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RJR: Recommended Bibliography 10 Jan 2026 at 01:33 Created:
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neurone disease (MND) or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles. ALS is the most common form of the motor neuron diseases. Early symptoms of ALS include stiff muscles, muscle twitches, and gradual increasing weakness and muscle wasting. Limb-onset ALS begins with weakness in the arms or legs, while bulbar-onset ALS begins with difficulty speaking or swallowing. Around half of people with ALS develop at least mild difficulties with thinking and behavior, and about 15% develop frontotemporal dementia. Motor neuron loss continues until the ability to eat, speak, move, and finally the ability to breathe is lost. Most cases of ALS (about 90% to 95%) have no known cause, and are known as sporadic ALS. However, both genetic and environmental factors are believed to be involved. The remaining 5% to 10% of cases have a genetic cause, often linked to a history of the disease in the family, and these are known as genetic ALS. About half of these genetic cases are due to disease-causing variants in one of two specific genes. The diagnosis is based on a person's signs and symptoms, with testing conducted to rule out other potential causes.
Created with PubMed® Query: ( ALS*[TIAB] OR "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis"[TIAB] ) NOT pmcbook NOT ispreviousversion
Citations The Papers (from PubMed®)
RevDate: 2026-01-09
CmpDate: 2026-01-09
Defining RNA oligonucleotides that reverse deleterious phase transitions of RNA-binding proteins with prion-like domains.
Molecular cell, 86(1):114-134.e10.
RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) with prion-like domains (PrLDs), such as FUS and TDP-43, condense into functional liquids, which can transform into pathological fibrils that underpin fatal neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Here, we define short RNAs that prevent FUS fibrillization by promoting liquid phases and distinct short RNAs that prevent and reverse FUS condensation and fibrillization. These activities require interactions with multiple RNA-binding domains of FUS and are encoded by RNA sequence, length, and structure. We define a short RNA that dissolves cytoplasmic FUS aggregates, restores nuclear FUS, and mitigates FUS toxicity in optogenetic models and ALS patient-derived motor neurons. Another short RNA dissolves cytoplasmic TDP-43 aggregates, restores nuclear TDP-43, and mitigates TDP-43 toxicity. Since short RNAs can be effectively delivered to the human brain, these oligonucleotides could have utility for ALS/FTD and related disorders.
Additional Links: PMID-41512823
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41512823,
year = {2026},
author = {Guo, L and Mann, JR and Mauna, JC and Copley, KE and Wang, H and Rubien, JD and Bergmann, CA and Carey, JL and Merjane, J and Ngo, M and Xu, J and Odeh, HM and Lin, J and Lee, BL and Ganser, L and Robinson, E and Kim, KM and Murthy, AC and Paul, T and Portz, B and Gleixner, AM and Diaz, Z and Smirnov, A and Padilla, G and Lavorando, E and Espy, C and Shang, Y and Huang, EJ and Chesi, A and Fawzi, NL and Myong, S and Donnelly, CJ and Shorter, J},
title = {Defining RNA oligonucleotides that reverse deleterious phase transitions of RNA-binding proteins with prion-like domains.},
journal = {Molecular cell},
volume = {86},
number = {1},
pages = {114-134.e10},
doi = {10.1016/j.molcel.2025.12.009},
pmid = {41512823},
issn = {1097-4164},
mesh = {Humans ; *RNA-Binding Protein FUS/genetics/metabolism/chemistry ; *Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics/metabolism/pathology ; *DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism/genetics/chemistry ; *Frontotemporal Dementia/genetics/metabolism/pathology ; Animals ; *Prions/genetics/metabolism/chemistry ; *Oligonucleotides/genetics/pharmacology ; Phase Transition ; Protein Domains ; Motor Neurons/metabolism/pathology ; *RNA/genetics ; RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Protein Aggregates ; Mice ; },
abstract = {RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) with prion-like domains (PrLDs), such as FUS and TDP-43, condense into functional liquids, which can transform into pathological fibrils that underpin fatal neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Here, we define short RNAs that prevent FUS fibrillization by promoting liquid phases and distinct short RNAs that prevent and reverse FUS condensation and fibrillization. These activities require interactions with multiple RNA-binding domains of FUS and are encoded by RNA sequence, length, and structure. We define a short RNA that dissolves cytoplasmic FUS aggregates, restores nuclear FUS, and mitigates FUS toxicity in optogenetic models and ALS patient-derived motor neurons. Another short RNA dissolves cytoplasmic TDP-43 aggregates, restores nuclear TDP-43, and mitigates TDP-43 toxicity. Since short RNAs can be effectively delivered to the human brain, these oligonucleotides could have utility for ALS/FTD and related disorders.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*RNA-Binding Protein FUS/genetics/metabolism/chemistry
*Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics/metabolism/pathology
*DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism/genetics/chemistry
*Frontotemporal Dementia/genetics/metabolism/pathology
Animals
*Prions/genetics/metabolism/chemistry
*Oligonucleotides/genetics/pharmacology
Phase Transition
Protein Domains
Motor Neurons/metabolism/pathology
*RNA/genetics
RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Protein Aggregates
Mice
RevDate: 2026-01-09
CmpDate: 2026-01-09
Highly sensitive chemiluminescence imaging of misfolded proteins in neurodegenerative models.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 123(2):e2513311123.
Protein misfolding in the brain is a key pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. Optical imaging of misfolded proteins in disease models is essential for elucidating etiology and early diagnosis. However, developing specific optical imaging probes for each misfolded protein is time-consuming and challenging, leaving many pathological targets without effective detection tools, especially for in vivo imaging. Here, we present a dual-mode chemiluminescence strategy that enables both generic and specific detection of misfolded proteins using a single probe platform. In the generic mode, we demonstrate that ADLumin-1, a chemiluminescent probe, enables highly sensitive detection of diverse misfolded proteins in vitro, achieving up to 128-fold higher signal enhancement than Thioflavin T, and allows noninvasive imaging in mice models of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In the specific mode, ADLumin-1 combined with protein misfolding cyclic amplification allows femtomolar-level detection of α-synuclein in cerebrospinal fluid, while integration with a bio-orthogonal chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer technique enables in vivo discrimination of α-synuclein from Aβ. This dual-mode, modular approach offers a practical solution to the current probe limitations, with potential preclinical and clinical applications in neurodegenerative disorders.
Additional Links: PMID-41512036
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41512036,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhu, B and Liu, Z and Van, R and Wang, H and Kuang, S and Jia, Y and Leon, EC and Yang, F and Zhang, J and Yang, J and Hong, H and Lobo, F and Yu, A and Wang, J and Tanzi, RE and Zhang, C and Mao, X and Shao, Y and Ran, C},
title = {Highly sensitive chemiluminescence imaging of misfolded proteins in neurodegenerative models.},
journal = {Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America},
volume = {123},
number = {2},
pages = {e2513311123},
doi = {10.1073/pnas.2513311123},
pmid = {41512036},
issn = {1091-6490},
support = {R01AG083759//HHS | NIH (NIH)/ ; R01AG085562//HHS | NIH (NIH)/ ; R01AG055413//HHS | NIH (NIH)/ ; R21AG059134//HHS | NIH (NIH)/ ; R56AG059814//HHS | NIH (NIH)/ ; R21AG078749//HHS | NIH (NIH)/ ; S10OD028609//HHS | NIH (NIH)/ ; CSTB2024NSCQ-MSX0365//CSTC | Natural Science Foundation of Chongqing Municipality ()/ ; 2025MSXM061//CQMHC | Science-Health Joint Medical Scientific Research Project of Chongqing ()/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; Mice ; *Protein Folding ; alpha-Synuclein/metabolism/chemistry/cerebrospinal fluid ; *Luminescent Measurements/methods ; Humans ; Disease Models, Animal ; *Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism/diagnostic imaging ; Parkinson Disease/metabolism ; *Proteostasis Deficiencies ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism ; Alzheimer Disease/metabolism ; Brain/metabolism ; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/metabolism ; *Optical Imaging/methods ; Luminescence ; Mice, Transgenic ; },
abstract = {Protein misfolding in the brain is a key pathological hallmark of neurodegenerative diseases. Optical imaging of misfolded proteins in disease models is essential for elucidating etiology and early diagnosis. However, developing specific optical imaging probes for each misfolded protein is time-consuming and challenging, leaving many pathological targets without effective detection tools, especially for in vivo imaging. Here, we present a dual-mode chemiluminescence strategy that enables both generic and specific detection of misfolded proteins using a single probe platform. In the generic mode, we demonstrate that ADLumin-1, a chemiluminescent probe, enables highly sensitive detection of diverse misfolded proteins in vitro, achieving up to 128-fold higher signal enhancement than Thioflavin T, and allows noninvasive imaging in mice models of Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. In the specific mode, ADLumin-1 combined with protein misfolding cyclic amplification allows femtomolar-level detection of α-synuclein in cerebrospinal fluid, while integration with a bio-orthogonal chemiluminescence resonance energy transfer technique enables in vivo discrimination of α-synuclein from Aβ. This dual-mode, modular approach offers a practical solution to the current probe limitations, with potential preclinical and clinical applications in neurodegenerative disorders.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Animals
Mice
*Protein Folding
alpha-Synuclein/metabolism/chemistry/cerebrospinal fluid
*Luminescent Measurements/methods
Humans
Disease Models, Animal
*Neurodegenerative Diseases/metabolism/diagnostic imaging
Parkinson Disease/metabolism
*Proteostasis Deficiencies
Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism
Alzheimer Disease/metabolism
Brain/metabolism
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/metabolism
*Optical Imaging/methods
Luminescence
Mice, Transgenic
RevDate: 2026-01-09
Utility of simple speech measures in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis assessment: Focus on alternating motion rate as a screening tool.
Folia phoniatrica et logopaedica : official organ of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP) pii:000550424 [Epub ahead of print].
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons. Early detection of bulbar symptoms is crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention; however, variability in symptom progression complicates clinical assessment. This retrospective observational study aimed to classify patients with ALS into three groups-spinal onset, spinal onset with bulbar involvement, and bulbar onset-and to identify speech evaluation metrics that effectively differentiate these groups. Data from 68 patients with ALS were retrospectively analyzed. Speech samples were collected and evaluated for alternating motion rate (AMR), maximum phonation time (MPT), nasality, maximum tongue pressure (MTP), speech rate, and speech intelligibility. Group comparisons and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted to assess discriminatory ability. AMR significantly differed among the three groups, with the spinal-onset group demonstrating the highest rates and the bulbar-onset group showing the lowest rates. ROC analysis indicated that AMR exhibited excellent discriminatory power, particularly in distinguishing spinal- from bulbar-onset ALS. Significant differences were also observed in MTP, nasality, speech rate, and speech intelligibility, although some metrics were less effective in differentiating the intermediate group. No significant group differences were found in MPT. These findings suggest that the AMR is a sensitive and easily administered measure for detecting bulbar symptoms and distinguishing ALS subtypes. The intermediate characteristics observed in the spinal-onset with bulbar involvement group support this classification as a distinct clinical phenotype. Combining AMR with secondary measures such as MTP, nasality, speech rate, and speech intelligibility may enhance early detection of bulbar symptoms and improve clinical decision-making.
Additional Links: PMID-41511908
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41511908,
year = {2026},
author = {Tsujisawa, Y and Takahashi-Iwata, I and Yabe, I and Mukaino, M and Shibamoto, I},
title = {Utility of simple speech measures in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis assessment: Focus on alternating motion rate as a screening tool.},
journal = {Folia phoniatrica et logopaedica : official organ of the International Association of Logopedics and Phoniatrics (IALP)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-26},
doi = {10.1159/000550424},
pmid = {41511908},
issn = {1421-9972},
abstract = {Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive degeneration of motor neurons. Early detection of bulbar symptoms is crucial for timely diagnosis and intervention; however, variability in symptom progression complicates clinical assessment. This retrospective observational study aimed to classify patients with ALS into three groups-spinal onset, spinal onset with bulbar involvement, and bulbar onset-and to identify speech evaluation metrics that effectively differentiate these groups. Data from 68 patients with ALS were retrospectively analyzed. Speech samples were collected and evaluated for alternating motion rate (AMR), maximum phonation time (MPT), nasality, maximum tongue pressure (MTP), speech rate, and speech intelligibility. Group comparisons and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were conducted to assess discriminatory ability. AMR significantly differed among the three groups, with the spinal-onset group demonstrating the highest rates and the bulbar-onset group showing the lowest rates. ROC analysis indicated that AMR exhibited excellent discriminatory power, particularly in distinguishing spinal- from bulbar-onset ALS. Significant differences were also observed in MTP, nasality, speech rate, and speech intelligibility, although some metrics were less effective in differentiating the intermediate group. No significant group differences were found in MPT. These findings suggest that the AMR is a sensitive and easily administered measure for detecting bulbar symptoms and distinguishing ALS subtypes. The intermediate characteristics observed in the spinal-onset with bulbar involvement group support this classification as a distinct clinical phenotype. Combining AMR with secondary measures such as MTP, nasality, speech rate, and speech intelligibility may enhance early detection of bulbar symptoms and improve clinical decision-making.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-09
CmpDate: 2026-01-09
Biomarkers.
Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 21 Suppl 2:e105253.
BACKGROUND: A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9orf72 is the leading genetic cause of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. There remains a critical need for biomarkers that track disease progression across clinical stages. Cross-sectionally, intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) derived from task-free fMRI (tf-fMRI) detects abnormalities in C9orf72 expansion carriers (C9orf72+), even when brain structural differences are subtle (Lee et al., 2017). Few studies have examined longitudinal connectivity changes in C9orf72+, however.
METHODS: We analyzed longitudinal structural and tf-fMRI data and plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentrations of C9orf72+ recruited from UCSF and the ALLFTD Consortia. Mean time from first to last scan was 2.4±1.3 years. Participants included 36 asymptomatic (aSx-C9), 17 prodromal (prodromal-C9), 29 symptomatic (Sx-C9) carriers, and 107 healthy controls (HC). For structural MRI analyses, smoothed gray matter maps were parcellated into 246 regions-of-interest based on the Brainnetome atlas. We conducted voxelwise seed-based tf-fMRI analyses to examine ICNs showing alterations C9orf72+ based on previous literature: salience network (SN), sensorimotor network (SMN), default mode network (DMN), and a medial pulvinar thalamus network (pulvinar). General linear models and linear mixed models (LMM) compared C9orf72+ groups to HC in baseline and longitudinal gray matter and functional connectivity, as well as examined associations between longitudinal functional connectivity changes and baseline NfL concentrations.
RESULTS: Despite a lack of longitudinal gray matter decline, aSx- and Sx-C9orf72+ showed functional connectivity changes. Compared to HC, aSx-C9 had baseline hypoconnectivity in the SN, SMN, and pulvinar network. Longitudinally, this group showed declines in the SN and pulvinar network, alongside DMN increases. Prodromal-C9 exhibited baseline SMN hypoconnectivity and hyperconnectivity in the DMN and pulvinar network, but no significant longitudinal changes. Sx-C9 showed baseline hypoconnectivity in SN, SMN, and DMN, with additional regions of DMN hyperconnectivity, while longitudinally, SN and SMN connectivity increased. In aSx-C9, higher baseline NfL concentrations correlated with regions of SMN decreases over time and both increases and decreases in the pulvinar network. In prodromal-C9 and Sx-C9 combined, higher NfL was associated with DMN increases longitudinally.
CONCLUSIONS: Though gray matter declines were undetectable over a span of several years, functional connectivity networks changed dynamically in C9orf72+.
Additional Links: PMID-41511885
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41511885,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhang, L and Häkkinen, S and Jung, Y and Mandelli, ML and Leichter, D and Onyike, CU and Rojas, JC and Tempini, MLG and Yokoyama, JS and Boeve, BF and Boxer, AL and Forsberg, LK and Heuer, HW and Kantarci, K and Ramos, EM and Rosen, HJ and Miller, BL and Seeley, WW and Flagan, TM and Lee, SE and , },
title = {Biomarkers.},
journal = {Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association},
volume = {21 Suppl 2},
number = {},
pages = {e105253},
doi = {10.1002/alz70856_105253},
pmid = {41511885},
issn = {1552-5279},
mesh = {Humans ; Male ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Female ; Biomarkers/blood ; Middle Aged ; *C9orf72 Protein/genetics ; *Neurofilament Proteins/blood ; *Brain/diagnostic imaging/pathology ; Longitudinal Studies ; Aged ; *Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics/diagnostic imaging ; Disease Progression ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Prodromal Symptoms ; DNA Repeat Expansion/genetics ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: A hexanucleotide repeat expansion in C9orf72 is the leading genetic cause of frontotemporal lobar degeneration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. There remains a critical need for biomarkers that track disease progression across clinical stages. Cross-sectionally, intrinsic connectivity networks (ICNs) derived from task-free fMRI (tf-fMRI) detects abnormalities in C9orf72 expansion carriers (C9orf72+), even when brain structural differences are subtle (Lee et al., 2017). Few studies have examined longitudinal connectivity changes in C9orf72+, however.
METHODS: We analyzed longitudinal structural and tf-fMRI data and plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) concentrations of C9orf72+ recruited from UCSF and the ALLFTD Consortia. Mean time from first to last scan was 2.4±1.3 years. Participants included 36 asymptomatic (aSx-C9), 17 prodromal (prodromal-C9), 29 symptomatic (Sx-C9) carriers, and 107 healthy controls (HC). For structural MRI analyses, smoothed gray matter maps were parcellated into 246 regions-of-interest based on the Brainnetome atlas. We conducted voxelwise seed-based tf-fMRI analyses to examine ICNs showing alterations C9orf72+ based on previous literature: salience network (SN), sensorimotor network (SMN), default mode network (DMN), and a medial pulvinar thalamus network (pulvinar). General linear models and linear mixed models (LMM) compared C9orf72+ groups to HC in baseline and longitudinal gray matter and functional connectivity, as well as examined associations between longitudinal functional connectivity changes and baseline NfL concentrations.
RESULTS: Despite a lack of longitudinal gray matter decline, aSx- and Sx-C9orf72+ showed functional connectivity changes. Compared to HC, aSx-C9 had baseline hypoconnectivity in the SN, SMN, and pulvinar network. Longitudinally, this group showed declines in the SN and pulvinar network, alongside DMN increases. Prodromal-C9 exhibited baseline SMN hypoconnectivity and hyperconnectivity in the DMN and pulvinar network, but no significant longitudinal changes. Sx-C9 showed baseline hypoconnectivity in SN, SMN, and DMN, with additional regions of DMN hyperconnectivity, while longitudinally, SN and SMN connectivity increased. In aSx-C9, higher baseline NfL concentrations correlated with regions of SMN decreases over time and both increases and decreases in the pulvinar network. In prodromal-C9 and Sx-C9 combined, higher NfL was associated with DMN increases longitudinally.
CONCLUSIONS: Though gray matter declines were undetectable over a span of several years, functional connectivity networks changed dynamically in C9orf72+.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
Male
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Female
Biomarkers/blood
Middle Aged
*C9orf72 Protein/genetics
*Neurofilament Proteins/blood
*Brain/diagnostic imaging/pathology
Longitudinal Studies
Aged
*Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics/diagnostic imaging
Disease Progression
Cross-Sectional Studies
Prodromal Symptoms
DNA Repeat Expansion/genetics
RevDate: 2026-01-09
CmpDate: 2026-01-09
Clinical trajectories and genetic profiles of SOD1-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: insights from a single-center cohort in India.
Journal of neurology, 273(1):72.
Mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene are a predominant, genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Given the marked variability in SOD1 variant prevalence and clinical manifestations across global populations, this study aimed to characterize the genetic and clinical profile of SOD1-associated ALS (SOD1-ALS) in a large cohort of Indian patients. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed for the retrospective cohort, along with comprehensive bioinformatic analyses and interpretation of genetic variants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to assess clinical and survival outcomes. Among 765 individuals who underwent WES, 37 probands (4.8%) from 33 families were identified with SOD1-ALS, representing a substantial 24.2% of familial ALS (fALS) cases. Patients showed a male preponderance (1.64:1) with a mean age at onset of 41.9 ± 13.1 years. Analysis revealed 23 distinct pathogenic/likely pathogenic SOD1 variants, including four novel variants. Remarkably, a high frequency of homozygous variants (6 patients) were observed in the cohort, which were associated with earlier disease onset. Most patients presented with a lower limb onset (67.6%) and a lower motor neuron phenotype. Survival was noted to be prolonged in carriers of H47R, V88M, and I152N variants, while those with juvenile onset showed reduced survival. In conclusion, this study provides the first comprehensive characterization of SOD1-ALS in the Indian population, revealing a distinct genetic profile with a unique spectrum of SOD1 variants and a higher prevalence of homozygous cases. These detailed genotype-phenotype correlations contribute significantly to the genetic etiology of ALS.
Additional Links: PMID-41511639
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41511639,
year = {2026},
author = {Keerthipriya, MS and Kotambail, A and Deekshitha, M and Mahima, R and Ramyashree, MB and Rao, BM and Biswas, P and Baskar, D and Balaji, P and Mehta, M and Gray, O and Wasik, KA and Emde, AK and Polavarapu, K and Preethish-Kumar, V and Reddy, P and Thomas, PT and Nashi, S and Arunachal, G and Vengalil, S and Nalini, A},
title = {Clinical trajectories and genetic profiles of SOD1-related amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: insights from a single-center cohort in India.},
journal = {Journal of neurology},
volume = {273},
number = {1},
pages = {72},
pmid = {41511639},
issn = {1432-1459},
mesh = {Humans ; *Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics/physiopathology/epidemiology ; Male ; India/epidemiology ; *Superoxide Dismutase-1/genetics ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Cohort Studies ; Retrospective Studies ; Mutation/genetics ; Exome Sequencing ; Aged ; },
abstract = {Mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene are a predominant, genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Given the marked variability in SOD1 variant prevalence and clinical manifestations across global populations, this study aimed to characterize the genetic and clinical profile of SOD1-associated ALS (SOD1-ALS) in a large cohort of Indian patients. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed for the retrospective cohort, along with comprehensive bioinformatic analyses and interpretation of genetic variants. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Kaplan-Meier survival analysis to assess clinical and survival outcomes. Among 765 individuals who underwent WES, 37 probands (4.8%) from 33 families were identified with SOD1-ALS, representing a substantial 24.2% of familial ALS (fALS) cases. Patients showed a male preponderance (1.64:1) with a mean age at onset of 41.9 ± 13.1 years. Analysis revealed 23 distinct pathogenic/likely pathogenic SOD1 variants, including four novel variants. Remarkably, a high frequency of homozygous variants (6 patients) were observed in the cohort, which were associated with earlier disease onset. Most patients presented with a lower limb onset (67.6%) and a lower motor neuron phenotype. Survival was noted to be prolonged in carriers of H47R, V88M, and I152N variants, while those with juvenile onset showed reduced survival. In conclusion, this study provides the first comprehensive characterization of SOD1-ALS in the Indian population, revealing a distinct genetic profile with a unique spectrum of SOD1 variants and a higher prevalence of homozygous cases. These detailed genotype-phenotype correlations contribute significantly to the genetic etiology of ALS.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics/physiopathology/epidemiology
Male
India/epidemiology
*Superoxide Dismutase-1/genetics
Female
Middle Aged
Adult
Cohort Studies
Retrospective Studies
Mutation/genetics
Exome Sequencing
Aged
RevDate: 2026-01-09
CmpDate: 2026-01-09
A Comprehensive Overview of Neurophysiological Correlates of Cognitive Impairment in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Cells, 15(1): pii:cells15010037.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to the gradual loss of motor control, typically resulting in paralysis and death within 3 to 5 years of diagnosis. ALS shares neuropathological and genetic associations with fronto-temporal dementia (FTD), a neurodegenerative condition primarily impacting cognitive functions. These two conditions are increasingly viewed as manifestations of a single molecular disease process that affects distinct brain systems, impacting motor neuronal pathways in ALS and fronto-cortical functions in FTD. However, this simple dichotomy belies the complexity of these conditions. In particular, patients with primary motor ALS can also experience significant cognitive deficits. Investigating the pathobiological and neurophysiological underpinnings of these impairments is essential for a comprehensive understanding of ALS and may open avenues for targeted therapies to alleviate these debilitating symptoms. Moreover, the biophysical correlates of cognitive deficits in ALS may serve as sensitive biomarkers for evaluating potential therapeutics. In this narrative review, we begin with an overview of the clinical features and genetics of ALS, followed by a review of the associated cognitive deficits that are adjunctive to motor decline. We then highlight neuroimaging studies from our laboratory and the broader literature, using EEG and other modalities that are beginning to uncover systems-level brain disruptions potentially underlying cognitive impairment in motor-dominant ALS.
Additional Links: PMID-41511321
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41511321,
year = {2025},
author = {Borgheai, SB and Achorn, BE and Zisk, AH and Hosni, SM and Richter, KEG and Menniti, FS and Shahriari, Y},
title = {A Comprehensive Overview of Neurophysiological Correlates of Cognitive Impairment in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.},
journal = {Cells},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/cells15010037},
pmid = {41511321},
issn = {2073-4409},
support = {NSF-1913492//U.S. National Science Foundation/ ; NSF-2006012//U.S. National Science Foundation/ ; P20GM103430//Institutional Development Award (IDeA) Network for Biomedical Research Excellence/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/physiopathology/complications/genetics ; *Cognitive Dysfunction/physiopathology ; Brain/physiopathology ; },
abstract = {Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that leads to the gradual loss of motor control, typically resulting in paralysis and death within 3 to 5 years of diagnosis. ALS shares neuropathological and genetic associations with fronto-temporal dementia (FTD), a neurodegenerative condition primarily impacting cognitive functions. These two conditions are increasingly viewed as manifestations of a single molecular disease process that affects distinct brain systems, impacting motor neuronal pathways in ALS and fronto-cortical functions in FTD. However, this simple dichotomy belies the complexity of these conditions. In particular, patients with primary motor ALS can also experience significant cognitive deficits. Investigating the pathobiological and neurophysiological underpinnings of these impairments is essential for a comprehensive understanding of ALS and may open avenues for targeted therapies to alleviate these debilitating symptoms. Moreover, the biophysical correlates of cognitive deficits in ALS may serve as sensitive biomarkers for evaluating potential therapeutics. In this narrative review, we begin with an overview of the clinical features and genetics of ALS, followed by a review of the associated cognitive deficits that are adjunctive to motor decline. We then highlight neuroimaging studies from our laboratory and the broader literature, using EEG and other modalities that are beginning to uncover systems-level brain disruptions potentially underlying cognitive impairment in motor-dominant ALS.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/physiopathology/complications/genetics
*Cognitive Dysfunction/physiopathology
Brain/physiopathology
RevDate: 2026-01-09
Improving the Efficiency of the Bilingual Input-Output Survey-Home.
American journal of speech-language pathology [Epub ahead of print].
PURPOSE: The Bilingual Input-Output Survey (BIOS)-Home (Peña et al., 2018) is used to provide speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with an estimate of children's exposure to two languages. The current hour-by-hour approach of the BIOS can be time consuming to administer and calculate. The current study seeks to improve the efficiency of the BIOS-Home by replicating Calandruccio et al.'s (2021) finding that the BIOS can be shortened by time periods around children's routines and extending these findings by preliminarily exploring the relationship of the shortened BIOS with results of a bilingual screener.
METHOD: The current study includes 1,337 Spanish-English bilingual children from two data sets. Children's ages ranged from 49 to 71 months (M = 60.58, SD = 4.96). BIOS-Home data were collected by trained bilingual research assistants and SLPs who interviewed caregivers on their children's language input and output hour by hour. Principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted using caregiver-reported BIOS-Home data from both data sets to determine the smallest number of time chunks that could be used to measure language exposure. To explore the validity of the shortened BIOS-Home, bivariate correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between children's semantics and morphosyntax scores and the original and shortened versions of the BIOS-Home.
RESULTS: PCAs using the two data sets identified three time periods (morning, afternoon, and late afternoon/evening) for weekday receptive language and three time periods (morning, afternoon, and evening) for weekend receptive language. Language test score correlations comparing the hour-by-hour and the shortened approaches are highly similar, supporting the validity of the shortened approach.
CONCLUSION: Consolidating the BIOS-Home questionnaire is a viable approach that can save time and elicit valid information about children's bilingual input and output.
Additional Links: PMID-41511175
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid41511175,
year = {2026},
author = {Gomez Becerra, ML and Choi-Tucci, A and Albudoor, N and Bedore, LM and Peña, ED},
title = {Improving the Efficiency of the Bilingual Input-Output Survey-Home.},
journal = {American journal of speech-language pathology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-13},
doi = {10.1044/2025_AJSLP-25-00169},
pmid = {41511175},
issn = {1558-9110},
abstract = {PURPOSE: The Bilingual Input-Output Survey (BIOS)-Home (Peña et al., 2018) is used to provide speech-language pathologists (SLPs) with an estimate of children's exposure to two languages. The current hour-by-hour approach of the BIOS can be time consuming to administer and calculate. The current study seeks to improve the efficiency of the BIOS-Home by replicating Calandruccio et al.'s (2021) finding that the BIOS can be shortened by time periods around children's routines and extending these findings by preliminarily exploring the relationship of the shortened BIOS with results of a bilingual screener.
METHOD: The current study includes 1,337 Spanish-English bilingual children from two data sets. Children's ages ranged from 49 to 71 months (M = 60.58, SD = 4.96). BIOS-Home data were collected by trained bilingual research assistants and SLPs who interviewed caregivers on their children's language input and output hour by hour. Principal components analysis (PCA) was conducted using caregiver-reported BIOS-Home data from both data sets to determine the smallest number of time chunks that could be used to measure language exposure. To explore the validity of the shortened BIOS-Home, bivariate correlation analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between children's semantics and morphosyntax scores and the original and shortened versions of the BIOS-Home.
RESULTS: PCAs using the two data sets identified three time periods (morning, afternoon, and late afternoon/evening) for weekday receptive language and three time periods (morning, afternoon, and evening) for weekend receptive language. Language test score correlations comparing the hour-by-hour and the shortened approaches are highly similar, supporting the validity of the shortened approach.
CONCLUSION: Consolidating the BIOS-Home questionnaire is a viable approach that can save time and elicit valid information about children's bilingual input and output.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-09
New Drug Therapies Against Targeting Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Comprehensive Review.
Central nervous system agents in medicinal chemistry pii:CNSAMC-EPUB-152322 [Epub ahead of print].
Neurodegenerative diseases encompass well-characterized behavioral, cognitive, and movement disorders that affect older people, impacting all facets of daily life. In Alzheimer's disease, specific antibodies targeting the β-amyloid protein (aducanumab, lecanemab, and others) are gaining special interest due to the approval of the first particular drugs against this disease. In Parkinson's disease, most drugs were approved several decades ago; however, new Phase II clinical trials point to monoclonal antibodies as a promising approach, and the report of alkaloids also suggests various therapeutic targets against this disease. Pick's disease has a low prevalence; currently, no drugs are approved by government agencies. However, thanks to molecular tools, it has been possible to elucidate therapeutic targets implicated in the appearance of the disease. α-synuclein is the main therapeutic target in Lewy body disease; most of the reported molecules are in clinical Phases I and II. Additionally, drug repositioning may emerge as a viable option in the search for effective treatments against this disease. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the appearance of newly approved drugs such as tofersen and edaravone, and some others in clinical Phase II (bosutinib), opens a new era in the understanding and treatment of this condition. Altered emotions and progressive damage in some brain regions characterize schizophrenia and vascular dementia. Combinations of tricyclic drugs are a trend that aims to increase the cognitive performance of patients with schizophrenia. In vascular dementia, numerous in vivo trials with molecules of different natures (flavonoids and lactones) have yielded positive results, delaying the progression of the disease. This review examines recent reports on molecules evaluated in vivo and in vitro models of the primary neurodegenerative diseases.
