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Katerelos A, Alexopoulos P, Economou P, Polychronopoulos P, Chroni E. Cognitive function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a cross-sectional and prospective pragmatic clinical study with review of the literature. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:2075-2085. [PMID: 38105306 PMCID: PMC11021277 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07262-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) can present with either bulbar or spinal symptoms, and in some cases, both types of symptoms may be present. In addition, cognitive impairment has been observed in ALS. The study aimed to evaluate the frontal and general cognitive performance in ALS not only cross-sectionally but also longitudinally. METHODS AND MATERIALS The Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) were employed to assess cognitive function in 52 adults with ALS and 52 cognitively healthy individuals. The statistical analyses encompassed the Pearson Chi square test, the Skillings-Mack test, the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, and the Proportional Odds Logistic Regression Model (POLR). RESULTS Cross-sectionally, lower cognitive performance was associated with ALS diagnosis, older age, and motor functional decline. The cognitive impairment of individuals with bulbar and spinal-bulbar symptoms showed faster deterioration compared to those with spinal symptoms. The spinal subgroup consistently performed worst in delayed recall and attention, while the spinal-bulbar and bulbar subgroups exhibited inferior scores in delayed recall, attention, visuospatial skills, orientation, and verbal fluency. CONCLUSION The incorporation of cognitive screening in the diagnostic workup of ALS may be beneficial, as early detection can enhance symptom management and improve the quality of life for both individuals with ALS and their care partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adamantios Katerelos
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
- Department of Neurology, Patras University General Hospital, Rio, Greece.
| | - Panagiotis Alexopoulos
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
- Mental Health Services, Patras University General Hospital, Rio, Greece
- Medical School, Trinity College Dublin, Global Brain Health Institute, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
- Faculty of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Patras Dementia Day Care Centre, Patras, Greece
| | - Polychronis Economou
- Department of Civil Engineering (Statistics), School of Engineering, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Polychronopoulos
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
- Department of Neurology, Patras University General Hospital, Rio, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
- Department of Neurology, Patras University General Hospital, Rio, Greece
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Katerelos A, Alexopoulos P, Economou P, Polychronopoulos P, Chroni E. Correction to: Cognitive function in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a cross‑sectional and prospective pragmatic clinical study with review of the literature. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:2407. [PMID: 38372843 PMCID: PMC11021268 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07408-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Adamantios Katerelos
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
- Department of Neurology, Patras University General Hospital, Rio, Greece.
| | - Panagiotis Alexopoulos
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
- Mental Health Services, Patras University General Hospital, Rio, Greece
- Medical School, Trinity College Dublin, Global Brain Health Institute, The University of Dublin, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
- Faculty of Medicine, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Technical University of Munich, Munich, Germany
- Patras Dementia Day Care Centre, Patras, Greece
| | - Polychronis Economou
- Department of Civil Engineering (Statistics), School of Engineering, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Polychronopoulos
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
- Department of Neurology, Patras University General Hospital, Rio, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Medicine, School of Health Sciences, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
- Department of Neurology, Patras University General Hospital, Rio, Greece
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Kefalopoulou ZM, Veltsista D, Germeni A, Lykouras D, Tsiamaki E, Chroni E. Rituximab as a sole steroid-sparing agent in generalized myasthenia gravis: Long-term outcomes. Neurol Sci 2024; 45:1233-1242. [PMID: 37831214 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07082-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Rituximab, a B-cell depleting monoclonal antibody, represents an option for the treatment of refractory myasthenia gravis (MG). Its use is more established in muscle-specific tyrosine kinase positive (MuSK +) patients, while its role in managing acetylcholine receptor positive (AChR +), or double seronegative (DSN) patients, remains less clear. This study evaluates the long-term effectiveness and safety of rituximab in MG of various serotypes. METHODS We conducted an open-label study of MG patients receiving rituximab. Adults with generalized refractory MG, either anti-AChR + or DSN, and anti-MuSK + , refractory or not, who had follow-up > 12 months were selected. Change in quantitative myasthenia gravis (QMG) score at last follow-up, compared with baseline was a primary outcome, as well as factors affecting response to treatment. Secondary outcomes included, long-term safety, the steroid-sparing effect and relapse rates post-rituximab. RESULTS Thirty patients (16 anti-AChR + , 6 anti-MuSK + , 8 DSN) followed for a mean of 33.3 months were included. Mean scores pre-rituximab compared to last follow-up significantly decreased (p < 0.001), from 11 ± 4.1 to 4.3 ± 3.8, and from 1.9 to 0.3 regarding QMG and relapse rate per patient/year, respectively, while in 93.1% a daily steroid dose ≤ 10 mg was achieved. Antibody status was the only factor independently influencing several endpoints. Throughout the study period no crises or deaths occurred. CONCLUSION The present study supports that rituximab is an effective and well tolerated treatment for refractory anti-AChR + and DSN MG patients, while anti-MuSK + remains the group experiencing the greater benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zinovia-Maria Kefalopoulou
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504, Patras, Rio, Greece.
- Neuromuscular Centre, University Hospital of Patras, 26504, Patras, Rio, Greece.
| | - Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504, Patras, Rio, Greece
- Neuromuscular Centre, University Hospital of Patras, 26504, Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Alexandra Germeni
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504, Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Dimosthenis Lykouras
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, 26504, Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Eirini Tsiamaki
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504, Patras, Rio, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Patras, 26504, Patras, Rio, Greece
- Neuromuscular Centre, University Hospital of Patras, 26504, Patras, Rio, Greece
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Liampas I, Kyriakoulopoulou P, Siokas V, Tsiamaki E, Stamati P, Kefalopoulou Z, Chroni E, Dardiotis E. Apolipoprotein E Gene in α-Synucleinopathies: A Narrative Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1795. [PMID: 38339074 PMCID: PMC10855384 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031795] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/30/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
In this narrative review, we delved into the intricate interplay between Apolipoprotein E (APOE) alleles (typically associated with Alzheimer's disease-AD) and alpha-synucleinopathies (aS-pathies), involving Parkinson's disease (PD), Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple-system atrophy (MSA). First, in-vitro, animal, and human-based data on the exacerbating effect of APOE4 on LB pathology were summarized. We found robust evidence that APOE4 carriage constitutes a risk factor for PDD-APOE2, and APOE3 may not alter the risk of developing PDD. We confirmed that APOE4 copies confer an increased hazard towards DLB, as well. Again APOE2 and APOE3 appear unrelated to the risk of conversion. Of note, in individuals with DLB APOE4, carriage appears to be intermediately prevalent between AD and PDD-PD (AD > DLB > PDD > PD). Less consistency existed when it came to PD; APOE-PD associations tended to be markedly modified by ethnicity. Finally, we failed to establish an association between the APOE gene and MSA. Phenotypic associations (age of disease onset, survival, cognitive-neuropsychiatric- motor-, and sleep-related manifestations) between APOE alleles, and each of the aforementioned conditions were also outlined. Finally, a synopsis of literature gaps was provided followed by suggestions for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Liampas
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Larissa, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41100 Larissa, Greece; (V.S.); (P.S.); (E.D.)
| | - Panagiota Kyriakoulopoulou
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Patras, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece; (P.K.); (E.T.); (Z.K.); (E.C.)
| | - Vasileios Siokas
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Larissa, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41100 Larissa, Greece; (V.S.); (P.S.); (E.D.)
| | - Eirini Tsiamaki
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Patras, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece; (P.K.); (E.T.); (Z.K.); (E.C.)
| | - Polyxeni Stamati
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Larissa, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41100 Larissa, Greece; (V.S.); (P.S.); (E.D.)
| | - Zinovia Kefalopoulou
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Patras, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece; (P.K.); (E.T.); (Z.K.); (E.C.)
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Patras, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Rio Patras, Greece; (P.K.); (E.T.); (Z.K.); (E.C.)
| | - Efthimios Dardiotis
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Larissa, School of Medicine, University of Thessaly, 41100 Larissa, Greece; (V.S.); (P.S.); (E.D.)
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Chroni E, Veltsista D, Tzartos J, Triantafyllou E, Kefalopoulou Z. Subcutaneous immunoglobulin as maintenance therapy for autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy. Acta Neurol Belg 2023:10.1007/s13760-023-02461-1. [PMID: 38133851 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-023-02461-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Patras, 26504, Rio-Patras, Greece.
| | - Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Patras, 26504, Rio-Patras, Greece
| | - John Tzartos
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Zinovia Kefalopoulou
- Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Patras, 26504, Rio-Patras, Greece
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Kontogeorgiou Z, Kartanou C, Rentzos M, Kokotis P, Anagnostou E, Zambelis T, Chroni E, Dinopoulos A, Panas M, Koutsis G, Karadima G. Mutational screening of Greek patients with axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease using targeted next-generation sequencing: Clinical and molecular spectrum delineation. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2023; 28:642-650. [PMID: 37747677 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Axonal forms of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) are classified as CMT2, distal hereditary motor neuropathy (dHMN) or hereditary sensory neuropathy (HSN) and can be caused by mutations in over 100 genes. We presently aimed to investigate for the first time the genetic landscape of axonal CMT in the Greek population. METHODS Sixty index patients with CMT2, dHMN or HSN were screened by a combination of Sanger sequencing (GJB1) and next-generation sequencing custom-made gene panel covering 24 commonly mutated genes in axonal CMT. RESULTS Overall, 20 variants classified as pathogenic or likely pathogenic were identified in heterozygous state in 20 index cases, representing 33.3% of the cohort. Of these, 14 were known pathogenic/likely pathogenic and six were designated as such according to ACMG classification, after in silico evaluation, testing for familial segregation and further literature review. The most frequently involved genes were GJB1 (11.7%), MPZ (5%) and MFN2 (5%), followed by DNM2 (3.3%) and LRSAM1 (3.3%). Single cases were identified with mutations in BSCL2, HSPB1 and GDAP1. INTERPRETATION A wide phenotypic variability in terms of severity and age of onset was noted. Given the limited number of genes tested, the diagnostic yield of the present panel compares favourably with studies in other European populations. Our study delineates the genetic and phenotypic variability of inherited axonal neuropathies in the Greek population and contributes to the pathogenicity characterization of further variants linked to axonal neuropathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoi Kontogeorgiou
- Neurogenetics Unit, 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Chrisoula Kartanou
- Neurogenetics Unit, 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Michail Rentzos
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Kokotis
- Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Anagnostou
- Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Thomas Zambelis
- Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Argyris Dinopoulos
- 3rd Department of Pediatrics, General Hospital of Athens Attikon, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Marios Panas
- Neurogenetics Unit, 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Koutsis
- Neurogenetics Unit, 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Karadima
- Neurogenetics Unit, 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Spiliopoulos KC, Lykouras D, Veltsista D, Skaramagkas V, Karkoulias K, Tzouvelekis A, Chroni E. The utility of diaphragm ultrasound thickening indices for assessing respiratory decompensation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Muscle Nerve 2023; 68:850-856. [PMID: 37814924 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) leads to diaphragmatic weakness at some point during its course, which is a major cause of respiratory insufficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate ultrasound-based measures for assessing the diaphragmatic competency and the need for ventilatory support. METHODS Twenty-six subjects with ALS and 12 healthy controls were enrolled. All participants underwent B-mode diaphragm ultrasound (DUS). Diaphragm thickness and thickening indices were recorded. In the subjects with ALS, further assessments included functional scales and spirometry. We investigated the diagnostic accuracy of DUS thickening indices in predicting diaphragmatic dysfunction and the correlation between clinical, spirometric, and DUS data. RESULTS Significant relationships were found between forced vital capacity and all diaphragmatic thickening indices. Similarly, all diaphragmatic thickening indices correlated with both Milano Torino staging and disease progression rate. Only thickening fraction (TFdi) correlated with score on the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (r = 0.459, P = .024). TFdi had better accuracy in predicting diaphragmatic dysfunction (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.839, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.643 to 0.953) and the need for initiation of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) (AUC = 0.989, 95% CI 0.847 to 1.000) compared with the other indices. A TFdi cut-off point of 0.50 was a sensitive threshold to consider NIV. DISCUSSION DUS successfully identifies diaphragmatic dysfunction in ALS, being a valuable accessory modality for investigating respiratory symptoms. TFdi was found to be the most useful DUS index, which encourages further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimosthenis Lykouras
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Vasileios Skaramagkas
- Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology Hellas, Heraklion, Greece
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Kiriakos Karkoulias
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Argyrios Tzouvelekis
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
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Bril V, Hadden RDM, Brannagan TH, Bar M, Chroni E, Rejdak K, Rivero A, Andersen H, Latov N, Levine T, Pasnoor M, Sacconi S, Souayah N, Anderson-Smits C, Duff K, Greco E, Hasan S, Li Z, Yel L, Ay H. Hyaluronidase-facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin 10% as maintenance therapy for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy: The ADVANCE-CIDP 1 randomized controlled trial. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2023; 28:436-449. [PMID: 37314318 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS ADVANCE-CIDP 1 evaluated facilitated subcutaneous immunoglobulin (fSCIG; human immunoglobulin G 10% with recombinant human hyaluronidase) efficacy and safety in preventing chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) relapse. METHODS ADVANCE-CIDP 1 was a phase 3, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial conducted at 54 sites in 21 countries. Eligible adults had definite or probable CIDP and adjusted Inflammatory Neuropathy Cause and Treatment (INCAT) disability scores of 0-7 (inclusive), and received stable intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) for ≥12 weeks before screening. After stopping IVIG, patients were randomized 1:1 to fSCIG 10% or placebo for 6 months or until relapse/discontinuation. fSCIG 10% was administered at the same dose (or matching placebo volume) and interval as pre-randomization IVIG. The primary outcome was patient proportion experiencing CIDP relapse (≥1-point increase in adjusted INCAT score from pre-subcutaneous treatment baseline) in the modified intention-to-treat population. Secondary outcomes included time to relapse and safety endpoints. RESULTS Overall, 132 patients (mean age 54.4 years, 56.1% male) received fSCIG 10% (n = 62) or placebo (n = 70). CIDP relapse was reduced with fSCIG 10% versus placebo (n = 6 [9.7%; 95% confidence interval 4.5%, 19.6%] vs n = 22 [31.4%; 21.8%, 43.0%], respectively; absolute difference: -21.8% [-34.5%, -7.9%], p = .0045). Relapse probability was higher with placebo versus fSCIG 10% over time (p = .002). Adverse events (AEs) were more frequent with fSCIG 10% (79.0% of patients) than placebo (57.1%), but severe (1.6% vs 8.6%) and serious AEs (3.2% vs 7.1%) were less common. INTERPRETATION fSCIG 10% more effectively prevented CIDP relapse than placebo, supporting its potential use as maintenance CIDP treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Bril
- The Ellen & Martin Prosserman Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, University Health Network, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Thomas H Brannagan
- Neurological Institute, Columbia University, New York City, New York, USA
| | - Michal Bar
- University Hospital and Faculty of Medicine, Ostrava, Czechia
| | | | - Konrad Rejdak
- Department of Neurology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
| | - Alberto Rivero
- Institute for Neurological Research (FLENI), Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Norman Latov
- Weill Cornell Medicine, New York City, New York, USA
| | | | - Mamatha Pasnoor
- The University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kansas, USA
| | | | - Nizar Souayah
- Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, Newark, New Jersey, USA
| | | | - Kim Duff
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Erin Greco
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Shabbir Hasan
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Zhaoyang Li
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Leman Yel
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Hakan Ay
- Takeda Development Center Americas, Inc., Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA
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Vakrakou AG, Karachaliou E, Chroni E, Zouvelou V, Tzanetakos D, Salakou S, Papadopoulou M, Tzartos S, Voumvourakis K, Kilidireas C, Giannopoulos S, Tsivgoulis G, Tzartos J. Immunotherapies in MuSK-positive Myasthenia Gravis; an IgG4 antibody-mediated disease. Front Immunol 2023; 14:1212757. [PMID: 37564637 PMCID: PMC10410455 DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2023.1212757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Muscle-specific kinase (MuSK) Myasthenia Gravis (MG) represents a prototypical antibody-mediated disease characterized by predominantly focal muscle weakness (neck, facial, and bulbar muscles) and fatigability. The pathogenic antibodies mostly belong to the immunoglobulin subclass (Ig)G4, a feature which attributes them their specific properties and pathogenic profile. On the other hand, acetylcholine receptor (AChR) MG, the most prevalent form of MG, is characterized by immunoglobulin (Ig)G1 and IgG3 antibodies to the AChR. IgG4 class autoantibodies are impotent to fix complement and only weakly bind Fc-receptors expressed on immune cells and exert their pathogenicity via interfering with the interaction between their targets and binding partners (e.g. between MuSK and LRP4). Cardinal differences between AChR and MuSK-MG are the thymus involvement (not prominent in MuSK-MG), the distinct HLA alleles, and core immunopathological patterns of pathology in neuromuscular junction, structure, and function. In MuSK-MG, classical treatment options are usually less effective (e.g. IVIG) with the need for prolonged and high doses of steroids difficult to be tapered to control symptoms. Exceptional clinical response to plasmapheresis and rituximab has been particularly observed in these patients. Reduction of antibody titers follows the clinical efficacy of anti-CD20 therapies, a feature implying the role of short-lived plasma cells (SLPB) in autoantibody production. Novel therapeutic monoclonal against B cells at different stages of their maturation (like plasmablasts), or against molecules involved in B cell activation, represent promising therapeutic targets. A revolution in autoantibody-mediated diseases is pharmacological interference with the neonatal Fc receptor, leading to a rapid reduction of circulating IgGs (including autoantibodies), an approach already suitable for AChR-MG and promising for MuSK-MG. New precision medicine approaches involve Chimeric autoantibody receptor T (CAAR-T) cells that are engineered to target antigen-specific B cells in MuSK-MG and represent a milestone in the development of targeted immunotherapies. This review aims to provide a detailed update on the pathomechanisms involved in MuSK-MG (cellular and humoral aberrations), fostering the understanding of the latest indications regarding the efficacy of different treatment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aigli G. Vakrakou
- First Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Karachaliou
- Second Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Zouvelou
- First Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Tzanetakos
- Second Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stavroula Salakou
- Second Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Marianna Papadopoulou
- Second Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Department of Physiotherapy, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Socrates Tzartos
- Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics, Athens, Greece
- Department of Neurobiology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Voumvourakis
- Second Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Constantinos Kilidireas
- First Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Department of Neurology, Henry Dunant Hospital Center, Athens, Greece
| | - Sotirios Giannopoulos
- Second Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - John Tzartos
- Second Department of Neurology, Attikon University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Papadoulas SI, Zotou A, Kouri N, Tsimpoukis A, Zampakis P, Koutsogiannis N, Chroni E. Myasthenia gravis and abdominal aortic aneurysm: a rare combination. Aorta (Stamford) 2023. [PMID: 36940930 DOI: 10.1055/a-2051-7678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Abdominal aortic aneurysm in a patient with myasthenia gravis is extremely rare. We present a 64-year-old male with myasthenia gravis and an asymptomatic abdominal aortic aneurysm treated endovascularly. After extubation he suffered a cardiac arrest due to an acute myocardial infarction. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation and a primary coronary angioplasty led to a satisfactory outcome. Special care is needed due to higher rates of postoperative complications in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anastasia Zotou
- DEPARTMENT OF ANESTHESIOLOGY, University General Hospital of Patras: Panepistemiako Geniko Nosokomeio Patron Panagia e Boetheia, PATRAS, GREECE
| | - Natasa Kouri
- DEPARTMENT OF VASCULAR SURGERY, University General Hospital of Patras: Panepistemiako Geniko Nosokomeio Patron Panagia e Boetheia, PATRAS, GREECE
| | - Andreas Tsimpoukis
- DEPARTMENT OF VASCULAR SURGERY, University General Hospital of Patras: Panepistemiako Geniko Nosokomeio Patron Panagia e Boetheia, PATRAS, GREECE
| | - Petros Zampakis
- DEPARTMENT OF RADIOLOGY, University General Hospital of Patras: Panepistemiako Geniko Nosokomeio Patron Panagia e Boetheia, PATRAS, GREECE
| | - Nikolaos Koutsogiannis
- DEPARTMENT OF CARDIOLOGY, University General Hospital of Patras: Panepistemiako Geniko Nosokomeio Patron Panagia e Boetheia, PATRAS, GREECE
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- DEPARTMENT OF NEUROLOGY, University General Hospital of Patras: Panepistemiako Geniko Nosokomeio Patron Panagia e Boetheia, PATRAS, GREECE
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11
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Moschovos C, Tsivgoulis G, Ghika A, Bakola E, Papadopoulou M, Zis P, Zouvelou V, Salakou S, Papagiannopoulou G, Kotsali-Peteinelli V, Chroni E, Kyrozis A. Image analysis can reliably quantify median nerve echogenicity and texture changes in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 149:61-69. [PMID: 36907099 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2023.02.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/22/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To study the ability of image analysis measures to quantify echotexture changes of median nerve in order to provide a complementary diagnostic tool in CTS. METHODS Image analysis measures (gray level co-occurrence matrix (GLCM), brightness, hypoechoic area percentage using max entropy and mean threshold) were calculated in normalized images of 39 (19 younger and 20 older than 65y) healthy controls and 95 CTS patients (37 younger and 58 older than 65y). RESULTS Image analysis measures were equivalent or superior (older patients) to subjective visual analysis. In younger patients, GLCM measures showed equivalent diagnostic accuracy with cross sectional area (CSA) (Area Under Curve (AUC for inverse different moment = 0.97). In older patients all image analysis measures showed similar diagnostic accuracy to CSA (AUC for brightness = 0.88). Moreover, they had abnormal values in many older patients with normal CSA values. CONCLUSIONS Image analysis reliably quantifies median nerve echotexture alterations in CTS and offers similar diagnostic accuracy to CSA measurement. SIGNIFICANCE Image analysis may offer added value to existing measures in the evaluation of CTS, especially in older patients. Its clinical implementation would require incorporation of mathematically simple software code for online nerve image analysis in ultrasound machines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christos Moschovos
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Chaidari 12462, Athens, Greece.
