Article
Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging
Giacomo Rebella, Claudia Milanaccio, Giovanni Morana, Domenico Tortora, Antonio Verrico, Gianluca Piatelli, Gabriele Gaggero, Paolo Nozza, Maria Luisa Gaffe, Andrea Rossi, Mariasavina Severino
Summary: Diffuse leptomeningeal glioneuronal tumor (DLGNT) is a rare tumor typically found in children, and its neuroimaging features include subarachnoid/leptomeningeal enhancement and tiny pseudo-cystic lesions. This study presents a peculiar pattern of progressive leptomeningeal calcifications in three young DLGNT patients, which expands the imaging phenotype of DLGNT. The calcifications were present before starting treatment and might be the result of natural changes in the tumor and its environment.
QUANTITATIVE IMAGING IN MEDICINE AND SURGERY
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marek J. Pawlik, Barbara Miziak, Aleksandra Walczak, Agnieszka Konarzewska, Magdalena Chroscinska-Krawczyk, Jan Albrecht, Stanislaw J. Czuczwar
Summary: Epileptogenesis is the process of converting a normal brain into an epileptic one, with only a few antiepileptic drugs showing potential in preventing this transformation. Limited clinical data suggest certain non-antiepileptic drugs may have antiepileptogenic potential, and further research on reliable markers of early epileptogenesis is needed for designing adequate antiepileptogenic therapies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Teresa P. Easwaran, Nicola Lancki, Mario Henriquez, Alexander O. Vortmeyer, Nicholas M. Barbaro, Denise M. Scholtens, Atique U. Ahmed, Mahua Dey
Summary: This study investigated the association between molecular classification of gliomas and seizure presentation as well as post-operative seizure control. It found that the presence of IDH mutation is associated with seizures at presentation, while IDH-mutant tumors are associated with worse post-operative seizure outcomes.
NEUROMOLECULAR MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Dirk Rades, Jaspar Witteler, Denise Olbrich, Peter Trillenberg, Steven E. Schild, Soeren Tvilsted, Troels W. Kjaer
Summary: This study aims to evaluate seizure activity in patients with high-grade gliomas undergoing radiotherapy, with the use of seizure diaries and regular discussions with neurologists to monitor progression and adjust medication. The findings may lead to larger prospective trials and improved patient monitoring and treatment.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Wolfgang Loescher
Summary: Rationally designed multi-target drugs have emerged as an attractive drug discovery paradigm for diseases with complex etiology and drug-resistance problems. While some drugs targeting multiple mechanisms have shown promising effects, others discovered purely by phenotype-based screening have exhibited better efficacy in recent studies. It remains key to identify and validate new target combinations to improve treatment outcomes for drug-resistant epilepsy.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Roberta Ruda, David Capper, Adam D. Waldman, Johan Pallud, Giuseppe Minniti, Thomas J. Kaley, Eric Bouffet, Ghazaleh Tabatabai, Eleonora Aronica, Asgeir S. Jakola, Stefan M. Pfister, David Schiff, Andrew B. Lassman, David A. Solomon, Riccardo Soffietti, Michael Weller, Matthias Preusser, Ahmed Idbaih, Patrick Y. Wen, Martin J. van den Bent
Summary: The new WHO 2021 Classification of CNS Tumors includes various rare tumor entities that are more commonly found in children, adolescents, and young adults. The Task Force has reviewed the evidence for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, drawing recommendations primarily for adult patients. Tumor diagnosis is primarily done using histological techniques, but molecular workup is important for unresolved cases. MRI findings are non-specific but can be characteristic for certain tumors. Gross total resection is the most important treatment for prolonging survival and achieving seizure control. Radiotherapy should be considered for certain grades of tumors. Reoperation and radiotherapy may be useful for recurrent tumors. Targeted therapies can be used in selected patients based on molecular alterations. Sequencing is advocated for diagnostic clarification and guiding targeted therapies.
Article
Neurosciences
Peter J. West, Kyle Thomson, Peggy Billingsley, Timothy Pruess, Carlos Rueda, Gerald W. Saunders, Misty D. Smith, Cameron S. Metcalf, Karen S. Wilcox
Summary: The study demonstrates that in this MTLE IAK model, pharmacoresistant seizures are resistant to two representative sodium channel-inhibiting ASDs (phenytoin and carbamazepine) and partially sensitive to GABA receptor modulating ASDs (diazepam and phenobarbital) or a mixed-mechanism ASD (valproate). This model is being incorporated into the NINDS-funded ETSP testing platform for treatment resistant epilepsy.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Krzysztof Lukawski, Stanislaw J. Czuczwar
Summary: This article discusses novel drug targets for the management of drug-resistant seizures, including brain multidrug efflux transporters and inflammatory pathways. Strategies for reducing blood brain barrier dysfunction and enhancing anti-oxidative defense are also explored.
