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Di Stefano V, Iacono S, Militello M, Leone O, Rispoli MG, Ferri L, Ajdinaj P, Lanza P, Lupica A, Crescimanno G, Monastero R, Di Muzio A, Brighina F. Comorbidity in myasthenia gravis: multicentric, hospital-based, and controlled study of 178 Italian patients. Neurol Sci 2024:10.1007/s10072-024-07368-0. [PMID: 38383750 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07368-0] [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: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder with fluctuating weakness that causes significant disability and morbidity. Comorbidities may influence the course of MG, particularly in specific subgroups. The aim of this study is to investigate the frequency of comorbidities in MG patients compared to healthy controls (HC) and to evaluate their distribution according to age at disease onset, sex, and disease severity. METHODS MG patients attending the University Hospital "Paolo Giaccone" in Palermo and "SS Annunziata" Hospital in Chieti were enrolled; HC were enrolled from the general population. Non-parametric statistics and logistic regression were used to assess the association of specific comorbidities according to age at disease onset, sex, disease subtypes, and severity of the disease. RESULTS A total of 356 subjects were included in the study: 178 MG patients (46% F; median age 60 years [51-71]) and 178 sex- and age-matched HC (46% F, median age 59 years [50-66]). Overall, 86% of MG patients and 76% of HC suffered from comorbidities, and MG patients had a higher number of comorbidities compared to HC. Patients with late-onset suffered from more comorbidities than those with early-onset MG. Hypertension was more common in male patients with MG, while thymic hyperplasia, osteoporosis, and autoimmune diseases were more common in females. Respiratory disorders and thymoma were more common in patients with more severe disease (p < 0.05 for all comparisons). CONCLUSION MG patients, particularly those with late onset, showed a higher prevalence of comorbidities than HC. Assessment of comorbidities in MG is an essential issue to identify the appropriate treatment and achieve the best management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Di Stefano
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Salvatore Iacono
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Militello
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Olga Leone
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | | | - Laura Ferri
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Paola Ajdinaj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Placido Lanza
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Lupica
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Grazia Crescimanno
- Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, National Research Council of Italy, Palermo, Italy
| | - Roberto Monastero
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
| | - Antonio Di Muzio
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Filippo Brighina
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (BIND), University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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2
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Mascali D, Villani A, Chiarelli AM, Biondetti E, Lipp I, Digiovanni A, Pozzilli V, Caporale AS, Rispoli MG, Ajdinaj P, D'Apolito M, Grasso E, Sensi SL, Murphy K, Tomassini V, Wise RG. Pathophysiology of multiple sclerosis damage and repair: Linking cerebral hypoperfusion to the development of irreversible tissue loss in multiple sclerosis using magnetic resonance imaging. Eur J Neurol 2023; 30:2348-2356. [PMID: 37154298 PMCID: PMC7615142 DOI: 10.1111/ene.15827] [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: 12/23/2022] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Reduced cerebral perfusion has been observed in multiple sclerosis (MS) and may contribute to tissue loss both acutely and chronically. Here, we test the hypothesis that hypoperfusion occurs in MS and relates to the presence of irreversible tissue damage. METHODS In 91 patients with relapsing MS and 26 healthy controls (HC), gray matter (GM) cerebral blood flow (CBF) was assessed using pulsed arterial spin labeling. GM volume, T1 hypointense and T2 hyperintense lesion volumes (T1LV and T2LV, respectively), and the proportion of T2-hyperintense lesion volume that appears hypointense on T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (T1LV/T2LV) were quantified. GM CBF and GM volume were evaluated globally, as well as regionally, using an atlas-based approach. RESULTS Global GM CBF was lower in patients (56.9 ± 12.3 mL/100 g/min) than in HC (67.7 ± 10.0 mL/100 g/min; p < 0.001), a difference that was widespread across brain regions. Although total GM volume was comparable between groups, significant reductions were observed in a subset of subcortical structures. GM CBF negatively correlated with T1LV (r = -0.43, p = 0.0002) and T1LV/T2LV (r = -0.37, p = 0.0004), but not with T2LV. CONCLUSIONS GM hypoperfusion occurs in MS and is associated with irreversible white matter damage, thus suggesting that cerebral hypoperfusion may actively contribute and possibly precede neurodegeneration by hampering tissue repair abilities in MS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Mascali
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical TechnologiesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Alessandro Villani
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical TechnologiesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Antonio M. Chiarelli
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical TechnologiesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Emma Biondetti
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical TechnologiesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Ilona Lipp
- Department of NeurophysicsMax Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain SciencesLeipzigGermany
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, School of PsychologyCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Anna Digiovanni
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- MS Centre, Department of Clinical NeurologySS. Annunziata University HospitalChietiItaly
| | - Valeria Pozzilli
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- MS Centre, Department of Clinical NeurologySS. Annunziata University HospitalChietiItaly