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Chaidari 12462, Athens, Greece; First Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Apostolia Ghika
- First Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Bakola
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Chaidari 12462, Athens, Greece
| | - Marianna Papadopoulou
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Chaidari 12462, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Zis
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Chaidari 12462, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Zouvelou
- First Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Stavroula Salakou
- First Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Georgia Papagiannopoulou
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Chaidari 12462, Athens, Greece
| | - Vassiliki Kotsali-Peteinelli
- Second Department of Neurology, "Attikon" Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Chaidari 12462, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Andreas Kyrozis
- First Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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12
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Papadopoulou E, Pepe G, Konitsiotis S, Chondrogiorgi M, Grigoriadis N, Kimiskidis VK, Tsivgoulis G, Mitsikostas DD, Chroni E, Domouzoglou E, Tsaousis G, Nasioulas G. The evolution of comprehensive genetic analysis in neurology: Implications for precision medicine. J Neurol Sci 2023; 447:120609. [PMID: 36905813 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2023.120609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2022] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Technological advancements have facilitated the availability of reliable and thorough genetic analysis in many medical fields, including neurology. In this review, we focus on the importance of selecting the appropriate genetic test to aid in the accurate identification of disease utilizing currently employed technologies for analyzing monogenic neurological disorders. Moreover, the applicability of comprehensive analysis via NGS for various genetically heterogeneous neurological disorders is reviewed, revealing its efficiency in clarifying a frequently cloudy diagnostic picture and delivering a conclusive and solid diagnosis that is essential for the proper management of the patient. The feasibility and effectiveness of medical genetics in neurology require interdisciplinary cooperation among several medical specialties and geneticists, to select and perform the most relevant test according to each patient's medical history, using the most appropriate technological tools. The prerequisites for a comprehensive genetic analysis are discussed, highlighting the utility of appropriate gene selection, variant annotation, and classification. Moreover, genetic counseling and interdisciplinary collaboration could improve diagnostic yield further. Additionally, a sub-analysis is conducted on the 1,502,769 variation records with submitted interpretations in the Clinical Variation (ClinVar) database, with a focus on neurology-related genes, to clarify the value of suitable variant categorization. Finally, we review the current applications of genetic analysis in the diagnosis and personalized management of neurological patients and the advances in the research and scientific knowledge of hereditary neurological disorders that are evolving the utility of genetic analysis towards the individualization of the treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Georgia Pepe
- GeneKor Medical SA, Spaton 52, Gerakas 15344, Greece
| | - Spiridon Konitsiotis
- Department of Neurology, University of Ioannina, Stavrou Niarchou Avenue, Ioannina 45500, Greece
| | - Maria Chondrogiorgi
- Department of Neurology, University of Ioannina, Stavrou Niarchou Avenue, Ioannina 45500, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Grigoriadis
- Second Department of Neurology, "AHEPA" University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, St. Kiriakidis 1, Thessaloniki 54636, Greece
| | - Vasilios K Kimiskidis
- First Department of Neurology, "AHEPA" University hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, St. Kiriakidis 1, Thessaloniki 54636, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, "Attikon" University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimos D Mitsikostas
- First Department of Neurology, Aeginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Rio-Patras, Greece
| | - Eleni Domouzoglou
- Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital of Ioannina, Stavrou Niarchou Avenue, Ioannina 45500, Greece
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13
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Veltsista D, Kefalopoulou Z, Kintos V, Chroni E. Identical late motor responses in early Guillain-Barré syndrome: A-waves and repeater F-waves. J Peripher Nerv Syst 2023; 28:41-46. [PMID: 36453598 DOI: 10.1111/jns.12522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Electrodiagnostic (EDx) studies play a key role in the investigation of suspected Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), providing diagnostic and prognostic information. However, initial EDx findings may not fulfill the neurophysiological criteria for the disease. The aim of this study was to estimate the occurrence and characteristics of A-waves and repeaters F-waves (Freps), both late motor responses identical in latency and configuration, in early stages of GBS. We retrospectively analyzed the initial nerve conduction study (NCS) of 26 GBS patients performed within 10 days from symptom onset. The final subtype diagnosis was acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (AIDP) in 16 patients (six met the criteria at the initial EDx study and 10 at follow-up) and acute motor axonal neuropathy (AMAN) in 10 patients (six initially). Identical late responses were commonly found in the majority of nerves (84%). A-waves were present in 59% and an increased frequency of Freps was calculated in 61% of the 105 studied nerves. A-waves morphology (single or complex) could not distinguish between AIDP and AMAN. Nerves with normal NCS had a significantly higher frequency of A-waves, either isolated or in combination with increased index total Freps, as compared to nerves with low compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes or conduction block. Our findings suggest that both late responses can be useful as early markers of conduction changes of various pathophysiology, being frequently present even prior to abnormalities of CMAP parameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology, General University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Vasileios Kintos
- Department of Neurology, General Hospital of Elefsina Thriasio, Magoula, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, General University Hospital of Patras, Patras, Greece
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14
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Spiliopoulos KC, Veltsista D, Chroni E. Quantitative muscle echogenicity assessment by ultrasound and automated thresholding in myopathic and neurogenic diseases. Clin Neurophysiol 2023; 146:87-88. [PMID: 36549265 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2022.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
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15
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Chatzaki C, Skaramagkas V, Kefalopoulou Z, Tachos N, Kostikis N, Kanellos F, Triantafyllou E, Chroni E, Fotiadis DI, Tsiknakis M. Can Gait Features Help in Differentiating Parkinson's Disease Medication States and Severity Levels? A Machine Learning Approach. Sensors (Basel) 2022; 22:s22249937. [PMID: 36560313 PMCID: PMC9787905 DOI: 10.3390/s22249937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurological diseases, described by complex clinical phenotypes. The manifestations of PD include both motor and non-motor symptoms. We constituted an experimental protocol for the assessment of PD motor signs of lower extremities. Using a pair of sensor insoles, data were recorded from PD patients, Elderly and Adult groups. Assessment of PD patients has been performed by neurologists specialized in movement disorders using the Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS)-Part III: Motor Examination, on both ON and OFF medication states. Using as a reference point the quantified metrics of MDS-UPDRS-Part III, severity levels were explored by classifying normal, mild, moderate, and severe levels of PD. Elaborating the recorded gait data, 18 temporal and spatial characteristics have been extracted. Subsequently, feature selection techniques were applied to reveal the dominant features to be used for four classification tasks. Specifically, for identifying relations between the spatial and temporal gait features on: PD and non-PD groups; PD, Elderly and Adults groups; PD and ON/OFF medication states; MDS-UPDRS: Part III and PD severity levels. AdaBoost, Extra Trees, and Random Forest classifiers, were trained and tested. Results showed a recognition accuracy of 88%, 73% and 81% for, the PD and non-PD groups, PD-related medication states, and PD severity levels relevant to MDS-UPDRS: Part III ratings, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chariklia Chatzaki
- Biomedical Informatics and eHealth Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Estavromenos, 71410 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory, Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, Vassilika Vouton, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Correspondence:
| | - Vasileios Skaramagkas
- Biomedical Informatics and eHealth Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Estavromenos, 71410 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory, Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, Vassilika Vouton, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
| | | | - Nikolaos Tachos
- Unit of Medical Technology and Intelligent Information Systems, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- Biomedical Research Institute, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | | | | | | | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, Patras University Hospital, 26404 Patra, Greece
| | - Dimitrios I. Fotiadis
- Unit of Medical Technology and Intelligent Information Systems, Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
- Biomedical Research Institute, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Manolis Tsiknakis
- Biomedical Informatics and eHealth Laboratory, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Estavromenos, 71410 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
- Computational BioMedicine Laboratory, Institute of Computer Science, Foundation for Research and Technology—Hellas, Vassilika Vouton, 71110 Heraklion, Crete, Greece
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16
