Article
Pediatrics
Danielle Guez-Barber, Sanjeev K. Swami, Jacqueline B. Harrison, Jennifer L. McGuire
Summary: This retrospective cohort study aimed to describe the etiology and clinical course of pediatric acute-onset unilateral peripheral facial palsy and to differentiate between Bell's palsy and Lyme-related facial palsy. The results showed that Bell's palsy and Lyme-related facial palsy were common causes of pediatric facial palsy in the Lyme-endemic region. Systemic prodrome and month of onset may help distinguish between the two conditions and guide antibiotic use. Early corticosteroid use did not affect facial strength recovery.
Article
Infectious Diseases
R. A. Bruinsma, C. A. Smulders, Y. M. Vermeeren, B. van Kooten, E. A. Cats, B. van Hees, M. Boele van Hensbroek, J. W. Hovius, T. P. Zomer
Summary: This study found that characteristics significantly associated with Lyme neuroborreliosis in children with acute facial nerve palsy include headache, meningeal irritation symptoms, presentation in summer months, and a history of tick bites.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY & INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Immunology
Sanna Avellan, Daniel Bremell
Summary: The study found that adjunctive corticosteroids do not improve or impair the outcome for patients with LNB PFP treated with doxycycline.
CLINICAL INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Vera E. A. Kleinveld, Sarah Platzgummer, Julia Wanschitz, Corinne G. C. Horlings, Wolfgang N. N. Loescher
Summary: This study evaluates the diagnostic accuracy of parameters based on a combination of transcranial magnetic stimulation and electrical stimulation in differentiating between idiopathic and secondary facial palsy in a large cohort of patients. The results show that the overall diagnostic accuracy of this method is low.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Huan-Jan Lin, Po-Cheng Chen, Tzu-Tung Tsai, Shih-Pin Hsu
Summary: This study compared the diagnostic and prognostic values of nerve conduction studies (NCSs) and transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) for idiopathic unilateral facial neuropathy. It was found that facial TMS showed high sensitivity as an early diagnostic tool, while facial NCSs could predict prognosis, with the CMAP reduction rate significantly associated with poor short-term prognosis.
NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Juhi Gupta, Sheffali Gulati, Upinder Pal Singh, Atin Kumar, Prashant Jauhari, Biswaroop Chakrabarty, Ravindra Mohan Pandey, Renu Bhatia, Suman Jain, Achal Srivastava
Summary: This study aimed to assess the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of combining 6-Hz primed rTMS with mCIMT in improving upper limb function in children with unilateral CP. The results show that the combination therapy is safe, feasible, and superior to mCIMT alone in improving upper limb function. The improvements were sustained at 12 weeks.
NEUROREHABILITATION AND NEURAL REPAIR
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Myung Chul Yoo, Dong Choon Park, Seung Geun Yeo
Summary: This study investigated the recovery outcomes of Bell's palsy patients over six months and found an association between initial severity of facial weakness and favorable outcomes. Patients with initial House-Brackmann grades 3-4 had a higher rate of recovery compared to those with grades 5-6, with various clinical factors such as age, electromyography results, and treatment interventions influencing outcomes differently based on initial severity levels.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Review
Psychiatry
Jeffrey D. Voigt, Andrew F. Leuchter, Linda L. Carpenter
Summary: Through analyzing data from multiple randomized controlled trials, this study found that theta burst stimulation (TBS) is superior to sham treatment in treating major depressive disorder, and is noninferior to standard rTMS therapy (high frequency stimulation over the left prefrontal cortex). These results support the continued development of TBS as a treatment for depression.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Ophthalmology
David J. Ramsey, Laura P. Haas, Susan M. Tucker
Summary: This study analyzed the long-term outcomes of a large cohort of patients with acute peripheral facial palsy (APFP). The results showed that most patients achieved complete recovery within 1 year, but patients with more severe palsy at presentation had a worse outcome.
OPHTHALMIC PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Zicai Liu, Xin Wen, Yuchun Shao, Zihao Wan, Bangliang Liu, Risheng Wang, Huiyu Liu
Summary: This study demonstrates that transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) can be a safe and effective adjuvant therapy for patients with peripheral facial paralysis. Both central and peripheral stimulation can effectively improve facial nerve function, but there is no significant difference in efficacy between the two sites.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Delphine Wohrer, Thomas Moulding, Luigi Titomanlio, Lea Lenglart
Summary: Facial nerve palsy is a common condition in pediatric emergency departments, and early diagnosis is crucial for patient's quality of life. Bell's palsy can be assumed in cases of acquired, acute onset, and isolated FNP, while further investigations are necessary in other scenarios. Treatment depends on the cause, with corticosteroids and antiviral medication recommended for suspected viral infections. Despite the lack of randomized control trials in pediatric populations, children have a high recovery rate with or without treatment.