| | - Alessandra S. Caporale
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical TechnologiesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Marianna G. Rispoli
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- MS Centre, Department of Clinical NeurologySS. Annunziata University HospitalChietiItaly
| | - Paola Ajdinaj
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- MS Centre, Department of Clinical NeurologySS. Annunziata University HospitalChietiItaly
| | - Maria D'Apolito
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- MS Centre, Department of Clinical NeurologySS. Annunziata University HospitalChietiItaly
| | - Eleonora Grasso
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Department of PaediatricsSS. Annunziata University HospitalChietiItaly
| | - Stefano L. Sensi
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical TechnologiesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Centre for Advanced Studies and TechnologyG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
| | - Kevin Murphy
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, School of Physics and AstronomyCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
| | - Valentina Tomassini
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical TechnologiesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, School of PsychologyCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
- MS Centre, Department of Clinical NeurologySS. Annunziata University HospitalChietiItaly
| | - Richard G. Wise
- Department of Neurosciences, Imaging, and Clinical SciencesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Institute for Advanced Biomedical TechnologiesG. d'Annunzio University of Chieti‐PescaraChietiItaly
- Cardiff University Brain Research Imaging Centre, School of PsychologyCardiff UniversityCardiffUK
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3
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D’Apolito M, Rispoli MG, Ajdinaj P, Digiovanni A, Tomassini V, Gentile L, De Luca G. Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy or severe multiple sclerosis relapse following COVID-19 vaccine: a diagnostic challenge. Neurol Sci 2023; 44:1141-1146. [PMID: 36633777 PMCID: PMC9838269 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-06609-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Maria D’Apolito
- grid.412451.70000 0001 2181 4941Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marianna G. Rispoli
- grid.412451.70000 0001 2181 4941Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Paola Ajdinaj
- grid.412451.70000 0001 2181 4941Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Anna Digiovanni
- grid.412451.70000 0001 2181 4941Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Valentina Tomassini
- grid.412451.70000 0001 2181 4941Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Neurology, “SS. Annunziata” University Hospital, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Luigia Gentile
- grid.412451.70000 0001 2181 4941Department of Radiology, University “G. D’Annunzio” of Chieti, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giovanna De Luca
- grid.412451.70000 0001 2181 4941Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, “G. D’Annunzio” University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Neurology, “SS. Annunziata” University Hospital, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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Onofrj M, Ajdinaj P, Digiovanni A, Malek N, Martinotti G, Ferro FM, Russo M, Thomas A, Sensi SL. Functional Neurologic Disorders, disorders to be managed by neurologists, or are neurologists wandering in a dangerous field with inadequate resources? Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1120981. [PMID: 37009111 PMCID: PMC10064068 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1120981] [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] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, some neurologists reconsidered their approach to Medically Unexplained Symptoms and proposed Functional Neurologic Disorders (FND) as a new entity, claiming that neurology could offer alternative treatment options to the psychotherapies provided in psychiatry settings. FNDs, for this purpose, should include only the disorders listed as Conversion from the Somatic Symptom and Related Disorders (SSRD) group. The present review analyzes the rationale of this position and challenges the arguments provided for its support. The review also discusses the systematization of these disorders as provided by public health systems. It outlines risks stemming from economic support and public funding uncertainty, given their negligible epidemiological dimensions resulting from the parcellation of SSRD. The review underlines the unresolved issue of Factitious Disorders, which are in the same SSRD category of the international classification but are, nonetheless, overlooked by the theoretical proponents of the FND entity. Comorbidity with other psychiatric disorders is also analyzed. We propose a model that supports the continuum between different SSRD conditions, including Factitious Disorders. The model is based on the emergence of feigned death reflex and deception from frontal lobe dysfunction. Finally, the paper summarizes the wealth of historical psychiatric and psychodynamic approaches and critical reviews. The study also puts in context the categorization and interpretation efforts provided by the most eminent researchers of the past century.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Onofrj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, “G. D'Annunzio University” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. D'Annunzio University” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- *Correspondence: Marco Onofrj,
| | - Paola Ajdinaj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, “G. D'Annunzio University” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. D'Annunzio University” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Anna Digiovanni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, “G. D'Annunzio University” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. D'Annunzio University” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Naveed Malek
- Barking, Havering, and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, “G. D'Annunzio University” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom
| | - Filippo Maria Ferro
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, “G. D'Annunzio University” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Mirella Russo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, “G. D'Annunzio University” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. D'Annunzio University” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Astrid Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, “G. D'Annunzio University” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. D'Annunzio University” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano Luca Sensi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, “G. D'Annunzio University” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), “G. D'Annunzio University” of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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5
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Iacono S, Di Stefano V, Alonge P, Vinciguerra C, Milella G, Caputo F, Lasorella P, Neto G, Pignolo A, Torrente A, Lupica A, Ajdinaj P, Firenze A, Tozza S, Manganelli F, Di Muzio A, Piscosquito G, Brighina F. Adherence and Reactogenicity to Vaccines against SARS-COV-2 in 285 Patients with Neuropathy: A Multicentric Study. Brain Sci 2022; 12:brainsci12101396. [PMID: 36291329 PMCID: PMC9599423 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci12101396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: The safety of the new vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 have already been shown, although data on patients with polyneuropathy are still lacking. The aim of this study is to evaluate the adherence to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, as well as the reactogenicity to those vaccines in patients affected by neuropathy. Methods: A multicentric and web-based cross-sectional survey was conducted among patients affected by neuropathy from part of South Italy. Results: Out of 285 responders, n = 268 were included in the final analysis and n = 258 of them (96.3%) were fully vaccinated. Adherence to vaccination was higher in patients with hereditary neuropathies compared to others, while it was lower in patients with anti-MAG neuropathy (all p < 0.05). The overall prevalence of adverse events (AEs) was 61.2% and its occurrence was not associated with neuropathy type. Being female and of younger age were factors associated with higher risk of AEs, while having an inflammatory neuropathy and steroids assumption were associated with a lower risk (all p < 0.05). Younger age, having had an AE, and COVID-19 before vaccination were factors associated with symptoms worsening after vaccination (all p < 0.05). (4) Conclusions: Patients with neuropathy showed a high level of adherence to COVID-19 vaccination. Safety of vaccines in patients with neuropathies was comparable to the general population and it was more favorable in those with inflammatory neuropathy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Salvatore Iacono
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Di Stefano
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-0916554780
| | - Paolo Alonge
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Claudia Vinciguerra
- Neurology Unit, University Hospital “San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D’Aragona”, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Giammarco Milella
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Francesca Caputo
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Piergiorgio Lasorella
- Neurology Unit, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, 70124 Bari, Italy
| | - Gabriele Neto
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonia Pignolo
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Angelo Torrente
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Antonino Lupica
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
| | - Paola Ajdinaj
- Department of Neurology, SS Annunziata Hospital, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Alberto Firenze
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Speialities, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
| | - Stefano Tozza
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatology Science, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Fiore Manganelli
- Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatology Science, University of Naples Federico II, 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Muzio
- Department of Neurology, SS Annunziata Hospital, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Piscosquito
- Neurology Unit, University Hospital “San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi D’Aragona”, 84131 Salerno, Italy
| | - Filippo Brighina
- Neurology Unit, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University of Palermo, 90129 Palermo, Italy
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6
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Digiovanni A, Ajdinaj P, Russo M, Sensi SL, Onofrj M, Thomas A. Bipolar spectrum disorders in neurologic disorders. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1046471. [PMID: 36620667 PMCID: PMC9811836 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1046471] [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] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Psychiatric symptoms frequently predate or complicate neurological disorders, such as neurodegenerative diseases. Symptoms of bipolar spectrum disorders (BSD), like mood, behavioral, and psychotic alterations, are known to occur - individually or as a syndromic cluster - in Parkinson's disease and in the behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Nonetheless, due to shared pathophysiological mechanisms, or genetic predisposition, several other neurological disorders show significant, yet neglected, clinical and biological overlaps with BSD like neuroinflammation, ion channel dysfunctions, neurotransmission imbalance, or neurodegeneration. BSD pathophysiology is still largely unclear, but large-scale network dysfunctions are known to participate in the onset of mood disorders and psychotic symptoms. Thus, functional alterations can unleash BSD symptoms years before the evidence of an organic disease of the central nervous system. The aim of our narrative review was to illustrate the numerous intersections between BSD and neurological disorders from a clinical-biological point of view and the underlying predisposing factors, to guide future diagnostic and therapeutical research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Digiovanni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Paola Ajdinaj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Mirella Russo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano L Sensi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marco Onofrj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Astrid Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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7
