Article
Cell Biology
Alice Prieto Huarcaya, Susy Drobny, Andre R. A. Marques, Alessandro Di Spiezio, Jan Philipp Dobert, Denise Balta, Christian Werner, Tania Rizo, Lisa Gallwitz, Simon Bub, Iva Stojkovska, Nandkishore R. Belur, Jens Fogh, Joseph R. Mazzulli, Wei Xiang, Amitkumar Fulzele, Mario Dejung, Markus Sauer, Beate Winner, Stefan Rose-John, Philipp Arnold, Paul Saftig, Friederike Zunke
Summary: This study suggests that enhancing SNCA degradation through the application of rHsCTSD can reduce SNCA aggregates in the brains of PD patients and restore endo-lysosome and autophagy function.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katharina Pieger, Verena Schmitt, Carina Gauer, Nadja Giessl, Iryna Prots, Beate Winner, Juergen Winkler, Johann Helmut Brandstaetter, Wei Xiang
Summary: This study identified distinct nuclear and cytosolic species of aSyn and revealed their redistribution during neuronal differentiation. Furthermore, a different distribution pattern of aSyn was observed in cells from PD patients carrying aSyn gene duplication.
Article
Neurosciences
Kathryn M. Miller, Joseph R. Patterson, Joseph Kochmanski, Christopher J. Kemp, Anna C. Stoll, Christopher U. Onyekpe, Allyson Cole-Strauss, Kathy Steece-Collier, Jacob W. Howe, Kelvin C. Luk, Caryl E. Sortwell
Summary: Preclinical studies suggest a potential link between STN DBS and neuroprotection of nigrostriatal dopamine neurons through BDNF signaling, but the impact on alpha-synuclein aggregation and neuroinflammation remains unclear. The study in male rats using the PFF model showed that STN DBS did not affect PFF-induced accumulation of pSyn inclusions in the SNpc, but it did lead to increased BDNF protein in the striatum. These results indicate the potential of STN DBS in modifying the long-term consequences of synucleinopathy.
JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Wenzhan Tu, Cheng Zheng, Yuyin Zheng, Zhenhua Feng, Haiyan Lin, Yiwei Jiang, Wangchao Chen, Yuhan Chen, Yang Lee, Jianzhong Su, Wu Zheng
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the interaction between tectorigenin and alpha-synuclein in vitro by simulating the physiological environment. The results showed that tectorigenin quenched the protein emission spectra through a mixed static-dynamic quenching mechanism. Additionally, tectorigenin binding to alpha-synuclein led to microenvironmental changes in the protein's tertiary structure, while the secondary structure remained almost unchanged. Molecular docking simulation revealed that non-covalent reactions, mainly hydrogen bonds, played a key role in the interaction and stabilization of alpha-synuclein in the presence of tectorigenin. Moreover, tectorigenin improved the chaperon-like activity of alpha-synuclein.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Shady Rahayel, Ying-Qiu Zheng, Zhen-Qi Liu, Alaa Abdelgawad, Nooshin Abbasi, Anna Caputo, Bin Zhang, Angela Lo, Victoria Kehm, Michael Kozak, Han Soo Yoo, Alain Dagher, Kelvin C. Luk
Summary: The study investigates the long-term spatiotemporal distribution of Lewy-related pathology in mice injected with alpha-synuclein preformed fibrils and recreates these patterns using a computational model. The findings suggest that both regional connectivity and Snca gene expression play a significant role in the propagation of pathologic alpha-synuclein.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Arif Abdulbaki, Jorn Kaufmann, Imke Galazky, Lars Buentjen, Juergen Voges
Summary: This study investigated the effect of stimulation proximity to the DRT on tremor control in PD patients treated with STN-DBS. Results indicated that better tremor control correlated with a shorter distance of active electrode contacts to the DRT, suggesting potential for optimizing DBS targeting and stimulation parameters through tractography.
ACTA NEUROCHIRURGICA
(2021)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
T. J. C. Zoon, V. Mathiopoulou, G. van Rooijen, P. van den Munckhof, D. A. J. P. Denys, P. R. Schuurman, R. M. A. de Bie, M. Bot
Summary: This study used subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN DBS) and network analysis to investigate the relationship between the location of active DBS contact points and apathy in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. The results showed that active contacts in apathy patients were more often positioned in the area with a high density of surrounding projections to associative cortex areas. The study provides insight into the anatomical connectivity substrate for apathy in DBS.