Review
Cell Biology
Arianna Menardi, Simone Rossi, Giacomo Koch, Harald Hampel, Andrea Vergallo, Michael A. Nitsche, Yaakov Stern, Barbara Borroni, Stefano F. Cappa, Maria Cotelli, Giulio Ruffini, Georges El-Fakhri, Paolo M. Rossini, Brad Dickerson, Andrea Antal, Claudio Babiloni, Jean-Pascal Lefaucheur, Bruno Dubois, Gustavo Deco, Ulf Ziemann, Alvaro Pascual-Leone, Emiliano Santarnecchi
Summary: Noninvasive brain stimulation techniques have potential applications in the study of Alzheimer's Disease, including early diagnosis, disease tracking, and therapy. However, current approaches have limitations. This study reviews and discusses experimental applications that aim to improve the efficacy of future noninvasive brain stimulation techniques.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2022)
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Stefan Evers
Summary: Neurostimulation methods have been studied for over 20 years in the treatment of migraines, with both invasive and non-invasive methods being utilized. Among the non-invasive methods, vagal nerve stimulation, electric peripheral nerve stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, and transcranial direct current stimulation are the most commonly studied and used. However, the efficacy of most procedures is poor due to a lack of consistent positive results from blinded, controlled trials with an adequate number of patients.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Rehabilitation
Dae Rock Kim, Jin Han Kim, Su Hyeon Jung, Yong Joo Won, Soo Myeong Seo, Ji Seong Park, Woo Shik Kim, Gi-Cheol Kim, Jin Kim
Summary: This study aimed to investigate whether early physical interventions can minimize excessive movement or unwanted co-contraction after severe Bell's palsy. The results showed that starting physical therapy before co-contraction develops can significantly reduce synkinesis in Bell's palsy patients.
CLINICAL REHABILITATION
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Alisa Pasichnik, Melissa Tsuboyama, Ali Jannati, Clemente Vega, Harper L. Kaye, Ugur Damar, Jeffrey Bolton, Scellig S. D. Stone, Joseph R. Madsen, Ralph O. Suarez, Alexander Rotenberg
Summary: This study reports the results of fMRI and nTMS language mapping in 19 pediatric epilepsy patients and compares them with definitive testing. The study found that in cases where fMRI showed right-hemispheric language, nTMS showed left-hemispheric or bilateral language representation, and this was confirmed by definitive testing. Therefore, it is proposed that nTMS should be considered for pediatric presurgical language mapping when fMRI shows right-hemispheric language.
ANNALS OF CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Surgery
Jannis Kountouras, Apostolis Papaefthymiou, Stergios A. Polyzos, Christos Liatsos, Elisabeth Vardaka, Maria Touloumtzi, Maria Tzitiridou-Chatzopoulou, Dimitrios Chatzopoulos, Michael Doulberis
Letter
Nutrition & Dietetics
Jannis Kountouras, Apostolis Papaefthymiou, Christos Liatsos, Maria Tzitiridou-Chatzopoulou, Dimitrios Chatzopoulos, Dimitra Gialamprinou, Georgios Kotronis, Elisabeth Vardaka, Evangelos Kazakos, Michael Doulberis
CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2022)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jannis Kountouras, Apostolis Papaefthymiou, Stergios A. Polyzos, Christos Liatsos, Maria Tzitiridou-Chatzopoulou, Dimitrios Chatzopoulos, Elisabeth Vardaka, Dimitra Gialamprinou, Georgios Kotronis, Tharshika Thavayogarajah, Michael Doulberis
DIGESTIVE DISEASES AND SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Kerstin Ziegler, Michael Messner, Mario Paulig, Klaus Starrost, Bernd Reuschenbach, Urban M. Fietzek, Andres O. Ceballos-Baumann
Summary: A 5-year cohort study on multimodal complex treatment for Parkinson's disease (MCT) showed that MCT improved Activities of Daily Living (ADL) disability of Parkinson's disease patients at least 4 weeks after discharge. Moderately and severely impaired patients were more likely to achieve clinically meaningful responses.