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Grasso E, Matonti L, Neri C, Torresi S, Di Ludovico A, Ajdinaj P, Pozzilli V, Salladini C, Greco R, Tomassini V. Paediatric transverse myelitis during COVID-19 asymptomatic infection: A case report. J Neurol Sci 2021. [PMCID: PMC8498652 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.119841] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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8
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Rispoli MG, Valentinuzzi S, Ajdinaj P, D'Apolito M, Digiovanni A, Grasso E, Pozzilli V, Villani A, Del Boccio P, Di Ioia M, De Luca G, Pieragostino D, Tomassini V. Meta-analysis of metabolic biomarkers for multiple sclerosis identifies novel upstream regulators. J Neurol Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.118155] [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: 10/20/2022]
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9
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Ajdinaj P, Rispoli MG, Ferri L, D'Apolito M, Farina D, Travaglini D, De Luca G, Di Muzio A, Tomassini V. Co-occurrence of multiple sclerosis and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A case report. J Neurol Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.118159] [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: 10/20/2022]
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10
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Ferri L, Ajdinaj P, Rispoli MG, Di Muzio A, Onofrj M, Capasso M. Brugada in ALS: Heart beyond neurons. J Neurol Sci 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2021.119392] [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: 10/20/2022]
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Onofrj M, Digiovanni A, Ajdinaj P, Russo M, Carrarini C, Di Giannantonio M, Martinotti G, Sensi SL. The factitious/malingering continuum and its burden on public health costs: a review and experience in an Italian neurology setting. Neurol Sci 2021; 42:4073-4083. [PMID: 34346017 PMCID: PMC8443469 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05422-9] [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] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Factitious disorder is classified as one of the five aspects of somatic symptom disorders. The fundamental element of factitious disorder is deception, i.e., pretending to have a medical or psychiatric disorder, but the enactment of deception is considered unconscious. Indeed, volition, i.e., the perception of deliberate deception, is blurred in patients presenting with factitious disorder. In the USA and the UK, factitious disorder has received constant media attention because of its forensic implications and outrageous costs for the National Health Systems. Unfortunately, a comparable level of attention is not present in Italian National Health System or the Italian mass media. The review analyzes the classifications, disorder mechanisms, costs, and medico-legal implications in the hope of raising awareness on this disturbing issue. Moreover, the review depicts 13 exemplification cases, anonymized and fictionalized by expert writers. Finally, our paper also evaluates the National Health System's expenditures for each patient, outlandish costs in the range between 50,000 and 1 million euros.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Onofrj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio University" of Chieti-Pescara 66100, Chieti, Italy.
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST) "G. D', Annunzio University" of Chieti-Pescara 66100, Chieti, Italy.
- YDA Foundation, Institute of Immune Therapy and Advanced biological treatment, Pescara, Italy.
| | - Anna Digiovanni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio University" of Chieti-Pescara 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Paola Ajdinaj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio University" of Chieti-Pescara 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Mirella Russo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio University" of Chieti-Pescara 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST) "G. D', Annunzio University" of Chieti-Pescara 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Claudia Carrarini
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio University" of Chieti-Pescara 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Massimo Di Giannantonio
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio University" of Chieti-Pescara 66100, Chieti, Italy
| | - Giovanni Martinotti
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio University" of Chieti-Pescara 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Sciences, University of Hertfordshire, Herts, UK
| | - Stefano L Sensi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging, and Clinical Sciences, "G. D'Annunzio University" of Chieti-Pescara 66100, Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST) "G. D', Annunzio University" of Chieti-Pescara 66100, Chieti, Italy
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12
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Rispoli MG, Ferri L, Ajdinaj P, Falzano V, Di Muzio A. Guillain-Barré syndrome and myasthenia gravis in the context of autoimmune polyendocrine syndrome type III. Neurol Sci 2021; 42:4789-4792. [PMID: 34331156 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05517-3] [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: 05/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/18/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Gabriella Rispoli
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University, SS Annunziata Hospital, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy. .,Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, "SS Annunziata" Hospital, Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy.