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Papadimas GK, Papadopoulos C, Kekou K, Kartanou C, Kladi A, Nitsa E, Sofocleous C, Tsanou E, Sarmas I, Kaninia S, Chroni E, Tsivgoulis G, Kimiskidis V, Arnaoutoglou M, Stefanis L, Panas M, Koutsis G, Karadima G, Traeger-Synodinos J. A Greek National Cross-Sectional Study on Myotonic Dystrophies. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms232415507. [PMID: 36555146 PMCID: PMC9778724 DOI: 10.3390/ijms232415507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Myotonic Dystrophies (DM, Dystrophia Myotonia) are autosomal dominant inherited myopathies with a high prevalence across different ethnic regions. Despite some differences, mainly due to the pattern of muscle involvement and the age of onset, both forms, DM1 and DM2, share many clinical and genetic similarities. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the medical record files of 561 Greek patients, 434 with DM1 and 127 with DM2 diagnosed in two large academic centers between 1994-2020. The mean age at onset of symptoms was 26.2 ± 15.3 years in DM1 versus 44.4 ± 17.0 years in DM2 patients, while the delay of diagnosis was 10 and 7 years for DM1 and DM2 patients, respectively. Muscle weakness was the first symptom in both types, while myotonia was more frequent in DM1 patients. Multisystemic involvement was detected in the great majority of patients, with cataracts being one of the most common extramuscular manifestations, even in the early stages of disease expression. In conclusion, the present work, despite some limitations arising from the retrospective collection of data, is the first record of a large number of Greek patients with myotonic dystrophy and emphasizes the need for specialized neuromuscular centers that can provide genetic counseling and a multidisciplinary approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgios K. Papadimas
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +30-210-7289152; Fax: +30-210-7216474
| | - Constantinos Papadopoulos
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Kyriaki Kekou
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Ag. Sofia” Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Chrisoula Kartanou
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Athina Kladi
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Nitsa
- Postgraduate Program in Biostatistics School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Christalena Sofocleous
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Ag. Sofia” Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelia Tsanou
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Sarmas
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Ioannina, University of Ioannina, 45500 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Stefania Kaninia
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- 2nd Department of Neurology, “Attikon” University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 12462 Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilios Kimiskidis
- 1st Department of Neurology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Marianthi Arnaoutoglou
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, AHEPA University Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54636 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Leonidas Stefanis
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Marios Panas
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Koutsis
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Georgia Karadima
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11528 Athens, Greece
| | - Joanne Traeger-Synodinos
- Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, “Ag. Sofia” Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
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17
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Kalafati M, Kakarountas A, Chroni E. Testing of Motor Coordination in Degenerative Neurological Diseases. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10101948. [PMID: 36292395 PMCID: PMC9601912 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10101948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2022] [Revised: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a progressive movement disorder caused by the death of dopamine-producing cells in the midbrain. PD is the most prevalent movement disorder of the central nervous system and affects more than 6.3 million people in the world. The changes in the motor functions of patients are not easy to be clearly and on-time observed by the clinicians and to make the most well-informed decisions for the treatment. The aim of this paper is the monitoring PD by designing, developing, and evaluating a prototype mobile App using a pressure pen, which collects quantitative and objective information about PD patients, thus allowing clinicians to understand better and make assumptions about the severity and the stage of Parkinson’s disease. This study presents a dynamic spiral test that can only be performed with tablet and pen pressure. Furthermore, the handwriting samples by PD patients and healthy controls individuals are collected by a computerized system, and the measurements of Spiral Deviation, Total Time, and Pen Pressure are processed. The results showed an accurate evaluation of the stage of Parkinson’s disease. Thus, the clinician may use the proposed PD telemonitoring system as a screening test, storing the history of all the patient’s measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Kalafati
- Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, University of Thessaly, Papasiopoulou 2-4, 35131 Lamia, Greece
| | - Athanasios Kakarountas
- Department of Computer Science and Biomedical Informatics, University of Thessaly, Papasiopoulou 2-4, 35131 Lamia, Greece
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +30-2231-066-723
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Medicine, University of Patras, 26504 Patras, Greece
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18
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Spiliopoulos KC, Veltsista D, Bara S, Vlachopoulos G, Costaridou L, Chroni E. Effect of beam attenuation on muscle ultrasound echogenicity measurement in muscular dystrophies. J Clin Ultrasound 2022; 50:1013-1019. [PMID: 35596693 DOI: 10.1002/jcu.23243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In advanced muscular dystrophies (AMD), quantification of muscle echo-intensity (EI) may be influenced by ultrasound beam attenuation, due to fibrosis and fatty infiltration of muscle tissue. Objective of the study was to compare EI measurements using grayscale analysis between a superficial and whole-muscle region of interest (ROI) in subjects with advanced and mild-to-moderate muscular dystrophy (MMD). METHODS Thirty-two adult subjects diagnosed with a muscular dystrophy and twenty-five matched healthy controls underwent ultrasound assessment of the biceps brachii (BB), rectus femoris (RF) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles. Based on Heckmatt grading scale of muscles, two disease groups, an AMD (Heckmatt grades 3 or 4) and a MMD (Heckmatt grade 2), were analyzed. Superficial ROI was set as one-fourth of the whole-muscle area, located immediately below the superficial fascia and always inside muscle boundaries. RESULTS Muscle EI was significantly higher in the superficial compared to whole-muscle ROI, in all evaluated muscle groups of AMD subjects (BB, p = 0.004/RF, p = 0.027/TA, p = 0.002). EI values in superficial ROIs, for individual muscle analysis using z-scores, were more representative in assessments of muscle abnormality in advanced stages of the disease course (Heckmatt grades 3 and 4). In MMD and healthy muscles, no statistical difference was found in EI measurements between the two ROI types. CONCLUSIONS In AMD, selection of superficial ROI is better representative of changes in muscle texture, although caution should be exercised when comparing ROIs of different sizes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Stavroula Bara
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Georgios Vlachopoulos
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Lena Costaridou
- Department of Medical Physics, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
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Spiliopoulos KC, Veltsista D, Theodoroula E, Soldatos T, Kelekis A, Chroni E. Long-term outcome of bilateral sciatic nerve palsy due to unrecognized thigh compartment syndrome. Acta Neurol Belg 2022; 122:809-811. [PMID: 33829372 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-021-01669-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
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20
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Karagiorgou K, Dandoulaki M, Mantegazza R, Andreetta F, Furlan R, Lindstrom J, Zisimopoulou P, Chroni E, Kokotis P, Anagnostou E, Tzanetakos D, Breza M, Katsarou Z, Amoiridis G, Mastorodemos V, Bregianni M, Bonakis A, Tsivgoulis G, Voumvourakis K, Tzartos S, Tzartos J. Novel Cell-Based Assay for Alpha-3 Nicotinic Receptor Antibodies Detects Antibodies Exclusively in Autoimmune Autonomic Ganglionopathy. Neurol Neuroimmunol Neuroinflamm 2022; 9:9/3/e1162. [PMID: 35351814 PMCID: PMC8969289 DOI: 10.1212/nxi.0000000000001162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Background and Objectives Autoantibodies against α3-subunit–containing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (α3-nAChRs), usually measured by radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA), are detected in patients with autoimmune autonomic ganglionopathy (AAG). However, low α3-nAChR antibody levels are frequently detected in other neurologic diseases with questionable significance. Our objective was to develop a method for the selective detection of the potentially pathogenic α3-nAChR antibodies, seemingly present only in patients with AAG. Methods The study involved sera from 55 patients from Greece, suspected for autonomic failure, and 13 patients from Italy diagnosed with autonomic failure, positive for α3-nAChR antibodies by RIPA. In addition, sera from 52 patients with Ca2+ channel or Hu antibodies and from 2,628 controls with various neuroimmune diseases were included. A sensitive live cell-based assay (CBA) with α3-nAChR–transfected cells was developed to detect antibodies against the cell-exposed α3-nAChR domain. Results Twenty-five patients were found α3-nAChR antibody positive by RIPA. Fifteen of 25 patients were also CBA positive. Of interest, all 15 CBA-positive patients had AAG, whereas all 10 CBA-negative patients had other neurologic diseases. RIPA antibody levels of the CBA-negative sera were low, although our CBA could detect dilutions of AAG sera corresponding to equally low RIPA antibody levels. No serum bound to control-transfected cells, and none of the 2,628 controls was α3-CBA positive. Discussion This study showed that in contrast to the established RIPA for α3-nAChR antibodies, which at low levels is of moderate disease specificity, our CBA seems AAG specific, while at least equally sensitive with the RIPA. This study provides Class II evidence that α3-nAChR CBA is a specific assay for AAG. Classification of Evidence This study provides Class II evidence that an α3-nAChR cell-based assay is a more specific assay for AAG than the standard RIPA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katerina Karagiorgou
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Dandoulaki
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Renato Mantegazza
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Francesca Andreetta
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Raffaello Furlan
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Jon Lindstrom
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Zisimopoulou
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Kokotis
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Evangelos Anagnostou
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Tzanetakos