Additional Links: PMID-41510728
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid41510728,
year = {2026},
author = {González-Jiménez, KA and Herrera-Mayorga, EV and Paredes Sánchez, FA and Niño-García, N and Torres-Castillo, JA and Martínez-Padrón, HY and Sánchez-Sánchez, M},
title = {New Drug Therapies Against Targeting Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Comprehensive Review.},
journal = {Central nervous system agents in medicinal chemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.2174/0118715249397580251117044621},
pmid = {41510728},
issn = {1875-6166},
abstract = {Neurodegenerative diseases encompass well-characterized behavioral, cognitive, and movement disorders that affect older people, impacting all facets of daily life. In Alzheimer's disease, specific antibodies targeting the β-amyloid protein (aducanumab, lecanemab, and others) are gaining special interest due to the approval of the first particular drugs against this disease. In Parkinson's disease, most drugs were approved several decades ago; however, new Phase II clinical trials point to monoclonal antibodies as a promising approach, and the report of alkaloids also suggests various therapeutic targets against this disease. Pick's disease has a low prevalence; currently, no drugs are approved by government agencies. However, thanks to molecular tools, it has been possible to elucidate therapeutic targets implicated in the appearance of the disease. α-synuclein is the main therapeutic target in Lewy body disease; most of the reported molecules are in clinical Phases I and II. Additionally, drug repositioning may emerge as a viable option in the search for effective treatments against this disease. In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the appearance of newly approved drugs such as tofersen and edaravone, and some others in clinical Phase II (bosutinib), opens a new era in the understanding and treatment of this condition. Altered emotions and progressive damage in some brain regions characterize schizophrenia and vascular dementia. Combinations of tricyclic drugs are a trend that aims to increase the cognitive performance of patients with schizophrenia. In vascular dementia, numerous in vivo trials with molecules of different natures (flavonoids and lactones) have yielded positive results, delaying the progression of the disease. This review examines recent reports on molecules evaluated in vivo and in vitro models of the primary neurodegenerative diseases.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-09
Indole Scaffolds in Neurological Therapeutics: Synthesis, Structure-Activity Relationships and Drug-Receptor Interactions.
Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry pii:MRMC-EPUB-152367 [Epub ahead of print].
INTRODUCTION: Indole is a privileged heterocyclic scaffold that plays a crucial role in medicinal chemistry due to its strong ability to bind to various biological receptors and interact with diverse molecular targets. Indole exhibits both biological and chemical significance. Its structural versatility allows for precise chemical modifications, making it an essential framework in drug discovery. This review discusses the structure-activity relationships, synthesis, and interactions of indole derivatives, particularly in relation to targets within the central nervous system.
METHODS: A detailed literature survey was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar, Elsevier, PubMed, ACS, PubChem, ScienceDirect, and RSC to understand the structural modifications of indole derivatives and their therapeutic potential. Both research and review articles related to indole- based compounds were thoroughly studied to prepare this review article.
RESULTS: There are over 40 FDA-approved drugs containing an indole nucleus used to treat various diseases, underscoring its potential in neurotherapeutics. This review highlights innovative synthetic strategies, including green chemistry approaches, that improve the drug-likeness and bioavailability of indole derivatives. Indole continues to be an indispensable scaffold in the development of novel therapeutics aimed at addressing the growing burden of neurological disorders.
DISCUSSION: This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the therapeutic potential of indole-based compounds for the treatment of neurological disorders. However, challenges like blood-brain barrier permeability and long-term safety must be addressed for clinical success. Nonetheless, this review will help in designing and developing newer indole-based molecules in the discovery of neurological drug development.
CONCLUSION: Due to its broad spectrum of biological activities and favorable pharmacokinetic properties, indole is an impressive scaffold for the treatment of various neurological disorders. Indole demonstrates remarkable therapeutic potential against a range of central nervous system-related conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, migraine, stroke, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease.
Additional Links: PMID-41510716
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid41510716,
year = {2026},
author = {Bano, A and Khan, AA and Kushwaha, SP and -, A and Zaidi, SMH and Misbahul Hasan, S and Fatima, A},
title = {Indole Scaffolds in Neurological Therapeutics: Synthesis, Structure-Activity Relationships and Drug-Receptor Interactions.},
journal = {Mini reviews in medicinal chemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.2174/0113895575415521251021091530},
pmid = {41510716},
issn = {1875-5607},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Indole is a privileged heterocyclic scaffold that plays a crucial role in medicinal chemistry due to its strong ability to bind to various biological receptors and interact with diverse molecular targets. Indole exhibits both biological and chemical significance. Its structural versatility allows for precise chemical modifications, making it an essential framework in drug discovery. This review discusses the structure-activity relationships, synthesis, and interactions of indole derivatives, particularly in relation to targets within the central nervous system.
METHODS: A detailed literature survey was conducted using databases such as Google Scholar, Elsevier, PubMed, ACS, PubChem, ScienceDirect, and RSC to understand the structural modifications of indole derivatives and their therapeutic potential. Both research and review articles related to indole- based compounds were thoroughly studied to prepare this review article.
RESULTS: There are over 40 FDA-approved drugs containing an indole nucleus used to treat various diseases, underscoring its potential in neurotherapeutics. This review highlights innovative synthetic strategies, including green chemistry approaches, that improve the drug-likeness and bioavailability of indole derivatives. Indole continues to be an indispensable scaffold in the development of novel therapeutics aimed at addressing the growing burden of neurological disorders.
DISCUSSION: This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the therapeutic potential of indole-based compounds for the treatment of neurological disorders. However, challenges like blood-brain barrier permeability and long-term safety must be addressed for clinical success. Nonetheless, this review will help in designing and developing newer indole-based molecules in the discovery of neurological drug development.
CONCLUSION: Due to its broad spectrum of biological activities and favorable pharmacokinetic properties, indole is an impressive scaffold for the treatment of various neurological disorders. Indole demonstrates remarkable therapeutic potential against a range of central nervous system-related conditions, including Alzheimer's disease, epilepsy, migraine, stroke, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's disease.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-09
CmpDate: 2026-01-09
Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus Presenting as Subacute Progressive Quadriparesis and Intractable Pain: A Case Report.
Case reports in neurological medicine, 2026:5565739.
West Nile virus (WNV) is the most common mosquito-borne infection in North America; while most cases are asymptomatic, fewer than 1% develop neuroinvasive disease with significant morbidity and mortality. We report a 57-year-old man from rural Wisconsin who presented with a 10-week history of progressive asymmetric quadriparesis and severe intractable pain, preceded by fatigue, shoulder pain, and paresthesias. Neurologic examination demonstrated mild encephalopathy, bulbar involvement, and mixed upper and lower motor neuron signs. MRI showed patchy thoracic cord T2 hyperintensities and diffuse lumbar ventral root enhancement. Electrodiagnostic studies revealed diffuse active denervation and reduced compound muscle action potentials, initially raising concern for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Elevated WNV IgM and IgG titers in serum and cerebrospinal fluid confirmed neuroinvasive WNV infection. Despite treatment with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin, the patient deteriorated and was transitioned to hospice care. Autopsy demonstrated T-cell-mediated meningoencephalitis with widespread lymphocytic inflammation involving motor neurons, spinal cord, ventral rootlets, and peripheral nerves, consistent with diffuse axonopathy. This case underscores that neuroinvasive WNV may closely mimic motor neuron disease and emphasizes the importance of serologic testing for accurate diagnosis. Management remains supportive, and outcomes can be severe due to extensive central and peripheral nervous system involvement.
Additional Links: PMID-41510529
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Citation:
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@article {pmid41510529,
year = {2026},
author = {Reedy, MB and Abdul Azeem, M and Subramaniam, T and Salamat, S and Rowley, H and Beinlich, B},
title = {Neuroinvasive West Nile Virus Presenting as Subacute Progressive Quadriparesis and Intractable Pain: A Case Report.},
journal = {Case reports in neurological medicine},
volume = {2026},
number = {},
pages = {5565739},
pmid = {41510529},
issn = {2090-6668},
abstract = {West Nile virus (WNV) is the most common mosquito-borne infection in North America; while most cases are asymptomatic, fewer than 1% develop neuroinvasive disease with significant morbidity and mortality. We report a 57-year-old man from rural Wisconsin who presented with a 10-week history of progressive asymmetric quadriparesis and severe intractable pain, preceded by fatigue, shoulder pain, and paresthesias. Neurologic examination demonstrated mild encephalopathy, bulbar involvement, and mixed upper and lower motor neuron signs. MRI showed patchy thoracic cord T2 hyperintensities and diffuse lumbar ventral root enhancement. Electrodiagnostic studies revealed diffuse active denervation and reduced compound muscle action potentials, initially raising concern for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Elevated WNV IgM and IgG titers in serum and cerebrospinal fluid confirmed neuroinvasive WNV infection. Despite treatment with corticosteroids and intravenous immunoglobulin, the patient deteriorated and was transitioned to hospice care. Autopsy demonstrated T-cell-mediated meningoencephalitis with widespread lymphocytic inflammation involving motor neurons, spinal cord, ventral rootlets, and peripheral nerves, consistent with diffuse axonopathy. This case underscores that neuroinvasive WNV may closely mimic motor neuron disease and emphasizes the importance of serologic testing for accurate diagnosis. Management remains supportive, and outcomes can be severe due to extensive central and peripheral nervous system involvement.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-09
CmpDate: 2026-01-09
Redesigning Advanced Life Support teaching and assessment using a constructive alignment approach.
MedEdPublish (2016), 15:48.
Advanced Life Support (ALS) is a crucial component of medical training. Previously, a single-person OSCE-Station (Objective Structured Clinical Exam) was used to assess these skills, focusing primarily on the team leader role and emphasizing theoretical knowledge. However, students demonstrated deficiencies in key algorithm-compliant practical skills, such as cardiac massage, mask ventilation and defibrillator use, and struggled to integrate into a team-based resuscitation approach. To address this, a constructive alignment approach was used to revise the course and offer a guideline-appropriate, three-person resuscitation model. Learning outcomes and assessment targets were aligned with the course activities to increase student engagement and increase desired skill attainment. In the summer semester 2023, students and lecturers were briefed on the new structure of the course and assessment, specific skills were highlighted, and a model video was provided. The OSCE format was adjusted to assess both practical and non-technical skills. In the new setup, each student was randomly assigned one of three roles and assessed using role-specific checklists with defined criteria, focusing on non-technical and practical abilities. Course activity included training and practice in the three-person resuscitation approach. A team OSCE (tOSCE) approach for assessment was used, with one student for each role being examined. Results indicated both subjective and objective markers of satisfaction in course activities and tOSCE results. A team-based OSCE station proves effective for teaching combined practical and non-technical competencies.
Additional Links: PMID-41510219
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Citation:
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@article {pmid41510219,
year = {2025},
author = {Moll, S and Tannemann, N and Gestmann, M and Brenner, T and Herbstreit, F and Szalai, C},
title = {Redesigning Advanced Life Support teaching and assessment using a constructive alignment approach.},
journal = {MedEdPublish (2016)},
volume = {15},
number = {},
pages = {48},
pmid = {41510219},
issn = {2312-7996},
abstract = {Advanced Life Support (ALS) is a crucial component of medical training. Previously, a single-person OSCE-Station (Objective Structured Clinical Exam) was used to assess these skills, focusing primarily on the team leader role and emphasizing theoretical knowledge. However, students demonstrated deficiencies in key algorithm-compliant practical skills, such as cardiac massage, mask ventilation and defibrillator use, and struggled to integrate into a team-based resuscitation approach. To address this, a constructive alignment approach was used to revise the course and offer a guideline-appropriate, three-person resuscitation model. Learning outcomes and assessment targets were aligned with the course activities to increase student engagement and increase desired skill attainment. In the summer semester 2023, students and lecturers were briefed on the new structure of the course and assessment, specific skills were highlighted, and a model video was provided. The OSCE format was adjusted to assess both practical and non-technical skills. In the new setup, each student was randomly assigned one of three roles and assessed using role-specific checklists with defined criteria, focusing on non-technical and practical abilities. Course activity included training and practice in the three-person resuscitation approach. A team OSCE (tOSCE) approach for assessment was used, with one student for each role being examined. Results indicated both subjective and objective markers of satisfaction in course activities and tOSCE results. A team-based OSCE station proves effective for teaching combined practical and non-technical competencies.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-09
CmpDate: 2026-01-09
Guam amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS/PDC) features CTE-like tau seeds in brain and spinal cord.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology pii:2025.12.22.696002.
UNLABELLED: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS/PDC) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that was once hyperendemic in the island of Guam (Mariana Islands, US) and a few other Pacific locales. Despite extensive investigations into its origins, the etiology of ALS/PDC remains unclear. ALS/PDC is, at the neuropathology level, characterized by tau-dominant multiple proteinopathy in brain and spinal cord. It was recently reported that Guam ALS/PDC brain extracts exhibit tau seeding activity in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensor cells. To build upon those findings and explore the nature of tau seeds in ALS/PDC in more detail, we used an alanine mutational scanning (Ala scan) approach to determine the seeding profile of tau in nervous tissues of Guam ALS/PDC cases. First, we confirmed the detection of tau seeding activity in ALS/PDC brain samples in tau biosensor cells. Notably, we could also detect potent tau seeding activity in spinal cord. Subsequent Ala scan assays demonstrated that ALS/PDC tau displays an aggregate incorporation pattern that resembles that of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)-type tau. This result is consistent with recent electron cryo-microscopy studies of tau, which revealed that ALS/PDC tau filaments are predominantly of the CTE-type. The structural characteristics and seeding behavior of ALS/PDC tau, as well as the regional distribution of tau pathology at post-mortem, suggest that ALS/PDC is a CTE-like tauopathy.
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Neurodegenerative tauopathies are characterized by proteinaceous deposits containing microtubule-associated tau in nervous tissue. Emerging evidence suggests that disease-associated tau proteins adopt abnormal, self-propagating conformations characteristic of prions. Here, we employed alanine mutational scanning (Ala scan) to determine the nature of prion-like tau seeds in ALS/PDC, a mysterious disorder that occurred formerly in high incidence in certain regions in the western Pacific. We show that the Ala scan incorporation profile of ALS/PDC tau is similar to that of abnormal tau proteins in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The findings lend support to the idea that ALS/PDC can be classified structurally as a CTE-like tauopathy. This work may have important implications for our understanding of ALS/PDC as well as common neurological disorders beyond the Pacific.
Additional Links: PMID-41509476
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@article {pmid41509476,
year = {2025},
author = {Saez-Calveras, N and Verheijen, BM and Morgan, N and Hill, E and Taylor, S and Oyanagi, K and Kakita, A and Song, Y and Joachimiak, LA and Vaquer-Alicea, J and Diamond, MI and Lu, Y},
title = {Guam amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS/PDC) features CTE-like tau seeds in brain and spinal cord.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.64898/2025.12.22.696002},
pmid = {41509476},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {UNLABELLED: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/parkinsonism-dementia complex (ALS/PDC) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder that was once hyperendemic in the island of Guam (Mariana Islands, US) and a few other Pacific locales. Despite extensive investigations into its origins, the etiology of ALS/PDC remains unclear. ALS/PDC is, at the neuropathology level, characterized by tau-dominant multiple proteinopathy in brain and spinal cord. It was recently reported that Guam ALS/PDC brain extracts exhibit tau seeding activity in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensor cells. To build upon those findings and explore the nature of tau seeds in ALS/PDC in more detail, we used an alanine mutational scanning (Ala scan) approach to determine the seeding profile of tau in nervous tissues of Guam ALS/PDC cases. First, we confirmed the detection of tau seeding activity in ALS/PDC brain samples in tau biosensor cells. Notably, we could also detect potent tau seeding activity in spinal cord. Subsequent Ala scan assays demonstrated that ALS/PDC tau displays an aggregate incorporation pattern that resembles that of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)-type tau. This result is consistent with recent electron cryo-microscopy studies of tau, which revealed that ALS/PDC tau filaments are predominantly of the CTE-type. The structural characteristics and seeding behavior of ALS/PDC tau, as well as the regional distribution of tau pathology at post-mortem, suggest that ALS/PDC is a CTE-like tauopathy.
SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Neurodegenerative tauopathies are characterized by proteinaceous deposits containing microtubule-associated tau in nervous tissue. Emerging evidence suggests that disease-associated tau proteins adopt abnormal, self-propagating conformations characteristic of prions. Here, we employed alanine mutational scanning (Ala scan) to determine the nature of prion-like tau seeds in ALS/PDC, a mysterious disorder that occurred formerly in high incidence in certain regions in the western Pacific. We show that the Ala scan incorporation profile of ALS/PDC tau is similar to that of abnormal tau proteins in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). The findings lend support to the idea that ALS/PDC can be classified structurally as a CTE-like tauopathy. This work may have important implications for our understanding of ALS/PDC as well as common neurological disorders beyond the Pacific.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-09
CmpDate: 2026-01-09
A mouse model of CHCHD10 p.R15L familial ALS presents mild, age-related motor neuron degeneration without protein instability or mitochondrial dysfunction.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology pii:2025.12.29.696888.
Mutations in the mitochondrial protein CHCHD10 (D10) cause a spectrum of hereditary neurodegenerative disorders. Among these, the p.R15L variant is linked to a slowly progressive, late-onset familial form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with unclear pathogenic mechanisms. To better understand this, we investigated a knock-in (KI) mouse model carrying the p.R15L mutation in the endogenous protein. Unlike previously described mutant D10 KI models, p.R15L KI mice exhibited normal D10 protein levels, with no evidence of large protein aggregates. Mitochondrial respiration and hydrogen peroxide emission in mitochondria isolated from muscle and brain were unaltered. Similarly, fibroblasts from human p.R15L carriers exhibited normal D10 levels and unchanged oxidative phosphorylation function. Histochemical analyses of p.R15L KI muscle revealed mild increases in mitochondrial enzymatic activity in a subset of muscle fibers and muscle transcriptomics showed elevated expression of PGC-1α, suggesting enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis. p.R15L KI mice developed subtle, late-onset phenotypes, including reduced body weight and motor activity and increased anxiety-like behavior. Importantly, in aged mice electrophysiological studies demonstrated decreased amplitude of the compound muscle action potential, commensurate with a moderate loss of spinal cord motor neurons and elevated serum neurofilament light levels, indicative of neurodegeneration. Together, these results indicate that the p.R15L mutation produces a mild, late-onset motor neuron phenotype in mice, partially recapitulating the human disease, without mitochondrial functional or morphological alterations. The findings indicate that p.R15L D10 selectively impairs mouse motor neurons through a gain-of-function mechanism, providing a genetically accurate yet mild in vivo model of familial ALS.
Additional Links: PMID-41509469
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@article {pmid41509469,
year = {2025},
author = {Park, J and Stepanova, A and Dash, J and Southwell, N and Zhao, D and Konrad, C and Tyagi, P and Kwan, JY and Shneider, NA and Mentis, GZ and Manfredi, G and Kawamata, H},
title = {A mouse model of CHCHD10 p.R15L familial ALS presents mild, age-related motor neuron degeneration without protein instability or mitochondrial dysfunction.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.64898/2025.12.29.696888},
pmid = {41509469},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {Mutations in the mitochondrial protein CHCHD10 (D10) cause a spectrum of hereditary neurodegenerative disorders. Among these, the p.R15L variant is linked to a slowly progressive, late-onset familial form of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with unclear pathogenic mechanisms. To better understand this, we investigated a knock-in (KI) mouse model carrying the p.R15L mutation in the endogenous protein. Unlike previously described mutant D10 KI models, p.R15L KI mice exhibited normal D10 protein levels, with no evidence of large protein aggregates. Mitochondrial respiration and hydrogen peroxide emission in mitochondria isolated from muscle and brain were unaltered. Similarly, fibroblasts from human p.R15L carriers exhibited normal D10 levels and unchanged oxidative phosphorylation function. Histochemical analyses of p.R15L KI muscle revealed mild increases in mitochondrial enzymatic activity in a subset of muscle fibers and muscle transcriptomics showed elevated expression of PGC-1α, suggesting enhanced mitochondrial biogenesis. p.R15L KI mice developed subtle, late-onset phenotypes, including reduced body weight and motor activity and increased anxiety-like behavior. Importantly, in aged mice electrophysiological studies demonstrated decreased amplitude of the compound muscle action potential, commensurate with a moderate loss of spinal cord motor neurons and elevated serum neurofilament light levels, indicative of neurodegeneration. Together, these results indicate that the p.R15L mutation produces a mild, late-onset motor neuron phenotype in mice, partially recapitulating the human disease, without mitochondrial functional or morphological alterations. The findings indicate that p.R15L D10 selectively impairs mouse motor neurons through a gain-of-function mechanism, providing a genetically accurate yet mild in vivo model of familial ALS.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-09
CmpDate: 2026-01-09
Viscoelasticity and interface properties of multi-component condensates govern protein sequestration and suppression of amyloid formation.
bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology pii:2025.12.29.695806.
Stress granules (SGs) are multi-component protein-RNA condensates widely viewed as crucibles for fibril formation in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Here, we test this model by examining whether SG-mimics promote or suppress amyloid formation. Using multi-component programmable peptide-nucleic acid condensates, we show that condensates delay amyloid assembly by sequestering soluble proteins, and that fibrils grow in the dilute phase. Systematic tuning of condensate material properties reveals two key modulating mechanisms: the density of fibril-forming proteins at condensate interfaces dictates the lag phase of fibril assembly, and condensate viscoelasticity regulates protein efflux-driven fibril growth. These principles extend to SG-mimic condensates formed by G3BP1 and RNA, suggesting that SGs may function as potent suppressors rather than crucibles of pathological amyloid assembly.
Additional Links: PMID-41509200
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@article {pmid41509200,
year = {2025},
author = {Mahendran, TS and Bremer, A and Gui, X and Singh, A and Basalla, JL and Chittori, S and Marzahn, MR and Das, T and Mittag, T and Banerjee, PR},
title = {Viscoelasticity and interface properties of multi-component condensates govern protein sequestration and suppression of amyloid formation.},
journal = {bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.64898/2025.12.29.695806},
pmid = {41509200},
issn = {2692-8205},
abstract = {Stress granules (SGs) are multi-component protein-RNA condensates widely viewed as crucibles for fibril formation in neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Here, we test this model by examining whether SG-mimics promote or suppress amyloid formation. Using multi-component programmable peptide-nucleic acid condensates, we show that condensates delay amyloid assembly by sequestering soluble proteins, and that fibrils grow in the dilute phase. Systematic tuning of condensate material properties reveals two key modulating mechanisms: the density of fibril-forming proteins at condensate interfaces dictates the lag phase of fibril assembly, and condensate viscoelasticity regulates protein efflux-driven fibril growth. These principles extend to SG-mimic condensates formed by G3BP1 and RNA, suggesting that SGs may function as potent suppressors rather than crucibles of pathological amyloid assembly.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-08
Proteasome inhibition by VR23 enhances autophagic clearance of FUS[P525L]-mediated persistent stress granule in SH-SY5Y cells.
Molecular brain pii:10.1186/s13041-025-01273-z [Epub ahead of print].
Autophagy is a conserved catabolic pathway that preserves cellular homeostasis through lysosomal degradation. Beyond its general role in proteostasis, selective autophagy mediates the clearance of selective cellular targets such as persistent stress granules (SGs), in a process termed granulophagy. SGs are dynamic cytoplasmic assemblies that normally disassemble after stress relief; however, their aberrant persistence has arisen as a pathological feature of neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the molecular regulation of granulophagy remains incompletely understood. Here, we established a tandem fluorescent SG reporter system with mCherry-pHluorin-FUS[P525L], enabling live-cell visualization of granulophagic flux. Using this system, we screened a chemical library and identified VR23, a proteasome inhibitor, as a potent inducer of granulophagy. VR23 promoted SG clearance through autophagic mechanisms, as evidenced by enhanced LC3 colocalization, lysosome-dependent degradation, and Bafilomycin A1-sensitive flux. Notably, disruption of SG assembly via G3BP1 inhibition abolished VR23-induced clearance, confirming its SG selectivity. These findings suggest a link between proteasome inhibition and granulophagy, highlighting VR23 as a valuable tool compound to dissect the mechanisms of SG turnover, and provide a platform for discovering modulators of pathological SG clearance in protein aggregation.
Additional Links: PMID-41508039
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@article {pmid41508039,
year = {2026},
author = {Kim, SH and So, JH and Kim, YH and Kim, HS and Park, NY and Kim, JB and Jo, DS and Yeom, E and Lee, JA and Bae, JE and Cho, DH},
title = {Proteasome inhibition by VR23 enhances autophagic clearance of FUS[P525L]-mediated persistent stress granule in SH-SY5Y cells.},
journal = {Molecular brain},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s13041-025-01273-z},
pmid = {41508039},
issn = {1756-6606},
support = {RS-2024-00463344//Ministry of Education/ ; P0025489//Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy/ ; },
abstract = {Autophagy is a conserved catabolic pathway that preserves cellular homeostasis through lysosomal degradation. Beyond its general role in proteostasis, selective autophagy mediates the clearance of selective cellular targets such as persistent stress granules (SGs), in a process termed granulophagy. SGs are dynamic cytoplasmic assemblies that normally disassemble after stress relief; however, their aberrant persistence has arisen as a pathological feature of neurodegenerative disorders, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the molecular regulation of granulophagy remains incompletely understood. Here, we established a tandem fluorescent SG reporter system with mCherry-pHluorin-FUS[P525L], enabling live-cell visualization of granulophagic flux. Using this system, we screened a chemical library and identified VR23, a proteasome inhibitor, as a potent inducer of granulophagy. VR23 promoted SG clearance through autophagic mechanisms, as evidenced by enhanced LC3 colocalization, lysosome-dependent degradation, and Bafilomycin A1-sensitive flux. Notably, disruption of SG assembly via G3BP1 inhibition abolished VR23-induced clearance, confirming its SG selectivity. These findings suggest a link between proteasome inhibition and granulophagy, highlighting VR23 as a valuable tool compound to dissect the mechanisms of SG turnover, and provide a platform for discovering modulators of pathological SG clearance in protein aggregation.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-08
Concerns Regarding the Causal Inference and Statistical Methods in Laine et al.'s Study on Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries (Letter-to-the-Editor).
Additional Links: PMID-41506565
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@article {pmid41506565,
year = {2026},
author = {Liang, HY and Huang, PH},
title = {Concerns Regarding the Causal Inference and Statistical Methods in Laine et al.'s Study on Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injuries (Letter-to-the-Editor).},
journal = {American journal of obstetrics and gynecology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.ajog.2026.01.001},
pmid = {41506565},
issn = {1097-6868},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-08
CmpDate: 2026-01-08
Retrospective Study of the Physiological and Molecular Features of the S-FUS (1-359) Mouse Transgenic Model with an ALS-like Phenotype: Lifespan, Body Weight Dynamics, Movement Disorders, and Dysregulation of the Dopaminergic System.
Journal of molecular neuroscience : MN, 76(1):8.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease leading to disability and death. Genetic animal models, like transgenic mice, are critical for studying disease mechanisms and developing therapies. Model validity, experimental standardization, and predictability are key to successful research. This retrospective study analyzed physiological parameters of the S-FUS (1-359) transgenic mouse model over 10 years, focusing on lifespan, body weight dynamics, symptomatic stages, and molecular changes. Hemizygous mice had a mean lifespan of 137.8 days (males) and 125.1 days (females), longer than homozygous counterparts. The symptomatic stage, marked by motor deficits, began at ~ 123 days and lasted 10-15 days. Body weight loss correlated with disease progression, reaching 28.93% of baseline at death. Molecular analysis revealed regional FUS expression differences (midbrain > spinal cord), alongside proinflammatory cytokine activation (Il6, Tnf alpha) and oxidative stress. Dopaminergic dysregulation was evident, with striatal dopamine/metabolite levels rising 40-60%, linked to Maob downregulation and impaired GABAergic inhibition. Midbrain-selective caspase-3 suppression suggested a shift from apoptosis to necroptosis, while spinal cord astrogliosis indicated compensatory mechanisms. Heterogeneity in lifespan, symptom onset timing, and disease duration was observed, underscoring the need for rigorous experimental design, particularly for therapies aiming to delay symptoms or extend survival. Dopamine oxidation emerged as a novel neurotoxicity contributor, highlighting potential therapeutic targets: modulating dopaminergic signaling and reducing oxidative stress.
Additional Links: PMID-41505016
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Citation:
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@article {pmid41505016,
year = {2026},
author = {Bronovitsky, E and Chaprov, K and Khizeva, A and Ivanova, T and Pravdivceva, E and Bobkov, T and Morozova, O and Krayushkina, A and Nebogatikov, V and Ninkina, N and Ustyugov, A},
title = {Retrospective Study of the Physiological and Molecular Features of the S-FUS (1-359) Mouse Transgenic Model with an ALS-like Phenotype: Lifespan, Body Weight Dynamics, Movement Disorders, and Dysregulation of the Dopaminergic System.},
journal = {Journal of molecular neuroscience : MN},
volume = {76},
number = {1},
pages = {8},
pmid = {41505016},
issn = {1559-1166},
support = {FFSG-2024-0020//Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation/ ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/metabolism/genetics/physiopathology/pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Male ; *Dopamine/metabolism ; Female ; *RNA-Binding Protein FUS/genetics/metabolism ; Body Weight ; Spinal Cord/metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Longevity ; Movement Disorders/genetics ; },
abstract = {Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease leading to disability and death. Genetic animal models, like transgenic mice, are critical for studying disease mechanisms and developing therapies. Model validity, experimental standardization, and predictability are key to successful research. This retrospective study analyzed physiological parameters of the S-FUS (1-359) transgenic mouse model over 10 years, focusing on lifespan, body weight dynamics, symptomatic stages, and molecular changes. Hemizygous mice had a mean lifespan of 137.8 days (males) and 125.1 days (females), longer than homozygous counterparts. The symptomatic stage, marked by motor deficits, began at ~ 123 days and lasted 10-15 days. Body weight loss correlated with disease progression, reaching 28.93% of baseline at death. Molecular analysis revealed regional FUS expression differences (midbrain > spinal cord), alongside proinflammatory cytokine activation (Il6, Tnf alpha) and oxidative stress. Dopaminergic dysregulation was evident, with striatal dopamine/metabolite levels rising 40-60%, linked to Maob downregulation and impaired GABAergic inhibition. Midbrain-selective caspase-3 suppression suggested a shift from apoptosis to necroptosis, while spinal cord astrogliosis indicated compensatory mechanisms. Heterogeneity in lifespan, symptom onset timing, and disease duration was observed, underscoring the need for rigorous experimental design, particularly for therapies aiming to delay symptoms or extend survival. Dopamine oxidation emerged as a novel neurotoxicity contributor, highlighting potential therapeutic targets: modulating dopaminergic signaling and reducing oxidative stress.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Animals
*Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/metabolism/genetics/physiopathology/pathology
Mice
Mice, Transgenic
Male
*Dopamine/metabolism
Female
*RNA-Binding Protein FUS/genetics/metabolism
Body Weight
Spinal Cord/metabolism
Disease Models, Animal
Longevity
Movement Disorders/genetics
RevDate: 2026-01-08
CmpDate: 2026-01-08
Targeting neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disorders: the emerging potential of semaglutide.
Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.], 75(1):13.
BACKGROUND: Chronic neuroinflammation is increasingly recognized not as a secondary effect but as a primary driver of neurodegenerative disease progression. In conditions such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Huntington's disease (HD), and Lewy body dementia (LBD), dysregulated glial activity, marked by sustained microglial and astrocytic activation, initiates a cascade of cytokine release, oxidative stress, and impaired neuronal support. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding these shared inflammatory processes, emphasizing how glia-centric pathology shapes disease-specific trajectories and therapeutic responses.
FINDINGS: Within this framework, we evaluate the therapeutic potential of semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) with emerging neuroprotective properties. Preclinical studies suggest that semaglutide can suppress pro-inflammatory signaling, mitigate oxidative injury, and enhance key anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective pathways that restore trophic support and cellular resilience. We also examine real-world evidence and emerging human clinical trial data, which recently demonstrated that semaglutide rapidly modulates AD pathology by significantly reducing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of p-tau, t-tau, and neurogranin, and promoting a less inflammatory CD8[+]T-cell signature. In addition to reduction in neuroinflammation marker, YKL-40. While subsequent large-scale Phase 3 trials in early AD did not meet primary cognitive endpoints (CDR-SB) despite favorable biomarker modulation.
CONCLUSION: Positioning semaglutide as a therapeutic option targeting neuroinflammation-mediated neuropathology, this review underscores its potential for repurposing as a disease-modifying therapy across diverse neurodegenerative disorders and highlights the urgent need for targeted trials in MS, ALS, FTD, HD, and LBD-conditions that remain without effective immunomodulatory treatments despite clear inflammatory origins. However, while direct CSF measurements confirm limited but measurable BBB penetration, the clinical translation of its effects remains a key challenge.