EXPERT OPINION ON THERAPEUTIC TARGETS
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Beatrice Lemesle, Emmanuel J. Barbeau, Emilie Milongo Rigal, Marie Denuelle, Luc Valton, Jeremie Pariente, Jonathan Curot
Summary: The study confirmed objective deficits in very long-term memory in patients with TLE, even when not detected by standard memory assessments. Epireal showed better performance in capturing autobiographical memory and detecting memory deficits in TLE patients.
Article
Neurosciences
Sandeep Kandregula, Subhas Konar, Nishanth Sadashiva, Madhusudhan Nagesh, Sathya Rao Kalahasti, Uday Krishna, Jitender Saini, Dhaval Shukla, Vani Santosh
Summary: This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics and survival of adult diffuse intrinsic pontine gliomas (DIPG) and found significant differences between adult and pediatric DIPG. Age was found to be closely associated with survival in patients with adult DIPG.
Article
Oncology
Erin S. Murphy, Girish Dhall, Jason Fangusaro, Ute Bartels, Maryam Fouladi, Dennis Shaw, Soumen Khatua, Chris Williams Hughes, Ashok Panigraphy, Myrsini Ioakeim-Ioannidou, Mark Souweidane, David Morris, Amar Gajjar, Shengjie Wu, Arzu Onar-Thomas, Daphne A. Haas-Kogan, Shannon M. MacDonald
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of reduced dose and field of radiation therapy in patients with localized NGGCT who achieved a complete or partial response to chemotherapy. The results suggest that the spine is at risk for recurrence in these patients. The quality of radiation therapy was high, and providing visual guidance in the form of an online atlas had a positive impact on treatment planning.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RADIATION ONCOLOGY BIOLOGY PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Rafael Bernal Cobo, Lilliana Maria Giraldo Tapias, Tatiana Gomez Escobar, Luisa Fernanda Rueda Cardenas, Jose Fernando Zapata Berruecos, Elsa Maria Vasquez Trespalacios, Yessica Maria Giraldo Castrillon, Diego Fernando Rojas-Gualdron
Summary: This study analyzed the factors associated with the duration between seizure relapses in people with epilepsy. The results indicated that difficulties in the prescription filling process, history of multiple types of events, and neuropsychiatric comorbidity were correlated with a lower benefit from treatment to control seizure relapses.
EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Sebastian Griffin, Fabio Stabile, Luisa De Risio
Summary: The aim of this study was to gain insight into how primary care veterinarians in the UK diagnose and treat canine idiopathic epilepsy, as well as their perceived challenges in managing the condition. The results showed that most participants had a low caseload of canine IE and used phenobarbital as the first line treatment. Many participants also found managing client expectations and canine IE emergencies to be challenging.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Elia M. Pestana Knight, Sam Amin, Nadia Bahi-Buisson, Tim A. Benke, J. Helen Cross, Scott T. Demarest, Heather E. Olson, Nicola Specchio, Thomas R. Fleming, Alex A. Aimetti, Maciej Gasior, Orrin Devinsky
Summary: This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of ganaxolone in patients with CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) and refractory epilepsy. The results showed that ganaxolone significantly reduced seizure frequency in CDD patients and was generally well tolerated. The study suggests a potential treatment benefit for ganaxolone in CDD and further long-term treatment is being assessed in the ongoing open-label extension phase.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Pim B. van der Meer, Linda Dirven, Marta Fiocco, Maaike J. Vos, Mathilde C. M. Kouwenhoven, Martin J. van den Bent, Martin J. B. Taphoorn, Johan A. F. Koekkoek
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of levetiracetam combined with valproic acid and clobazam compared with other triple therapy combinations in patients with glioma. The results showed that there were no significant differences in treatment failure rate, uncontrolled seizure rate, adverse effects rate, and recurrent seizure rate between levetiracetam combined with valproic acid and clobazam and other triple therapy combinations.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Domenique M. J. Muller, Pierre A. Robe, Hilko Ardon, Frederik Barkhof, Lorenzo Bello, Mitchel S. Berger, Wim Bouwknegt, Wimar A. Van den Brink, Marco Conti Nibali, Roelant S. Eijgelaar, Julia Furtner, Seunggu J. Han, Shawn L. Hervey-Jumper, Albert J. S. Idema, Barbara Kiesel, Alfred Kloet, Jan C. De Munck, Marco Rossi, Tommaso Sciortino, W. Peter Vandertop, Martin Visser, Michiel Wagemakers, Georg Widhalm, Marnix G. Witte, Aeilko H. Zwinderman, Philip C. De Witt Hamer
