Neuroinflammation in Alzheimer’s disease: Pleiotropic roles for cytokines and neuronal pentraxins

Publication date: 16 July 2018
Source:Behavioural Brain Research, Volume 347
Author(s): Ashley Swanson, Tovah Wolf, Alli Sitzmann, Auriel A. Willette
Neuroinflammation is a potential factor speculated to underlie Alzheimer's disease (AD) etiopathogenesis and progression. The overwhelming focus in this area of research to date has been on the chronic upregulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines to understand how neuroinflammatory mechanisms contribute to neurodegeneration. Yet, it is important to understand the pleiotropic roles of these cytokines in modulating neuroinflammation in which they cannot be labeled as a strictly "good" or "bad" biomarker phenotype. As such, biomarkers with more precise functions are needed to better understand how neuroinflammation impacts the brain in AD. Neuronal pentraxins are a concentration- dependent group of pro- or anti- inflammatory cytokines. There is contradictory evidence of these pentraxins as being both neuroprotective and potentially detrimental in AD. Potential neuroprotective examples include their ability to predict AD-related outcomes such as cognition, memory function and synaptic refinement. This review will briefly outline the basis of AD and subsequently summarize findings for neuropathological mechanisms of neuroinflammation, roles for traditional pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and data found thus far on the neuronal pentraxins.



http://ift.tt/2GfAAcl

Neurothekeoma, a hard to diagnose neoplasm among red nodules

http://ift.tt/2p7RAJC

Neurothekeoma, a hard to diagnose neoplasm among red nodules

http://ift.tt/2p7RAJC

Extreme delta - with or without brushes: a potential surrogate marker of disease activity in anti-NMDA-receptor encephalitis

Publication date: Available online 10 March 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology
Author(s): Claude Steriade, Stephen Hantus, Ahsan N.V. Moosa, Alexander D. Rae-Grant
ObjectiveAnti-NMDA receptor encephalitis (NMDARE) may not respond to first line immunotherapy. Biomarkers to track disease course and guide escalation of immunotherapy are needed. We describe the evolution of EEG in four patients with NMDARE requiring prolonged intensive care.MethodsWithin a database of 121 patients with immune-mediated neurological disorders, ten with NMDARE were retrospectively identified. Four patients did not respond to first line immunotherapy. Continuous EEG was reviewed and correlated with clinical status and treatment.ResultsIntermittent polymorphic delta slowing was present in all patients. Generalized rhythmic delta occupied increasing proportion of the EEG as disease progressed, at times with superimposed beta. The institution of second line immunotherapy was followed by progressive decrease in rhythmic delta, predating clinical improvement. In one patient who did not respond to second line immunotherapy, rhythmic delta continued to occupy a majority of the recording. The extreme delta pattern was not seen in a comparison cohort of patients with autoimmune encephalitis without anti-NMDA-R antibodies.ConclusionsExtreme delta, with or without brushes, increases with progression of NMDARE, responds to escalation of immunotherapy, predating clinical improvement, and is likely specific to NMDA-R antibodies.SignificanceExtreme delta may be a surrogate marker of disease activity in NMDARE refractory to first line immunotherapy.



http://ift.tt/2Fyjc1o

Long Term Electroencephalography in Preterm Neonates: Safety and Quality of Electrode Types

Publication date: Available online 10 March 2018
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology
Author(s): Nathalie M. El Ters, Amit M. Mathur, Siddharth Jain, Zachary A. Vesoulis, John M. Zempel
ObjectivesThe objective of this study was to compare gold cup and hydrogel electrodes for frequency of electrode replacement, longevity of the original electrodes after initial placement, recording quality, and skin safety issues in long-term EEG studies in preterm neonates.MethodsWe performed a prospective trial with newborns born at ≥23 weeks and ≤30 weeks of gestational age (GA). Two mirror image EEG electrode arrays were utilized on consecutive subjects, wheregold cup electrodes alternated with hydrogel electrodes.ResultsOur sample included 50 neonates with meanGA of 27 (±1) weeks. The mean recording time was 84 (±15) hours. No difference was present in the frequency of replacement of either type across the total recording time (p=0.8). We collected the time at which electrodes were first replaced, and found that hydrogel electrodes showed a longer uninterrupted recording time of 28(±2) hours vs. 20(±2) hours for gold cup electrodes (p=0.01). Recording quality was similar in either type (p=0.2). None of the patients experienced significant skin irritation from a discrete electrode.ConclusionLong-term EEG studies can be performed with either gold cup or hydrogel electrodes, validating the safety and quality of both electrode types.SignificanceHydrogel electrodes are a reasonable alternative for use in long-term EEG studies in preterm neonates.



http://ift.tt/2FGL32T

Successful therapy of ocular rosacea with topical ivermectin

Approximately 75% of cutaneous rosacea patients also suffer from an ocular involvement with blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction often presented as chalazia. Clinical symptoms are foreign body sensation, light sensitivity, burning and tearing.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://ift.tt/2Hp3x50

Successful therapy of ocular rosacea with topical ivermectin

Approximately 75% of cutaneous rosacea patients also suffer from an ocular involvement with blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction often presented as chalazia. Clinical symptoms are foreign body sensation, light sensitivity, burning and tearing.

This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

http://ift.tt/2Hp3x50