Additional Links: PMID-41504939
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@article {pmid41504939,
year = {2026},
author = {Evola, V and Parmar, MS},
title = {Targeting neuroinflammation in neurodegenerative disorders: the emerging potential of semaglutide.},
journal = {Inflammation research : official journal of the European Histamine Research Society ... [et al.]},
volume = {75},
number = {1},
pages = {13},
pmid = {41504939},
issn = {1420-908X},
mesh = {Humans ; *Neurodegenerative Diseases/drug therapy/immunology ; *Glucagon-Like Peptides/therapeutic use/pharmacology ; Animals ; *Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use ; *Neuroinflammatory Diseases/drug therapy ; *Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use ; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists ; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1 ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Chronic neuroinflammation is increasingly recognized not as a secondary effect but as a primary driver of neurodegenerative disease progression. In conditions such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), multiple sclerosis (MS), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), Huntington's disease (HD), and Lewy body dementia (LBD), dysregulated glial activity, marked by sustained microglial and astrocytic activation, initiates a cascade of cytokine release, oxidative stress, and impaired neuronal support. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding these shared inflammatory processes, emphasizing how glia-centric pathology shapes disease-specific trajectories and therapeutic responses.
FINDINGS: Within this framework, we evaluate the therapeutic potential of semaglutide, a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1RA) with emerging neuroprotective properties. Preclinical studies suggest that semaglutide can suppress pro-inflammatory signaling, mitigate oxidative injury, and enhance key anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective pathways that restore trophic support and cellular resilience. We also examine real-world evidence and emerging human clinical trial data, which recently demonstrated that semaglutide rapidly modulates AD pathology by significantly reducing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of p-tau, t-tau, and neurogranin, and promoting a less inflammatory CD8[+]T-cell signature. In addition to reduction in neuroinflammation marker, YKL-40. While subsequent large-scale Phase 3 trials in early AD did not meet primary cognitive endpoints (CDR-SB) despite favorable biomarker modulation.
CONCLUSION: Positioning semaglutide as a therapeutic option targeting neuroinflammation-mediated neuropathology, this review underscores its potential for repurposing as a disease-modifying therapy across diverse neurodegenerative disorders and highlights the urgent need for targeted trials in MS, ALS, FTD, HD, and LBD-conditions that remain without effective immunomodulatory treatments despite clear inflammatory origins. However, while direct CSF measurements confirm limited but measurable BBB penetration, the clinical translation of its effects remains a key challenge.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Neurodegenerative Diseases/drug therapy/immunology
*Glucagon-Like Peptides/therapeutic use/pharmacology
Animals
*Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use
*Neuroinflammatory Diseases/drug therapy
*Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonists
Glucagon-Like Peptide 1
RevDate: 2026-01-08
"Bright Tongue" and "Wine Glass" signs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Neuroradiology [Epub ahead of print].
A 43-year-old male patient presented with monoparesis in his left leg, which had persisted for one year, then progressed to spastic dysarthria, tetraparesis, wide-based gait, muscle atrophy, weakness, fasciculations, and signs of pyramidal signs in all limbs. Brain MRI findings revealed hyperintensities on T2/FLAIR and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) along the corticospinal tracts, extending from the corona radiata and internal capsules to the brainstem, the "bright tongue sign" and the "wine glass sign,". This case highlights the classic findings in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which was confirmed by electroneuromyography.
Additional Links: PMID-41504787
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Citation:
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@article {pmid41504787,
year = {2026},
author = {de Barros, JAMM and Vasconcelos, AFB and Gomes, ALCB and de Sousa, LMG and Meira, AT},
title = {"Bright Tongue" and "Wine Glass" signs in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.},
journal = {Neuroradiology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {41504787},
issn = {1432-1920},
abstract = {A 43-year-old male patient presented with monoparesis in his left leg, which had persisted for one year, then progressed to spastic dysarthria, tetraparesis, wide-based gait, muscle atrophy, weakness, fasciculations, and signs of pyramidal signs in all limbs. Brain MRI findings revealed hyperintensities on T2/FLAIR and diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) along the corticospinal tracts, extending from the corona radiata and internal capsules to the brainstem, the "bright tongue sign" and the "wine glass sign,". This case highlights the classic findings in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, which was confirmed by electroneuromyography.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-08
[Erratum for: Genetic and Molecular Pathomechanisms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Therapeutic Perspectives – Current State of Knowledge, K. Kalkowski Postepy Biochem. 71(3):252-259].
Postepy biochemii, 71(4):435-436.
Additional Links: PMID-41504722
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid41504722,
year = {2026},
author = {Bąkowska-Żywicka, K},
title = {[Erratum for: Genetic and Molecular Pathomechanisms of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Therapeutic Perspectives – Current State of Knowledge, K. Kalkowski Postepy Biochem. 71(3):252-259].},
journal = {Postepy biochemii},
volume = {71},
number = {4},
pages = {435-436},
doi = {10.18388/pb.2025_643},
pmid = {41504722},
issn = {0032-5422},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-08
CmpDate: 2026-01-08
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis With Concurrent LHON-associated m.14484T>C Mutation: A Case Report and Literature Review.
Revista de neurologia, 80(11):44110.
BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurodegenerative disease that mostly presents as sporadic cases. Currently, no mitochondrial-related gene mutations have been identified as the cause of ALS. Mitochondrial gene mutations cause rare hereditary diseases, and the symptoms of pure muscle weakness and muscle atrophy are rarely observed.
CASE REPORT: We report the case of a young patient clinically diagnosed with ALS concurrently associated with a pathogenic mutation in the mitochondrially encoded nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide: ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit 6 (MT-ND6) gene. However, the pathogenic relationship between the MT-ND6 gene and ALS has not been confirmed.
CONCLUSION: We provide a case report and a literature review aimed at increasing the understanding of the connection between the two. It is essential to consider the potential modifying role of mitochondrial pathogenic genes in ALS.
Additional Links: PMID-41504202
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid41504202,
year = {2025},
author = {Wu, JY and Ye, S and Yin, TL and Zhang, S and Zheng, DF and Fu, JY and Ma, GW and Fan, DS},
title = {Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis With Concurrent LHON-associated m.14484T>C Mutation: A Case Report and Literature Review.},
journal = {Revista de neurologia},
volume = {80},
number = {11},
pages = {44110},
doi = {10.31083/RN44110},
pmid = {41504202},
issn = {1576-6578},
support = {81873784//National Natural Sciences Foundation of China/ ; 82071426//National Natural Sciences Foundation of China/ ; BYSYDL2019002//Clinical Cohort Construction Program of Peking University Third Hospital/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics ; Male ; *Mutation ; Adult ; Female ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a rare neurodegenerative disease that mostly presents as sporadic cases. Currently, no mitochondrial-related gene mutations have been identified as the cause of ALS. Mitochondrial gene mutations cause rare hereditary diseases, and the symptoms of pure muscle weakness and muscle atrophy are rarely observed.
CASE REPORT: We report the case of a young patient clinically diagnosed with ALS concurrently associated with a pathogenic mutation in the mitochondrially encoded nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide: ubiquinone oxidoreductase core subunit 6 (MT-ND6) gene. However, the pathogenic relationship between the MT-ND6 gene and ALS has not been confirmed.
CONCLUSION: We provide a case report and a literature review aimed at increasing the understanding of the connection between the two. It is essential to consider the potential modifying role of mitochondrial pathogenic genes in ALS.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Humans
*Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics
Male
*Mutation
Adult
Female
RevDate: 2026-01-08
H[+] Ions and ATP Reshape the Conformational Landscape of an RNA Recognition Motif and Regulate Its Fibrillation.
Journal of the American Chemical Society [Epub ahead of print].
Proteins exist as dynamic ensembles, with their native states comprising interconverting conformational substates critical to their physiological functions and participation in disease states. Fused in sarcoma (FUS), an RNA-binding protein implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), contains an RNA recognition motif (RRM) known to form fibrillar aggregates. Here, we investigate the conformational plasticity of FUS-RRM in its native state using advanced NMR techniques, particularly [15]N chemical exchange saturation transfer and heteronuclear adiabatic relaxation dispersion experiments, to capture slow and fast microsecond (μs) time scale dynamics. We further examine the influence of environmental factors such as pH and ATP on the conformational plasticity and the aggregation behavior of FUS-RRM. Our findings show that both ATP and pH perturb the fast and slow μs time scale dynamics of FUS-RRM and thus the aggregation behavior. Specifically, a contrasting effect of ATP on slow and fast μs-ms dynamics at pH 6.4 and 4.6, along with the corresponding changes in aggregation behavior, suggests a complex relationship among ATP, pH, and protein aggregation kinetics. The study suggests that these environmental perturbations behave as kinetic regulators of FUS-RRM's propensity for aggregation.
Additional Links: PMID-41504098
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid41504098,
year = {2026},
author = {Aazmi, O and Aswale, AR and Chugh, J},
title = {H[+] Ions and ATP Reshape the Conformational Landscape of an RNA Recognition Motif and Regulate Its Fibrillation.},
journal = {Journal of the American Chemical Society},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/jacs.5c15374},
pmid = {41504098},
issn = {1520-5126},
abstract = {Proteins exist as dynamic ensembles, with their native states comprising interconverting conformational substates critical to their physiological functions and participation in disease states. Fused in sarcoma (FUS), an RNA-binding protein implicated in neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), contains an RNA recognition motif (RRM) known to form fibrillar aggregates. Here, we investigate the conformational plasticity of FUS-RRM in its native state using advanced NMR techniques, particularly [15]N chemical exchange saturation transfer and heteronuclear adiabatic relaxation dispersion experiments, to capture slow and fast microsecond (μs) time scale dynamics. We further examine the influence of environmental factors such as pH and ATP on the conformational plasticity and the aggregation behavior of FUS-RRM. Our findings show that both ATP and pH perturb the fast and slow μs time scale dynamics of FUS-RRM and thus the aggregation behavior. Specifically, a contrasting effect of ATP on slow and fast μs-ms dynamics at pH 6.4 and 4.6, along with the corresponding changes in aggregation behavior, suggests a complex relationship among ATP, pH, and protein aggregation kinetics. The study suggests that these environmental perturbations behave as kinetic regulators of FUS-RRM's propensity for aggregation.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-08
CmpDate: 2026-01-08
Why Is Epinephrine Preferred for Cardiac Arrest? The Answer May Lie in β2-Adrenergic Receptor Activation.
Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark edition), 30(12):47927.
Epinephrine (Epi, adrenaline) is routinely used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for cardiac arrest and is a first line treatment according to the international advanced life support (ALS) guidelines, which recommend 1 mg Epi be administered every 3-5 minutes during CPR. However, specific pharmacological factors that may distinguish Epi from other vasopressor agents used during CPR are unclear. This opinion article argues that one such factor, perhaps even the most important, is the activation of the β2-adrenergic receptor (AR) subtype, which only Epi, among all vasopressor hormones, can induce. β2AR activation equips Epi with more robust capabilities for pulse generation in the pacemaker cells (sinoatrial node) for the heart and of restoring contractile function in ischemic/hypoxic cardiomyocytes via sodium/potassium pump activation, compared to all other vasopressor hormones, including the closely related catecholamine norepinephrine (NE, noradrenaline). These additional actions of Epi via the β2AR, which are probably not shared by NE or other vasopressor agents, may make it particularly useful in situations where simple blood pressure elevation is insufficient, such as cardiac arrest.
Additional Links: PMID-41504056
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid41504056,
year = {2025},
author = {Lymperopoulos, A and M'Sadoques, AJ and Stoicovy, RA and Altsman, VL},
title = {Why Is Epinephrine Preferred for Cardiac Arrest? The Answer May Lie in β2-Adrenergic Receptor Activation.},
journal = {Frontiers in bioscience (Landmark edition)},
volume = {30},
number = {12},
pages = {47927},
doi = {10.31083/FBL47927},
pmid = {41504056},
issn = {2768-6698},
support = {R01 #HL155718-01//National Institutes of Health (NIH)/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) grant/ ; #333609-2025//American Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (AFPE) Gateway to Research Scholarship/ ; },
mesh = {*Epinephrine/therapeutic use/pharmacology ; Humans ; *Heart Arrest/drug therapy ; *Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/metabolism ; *Vasoconstrictor Agents/therapeutic use/pharmacology ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/methods ; Animals ; },
abstract = {Epinephrine (Epi, adrenaline) is routinely used during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) for cardiac arrest and is a first line treatment according to the international advanced life support (ALS) guidelines, which recommend 1 mg Epi be administered every 3-5 minutes during CPR. However, specific pharmacological factors that may distinguish Epi from other vasopressor agents used during CPR are unclear. This opinion article argues that one such factor, perhaps even the most important, is the activation of the β2-adrenergic receptor (AR) subtype, which only Epi, among all vasopressor hormones, can induce. β2AR activation equips Epi with more robust capabilities for pulse generation in the pacemaker cells (sinoatrial node) for the heart and of restoring contractile function in ischemic/hypoxic cardiomyocytes via sodium/potassium pump activation, compared to all other vasopressor hormones, including the closely related catecholamine norepinephrine (NE, noradrenaline). These additional actions of Epi via the β2AR, which are probably not shared by NE or other vasopressor agents, may make it particularly useful in situations where simple blood pressure elevation is insufficient, such as cardiac arrest.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
*Epinephrine/therapeutic use/pharmacology
Humans
*Heart Arrest/drug therapy
*Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-2/metabolism
*Vasoconstrictor Agents/therapeutic use/pharmacology
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation/methods
Animals
RevDate: 2026-01-08
Mitochondria and the Actin Cytoskeleton in Neurodegeneration.
Cytoskeleton (Hoboken, N.J.) [Epub ahead of print].
Mitochondrial dysfunction and cytoskeletal disorganization are widely recognized hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although these disorders differ in clinical presentation and etiology, accumulating evidence points to a shared cellular vulnerability at the intersection of mitochondrial dynamics and actin cytoskeletal regulation. In this review, we examine the emerging role of actin-mitochondria crosstalk as a convergent mechanism in neurodegeneration. We discuss how disruptions in actin filament remodeling, mitochondrial fission and fusion, organelle transport, and mitophagy contribute to neuronal dysfunction and loss across these diseases. Particular attention is given to disease-specific pathways, including cofilin-actin rod formation in AD, α-synuclein-driven actin disruption in PD, mutant huntingtin's effects on mitochondrial fragmentation in HD, and profilin-1-associated mitochondrial defects in ALS. By synthesizing findings from diverse models, we highlight how perturbations in the cytoskeleton-mitochondria interface may act as an upstream trigger and amplifier of neurodegenerative cascades. We also outline key knowledge gaps and propose future directions for research, with an emphasis on targeting actin-mitochondrial interactions as a potential therapeutic strategy across multiple neurodegenerative conditions.
Additional Links: PMID-41503832
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41503832,
year = {2026},
author = {Tuli, S and Patel, P and Shethji, A and Gau, D},
title = {Mitochondria and the Actin Cytoskeleton in Neurodegeneration.},
journal = {Cytoskeleton (Hoboken, N.J.)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/cm.70095},
pmid = {41503832},
issn = {1949-3592},
support = {CA267180/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; TL1 TR001858/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; },
abstract = {Mitochondrial dysfunction and cytoskeletal disorganization are widely recognized hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Although these disorders differ in clinical presentation and etiology, accumulating evidence points to a shared cellular vulnerability at the intersection of mitochondrial dynamics and actin cytoskeletal regulation. In this review, we examine the emerging role of actin-mitochondria crosstalk as a convergent mechanism in neurodegeneration. We discuss how disruptions in actin filament remodeling, mitochondrial fission and fusion, organelle transport, and mitophagy contribute to neuronal dysfunction and loss across these diseases. Particular attention is given to disease-specific pathways, including cofilin-actin rod formation in AD, α-synuclein-driven actin disruption in PD, mutant huntingtin's effects on mitochondrial fragmentation in HD, and profilin-1-associated mitochondrial defects in ALS. By synthesizing findings from diverse models, we highlight how perturbations in the cytoskeleton-mitochondria interface may act as an upstream trigger and amplifier of neurodegenerative cascades. We also outline key knowledge gaps and propose future directions for research, with an emphasis on targeting actin-mitochondrial interactions as a potential therapeutic strategy across multiple neurodegenerative conditions.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-07
Voice-Based Prediction of Survival in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Patients Using Biomechanical Acoustic Markers.
Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation pii:S0892-1997(25)00537-5 [Epub ahead of print].
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether voice-derived acoustic and biomechanical features can serve as non-invasive biomarkers for mortality-risk prediction and survival stratification in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including 50 ALS patients evaluated in a phoniatrics consultation with available sustained vowel recordings, demographic data, and functional assessments. Nested logistic regression models were developed to predict clinical outcomes, progressively incorporating demographic variables, functional indices (Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, Strain, and Barthel), acoustic features (fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, harmonics-to-noise ratio), and biomechanical voice parameters (Pr1-Pr22). Model performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve (AUC) comparisons via DeLong tests. Stepwise Akaike Information Criterion (StepAIC) was applied to optimize the final model. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the association between voice parameters and survival time.
RESULTS: The final StepAIC model, which included a subset of biomechanical features, achieved excellent predictive performance (AUC = 0.903, 95% confidence interval: 0.816-0.989), significantly outperforming baseline and acoustic-only models. Bootstrapping confirmed the model's robustness and generalizability. Cox regression analysis showed that the derived risk scores stratified patients into tertiles with significantly different survival probabilities (log-rank P < 0.0001; hazard ratio for high vs. low-risk group = 11.2).
CONCLUSION: Biomechanical voice features are strong predictors of mortality in ALS and outperform traditional clinical and acoustic indices. These findings support the integration of voice analysis into ALS monitoring protocols as a non-invasive, cost-effective, and scalable prognostic tool.
Additional Links: PMID-41500873
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41500873,
year = {2026},
author = {Pérez-Bonilla, M and Borrego, PD and Mora-Ortiz, M and Fernández-Baillo, R and Mayordomo-Riera, FJ and López, EG},
title = {Voice-Based Prediction of Survival in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Patients Using Biomechanical Acoustic Markers.},
journal = {Journal of voice : official journal of the Voice Foundation},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.jvoice.2025.12.014},
pmid = {41500873},
issn = {1873-4588},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether voice-derived acoustic and biomechanical features can serve as non-invasive biomarkers for mortality-risk prediction and survival stratification in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
METHODS: We conducted a retrospective study including 50 ALS patients evaluated in a phoniatrics consultation with available sustained vowel recordings, demographic data, and functional assessments. Nested logistic regression models were developed to predict clinical outcomes, progressively incorporating demographic variables, functional indices (Grade, Roughness, Breathiness, Asthenia, Strain, and Barthel), acoustic features (fundamental frequency, jitter, shimmer, harmonics-to-noise ratio), and biomechanical voice parameters (Pr1-Pr22). Model performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves and area under the curve (AUC) comparisons via DeLong tests. Stepwise Akaike Information Criterion (StepAIC) was applied to optimize the final model. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate the association between voice parameters and survival time.
RESULTS: The final StepAIC model, which included a subset of biomechanical features, achieved excellent predictive performance (AUC = 0.903, 95% confidence interval: 0.816-0.989), significantly outperforming baseline and acoustic-only models. Bootstrapping confirmed the model's robustness and generalizability. Cox regression analysis showed that the derived risk scores stratified patients into tertiles with significantly different survival probabilities (log-rank P < 0.0001; hazard ratio for high vs. low-risk group = 11.2).
CONCLUSION: Biomechanical voice features are strong predictors of mortality in ALS and outperform traditional clinical and acoustic indices. These findings support the integration of voice analysis into ALS monitoring protocols as a non-invasive, cost-effective, and scalable prognostic tool.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-07
Multidisciplinary care for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in rural Appalachia: Tales from the Clinic Coordinator.
Palliative & supportive care, 24:e29 pii:S1478951525101454.
Additional Links: PMID-41500819
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41500819,
year = {2026},
author = {Zorotovich, J and Andrews, C},
title = {Multidisciplinary care for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in rural Appalachia: Tales from the Clinic Coordinator.},
journal = {Palliative & supportive care},
volume = {24},
number = {},
pages = {e29},
doi = {10.1017/S1478951525101454},
pmid = {41500819},
issn = {1478-9523},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-08
Response letter to Chi-Tung Lu et al.'s Comment on "Efficacy and safety of Gutong Patch compared with NSAIDs for knee osteoarthritis: A real-world multicenter, prospective cohort study in China".
Additional Links: PMID-41500294
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41500294,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhang, Y and Wang, Y},
title = {Response letter to Chi-Tung Lu et al.'s Comment on "Efficacy and safety of Gutong Patch compared with NSAIDs for knee osteoarthritis: A real-world multicenter, prospective cohort study in China".},
journal = {Pharmacological research},
volume = {224},
number = {},
pages = {108086},
doi = {10.1016/j.phrs.2026.108086},
pmid = {41500294},
issn = {1096-1186},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-07
The split elbow sign in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
Neurophysiologie clinique = Clinical neurophysiology, 56(2):103134 pii:S0987-7053(25)00092-9 [Epub ahead of print].
INTRODUCTION: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients can exhibit split phenomena, with preferential weakness of specific muscle groups. The aim of this review is to investigate the split elbow (SE) phenomenon (different weakness/wasting pattern between biceps and triceps) as a potential clinical and neurophysiological feature in ALS.
METHODS: Our study was reported according to the PRISMA statement and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024528359). MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and grey literature sources were searched using the terms "split elbow" and "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis" up to April 2025. English-written peer-reviewed, randomized, non-randomized, observational, diagnostic accuracy, and case-control studies were included. Study quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. Regarding muscle strength, we pooled the standardized mean difference of normalized Medical Research Council (MRC) scores using random effects. We used a bivariate random-effects model to evaluate SE index (SEICMAP, compound muscle action potential of biceps/triceps) in distinguishing ALS from controls.
RESULTS: Seven studies with 1941 ALS patients (61.8 % male) met inclusion criteria. Pooled standardized mean difference (triceps - biceps MRC scores) was -0.17 [95 % CI, -1.03 to 0.69], p = 0.63, indicating no significant difference in muscle strength between elbow flexion and extension. Between-study heterogeneity was high (I[2] = 97.1 % [95.5 %; 98.2 %], p < 0.0001). The SEICMAP demonstrated only moderate accuracy in distinguishing ALS from controls (pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 0.789 [0.655-0.880], 0.580 [0.487-0.668], and 0.661, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence does not support a consistent SE pattern in ALS. Methodological variability and small sample sizes limit the generalizability of available findings, indicating that the SE is unlikely to provide meaningful diagnostic utility in routine clinical practice.
Additional Links: PMID-41499987
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41499987,
year = {2026},
author = {Poulidou, V and Tseriotis, VS and Bombaci, A and Vucic, S and Pavey, N and Papagiannopoulos, S and Kimiskidis, VK and Arnaoutoglou, M},
title = {The split elbow sign in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A systematic review and meta-analysis.},
journal = {Neurophysiologie clinique = Clinical neurophysiology},
volume = {56},
number = {2},
pages = {103134},
doi = {10.1016/j.neucli.2025.103134},
pmid = {41499987},
issn = {1769-7131},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients can exhibit split phenomena, with preferential weakness of specific muscle groups. The aim of this review is to investigate the split elbow (SE) phenomenon (different weakness/wasting pattern between biceps and triceps) as a potential clinical and neurophysiological feature in ALS.
METHODS: Our study was reported according to the PRISMA statement and registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024528359). MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and grey literature sources were searched using the terms "split elbow" and "amyotrophic lateral sclerosis" up to April 2025. English-written peer-reviewed, randomized, non-randomized, observational, diagnostic accuracy, and case-control studies were included. Study quality was assessed using Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tool. Regarding muscle strength, we pooled the standardized mean difference of normalized Medical Research Council (MRC) scores using random effects. We used a bivariate random-effects model to evaluate SE index (SEICMAP, compound muscle action potential of biceps/triceps) in distinguishing ALS from controls.
RESULTS: Seven studies with 1941 ALS patients (61.8 % male) met inclusion criteria. Pooled standardized mean difference (triceps - biceps MRC scores) was -0.17 [95 % CI, -1.03 to 0.69], p = 0.63, indicating no significant difference in muscle strength between elbow flexion and extension. Between-study heterogeneity was high (I[2] = 97.1 % [95.5 %; 98.2 %], p < 0.0001). The SEICMAP demonstrated only moderate accuracy in distinguishing ALS from controls (pooled sensitivity, specificity, and AUC of 0.789 [0.655-0.880], 0.580 [0.487-0.668], and 0.661, respectively).
CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence does not support a consistent SE pattern in ALS. Methodological variability and small sample sizes limit the generalizability of available findings, indicating that the SE is unlikely to provide meaningful diagnostic utility in routine clinical practice.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-07
A multi-country study to co-design and evaluate digital educational resources to support conversations about ending fertility treatment.
Human reproduction (Oxford, England) pii:8416461 [Epub ahead of print].
STUDY QUESTION: How can educational resources be feasibly co-designed and used to support conversations between staff and patients about ending fertility treatment?
SUMMARY ANSWER: Co-design workshops allow for the development of educational resources that account for all stakeholders' perspectives and are considered sensitive, informative, and helpful to support end-of-treatment conversations, but staff and patients have different views about how these can be used within the treatment pathway.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Ending treatment without children is a common outcome but seldom discussed with patients. Preventive end-of-treatment care aims to promote healthy transitions at the end of treatment by preparing and helping patients cope with this possible outcome. Nine in ten patients want to receive such care, but only 3 in 10 report receiving it. Knowledge of perceived barriers to implementing preventive end-of-treatment care at clinics and whether digital educational resources can be developed to support its provision is lacking.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Co-design workshops with fertility staff (March 2022), patients, and patient advocates (March-December 2022) from Europe (Belgium, Finland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and UK) and South America (Argentina, Brazil, and Chile). Staff were invited to participate through fertility professional and scientific associations, and patients and advocates via charities and social media. Eligibility criteria were being aged 18 or older and working in fertility care (for staff) or charity (for advocates) or being waiting to initiate, undergoing, or having undergone treatment within 6 months (for patients).
A preliminary specification and initial prototypes of digital educational resources to support staff and patients, respectively, in having conversations about ending treatment were developed with relevant stakeholders. Co-design workshops with study participants were conducted. A semi-structured script, following Bowen et al.'s (2009)feasibility framework, was used to guide the workshops. Questions covered: (i) experiences, views, and preferences on the provision of preventive end-of-treatment care at clinics and iterative prototypes of the resources to support this provision (acceptability); (ii) perceived need and benefits (demand); and (iii) perceived barriers and facilitators to its implementation at clinics (practicalities). Workshops were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and data were analysed using Framework Analysis.
Fifteen fertility staff, 34 patients, and 7 advocates participated. Staff were mainly psychologists/counsellors (40.0%) or clinicians (26.7%) working in the field for around 23 years. Patients were mostly women (91.2%), on average aged 38 years. Most were childless (73.5%) and trying to conceive for around 3 years. Framework analysis of data collected during the co-design workshops generated four themes and one meta-theme, reflecting a need for a normative shift across countries towards the routine implementation of preventive end-of-treatment care. Themes reflected: (i) demand for routine provision of holistic psychosocial care, including preventive end-of-treatment care; (ii) different views between staff and patients about the risks and extent of benefits of routinely implementing preventive end-of-treatment care; (iii) patient high clarity about the functions of preventive end-of-treatment care (ensuring patients feel prepared and supported in moving through the grief and cope with short-term challenges; explore other pathways to parenthood and re-orient one's life goals; and ensure informed consent for fertility treatment) versus staff lower clarity, with care being equated to signposting patients for timely psychological support; and (iv) co-designed digital educational resources are helpful to support the routine provision of preventive end-of-treatment care at clinics.
Non-probability sample. Although the patient sample was heterogeneous (heterosexual and same-sex couples; private and public sectors), patients were primarily White, well-educated, employed, and childless women, limiting the generalization and comparisons across gender and other personal characteristics (ethnicity, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and disabled), where access to and acceptance of psychosocial support are expected to be lower.
Routine discussions about the end of treatment are needed and beneficial, but staff will require reassurance and training on with whom, when, and how to engage in these. The final version of the digital educational resources is seen as valuable to support a cultural shift in implementing end-of-treatment preventive care at clinics. The co-designed webpages are freely available online in four languages (for staff: www.myjourney.pt/clinics, for patients: www.myjourney.pt/patients). Future research is needed to raise awareness and further investigate how best to support staff in such care provision and measure its impact.
This work was supported by a Research Wales Innovation Fund from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW, grant No.: JA1710IF63). M.S.-L. was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; fellowship No.: SFRH/BD/144429/2019) and the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC; fellowship No.: ES/Z503125/1). The EPIUnit and ITR were funded by the FTC through the Portuguese State Budget (projects No.: UIDB/04750/2020 and LA/P/0064/2020 and DOI identifiers https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/04750/2020 and https://doi.org/10.54499/LA/P/0064/2020). S.G. reports grants from the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), the Wellcome Fund (UK), and the Health and Care Research Wales (UK). Cardiff University holds the Intellectual Property rights for the tool www.myjourney.pt, licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-NCSA 4.0).
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: n/a.
Additional Links: PMID-41499157
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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hide bibtex listing
@article {pmid41499157,
year = {2026},
author = {Sousa-Leite, M and Gameiro, S},
title = {A multi-country study to co-design and evaluate digital educational resources to support conversations about ending fertility treatment.},
journal = {Human reproduction (Oxford, England)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/humrep/deaf248},
pmid = {41499157},
issn = {1460-2350},
support = {//Research Wales Innovation Fund/ ; JA1710IF63//Higher Education Funding Council for Wales/ ; SFRH/BD/144429/2019//Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology/ ; ES/Z503125/1//UK Economic and Social Research Council/ ; UIDB/04750/2020//FTC/ ; LA/P/0064/2020//FTC/ ; },
abstract = {STUDY QUESTION: How can educational resources be feasibly co-designed and used to support conversations between staff and patients about ending fertility treatment?
SUMMARY ANSWER: Co-design workshops allow for the development of educational resources that account for all stakeholders' perspectives and are considered sensitive, informative, and helpful to support end-of-treatment conversations, but staff and patients have different views about how these can be used within the treatment pathway.
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Ending treatment without children is a common outcome but seldom discussed with patients. Preventive end-of-treatment care aims to promote healthy transitions at the end of treatment by preparing and helping patients cope with this possible outcome. Nine in ten patients want to receive such care, but only 3 in 10 report receiving it. Knowledge of perceived barriers to implementing preventive end-of-treatment care at clinics and whether digital educational resources can be developed to support its provision is lacking.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Co-design workshops with fertility staff (March 2022), patients, and patient advocates (March-December 2022) from Europe (Belgium, Finland, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and UK) and South America (Argentina, Brazil, and Chile). Staff were invited to participate through fertility professional and scientific associations, and patients and advocates via charities and social media. Eligibility criteria were being aged 18 or older and working in fertility care (for staff) or charity (for advocates) or being waiting to initiate, undergoing, or having undergone treatment within 6 months (for patients).
A preliminary specification and initial prototypes of digital educational resources to support staff and patients, respectively, in having conversations about ending treatment were developed with relevant stakeholders. Co-design workshops with study participants were conducted. A semi-structured script, following Bowen et al.'s (2009)feasibility framework, was used to guide the workshops. Questions covered: (i) experiences, views, and preferences on the provision of preventive end-of-treatment care at clinics and iterative prototypes of the resources to support this provision (acceptability); (ii) perceived need and benefits (demand); and (iii) perceived barriers and facilitators to its implementation at clinics (practicalities). Workshops were recorded and transcribed verbatim, and data were analysed using Framework Analysis.
Fifteen fertility staff, 34 patients, and 7 advocates participated. Staff were mainly psychologists/counsellors (40.0%) or clinicians (26.7%) working in the field for around 23 years. Patients were mostly women (91.2%), on average aged 38 years. Most were childless (73.5%) and trying to conceive for around 3 years. Framework analysis of data collected during the co-design workshops generated four themes and one meta-theme, reflecting a need for a normative shift across countries towards the routine implementation of preventive end-of-treatment care. Themes reflected: (i) demand for routine provision of holistic psychosocial care, including preventive end-of-treatment care; (ii) different views between staff and patients about the risks and extent of benefits of routinely implementing preventive end-of-treatment care; (iii) patient high clarity about the functions of preventive end-of-treatment care (ensuring patients feel prepared and supported in moving through the grief and cope with short-term challenges; explore other pathways to parenthood and re-orient one's life goals; and ensure informed consent for fertility treatment) versus staff lower clarity, with care being equated to signposting patients for timely psychological support; and (iv) co-designed digital educational resources are helpful to support the routine provision of preventive end-of-treatment care at clinics.
Non-probability sample. Although the patient sample was heterogeneous (heterosexual and same-sex couples; private and public sectors), patients were primarily White, well-educated, employed, and childless women, limiting the generalization and comparisons across gender and other personal characteristics (ethnicity, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and disabled), where access to and acceptance of psychosocial support are expected to be lower.