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Marianthi Breza
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Zoe Katsarou
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Amoiridis
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasileios Mastorodemos
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Marianna Bregianni
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Anastasios Bonakis
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Konstantinos Voumvourakis
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - Socrates Tzartos
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
| | - John Tzartos
- From the Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics (K.K., M.D., S.T., J.T.), Athens; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (K.K.), University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece; Neuroimmunology and Neuromuscular Diseases Unit (R.M., F.A.), Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milan, Italy; Department of Biomedical Sciences Humanitas University (R.F.), Milan, Italy; Department of Neuroscience (J.L.), Medical School, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA; Department of Neurobiology (P.Z., S.T.), Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology (E.C.), School of Medicine, University of Patras; 1st Department of Neurology (P.K., E.A., D.T., M. Breza), School of Medicine, Eginition Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), Athens; Department of Neurology (Z.K.), Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki; Neurology Department (G.A., V.M.), University Hospital of Crete, Heraklion, Crete; and 2nd Department of Neurology (M. Bregianni, A.B., G.T., K.V., J.T.), Attikon University Hospital, School of Medicine, NKUA, Athens, Greece
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Papadopoulou M, Bakola E, Papapostolou A, Stefanou MI, Moschovos C, Salakou S, Zis P, Zouvelou V, Kimiskidis VK, Chroni E, Tsivgoulis G. Autonomic dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A neurophysiological and neurosonology study. J Neuroimaging 2022; 32:710-719. [PMID: 35344230 DOI: 10.1111/jon.12993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting upper and lower motor neurons. Some ALS patients exhibit concomitant nonmotor signs, and thus ALS is considered a multisystem disorder. The aim of this study is to investigate autonomous nervous system involvement in ALS. METHODS We investigated 21 ALS patients and 28 age-matched controls. ALS patients were assessed for disease severity with the Revised-ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFSR) and for the presence of autonomic symptoms with the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score scale. Sympathetic nervous system was evaluated by sympathetic skin response (SSR) and parasympathetic nervous system by ultrasonography of vagus nerve (VN) at the level of the thyroid gland. RESULTS SSR latencies were shorter and SSR amplitudes were higher in controls compared to ALS patients. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the VN was significantly smaller in ALS patients (mean CSA right/left: 1.73±0.62 mm2 /1.47±0.53 mm2 ) compared to controls (mean CSA right/left: 2.91±0.79 mm2 /2.30±0.80 mm2 ), right: p <. 001, left: p <. 001. There was a significant negative correlation between disease duration and CSA of left-VN (r = -0.493, p = .023). This correlation was attenuated between disease duration and CSA of right-VN (r = -0.419, p = .059). ALSFSR-R was positively correlated to CSA of right-VN (p = .006, r = 0.590). CSA of VN did not correlate with bulbar involvement. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms the presence of autonomic dysfunction in ALS patients and provides evidence of VN atrophy that correlates with disease severity and duration and is independent of bulbar involvement. Degeneration of dorsal nucleus neurons of the VN is hypothesized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Papadopoulou
- Department of Physiotherapy, Laboratory of Neuromuscular and Cardiovascular Study of Motion, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece.,Second Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Eleni Bakola
- Second Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Apostolos Papapostolou
- Second Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Ioanna Stefanou
- Second Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Moschovos
- Second Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Stavroula Salakou
- Second Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Zis
- Second Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece.,Medical School, University of Cyprus, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Medical School, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK
| | - Vasiliki Zouvelou
- First Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Eginitio University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilios K Kimiskidis
- First Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Rio-Patras, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Athens, Greece
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Veltsista D, Kefalopoulou Z, Tzartos J, Chroni E. Autoantibody profile in myasthenia gravis patients with a refractory phase. Muscle Nerve 2022; 65:607-611. [PMID: 35195920 DOI: 10.1002/mus.27521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION A subgroup of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients fails to respond adequately to recommended treatments, a condition referred to as refractory MG. During the refractory phase patients experience persistent debilitating symptoms with potential life-threatening events or inability to reduce immunosuppressant dosages and minimize long-term toxicities. METHODS We conducted a retrospective single-centre study of 113 MG patients to investigate the autoantibody profile and clinical characteristics of refractory MG patients, compared to non-refractory patients, based on predefined criteria. RESULTS Fifteen patients (13.3%) were classified as refractory. Double seronegative MG (DSNMG), without detectable nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) or muscle-specific tyrosine kinase (MuSK) antibodies, was identified in 6 refractory patients, significantly higher than those with non-refractory MG (40% vs 16.3%, p=0.031). None of the refractory patients had MuSK antibodies. Patients in the refractory group more frequently had an earlier disease onset, thymic pathology and thymectomy (all p-values ≤0.03). DISCUSSION In this study, patients with refractory MG were more likely than those with non-refractory MG to be DSN; and refractory DSNMG patients had worse MGFA classes in their recent visit compared to anti-AChR positive refractory patients. Refractory DSNMG patients may represent a distinct group that requires more individualized and targeted treatment approaches. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Veltsista
- Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, University of Patras, Rio, Patras, Greece
| | - Zinovia Kefalopoulou
- Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, University of Patras, Rio, Patras, Greece
| | - John Tzartos
- 2nd Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Attikon" University Hospital, Rimini 1, Chaidari, Athens, Greece.,Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics, Eslin street 3, 115 23, Athens, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Neuromuscular Center, Department of Neurology, University of Patras, Rio, Patras, Greece
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Bounia C, Kefalopoulou Z, Veltsista D, Chroni E, Liossis SNC. Man-in-a-barrel syndrome: a rare presentation of giant cell arteritis. Clin Exp Rheumatol 2022; 40:838-840. [DOI: 10.55563/clinexprheumatol/ey75u3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Constantina Bounia
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Patras University Hospital, Rion, Patras, Greece
| | - Zinovia Kefalopoulou
- Department of Neurology, Patras University Hospital, and Department of Neurology, University of Patras Medical School, Rion, Patras, Greece
| | - Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology, Patras University Hospital, Rion, Patras, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, Patras University Hospital, and Department of Neurology, University of Patras Medical School, Rion, Patras, Greece
| | - Stamatis-Nick C. Liossis
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, Patras University Hospital, and Department of Medicine, University of Patras Medical School, Rion, Patras, Greece.
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Chroni E, Kleopa KA. Editorial: Update on the Diagnosis and Management of CIDP Variants. Front Neurol 2021; 12:796841. [PMID: 34899587 PMCID: PMC8651975 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.796841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Kleopas A Kleopa
- Center for Neuromuscular Disorders and Department of Neuroscience, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Engomi, Cyprus
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25
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Papadopoulou M, Papapostolou A, Bakola E, Masdrakis VG, Moschovos C, Chroni E, Tsivgoulis G, Michopoulos I. Neurophysiological and ultrasonographic comparative study of autonomous nervous system in patients suffering from fibromyalgia and generalized anxiety disorder. Neurol Sci 2021; 43:2813-2821. [PMID: 34557968 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05606-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fibromyalgia (FM) and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) share common clinical features: they both affect women more than men, their diagnosis is based solely on clinical criteria, and some of the symptoms such as anxiety, aches and muscle tension, sleep disorders, and cognitive dysfunction occur in both diseases. For both conditions, an underlying dysregulation of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) has been proposed. OBJECTIVE The aims of this study were to investigate ANS dysfunction in FM and GAD and compare them with controls. METHODS Sympathetic skin response (SSR) from palm and sole and cross-sectional area (CSA) of bilateral vagus nerves (VN) were measured in 28 healthy controls, 21 FM patients, and 24 GAD patients. RESULTS CSA of VN was significantly smaller in FM patients (right: 1.97 ± 0.74mm2, left: 1.75 ± 0.65 mm2) and GAD patients (right: 2.12 ± 0.97mm2, left: 1.71 ± 0.86 mm2) compared to controls (right: 3.21 ± 0.75 mm2, left: 2.65 ± 1.13 mm2, p < 0.001, but did not differ between the two patient groups. SSR parameters were similar between patients and controls. SSR latency correlated to clinical scales (FM Widespread Pain Index) in the FM group (r = 0.515, p = 0.02 and r = 0.447, p = 0.05) for the upper and lower limbs respectively, but no other correlation between clinical and neurophysiological parameters was identified. CONCLUSION This study confirms similar ANS abnormalities in FM and GAD that fairly distinguish them from controls and support the hypothesis of a common pathophysiological substrate underlying both conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Papadopoulou
- Second Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece. .,Department of Physiotherapy, Laboratory of Neuromuscular and Cardiovascular Study of Motion, University of West Attica, 28 Ag. Spyridonos, 12243, Athens, Greece.
