DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2018.1550518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 64] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) has been traditionally viewed as a distinct upper motor neuron condition (UMN) but is increasingly regarded as a sub-phenotype within the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) spectrum. Despite established diagnostic criteria, formal diagnosis can be challenging and the protracted diagnostic journey and uncertainty about longer-term prognosis cause considerable distress to patients and caregivers. PLS patients are invariably excluded from ALS clinical trials, while PLS pharmacological trials are lacking. There remains an unmet need for diagnostic biomarkers for upper motor neuron predominant conditions and prognostic indicators regarding prognosis, survival, and risk of conversion to ALS. Validated biomarkers will not only have implications for individualized patient care but also serve as outcome measures in pharmaceutical trials. Given the paucity of post-mortem studies in PLS, novel pathological insights are generally inferred from state-of-the-art imaging studies. Computational neuroimaging has already contributed significantly to the characterization of PLS-associated pathology in vivo and has underscored the role of neuro-inflammation, the presence of extra-motor changes, and confirmed pathological patterns similar to ALS. This systematic review assesses the current state of PLS research across clinical, neuroimaging and neuropathological domains from a combined clinical and academic perspective. We discuss patterns of pathological overlap with other ALS phenotypes, examine if the biological processes of PLS warrant therapeutic strategies distinct from ALS, and evaluate the evidence that classes PLS as a distinct clinico-pathological entity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eoin Finegan
- a Computational Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Rangariroyashe H Chipika
- a Computational Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Stacey Li Hi Shing
- a Computational Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Orla Hardiman
- a Computational Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College , Dublin , Ireland
| | - Peter Bede
- a Computational Neuroimaging Group, Academic Unit of Neurology , Biomedical Sciences Institute, Trinity College , Dublin , Ireland
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de Carvalho M, Swash M. Fasciculation discharge frequency in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and related disorders. Clin Neurophysiol 2016; 127:2257-62. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2016.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2015] [Revised: 02/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2016] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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