| | - Laura Ferri
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University, SS Annunziata Hospital, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy.,Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, "SS Annunziata" Hospital, Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy
| | - Paola Ajdinaj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University, SS Annunziata Hospital, Via dei Vestini, 66100, Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy.,Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, "SS Annunziata" Hospital, Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy
| | - Valeriana Falzano
- Endocrinology Unit, "SS Annunziata" Hospital, Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Muzio
- Center for Neuromuscular Diseases, "SS Annunziata" Hospital, Chieti, Abruzzo, Italy.,Department of Neurology, SS Annunziata Hospital, Chieti, Italy
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13
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Carrarini C, Russo M, Dono F, Barbone F, Rispoli MG, Ferri L, Di Pietro M, Digiovanni A, Ajdinaj P, Speranza R, Granzotto A, Frazzini V, Thomas A, Pilotto A, Padovani A, Onofrj M, Sensi SL, Bonanni L. Agitation and Dementia: Prevention and Treatment Strategies in Acute and Chronic Conditions. Front Neurol 2021; 12:644317. [PMID: 33935943 PMCID: PMC8085397 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.644317] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [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: 12/20/2020] [Accepted: 03/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Agitation is a behavioral syndrome characterized by increased, often undirected, motor activity, restlessness, aggressiveness, and emotional distress. According to several observations, agitation prevalence ranges from 30 to 50% in Alzheimer's disease, 30% in dementia with Lewy bodies, 40% in frontotemporal dementia, and 40% in vascular dementia (VaD). With an overall prevalence of about 30%, agitation is the third most common neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in dementia, after apathy and depression, and it is even more frequent (80%) in residents of nursing homes. The pathophysiological mechanism underlying agitation is represented by a frontal lobe dysfunction, mostly involving the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), respectively, meaningful in selecting the salient stimuli and subsequent decision-making and behavioral reactions. Furthermore, increased sensitivity to noradrenergic signaling has been observed, possibly due to a frontal lobe up-regulation of adrenergic receptors, as a reaction to the depletion of noradrenergic neurons within the locus coeruleus (LC). Indeed, LC neurons mainly project toward the OFC and ACC. These observations may explain the abnormal reactivity to weak stimuli and the global arousal found in many patients who have dementia. Furthermore, agitation can be precipitated by several factors, e.g., the sunset or low lighted environments as in the sundown syndrome, hospitalization, the admission to nursing residencies, or changes in pharmacological regimens. In recent days, the global pandemic has increased agitation incidence among dementia patients and generated higher distress levels in patients and caregivers. Hence, given the increasing presence of this condition and its related burden on society and the health system, the present point of view aims at providing an extensive guide to facilitate the identification, prevention, and management of acute and chronic agitation in dementia patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Carrarini
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Mirella Russo
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Fedele Dono
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Filomena Barbone
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marianna G Rispoli
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Laura Ferri
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Martina Di Pietro
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Anna Digiovanni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Paola Ajdinaj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Rino Speranza
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Alberto Granzotto
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Institute for Mind Impairments and Neurological Disorders-iMIND, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA, United States
| | - Valerio Frazzini
- Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Institut du Cerveau et de la Moelle épinière, ICM, INSERM UMRS 1127, CNRS UMR 7225, Pitié Salpêtrière Hospital, Paris, France.,AP-HP, GH Pitie-Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Epilepsy Unit and Neurophysiology Department, Paris, France
| | - Astrid Thomas
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Andrea Pilotto
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy.,Parkinson's Disease Rehabilitation Centre, FERB ONLUS-S. Isidoro Hospital, Trescore Balneario, Italy
| | - Alessandro Padovani
- Neurology Unit, Department of Clinical and Experimental Sciences, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy
| | - Marco Onofrj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Stefano L Sensi
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Laura Bonanni
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy.,Behavioral Neurology and Molecular Neurology Units, Center for Advanced Studies and Technology-CAST, University G. d'Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
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14
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Rispoli MG, Di Stefano V, Ajdinaj P, Onofrj M, De Angelis MV. Unusual Presentation of Bilateral Carotid Artery Dissection: The Importance of Reasoning Outside the Box. Ann Vasc Surg 2021; 74:521.e9-521.e13. [PMID: 33556511 DOI: 10.1016/j.avsg.2021.01.090] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2020] [Revised: 12/23/2020] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A bilateral internal carotid artery dissection presenting with atypical symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion has been rarely reported, especially in the absence of obvious precipitating factors. A middle-aged woman presented to the emergency department with a 2-day-history of progressive left arm numbness and weakness, confusion, disorientation and clumsiness worsened by upright position. A cerebral hypoperfusion condition was hypothesized and confirmed by a CT angiography, which showed bilateral internal carotid dissection with uncertain etiology. Screening for predisposing conditions to spontaneous carotid arteries dissection was basically negative. Regarding potential precipitating factors, the patient had used an electric olive harvester days before symptoms onset, without any painful sensation or sudden sequelae. Portable harvesters in olive growing transmit vibrations to the hand-arm system but it remains to be elucidated if hand-arm vibrations can be implicated in vessels wall injury and dissection. Bilateral carotid artery dissection is an infrequent and life-threatening condition which can rarely present with non-specific symptoms of cerebral hypoperfusion. The absence of typical symptoms and known precipitating factors can made the diagnosis quite hard to achieve.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vincenzo Di Stefano
- Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostic, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy
| | - Paola Ajdinaj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
| | - Marco Onofrj
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, G. D'Annunzio University, Chieti, Italy
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