| | | | - Eleni Bakola
- Second Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Vasilios G Masdrakis
- First Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Moschovos
- Second Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Rio-Patras, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Michopoulos
- Second Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, Athens, Greece
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26
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Veltsista D, Chroni E. Ultrasound pattern of anterolateral leg muscles in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy. Acta Neurol Scand 2021; 144:216-220. [PMID: 33844852 DOI: 10.1111/ane.13428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS OF STUDY To evaluate the degree of tibialis anterior (TA) and peroneus longus (PL) muscle involvement in facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) patients using ultrasound. METHODS We performed qualitative and quantitative assessments of muscle echogenicity, using Heckmatt's rating scale and gray scale analysis, respectively, in eight patients (five males, mean age 36.9 ± 8.4 years) with genetically confirmed FSHD 1. RESULTS Both methods demonstrated a distinct pattern of preferential TA involvement and PL sparing in all FSHD patients, irrespective of the degree of muscle involvement. More specifically, echogenicity was higher in TA compared to PL according to Heckmatt score in the patient group (TA 3.43 ± 0.49/PL 1.43 ± 0.49, p < .001). In the gray-scale histogram, ranging from 0 (black) to 255 (white), the mean measurements of TA were significantly increased in patients compared to healthy (71.60 ± 10.28 vs. 53.70 ± 10.05, p = .012) and significantly higher than PL measurements in the patient group, but not in healthy subjects (p-values .012 and .779, respectively). A strong correlation between TA hyperechogenicity and muscle weakness was demonstrated in patients with mild-to-moderate weakness, but not in patients with severe weakness (r = -.949 and r = .644, respectively). CONCLUSIONS This study shows a consistent US pattern of proximal anterolateral leg muscle involvement in FSHD, in agreement with findings of MRI studies and suggests that anterolateral leg muscle US may be a practical, fast and low-cost alternative to MRI.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology Neuromuscular Center University of Patras Patras Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology Neuromuscular Center University of Patras Patras Greece
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27
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Palaiodimou L, Stefanou MI, Katsanos AH, Fragkou PC, Papadopoulou M, Moschovos C, Michopoulos I, Kokotis P, Bakirtzis C, Naska A, Vassilakopoulos TI, Chroni E, Tsiodras S, Tsivgoulis G. Prevalence, clinical characteristics and outcomes of Guillain-Barré syndrome spectrum associated with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Neurol 2021; 28:3517-3529. [PMID: 33837630 PMCID: PMC8250909 DOI: 10.1111/ene.14860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Background and purpose Mounting evidence supports an association between Guillain−Barré syndrome spectrum (GBSs) and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection. However, GBSs in the setting of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) remains poorly characterized, whilst GBSs prevalence amongst COVID‐19 patients has not been previously systematically evaluated using a meta‐analytical approach. Methods A systematic review and meta‐analysis of observational cohort and case series studies reporting on the occurrence, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with COVID‐19‐associated GBSs was performed. A random‐effects model was used to calculate pooled estimates and odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs), compared to non‐COVID‐19, contemporary or historical GBSs patients. Results Eighteen eligible studies (11 cohorts, seven case series) were identified including a total of 136,746 COVID‐19 patients. Amongst COVID‐19 patients, including hospitalized and non‐hospitalized cases, the pooled GBSs prevalence was 0.15‰ (95% CI 0%–0.49‰; I2 = 96%). Compared with non‐infected contemporary or historical controls, patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection had increased odds for demyelinating GBSs subtypes (OR 3.27, 95% CI 1.32%–8.09%; I2 = 0%). In SARS‐CoV‐2‐infected patients, olfactory or concomitant cranial nerve involvement was noted in 41.4% (95% CI 3.5%–60.4%; I2 = 46%) and 42.8% (95% CI 32.8%–53%; I2 = 0%) of the patients, respectively. Clinical outcomes including in‐hospital mortality were comparable between COVID‐19 GBSs patients and non‐infected contemporary or historical GBSs controls. Conclusion GBSs prevalence was estimated at 15 cases per 100,000 SARS‐CoV‐2 infections. COVID‐19 appears to be associated with an increased likelihood of GBSs and with demyelinating GBSs variants in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lina Palaiodimou
- Second Department of Neurology, 'Attikon' University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria-Ioanna Stefanou
- Second Department of Neurology, 'Attikon' University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Aristeidis H Katsanos
- Second Department of Neurology, 'Attikon' University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Division of Neurology, McMaster University/Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton, Canada
| | - Paraskevi C Fragkou
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, 'Attikon' University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Marianna Papadopoulou
- Second Department of Neurology, 'Attikon' University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Department of Physiotherapy, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Moschovos
- Second Department of Neurology, 'Attikon' University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Ioannis Michopoulos
- Second Department of Psychiatry, 'Attikon' Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Panagiotis Kokotis
- First Department of Neurology, 'Eginition' University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Christos Bakirtzis
- Second Department of Neurology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Androniki Naska
- Department of Hygiene, Epidemiology and Medical Statistics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Theodoros I Vassilakopoulos
- Third Department of Critical Care Medicine, Evgenideio Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Rio-Patras, Greece
| | - Sotirios Tsiodras
- Fourth Department of Internal Medicine, 'Attikon' University Hospital, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Hellenic Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, 'Attikon' University Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.,Department of Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
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28
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Zompola C, Palaiodimou L, Kokotis P, Papadopoulou M, Theodorou A, Sabanis N, Theodoroula E, Papathanasiou M, Tsivgoulis G, Chroni E. The mutation D313Y may be associated with nervous system manifestations in Fabry disease. J Neurol Sci 2020; 412:116757. [PMID: 32109691 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.116757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Christina Zompola
- Second Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Lina Palaiodimou
- Second Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece.
| | - Panagiotis Kokotis
- First Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, Aeginitio Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | | | - Aikaterini Theodorou
- Second Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Sabanis
- Nephrology Department, General Hospital of Livadia, Livadia, Greece
| | - Efterpi Theodoroula
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Rio-Patras, Greece
| | - Matilda Papathanasiou
- Second Department of Radiology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece
| | - Georgios Tsivgoulis
- Second Department of Neurology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, "Attikon" University Hospital, Athens, Greece; Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, United States
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Rio-Patras, Greece
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Veltsista D, Chroni E. Repeater F-waves detection in upper motor neuron dysfunction. Clin Neurophysiol 2020; 131:1419-1420. [PMID: 32245680 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2020.02.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2020] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
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30
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Kefalopoulou ZM, Liossis SN, Sagona T, Veltsista D, Zampakis P, Kraniotis P, Solomou A, Ellul J, Chroni E. An ischemic stroke as the presenting manifestation of rapidly progressive primary angiitis of central nervous system in a 17-year-old boy. J Neuroimmunol 2020; 341:577190. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jneuroim.2020.577190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Gavanozi E, Veltsista D, Polychronopoulos P, Chroni E. The optimum hand temperature to study nerve conduction in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2020; 51:102410. [PMID: 32193087 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2020.102410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2019] [Revised: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
To define the skin temperature at which diseased nerves are better differentiated from the healthy. Motor and sensory conduction of median and ulnar nerve were evaluated in 52 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and 52 matched healthy controls at environmental skin temperature (mean 32-33 °C), after warming by an average of 2 °C and cooling to approximately 6 °C below baseline. In the hot condition, group comparisons for the median nerve showed a similar rate of distal motor latency (DML) reduction and sensory conduction velocity (SCV) increase in CTS and controls. With cold, the rate of change was smaller for the patients: DML mean increase was 5% /°C (7% for controls) and SCV mean decrease was 2.5%/°C (3.2% for controls). Individual patients' analysis revealed fewer abnormal median DML and SCV values at hot or at cold, compared to environmental temperature. It is concluded that conduction adjustments for low hand temperatures based on healthy measurements resulted in overcorrection and therefore underdiagnosis of CTS. Alternatively, at excessive hand warming the convergence of patient and healthy measurements also lead to underdiagnosis. Maintenance of skin temperature at 32-33 °C, corresponding to normal body temperature, is the optimum approach and should always be employed in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evangelia Gavanozi
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
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32
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Tzartos JS, Karagiorgou K, Tzanetakos D, Breza M, Evangelopoulos ME, Pelidou SH, Bakirtzis C, Nikolaidis I, Koutsis G, Notas K, Chroni E, Markakis I, Grigoriadis NC, Anagnostouli M, Orologas A, Parisis D, Karapanayiotides T, Papadimitriou D, Kostadima V, Elloul J, Xidakis I, Maris T, Zisimopoulou P, Tzartos S, Kilidireas C. Deciphering anti-MOG IgG antibodies: Clinical and radiological spectrum, and comparison of antibody detection assays. J Neurol Sci 2020; 410:116673. [PMID: 31954354 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.116673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 12/17/2019] [Accepted: 01/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
IgG antibodies to myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) detected by cell based assays (CBA) have been identified in a constantly expanding spectrum of CNS demyelinating disorders. However, a universally accepted CBA has not been adopted yet. We aimed to analyze the clinical and radiological features of patients with anti-MOG IgG1-antibodies detected with a live-cell CBA and to compare the three most popular MOG-CBAs. We screened sera from 1300 Greek patients (including 426 patients referred by our 8 clinics) suspected for anti-MOG syndrome, and 120 controls with the live-cell MOG-CBA for IgG1-antibodies. 41 patients, versus 0 controls were seropositive. Clinical, serological and radiological data were available and analyzed for the 21 seropositive patients out of the 426 patients of our clinics. Their phenotypes were: 8 optic neuritis, 3 myelitis, 3 neuromyelitis optica, 2 encephalomyelitis, 2 autoimmune encephalitis and 3 atypical MS. We then retested all sera of our 426 patients with the other two most popular MOG-CBAs for total IgG (a live-cell and a commercial fixed-cell CBAs). Seven IgG1-seropositive patients were seronegative for one or both IgG-CBAs. Yet, all 21 patients had clinical and radiological findings previously described in MOG-antibody associated demyelination disease supporting the high specificity of the IgG1-CBA. In addition, all IgG1-CBA-negative sera were also negative by the IgG-CBAs. Also, all controls were negative by all three assays, except one serum found positive by the live IgG-CBA. Overall, our findings support the wide spectrum of anti-MOG associated demyelinating disorders and the superiority of the MOG-IgG1 CBA over other MOG-CBAs.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S Tzartos
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 72-74, Vas. Sofias Ave, Athens 11528, Greece; Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics, 3, Eslin str., Athens 11523, Greece.