Routine discussions about the end of treatment are needed and beneficial, but staff will require reassurance and training on with whom, when, and how to engage in these. The final version of the digital educational resources is seen as valuable to support a cultural shift in implementing end-of-treatment preventive care at clinics. The co-designed webpages are freely available online in four languages (for staff: www.myjourney.pt/clinics, for patients: www.myjourney.pt/patients). Future research is needed to raise awareness and further investigate how best to support staff in such care provision and measure its impact.
This work was supported by a Research Wales Innovation Fund from the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales (HEFCW, grant No.: JA1710IF63). M.S.-L. was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; fellowship No.: SFRH/BD/144429/2019) and the UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC; fellowship No.: ES/Z503125/1). The EPIUnit and ITR were funded by the FTC through the Portuguese State Budget (projects No.: UIDB/04750/2020 and LA/P/0064/2020 and DOI identifiers https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/04750/2020 and https://doi.org/10.54499/LA/P/0064/2020). S.G. reports grants from the European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE), the Wellcome Fund (UK), and the Health and Care Research Wales (UK). Cardiff University holds the Intellectual Property rights for the tool www.myjourney.pt, licensed under a Creative Commons AttributionNonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International Licence (CC BY-NCSA 4.0).
TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: n/a.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-07
CmpDate: 2026-01-07
Rsp5/NEDD4 and ESCRT regulate TDP-43 toxicity and turnover via an endolysosomal clearance mechanism.
The Journal of cell biology, 225(2):.
A pathological hallmark in >97% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases is the cytoplasmic mislocalization and aggregation of TDP-43, a nuclear RNA-binding protein, in motor neurons. Driving clearance of cytoplasmic TDP-43 reduces toxicity in ALS models, though how TDP-43 clearance is regulated remains controversial. We conducted an unbiased yeast screen using high-throughput dot blotting to identify genes that affect TDP-43 levels. We identified ESCRT complex genes, which induce membrane invagination (particularly at multivesicular bodies; MVBs) and genes linked to K63 ubiquitination (particularly cofactors of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Rsp5; NEDD4 in humans), as drivers of TDP-43 endolysosomal clearance. TDP-43 colocalized and bound Rsp5/NEDD4 and ESCRT proteins, and perturbations to either increased TDP-43 aggregation, stability, and toxicity. NEDD4 also ubiquitinates TDP-43. Lastly, TDP-43 accumulation induces giant MVB-like vesicles, within which TDP-43 accumulates in a NEDD4-dependent manner. Our studies shed light on endolysosomal-mediated cytoplasmic protein clearance, a poorly understood proteostasis mechanism, which may help identify novel ALS therapeutic strategies.
Additional Links: PMID-41498748
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid41498748,
year = {2026},
author = {Byrd, A and Marmorale, LJ and Marcinowski, S and Dykstra, MM and Addison, V and Barmada, SJ and Buchan, JR},
title = {Rsp5/NEDD4 and ESCRT regulate TDP-43 toxicity and turnover via an endolysosomal clearance mechanism.},
journal = {The Journal of cell biology},
volume = {225},
number = {2},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1083/jcb.202212064},
pmid = {41498748},
issn = {1540-8140},
support = {R01GM114564/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; R56NS128110/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; R01NS097542/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; R01NS113943/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; T32GM136536/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; F31NS141379/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; F31NS134123-01/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; DGE-1746060//National Science Foundation/ ; //University of Arizona/ ; P330AG072931//Michigan Alzheimer's Disease Research Center/ ; },
mesh = {*Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport/metabolism/genetics ; Humans ; *DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism/genetics/toxicity ; *Nedd4 Ubiquitin Protein Ligases/metabolism/genetics ; *Lysosomes/metabolism ; Ubiquitination ; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics/metabolism/pathology ; *Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Complexes/metabolism/genetics ; *Endosomes/metabolism ; HEK293 Cells ; *Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; Multivesicular Bodies/metabolism ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics/metabolism ; },
abstract = {A pathological hallmark in >97% of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases is the cytoplasmic mislocalization and aggregation of TDP-43, a nuclear RNA-binding protein, in motor neurons. Driving clearance of cytoplasmic TDP-43 reduces toxicity in ALS models, though how TDP-43 clearance is regulated remains controversial. We conducted an unbiased yeast screen using high-throughput dot blotting to identify genes that affect TDP-43 levels. We identified ESCRT complex genes, which induce membrane invagination (particularly at multivesicular bodies; MVBs) and genes linked to K63 ubiquitination (particularly cofactors of the E3 ubiquitin ligase Rsp5; NEDD4 in humans), as drivers of TDP-43 endolysosomal clearance. TDP-43 colocalized and bound Rsp5/NEDD4 and ESCRT proteins, and perturbations to either increased TDP-43 aggregation, stability, and toxicity. NEDD4 also ubiquitinates TDP-43. Lastly, TDP-43 accumulation induces giant MVB-like vesicles, within which TDP-43 accumulates in a NEDD4-dependent manner. Our studies shed light on endolysosomal-mediated cytoplasmic protein clearance, a poorly understood proteostasis mechanism, which may help identify novel ALS therapeutic strategies.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
*Endosomal Sorting Complexes Required for Transport/metabolism/genetics
Humans
*DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism/genetics/toxicity
*Nedd4 Ubiquitin Protein Ligases/metabolism/genetics
*Lysosomes/metabolism
Ubiquitination
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics/metabolism/pathology
*Ubiquitin-Protein Ligase Complexes/metabolism/genetics
*Endosomes/metabolism
HEK293 Cells
*Saccharomyces cerevisiae Proteins/metabolism/genetics
Multivesicular Bodies/metabolism
Saccharomyces cerevisiae/genetics/metabolism
RevDate: 2026-01-07
Modeling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in vitro: from mechanistic studies to translatable drug discovery.
Lab on a chip [Epub ahead of print].
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rapidly progressing, fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes selective degeneration of the corticomotor system. Currently, ALS remains incurable, and the available treatment options offer little in the way of extending life or improving quality of life. This is due, at least in part, to a lack of representative disease models. In vitro modeling offers rapid, experimentally accessible platforms for mechanistic discovery research and drug screening, but modeling the complexity of ALS - a multicellular, multisystem disease - in a dish, is not without its challenges. Here, we review the current landscape of in vitro pre-clinical ALS research, with emphasis on the development of compartmentalised culture and the promise this holds for translatable modeling of ALS.
Additional Links: PMID-41498587
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41498587,
year = {2026},
author = {Maskell, KG and Cook, AL and King, AE and Dickson, TC and Blizzard, CA},
title = {Modeling amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in vitro: from mechanistic studies to translatable drug discovery.},
journal = {Lab on a chip},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1039/d5lc00577a},
pmid = {41498587},
issn = {1473-0189},
abstract = {Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is a rapidly progressing, fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes selective degeneration of the corticomotor system. Currently, ALS remains incurable, and the available treatment options offer little in the way of extending life or improving quality of life. This is due, at least in part, to a lack of representative disease models. In vitro modeling offers rapid, experimentally accessible platforms for mechanistic discovery research and drug screening, but modeling the complexity of ALS - a multicellular, multisystem disease - in a dish, is not without its challenges. Here, we review the current landscape of in vitro pre-clinical ALS research, with emphasis on the development of compartmentalised culture and the promise this holds for translatable modeling of ALS.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-07
A GC-MS Data Analysis Platform for Untargeted Metabolomics with Enhanced Coeluting Peak Resolution.
Analytical chemistry [Epub ahead of print].
Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) remains challenged by the accurate resolution of coeluting peaks and the correction of retention time shift in large-scale batch analysis. Here, we introduce AntDAS-CPR, an integrated data analysis platform tailored for untargeted GC-MS-based metabolomics. The platform incorporates modules for total ion chromatogram (TIC) peak resolution, retention time shift correction, component registration, chemometric analysis, and compound identification. In this work, the TIC peak resolution module was specifically optimized through the development of a dynamic elimination multivariate curve resolution-alternating least-squares (DEMCR-ALS) algorithm, which employs multiple initialization strategies to enhance the resolution of coeluting peaks and reduce dependence on initial estimates inherent in conventional methods. The performance of AntDAS-CPR was comprehensively evaluated using standard mixtures and complex food matrix data sets. It was compared with state-of-the-art GC-MS data analysis tools, including AMDIS, ADAP-GC, MS-DIAL, and eRah. Comparative results demonstrated that AntDAS-CPR consistently outperforms existing methods in both targeted and untargeted analysis. The platform is freely accessible at http://www.pmdb.org.cn/antdascpr.
Additional Links: PMID-41498389
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41498389,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, XC and Yang, C and Lv, H and Zhang, XJ and Zhou, WT and Lu, P and Yu, Y and Fu, H and She, Y},
title = {A GC-MS Data Analysis Platform for Untargeted Metabolomics with Enhanced Coeluting Peak Resolution.},
journal = {Analytical chemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.analchem.5c05471},
pmid = {41498389},
issn = {1520-6882},
abstract = {Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) remains challenged by the accurate resolution of coeluting peaks and the correction of retention time shift in large-scale batch analysis. Here, we introduce AntDAS-CPR, an integrated data analysis platform tailored for untargeted GC-MS-based metabolomics. The platform incorporates modules for total ion chromatogram (TIC) peak resolution, retention time shift correction, component registration, chemometric analysis, and compound identification. In this work, the TIC peak resolution module was specifically optimized through the development of a dynamic elimination multivariate curve resolution-alternating least-squares (DEMCR-ALS) algorithm, which employs multiple initialization strategies to enhance the resolution of coeluting peaks and reduce dependence on initial estimates inherent in conventional methods. The performance of AntDAS-CPR was comprehensively evaluated using standard mixtures and complex food matrix data sets. It was compared with state-of-the-art GC-MS data analysis tools, including AMDIS, ADAP-GC, MS-DIAL, and eRah. Comparative results demonstrated that AntDAS-CPR consistently outperforms existing methods in both targeted and untargeted analysis. The platform is freely accessible at http://www.pmdb.org.cn/antdascpr.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-07
Semen extraction efficiency and recovery before and after washing from reusable period underwear.
Journal of forensic sciences [Epub ahead of print].
When sexual assault evidence kits do not yield biological evidence demonstrating sexual contact, clothing such as undergarments is evaluated for the presence of semen. Menstrual underwear is a new type of undergarment and feminine product encountered as evidence in sexual assaults. They are composed of absorbent and leak-proof layers and can be washed and re-worn multiple times. The objective of this work was to determine a best practice for semen and DNA recovery from reusable menstrual underwear. Simulated postcoital samples were deposited on three different brands of menstrual underwear, and alternate light source evaluation failed for two of the three brands tested, though acid phosphatase testing was positive for all three brands tested. Testing of individual layers versus cuttings of a portion of the stain found that a full-depth cutting results in optimal biological sample recovery. Mock postcoital deposits were then washed once or twice and subjected to serological and DNA workflows, with varying results in acid phosphatase and P30 testing after washing once or twice between brands. However, sperm recovery was successful in all samples, and complete short tandem repeat (STR) profiles were obtained from both sperm and nonsperm fractions from all samples, regardless of washing status. With these findings, while sperm recovery has the highest likelihood of success with a full-thickness cutting, forensic scientists should be cautious in depending on ALS for stain location. Additionally, biological materials remain in these brands of menstrual underwear after washing, and therefore, biological material from previous sexual contact could remain and be detectable.
Additional Links: PMID-41498343
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41498343,
year = {2026},
author = {Spencer, C and Connon, CC and Seashols-Williams, SJ},
title = {Semen extraction efficiency and recovery before and after washing from reusable period underwear.},
journal = {Journal of forensic sciences},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/1556-4029.70255},
pmid = {41498343},
issn = {1556-4029},
abstract = {When sexual assault evidence kits do not yield biological evidence demonstrating sexual contact, clothing such as undergarments is evaluated for the presence of semen. Menstrual underwear is a new type of undergarment and feminine product encountered as evidence in sexual assaults. They are composed of absorbent and leak-proof layers and can be washed and re-worn multiple times. The objective of this work was to determine a best practice for semen and DNA recovery from reusable menstrual underwear. Simulated postcoital samples were deposited on three different brands of menstrual underwear, and alternate light source evaluation failed for two of the three brands tested, though acid phosphatase testing was positive for all three brands tested. Testing of individual layers versus cuttings of a portion of the stain found that a full-depth cutting results in optimal biological sample recovery. Mock postcoital deposits were then washed once or twice and subjected to serological and DNA workflows, with varying results in acid phosphatase and P30 testing after washing once or twice between brands. However, sperm recovery was successful in all samples, and complete short tandem repeat (STR) profiles were obtained from both sperm and nonsperm fractions from all samples, regardless of washing status. With these findings, while sperm recovery has the highest likelihood of success with a full-thickness cutting, forensic scientists should be cautious in depending on ALS for stain location. Additionally, biological materials remain in these brands of menstrual underwear after washing, and therefore, biological material from previous sexual contact could remain and be detectable.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-07
CmpDate: 2026-01-07
The many faces of p97/Cdc48 in mitochondrial homeostasis.
Essays in biochemistry, 69(5):.
Through its various roles in protein quality control, membrane dynamics, and cellular survival pathways, the AAA+ ATPase p97/valosin-containing protein emerges as a significant regulator of mitochondrial homeosta sis. This review comprehensively examines the multifaceted functions of p97 in mitochondrial biology, spanning from mitochondria-associated degradation to newly discovered functions in organellar cross-talk and disease pathogenesis. Underlying its cellular importance, p97 mutations are found in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. To elucidate its mechanistic contribution to these processes, we provide a detailed table (Table 1) listing all known mitochondrial Cdc48/p97 substrates and associ ated proteins, categorized by their respective pathways. Recruitment to most of these substrates occurs by specialized adaptors, including Doa1/phospholipase A-2-activating protein, UBXD8, and UBXN1. p97 orchestrates the extraction and proteasomal degradation of outer mitochondrial membrane proteins, which are essential for maintaining mitochondrial integrity. For example, by controlling the turnover of fusion factors MFN1/2 and fission machinery, p97 regulates mitochondrial dynamics. p97 also governs apoptotic signaling through the regulated degradation of anti-apoptotic factors, such as myeloid cell leukemia-1 and VDAC, thereby modulating mitochondrial permeability. In mitophagy, p97 enables the clearance of damaged organelles by extracting ubiquitinated substrates and recruiting autophagy machinery. Beyond proteolysis, p97 facilitates recycling of endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contact sites through regulation of UBXD8-dependent lipid metabolism. Recent discoveries have revealed p97's involvement in pathogen host interactions and circular RNA-mediated regulation, thereby expanding our understanding of its cellular functions. The emerging picture positions p97 as an integrative hub co-ordinating mitochondrial protein homeostasis, organellar dynamics, and cell fate decisions, with therapeutic potential for metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders.
Additional Links: PMID-41498289
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41498289,
year = {2025},
author = {Ram, J and Glickman, MH},
title = {The many faces of p97/Cdc48 in mitochondrial homeostasis.},
journal = {Essays in biochemistry},
volume = {69},
number = {5},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1042/EBC20253045},
pmid = {41498289},
issn = {1744-1358},
mesh = {Humans ; *Valosin Containing Protein/metabolism/genetics ; *Mitochondria/metabolism ; *Homeostasis ; Animals ; *Adenosine Triphosphatases/metabolism/genetics ; Nuclear Proteins ; },
abstract = {Through its various roles in protein quality control, membrane dynamics, and cellular survival pathways, the AAA+ ATPase p97/valosin-containing protein emerges as a significant regulator of mitochondrial homeosta sis. This review comprehensively examines the multifaceted functions of p97 in mitochondrial biology, spanning from mitochondria-associated degradation to newly discovered functions in organellar cross-talk and disease pathogenesis. Underlying its cellular importance, p97 mutations are found in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia. To elucidate its mechanistic contribution to these processes, we provide a detailed table (Table 1) listing all known mitochondrial Cdc48/p97 substrates and associ ated proteins, categorized by their respective pathways. Recruitment to most of these substrates occurs by specialized adaptors, including Doa1/phospholipase A-2-activating protein, UBXD8, and UBXN1. p97 orchestrates the extraction and proteasomal degradation of outer mitochondrial membrane proteins, which are essential for maintaining mitochondrial integrity. For example, by controlling the turnover of fusion factors MFN1/2 and fission machinery, p97 regulates mitochondrial dynamics. p97 also governs apoptotic signaling through the regulated degradation of anti-apoptotic factors, such as myeloid cell leukemia-1 and VDAC, thereby modulating mitochondrial permeability. In mitophagy, p97 enables the clearance of damaged organelles by extracting ubiquitinated substrates and recruiting autophagy machinery. Beyond proteolysis, p97 facilitates recycling of endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contact sites through regulation of UBXD8-dependent lipid metabolism. Recent discoveries have revealed p97's involvement in pathogen host interactions and circular RNA-mediated regulation, thereby expanding our understanding of its cellular functions. The emerging picture positions p97 as an integrative hub co-ordinating mitochondrial protein homeostasis, organellar dynamics, and cell fate decisions, with therapeutic potential for metabolic and neurodegenerative disorders.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Valosin Containing Protein/metabolism/genetics
*Mitochondria/metabolism
*Homeostasis
Animals
*Adenosine Triphosphatases/metabolism/genetics
Nuclear Proteins
RevDate: 2026-01-07
An updated evidence-based recommendation for the treatment of gingival recession associated with non-carious cervical lesions.
Journal of periodontology [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Approximately 50% of the gingival recessions (GRs) are associated with non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs), forming what are known as combined defects (CDs), which often require specific treatment protocols that differ from those used for GRs on teeth with an intact and sound surface. This narrative review aims to evaluate the current and relevant literature on the treatment of CDs and update the latest decision-making process with the new literature.
METHODS: Medline/PubMed, Embase, BIREME, and Google Scholar databases were searched. The NCCL portion of the CDs was classified according to Pini-Prato et al.'s classification (2010). The GR portion of the CDs was classified according to Cairo et al.'s classification (2011) and gingival phenotype. Based on these, a decision tree, supported by the current literature, was proposed.
RESULTS: Several approaches associating different surgical techniques/graft materials with different NCCL restoration protocols and materials are available. When A-, A+, and B- NCCL are present, only a surgical procedure for root coverage is needed based on GR characteristics. When either B+ or V-shaped NCCL is present, a composite restorative protocol and a root coverage procedure should be considered.
CONCLUSIONS: CDs are characterized by the coexistence of gingival recession and a non-carious cervical lesion. This updated decision-making process incorporated current literature, including new evidence on soft tissue grafts, which can guide clinicians in the treatment of CDs.
PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Gum recession often occurs alongside defects in the tooth that are not caused by cavities. These two conditions can appear on the same tooth in about half of the cases. When that happens, treatment becomes more complex and requires careful planning. Choosing the best approach depends on the shape and severity of the tooth defect. This recommendation helps dentists and patients understand how to manage these combined problems. Most cases fall into mild categories (A-, A+, and B-; i.e., shallow tooth defects) and can be treated with standard procedures for gum recession alone. However, about 25% of cases have a more advanced defect (B+; i.e., deep tooth defects), which requires both a tooth restoration and gum surgery. The way gum recession is treated also depends on how thick the gum tissue is. If the tissue is thin, using the patient's own tissue for a graft usually gives the best results. If the tissue is already thick, a graft may not be necessary. In moderate cases, a graft using either patient tissue or commercial materials can improve long-term success. This recommendation summarizes the latest research and provides practical guidance to improve treatment outcomes for both patients and clinicians.
Additional Links: PMID-41498281
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41498281,
year = {2026},
author = {Santamaria, MP and Mathias-Santamaria, IF and Tavelli, L and Barootchi, S and Prato, GPP},
title = {An updated evidence-based recommendation for the treatment of gingival recession associated with non-carious cervical lesions.},
journal = {Journal of periodontology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/jper.70049},
pmid = {41498281},
issn = {1943-3670},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Approximately 50% of the gingival recessions (GRs) are associated with non-carious cervical lesions (NCCLs), forming what are known as combined defects (CDs), which often require specific treatment protocols that differ from those used for GRs on teeth with an intact and sound surface. This narrative review aims to evaluate the current and relevant literature on the treatment of CDs and update the latest decision-making process with the new literature.
METHODS: Medline/PubMed, Embase, BIREME, and Google Scholar databases were searched. The NCCL portion of the CDs was classified according to Pini-Prato et al.'s classification (2010). The GR portion of the CDs was classified according to Cairo et al.'s classification (2011) and gingival phenotype. Based on these, a decision tree, supported by the current literature, was proposed.
RESULTS: Several approaches associating different surgical techniques/graft materials with different NCCL restoration protocols and materials are available. When A-, A+, and B- NCCL are present, only a surgical procedure for root coverage is needed based on GR characteristics. When either B+ or V-shaped NCCL is present, a composite restorative protocol and a root coverage procedure should be considered.
CONCLUSIONS: CDs are characterized by the coexistence of gingival recession and a non-carious cervical lesion. This updated decision-making process incorporated current literature, including new evidence on soft tissue grafts, which can guide clinicians in the treatment of CDs.
PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY: Gum recession often occurs alongside defects in the tooth that are not caused by cavities. These two conditions can appear on the same tooth in about half of the cases. When that happens, treatment becomes more complex and requires careful planning. Choosing the best approach depends on the shape and severity of the tooth defect. This recommendation helps dentists and patients understand how to manage these combined problems. Most cases fall into mild categories (A-, A+, and B-; i.e., shallow tooth defects) and can be treated with standard procedures for gum recession alone. However, about 25% of cases have a more advanced defect (B+; i.e., deep tooth defects), which requires both a tooth restoration and gum surgery. The way gum recession is treated also depends on how thick the gum tissue is. If the tissue is thin, using the patient's own tissue for a graft usually gives the best results. If the tissue is already thick, a graft may not be necessary. In moderate cases, a graft using either patient tissue or commercial materials can improve long-term success. This recommendation summarizes the latest research and provides practical guidance to improve treatment outcomes for both patients and clinicians.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-07
Reframing underserved young women's access to reproductive services: Extending Wier et al.'s review through a life-course, gender-inclusive and digital lens.
Additional Links: PMID-41496372
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41496372,
year = {2025},
author = {Fitriasari, E and Umasugi, MT},
title = {Reframing underserved young women's access to reproductive services: Extending Wier et al.'s review through a life-course, gender-inclusive and digital lens.},
journal = {Sexual & reproductive healthcare : official journal of the Swedish Association of Midwives},
volume = {47},
number = {},
pages = {101177},
doi = {10.1016/j.srhc.2025.101177},
pmid = {41496372},
issn = {1877-5764},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-07
CmpDate: 2026-01-07
Bridging the gap in sexuality and neuromuscular disorders: a scoping review of an overlooked but crucial topic.
Sexual medicine reviews, 14(1):.
INTRODUCTION: Neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) comprise a group of conditions affecting the muscles and/or the nerves controlling them, resulting in progressive muscle weakness. Beyond the physical limitations, NMDs can significantly impact quality of life (QoL), including sexuality. Sexuality, as defined by the World Health Organization, encompasses physical, psychological, and social dimensions. However, research exploring the multifaceted impact of NMDs on sexual well-being remains limited, despite the potential influence of physical impairments, psychological distress, and social stigma.
OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aims to synthesize the existing literature on sexuality in individuals with NMDs, identifying the interplay of physical, psychological, and social factors affecting sexual QoL, highlighting research gaps, and informing future research and clinical practice.
METHODS: A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus databases (up to May 15, 2025) to identify studies examining sexuality in individuals with NMDs. Studies addressing physical, psychological, and social factors influencing sexual health in NMD patients were included. Data were extracted using a standardized form and synthesized narratively. The review was registered on Open OSF (DOI https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/RP9U2).
RESULTS: Fourteen studies with various conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), myotonic dystrophy type 1, myasthenia gravis, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease were included, from interviews to surveys. One key theme that emerged was the extent to which personal narratives reveal the emotional weight of stigma, the struggle with body image, and how intimacy is peripheral in medical institutions. In surveys, many said their sexual activity had declined, particularly among people with progressive diseases like ALS and myotonic dystrophy. Many of these studies also pointed to how sexual health was directly associated with QoL, a good reminder that it's an important aspect of well-being that we need to pay more attention to in care and support.
CONCLUSION: This scoping review highlights a significant gap in research regarding sexuality in individuals with NMDs. The limited number of studies identified underscores the need for further research to understand the complex interplay of physical, psychosocial, and social factors affecting sexual well-being in this population.
Additional Links: PMID-41496184
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41496184,
year = {2026},
author = {Portaro, S and Latella, D and Manuli, A and Calderone, A and Calabrò, RS},
title = {Bridging the gap in sexuality and neuromuscular disorders: a scoping review of an overlooked but crucial topic.},
journal = {Sexual medicine reviews},
volume = {14},
number = {1},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1093/sxmrev/qeaf076},
pmid = {41496184},
issn = {2050-0521},
support = {//Current Research Funds 2024-2025/ ; //Ministry of Health, Italy/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Neuromuscular Diseases/psychology ; *Quality of Life/psychology ; *Sexuality/psychology ; *Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/psychology ; Social Stigma ; Female ; *Sexual Health ; },
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Neuromuscular disorders (NMDs) comprise a group of conditions affecting the muscles and/or the nerves controlling them, resulting in progressive muscle weakness. Beyond the physical limitations, NMDs can significantly impact quality of life (QoL), including sexuality. Sexuality, as defined by the World Health Organization, encompasses physical, psychological, and social dimensions. However, research exploring the multifaceted impact of NMDs on sexual well-being remains limited, despite the potential influence of physical impairments, psychological distress, and social stigma.
OBJECTIVES: This scoping review aims to synthesize the existing literature on sexuality in individuals with NMDs, identifying the interplay of physical, psychological, and social factors affecting sexual QoL, highlighting research gaps, and informing future research and clinical practice.
METHODS: A scoping review was conducted using PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Scopus databases (up to May 15, 2025) to identify studies examining sexuality in individuals with NMDs. Studies addressing physical, psychological, and social factors influencing sexual health in NMD patients were included. Data were extracted using a standardized form and synthesized narratively. The review was registered on Open OSF (DOI https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/RP9U2).
RESULTS: Fourteen studies with various conditions such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), myotonic dystrophy type 1, myasthenia gravis, and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease were included, from interviews to surveys. One key theme that emerged was the extent to which personal narratives reveal the emotional weight of stigma, the struggle with body image, and how intimacy is peripheral in medical institutions. In surveys, many said their sexual activity had declined, particularly among people with progressive diseases like ALS and myotonic dystrophy. Many of these studies also pointed to how sexual health was directly associated with QoL, a good reminder that it's an important aspect of well-being that we need to pay more attention to in care and support.
CONCLUSION: This scoping review highlights a significant gap in research regarding sexuality in individuals with NMDs. The limited number of studies identified underscores the need for further research to understand the complex interplay of physical, psychosocial, and social factors affecting sexual well-being in this population.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Neuromuscular Diseases/psychology
*Quality of Life/psychology
*Sexuality/psychology
*Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological/psychology
Social Stigma
Female
*Sexual Health
RevDate: 2026-01-07
CmpDate: 2026-01-07
Recurarization after sugammadex reversal in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Case report.
Medicine, 105(1):e46928.
RATIONALE: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) confers heightened and unpredictable sensitivity to nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents and a high risk of postoperative respiratory failure. Although sugammadex reliably reverses rocuronium, recurarization may occur and is likely under-recognized in ALS. We report 2 ALS patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, one of whom developed delayed recurarization after apparent reversal.
PATIENT CONCERNS: Both women (67 and 68 years) presented with progressive dysphagia requiring percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Case 1 had dyspnea, dysarthria, and long-standing noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation; Case 2 had bulbar signs without preoperative ventilatory support. The key perioperative concern in both cases was ventilatory failure from residual neuromuscular block.
DIAGNOSES: ALS had been established clinically. In Case 2, recurarization was diagnosed shortly after extubation when acute hypercapnic respiratory failure and clinical weakness followed an earlier recovery to a train-of-four (TOF) ratio of 92%.
INTERVENTIONS: Intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil was used. Case 1 received rocuronium 10 mg (0.2 mg/kg) and was reversed with sugammadex 90 mg (2 mg/kg) at TOF count 0, achieving a TOF ratio of 98% within 3 minutes before extubation and postoperative noninvasive ventilation. Case 2 received rocuronium 30 mg (0.6 mg/kg) and sugammadex 200 mg (3.8 mg/kg) at TOF count 1, recovered to a TOF ratio of 92% at 4 minutes, but developed respiratory failure 3 minutes after extubation; mask ventilation and neostigmine 2 mg with atropine 0.25 mg were given.
OUTCOMES: Case 1 recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postoperative day (POD) 6. Case 2 required intensive care unit admission, re-intubation on POD 1, and re-extubation on POD 3; she was discharged on POD 23 without new neurologic deficits.
LESSONS: In ALS, recurarization can occur despite seemingly adequate sugammadex reversal. When rocuronium is used, sugammadex is recommended for reversal, with vigilant quantitative neuromuscular monitoring and extended post-extubation observation to detect delayed weakness.
Additional Links: PMID-41496108
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41496108,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, YW and Zhang, Y and Hu, X and Li, X and Han, L and Wang, DX and Ding, T},
title = {Recurarization after sugammadex reversal in a patient with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Case report.},
journal = {Medicine},
volume = {105},
number = {1},
pages = {e46928},
doi = {10.1097/MD.0000000000046928},
pmid = {41496108},
issn = {1536-5964},
mesh = {Humans ; *Sugammadex/administration & dosage ; *Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/complications/surgery ; Female ; Aged ; Rocuronium ; Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents/adverse effects ; Neuromuscular Blockade/adverse effects/methods ; Gastrostomy/methods ; Respiratory Insufficiency ; *Delayed Emergence from Anesthesia ; },
abstract = {RATIONALE: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) confers heightened and unpredictable sensitivity to nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking agents and a high risk of postoperative respiratory failure. Although sugammadex reliably reverses rocuronium, recurarization may occur and is likely under-recognized in ALS. We report 2 ALS patients undergoing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, one of whom developed delayed recurarization after apparent reversal.
PATIENT CONCERNS: Both women (67 and 68 years) presented with progressive dysphagia requiring percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy. Case 1 had dyspnea, dysarthria, and long-standing noninvasive positive-pressure ventilation; Case 2 had bulbar signs without preoperative ventilatory support. The key perioperative concern in both cases was ventilatory failure from residual neuromuscular block.
DIAGNOSES: ALS had been established clinically. In Case 2, recurarization was diagnosed shortly after extubation when acute hypercapnic respiratory failure and clinical weakness followed an earlier recovery to a train-of-four (TOF) ratio of 92%.
INTERVENTIONS: Intravenous anesthesia with propofol and remifentanil was used. Case 1 received rocuronium 10 mg (0.2 mg/kg) and was reversed with sugammadex 90 mg (2 mg/kg) at TOF count 0, achieving a TOF ratio of 98% within 3 minutes before extubation and postoperative noninvasive ventilation. Case 2 received rocuronium 30 mg (0.6 mg/kg) and sugammadex 200 mg (3.8 mg/kg) at TOF count 1, recovered to a TOF ratio of 92% at 4 minutes, but developed respiratory failure 3 minutes after extubation; mask ventilation and neostigmine 2 mg with atropine 0.25 mg were given.
OUTCOMES: Case 1 recovered uneventfully and was discharged on postoperative day (POD) 6. Case 2 required intensive care unit admission, re-intubation on POD 1, and re-extubation on POD 3; she was discharged on POD 23 without new neurologic deficits.
LESSONS: In ALS, recurarization can occur despite seemingly adequate sugammadex reversal. When rocuronium is used, sugammadex is recommended for reversal, with vigilant quantitative neuromuscular monitoring and extended post-extubation observation to detect delayed weakness.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Sugammadex/administration & dosage
*Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/complications/surgery
Female
Aged
Rocuronium
Neuromuscular Nondepolarizing Agents/adverse effects
Neuromuscular Blockade/adverse effects/methods
Gastrostomy/methods
Respiratory Insufficiency
*Delayed Emergence from Anesthesia
RevDate: 2026-01-07
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy: Systematic mapping of abnormal brain function features in neurological disorders.
Neural regeneration research pii:01300535-990000000-01117 [Epub ahead of print].