Summary: The study introduces eRV and eRI, which can better predict biopsy decisions, resectability, and survival rates. Expected residual tumor volume and expected resectability index can support surgical decisions.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Pierina Navarria, Federico Pessina, Elena Clerici, Zefferino Rossini, Davide Franceschini, Giuseppe D'Agostino, Ciro Franzese, Tiziana Comito, Mauro Loi, Matteo Simonelli, Elena Lorenzi, Pasquale Persico, Letterio Salvatore, Marco Grimaldi, Lorenzo Bello, Armando Santoro, Maurizio Fornari, Franco Servadei, Marta Scorsetti
Summary: In addition to IDH status, the extent of resection and residual tumor volume have been shown to significantly impact survival. Sequential radio-chemotherapy was found to be the more effective treatment option.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGERY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Marco Rossi, Lorenzo Gay, Federico Ambrogi, Marco Conti Nibali, Tommaso Sciortino, Guglielmo Puglisi, Antonella Leonetti, Cristina Mocellini, Manuela Caroli, Susanna Cordera, Matteo Simonelli, Federico Pessina, Piera Navarria, Andrea Pace, Riccardo Soffietti, Roberta Ruda, Marco Riva, Lorenzo Bello
Summary: The study found that supratotal resection is strongly associated with good oncological outcomes in molecularly defined lower-grade gliomas, regardless of molecular subtypes and grading.
Article
Oncology
Michael Weller, Martin van den Bent, Matthias Preusser, Emilie Le Rhun, Jorg C. Tonn, Giuseppe Minniti, Martin Bendszus, Carmen Balana, Olivier Chinot, Linda Dirven, Pim French, Monika E. Hegi, Asgeir S. Jakola, Michael Platten, Patrick Roth, Roberta Ruda, Susan Short, Marion Smits, Martin J. B. Taphoorn, Andreas von Deimling, Manfred Westphal, Riccardo Soffietti, Guido Reifenberger, Wolfgang Wick
Summary: The European Association of Neuro-Oncology (EANO) has released guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of adult patients with diffuse gliomas, incorporating major changes in diagnostic algorithms based on the 2016 update of the WHO Classification of Tumors of the Central Nervous System, as well as evidence from recent large clinical trials.
NATURE REVIEWS CLINICAL ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Norbert Galldiks, Maximilian Niyazi, Anca L. Grosu, Martin Kocher, Karl-Josef Langen, Ian Law, Giuseppe Minniti, Michelle M. Kim, Christina Tsien, Frederic Dhermain, Riccardo Soffietti, Minesh P. Mehta, Michael Weller, Joerg-Christian Tonn
Summary: Management of patients with glioma usually involves multimodality treatment, with accurate neuroimaging playing a central role in radiotherapy planning and follow-up. The use of PET imaging for radiotherapy planning and monitoring in gliomas has gained interest, but Class I data is currently lacking. PET has potential for response assessment and distinguishing tumor progression from pseudoprogression or radiation necrosis in glioma patients.
Review
Clinical Neurology
Francesco Bruno, Rosa Antonietta Palmiero, Bruno Ferrero, Federica Franchino, Alessia Pellerino, Enrica Milanesi, Riccardo Soffietti, Roberta Ruda
Summary: A rare case of pembrolizumab-induced neuropathy involving cranial nerves was presented, with a prompt response to intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) treatment. Pembrolizumab-induced neurological immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are insidious conditions that require solid knowledge of onco-immunotherapy complications.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Antonella Leonetti, Guglielmo Puglisi, Marco Rossi, Luca Vigano, Marco Conti Nibali, Lorenzo Gay, Tommaso Sciortino, Henrietta Howells, Luca Fornia, Marco Riva, Gabriella Cerri, Lorenzo Bello
Summary: The prevalence of Mood Disorders (MD) and decline in Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in glioma patients may be associated with tumor features or treatment-related symptoms. Factors associated with MD and low HRQoL vary in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs) and higher-grade gliomas (HGGs) over the course of the disease.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Pierina Navarria, Federico Pessina, Elena Clerici, Luisa Bellu, Ciro Franzese, Andrea Franzini, Matteo Simonelli, Lorenzo Bello, Armando Santoro, Letterio Salvatore Politi, Giuseppe Roberto D'agostino, Alessandra Casarotti, Bethania Fernandes, Valter Torri, Marta Scorsetti
Summary: This is a single arm prospective phase II study evaluating the efficacy and toxicity of re-irradiation in recurrent high grade glioma. The results showed that re-irradiation is a safe and feasible treatment option, with better outcomes in younger patients and those with grade 3 IDH mutated gliomas.