| | - Katerina Karagiorgou
- Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics, 3, Eslin str., Athens 11523, Greece; Department of Biochemistry and Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, Larissa, Greece
| | - Dimitrios Tzanetakos
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 72-74, Vas. Sofias Ave, Athens 11528, Greece
| | - Marianthi Breza
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 72-74, Vas. Sofias Ave, Athens 11528, Greece
| | - Maria Eleftheria Evangelopoulos
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 72-74, Vas. Sofias Ave, Athens 11528, Greece
| | | | - Christos Bakirtzis
- 2nd Neurology Department, University Hospital of Thessaloniki "AHEPA", Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Ioannis Nikolaidis
- 2nd Neurology Department, University Hospital of Thessaloniki "AHEPA", Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Georgios Koutsis
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 72-74, Vas. Sofias Ave, Athens 11528, Greece
| | | | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Neurology Department, University Hospital of Patras, Rίo 265 04, Greece
| | - Ioannis Markakis
- Neurology Department, General Hospital of Nikaia, 3, Andrea Petrou Mandouvalou, Athens 184 54, Greece
| | - Nikolaos C Grigoriadis
- 2nd Neurology Department, University Hospital of Thessaloniki "AHEPA", Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Anagnostouli
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 72-74, Vas. Sofias Ave, Athens 11528, Greece
| | | | - Dimitrios Parisis
- 2nd Neurology Department, University Hospital of Thessaloniki "AHEPA", Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | | | | | - John Elloul
- Neurology Department, University Hospital of Patras, Rίo 265 04, Greece
| | - Iosif Xidakis
- Neurology Department, General Hospital of Nikaia, 3, Andrea Petrou Mandouvalou, Athens 184 54, Greece
| | - Thomas Maris
- Neurology Clinic, Venizeleio General Hospital, Knossos Ave, Heraklion 714 09, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Zisimopoulou
- Lab. of Molecular Neurobiology and Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127, Vas. Sofias Ave., Athens 11521, Greece
| | - Socrates Tzartos
- Tzartos NeuroDiagnostics, 3, Eslin str., Athens 11523, Greece; Lab. of Molecular Neurobiology and Immunology, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, 127, Vas. Sofias Ave., Athens 11521, Greece
| | - Costas Kilidireas
- 1st Department of Neurology, Eginition Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 72-74, Vas. Sofias Ave, Athens 11528, Greece
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Veltsista D, Papapavlou C, Chroni E. F Wave Analyzer, a system for repeater F-waves detection: Application in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Neurophysiol 2019; 130:1954-1961. [PMID: 31472478 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2019.08.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES We assessed the clinical usefulness of repeater F-waves (Freps) analysis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), using an automated computerized system (F Wave Analyzer). METHODS Forty consecutive F-waves were recorded from the ulnar and peroneal nerve in 52 patients with ALS and 52 healthy control subjects. Data were imported into the F Wave Analyzer which identifies Freps and groups them. Parameters of Freps and non repeater F-waves (Fnonreps) were compared. RESULTS Total number of repeating neurons, Freps persistence (100xFreps/40stimuli) and Index Total Freps (100xFreps/total number of F-waves) were significantly higher in the ALS compared to the control group (P ≤ 0.005). There were no consistent differences of F-wave latency or amplitude measurements between Freps and Fnonreps for both studied groups, with the exception of prolonged Freps minimum latency in ALS. CONCLUSION In ALS, the high numbers of Freps, reduced overall F-wave persistence and increased F-wave amplitude measurements in a relatively unaffected nerve-muscle complex reflects excitability alterations of the corresponding motor neuron pool. Overall, automatic analysis facilitates accurate and fast detection of Freps and could be useful in other clinical settings. SIGNIFICANCE Analysis of repeater F-waves is expected to provide new insight regarding ALS pathophysiology and utilized for monitoring in clinical drug trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Veltsista
- Departments of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Chris Papapavlou
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Departments of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
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Kyriakides A, Poulikakos D, Galata A, Konstantinou D, Panagiotopoulos E, Chroni E. The effect of level of injury and physical activity on heart rate variability following spinal cord injury. J Spinal Cord Med 2019; 42:212-219. [PMID: 29052467 PMCID: PMC6419680 DOI: 10.1080/10790268.2017.1383709] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE/BACKGROUND To assess frequency domain heart rate variability (HRV) parameters at rest and in response to postural autonomic provocations in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) and investigate the autonomic influences on the heart of different physical activities. DESIGN Cross-sectional study. METHODS Ten subjects with complete cervical SCI and fourteen subjects with complete low thoracic SCI were prospectively recruited from the community and further divided in sedentary and physically active groups, the latter defined as regular weekly 4 hour physical activity for the preceding 3 months. Sixteen healthy individuals matched for sex and age were recruited to participate in the control group. The Low Frequency (LF), High Frequency (HF) powers and the LF/HF ratio of HRV were measured from continuous electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings at rest and after sitting using a fast Fourier transformation. OUTCOME MEASURES The LF,HF, and the LF/HF ratio at rest and after sitting. RESULTS A significant decrease in all HRV parameters in patients with SCI was found compared to controls. The change in HF, LF and LF/HF following sitting maneuver was significantly greater in controls as compared with the SCI group and greater in subjects with paraplegia as compared to subjects with tetraplegia. Better HRV values and enhanced vagal activity appears to be related to the type of physical activity in active subjects with paraplegia. CONCLUSION In this cohort of subjects spectral parameters of HRV were associated with the level of the injury. Passive standing was associated with higher HRV values in subjects with paraplegia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Athanasios Kyriakides
- Spinal Cord Unit, University Hospital of Patras, Rion, Greece,Correspondence to: Athanasios Kyriakides, Spinal Cord Unit, University Hospital of Patras, Rion, Greece. ;
| | | | - Angeliki Galata
- Spinal Cord Unit, University Hospital of Patras, Rion, Greece
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Moschovos C, Tsivgoulis G, Kyrozis A, Ghika A, Karachalia P, Voumvourakis K, Chroni E. The diagnostic accuracy of high-resolution ultrasound in screening for carpal tunnel syndrome and grading its severity is moderated by age. Clin Neurophysiol 2019; 130:321-330. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2018.12.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2018] [Revised: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
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Pafili Z, Vezou C, Mprekou D, Tzouma M, Gkini A, Chroni E, Zogkza-Frantzeskaki E, Athanasopoulou M, Paschalidou A, Ralidi M, Kleftaki S, Kontoe M, Revenas K, Kokkinos A, Dedousis G. Sucrose intake and severity of fatty liver disease assessed by ultrasonography. Preliminary results from the NAFLD observational study. Clin Nutr 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2018.06.1125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
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Trachani E, Rigopoulou A, Veltsista D, Gavanozi E, Chrysanthopoulou A, Chroni E. Occurrence of bifid median nerve in healthy and carpal tunnel syndrome patients. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2018; 39:77-80. [PMID: 29413456 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2018.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2017] [Accepted: 01/24/2018] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
We investigated the possible association between median nerve morphology and carpal tunnel size, hand side and nerve conduction measurements. The study included a patient group (n = 58; 44 women) with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in 100 hands and a control group of healthy volunteers (n = 56, 112 hands; 44 women). The following data were recorded: (1) median and ulnar motor and sensory nerve conduction parameters (2) ultrasonographic dimensions of the carpal tunnel inlet area (CTAin) and inlet area of the median nerve. The prevalence of bifid median nerve was 19% in the CTS hands and 13.3% in the control group. Bilateral bifid nerve was detected in 7 subjects and unilateral in 23, with no side or sex preponderance. The median nerve area was larger in the participants with single than those with bifid median nerve. No correlation was found between CTAin and median nerve area for single or bifid nerves in controls or patients. It was concluded that bifid median nerve was not a rare variation. We could not, however, support its etiological relation to CTS. Ultrasonographic examination of the carpal tunnel region supplementing neurophysiology provided a reliable means to detect median nerve size and morphology. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER 84; 5/3/15.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eftychia Trachani
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Aspasia Rigopoulou
- Department of Radiology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Evangelia Gavanozi
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
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Ellul J, Chroni E, Constantoyannis C, Georgiopoulos M. Efficacy, Safety, and Duration of a Frameless Fiducial-Less Brain Biopsy versus Frame-based Stereotactic Biopsy: A Prospective Randomized Study. J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2017; 79:31-38. [DOI: 10.1055/s-0037-1602697] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Background/Objective We compared the efficacy, duration, safety, length of hospital stay of a frameless fiducial-less brain biopsy with those of the standard frame-based stereotactic biopsy.
Patients and Methods This prospective cohort study enrolled 56 adult patients: (1) for whom no conclusive diagnosis could be reached noninvasively; (2a) who had lesions involving deep-seated and eloquent areas, multifocal lesions, or lesions for which craniotomy and lesion removal was not indicated, or (2b) were poor candidates for craniotomy (> 80 years of age and/or with serious comorbidities). Frameless and frame-based biopsy were performed in 28 patients each
Results A diagnosis was not made in four cases (14.3%) of the frame-based biopsy group and in three cases (10.7%) of the frameless biopsy group, in spite of accurate targeting (p = 1.0). The mean duration of the whole procedure (preparatory steps outside the operating room [OR], inside the OR, surgery) was 111.3 minutes for the frame-based biopsy and 79.1 minutes for the frameless biopsy (p = 0.001). No statistically significant differences between the two methods were found concerning new neurologic symptoms, new abnormal findings in postoperative computed tomography (CT) and length of postoperative hospital stay (LOS). The smallest diameter of a successfully biopsied lesion was 15 mm for both groups.
Conclusions The frameless fiducial-less brain biopsy was equally efficacious and safe compared with the standard stereotactic frame-based biopsy. The overall duration of frameless biopsy is shorter than that of frame-based biopsy, mainly because the preparatory steps in frameless biopsy require less time. However, the overall time spent in the OR did not differ between the two groups. The LOS also did not differ significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Ellul
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Patras, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Patras, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Constantine Constantoyannis
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Patras, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Miltiadis Georgiopoulos
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital of Patras, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
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Polychronopoulos P, Giannopoulos G, Litsardopoulos P, Soldatos P, Chroni E. Systemic lupus erythematosus manifested as drug-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurol Sci 2016; 38:197-200. [PMID: 27592110 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-016-2699-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2016] [Accepted: 08/29/2016] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- P Polychronopoulos
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
| | - G Giannopoulos
- Department of Rheumatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - P Litsardopoulos
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - P Soldatos
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - E Chroni
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
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Veltsista D, Chroni E. A first case report of HINT1-related axonal neuropathy with neuromyotonia in a Greek family. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 2016; 148:85-7. [PMID: 27428488 DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2016.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Revised: 06/27/2016] [Accepted: 07/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
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Chroni E, Dimisianos N, Punga AR. Low vitamin D levels in healthy controls and patients with autoimmune neuromuscular disorders in Greece. Acta Neurol Belg 2016; 116:57-63. [PMID: 26183131 DOI: 10.1007/s13760-015-0512-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2015] [Accepted: 07/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Normal autoimmune function is dependent on adequate levels of activated vitamin D, 25 hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D]. A recent study presented deficiency of 25(OH)D levels in Swedish MG patients. We aimed to study 25(OH)D levels in patients with MG and autoimmune polyneuropathies (PNP) at a southern latitude in Greece. Plasma levels of 25(OH)D were analyzed in Greek patients with MG (n = 19), immune-mediated PNP (N = 11) and in 30 Greek healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Ten MG patients received supplementation with vitamin D3. The MG Composite Score (MGC) and MG quality of life assessed disease severity in MG patients, whereas the INCAT Disability Scale assessed clinical features in the PNP patients. MG patients with and without vitamin D3 supplementation had higher 25(OH)D levels (mean 58.8 ± 16.3 and 62.0 ± 22.4 nmol/L, respectively) than PNP patients (mean 42.1 ± 11.5 nmol/L, p = 0.01) and healthy controls (mean 45.7 ± 13.8 nmol/L, p = 0.01). Plasma 25(OH)D levels was lower with age in all groups. There were no correlations between 25(OH)D and disease duration, MGC score, or INCAT score. Vitamin D deficiency was found in all Greek patient groups and healthy controls. Levels of 25(OH)D were higher in MG patients with as well as without vitamin D supplementation compared to healthy controls, whereas CIDP/GBS patients had levels similar to controls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Nikolaos Dimisianos
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Anna Rostedt Punga
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Institute of Neuroscience, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala University, 75185, Uppsala, Sweden.
