MASARYK NEUROSCIENCE HUB

16 May 2022

A New Framework for Investigating the Biological Basis of Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy [AO Spine RECODE-DCM Research Priority Number 5]: Mechanical Stress, Vulnerability and Time

Study design: Literature Review (Narrative).

Objective: To propose a new framework, to support the investigation and understanding of the pathobiology of DCM, AO Spine RECODE-DCM research priority number 5.

Methods: Degenerative cervical myelopathy is a common and disabling spinal cord disorder. In this perspective, we review key knowledge gaps between the clinical phenotype and our biological models. We then propose a reappraisal of the key driving forces behind DCM and an individual's susceptibility, including the proposal of a new framework.

16 May 2022

Degenerative Cervical Myelopathy: Development and Natural History [AO Spine RECODE-DCM Research Priority Number 2]

Study design: Narrative review.

Objectives: To discuss the current understanding of the natural history of degenerative cervical myelopathy (DCM).

Methods: Literature review summarizing current evidence pertaining to the natural history and risk factors of DCM.

Results: DCM is a common condition in which progressive arthritic disease of the cervical spine leads to spinal cord compression resulting in a constellation of neurological symptoms, in particular upper extremity dysfunction and gait impairment. Anatomical factors including cord-canal mismatch, congenitally fused vertebrae and genetic factors may increase individuals' risk for DCM development. 

9 May 2022

EXPRESS: Association of statin pretreatment with baseline stroke severity and outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke: an observational study

ABSTRACTBackground:Statins have an important role in stroke prevention, especially in high-risk populations and may also affect the initial stroke severity and outcomes in patients taking them before an ischemic stroke.

Aims: Our aim was to evaluate the association of statin pretreatment with the severity in acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: We analyzed SITS International Thrombolysis and Thrombectomy Registry data from January 2011 to December 2017. We identified patients with statin information at baseline. The primary outcome was baseline NIH stroke scale (NIHSS) score. Secondary outcomes were NIHSS score at 24 hours, symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage (SICH) and functional outcome at 90 days after acute intervention. 

9 May 2022

Rationale and study design of a trial to assess r TMS add - on v alue for the amelioration of negative symptoms of schizophrenia (RADOVAN)

Background: Schizophrenia is a severe and often difficult to treat psychiatric illness. In many patients, negative symptoms dominate the clinical picture. Meta-analysis has suggested moderate, but significant effects of high-frequency repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (HF-rTMS) on these symptoms. For treatment of depression a much shorter protocol - intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS) - has shown to be non-inferior to conventional high-frequency rTMS. This randomized, sham-controlled, rater-blinded clinical trial assesses the effects of conventional HF-rTMS as well as of iTBS of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in comparison with sham.

Methods: The study will be conducted at two psychiatric university hospitals in Germany and at two in the Czech Republic. 

9 May 2022

Intensive Circuit Class Therapy in Patients with Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Objective: Long-term physiotherapy is of considerable benefit to patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) who have motor dysfunction or gait impairment. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a 12-week intensive circuit class therapy for patients with MS, with a wider focus on fatigue and gait ability.

Methods: A total of 46 patients with relapsing-remitting MS were divided randomly into 2 groups: 23 patients (mean Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 2.33 ± 0.74) participated in an intensive 12-week course of intensive circuit class therapy, and 23 patients (mean EDSS 2.04 ± 0.63) served as a control group. The EDSS, Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and Four-Stage Balance Test (FSBT) made up the physical testing part, supplemented by questionnaires such as the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), 12-Item Multiple Sclerosis Walking Scale (MSWS-12), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and 36-Item Short Form Survey (SF-36).

22 Apr 2022

Bridging structural and functional biomarkers in functional movement disorder using network mapping

Background: There are gaps in our neurobiological understanding of functional movement disorder (FMD).

Objectives: We investigated gray matter volumetric profiles in FMD, and related findings to resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) profiles using Human Connectome Project data.

Methods: Volumetric differences between 53 FMD patients and 50 controls were examined, as well as relationships between individual differences in FMD symptom severity and volumetric profiles. Atrophy network mapping was also used to probe whether FMD-related structural alterations preferentially impacted brain areas with dense rsFC.

Results: Compared to controls without neurological comorbidities (albeit with mild depression and anxiety as a group), the FMD cohort did not show any volumetric differences.

22 Apr 2022

LuminoCell: a versatile and affordable platform for real-time monitoring of luciferase-based reporters

Luciferase reporter assays represent a simple and sensitive experimental system in cell and molecular biology to study multiple biological processes. However, the application of these assays is often limited by the costs of conventional luminometer instruments and the versatility of their use in different experimental conditions. Therefore, we aimed to develop a small, affordable luminometer allowing continuous measurement of luciferase activity, designed for inclusion into various kinds of tissue culture incubators. Here, we introduce LuminoCell-an open-source platform for the construction of an affordable, sensitive, and portable luminometer capable of real-time monitoring in-cell luciferase activity. The LuminoCell costs $40, requires less than 1 h to assemble, and it is capable of performing real-time sensitive detection of both magnitude and duration of the activity of major signalling pathways in cell cultures, including receptor tyrosine kinases (EGF and FGF), WNT/β-catenin, and NF-κB.

14 Apr 2022

The blood-brain barrier and the neurovascular unit in subarachnoid hemorrhage: molecular events and potential treatments

he response of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) following a stroke, including subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), has been studied extensively. The main components of this reaction are endothelial cells, pericytes, and astrocytes that affect microglia, neurons, and vascular smooth muscle cells. SAH induces alterations in individual BBB cells, leading to brain homeostasis disruption. Recent experiments have uncovered many pathophysiological cascades affecting the BBB following SAH. Targeting some of these pathways is important for restoring brain function following SAH. BBB injury occurs immediately after SAH and has long-lasting consequences, but most changes in the pathophysiological cascades occur in the first few days following SAH. These changes determine the development of early brain injury as well as delayed cerebral ischemia. SAH-induced neuroprotection also plays an important role and weakens the negative impact of SAH.