Functional near-infrared spectroscopy quantifies cerebral hemodynamic signals by capturing oxygenation-dependent changes in hemoglobin in a noninvasive, portable, and ecologically valid manner, providing a unique insight into neurovascular coupling. However, functional imaging biomarkers with high ecological validity for neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury are lacking, limiting the mechanistic understanding, treatment evaluations, and individualized interventions. The aim of this review is to systematically summarize evidence from the past decade on the use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy under the aforementioned conditions, synthesize its value for revealing neural mechanisms and assessing therapeutic responses, and identify current technical bottlenecks and future directions for advancement. Collectively, the findings demonstrate that functional near-infrared spectroscopy possesses substantial and far-reaching potential for uncovering the neural mechanisms underlying disease and for evaluating treatment-induced changes in brain function. Equipped with wearable probes, functional near-infrared spectroscopy can continuously and noninvasively monitor brain activity in naturalistic environments for extended periods, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional imaging modalities that can only acquire data under restricted settings. This capability can furnish unprecedented objective neuroimaging evidence for neuroregenerative therapy research. Moreover, the portability of functional near-infrared spectroscopy allows it to be integrated into neurofeedback training systems: hemoglobin signals can be fed back to participants within milliseconds, enabling targeted, individualized, closed-loop modulation of brain function and considerably expanding the scope of hemodynamics-based neurofeedback. When combined with other brain function assays (such as electroencephalography) and intervention techniques (such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation), functional near-infrared spectroscopy also supplies high-temporal-resolution hemodynamic information, laying a critical foundation for the construction of high-precision noninvasive brain-computer interfaces, real-time cognitive-state decoding, and adaptive neuromodulation. Admittedly, almost all existing functional near-infrared spectroscopy studies are still observational and have small sample sizes, short follow-ups, and insufficient controls-shortcomings that together produce low-grade evidence. Therefore, there is still a significant gap before clinical translation can be achieved. Technically, the limited penetration depth of functional near-infrared spectroscopy restricts sampling to the superficial cortex, leaving deep nuclei largely unreachable. In addition, no consensus exists across devices regarding optode layout, light-source choice, motion-artifact correction, or analytical pipelines, creating pronounced heterogeneity that undermines reproducibility. With artificial intelligence and big data analytics advancing rapidly, functional near-infrared spectroscopy embedded within multimodal fusion frameworks is now poised to systematically map aberrant brain function signatures of neurological disorders, identify pathological regions suitable for targeted intervention, and provide real-time assessments of functional changes produced by neuroregenerative therapies.
Additional Links: PMID-41495620
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41495620,
year = {2026},
author = {Li, Y and Feng, Y and Liu, X and Yuan, R and Chen, S and Wang, J and Pan, C and Li, G and Tang, Z},
title = {Functional near-infrared spectroscopy: Systematic mapping of abnormal brain function features in neurological disorders.},
journal = {Neural regeneration research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00595},
pmid = {41495620},
issn = {1673-5374},
abstract = {Functional near-infrared spectroscopy quantifies cerebral hemodynamic signals by capturing oxygenation-dependent changes in hemoglobin in a noninvasive, portable, and ecologically valid manner, providing a unique insight into neurovascular coupling. However, functional imaging biomarkers with high ecological validity for neurological disorders such as stroke, Parkinson's disease, dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, epilepsy, spinal cord injury, and traumatic brain injury are lacking, limiting the mechanistic understanding, treatment evaluations, and individualized interventions. The aim of this review is to systematically summarize evidence from the past decade on the use of functional near-infrared spectroscopy under the aforementioned conditions, synthesize its value for revealing neural mechanisms and assessing therapeutic responses, and identify current technical bottlenecks and future directions for advancement. Collectively, the findings demonstrate that functional near-infrared spectroscopy possesses substantial and far-reaching potential for uncovering the neural mechanisms underlying disease and for evaluating treatment-induced changes in brain function. Equipped with wearable probes, functional near-infrared spectroscopy can continuously and noninvasively monitor brain activity in naturalistic environments for extended periods, thereby overcoming the limitations of conventional imaging modalities that can only acquire data under restricted settings. This capability can furnish unprecedented objective neuroimaging evidence for neuroregenerative therapy research. Moreover, the portability of functional near-infrared spectroscopy allows it to be integrated into neurofeedback training systems: hemoglobin signals can be fed back to participants within milliseconds, enabling targeted, individualized, closed-loop modulation of brain function and considerably expanding the scope of hemodynamics-based neurofeedback. When combined with other brain function assays (such as electroencephalography) and intervention techniques (such as transcranial magnetic stimulation and transcranial direct current stimulation), functional near-infrared spectroscopy also supplies high-temporal-resolution hemodynamic information, laying a critical foundation for the construction of high-precision noninvasive brain-computer interfaces, real-time cognitive-state decoding, and adaptive neuromodulation. Admittedly, almost all existing functional near-infrared spectroscopy studies are still observational and have small sample sizes, short follow-ups, and insufficient controls-shortcomings that together produce low-grade evidence. Therefore, there is still a significant gap before clinical translation can be achieved. Technically, the limited penetration depth of functional near-infrared spectroscopy restricts sampling to the superficial cortex, leaving deep nuclei largely unreachable. In addition, no consensus exists across devices regarding optode layout, light-source choice, motion-artifact correction, or analytical pipelines, creating pronounced heterogeneity that undermines reproducibility. With artificial intelligence and big data analytics advancing rapidly, functional near-infrared spectroscopy embedded within multimodal fusion frameworks is now poised to systematically map aberrant brain function signatures of neurological disorders, identify pathological regions suitable for targeted intervention, and provide real-time assessments of functional changes produced by neuroregenerative therapies.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-07
Microglia in C9orf72-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: More or less active?.
Neural regeneration research pii:01300535-990000000-01121 [Epub ahead of print].
Additional Links: PMID-41495602
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41495602,
year = {2026},
author = {Vahsen, BF and Pasterkamp, RJ},
title = {Microglia in C9orf72-associated amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: More or less active?.},
journal = {Neural regeneration research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-01831},
pmid = {41495602},
issn = {1673-5374},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-06
CmpDate: 2026-01-06
Lactate Dehydrogenase Inhibition Reverts the Fatty Acid-Induced Neurotoxic Phenotype of Astrocytes.
Glia, 74(3):e70136.
Astrocytes are central to lipid metabolism in the central nervous system. Due to their morphological and functional characteristics, astrocytes can uptake fatty acids (FAs) from the bloodstream and extracellular space and store them in lipid droplets (LD). LD are dynamic organelles, whose accumulation in astrocytes has been shown to occur upon exposure to various stress stimuli. Different hypotheses proposed to explain motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) implicate mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Mitochondrial dysfunction in astrocytes is associated with elevation of cytoplasmic lipids and lipid-binding proteins. We observed increased LD in the spinal cord of symptomatic ALS mice, as well as in human transdifferentiated astrocytes obtained from ALS patients. Using a co-culture model, we examined the effect of FA overload and its impact on astrocyte-motor neuron interaction. LD accumulation was tightly coupled with an NF-κB-driven proinflammatory response in nontransgenic astrocytes, correlating with motor neuron toxicity. These results provide additional evidence to the notion that altered energy balance may contribute to neuronal death in ALS. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) reversed LD accumulation in mouse and human astrocytes expressing ALS-linked mutations. Genetic ablation of LDHA similarly reduced LD accumulation in response to FA treatment. Collectively, our data underscore the role of lipid metabolism in astrocyte-neuron interactions in ALS models and suggest that LD accumulation, rather than serving solely as a protective mechanism, reflects a metabolic stress state linked to a detrimental phenotypic transformation in astrocytes.
Additional Links: PMID-41493797
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@article {pmid41493797,
year = {2026},
author = {Esteve, D and Bresque, M and Okhuevbie, D and Ramachandran, S and Pehar, M and Vargas, MR},
title = {Lactate Dehydrogenase Inhibition Reverts the Fatty Acid-Induced Neurotoxic Phenotype of Astrocytes.},
journal = {Glia},
volume = {74},
number = {3},
pages = {e70136},
pmid = {41493797},
issn = {1098-1136},
support = {R01NS122973/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States ; R01NS089640/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States ; },
mesh = {Animals ; *Astrocytes/drug effects/metabolism/pathology/enzymology ; Humans ; *Fatty Acids/toxicity ; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/pathology/metabolism ; *L-Lactate Dehydrogenase/antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism/genetics ; Mice, Transgenic ; Mice ; Cells, Cultured ; Motor Neurons/drug effects/metabolism/pathology ; Coculture Techniques ; Phenotype ; Spinal Cord/pathology ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects ; Lipid Droplets/metabolism/drug effects ; Male ; },
abstract = {Astrocytes are central to lipid metabolism in the central nervous system. Due to their morphological and functional characteristics, astrocytes can uptake fatty acids (FAs) from the bloodstream and extracellular space and store them in lipid droplets (LD). LD are dynamic organelles, whose accumulation in astrocytes has been shown to occur upon exposure to various stress stimuli. Different hypotheses proposed to explain motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) implicate mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress. Mitochondrial dysfunction in astrocytes is associated with elevation of cytoplasmic lipids and lipid-binding proteins. We observed increased LD in the spinal cord of symptomatic ALS mice, as well as in human transdifferentiated astrocytes obtained from ALS patients. Using a co-culture model, we examined the effect of FA overload and its impact on astrocyte-motor neuron interaction. LD accumulation was tightly coupled with an NF-κB-driven proinflammatory response in nontransgenic astrocytes, correlating with motor neuron toxicity. These results provide additional evidence to the notion that altered energy balance may contribute to neuronal death in ALS. Furthermore, pharmacological inhibition of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) reversed LD accumulation in mouse and human astrocytes expressing ALS-linked mutations. Genetic ablation of LDHA similarly reduced LD accumulation in response to FA treatment. Collectively, our data underscore the role of lipid metabolism in astrocyte-neuron interactions in ALS models and suggest that LD accumulation, rather than serving solely as a protective mechanism, reflects a metabolic stress state linked to a detrimental phenotypic transformation in astrocytes.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Animals
*Astrocytes/drug effects/metabolism/pathology/enzymology
Humans
*Fatty Acids/toxicity
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/pathology/metabolism
*L-Lactate Dehydrogenase/antagonists & inhibitors/metabolism/genetics
Mice, Transgenic
Mice
Cells, Cultured
Motor Neurons/drug effects/metabolism/pathology
Coculture Techniques
Phenotype
Spinal Cord/pathology
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Disease Models, Animal
Lipid Metabolism/drug effects
Lipid Droplets/metabolism/drug effects
Male
RevDate: 2026-01-06
CmpDate: 2026-01-06
MicroRNAs and Long Non-Coding RNAs Affect the Mechanisms Involved in Age-Related Neurodegeneration in a Manner Depending on RNA-Binding Proteins.
Molecular neurobiology, 63(1):343.
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington's disease (HD), are marked by progressive neuronal loss and aberrant protein aggregation, presenting substantial global healthcare challenges. Recent research has illuminated the pivotal roles of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), notably microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), in the molecular pathogenesis of age-related neurodegeneration. RBPs orchestrate RNA metabolism and engage extensively with miRNAs and lncRNAs to modulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Dysregulation of these interactions precipitates pathological phenomena such as protein misfolding, stress granule formation, and disrupted RNA processing, thereby exacerbating neuronal dysfunction and death. Specific miRNAs have been implicated in regulating key neurodegenerative biomarkers, including tau and amyloid-β in AD, motor neuron maintenance in ALS, and survival pathways in HD. Elucidating the intricate interplay between RBPs and ncRNAs holds significant promise for the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at ameliorating RNA-mediated mechanisms in neurodegenerative disorders.
Additional Links: PMID-41493706
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@article {pmid41493706,
year = {2026},
author = {Hashemi, M and Shafiei Asheghabadi, P and Moassesfar, M and Mashhadikhan, S and Nasirzade, S and Vasheghani Farahani, A and Mehdizadeh, S and Minaei, S and Rahmani, M and Jamshidian, F and Farahani, N and Reiter, RJ and Taheriazam, A and Hasani Sadi, F and Hushmandi, K and Alimohammadi, M and Rahimzadeh, P and Entezari, M},
title = {MicroRNAs and Long Non-Coding RNAs Affect the Mechanisms Involved in Age-Related Neurodegeneration in a Manner Depending on RNA-Binding Proteins.},
journal = {Molecular neurobiology},
volume = {63},
number = {1},
pages = {343},
pmid = {41493706},
issn = {1559-1182},
mesh = {Humans ; *RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism/genetics ; *MicroRNAs/genetics/metabolism ; Animals ; *RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; *Aging/genetics/pathology/metabolism ; *Neurodegenerative Diseases/genetics/metabolism/pathology ; },
abstract = {Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Huntington's disease (HD), are marked by progressive neuronal loss and aberrant protein aggregation, presenting substantial global healthcare challenges. Recent research has illuminated the pivotal roles of RNA-binding proteins (RBPs) and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), notably microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), in the molecular pathogenesis of age-related neurodegeneration. RBPs orchestrate RNA metabolism and engage extensively with miRNAs and lncRNAs to modulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. Dysregulation of these interactions precipitates pathological phenomena such as protein misfolding, stress granule formation, and disrupted RNA processing, thereby exacerbating neuronal dysfunction and death. Specific miRNAs have been implicated in regulating key neurodegenerative biomarkers, including tau and amyloid-β in AD, motor neuron maintenance in ALS, and survival pathways in HD. Elucidating the intricate interplay between RBPs and ncRNAs holds significant promise for the development of therapeutic strategies aimed at ameliorating RNA-mediated mechanisms in neurodegenerative disorders.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Humans
*RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism/genetics
*MicroRNAs/genetics/metabolism
Animals
*RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism/genetics
*Aging/genetics/pathology/metabolism
*Neurodegenerative Diseases/genetics/metabolism/pathology
RevDate: 2026-01-06
Prioritizing neuropsychological research and care in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): building an international neuropsychological framework for ALS.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration [Epub ahead of print].
Additional Links: PMID-41493066
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid41493066,
year = {2026},
author = {De Vocht, J and Costello, E and McHutchison, C and Radakovic, R and Foucher, J and McMackin, R and Peelo, C and van den Berg, L and Hardiman, O and Van Damme, P and Pender, N and Abrahams, S and Lulé, D and , },
title = {Prioritizing neuropsychological research and care in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS): building an international neuropsychological framework for ALS.},
journal = {Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-4},
doi = {10.1080/21678421.2025.2610290},
pmid = {41493066},
issn = {2167-9223},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-06
Mortality and Complications of Percutaneous Gastrostomy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients.
The Canadian journal of neurological sciences. Le journal canadien des sciences neurologiques pii:S0317167125105106 [Epub ahead of print].
Additional Links: PMID-41492782
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@article {pmid41492782,
year = {2026},
author = {Dallaire, JS and Bachand, MP and Shaul, J and Lareau-Trudel, É},
title = {Mortality and Complications of Percutaneous Gastrostomy in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients.},
journal = {The Canadian journal of neurological sciences. Le journal canadien des sciences neurologiques},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-23},
doi = {10.1017/cjn.2025.10510},
pmid = {41492782},
issn = {0317-1671},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-06
CmpDate: 2026-01-06
Transverse incisions improve scar outcomes in anterolateral supine approach total hip arthroplasty: a patient observer scar assessment scale-based study.
Arthroplasty (London, England), 8(1):2.
BACKGROUND: This study compared transverse and longitudinal skin incisions in anterolateral supine (ALS) total hip arthroplasty (THA), focusing on cosmetic and sensory outcomes using the Patient Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS).
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 132 hips that underwent primary ALS THA performed by a single surgeon between 2019 and 2024. Longitudinal incisions were used until December 2022, and transverse incisions aligned with relaxed skin tension lines were used thereafter. POSAS 3.0 was used to evaluate scar quality across satisfaction, appearance, and sensory domains.
RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, except for follow-up duration and incision length. No significant differences were found in POSAS scores. However, regression analysis revealed that transverse incision significantly improved satisfaction (P = 0.04) and appearance (P < 0.05). Sensory scores were significantly affected by follow-up duration (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Transverse incisions in ALS THA may enhance cosmetic satisfaction without compromising sensory outcomes. These findings support the potential role of personalized incision planning for improving patient-reported outcomes following THA. Video Abstract.
Additional Links: PMID-41491573
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Citation:
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@article {pmid41491573,
year = {2026},
author = {Kuramitsu, Y and Itou, J and Munakata, Y and Okazaki, K},
title = {Transverse incisions improve scar outcomes in anterolateral supine approach total hip arthroplasty: a patient observer scar assessment scale-based study.},
journal = {Arthroplasty (London, England)},
volume = {8},
number = {1},
pages = {2},
pmid = {41491573},
issn = {2524-7948},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: This study compared transverse and longitudinal skin incisions in anterolateral supine (ALS) total hip arthroplasty (THA), focusing on cosmetic and sensory outcomes using the Patient Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS).
METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 132 hips that underwent primary ALS THA performed by a single surgeon between 2019 and 2024. Longitudinal incisions were used until December 2022, and transverse incisions aligned with relaxed skin tension lines were used thereafter. POSAS 3.0 was used to evaluate scar quality across satisfaction, appearance, and sensory domains.
RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were similar between groups, except for follow-up duration and incision length. No significant differences were found in POSAS scores. However, regression analysis revealed that transverse incision significantly improved satisfaction (P = 0.04) and appearance (P < 0.05). Sensory scores were significantly affected by follow-up duration (P < 0.001).
CONCLUSION: Transverse incisions in ALS THA may enhance cosmetic satisfaction without compromising sensory outcomes. These findings support the potential role of personalized incision planning for improving patient-reported outcomes following THA. Video Abstract.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-06
A new paradigm of bidirectional regulation of the gut-spinal cord axis.
Neural regeneration research pii:01300535-990000000-01068 [Epub ahead of print].
The bidirectional interactions of spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with the gut operate through a distinct gut-spinal cord axis, rather than being fully explained by the conventional gut-brain axis. The spinal cord, with its unique anatomical and physiological features, serves as a central hub of communication. The gut and spinal cord communicate through various pathways, including the immune system and the autonomic and enteric nervous systems. This review summarizes existing clinical and basic research on the relationship between gut homeostasis and spinal cord diseases. First, we present findings from epidemiological studies showing that patients with spinal cord disorders often exhibit altered gut function, which may be influenced by antibiotic exposure and environmental factors. Second, we review the key physiological and anatomical structures of the gut-spinal cord axis, including the intestinal barrier, gut microbiota, and enteric nervous system, all of which are involved in maintaining gut health, as well as sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons in spinal nerve regulation. Third, we describe the roles of the three axes (microbial, immune, and neural) in bidirectional regulation and their pathological mechanisms. Moreover, vicious cycles involving these axes can exacerbate spinal cord disorders. Fourth, we outline potential biomarkers in the gut-spinal cord axis, such as uridine, hypoxanthine, and 5-methoxytryptophan. Fifth, we propose several treatment strategies with potential clinical applications, including fecal microbiota transplantation and the use of probiotics and prebiotics. Finally, this review emphasizes the gut-spinal cord axis as a promising therapeutic target, highlighting the need for multi-omics integration, longitudinal cohort studies, and individualized interventions to resolve existing debates. Overall, the recognition of the gut-spinal cord axis provides a conceptual shift that extends beyond the gut-brain framework.
Additional Links: PMID-41490238
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PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41490238,
year = {2025},
author = {Ni, S and Chen, K and Wang, H and Chen, S and Qiu, Y and Wang, T and Mo, F and Wang, S and Li, B and Bai, Y and Zhao, J and Zhai, X and Li, Z},
title = {A new paradigm of bidirectional regulation of the gut-spinal cord axis.},
journal = {Neural regeneration research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-01016},
pmid = {41490238},
issn = {1673-5374},
abstract = {The bidirectional interactions of spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with the gut operate through a distinct gut-spinal cord axis, rather than being fully explained by the conventional gut-brain axis. The spinal cord, with its unique anatomical and physiological features, serves as a central hub of communication. The gut and spinal cord communicate through various pathways, including the immune system and the autonomic and enteric nervous systems. This review summarizes existing clinical and basic research on the relationship between gut homeostasis and spinal cord diseases. First, we present findings from epidemiological studies showing that patients with spinal cord disorders often exhibit altered gut function, which may be influenced by antibiotic exposure and environmental factors. Second, we review the key physiological and anatomical structures of the gut-spinal cord axis, including the intestinal barrier, gut microbiota, and enteric nervous system, all of which are involved in maintaining gut health, as well as sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons in spinal nerve regulation. Third, we describe the roles of the three axes (microbial, immune, and neural) in bidirectional regulation and their pathological mechanisms. Moreover, vicious cycles involving these axes can exacerbate spinal cord disorders. Fourth, we outline potential biomarkers in the gut-spinal cord axis, such as uridine, hypoxanthine, and 5-methoxytryptophan. Fifth, we propose several treatment strategies with potential clinical applications, including fecal microbiota transplantation and the use of probiotics and prebiotics. Finally, this review emphasizes the gut-spinal cord axis as a promising therapeutic target, highlighting the need for multi-omics integration, longitudinal cohort studies, and individualized interventions to resolve existing debates. Overall, the recognition of the gut-spinal cord axis provides a conceptual shift that extends beyond the gut-brain framework.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-06
CmpDate: 2026-01-06
TDP-43-mediated alternative polyadenylation is associated with a reduction in VPS35 and VPS29 expression in frontotemporal dementia.
PLoS biology, 24(1):e3003573 pii:PBIOLOGY-D-25-01919.
TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) dysfunction is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Although cryptic exon inclusion is a well-characterized consequence of TDP-43 loss of function, emerging evidence reveals broader roles in RNA metabolism, notably in the regulation of alternative polyadenylation (APA) of disease-relevant transcripts. In the present study, we examined 3' untranslated region lengthening events in the brains of individuals with frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 pathology (FTLD-TDP), focusing on the functional impact of APA dysregulation. To investigate whether TDP-43-mediated APA events occur in the postmortem brain, we measured the 3' untranslated region length of the retromer component vacuolar protein sorting 35 (VPS35) and the ETS transcription factor (ELK1) in the frontal cortex of a large cohort of FTLD-TDP patients and of healthy controls, and evaluated if these APA events are associated with FTLD-TDP clinical characteristic, markers of TDP-43 pathology [e.g., hyperphosphorylated TDP-43 and cryptic stathmin-2 RNA], or the expression of VPS35 and VPS29 proteins, the latter being essential to the retromer complex. We identified robust 3' untranslated region lengthening of VPS35 and ELK1 in FTLD-TDP, which strongly associated with markers of TDP-43 pathology, and ELK1 APA also associated with an earlier age of disease onset. Functionally, VPS35 APA was associated with reduced VPS35 and VPS29 protein expression, and lower VPS35 levels were associated with increased hyperphosphorylated TDP-43 and cryptic stathmin-2 RNA. Together, these data implicate APA dysregulation as a critical downstream consequence of TDP-43 dysfunction and suggest that TDP-43 loss may contribute to retromer impairment through APA-mediated repression of retromer subunits.
Additional Links: PMID-41490046
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@article {pmid41490046,
year = {2026},
author = {Maheswari Jawahar, V and Zeng, Y and Armour, EM and Yue, M and Citrano, K and Lovchykova, A and Reeves, MM and Rawlinson, B and DeTure, M and Dunmore, JA and Song, Y and Ball, SK and Wszolek, ZK and Graff-Radford, NR and Boeve, BF and Knopman, DS and Day, GS and Small, SA and Dickson, DW and Ward, ME and Gendron, TF and Zhang, Y and Prudencio, M and Gitler, AD and Petrucelli, L},
title = {TDP-43-mediated alternative polyadenylation is associated with a reduction in VPS35 and VPS29 expression in frontotemporal dementia.},
journal = {PLoS biology},
volume = {24},
number = {1},
pages = {e3003573},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pbio.3003573},
pmid = {41490046},
issn = {1545-7885},
mesh = {Humans ; *Frontotemporal Dementia/genetics/metabolism/pathology ; *DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism/genetics ; *Polyadenylation/genetics ; Female ; *Vesicular Transport Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Male ; Aged ; 3' Untranslated Regions/genetics ; Middle Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; },
abstract = {TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) dysfunction is a hallmark of several neurodegenerative diseases, including frontotemporal dementia, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Alzheimer's disease. Although cryptic exon inclusion is a well-characterized consequence of TDP-43 loss of function, emerging evidence reveals broader roles in RNA metabolism, notably in the regulation of alternative polyadenylation (APA) of disease-relevant transcripts. In the present study, we examined 3' untranslated region lengthening events in the brains of individuals with frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 pathology (FTLD-TDP), focusing on the functional impact of APA dysregulation. To investigate whether TDP-43-mediated APA events occur in the postmortem brain, we measured the 3' untranslated region length of the retromer component vacuolar protein sorting 35 (VPS35) and the ETS transcription factor (ELK1) in the frontal cortex of a large cohort of FTLD-TDP patients and of healthy controls, and evaluated if these APA events are associated with FTLD-TDP clinical characteristic, markers of TDP-43 pathology [e.g., hyperphosphorylated TDP-43 and cryptic stathmin-2 RNA], or the expression of VPS35 and VPS29 proteins, the latter being essential to the retromer complex. We identified robust 3' untranslated region lengthening of VPS35 and ELK1 in FTLD-TDP, which strongly associated with markers of TDP-43 pathology, and ELK1 APA also associated with an earlier age of disease onset. Functionally, VPS35 APA was associated with reduced VPS35 and VPS29 protein expression, and lower VPS35 levels were associated with increased hyperphosphorylated TDP-43 and cryptic stathmin-2 RNA. Together, these data implicate APA dysregulation as a critical downstream consequence of TDP-43 dysfunction and suggest that TDP-43 loss may contribute to retromer impairment through APA-mediated repression of retromer subunits.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Frontotemporal Dementia/genetics/metabolism/pathology
*DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism/genetics
*Polyadenylation/genetics
Female
*Vesicular Transport Proteins/genetics/metabolism
Male
Aged
3' Untranslated Regions/genetics
Middle Aged
Aged, 80 and over
RevDate: 2026-01-05
Methodological considerations in evaluating the impact of adenotonsillectomy on asthma control in children.
The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma [Epub ahead of print].
This letter provides a constructive appraisal of the methodological aspects of Alenezi et al.'s systematic review and meta-analysis examining the impact of adenotonsillectomy on asthma control in children. The authors are commended for their adherence to PRISMA guidelines and for synthesizing data from a large cohort of over 74,000 participants. However, the reliance on observational studies limits causal inference, and the interpretation of heterogeneity could be strengthened through the inclusion of prediction intervals and subgroup analyses. Future research employing advanced statistical approaches and standardized outcome measures would further enhance the methodological rigor and clinical relevance of this valuable work.
Additional Links: PMID-41489446
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@article {pmid41489446,
year = {2026},
author = {Gairola, J and Kumar, A and Desai, NN and Dedeepya, D},
title = {Methodological considerations in evaluating the impact of adenotonsillectomy on asthma control in children.},
journal = {The Journal of asthma : official journal of the Association for the Care of Asthma},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-3},
doi = {10.1080/02770903.2025.2612523},
pmid = {41489446},
issn = {1532-4303},
abstract = {This letter provides a constructive appraisal of the methodological aspects of Alenezi et al.'s systematic review and meta-analysis examining the impact of adenotonsillectomy on asthma control in children. The authors are commended for their adherence to PRISMA guidelines and for synthesizing data from a large cohort of over 74,000 participants. However, the reliance on observational studies limits causal inference, and the interpretation of heterogeneity could be strengthened through the inclusion of prediction intervals and subgroup analyses. Future research employing advanced statistical approaches and standardized outcome measures would further enhance the methodological rigor and clinical relevance of this valuable work.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-05
Engineered GM1 Intersects Between Mitochondrial and Synaptic Pathways to Ameliorate ALS Pathology.
Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) [Epub ahead of print].
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal condition marked by the degeneration of motor neurons. ALS has been linked to numerous genes with diverse biological roles, reflecting a highly intricate and multifaceted disease process. This diversity poses significant challenges in developing universally effective and bioavailable treatments. Advancing therapeutic strategies require uncovering molecular pathways that are major drivers of ALS. We conducted proteomic analyses of human iPSC-derived motor neurons carrying C9ORF72 mutations, alongside spinal ventral horns from mice with pathogenic C9orf72-mutations. This cross-species approach revealed disruptions in synaptic vesicle release, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial stress responses as conserved ALS pathogenic mechanisms. Disease progression was associated with accumulation of cytotoxic protein aggregates and oxidative stress. We analyzed the potential of GM1, an established neuroprotective molecule, to reverse these pathogenic features. To enhance the pharmacokinetics of GM1, we developed Talineuren (TLN), a nanoliposome-based formulation of the active pharmaceutical ingredient GM1 ganglioside that improves its bioavailability. GM1 stabilized mitochondrial Ca[2][+] handling, improved energy metabolism, and alleviated ER stress, preventing protein aggregation and restoring cellular proteostasis and counteracted behavioral deficits in C9orf72 and SOD1-G93A mouse models. Together, these findings underscore the central, convergent role for cellular disruptions in ALS and position TLN as a promising therapeutic candidate.
Additional Links: PMID-41489058
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@article {pmid41489058,
year = {2026},
author = {Pilotto, F and Toth, TD and Bond, S and Schmitz, A and Diab, R and Tenlep, SYN and Mooney, B and Erni, S and Schobesberger, M and Scheidegger, O and Peitsch, C and Saxena, S},
title = {Engineered GM1 Intersects Between Mitochondrial and Synaptic Pathways to Ameliorate ALS Pathology.},
journal = {Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e14128},
doi = {10.1002/advs.202514128},
pmid = {41489058},
issn = {2198-3844},
support = {31ER30_179595//E-Rare/ ; 725825/ERC_/European Research Council/International ; //InnoMedica Schweiz AG/ ; 179436/SNSF_/Swiss National Science Foundation/Switzerland ; //Swiss Foundation for Research on Muscle Diseases/ ; //Spinal Cord Injury/Disease Research Program (SCIDRP), University of Missouri/ ; },
abstract = {Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal condition marked by the degeneration of motor neurons. ALS has been linked to numerous genes with diverse biological roles, reflecting a highly intricate and multifaceted disease process. This diversity poses significant challenges in developing universally effective and bioavailable treatments. Advancing therapeutic strategies require uncovering molecular pathways that are major drivers of ALS. We conducted proteomic analyses of human iPSC-derived motor neurons carrying C9ORF72 mutations, alongside spinal ventral horns from mice with pathogenic C9orf72-mutations. This cross-species approach revealed disruptions in synaptic vesicle release, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondrial stress responses as conserved ALS pathogenic mechanisms. Disease progression was associated with accumulation of cytotoxic protein aggregates and oxidative stress. We analyzed the potential of GM1, an established neuroprotective molecule, to reverse these pathogenic features. To enhance the pharmacokinetics of GM1, we developed Talineuren (TLN), a nanoliposome-based formulation of the active pharmaceutical ingredient GM1 ganglioside that improves its bioavailability. GM1 stabilized mitochondrial Ca[2][+] handling, improved energy metabolism, and alleviated ER stress, preventing protein aggregation and restoring cellular proteostasis and counteracted behavioral deficits in C9orf72 and SOD1-G93A mouse models. Together, these findings underscore the central, convergent role for cellular disruptions in ALS and position TLN as a promising therapeutic candidate.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-05
CmpDate: 2026-01-05
Increased transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease suggest early microglial involvement.
Alzheimer's & dementia (Amsterdam, Netherlands), 18(1):e70240.
INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the potential of the microglial marker transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a (differential) diagnostic biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases.
METHODS: Following assay validation, we used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure CSF TMEM119 in 174 patients from six diagnostic groups: Alzheimer's disease (AD, n = 35), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, n = 33), cerebral microangiopathy (CM, n = 25), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD, n = 28), Lewy body diseases (n = 21), and non-neurodegenerative controls (n = 33).
RESULTS: CSF TMEM119 levels were elevated in the AD group compared to the control (p = 0.004), CM (p = 0.005), and FTLD (p = 0.023) groups. Levels were higher in both mild cognitive impairment (MCI-AD) and dementia (ADD) subgroups when compared to controls. For the discrimination of AD from controls, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.78.
DISCUSSION: Our results indicate that CSF TMEM119 may have potential as a biomarker representing microglial involvement in early and later stages of AD.
HIGHLIGHTS: Elevated levels of TMEM119 were observed in the CSF of patients with AD.Increased CSF TMEM119 was seen in MCI-AD patients compared to controls.Elevated levels in MCI-AD underscore early microglial involvement in AD.In the AD group, an association was found between CSF TMEM119 and CSF total tau.CSF TMEM119 may provide valuable information on neuroinflammation.