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Daoussis D, Karamessini M, Chroni E, Kraniotis P. Gout and foot drop. Joint Bone Spine 2016; 83:229. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jbspin.2015.03.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Accepted: 03/04/2015] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the reliability and utility of cervical root magnetic stimulation in exploring proximal motor conduction. METHODS In 20 patients with demyelinating polyneuropathy (DPN), 20 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and 25 healthy subjects, evoked compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) were recorded from abductor digiti minimi muscle in response to electrical stimulation up to Erb's point and magnetic stimulation up to the cervical roots. RESULTS In all healthy and ALS subjects, magnetic root stimulation confirmed the absence of conduction abnormalities, including those in whom supramaximal responses at Erb's point were not achieved. In the DPN group, conduction block and/or temporal dispersion was revealed by magnetic root stimulation in 9 out of 20 patients (45%), 3 more than those detected at Erb's point. CONCLUSIONS Cervical root stimulation allowed clear distinction between motor neuronopathy and DPN. It is recommended as part of the routine evaluation of patients suspected of having DPN, especially when distal nerve studies are inconclusive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
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Pasmatzi E, Monastirli A, Chroni E, Georgiou S, Habeos J, Stefanou EG, Fratter C, Papathanasopoulos P, Tsambaos D. Multiple symmetric lipomatosis type I in a female patient with neuropathy: no association with alcoholism or mitochondrial DNA m.8344A>G mutation. QJM 2015; 108:503-5. [PMID: 23142763 DOI: 10.1093/qjmed/hcs212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- E Pasmatzi
- From the Department of Dermatology, Department of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Cytogenetics Unit, University of Patras, Greece and Oxford Medical Genetics Laboratories, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - A Monastirli
- From the Department of Dermatology, Department of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Cytogenetics Unit, University of Patras, Greece and Oxford Medical Genetics Laboratories, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - E Chroni
- From the Department of Dermatology, Department of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Cytogenetics Unit, University of Patras, Greece and Oxford Medical Genetics Laboratories, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - S Georgiou
- From the Department of Dermatology, Department of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Cytogenetics Unit, University of Patras, Greece and Oxford Medical Genetics Laboratories, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - J Habeos
- From the Department of Dermatology, Department of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Cytogenetics Unit, University of Patras, Greece and Oxford Medical Genetics Laboratories, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - E G Stefanou
- From the Department of Dermatology, Department of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Cytogenetics Unit, University of Patras, Greece and Oxford Medical Genetics Laboratories, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - C Fratter
- From the Department of Dermatology, Department of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Cytogenetics Unit, University of Patras, Greece and Oxford Medical Genetics Laboratories, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - P Papathanasopoulos
- From the Department of Dermatology, Department of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Cytogenetics Unit, University of Patras, Greece and Oxford Medical Genetics Laboratories, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
| | - D Tsambaos
- From the Department of Dermatology, Department of Neurology, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Cytogenetics Unit, University of Patras, Greece and Oxford Medical Genetics Laboratories, Churchill Hospital, Oxford, UK
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Chroni E, Veltsista D, Gavanozi E, Vlachou T, Polychronopoulos P, Papathanasopoulos P. Pure sensory chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy: rapid deterioration after steroid treatment. BMC Neurol 2015; 15:27. [PMID: 25885891 PMCID: PMC4359520 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-015-0291-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2014] [Accepted: 02/25/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) as a pure sensory variant is rarely encountered. Therefore the best treatment option is hard to define. CASE PRESENTATIONS We reported two middle-aged patients of Caucasian origin, one female and one male, who over a period of several months presented limbs and gait ataxia. Clinical and neurophysiological examination revealed only sensory abnormalities. A diagnosis of atypical CIDP was suggested, considering the elevated CSF protein level and the presence of anti-gangliosides antibodies. Ten and 15 days respectively after initiation of prednisolone treatment both patients experienced exacerbation of sensory symptoms and emerging of muscle weakness. Steroids were then substituted by rituximab in the first patient and intravenous immunoglobulin in the second patient resulting in gradual decrement of symptoms and signs. Two-year follow-up showed no further deterioration. CONCLUSION Caution should be exercised when treating cases of pure sensory polyneuropathy with high dose steroids since an unfavorable outcome is possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece. .,Department of Neurology, University Hospital of Patras, Rion, 26504, Greece.
| | - Dimitra Veltsista
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
| | - Evangelia Gavanozi
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
| | - Tavitha Vlachou
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisabeth Chroni
- Department of Neurology; School of Medicine; University of Patras; Rio-Patras Greece
| | - Dionysios Tsambaos
- Department of Dermatology; School of Medicine; University of Patras; Rio-Patras Greece
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Kouzi I, Trachani E, Anagnostou E, Rapidi CA, Ellul J, Sakellaropoulos GC, Chroni E. Motor unit number estimation and quantitative needle electromyography in stroke patients. J Electromyogr Kinesiol 2014; 24:910-6. [PMID: 25304197 DOI: 10.1016/j.jelekin.2014.09.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2014] [Revised: 09/06/2014] [Accepted: 09/08/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the effect of upper motor neuron damage upon motor units' function by means of two separate and supplementary electrophysiological methods. METHODS The abductor digiti minimi muscle of the non-paretic and the paretic side was studied in forty-six stroke patients with (a) motor unit number estimation (MUNE) - adapted multiple point stimulation method and (b) computerized quantitative needle electromyography (EMG) assessing the configuration of voluntary recruited motor unit potentials. Main outcome comparisons were focused on differences between non-paretic and paretic side. RESULTS On the affected hands mean MUNE value was significantly lower and mean area of the surface recorded single motor unit potentials was significantly larger than the corresponding ones on the non-paretic hands. EMG findings did not reveal remarkable differences between the two sides. Neither severity nor chronicity of stroke was related to MUNE or EMG parameters. DISCUSSION MUNE results, which suggested reduced motor unit numbers in stroke patients, in conjunction with the normal EMG features in these same muscles has given rise to different interpretations. In a clinical setting, reinnervation type changes in the EMG similar to that occurring in neuronopathies or axonal neuropathies should not be expected in muscles with central neurogenic lesion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioanna Kouzi
- Departments of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Eftichia Trachani
- Departments of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Evangelos Anagnostou
- Departments of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - Christina-Anastasia Rapidi
- Departments of Spinal Cord Lesions Rehabilitation, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | - John Ellul
- Departments of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece
| | | | - Elisabeth Chroni
- Departments of Neurology, School of Medicine, University of Patras, Patras, Greece.
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Stavrinou ML, Sakellaropoulos GC, Trachani E, Sirrou V, Polychronopoulos P, Nikiforidis G, Chroni E. Methodological issues in the spectral analysis of the heart rate variability: Application in patients with epilepsy. Biomed Signal Process Control 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.bspc.2014.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Daoussis D, Chroni E, Tsamandas AC, Andonopoulos AP. Facial nerve palsy, headache, peripheral neuropathy and Kaposi’s sarcoma in an elderly man. World J Clin Cases 2014; 2:235-239. [PMID: 24945015 PMCID: PMC4061317 DOI: 10.12998/wjcc.v2.i6.235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2014] [Revised: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 04/19/2014] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
We present a case of an elderly man, who initially presented with right facial nerve palsy, ipsilateral headache, elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and no fever. A presumptive diagnosis of giant cell arteritis was made and the patient was treated with high-dose steroids. A temporal artery biopsy was negative. Several months later, while on 16 mg of methylprednisolone daily, he presented with severe sensorimotor peripheral symmetric neuropathy, muscle wasting and inability to walk, uncontrolled blood sugar and psychosis. A work-up for malignancy was initiated with the suspicion of a paraneoplastic process. At the same time a biopsy of the macular skin lesions that had appeared on the skin of the left elbow and right knee almost simultaneously was inconclusive, whereas a repeat biopsy from the same area of the lesions that had become nodular, a month later, was indicative of Kaposi’s sarcoma. Finally, a third biopsy of a similar lesion, after spreading of the skin process, confirmed the diagnosis of Kaposi’s sarcoma. He was treated with interferon α and later was seen in very satisfactory condition, with no clinical evidence of neuropathy, normal muscle strength, no headache, normal electrophysiologic nerve studies, involution of Kaposi’s lesions and a normal ESR.
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Chiotis K, Dimisianos N, Rigopoulou A, Chrysanthopoulou A, Chroni E. P213: Bifid median nerve is not associated with carpal tunnel syndrome or hand/wrist configuration. Clin Neurophysiol 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/s1388-2457(14)50347-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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