RADIOTHERAPY AND ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Asad Jamal, Tian Yuan, Stefano Galvan, Antonella Castellano, Marco Riva, Riccardo Secoli, Andrea Falini, Lorenzo Bello, Ferdinando Rodriguez Y. Baena, Daniele Dini
Summary: This article focuses on the application of infusion-based targeted drug delivery in the treatment of brain diseases such as glioblastoma multiforme. The author emphasizes the biomechanical and biochemical aspects of drug delivery and discusses the challenges and advances in medical robotics in targeted drug delivery in the brain. Additionally, the critical overview of current research and its clinical implications is provided.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Luca Fornia, Marco Rossi, Marco Rabuffetti, Andrea Bellacicca, Luca Vigano, Luciano Simone, Henrietta Howells, Guglielmo Puglisi, Antonella Leonetti, Vincenzo Callipo, Lorenzo Bello, Gabriella Cerri
Summary: The study found that different regions of the parietal cortex have varying effects on hand muscle control and manipulation, suggesting the presence of different functional sectors within the parietal cortex. The task-arrest pattern may be associated with parietal sectors more closely implicated in shaping motor output.
Article
Oncology
Alessia Pellerino, Riccardo Soffietti, Francesco Bruno, Roberta Manna, Erminia Muscolino, Pierangela Botta, Rosa Palmiero, Roberta Ruda
Summary: The study evaluated the efficacy and tolerability of neratinib in association with capecitabine in patients with leptomeningeal metastases from heavily pretreated HER2-positive breast cancer. Results showed clinical efficacy in some patients, suggesting further investigation in larger studies.
Review
Oncology
Alessia Pellerino, Francesco Bruno, Rosa Palmiero, Edoardo Pronello, Luca Bertero, Riccardo Soffietti, Roberta Ruda
Summary: Meningiomas are common intracranial tumors, with varying degrees of symptoms and treatment options. Systemic therapy is reserved for cases where surgery and/or radiotherapy have been exhausted, but its effectiveness is limited. Novel molecular alterations have been linked to grading, location, and prognosis of meningiomas, and certain mutations can be targeted by specific drugs in clinical trials. The microenvironment surrounding meningiomas may also play a role in tumor growth, making immunotherapy a potential option.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Francesco Bruno, Alessia Pellerino, Rosa Palmiero, Luca Bertero, Cristina Mantovani, Diego Garbossa, Riccardo Soffietti, Roberta Ruda
Summary: This paper reviews the clinical and molecular characteristics, current therapeutic options, and prognostic factors of elderly patients with GBM. Elderly people with GBM have a poor prognosis and limited response to treatments, which are correlated with age, clinical frailty, poorer tolerability to surgery or adjuvant radio-chemotherapy, and higher occurrence of comorbidities and/or secondary complications.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Riccardo Soffietti, Alessia Pellerino, Francesco Bruno, Alessandro Mauro, Roberta Ruda
Summary: Research on brain damage mechanisms following radiation treatments for brain tumors has increased, providing insight into pathobiological mechanisms and suggesting new approaches to minimize damage.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Carlo Giussani, Erik Sganzerla, Giannantonio Spena, Diego Spagnoli, Roberto Assietti, Silvio Bellocchi, Oscar Vivaldi, Claudio Bernucci, Lorenzo Magrassi, Cesare Zoia, Marcello Egidi, Federico De Gonda, Marco Locatelli, Lorenzo Bello, Michele Incerti, Domenico Servello, Mario Vitale, Federico Nicolosi, Antonio Fioravanti, Marco Fontanella, Roberto Stefini
JOURNAL OF NEUROSURGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