Additional Links: PMID-41488805
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@article {pmid41488805,
year = {2026},
author = {Klassen, P and Alexudis, C and Klose, V and de San José, NG and Huss, A and Bachhuber, F and Soylu, Ö and Fazeli, B and Erhart, D and Laible, M and Anderl-Straub, S and Jesse, S and Otto, M and Ludolph, AC and Tumani, H and Halbgebauer, S},
title = {Increased transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119) levels in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease suggest early microglial involvement.},
journal = {Alzheimer's & dementia (Amsterdam, Netherlands)},
volume = {18},
number = {1},
pages = {e70240},
pmid = {41488805},
issn = {2352-8729},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: We aimed to evaluate the potential of the microglial marker transmembrane protein 119 (TMEM119) in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) as a (differential) diagnostic biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases.
METHODS: Following assay validation, we used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to measure CSF TMEM119 in 174 patients from six diagnostic groups: Alzheimer's disease (AD, n = 35), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, n = 33), cerebral microangiopathy (CM, n = 25), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD, n = 28), Lewy body diseases (n = 21), and non-neurodegenerative controls (n = 33).
RESULTS: CSF TMEM119 levels were elevated in the AD group compared to the control (p = 0.004), CM (p = 0.005), and FTLD (p = 0.023) groups. Levels were higher in both mild cognitive impairment (MCI-AD) and dementia (ADD) subgroups when compared to controls. For the discrimination of AD from controls, the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.78.
DISCUSSION: Our results indicate that CSF TMEM119 may have potential as a biomarker representing microglial involvement in early and later stages of AD.
HIGHLIGHTS: Elevated levels of TMEM119 were observed in the CSF of patients with AD.Increased CSF TMEM119 was seen in MCI-AD patients compared to controls.Elevated levels in MCI-AD underscore early microglial involvement in AD.In the AD group, an association was found between CSF TMEM119 and CSF total tau.CSF TMEM119 may provide valuable information on neuroinflammation.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-05
CmpDate: 2026-01-05
Sigma receptors and mitochondria-associated ER membranes are converging therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease.
Frontiers in neuroscience, 19:1733659.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) begins decades before clinical symptoms emerge. The "amyloid hypothesis" suggests that amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition initiates a cascade of tau hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and neuronal loss leading to cognitive decline. The recent success of anti-Aβ therapies such as Leqembi in prodromal or mild cognitive impaired patients underscores the importance of early intervention and Aβ clearance. However, safety and cost limitations highlight the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Small-molecule modulators of Sigma-1 and Sigma-2 receptors (σ1R and σ2R) have emerged as promising candidates for AD treatment. σ1R agonists exhibit neuroprotective and anti-amnestic effects under pathological conditions without affecting normal cognition. Beyond AD, σ1R is implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases including ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, stroke, and epilepsy. σ1R plays a key role at mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs)-specialized lipid raft-like domains that form functional membrane contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. β-secretase (BACE1), γ-secretase, and their substrates APP and palmitoylated APP (palAPP) localize in the MAMs, promoting amyloidogenic Aβ production. MAMs serve as dynamic hubs for inter-organelle communication, calcium signaling, and lipid metabolism. The "MAM hypothesis" proposes that MAM dysregulation drives early AD pathology and persists throughout disease progression, contributing to neurofibrillary tangle formation, calcium imbalance, and neuroinflammation. This review aims to summarize the current understanding of σ1R-mediated regulation of MAMs and its neuroprotective mechanisms, highlighting potential therapeutic opportunities for targeting σ1R in AD and other neurodegenerative disorders.
Additional Links: PMID-41488323
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@article {pmid41488323,
year = {2025},
author = {Lotlikar, MS and Zellmer, JC and Bhattacharyya, R},
title = {Sigma receptors and mitochondria-associated ER membranes are converging therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease.},
journal = {Frontiers in neuroscience},
volume = {19},
number = {},
pages = {1733659},
pmid = {41488323},
issn = {1662-4548},
abstract = {Alzheimer's disease (AD) begins decades before clinical symptoms emerge. The "amyloid hypothesis" suggests that amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition initiates a cascade of tau hyperphosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and neuronal loss leading to cognitive decline. The recent success of anti-Aβ therapies such as Leqembi in prodromal or mild cognitive impaired patients underscores the importance of early intervention and Aβ clearance. However, safety and cost limitations highlight the need for alternative therapeutic strategies. Small-molecule modulators of Sigma-1 and Sigma-2 receptors (σ1R and σ2R) have emerged as promising candidates for AD treatment. σ1R agonists exhibit neuroprotective and anti-amnestic effects under pathological conditions without affecting normal cognition. Beyond AD, σ1R is implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases including ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), Parkinson's, and Huntington's diseases, stroke, and epilepsy. σ1R plays a key role at mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs)-specialized lipid raft-like domains that form functional membrane contact sites between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and mitochondria. β-secretase (BACE1), γ-secretase, and their substrates APP and palmitoylated APP (palAPP) localize in the MAMs, promoting amyloidogenic Aβ production. MAMs serve as dynamic hubs for inter-organelle communication, calcium signaling, and lipid metabolism. The "MAM hypothesis" proposes that MAM dysregulation drives early AD pathology and persists throughout disease progression, contributing to neurofibrillary tangle formation, calcium imbalance, and neuroinflammation. This review aims to summarize the current understanding of σ1R-mediated regulation of MAMs and its neuroprotective mechanisms, highlighting potential therapeutic opportunities for targeting σ1R in AD and other neurodegenerative disorders.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-04
Microglial HVCN1 Deficiency Improves Movement and Survival of SOD1[G93A] ALS Mice by Enhancing Microglial Migration and Neuroprotection.
Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) [Epub ahead of print].
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable motor neuron disease characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons. Current clinically available drugs targeting neurons show minor survival extension and no motor improvement in ALS patients. This shifts the focus of ALS research toward non-neuronal cells, particularly microglia, a critical driver of ALS pathogenesis. Highly druggable ion channels are key regulators of microglia function. Here, Hydrogen voltage gated channel 1 (HVCN1) was screened out as the most highly expressed ion channel in microglia, and was upregulated in microglia of SOD1[G93A] mice and patients. Deletion of HVCN1 in microglia increased motor neuron survival, rescued the innervated neuromuscular junctions in the muscle, reduced glial activation and decreased the level of both misfolded protein and myelin debris in the ALS mice. Importantly, these pathological improvements were translated into significant motor improvement and survival extension in the ALS mice, exhibiting better effects than the current clinical drugs. HVCN1 deletion enhanced microglia migration and their homeostatic state with elevated neurotrophic functions. Mechanistically, HVCN1 ablation promoted microglial migration via suppressing Akt signaling. Our results identify HVCN1 as a novel promising therapeutic target for ALS, opening a new avenue to further develop specific inhibitors for HVCN1 to alleviates ALS.
Additional Links: PMID-41486410
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid41486410,
year = {2026},
author = {Wang, F and Zhang, KY and Zhu, LJ and Li, WJ and Wu, Y and Gao, X and Ma, XR and Yin, XH and Wu, JB and Ye, XK and Dong, ZJ and Wang, DX and Zhou, Z and Wang, SD and Han, L and Jiang, ZN and Zhao, JW},
title = {Microglial HVCN1 Deficiency Improves Movement and Survival of SOD1[G93A] ALS Mice by Enhancing Microglial Migration and Neuroprotection.},
journal = {Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {e12149},
doi = {10.1002/advs.202512149},
pmid = {41486410},
issn = {2198-3844},
support = {STI2030-MajorProjects2021ZD0201705//National Key R&D Program of China/ ; NSFC82371576//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; BZZ19J005//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
abstract = {Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable motor neuron disease characterized by progressive loss of motor neurons. Current clinically available drugs targeting neurons show minor survival extension and no motor improvement in ALS patients. This shifts the focus of ALS research toward non-neuronal cells, particularly microglia, a critical driver of ALS pathogenesis. Highly druggable ion channels are key regulators of microglia function. Here, Hydrogen voltage gated channel 1 (HVCN1) was screened out as the most highly expressed ion channel in microglia, and was upregulated in microglia of SOD1[G93A] mice and patients. Deletion of HVCN1 in microglia increased motor neuron survival, rescued the innervated neuromuscular junctions in the muscle, reduced glial activation and decreased the level of both misfolded protein and myelin debris in the ALS mice. Importantly, these pathological improvements were translated into significant motor improvement and survival extension in the ALS mice, exhibiting better effects than the current clinical drugs. HVCN1 deletion enhanced microglia migration and their homeostatic state with elevated neurotrophic functions. Mechanistically, HVCN1 ablation promoted microglial migration via suppressing Akt signaling. Our results identify HVCN1 as a novel promising therapeutic target for ALS, opening a new avenue to further develop specific inhibitors for HVCN1 to alleviates ALS.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-04
Superficial white matter microstructural impairments correlate with functional alterations and disease severity in early-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
La Radiologia medica [Epub ahead of print].
PURPOSE: White matter (WM) damage is a key pathophysiological process in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, alterations in superficial WM (SWM) have not been systematically explored. This study aimed to assess SWM microstructural changes in early-stage ALS and their associations with cortical functional alterations and disease severity.
METHODS: Forty-two early-stage ALS patients and 48 healthy controls were included. Disease severity was evaluated using the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R). The SWM was identified by sampling voxels along the cortical surface, maintaining a fixed distance (2 mm) from the gray matter/WM interface and removing deep white matter regions. SWM microstructural impairments were evaluated via neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging. Functional disturbances in the cortical regions corresponding to impaired SWM were measured by assessing regional homogeneity (ReHo) that reflects local synchronization of neuronal activity.
RESULTS: Patients showed a decreased neurite density index (NDI) in specific SWM regions, primarily including the bilateral precentral gyrus, supplementary motor area, paracentral lobule, and postcentral gyrus (family-wise error-corrected P < 0.05). Additionally, significant ReHo reductions were observed in cortical regions corresponding to compromised SWM. Both SWM NDI and cortical ReHo values significantly correlated with the ALSFRS-R score. Cortical ReHo alterations mediated the relationship between the SWM NDI value and the ALSFRS-R score (mediation effect = 0.103). SWM NDI assessments effectively identified ALS (area under the curve = 0.725-0.926).
CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the SWM disruption as a crucial neurobiological substrate involved in early-stage ALS neuropathological mechanisms.
Additional Links: PMID-41486306
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@article {pmid41486306,
year = {2026},
author = {Zhuang, SP and Huang, HW and Zeng, JY and Shi, JY and Lin, HY and Chen, S and Wu, Y and Huang, NX and Zou, ZY and Chen, HJ},
title = {Superficial white matter microstructural impairments correlate with functional alterations and disease severity in early-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.},
journal = {La Radiologia medica},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {41486306},
issn = {1826-6983},
support = {Nos. 2023CXA009//Fujian Provincial Health Technology Project/ ; Nos. 2024QNA011//Fujian Provincial Health Technology Project/ ; No.2024J01625//Fujian Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; Nos. 2024Y9253//Fujian Province Joint Funds for the Innovation of Science and Technology/ ; Nos. 2024Y9256//Fujian Province Joint Funds for the Innovation of Science and Technology/ ; No. S202410392033//College Student Innovation Training Program of Fujian Medical University/ ; },
abstract = {PURPOSE: White matter (WM) damage is a key pathophysiological process in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, alterations in superficial WM (SWM) have not been systematically explored. This study aimed to assess SWM microstructural changes in early-stage ALS and their associations with cortical functional alterations and disease severity.
METHODS: Forty-two early-stage ALS patients and 48 healthy controls were included. Disease severity was evaluated using the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R). The SWM was identified by sampling voxels along the cortical surface, maintaining a fixed distance (2 mm) from the gray matter/WM interface and removing deep white matter regions. SWM microstructural impairments were evaluated via neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging. Functional disturbances in the cortical regions corresponding to impaired SWM were measured by assessing regional homogeneity (ReHo) that reflects local synchronization of neuronal activity.
RESULTS: Patients showed a decreased neurite density index (NDI) in specific SWM regions, primarily including the bilateral precentral gyrus, supplementary motor area, paracentral lobule, and postcentral gyrus (family-wise error-corrected P < 0.05). Additionally, significant ReHo reductions were observed in cortical regions corresponding to compromised SWM. Both SWM NDI and cortical ReHo values significantly correlated with the ALSFRS-R score. Cortical ReHo alterations mediated the relationship between the SWM NDI value and the ALSFRS-R score (mediation effect = 0.103). SWM NDI assessments effectively identified ALS (area under the curve = 0.725-0.926).
CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the SWM disruption as a crucial neurobiological substrate involved in early-stage ALS neuropathological mechanisms.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-04
Co-aggregation of annexin A11 and TDP-43 in FTLD/MND with primary lateral sclerosis phenotype.
Acta neuropathologica communications pii:10.1186/s40478-025-02210-w [Epub ahead of print].
TDP-43 proteinopathies, such as frontotemporal degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are classified into five neuropathological subtypes, Types A to E, according to the morphology of TDP-43 inclusions. Recent cryo-electron microscopy analysis of FTLD-TDP cases demonstrated that TDP-43 filaments composing the inclusions are structurally different depending on the subtype, and remarkably, co-assembled heteromeric filaments of TDP-43 and annexin A11 (ANXA11) were identified in Type C. Therefore, the involvement of ANXA11 in TDP-43 proteinopathy should be further examined. Here, we pathologically and biochemically analyzed four cases of primary lateral sclerosis-phenotype FTLD/motor neuron disease (MND) with TDP-43 pathology (PLS-TDP), and found that ANXA11 co-localizes with FTLD-TDP Type A pathology in PLS-TDP. Immunoblot analysis of the PLS-TDP cases revealed that the banding patterns of C-terminal and chymotrypsin-resistant fragments of TDP-43 are distinct from those of FTLD-TDP Types A, B and C. In addition, the N-terminal fragments of ANXA11 appear to be different from those of FTLD-TDP Type C. Filaments extracted from PLS-TDP cases were TDP-43- and ANXA11-immunopositive, suggesting the presence of TDP-ANXA11 heteromeric filaments. These results suggest that co-aggregation of ANXA11 and TDP-43 may serve as a neuropathological and biochemical indicator distinguishing PLS from ALS in FTLD/MND.
Additional Links: PMID-41486180
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@article {pmid41486180,
year = {2026},
author = {Tarutani, A and Nonaka, T and Ohtani, R and Imai, K and Ito, Y and Tsuji, H and Mochizuki, A and Tamaoka, A and Arai, T and Robinson, AC and Mann, DMA and Kosaka, T and Takahashi, H and Kakita, A and Yoshida, M and Hasegawa, M},
title = {Co-aggregation of annexin A11 and TDP-43 in FTLD/MND with primary lateral sclerosis phenotype.},
journal = {Acta neuropathologica communications},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s40478-025-02210-w},
pmid = {41486180},
issn = {2051-5960},
support = {JP24wm0625120//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; JP21wm0425019//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; JP24dk0207074h0001//Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development/ ; JP20K16482//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; JP25K21773//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; JP24H00624//Japan Society for the Promotion of Science/ ; JPMJCR18H3//Japan Science and Technology Agency/ ; },
abstract = {TDP-43 proteinopathies, such as frontotemporal degeneration (FTLD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), are classified into five neuropathological subtypes, Types A to E, according to the morphology of TDP-43 inclusions. Recent cryo-electron microscopy analysis of FTLD-TDP cases demonstrated that TDP-43 filaments composing the inclusions are structurally different depending on the subtype, and remarkably, co-assembled heteromeric filaments of TDP-43 and annexin A11 (ANXA11) were identified in Type C. Therefore, the involvement of ANXA11 in TDP-43 proteinopathy should be further examined. Here, we pathologically and biochemically analyzed four cases of primary lateral sclerosis-phenotype FTLD/motor neuron disease (MND) with TDP-43 pathology (PLS-TDP), and found that ANXA11 co-localizes with FTLD-TDP Type A pathology in PLS-TDP. Immunoblot analysis of the PLS-TDP cases revealed that the banding patterns of C-terminal and chymotrypsin-resistant fragments of TDP-43 are distinct from those of FTLD-TDP Types A, B and C. In addition, the N-terminal fragments of ANXA11 appear to be different from those of FTLD-TDP Type C. Filaments extracted from PLS-TDP cases were TDP-43- and ANXA11-immunopositive, suggesting the presence of TDP-ANXA11 heteromeric filaments. These results suggest that co-aggregation of ANXA11 and TDP-43 may serve as a neuropathological and biochemical indicator distinguishing PLS from ALS in FTLD/MND.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-04
TBK1 orchestrates autophagy and endo-lysosomal pathways in human neurons.
Autophagy [Epub ahead of print].
Haploinsufficiency of TBK1 causes familial ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), yet the mechanisms by which TBK1 loss leads to neurodegeneration remain unclear. Using deep proteomics and phospho-proteomics, we demonstrate that TBK1 regulates select macroautophagy/autophagy factors, targeting cargo receptors and autophagy initiation factors, and also sustains the phosphorylation of the late endosomal marker RAB7A in stem cells and stem cell-derived excitatory neurons. We further uncovered novel TBK1-dependent phosphorylation sites in the key autophagy protein SQSTM1/p62. Loss of TBK1 function results in a cell-autonomous neurodegenerative phenotype characterized by impaired neurite outgrowth and lysosomal dysfunction.
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@article {pmid41485128,
year = {2026},
author = {Mordes, DA and Smeyers, J},
title = {TBK1 orchestrates autophagy and endo-lysosomal pathways in human neurons.},
journal = {Autophagy},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-3},
doi = {10.1080/15548627.2025.2609924},
pmid = {41485128},
issn = {1554-8635},
abstract = {Haploinsufficiency of TBK1 causes familial ALS and frontotemporal dementia (FTD), yet the mechanisms by which TBK1 loss leads to neurodegeneration remain unclear. Using deep proteomics and phospho-proteomics, we demonstrate that TBK1 regulates select macroautophagy/autophagy factors, targeting cargo receptors and autophagy initiation factors, and also sustains the phosphorylation of the late endosomal marker RAB7A in stem cells and stem cell-derived excitatory neurons. We further uncovered novel TBK1-dependent phosphorylation sites in the key autophagy protein SQSTM1/p62. Loss of TBK1 function results in a cell-autonomous neurodegenerative phenotype characterized by impaired neurite outgrowth and lysosomal dysfunction.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-04
Calcineurin depletion coincides with phosphorylated TDP-43 deposition in a mouse model of ALS/FTLD-TDP.
Acta neuropathologica communications pii:10.1186/s40478-025-02192-9 [Epub ahead of print].
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TDP) exhibit predominantly cytoplasmic phosphorylated inclusions of the protein TDP-43 as the major neuropathological lesion. Phosphorylated TDP-43 can modify protein aggregation and promote neuronal dysfunction and neurodegeneration in models of ALS and FTLD-TDP. The phosphatase calcineurin has previously been shown to directly dephosphorylate TDP-43 in vitro and prevent accumulation of phosphorylated TDP-43 in vivo in C. elegans. However, it is unknown whether dysregulation of calcineurin contributes to increased TDP-43 phosphorylation and neurodegeneration in the mammalian brain. Here we show in an inducible mouse model of ALS/FTLD-TDP driven by expression and cytoplasmic mislocalization of human TDP-43 (rNLS8 mice), calcineurin protein decreases dramatically in the brain. This depletion coincides with increased levels of the TDP-43 kinase CDC7 and accumulation of phosphorylated TDP-43, and precedes frank neurodegeneration. Using brain-wide single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNAseq) in symptomatic rNLS8 mice, we find cell-type selective reduced expression of catalytic and regulatory subunits of calcineurin predominantly in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons. In mouse primary neuron culture and C. elegans models of ALS/FTLD-TDP, we demonstrate activation or overexpression of calcineurin protects against accumulation of phosphorylated TDP-43, neurotoxicity, and neurodegeneration. Taken together, our data suggests calcineurin dysregulation may be a major contributor to loss of brain resilience mechanisms against phosphorylated TDP-43. Restoring calcineurin activity may present a new target for intervening in TDP-43 proteinopathies, including ALS and FTLD-TDP.
Additional Links: PMID-41485061
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@article {pmid41485061,
year = {2026},
author = {Waldherr, SM and Eck, RJ and Hincks, JC and Currey, HN and Goldberg, M and McMillan, PJ and Saxton, AD and Hulsey-Vincent, HJ and Latimer, CS and Kraemer, BC and Liachko, NF},
title = {Calcineurin depletion coincides with phosphorylated TDP-43 deposition in a mouse model of ALS/FTLD-TDP.},
journal = {Acta neuropathologica communications},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s40478-025-02192-9},
pmid = {41485061},
issn = {2051-5960},
support = {F99AG088436/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; R01SN0064131/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; R01AG066729/NH/NIH HHS/United States ; IK6BX006467//U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/ ; I01BX005762//U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/ ; },
abstract = {Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD-TDP) exhibit predominantly cytoplasmic phosphorylated inclusions of the protein TDP-43 as the major neuropathological lesion. Phosphorylated TDP-43 can modify protein aggregation and promote neuronal dysfunction and neurodegeneration in models of ALS and FTLD-TDP. The phosphatase calcineurin has previously been shown to directly dephosphorylate TDP-43 in vitro and prevent accumulation of phosphorylated TDP-43 in vivo in C. elegans. However, it is unknown whether dysregulation of calcineurin contributes to increased TDP-43 phosphorylation and neurodegeneration in the mammalian brain. Here we show in an inducible mouse model of ALS/FTLD-TDP driven by expression and cytoplasmic mislocalization of human TDP-43 (rNLS8 mice), calcineurin protein decreases dramatically in the brain. This depletion coincides with increased levels of the TDP-43 kinase CDC7 and accumulation of phosphorylated TDP-43, and precedes frank neurodegeneration. Using brain-wide single nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNAseq) in symptomatic rNLS8 mice, we find cell-type selective reduced expression of catalytic and regulatory subunits of calcineurin predominantly in GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons. In mouse primary neuron culture and C. elegans models of ALS/FTLD-TDP, we demonstrate activation or overexpression of calcineurin protects against accumulation of phosphorylated TDP-43, neurotoxicity, and neurodegeneration. Taken together, our data suggests calcineurin dysregulation may be a major contributor to loss of brain resilience mechanisms against phosphorylated TDP-43. Restoring calcineurin activity may present a new target for intervening in TDP-43 proteinopathies, including ALS and FTLD-TDP.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-04
Prehospital transesophageal echocardiography versus conventional advanced life support in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (PHTEE-OHCA) - a randomized controlled pilot study.
Critical care (London, England) pii:10.1186/s13054-025-05805-w [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Transesophageal echocardiography during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest can be performed during ongoing chest compressions and may improve resuscitation quality, but its prehospital use has not been systematically evaluated. To assess the feasibility, diagnostic yield, and impact of prehospital TEE on resuscitation metrics and advanced life support (ALS) interventions during OHCA.
METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in a physician-staffed two-tiered emergency medical service (EMS). Adults with ongoing non-traumatic OHCA were randomized 1:1 to standard ALS or ALS plus TEE. The primary endpoints were hands-off time and chest compression fraction (CCF) from EMS arrival to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or resuscitation termination. Secondary endpoints included ROSC at hospital admission, survival to hospital discharge, neurological status at hospital discharge, and TEE findings. Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle.
RESULTS: Of 249 screened patients, 35 were randomized and 32 analyzed (TEE n = 15; control n = 17). Median hands-off time was 4 s in both groups. Mean CCF was higher in the TEE group (96.2%) than the control group (91.6%), with a mean difference of 4.6% (95% confidence interval 2.5-6.7; p < 0.001). Sustained ROSC occurred in 40% (TEE) versus 71% (control; p = 0.083). The control group had an eCPR rate of 41%, compared to 20% in the TEE group. Using TEE, an incorrect area of maximal compression or inadequate depth was identified in 23% and 14%, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Prehospital TEE during OHCA was feasible without negatively interfering with CPR metrics, and provided clinically relevant diagnostic information and procedural guidance, warranting further evaluation in larger trials.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00028695 registered on 28 April 2022.
Additional Links: PMID-41484784
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@article {pmid41484784,
year = {2026},
author = {Katzenschlager, S and Kaltschmidt, N and Dietrich, M and Fiedler-Kalenka, M and Klemm, S and Kofler, O and Mohr, S and Eisner, C and Neuhaus, C and Simon, C and Weigand, MA and Weilbacher, F and Popp, E},
title = {Prehospital transesophageal echocardiography versus conventional advanced life support in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (PHTEE-OHCA) - a randomized controlled pilot study.},
journal = {Critical care (London, England)},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1186/s13054-025-05805-w},
pmid = {41484784},
issn = {1466-609X},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Transesophageal echocardiography during out-of-hospital cardiac arrest can be performed during ongoing chest compressions and may improve resuscitation quality, but its prehospital use has not been systematically evaluated. To assess the feasibility, diagnostic yield, and impact of prehospital TEE on resuscitation metrics and advanced life support (ALS) interventions during OHCA.
METHODS: We conducted a randomized controlled trial in a physician-staffed two-tiered emergency medical service (EMS). Adults with ongoing non-traumatic OHCA were randomized 1:1 to standard ALS or ALS plus TEE. The primary endpoints were hands-off time and chest compression fraction (CCF) from EMS arrival to return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) or resuscitation termination. Secondary endpoints included ROSC at hospital admission, survival to hospital discharge, neurological status at hospital discharge, and TEE findings. Analyses followed the intention-to-treat principle.
RESULTS: Of 249 screened patients, 35 were randomized and 32 analyzed (TEE n = 15; control n = 17). Median hands-off time was 4 s in both groups. Mean CCF was higher in the TEE group (96.2%) than the control group (91.6%), with a mean difference of 4.6% (95% confidence interval 2.5-6.7; p < 0.001). Sustained ROSC occurred in 40% (TEE) versus 71% (control; p = 0.083). The control group had an eCPR rate of 41%, compared to 20% in the TEE group. Using TEE, an incorrect area of maximal compression or inadequate depth was identified in 23% and 14%, respectively.
CONCLUSION: Prehospital TEE during OHCA was feasible without negatively interfering with CPR metrics, and provided clinically relevant diagnostic information and procedural guidance, warranting further evaluation in larger trials.
TRIAL REGISTRATION: German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00028695 registered on 28 April 2022.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-04
Revisiting MASLD-based pregnancy risk stratification: a critical appraisal of Jung et al.'s nationwide cohort study.
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@article {pmid41484575,
year = {2026},
author = {Luo, J},
title = {Revisiting MASLD-based pregnancy risk stratification: a critical appraisal of Jung et al.'s nationwide cohort study.},
journal = {Hepatology international},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
pmid = {41484575},
issn = {1936-0541},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-03
Migrastatic therapy as a potential game-changer in adaptive cancer treatment.
Scientific reports pii:10.1038/s41598-025-33902-x [Epub ahead of print].
Adaptive therapy, which anticipates and counters the evolution of resistance in cancer cells, has gained significant traction, especially following the success of the Zhang et al.'s protocol in treating metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. While several adaptive therapies have now advanced to clinical trials, none currently incorporates migrastatics, i.e. treatments designed to inhibit cancer cell metastasis. In this study, we propose integrating migrastatics into adaptive therapy protocols and evaluate its potential benefits through a spatial game-theoretic model. Our results demonstrate that combining adaptive therapy with migrastatics effectively delays the onset of metastases and reduces both the number and size of metastases in most cancer scenarios analyzed. Including migrastatics to adaptive therapy not only extends the time to the first metastasis, but also enhances the overall efficacy of adaptive therapies. Our findings suggest a promising new direction for cancer treatment, where adaptive therapy, in combination with migrastatic agents, can target both the evolution of resistance and the metastatic spread of cancer cells.
Additional Links: PMID-41484230
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid41484230,
year = {2026},
author = {Schneider, K and Spekking, L and Azimi, S and Peltanová, B and Rösel, D and Brown, JS and Gatenby, RA and Brábek, J and Staňková, K},
title = {Migrastatic therapy as a potential game-changer in adaptive cancer treatment.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-025-33902-x},
pmid = {41484230},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {24-11903S//Grantová Agentura České Republiky/ ; 24-11903S//Grantová Agentura České Republiky/ ; 24-10672S//Grantová Agentura České Republiky/ ; LX22NPO5102//National Institute for Cancer Research/ ; LX22NPO5102//National Institute for Cancer Research/ ; LX22NPO5102//National Institute for Cancer Research/ ; 955708//European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program/ ; 955708//European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program/ ; VI.Vidi.213.139/NWO_/Dutch Research Council/Netherlands ; },
abstract = {Adaptive therapy, which anticipates and counters the evolution of resistance in cancer cells, has gained significant traction, especially following the success of the Zhang et al.'s protocol in treating metastatic castrate-resistant prostate cancer. While several adaptive therapies have now advanced to clinical trials, none currently incorporates migrastatics, i.e. treatments designed to inhibit cancer cell metastasis. In this study, we propose integrating migrastatics into adaptive therapy protocols and evaluate its potential benefits through a spatial game-theoretic model. Our results demonstrate that combining adaptive therapy with migrastatics effectively delays the onset of metastases and reduces both the number and size of metastases in most cancer scenarios analyzed. Including migrastatics to adaptive therapy not only extends the time to the first metastasis, but also enhances the overall efficacy of adaptive therapies. Our findings suggest a promising new direction for cancer treatment, where adaptive therapy, in combination with migrastatic agents, can target both the evolution of resistance and the metastatic spread of cancer cells.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-03
Super excitability at 7 ms: a superior prognostic biomarker beyond CMAP in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 47(1):71.
Additional Links: PMID-41483413
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@article {pmid41483413,
year = {2026},
author = {Khan, T and Mahboob, H and Zehra, M and Saqib, HW and Ahmad, M},
title = {Super excitability at 7 ms: a superior prognostic biomarker beyond CMAP in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.},
journal = {Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology},
volume = {47},
number = {1},
pages = {71},
pmid = {41483413},
issn = {1590-3478},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-02
Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with hand weakness and bulbar involvement.
Practical neurology pii:pn-2025-004950 [Epub ahead of print].
A 76-year-old man developed progressive motor weakness, bulbar symptoms and hand muscle atrophy, initially suspected to be due to motor neurone disease. Unexpected findings on cardiological evaluation identified amyloidosis, and genetic testing confirmed the TTR p.Val50Met mutation, indicating late-onset hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with a mixed neuropathic and cardiac phenotype. The diagnosis was delayed and complicated by minimal sensory symptoms and the atypical presentation.
Additional Links: PMID-41482475
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@article {pmid41482475,
year = {2026},
author = {Bernsen, S and Weydt, P},
title = {Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with hand weakness and bulbar involvement.},
journal = {Practical neurology},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1136/pn-2025-004950},
pmid = {41482475},
issn = {1474-7766},
abstract = {A 76-year-old man developed progressive motor weakness, bulbar symptoms and hand muscle atrophy, initially suspected to be due to motor neurone disease. Unexpected findings on cardiological evaluation identified amyloidosis, and genetic testing confirmed the TTR p.Val50Met mutation, indicating late-onset hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis with a mixed neuropathic and cardiac phenotype. The diagnosis was delayed and complicated by minimal sensory symptoms and the atypical presentation.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-02
Homozygosity for the C allele at UNC13A rs12608932 seems to compromise cognition in ALS independently of the cognitive domains.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration [Epub ahead of print].
The common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs12608932 located at a cryptic splice in the UNC13A gene has been reported to modify the clinical phenotype of ALS, but it is unclear whether homozygosity for the C-allele at UNC13A rs12608932 modifies specific domains of cognition in ALS. We analyzed retrospective data from a German cohort and found that the proportion of cognitively or behaviorally impaired patients was higher in the high-risk group of homozygous C-allele carriers. Patients with C/C alleles had lower scores than controls on verbal fluency, executive functioning, and delayed memory recall, but did not differ significantly from other ALS genotypes. Furthermore, informant ratings suggested higher disinhibition in the C/C carriers. These findings indicate that the C/C risk variant of UNC13A rs12608932 may contribute to general cognitive vulnerability rather than domain-specific deficit.