MOVEMENT DISORDERS CLINICAL PRACTICE
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Smaragda Ntona, Apostolis Papaefthymiou, Jannis Kountouras, Dimitra Gialamprinou, Georgios Kotronis, Marina Boziki, Stergios A. Polyzos, Maria Tzitiridou, Dimitrios Chatzopoulos, Tharshika Thavayogarajah, Ioanna Gkolia, Georgios Ntonas, Elisabeth Vardaka, Michael Doulberis
Summary: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), also known as metabolic (dysfunction)-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), is characterized by liver cell steatosis in the absence of underlying factors such as alcohol consumption, hepatotropic viruses, and hepatotoxic drugs. There is evidence suggesting a possible link between NAFLD/MAFLD and depression, with overlapping pathophysiological pathways. These include prefrontal cortex lesions, neurotransmitter imbalances, insulin resistance (IR), gut dysbiosis, and altered levels of certain biomarkers. Western diet and IR, which are main components of NAFLD/MAFLD, can also affect neurotransmitters and contribute to emotional disturbances, particularly depressive symptoms.
NEUROCHEMISTRY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Letter
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Jannis Kountouras, Apostolis Papaefthymiou, Stergios A. Polyzos, Evangelos Kazakos, Dimitrios Tzilves, Maria Touloumtzi, Dimitrios Chatzopoulos, Maria Tzitiridou-Chatzopoulou, Christos Liatsos, Christos Zavos, John Kavaliotis, Hasan Kulaksiz, Michael Doulberis
ALIMENTARY PHARMACOLOGY & THERAPEUTICS
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Maria Deligianni, Polychronis Voultsos, Maria K. Tzitiridou-Chatzopoulou, Vasiliki Drosou-Agakidou, Vasileios Tarlatzis
Summary: Neonatologists working in NICUs in Greece experience high levels of moral distress, which is influenced by factors such as moral uncertainty and the lack of support. This study provides insights into the moral distress experienced by neonatologists and identifies predisposing factors that contribute to their distress.
Review
Virology
Evangelia Antoniou, Paraskevi Eva Andronikidi, Panagiotis Eskitzis, Maria Iliadou, Ermioni Palaska, Maria Tzitiridou-Chatzopoulou, Nikolaos Rigas, Eirini Orovou
Summary: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of feeding and breastfeeding difficulties in children with congenital Zika syndrome and to estimate the risk of developing feeding disabilities. The results showed that infants and children with congenital Zika syndrome were likely to suffer from feeding difficulties at various levels, including breastfeeding. Dysphagia problems ranged from 17.9% to 70%, and nutritional and non-nutritive suckling of infants was also affected.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Maria de las Mercedes Ruiz Brunner, Eduardo Cuestas, Rudiger von Kries, Jordan Brooks, Charlotte Wright, Florian Heinen, Andreas Sebastian Schroeder
Summary: This study aimed to analyze the growth patterns of children with CP between countries, compare the differences in growth, and assess the fit of growth charts. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 799 children with CP from Argentina and Germany, aged 2 to 19 years old. The results showed that the decrease in height z-scores (HAZ) with age in Argentina was double that in Germany. Both countries showed decreasing HAZ with age when using the US CP growth charts. Growth differences due to ethnicity, motor impairment, age, and feeding modality were observed, reflecting differences in environment or health care.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Philine Rojczyk, Johanna Seitz-Holland, Elisabeth Kaufmann, Valerie J. Sydnor, Cara L. Kim, Lisa F. Umminger, Tim L. T. Wiegand, Jeffrey P. Guenette, Fan Zhang, Yogesh Rathi, Sylvain Bouix, Ofer Pasternak, Catherine B. Fortier, David Salat, Sidney R. Hinds, Florian Heinen, Lauren J. O'Donnell, William P. Milberg, Regina E. McGlinchey, Martha E. Shenton, Inga K. Koerte
Summary: Sleep disturbances are strongly associated with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and poor sleep quality has a compounding effect on white matter (WM) microstructure in veterans with comorbid PTSD+mTBI. Veterans with PTSD and comorbid PTSD+mTBI reported poorer sleep quality than those with mTBI or no history of PTSD or mTBI. Poor sleep quality fully mediated the association between greater PTSD symptom severity and impaired WM microstructure. Sleep-targeted interventions are necessary for improving brain health in veterans with PTSD+mTBI.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Anja Melder, Esther Wittmann, Lucia Bulubas, Beate Dornheim, Katharina Kerber, Ulrike Vogelmann, Mattia Campana, Jasmin Hubert, Vivien Schmidt, Florian Heinen, Frank Padberg, Mirjam N. Landgraf
Summary: This study is the first-ever investigation of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). The results show that rTMS is safe, tolerable, and acceptable in pediatric patients with FASD. However, the individual improvements in functional cerebral domains and quality of life were not significant, and further clinical studies with larger samples are needed to determine effective stimulation protocols and evaluate treatment response.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Review
Clinical Neurology
Tristan Schmidlechner, Malin Zaddach, Florian Heinen, Sonia Cornell, Georgia Ramantani, Jan Remi, Christian Vollmar, Mathias Kunz, Ingo Borggraefe
Summary: This systematic review showed that children with medically intractable epilepsy experience a mean gain in FSIQ and DQ after surgery. Patients who are seizure-free and ASM-free have higher FSIQ gains. Further research is needed to evaluate individual changes after specific surgery types and their long-term effects.
JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Leonie Grosse, Julian F. Schnabel, Corinna Boerner-Schroeder, Malina A. Spaeh, Anne C. Meuche, Nico Sollmann, Ute Breuer, Birgit Warken, Matthias Hoesl, Florian Heinen, Steffen Berweck, Sebastian A. Schroeder, Michaela V. Bonfert
Summary: This study demonstrates that functional repetitive neuromuscular magnetic stimulation (frNMS) is a safe and well-accepted neuromodulatory approach that could improve the quality of life, especially in regard to activity and participation, of children and adolescents with bilateral spastic cerebral palsy (BSCP).
Article
Pediatrics
Leonie Grosse, Anne C. Meuche, Barbara Parzefall, Corinna Boerner, Julian F. Schnabel, Malina A. Spaeh, Pia Klug, Nico Sollmann, Luisa Klich, Matthias Hoesl, Florian Heinen, Steffen Berweck, Sebastian A. Schroeder, Michaela V. Bonfert
Summary: Non-invasive neurostimulation combined with personalized task-specific physical exercises can improve motor performance in patients with upper motor neuron syndrome. This pilot study demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and practicability of this approach, as well as high satisfaction among patients. The results also showed meaningful benefits on an individual level, supporting further investigation of this intervention.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Jannis Kountouras, Maria Tzitiridou-Chatzopoulou, Apostolis Papaefthymiou, Dimitrios Chatzopoulos, Michael Doulberis
Summary: Frail, elderly individuals have poor immune response after COVID-19 mRNA vaccination, possibly due to inflame-ageing and immune-senescence mechanisms. The complex interaction between cytokines and microbiota also plays a role in this inflammatory cascade. Despite their immunological significance, this population has been rarely included in clinical trials of mRNA vaccination.
MEDICINA-LITHUANIA
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Karlijn Bouman, Jeroen L. M. van Doorn, Jan T. Groothuis, Peter J. Wijkstra, Baziel G. M. van Engelen, Corrie E. Erasmus, Jonne Doorduin, Nicol C. Voermans
Summary: The majority of LAMA2-MD and all SELENON-RM patients had respiratory impairment. SELENON-RM patients showed lower respiratory function which was progressive, more prevalent mechanical ventilation, and more severe diaphragm atrophy and dysfunction than LAMA2-MD patients. Spirometry (FVC%, dVC) and respiratory muscle strength tests (SNIP) are useful in clinical care and as outcome measure in clinical trials.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Oliviero Bruni, Maria Breda, Emanuela Malorgio, Paolo Brambilla, Flavia Ceschin, Andrea Di Pilla, Maurizio Elia, Raffaele Ferri
Summary: This study aimed to describe the use of melatonin by Italian pediatricians in healthy children with chronic insomnia. The results showed that a high percentage of pediatricians prescribed melatonin, especially in children aged 1-2 years. The most common dosage was 1 mg/day and it was usually recommended to be taken 30 minutes before bedtime. Melatonin was often combined with sleep hygiene and was found to be effective in reducing difficulties falling asleep.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY
(2024)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Lucie Sedlackova, Katalin Sterbova, Marketa Vlckova, Pavel Seeman, Jana Zarubova, Petr Marusic, Pavel Krsek, Hana Krijtova, Alena Musilova, Petra Lassuthova
Summary: In this study, whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed to identify causal variants for developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) in patients whose genetic diagnosis was not determined by gene panel testing. The results showed that WES can successfully identify disease-causing variants, even after inconclusive gene panel testing. Detailed clinical evaluations and phenotype-genotype correlation studies were conducted to better understand the rare subtypes of DEEs.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF PAEDIATRIC NEUROLOGY
(2024)