Article
Oncology
Zhengcun Wu, Chengxing Xia, Chao Zhang, Delin Yang, Kaili Ma
Summary: This study investigates the role of SNCA gene in bladder cancer (BLCA) and its potential as a prognostic diagnostic biomarker. The results show that SNCA is downregulated in BLCA tumor tissues and is negatively correlated with DNA methylation. High SNCA expression is associated with poor overall survival. SNCA is also found to play a role in immune cell infiltration, particularly with T cells. Therefore, SNCA may serve as a promising prognostic biomarker in BLCA patients.
Article
Neurosciences
Srestha Mazumder, Anita Y. Bahar, Claire E. Shepherd, Asheeta A. Prasad
Summary: Parkinson's disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by the loss of dopamine neurons in the substantia nigra and aggregation of alpha-synuclein. Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus is commonly used to treat motor symptoms in Parkinson's disease. However, the cellular changes in the subthalamic nucleus during Parkinson's disease and the impact of deep brain stimulation on the subthalamic nucleus and substantia nigra are not well understood.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Norihito Uemura, Jun Ueda, Toru Yoshihara, Masashi Ikuno, Maiko T. Uemura, Hodaka Yamakado, Masahide Asano, John Q. Trojanowski, Ryosuke Takahashi
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological contribution of alpha-Syn spread from the olfactory bulb in PD. The results showed that alpha-Syn preformed fibril injections induced more widespread pathology in transgenic mice, affecting the olfactory pathway and limbic system, leading to hyposmia, anxiety, and memory loss.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Lais M. Oliveira, Marta Ruiz-Lopez, Alexandre Boutet, Gavin J. B. Elias, Suneil K. Kalia, Mojgan Hodaie, Andres M. Lozano, Renato P. Munhoz, Alfonso Fasano
Summary: The study found that using the advanced functions of the patient programmer delays programming optimization and is associated with a higher number of side effects. Therefore, there is a need for other faster and safer stimulation programming methods.
Review
Neurosciences
Jordan Prahl, Gerhard A. Coetzee
Summary: Genome-wide association studies have consistently shown an association between the alpha-synuclein locus and Parkinson's disease, but the mechanism by which this locus modulates the disease remains largely unknown. Recent evidence suggests that the risk associated with the top variant within this locus is independent of SNCA expression, challenging the assumption that SNCA is the only driver of the genetic risk. This review examines other genes and risk variants at the SNCA locus and their potential contributions to Parkinson's disease.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Thomas J. C. Zoon, Geeske van Rooijen, Georgina M. F. C. Balm, Isidoor O. Bergfeld, Joost G. Daams, Paul Krack, Damiaan A. J. P. Denys, Rob M. A. de Bie
Summary: This meta-analysis found that apathy is increased after STN DBS compared to the pre-operative state and medication only. The difference in severity of apathy remained significant after multiple analyses.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Maryline Santerre, Sterling P. Arjona, Charles Ns Allen, Shannon Callen, Shilpa Buch, Bassel E. Sawaya
Summary: Despite the efficacy of cART, a significant percentage of long-term HIV/AIDS patients still experience cognitive and motor disorders. SNCA aggregation in older HIV+ adults may indicate an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease. HIV-1 Vpr protein-induced inhibition of neuronal autophagy leads to toxic protein aggregation and neurodegeneration.
Article
Neurosciences
Cornelis Blauwendraat, Mary B. Makarious, Hampton L. Leonard, Sara Bandres-Ciga, Hirotaka Iwaki, Mike A. Nalls, Alastair J. Noyce, Andrew B. Singleton
Summary: A study on SNCA variations in a large population cohort identified individuals carrying specific mutations, who although without reported Parkinson's disease, may potentially develop the condition in the future. These individuals could be candidates for further investigation to understand how some are able to escape PD.
NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Emanuela Formaggio, Michele Tonellato, Angelo Antonini, Leonora Castiglia, Laura Gallo, Paolo Manganotti, Stefano Masiero, Alessandra Del Felice
Summary: This study aims to explore the pathophysiological mechanisms of Parkinson disease (PD) by examining changes in EEG rhythms after transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). The study found that TMS can temporarily normalize brain oscillations in PD patients, providing a theoretical basis for the development of practical, portable techniques to treat PD symptoms.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NEUROPHYSIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Valtteri Kaasinen, Emma A. Honkanen, Kari Lindholm, Elina Jaakkola, Joonas Majuri, Riitta Parkkola, Tommi Noponen, Tero Vahlberg, Valerie Voon, Luke Clark, Juho Joutsa, Marko Seppanen
Summary: Gambling disorder is a major public health issue, and it shares similarities with substance use disorders in terms of the role of brain monoamines in addiction susceptibility and outcome. The study used [I-123]FP-CIT SPECT imaging to assess the roles of striatal dopamine transporter binding and extrastriatal serotonin transporter binding in gambling disorder, and found that patients with gambling disorder had higher impulsivity scores and higher binding in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, likely reflecting serotonin transporter activity.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Aron Emmi, Aleksandar Tushevski, Alessandro Sinigaglia, Silvia Barbon, Michele Sandre, Elena Stocco, Veronica Macchi, Angelo Antonini, Luisa Barzon, Andrea Porzionato, Raffaele De Caro
Summary: Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 receptor (ACE2R) is a transmembrane protein that plays a key role in blood pressure regulation. It has gained attention for its involvement in the pathogenesis of COVID-19. This study investigated the expression of ACE2R and TMPRSS2 in the brainstem and found that they are expressed in neuronal and glial cells, particularly in specific nuclei. These findings help to understand the neurological manifestations of COVID-19.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Isabell Katharina Rumrich, Valtteri Kaasinen, Otto Hanninen Kuopio, Sirpa Hartikainen, Anna-Maija Tolppanen
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Letter
Clinical Neurology
Federica Garri, Dario Ciprietti, Lisa Lerjefors, Andrea Landi, Manuela Pilleri, Roberta Biundo, Leonardo Salviati, Miryam Carecchio, Angelo Antonini
NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Stefanie T. Jost, Agni Konitsioti, Philipp A. Loehrer, Keyoumars Ashkan, Alexandra Rizos, Anna Sauerbier, Maria Gabriela dos Santos Ghilardi, Franz Rosenkranz, Lena Strobel, Alexandra Gronostay, Michael T. Barbe, Julian Evans, Veerle Visser-Vandewalle, Christopher Nimsky, Gereon R. Fink, Monty Silverdale, Rubens G. Cury, Erich T. Fonoff, Angelo Antonini, K. Ray Chaudhuri, Lars Timmermann, Pablo Martinez-Martin, Haidar S. Dafsari
Summary: This study suggests that patients with 'postural instability and gait difficulty' (PIGD) may experience more beneficial non-motor effects compared to patients with 'tremor-dominant' symptoms undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS) for Parkinson's disease (PD). These differences in clinical efficacy on non-motor aspects should be taken into consideration when advising and monitoring PD patients undergoing DBS.
PARKINSONISM & RELATED DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Emma A. Honkanen, Jaana Roenkae, Eero Pekkonen, Juho Aaltonen, Maija Koivu, Olli Eskola, Hazem Eldebakey, Jens Volkmann, Valtteri Kaasinen, Martin M. Reich, Juho Joutsa
Summary: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) of the globus pallidus interna (GPi) can significantly improve symptoms of cervical dystonia. This study used brain metabolic imaging to investigate the effects of GPi-DBS on brain metabolism in cervical dystonia. The results showed that GPi-DBS increases metabolic activity at the stimulation site and is related to modulation of specific networks. The study also found a strong correlation between stimulation amplitude and metabolic activity.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY NEUROSURGERY AND PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Christina Andica, Koji Kamagata, Wataru Uchida, Yuya Saito, Kaito Takabayashi, Akifumi Hagiwara, Haruka Takeshige-Amano, Taku Hatano, Nobutaka Hattori, Shigeki Aoki
Summary: This study compared the white matter differences between nonmedicated patients with early-stage GBA-PD and iPD using a novel technique, fixel-based analysis. The results showed that patients with GBA-PD had lower white matter density, while patients with iPD had larger white matter fiber bundles. These findings may be related to neurodegenerative diseases, α-synuclein accumulation, and cognitive and motor impairments.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Tommaso Carrer, Giulia Bonato, Michele Sandre, Aron Emmi, Marta Campagnolo, Giulia Musso, Miryam Carecchio, Piero Parchi, Angelo Antonini
Summary: This case report presents a female patient with rapidly progressive non-levodopa responsive parkinsonism, gait and balance problems, and dysautonomia, who was diagnosed with MSA Parkinsonian-type (MSA-P). Genetic testing revealed a G2019S mutation in the LRRK2 gene, which has been previously reported in only one other case of pathologically proven MSA. The findings suggest a possible link between G2019S LRRK2 mutation and an increased risk of MSA.
NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Michele Mainardi, Dario Ciprietti, Manuela Pilleri, Giulia Bonato, Luca Weis, Valeria Cianci, Roberta Biundo, Florinda Ferreri, Massimo Piacentino, Andrea Landi, Andrea Guerra, Angelo Antonini
Summary: This study retrospectively reviewed the clinical efficacy outcomes of 48 DBS-implanted patients and found that both STN-DBS and GPi-DBS are effective in improving motor symptoms severity and complications. However, GPi-DBS has a greater impact on motor fluctuations and motor experiences of daily living.
NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alessandro Padovani, Angelo Antonini, Paolo Barone, Giuseppe Bellelli, Andrea Fagiolini, Luigi Ferini Strambi, Sandro Sorbi, Fabrizio Stocchi
Summary: This Delphi study aims to reach a shared point of view among Italian specialists on depression in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Consensus was achieved in most cases (86%), with 80% of statements receiving positive consensus and 6% receiving negative consensus. The study also highlights the strong link between depression and AD, as well as specific features of depression in AD compared to major depressive disorder (MDD).
NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Review
Anatomy & Morphology
Aron Emmi, Marta Campagnolo, Elena Stocco, Miryam Carecchio, Veronica Macchi, Angelo Antonini, Raffaele De Caro, Andrea Porzionato
Summary: Deep brain stimulation of the Subthalamic Nucleus (STh) is a potential therapy for movement disorders, but the neurochemical and molecular anatomy of the STh remains unclear, especially in humans. By reviewing the literature, we found species-specific differences in the distribution of neurotransmitters in the STh, such as glutamate, GABA, dopamine, serotonin, and noradrenaline, providing a foundation for further research, particularly in humans.
BRAIN STRUCTURE & FUNCTION
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jussi O. T. Sipila, Valtteri Kaasinen, Paeivi Rautava, Ville Kyto
Summary: Currently, there is a lack of robust estimates regarding the risk of mortality among patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, this study found that the case-fatality rate in PD patients was higher compared to matched controls, and this increased risk was evident from early on, especially among young-onset patients.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Eleonora Fiorenzato, Sadaf Moaveninejad, Luca Weis, Roberta Biundo, Angelo Antonini, Camillo Porcaro
Summary: This study suggests that the characteristics of cognitive decline in PD are changes in spontaneous neuronal activity and increased temporal complexity, involving the central executive network (CEN) and default mode network (DMN), possibly reflecting increased segregation of these networks. Therefore, we propose fractal dimension (FD) as a prognostic biomarker of PD-cognitive decline.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Aron Emmi, Michele Sandre, Francesco Paolo Russo, Giulia Tombesi, Federica Garri, Marta Campagnolo, Miryam Carecchio, Roberta Biundo, Gaya Spolverato, Veronica Macchi, Edoardo Savarino, Fabio Farinati, Piero Parchi, Andrea Porzionato, Luigi Bubacco, Raffaele De Caro, Gabor G. Kovacs, Angelo Antonini
Summary: This study investigated the alterations of alpha-synuclein and glial responses in duodenum biopsies of Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. The findings provide evidence of synuclein pathology and gliosis in the duodenum of PD patients, including early cases, suggesting the important role of the gut in PD pathogenesis.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS
(2023)