Additional Links: PMID-41481541
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@article {pmid41481541,
year = {2026},
author = {Lehto, A and Zapf, A and Hermann, A and Machts, J and Vielhaber, S and Koppenbrink, J and Edbauer, D and Kasper, E and Prudlo, J},
title = {Homozygosity for the C allele at UNC13A rs12608932 seems to compromise cognition in ALS independently of the cognitive domains.},
journal = {Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {1-4},
doi = {10.1080/21678421.2025.2608238},
pmid = {41481541},
issn = {2167-9223},
abstract = {The common single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs12608932 located at a cryptic splice in the UNC13A gene has been reported to modify the clinical phenotype of ALS, but it is unclear whether homozygosity for the C-allele at UNC13A rs12608932 modifies specific domains of cognition in ALS. We analyzed retrospective data from a German cohort and found that the proportion of cognitively or behaviorally impaired patients was higher in the high-risk group of homozygous C-allele carriers. Patients with C/C alleles had lower scores than controls on verbal fluency, executive functioning, and delayed memory recall, but did not differ significantly from other ALS genotypes. Furthermore, informant ratings suggested higher disinhibition in the C/C carriers. These findings indicate that the C/C risk variant of UNC13A rs12608932 may contribute to general cognitive vulnerability rather than domain-specific deficit.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-02
Physical and nutritional properties of meat analogues obtained by high-moisture extrusion with the inclusion of high Andean algae flours: Llaska (Cladophora crispata) and Cushuro (Nostoc sphaericum).
Food science and technology international = Ciencia y tecnologia de los alimentos internacional [Epub ahead of print].
Environmental impact of the meat industry and the adverse effects of excessive meat consumption, has prompted the search for sustainable and healthy protein alternatives. This study assessed the physical and textural properties and nutritional profile of two meat analogues processed by high-moisture extrusion, including Llaska (Cladophora crispata) (AL) and Cushuro (Nostoc sphaericum) (AC) flours. Color was evaluated by digital image analysis; textural profile analysis (TPA) was determined by compression tests. The nutritional profile was determined by proximate analysis, spectrophotometric, and chromatographic techniques. AL and AC were green and dark brown, respectively. The luminosity and hue of AC are similar to chicken meat. TPA shows that ALs had a greater degree of hardness and texturization than ACs. AL and AC, processed at a temperature of 135 °C and moisture level of 75% and 65%, respectively, exhibited textures comparable to that of chicken meat. Nutritionally, ACs showed higher antioxidant capacity (∼15,382 μMol Trolox/100 g), ∼30 times higher than chicken meat. Amino acid profiles indicate that both samples provide essential amino acids comparable to chicken meat, which are indispensable in a healthy diet. Consequently, these algae have potential to enrich the nutritional profile of meat analogues as a possible healthy and sustainable alternative to conventional meats.
Additional Links: PMID-41481500
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@article {pmid41481500,
year = {2026},
author = {Leon, AM and Sucasaca, A and Choque-Quispe, BM and Medina, WT},
title = {Physical and nutritional properties of meat analogues obtained by high-moisture extrusion with the inclusion of high Andean algae flours: Llaska (Cladophora crispata) and Cushuro (Nostoc sphaericum).},
journal = {Food science and technology international = Ciencia y tecnologia de los alimentos internacional},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {10820132251409012},
doi = {10.1177/10820132251409012},
pmid = {41481500},
issn = {1532-1738},
abstract = {Environmental impact of the meat industry and the adverse effects of excessive meat consumption, has prompted the search for sustainable and healthy protein alternatives. This study assessed the physical and textural properties and nutritional profile of two meat analogues processed by high-moisture extrusion, including Llaska (Cladophora crispata) (AL) and Cushuro (Nostoc sphaericum) (AC) flours. Color was evaluated by digital image analysis; textural profile analysis (TPA) was determined by compression tests. The nutritional profile was determined by proximate analysis, spectrophotometric, and chromatographic techniques. AL and AC were green and dark brown, respectively. The luminosity and hue of AC are similar to chicken meat. TPA shows that ALs had a greater degree of hardness and texturization than ACs. AL and AC, processed at a temperature of 135 °C and moisture level of 75% and 65%, respectively, exhibited textures comparable to that of chicken meat. Nutritionally, ACs showed higher antioxidant capacity (∼15,382 μMol Trolox/100 g), ∼30 times higher than chicken meat. Amino acid profiles indicate that both samples provide essential amino acids comparable to chicken meat, which are indispensable in a healthy diet. Consequently, these algae have potential to enrich the nutritional profile of meat analogues as a possible healthy and sustainable alternative to conventional meats.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-02
Joint model with latent disease age: Overcoming the need for reference time.
Statistical methods in medical research [Epub ahead of print].
Heterogeneity of the progression of neurodegenerative diseases is one of the main challenges faced in developing therapies. Thanks to the increasing number of clinical databases, progression models have allowed a better understanding of this heterogeneity. Joint models have proven their effectiveness by combining longitudinal and survival data. Nevertheless, they require a reference time, which is ill-defined for neurodegenerative diseases, where biological underlying processes start before the first symptoms. In this work, we propose a joint non-linear mixed-effect model with a latent disease age, to overcome this need for a precise reference time. We used a longitudinal model with a latent disease age as a longitudinal sub-model. We associated it with a survival sub-model that estimates a Weibull distribution from the latent disease age. We validated our model on simulated data and benchmarked it with a state-of-the-art joint model on data from patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Finally, we showed how the model could be used to describe ALS heterogeneity. Our model got significantly better results than the state-of-the-art joint model for absolute bias on ALS functional rating scale revised score (4.21(SD 4.41) versus 4.24(SD 4.14)(p-value=1.4×10-17)), and mean-cumulative-AUC for right-censored events on death (0.67(0.07) versus 0.61(0.09)(p-value=1.7×10-03)). To conclude, we propose a new model better suited in the context of unreliable reference time.
Additional Links: PMID-41481411
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@article {pmid41481411,
year = {2026},
author = {Ortholand, J and Gensollen, N and Durrleman, S and Du Montcel, ST},
title = {Joint model with latent disease age: Overcoming the need for reference time.},
journal = {Statistical methods in medical research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {9622802251399917},
doi = {10.1177/09622802251399917},
pmid = {41481411},
issn = {1477-0334},
abstract = {Heterogeneity of the progression of neurodegenerative diseases is one of the main challenges faced in developing therapies. Thanks to the increasing number of clinical databases, progression models have allowed a better understanding of this heterogeneity. Joint models have proven their effectiveness by combining longitudinal and survival data. Nevertheless, they require a reference time, which is ill-defined for neurodegenerative diseases, where biological underlying processes start before the first symptoms. In this work, we propose a joint non-linear mixed-effect model with a latent disease age, to overcome this need for a precise reference time. We used a longitudinal model with a latent disease age as a longitudinal sub-model. We associated it with a survival sub-model that estimates a Weibull distribution from the latent disease age. We validated our model on simulated data and benchmarked it with a state-of-the-art joint model on data from patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Finally, we showed how the model could be used to describe ALS heterogeneity. Our model got significantly better results than the state-of-the-art joint model for absolute bias on ALS functional rating scale revised score (4.21(SD 4.41) versus 4.24(SD 4.14)(p-value=1.4×10-17)), and mean-cumulative-AUC for right-censored events on death (0.67(0.07) versus 0.61(0.09)(p-value=1.7×10-03)). To conclude, we propose a new model better suited in the context of unreliable reference time.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-02
Three-State Unfolding of Telomeric G-Quadruplexes through Conformational Switching in Crowded Cell-like Conditions.
Biochemistry [Epub ahead of print].
The unfolding of telomeric G-quadruplexes (G4s) is a key step in telomere elongation and regulation. Within cells, the highly crowded intracellular milieu significantly influences the structural stability and dynamics of G4s; however, the molecular mechanism governing their unfolding under such conditions remains poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated the thermal unfolding of various human telomeric G4 sequences in KCl, both in the absence and presence of molecular crowders, using temperature-dependent circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy combined with singular value decomposition, multivariate curve resolution alternating least-squares (MCR-ALS), and well-tempered metadynamics simulations. In KCl alone, telomeric G4s exhibit a two-state unfolding mechanism, where the hybrid-type topology directly converts into the unfolded random-coil state. In contrast, under crowded conditions, particularly in the presence of hydrophobic crowders, the unfolding follows a three-state pathway involving a distinct intermediate. The hybrid structure initially transitions to a parallel-type topology at elevated temperatures before fully unfolding. This stabilization of the parallel topology arises from preferential interactions between hydrophobic crowders and the exposed loop nucleobases of the parallel G4 form. On the other hand, hydrophilic crowders exert minimal influence on the unfolding pathway, which remains similar to that observed in KCl solution. Overall, these findings provide molecular-level insights into the unfolding process of telomeric G4 DNA in crowded cell-like environments and may be useful in understanding the complex telomere elongation process.
Additional Links: PMID-41480876
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@article {pmid41480876,
year = {2026},
author = {Majumdar, T and Das, PK and Bisoi, A and Jana, B and Singh, PC},
title = {Three-State Unfolding of Telomeric G-Quadruplexes through Conformational Switching in Crowded Cell-like Conditions.},
journal = {Biochemistry},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1021/acs.biochem.5c00486},
pmid = {41480876},
issn = {1520-4995},
abstract = {The unfolding of telomeric G-quadruplexes (G4s) is a key step in telomere elongation and regulation. Within cells, the highly crowded intracellular milieu significantly influences the structural stability and dynamics of G4s; however, the molecular mechanism governing their unfolding under such conditions remains poorly understood. In this study, we have investigated the thermal unfolding of various human telomeric G4 sequences in KCl, both in the absence and presence of molecular crowders, using temperature-dependent circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy combined with singular value decomposition, multivariate curve resolution alternating least-squares (MCR-ALS), and well-tempered metadynamics simulations. In KCl alone, telomeric G4s exhibit a two-state unfolding mechanism, where the hybrid-type topology directly converts into the unfolded random-coil state. In contrast, under crowded conditions, particularly in the presence of hydrophobic crowders, the unfolding follows a three-state pathway involving a distinct intermediate. The hybrid structure initially transitions to a parallel-type topology at elevated temperatures before fully unfolding. This stabilization of the parallel topology arises from preferential interactions between hydrophobic crowders and the exposed loop nucleobases of the parallel G4 form. On the other hand, hydrophilic crowders exert minimal influence on the unfolding pathway, which remains similar to that observed in KCl solution. Overall, these findings provide molecular-level insights into the unfolding process of telomeric G4 DNA in crowded cell-like environments and may be useful in understanding the complex telomere elongation process.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-02
Extracellular vesicle-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.
NeuroImmune pharmacology and therapeutics, 4(4):377-390.
Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are mediators of neurodegeneration and emerging therapeutic tools for central nervous system disorders. On the one hand, they help spread beta amyloid, tau, α-synuclein, TDP-43, and mutant SOD1, contributing to the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's Diseases. By activating glial cells, they promote chronic neuroinflammation through carrying cytokines, inflammasomes, and chemokines. On the other hand, EVs' ability to transport neuroregulatory products and cross the blood-brain barrier makes them ideal vehicles for drug delivery. Their function can be surface-modified to deliver targeted therapies, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective regulatory RNAs, proteins, and lipids, as well as factors that help maintain neural homeostasis. Notably, we suggest that colostrum-derived EVs, enriched with growth factors and immune-regulatory microRNAs, offer a natural, scalable, and biocompatible source for neuroprotective treatment. Although EVs can act as "Janus-faced" entities - serving both as disease initiators and versatile therapeutic vehicles - controlling their activity can enable immune-based therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.
Additional Links: PMID-41480618
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@article {pmid41480618,
year = {2025},
author = {Hu, G and Gogzheyan, C and Panja, S and Sil, S and Gendelman, HE},
title = {Extracellular vesicle-based therapies for neurodegenerative diseases.},
journal = {NeuroImmune pharmacology and therapeutics},
volume = {4},
number = {4},
pages = {377-390},
pmid = {41480618},
issn = {2750-6665},
abstract = {Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are mediators of neurodegeneration and emerging therapeutic tools for central nervous system disorders. On the one hand, they help spread beta amyloid, tau, α-synuclein, TDP-43, and mutant SOD1, contributing to the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and Huntington's Diseases. By activating glial cells, they promote chronic neuroinflammation through carrying cytokines, inflammasomes, and chemokines. On the other hand, EVs' ability to transport neuroregulatory products and cross the blood-brain barrier makes them ideal vehicles for drug delivery. Their function can be surface-modified to deliver targeted therapies, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective regulatory RNAs, proteins, and lipids, as well as factors that help maintain neural homeostasis. Notably, we suggest that colostrum-derived EVs, enriched with growth factors and immune-regulatory microRNAs, offer a natural, scalable, and biocompatible source for neuroprotective treatment. Although EVs can act as "Janus-faced" entities - serving both as disease initiators and versatile therapeutic vehicles - controlling their activity can enable immune-based therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-02
CmpDate: 2026-01-02
Exercise with induced pluripotent stem cells enhances Wnt1-Lmx1a signaling and dopaminergic neurogenesis to alleviate Parkinsonian symptoms.
World journal of stem cells, 17(12):113924.
This article focused on the recent contribution by Jiang et al, who demonstrated that voluntary exercise can significantly potentiate the effects of induced pluripotent stem cell transplantation in a Parkinson's disease (PD) model through activation of the Wnt1-Lmx1a signaling cascade. Jiang et al's findings highlight the role of exercise as a molecular modulator of neurogenesis and support the development of integrated strategies combining physical activity, stem cell transplantation, and biomaterials to improve outcomes in PD. We highlight exercise as a molecular modulator that fosters a neurogenic milieu, recommend examining additional developmental signals (sonic hedgehog, fibroblast growth factor 8, bone morphogenetic protein), and suggest biomaterial-based strategies to support graft survival and integration. We also stress the need to optimize exercise regimens in relation to transplantation, framing these insights within a translational strategy for advancing regenerative therapies in PD.
Additional Links: PMID-41480396
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@article {pmid41480396,
year = {2025},
author = {Arafat, A and Soliman, SMA and Farghaly, TA and Ebrahim, NAA},
title = {Exercise with induced pluripotent stem cells enhances Wnt1-Lmx1a signaling and dopaminergic neurogenesis to alleviate Parkinsonian symptoms.},
journal = {World journal of stem cells},
volume = {17},
number = {12},
pages = {113924},
pmid = {41480396},
issn = {1948-0210},
abstract = {This article focused on the recent contribution by Jiang et al, who demonstrated that voluntary exercise can significantly potentiate the effects of induced pluripotent stem cell transplantation in a Parkinson's disease (PD) model through activation of the Wnt1-Lmx1a signaling cascade. Jiang et al's findings highlight the role of exercise as a molecular modulator of neurogenesis and support the development of integrated strategies combining physical activity, stem cell transplantation, and biomaterials to improve outcomes in PD. We highlight exercise as a molecular modulator that fosters a neurogenic milieu, recommend examining additional developmental signals (sonic hedgehog, fibroblast growth factor 8, bone morphogenetic protein), and suggest biomaterial-based strategies to support graft survival and integration. We also stress the need to optimize exercise regimens in relation to transplantation, framing these insights within a translational strategy for advancing regenerative therapies in PD.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-02
CmpDate: 2026-01-02
Unmasking the high-risk phenotype in autoimmune gastritis: A pathologist's roadmap for the clinician.
World journal of gastroenterology, 31(48):115244.
Li et al's recent work on the risk factors for autoimmune gastritis provides clinical context for the vast majority of gastric neuroendocrine tumors (G-NETs). However, a deeper understanding of the underlying pathology is needed for precise clinical management. Our letter details the predictable stepwise progression of type 1 G-NETs from autoimmune-driven corporal atrophy and hypergastrinemia to a clear microscopic sequence of enterochromaffin-like cell precursor lesions, including linear hyperplasia, micronodular hyperplasia, and dysplasia. We highlight the definitive diagnostic thresholds that separate these precursors from overt neoplasia: The 0.5 mm size rule and the presence of submucosal invasion. We advocate for a "prognostic biopsy protocol" in which pathologists actively report these precursor lesions and use Ki-67 to grade G-NETs, providing a quantitative risk assessment. This pathology-centric approach transforms surveillance, allowing clinicians to act on objective microscopic milestones rather than waiting for macroscopically visible tumors.
Additional Links: PMID-41480315
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@article {pmid41480315,
year = {2025},
author = {Wang, CL and Zeng, M and Luo, Y},
title = {Unmasking the high-risk phenotype in autoimmune gastritis: A pathologist's roadmap for the clinician.},
journal = {World journal of gastroenterology},
volume = {31},
number = {48},
pages = {115244},
pmid = {41480315},
issn = {2219-2840},
mesh = {Humans ; *Stomach Neoplasms/pathology/diagnosis/immunology ; *Autoimmune Diseases/pathology/immunology/diagnosis ; *Gastritis/pathology/immunology/diagnosis ; Biopsy ; *Neuroendocrine Tumors/pathology/immunology/diagnosis ; Phenotype ; Risk Factors ; *Precancerous Conditions/pathology/immunology/diagnosis ; *Gastric Mucosa/pathology/immunology ; Risk Assessment ; Pathologists ; Ki-67 Antigen/analysis ; Prognosis ; Disease Progression ; },
abstract = {Li et al's recent work on the risk factors for autoimmune gastritis provides clinical context for the vast majority of gastric neuroendocrine tumors (G-NETs). However, a deeper understanding of the underlying pathology is needed for precise clinical management. Our letter details the predictable stepwise progression of type 1 G-NETs from autoimmune-driven corporal atrophy and hypergastrinemia to a clear microscopic sequence of enterochromaffin-like cell precursor lesions, including linear hyperplasia, micronodular hyperplasia, and dysplasia. We highlight the definitive diagnostic thresholds that separate these precursors from overt neoplasia: The 0.5 mm size rule and the presence of submucosal invasion. We advocate for a "prognostic biopsy protocol" in which pathologists actively report these precursor lesions and use Ki-67 to grade G-NETs, providing a quantitative risk assessment. This pathology-centric approach transforms surveillance, allowing clinicians to act on objective microscopic milestones rather than waiting for macroscopically visible tumors.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Humans
*Stomach Neoplasms/pathology/diagnosis/immunology
*Autoimmune Diseases/pathology/immunology/diagnosis
*Gastritis/pathology/immunology/diagnosis
Biopsy
*Neuroendocrine Tumors/pathology/immunology/diagnosis
Phenotype
Risk Factors
*Precancerous Conditions/pathology/immunology/diagnosis
*Gastric Mucosa/pathology/immunology
Risk Assessment
Pathologists
Ki-67 Antigen/analysis
Prognosis
Disease Progression
RevDate: 2026-01-02
CmpDate: 2026-01-02
SynSpine: an automated workflow for the generation of longitudinal spinal cord synthetic MRI data.
Frontiers in neuroinformatics, 19:1649440.
BACKGROUND: Spinal cord atrophy is a key biomarker for tracking disease progression in neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and spinal cord injury. Recent MRI advancements have improved atrophy detection, particularly in the cervical region, facilitating longitudinal studies. However, validating atrophy quantification algorithms remains challenging due to limited ground truth data.
OBJECTIVE: This study introduces SynSpine, a workflow for generating synthetic spinal cord MRI data (i.e., digital phantoms) with controlled levels of artificial atrophy. These phantoms support the development and preliminary validation of spinal cord imaging pipelines designed to measure degeneration over time.
METHODS: The workflow consists of two phases: (1) generating synthetic MR images by isolating, extracting and scaling the spinal cord, simulating atrophy on the PAM50 template; (2) performing non-rigid registration to align the synthetic images with the subject's native space, ensuring accurate anatomical correspondence. A proof-of-concept application utilizing the Active Surface and Reg methods implemented in Jim demonstrated its effectiveness in detecting atrophy across various levels of simulated atrophy and noise.
RESULTS: SynSpine successfully generates synthetic spinal cord images with varying atrophy levels. Non-rigid registration did not significantly affect atrophy measurements. Atrophy estimation errors, estimated using Active Surface and Reg methods, varied with both simulated atrophy magnitude and noise level, exhibiting region-dependent differences. Increased noise led to higher measurement errors.
CONCLUSION: This work presents a novel and modular framework for simulating spinal cord atrophy data using digital phantoms, offering a controlled setting for testing spinal cord analysis pipelines. As the simulated atrophy may over-simplify in vivo conditions, future research will focus on enhancing the realism of the synthetic dataset by simulating additional pathologies, thus improving its application for evaluating spinal cord atrophy in clinical and research contexts.
Additional Links: PMID-41480190
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@article {pmid41480190,
year = {2025},
author = {Ganzetti, M and Valsasina, P and Barkhof, F and Rocca, MA and Filippi, M and Prados, F and Craveiro, L},
title = {SynSpine: an automated workflow for the generation of longitudinal spinal cord synthetic MRI data.},
journal = {Frontiers in neuroinformatics},
volume = {19},
number = {},
pages = {1649440},
pmid = {41480190},
issn = {1662-5196},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Spinal cord atrophy is a key biomarker for tracking disease progression in neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and spinal cord injury. Recent MRI advancements have improved atrophy detection, particularly in the cervical region, facilitating longitudinal studies. However, validating atrophy quantification algorithms remains challenging due to limited ground truth data.
OBJECTIVE: This study introduces SynSpine, a workflow for generating synthetic spinal cord MRI data (i.e., digital phantoms) with controlled levels of artificial atrophy. These phantoms support the development and preliminary validation of spinal cord imaging pipelines designed to measure degeneration over time.
METHODS: The workflow consists of two phases: (1) generating synthetic MR images by isolating, extracting and scaling the spinal cord, simulating atrophy on the PAM50 template; (2) performing non-rigid registration to align the synthetic images with the subject's native space, ensuring accurate anatomical correspondence. A proof-of-concept application utilizing the Active Surface and Reg methods implemented in Jim demonstrated its effectiveness in detecting atrophy across various levels of simulated atrophy and noise.
RESULTS: SynSpine successfully generates synthetic spinal cord images with varying atrophy levels. Non-rigid registration did not significantly affect atrophy measurements. Atrophy estimation errors, estimated using Active Surface and Reg methods, varied with both simulated atrophy magnitude and noise level, exhibiting region-dependent differences. Increased noise led to higher measurement errors.
CONCLUSION: This work presents a novel and modular framework for simulating spinal cord atrophy data using digital phantoms, offering a controlled setting for testing spinal cord analysis pipelines. As the simulated atrophy may over-simplify in vivo conditions, future research will focus on enhancing the realism of the synthetic dataset by simulating additional pathologies, thus improving its application for evaluating spinal cord atrophy in clinical and research contexts.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-02
CmpDate: 2026-01-02
The impact of phrasing on advice-taking under gain and loss frames in a reinforcement learning paradigm.
Frontiers in psychology, 16:1693546.
INTRODUCTION: Grounded in Behrens et al.'s (2008) advice-taking paradigm, this study investigates how advice phrasing (positive vs. negative) and task framing (gain vs. loss) influence the extent to which individuals integrate advice during decision-making. Rather than focusing on isolated choice outcomes, we examined the cognitive processes underlying advice use through a reinforcement learning (RL) framework.
METHODS: Across two experiments (N = 38 and N = 74), participants completed probabilistic decision-making tasks while receiving trial-by-trial advice. Computational modeling was used to estimate the latent advice reference weight (ω), reflecting reliance on advice throughout the learning process, as well as the advice-specific learning rate (α a). Behavioral measures of advice-taking (advice-choice consistency) were analyzed alongside modeling-derived parameters.
RESULTS: Both behavioral indices and parameter estimates showed that participants relied more on positively phrased advice than negatively phrased advice. Moreover, advice phrasing interacted with task framing: positively phrased advice exerted a stronger influence under the gain frame, whereas negatively phrased advice was more influential under the loss frame. This interaction was robustly captured by the modeled advice-weight parameter (ω), although not consistently evident in behavioral choice patterns. Modeling results further showed that the advice-specific learning rate (α a) was significantly higher for positively phrased advice, suggesting greater updating from such information.
DISCUSSION: These findings provide a mechanistic understanding of how social (advice phrasing) and contextual (task framing) features jointly shape advice integration and inform more effective communication strategies in decision-making contexts.
Additional Links: PMID-41479978
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@article {pmid41479978,
year = {2025},
author = {Chang, X},
title = {The impact of phrasing on advice-taking under gain and loss frames in a reinforcement learning paradigm.},
journal = {Frontiers in psychology},
volume = {16},
number = {},
pages = {1693546},
pmid = {41479978},
issn = {1664-1078},
abstract = {INTRODUCTION: Grounded in Behrens et al.'s (2008) advice-taking paradigm, this study investigates how advice phrasing (positive vs. negative) and task framing (gain vs. loss) influence the extent to which individuals integrate advice during decision-making. Rather than focusing on isolated choice outcomes, we examined the cognitive processes underlying advice use through a reinforcement learning (RL) framework.
METHODS: Across two experiments (N = 38 and N = 74), participants completed probabilistic decision-making tasks while receiving trial-by-trial advice. Computational modeling was used to estimate the latent advice reference weight (ω), reflecting reliance on advice throughout the learning process, as well as the advice-specific learning rate (α a). Behavioral measures of advice-taking (advice-choice consistency) were analyzed alongside modeling-derived parameters.
RESULTS: Both behavioral indices and parameter estimates showed that participants relied more on positively phrased advice than negatively phrased advice. Moreover, advice phrasing interacted with task framing: positively phrased advice exerted a stronger influence under the gain frame, whereas negatively phrased advice was more influential under the loss frame. This interaction was robustly captured by the modeled advice-weight parameter (ω), although not consistently evident in behavioral choice patterns. Modeling results further showed that the advice-specific learning rate (α a) was significantly higher for positively phrased advice, suggesting greater updating from such information.
DISCUSSION: These findings provide a mechanistic understanding of how social (advice phrasing) and contextual (task framing) features jointly shape advice integration and inform more effective communication strategies in decision-making contexts.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-02
CmpDate: 2026-01-02
Large colorectal lesions: Expanding the boundaries of endoscopic management.
World journal of gastrointestinal endoscopy, 17(12):115008.
Large colorectal lesions (≥ 3 cm) present a significant therapeutic challenge due to their potential for malignancy and the technical difficulties they encounter. Endoscopic resection techniques, including endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, and endoscopic full-thickness resection, have revolutionized the management of these lesions by offering organ-preserving alternatives to surgery with favorable outcomes. We read with great interest and commended Zhu et al for their valuable study on the endoscopic treatment of large colorectal lesions. Zhu et al's study provides crucial real-world evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of advanced endoscopic resection techniques in this challenging patient group. These findings support the possibility of achieving high rates of complete resection with acceptable adverse event profiles, reinforcing the role of endoscopic mucosal resection and submucosal dissection in routine practice. This editorial also offers a comprehensive review of the current literature, discusses its clinical implications, explores future directions, and compares endoscopic resection methods with surgical options. Zhu et al's study findings not only validate the efficacy of advanced endoscopic resection but also signify a paradigm shift from surgical to organ-preserving strategies in colorectal oncology, a transformation that requires deliberate system-wide training and capacity building.
Additional Links: PMID-41479929
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Citation:
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@article {pmid41479929,
year = {2025},
author = {Bagrodia, A and Vaithiyam, V and Laguduva Mohan, S},
title = {Large colorectal lesions: Expanding the boundaries of endoscopic management.},
journal = {World journal of gastrointestinal endoscopy},
volume = {17},
number = {12},
pages = {115008},
pmid = {41479929},
issn = {1948-5190},
abstract = {Large colorectal lesions (≥ 3 cm) present a significant therapeutic challenge due to their potential for malignancy and the technical difficulties they encounter. Endoscopic resection techniques, including endoscopic mucosal resection, endoscopic submucosal dissection, and endoscopic full-thickness resection, have revolutionized the management of these lesions by offering organ-preserving alternatives to surgery with favorable outcomes. We read with great interest and commended Zhu et al for their valuable study on the endoscopic treatment of large colorectal lesions. Zhu et al's study provides crucial real-world evidence regarding the safety and effectiveness of advanced endoscopic resection techniques in this challenging patient group. These findings support the possibility of achieving high rates of complete resection with acceptable adverse event profiles, reinforcing the role of endoscopic mucosal resection and submucosal dissection in routine practice. This editorial also offers a comprehensive review of the current literature, discusses its clinical implications, explores future directions, and compares endoscopic resection methods with surgical options. Zhu et al's study findings not only validate the efficacy of advanced endoscopic resection but also signify a paradigm shift from surgical to organ-preserving strategies in colorectal oncology, a transformation that requires deliberate system-wide training and capacity building.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-02
CmpDate: 2026-01-02
Taming colonic anastomotic leakage: Wisdom from the ancient Chinese legend of Yu the Great.
World journal of gastrointestinal surgery, 17(12):113423.
Colonic anastomotic leakage (AL) remains the most severe complication of colorectal surgery, significantly increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burdens. The ideal solution - complete AL prevention without a defunctioning stoma - has long eluded surgeons and patients. Hu et al proposed total enteric flow diversion using a modified ileostomy tube with an inflatable balloon, demonstrating its efficacy in completely preventing AL in porcine models. This innovation echoes the ancient legend of Yu the Great, a Chinese hero renowned for taming the Yellow River's catastrophic floods. Unlike his father, who failed by merely building embankments to block water, Yu succeeded by dredging channels to redirect floods seaward. This paradigm of "diversion over obstruction" applies equally to AL prevention. Beyond Hu et al's balloon technique, alternatives like the C-seal, the SafeHeal Colovac+ anastomosis protection device and Tong et al's biodegradable stent-based diverting techniques show promise in clinical trials. Key challenges remain: Diversion efficiency, device migration risks, and patient tolerance. We must accelerate such like breakthroughs in non-stoma diversion strategies to transform AL management.
Additional Links: PMID-41479723
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Citation:
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@article {pmid41479723,
year = {2025},
author = {Jing, C and Liu, K},
title = {Taming colonic anastomotic leakage: Wisdom from the ancient Chinese legend of Yu the Great.},
journal = {World journal of gastrointestinal surgery},
volume = {17},
number = {12},
pages = {113423},
pmid = {41479723},
issn = {1948-9366},
abstract = {Colonic anastomotic leakage (AL) remains the most severe complication of colorectal surgery, significantly increasing morbidity, mortality, and healthcare burdens. The ideal solution - complete AL prevention without a defunctioning stoma - has long eluded surgeons and patients. Hu et al proposed total enteric flow diversion using a modified ileostomy tube with an inflatable balloon, demonstrating its efficacy in completely preventing AL in porcine models. This innovation echoes the ancient legend of Yu the Great, a Chinese hero renowned for taming the Yellow River's catastrophic floods. Unlike his father, who failed by merely building embankments to block water, Yu succeeded by dredging channels to redirect floods seaward. This paradigm of "diversion over obstruction" applies equally to AL prevention. Beyond Hu et al's balloon technique, alternatives like the C-seal, the SafeHeal Colovac+ anastomosis protection device and Tong et al's biodegradable stent-based diverting techniques show promise in clinical trials. Key challenges remain: Diversion efficiency, device migration risks, and patient tolerance. We must accelerate such like breakthroughs in non-stoma diversion strategies to transform AL management.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-02
CmpDate: 2026-01-02
Very early recurrence after pancreatic cancer resection: Unmasking the "biological R2" enigma and rethinking prognostic paradigms.
World journal of gastrointestinal surgery, 17(12):114403.
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a "silent killer" with elusive early symptoms and poor prognosis, sees nearly half of patients experience recurrence within a year post-curative-intent surgery. Very early recurrence (VER), defined as recurrence within 12 weeks postoperatively and first termed "biological R2 resection" by Belfiori et al, remains a clinical puzzle. Martlı et al's recent retrospective cohort study offers crucial insights into this understudied issue, identifies predictive factors that challenge long-held beliefs, and calls for a rethink of risk stratification and postoperative management for PDAC patients. Martlı et al studied 303 PDAC patients at a high-volume center from 2019 to 2024, with VER affecting 9.24% (28 patients) of the cohort. The study's strength lies in combining traditional statistical analyses and machine learning (random forest modeling) to capture nonlinear relationships between clinicopathological factors and VER risk. Key findings include: (1) Poorly differentiated (G3) tumors are the strongest VER predictor (OR = 2.43, P < 0.001; random forest importance score = 0.35), with 92.85% of VER patients having G3 tumors (vs 45.81% of non-VER patients); (2) Contrary to prior studies, pancreatic head tumors (89.28% of VER patients vs 83.66% of non-VER patients, P = 0.031) were linked to VER; (3) Elevated red cell distribution width is a weaker predictor (random forest importance score = 0.20, P = 0.03 for group difference, P = 0.079 in multivariate analysis); and (4) VER correlates with significantly higher 6-month mortality (32.44% vs 14.77% in non-VER patients, P = 0.032).
Additional Links: PMID-41479703
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Citation:
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@article {pmid41479703,
year = {2025},
author = {Wan, P and Zhou, SQ and Ke, QH},
title = {Very early recurrence after pancreatic cancer resection: Unmasking the "biological R2" enigma and rethinking prognostic paradigms.},
journal = {World journal of gastrointestinal surgery},
volume = {17},
number = {12},
pages = {114403},
pmid = {41479703},
issn = {1948-9366},
abstract = {Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), a "silent killer" with elusive early symptoms and poor prognosis, sees nearly half of patients experience recurrence within a year post-curative-intent surgery. Very early recurrence (VER), defined as recurrence within 12 weeks postoperatively and first termed "biological R2 resection" by Belfiori et al, remains a clinical puzzle. Martlı et al's recent retrospective cohort study offers crucial insights into this understudied issue, identifies predictive factors that challenge long-held beliefs, and calls for a rethink of risk stratification and postoperative management for PDAC patients. Martlı et al studied 303 PDAC patients at a high-volume center from 2019 to 2024, with VER affecting 9.24% (28 patients) of the cohort. The study's strength lies in combining traditional statistical analyses and machine learning (random forest modeling) to capture nonlinear relationships between clinicopathological factors and VER risk. Key findings include: (1) Poorly differentiated (G3) tumors are the strongest VER predictor (OR = 2.43, P < 0.001; random forest importance score = 0.35), with 92.85% of VER patients having G3 tumors (vs 45.81% of non-VER patients); (2) Contrary to prior studies, pancreatic head tumors (89.28% of VER patients vs 83.66% of non-VER patients, P = 0.031) were linked to VER; (3) Elevated red cell distribution width is a weaker predictor (random forest importance score = 0.20, P = 0.03 for group difference, P = 0.079 in multivariate analysis); and (4) VER correlates with significantly higher 6-month mortality (32.44% vs 14.77% in non-VER patients, P = 0.032).},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-01
CmpDate: 2026-01-02
Polyphenols from Olive Oil: A Promising Therapeutic Approach for Neurodegenerative Diseases.
Advances in experimental medicine and biology, 1490:343-349.
Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and Huntington's disease pose a growing global health challenge due to their prevalence in aging populations and their devastating impact on cognitive and motor functions. Current treatments focus on symptom management, with no options available to reverse neuronal damage. Emerging evidence highlights the potential role of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) polyphenols in neuroprotection, particularly in the context of the Mediterranean diet, which is associated with lower rates of neurodegenerative disorders. EVOO's rich polyphenolic compounds, including hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, tyrosol, and oleocanthal, exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. These bioactive molecules have shown potential in modulating disease-specific pathways, such as reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting abnormal protein aggregation, and regulating neuroinflammation. This paper explores the therapeutic potential of olive oil polyphenols for neurodegenerative diseases, detailing their mechanisms of action across different conditions. Our findings suggest that incorporating EVOO into dietary and medical interventions could serve as a promising strategy for mitigating neurodegenerative disease progression and enhancing cognitive health.
Additional Links: PMID-41479097
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@article {pmid41479097,
year = {2026},
author = {Stamatelopoulos, D and Papakonstantinou, E and Bacopoulou, F and Vlachakis, D},
title = {Polyphenols from Olive Oil: A Promising Therapeutic Approach for Neurodegenerative Diseases.},
journal = {Advances in experimental medicine and biology},
volume = {1490},
number = {},
pages = {343-349},
pmid = {41479097},
issn = {0065-2598},
mesh = {*Olive Oil/chemistry/therapeutic use ; Humans ; *Polyphenols/therapeutic use/pharmacology ; *Neurodegenerative Diseases/drug therapy/metabolism/pathology ; *Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use ; Animals ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects ; Antioxidants/therapeutic use ; Diet, Mediterranean ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use ; },
abstract = {Neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, ALS, and Huntington's disease pose a growing global health challenge due to their prevalence in aging populations and their devastating impact on cognitive and motor functions. Current treatments focus on symptom management, with no options available to reverse neuronal damage. Emerging evidence highlights the potential role of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) polyphenols in neuroprotection, particularly in the context of the Mediterranean diet, which is associated with lower rates of neurodegenerative disorders. EVOO's rich polyphenolic compounds, including hydroxytyrosol, oleuropein, tyrosol, and oleocanthal, exhibit potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective properties. These bioactive molecules have shown potential in modulating disease-specific pathways, such as reducing oxidative stress, inhibiting abnormal protein aggregation, and regulating neuroinflammation. This paper explores the therapeutic potential of olive oil polyphenols for neurodegenerative diseases, detailing their mechanisms of action across different conditions. Our findings suggest that incorporating EVOO into dietary and medical interventions could serve as a promising strategy for mitigating neurodegenerative disease progression and enhancing cognitive health.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
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*Olive Oil/chemistry/therapeutic use
Humans
*Polyphenols/therapeutic use/pharmacology
*Neurodegenerative Diseases/drug therapy/metabolism/pathology
*Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use
Animals
Oxidative Stress/drug effects
Antioxidants/therapeutic use
Diet, Mediterranean
Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use
RevDate: 2026-01-01
Spinal circuit mechanisms constrain therapeutic windows for ALS intervention: A computational modeling study.
Neurobiology of disease pii:S0969-9961(25)00470-X [Epub ahead of print].
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive breakdown of neural circuits which leads to motoneuron death. Earlier work from our lab showed that dysregulation of inhibitory V1 interneurons precedes the degeneration of excitatory V2a interneurons and motoneurons and that stabilizing V1-motoneuron connections improved motor function and saved motoneurons in the SOD1[G93A] ALS mouse model. However, the optimal timing for this intervention remains unclear. To address this, we developed a spiking neural network model of spinal locomotor circuits to simulate healthy and ALS-like conditions. By modeling changes in network connectivity and synaptic dynamics, we predict that V1 dysregulation induces an imbalance in motoneuron output which results in flexor-biased activity, leading to the disruption of flexor-extensor coordination, and potentially contributing to selective vulnerability of flexor motoneurons. Stabilizing V1 synapses preserved motor output even after motoneuron loss, suggesting that therapeutic benefit is possible into symptomatic stages. However, model predictions also highlighted that after sustained synaptic loss and the development of slower synaptic dynamics within the network, synaptic stabilization leads to maladaptive extensor-biased activity, suggesting that excitatory/inhibitory balance impacts treatment effectiveness. Finally, the model indicated that V1 stabilization could lead to rescue of the V2a excitatory interneurons, a finding that we were able to confirm experimentally in the SOD1[G93A] ALS mouse model. By exploring different scenarios of synaptic loss and cell dysregulation during synaptic stabilization, our models provide a framework for predicting candidate time windows for spinal circuit interventions, which may guide future preclinical investigations.
Additional Links: PMID-41478512
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41478512,
year = {2025},
author = {Strohmer, B and Grosh, K and Montañana-Rosell, R and Mora, S and Ausborn, J and Allodi, I},
title = {Spinal circuit mechanisms constrain therapeutic windows for ALS intervention: A computational modeling study.},
journal = {Neurobiology of disease},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {107253},
doi = {10.1016/j.nbd.2025.107253},
pmid = {41478512},
issn = {1095-953X},
abstract = {Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive breakdown of neural circuits which leads to motoneuron death. Earlier work from our lab showed that dysregulation of inhibitory V1 interneurons precedes the degeneration of excitatory V2a interneurons and motoneurons and that stabilizing V1-motoneuron connections improved motor function and saved motoneurons in the SOD1[G93A] ALS mouse model. However, the optimal timing for this intervention remains unclear. To address this, we developed a spiking neural network model of spinal locomotor circuits to simulate healthy and ALS-like conditions. By modeling changes in network connectivity and synaptic dynamics, we predict that V1 dysregulation induces an imbalance in motoneuron output which results in flexor-biased activity, leading to the disruption of flexor-extensor coordination, and potentially contributing to selective vulnerability of flexor motoneurons. Stabilizing V1 synapses preserved motor output even after motoneuron loss, suggesting that therapeutic benefit is possible into symptomatic stages. However, model predictions also highlighted that after sustained synaptic loss and the development of slower synaptic dynamics within the network, synaptic stabilization leads to maladaptive extensor-biased activity, suggesting that excitatory/inhibitory balance impacts treatment effectiveness. Finally, the model indicated that V1 stabilization could lead to rescue of the V2a excitatory interneurons, a finding that we were able to confirm experimentally in the SOD1[G93A] ALS mouse model. By exploring different scenarios of synaptic loss and cell dysregulation during synaptic stabilization, our models provide a framework for predicting candidate time windows for spinal circuit interventions, which may guide future preclinical investigations.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-01
CmpDate: 2026-01-01
Validation and cross-cultural adaptation of an Arabic version of the chronic pain self-efficacy scale.
Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liao, 45(2):143-155.
BACKGROUND: Self-efficacy in pain sufferers includes beliefs about one's capacity to tolerate pain. For usage by Arabic-speaking individuals, the Chronic Pain Self-Efficacy Scale (CPSS), which was initially developed in English, must be translated and modified into the Arabic language.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the CPSS's psychometric qualities for subjects suffering from chronic pain in Arabic.
METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey that followed Beaton et al.'s guidelines. The CPSS underwent cross-cultural adaptation and Arabic translation in the initial phase. Then, the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of CPSS were examined. A total of 329 patients completed the questionnaire (40.7% males and 59.3% females).
RESULTS: The subscales had good internal consistency, the Cronbach's alpha was 0.870 for subscale 1 (self-efficacy for managing pain), 0.935 for subscale 2 (physical function self-efficacy), and 0.925 for subscale 3 (coping with other symptoms self-efficacy). Test-retest total scores had an acceptable intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.743 (95% CI -0.29 to -0.196, p = 0 . 92). When performing principal component analysis with varimax rotation [exploratory factor analysis (EFA)> 0 . 4 ], the test is helpful. Regarding construct validity, the correlation between the total score of Beck depression inventory (BDI) and CPSS subscales and total score have significant moderate negative correlations (r =- 0 . 479 ; p = 0 . 001) except the pain management subscale has significantly weak negative correlations (r =- 0 . 345 ; p = 0 . 001).
CONCLUSION: The Arabic version seems to be a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating a person's self-efficacy in chronic pain among Arabic-speaking individuals making it a good and acceptable instrument.
Additional Links: PMID-41477570
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Citation:
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@article {pmid41477570,
year = {2025},
author = {Almalki, MG and Abdel-Aziem, AA},
title = {Validation and cross-cultural adaptation of an Arabic version of the chronic pain self-efficacy scale.},
journal = {Hong Kong physiotherapy journal : official publication of the Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association Limited = Wu li chih liao},
volume = {45},
number = {2},
pages = {143-155},
pmid = {41477570},
issn = {1013-7025},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Self-efficacy in pain sufferers includes beliefs about one's capacity to tolerate pain. For usage by Arabic-speaking individuals, the Chronic Pain Self-Efficacy Scale (CPSS), which was initially developed in English, must be translated and modified into the Arabic language.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the CPSS's psychometric qualities for subjects suffering from chronic pain in Arabic.
METHODS: This was a cross-sectional survey that followed Beaton et al.'s guidelines. The CPSS underwent cross-cultural adaptation and Arabic translation in the initial phase. Then, the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of CPSS were examined. A total of 329 patients completed the questionnaire (40.7% males and 59.3% females).
RESULTS: The subscales had good internal consistency, the Cronbach's alpha was 0.870 for subscale 1 (self-efficacy for managing pain), 0.935 for subscale 2 (physical function self-efficacy), and 0.925 for subscale 3 (coping with other symptoms self-efficacy). Test-retest total scores had an acceptable intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of 0.743 (95% CI -0.29 to -0.196, p = 0 . 92). When performing principal component analysis with varimax rotation [exploratory factor analysis (EFA)> 0 . 4 ], the test is helpful. Regarding construct validity, the correlation between the total score of Beck depression inventory (BDI) and CPSS subscales and total score have significant moderate negative correlations (r =- 0 . 479 ; p = 0 . 001) except the pain management subscale has significantly weak negative correlations (r =- 0 . 345 ; p = 0 . 001).
CONCLUSION: The Arabic version seems to be a reliable and valid instrument for evaluating a person's self-efficacy in chronic pain among Arabic-speaking individuals making it a good and acceptable instrument.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-01
CmpDate: 2026-01-01
Treatment of Neurogenic Voice Disorders.
World journal of otorhinolaryngology - head and neck surgery, 11(4):541-547.
This overview serves as a foundational resource for clinicians caring for neurologically complex patients presenting with voice complaints. Neurogenic voice disorders are diverse in their clinical presentations and therapeutic approaches. A thorough medical history, including family history, detailed laryngeal examination, voice assessments, and neuroimaging, are imperative, as well as a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach with neurologists, speech language pathologists, and patient caregivers. Disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cerebrovascular accidents (strokes), Huntington's disease, myasthenia gravis (MG), Parkinson's disease (PD), and voice tremor should be understood by otolaryngologists. Each condition presents unique challenges and requires tailored treatment strategies ranging from supportive therapies and pharmacological interventions to surgery. Voice management techniques, including the use of botulinum toxin for hyperkinetic disorders and deep brain stimulation for refractory cases, are highlighted as promising interventions.
Additional Links: PMID-41477139
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Citation:
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@article {pmid41477139,
year = {2025},
author = {Syamal, M},
title = {Treatment of Neurogenic Voice Disorders.},
journal = {World journal of otorhinolaryngology - head and neck surgery},
volume = {11},
number = {4},
pages = {541-547},
pmid = {41477139},
issn = {2589-1081},
abstract = {This overview serves as a foundational resource for clinicians caring for neurologically complex patients presenting with voice complaints. Neurogenic voice disorders are diverse in their clinical presentations and therapeutic approaches. A thorough medical history, including family history, detailed laryngeal examination, voice assessments, and neuroimaging, are imperative, as well as a multidisciplinary, collaborative approach with neurologists, speech language pathologists, and patient caregivers. Disorders such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), cerebrovascular accidents (strokes), Huntington's disease, myasthenia gravis (MG), Parkinson's disease (PD), and voice tremor should be understood by otolaryngologists. Each condition presents unique challenges and requires tailored treatment strategies ranging from supportive therapies and pharmacological interventions to surgery. Voice management techniques, including the use of botulinum toxin for hyperkinetic disorders and deep brain stimulation for refractory cases, are highlighted as promising interventions.},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-01
CmpDate: 2026-01-01
Short-Term Effects of Exercise Therapy on Muscle Characteristics in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Preliminary Case Series Study.
Cureus, 17(12):e100383.
BACKGROUND: Exercise therapy is recommended for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but its effects on muscle mass and intramuscular conditions remain unclear. In recent years, ultrasonography has enabled the simple and non-invasive estimation of muscle mass and intramuscular conditions. This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of exercise therapy on muscle characteristics in patients with mild-to-moderate ALS using ultrasonography.
METHODS: Ambulatory patients with ALS and an ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) score of ≥30 underwent moderate-intensity exercise therapy for 3-4 weeks. Primary outcome measures included muscle strength (handgrip strength (HGS) and ankle dorsiflexion strength (ADFS)), muscle thickness (MT), echo intensity (EI), and the ratio of muscle strength to muscle thickness for both the forearm muscles and the tibialis anterior muscle. The Bayesian Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare outcomes before and after the intervention.
RESULTS: Six consecutive patients with ALS (median age: 75.5 years; three males (50%) and three females (50%); four with bulbar onset (66.7%) and two with upper limb onset (33.3%)) were included. Following the intervention, the muscle thickness of the forearm muscles and the tibialis anterior muscle decreased. However, qualitative muscle characteristics were partially maintained or improved: the echo intensity of the forearm muscles was maintained, and the ratio of ankle dorsiflexion strength to muscle thickness of the tibialis anterior muscle showed a large increase.
CONCLUSION: In patients with mild-to-moderate ALS, exercise therapy resulted in short-term qualitative changes in muscle, while a concurrent reduction in muscle mass may have attenuated these effects. The benefits of exercise therapy may have been counteracted by muscle mass loss, suggesting the need for future studies to investigate the combined effects of exercise and nutritional therapy on muscle characteristics and activities of daily living (ADL).
Additional Links: PMID-41476442
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41476442,
year = {2025},
author = {Kato, N and Hashida, G and Sahara, W},
title = {Short-Term Effects of Exercise Therapy on Muscle Characteristics in Patients With Mild-to-Moderate Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: A Preliminary Case Series Study.},
journal = {Cureus},
volume = {17},
number = {12},
pages = {e100383},
pmid = {41476442},
issn = {2168-8184},
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Exercise therapy is recommended for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but its effects on muscle mass and intramuscular conditions remain unclear. In recent years, ultrasonography has enabled the simple and non-invasive estimation of muscle mass and intramuscular conditions. This study aimed to investigate the short-term effects of exercise therapy on muscle characteristics in patients with mild-to-moderate ALS using ultrasonography.
METHODS: Ambulatory patients with ALS and an ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) score of ≥30 underwent moderate-intensity exercise therapy for 3-4 weeks. Primary outcome measures included muscle strength (handgrip strength (HGS) and ankle dorsiflexion strength (ADFS)), muscle thickness (MT), echo intensity (EI), and the ratio of muscle strength to muscle thickness for both the forearm muscles and the tibialis anterior muscle. The Bayesian Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare outcomes before and after the intervention.
RESULTS: Six consecutive patients with ALS (median age: 75.5 years; three males (50%) and three females (50%); four with bulbar onset (66.7%) and two with upper limb onset (33.3%)) were included. Following the intervention, the muscle thickness of the forearm muscles and the tibialis anterior muscle decreased. However, qualitative muscle characteristics were partially maintained or improved: the echo intensity of the forearm muscles was maintained, and the ratio of ankle dorsiflexion strength to muscle thickness of the tibialis anterior muscle showed a large increase.
CONCLUSION: In patients with mild-to-moderate ALS, exercise therapy resulted in short-term qualitative changes in muscle, while a concurrent reduction in muscle mass may have attenuated these effects. The benefits of exercise therapy may have been counteracted by muscle mass loss, suggesting the need for future studies to investigate the combined effects of exercise and nutritional therapy on muscle characteristics and activities of daily living (ADL).},
}
RevDate: 2026-01-01
CmpDate: 2026-01-01
Physical Activity as an Intervention for Frailty Syndrome: A Narrative Review.
Cureus, 17(12):e100293.
Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterised by a decline in functional reserves as the body ages, resulting in increased disability, comorbidity, and mortality. With trends towards ageing populations, frailty syndrome becomes more clinically relevant, highlighting the importance of appropriately preventing and managing the characteristics of frailty syndrome. Risk factor modification is recommended to delay or prevent the onset of frailty, including physical activity alongside other modifiable behaviours such as diet. Ageing is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, resulting in reduced muscle protein synthesis and increased resistance to insulin, which both contribute to sarcopenia. Sarcopenia underpins key characteristics of frailty, including weakness and slow speed. Physical activity stimulates anabolic pathways and improves insulin resistance, reducing sarcopenia. Moreover, aerobic exercise is responsible for increasing the VO2 peak, whilst resistance exercise improves muscle strength, both of which are known to decrease in frail elders. This narrative review primarily explored the effectiveness of physical activity in reducing the risk of the onset of frailty syndrome through a narrative review of the relevant literature concerning this subject. A secondary focus of this narrative review is to compare the success of alternative interventions for preventing frailty, relative to physical activity. Physical activity interventions have been shown to improve components of frailty scoring and selected biological markers of frailty, with evidence suggesting physical activity is an effective single-domain intervention for frailty; however, multidomain approaches may result in a greater overall improvement in frailty prevention. Further research is required to identify the types of exercise that modify specific aspects of Fried et al.'s frailty criteria (FFC), as well as what interventions can be used alongside physical activity, to holistically treat all characteristics of frailty syndrome.
Additional Links: PMID-41476438
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@article {pmid41476438,
year = {2025},
author = {Oza, R},
title = {Physical Activity as an Intervention for Frailty Syndrome: A Narrative Review.},
journal = {Cureus},
volume = {17},
number = {12},
pages = {e100293},
pmid = {41476438},
issn = {2168-8184},
abstract = {Frailty is a geriatric syndrome characterised by a decline in functional reserves as the body ages, resulting in increased disability, comorbidity, and mortality. With trends towards ageing populations, frailty syndrome becomes more clinically relevant, highlighting the importance of appropriately preventing and managing the characteristics of frailty syndrome. Risk factor modification is recommended to delay or prevent the onset of frailty, including physical activity alongside other modifiable behaviours such as diet. Ageing is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, resulting in reduced muscle protein synthesis and increased resistance to insulin, which both contribute to sarcopenia. Sarcopenia underpins key characteristics of frailty, including weakness and slow speed. Physical activity stimulates anabolic pathways and improves insulin resistance, reducing sarcopenia. Moreover, aerobic exercise is responsible for increasing the VO2 peak, whilst resistance exercise improves muscle strength, both of which are known to decrease in frail elders. This narrative review primarily explored the effectiveness of physical activity in reducing the risk of the onset of frailty syndrome through a narrative review of the relevant literature concerning this subject. A secondary focus of this narrative review is to compare the success of alternative interventions for preventing frailty, relative to physical activity. Physical activity interventions have been shown to improve components of frailty scoring and selected biological markers of frailty, with evidence suggesting physical activity is an effective single-domain intervention for frailty; however, multidomain approaches may result in a greater overall improvement in frailty prevention. Further research is required to identify the types of exercise that modify specific aspects of Fried et al.'s frailty criteria (FFC), as well as what interventions can be used alongside physical activity, to holistically treat all characteristics of frailty syndrome.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-31
Multidimensional predictors of fatigue in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a cross-sectional study in China.
Scientific reports pii:10.1038/s41598-025-33192-3 [Epub ahead of print].
Additional Links: PMID-41476266
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@article {pmid41476266,
year = {2026},
author = {Cai, F and Xu, D and Yang, D and Huang, F and Song, X and Jiang, Q and Wan, S and Zhao, Y and Zhou, J},
title = {Multidimensional predictors of fatigue in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a cross-sectional study in China.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1038/s41598-025-33192-3},
pmid = {41476266},
issn = {2045-2322},
support = {Grant No. ZY2025Q006//Hubei Provincial Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine/ ; Grant No. 82575246//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; GZY-KJS-2025-008 and Joint Fund, 2023AFD128//Science and Technology Special Project of State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Hubei Provincial Natural Science Foundation/ ; },
}
RevDate: 2025-12-31
ISG15 dysregulates endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial contacts and calcium homeostasis in Ataxia telangiectasia.
Cellular signalling pii:S0898-6568(25)00762-4 [Epub ahead of print].
Dysregulation of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial (ER:Mit) contacts and mitochondrial calcium (mitCa[2+]) homeostasis are found in several neurodegenerative disorders, including Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T). However, the cellular basis of these defects remains unclear. Previously, we demonstrated that the aberrantly elevated Interferon-Stimulated Gene 15 (ISG15) pathway inhibits protein polyubiquitylation, its dependent protein turnover, and mitophagy pathways in A-T. Literature indicates that silencing of mitochondrial ubiquitin ligase 1 (MUL1) stabilizes mitofusin2 (MFN2) and attenuates mitCa[2+] uptake from ER to Mit (mitCa[2+]influx) in primary neurons. We have replicated these findings in apparently healthy fibroblasts. We hypothesized that elevated ISG15 may inhibit ubiquitin-dependent MUL1-mediated degradation of MFN2 and dysregulate ER:Mit contacts and mitCa[2+] homeostasis in A-T fibroblasts. Concurrently, MFN2 is stabilized in A-T, MUL1-silenced A-T, MUL1/ISG15-silenced A-T vs ISG15-silenced A-T fibroblasts. Moreover, the number of ER:Mit contacts is increased in A-T vs ISG15-silenced A-T fibroblasts. Notably, mitCa[2+]efflux is significantly attenuated in A-T vs ISG15-silenced A-T fibroblasts in which mitCa[2+]efflux is restored to levels comparable to those observed in normal fibroblasts. The mitCa[2+]efflux remains attenuated in MUL1 and MUL1/ISG15-silenced A-T fibroblasts. We conclude that ISG15 impairs MUL1/MFN2-mediated regulation of ER:Mit contacts and attenuates mitCa[2+]efflux, which may, in turn, cause Ca[2+] overload-mediated mitochondrial damage in A-T. These findings suggest that ISG15 silencers may correct mitochondrial abnormalities and improve mitochondrial health in A-T patients and in those with other neurodegenerative disorders in which ISG15 is elevated, such as ALS.
Additional Links: PMID-41475669
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@article {pmid41475669,
year = {2025},
author = {Mirzalieva, O and Reed, RE and Haas, AL and Juncker, MA and Logarbo, P and Klein, JM and Worthylake, D and Desai, SD},
title = {ISG15 dysregulates endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondrial contacts and calcium homeostasis in Ataxia telangiectasia.},
journal = {Cellular signalling},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {112347},
doi = {10.1016/j.cellsig.2025.112347},
pmid = {41475669},
issn = {1873-3913},
abstract = {Dysregulation of endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial (ER:Mit) contacts and mitochondrial calcium (mitCa[2+]) homeostasis are found in several neurodegenerative disorders, including Ataxia Telangiectasia (A-T). However, the cellular basis of these defects remains unclear. Previously, we demonstrated that the aberrantly elevated Interferon-Stimulated Gene 15 (ISG15) pathway inhibits protein polyubiquitylation, its dependent protein turnover, and mitophagy pathways in A-T. Literature indicates that silencing of mitochondrial ubiquitin ligase 1 (MUL1) stabilizes mitofusin2 (MFN2) and attenuates mitCa[2+] uptake from ER to Mit (mitCa[2+]influx) in primary neurons. We have replicated these findings in apparently healthy fibroblasts. We hypothesized that elevated ISG15 may inhibit ubiquitin-dependent MUL1-mediated degradation of MFN2 and dysregulate ER:Mit contacts and mitCa[2+] homeostasis in A-T fibroblasts. Concurrently, MFN2 is stabilized in A-T, MUL1-silenced A-T, MUL1/ISG15-silenced A-T vs ISG15-silenced A-T fibroblasts. Moreover, the number of ER:Mit contacts is increased in A-T vs ISG15-silenced A-T fibroblasts. Notably, mitCa[2+]efflux is significantly attenuated in A-T vs ISG15-silenced A-T fibroblasts in which mitCa[2+]efflux is restored to levels comparable to those observed in normal fibroblasts. The mitCa[2+]efflux remains attenuated in MUL1 and MUL1/ISG15-silenced A-T fibroblasts. We conclude that ISG15 impairs MUL1/MFN2-mediated regulation of ER:Mit contacts and attenuates mitCa[2+]efflux, which may, in turn, cause Ca[2+] overload-mediated mitochondrial damage in A-T. These findings suggest that ISG15 silencers may correct mitochondrial abnormalities and improve mitochondrial health in A-T patients and in those with other neurodegenerative disorders in which ISG15 is elevated, such as ALS.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-31
Aberrant nuclear pore complex degradation contributes to neurodegeneration in VCP disease.
Neuron pii:S0896-6273(25)00890-6 [Epub ahead of print].
Defective nucleocytoplasmic transport (NCT) has emerged as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and aging. Valosin-containing protein (VCP) is an AAA+ATPase required for disassembly of protein complexes, and mutations in VCP cause neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. We find that VCP is required for quality control of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) by extracting selected nucleoporins from NPCs for proteasome-mediated degradation. Pathogenic VCP variants cause a reduction in nucleoporins in Drosophila, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons, and muscle biopsies from patients, indicating a dominant gain-of-function mechanism. Mechanistically, disease-associated mutations in VCP result in increased recruitment to NPCs through interactions with Ufd1-Npl4, leading to the removal of a subset of nucleoporins from NPCs and disrupting NCT. These findings show that the VCP-Ufd1-Npl4 pathway regulates NPC quality control and that disease-associated variants aberrantly activate the VCP-Ufd1-Npl4 complex to degrade NPCs and disrupt NCT.
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@article {pmid41475349,
year = {2025},
author = {Dubey, SK and Chaubey, D and Ikenaga, C and Lin, WW and Bellen, HJ and Lloyd, TE},
title = {Aberrant nuclear pore complex degradation contributes to neurodegeneration in VCP disease.},
journal = {Neuron},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1016/j.neuron.2025.11.017},
pmid = {41475349},
issn = {1097-4199},
abstract = {Defective nucleocytoplasmic transport (NCT) has emerged as a contributing factor in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases and aging. Valosin-containing protein (VCP) is an AAA+ATPase required for disassembly of protein complexes, and mutations in VCP cause neurodegenerative and neuromuscular diseases. We find that VCP is required for quality control of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) by extracting selected nucleoporins from NPCs for proteasome-mediated degradation. Pathogenic VCP variants cause a reduction in nucleoporins in Drosophila, induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived motor neurons, and muscle biopsies from patients, indicating a dominant gain-of-function mechanism. Mechanistically, disease-associated mutations in VCP result in increased recruitment to NPCs through interactions with Ufd1-Npl4, leading to the removal of a subset of nucleoporins from NPCs and disrupting NCT. These findings show that the VCP-Ufd1-Npl4 pathway regulates NPC quality control and that disease-associated variants aberrantly activate the VCP-Ufd1-Npl4 complex to degrade NPCs and disrupt NCT.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-31
Clinical safety of ultra-high-dose methylcobalamin in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Open-label extension of a phase 2/3 randomized controlled study.
Journal of the neurological sciences, 480:125701 pii:S0022-510X(25)02321-4 [Epub ahead of print].
OBJECTIVE: To develop combined therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we investigated the long-term safety of ultra-high-dose methylcobalamin (50-mg intramuscular, twice weekly) in patients with advanced ALS.
METHODS: As an open-label extension of a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2/3 study, patients were enrolled and administered methylcobalamin 50 mg intramuscularly twice weekly for up to 52 weeks.
RESULTS: In total, 144 patients (mean age, 62.1 years; 61.1 % male) were included, and the overall disease duration was 53.2 ± 17.9 months, with 85.4 % of patients having an ALS severity stage ≥3. The incidence of adverse events was 94.4 %, and adverse drug reactions occurred in 3.5 % of patients, which included proteinuria (2.1 %) and single cases of supraventricular arrhythmia, increased blood urea, and hypertension (0.7 % each). None led to discontinuation or death. The survival rate at 52 weeks was 85.7 %, and as shown for the following patient subgroups: by ALS severity (stage 1-2, 100 %; 3, 85.3 %; 4, 82.8 %; 5, 82.0 %) and by presence of tracheostomy (with, 88.8 %; without, 84.1 %). The median change in the ALS functional rating scale total score from baseline to 52 weeks was -1.0.
CONCLUSION: There were no particular safety issues as reported in the phase 2/3 study and no clear deterioration in survival rate or physical function when ultra-high-dose methylcobalamin was administered intramuscularly in patients with advanced ALS. This regimen could be a candidate for initial therapy with further add-on to overcome ALS in the future.
Additional Links: PMID-41475066
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@article {pmid41475066,
year = {2025},
author = {Kaji, R and Nishi, Y and Ishida, T and Takase, T and Ueda, T and Maeda, T and Izumi, Y and , },
title = {Clinical safety of ultra-high-dose methylcobalamin in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Open-label extension of a phase 2/3 randomized controlled study.},
journal = {Journal of the neurological sciences},
volume = {480},
number = {},
pages = {125701},
doi = {10.1016/j.jns.2025.125701},
pmid = {41475066},
issn = {1878-5883},
abstract = {OBJECTIVE: To develop combined therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), we investigated the long-term safety of ultra-high-dose methylcobalamin (50-mg intramuscular, twice weekly) in patients with advanced ALS.
METHODS: As an open-label extension of a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2/3 study, patients were enrolled and administered methylcobalamin 50 mg intramuscularly twice weekly for up to 52 weeks.
RESULTS: In total, 144 patients (mean age, 62.1 years; 61.1 % male) were included, and the overall disease duration was 53.2 ± 17.9 months, with 85.4 % of patients having an ALS severity stage ≥3. The incidence of adverse events was 94.4 %, and adverse drug reactions occurred in 3.5 % of patients, which included proteinuria (2.1 %) and single cases of supraventricular arrhythmia, increased blood urea, and hypertension (0.7 % each). None led to discontinuation or death. The survival rate at 52 weeks was 85.7 %, and as shown for the following patient subgroups: by ALS severity (stage 1-2, 100 %; 3, 85.3 %; 4, 82.8 %; 5, 82.0 %) and by presence of tracheostomy (with, 88.8 %; without, 84.1 %). The median change in the ALS functional rating scale total score from baseline to 52 weeks was -1.0.
CONCLUSION: There were no particular safety issues as reported in the phase 2/3 study and no clear deterioration in survival rate or physical function when ultra-high-dose methylcobalamin was administered intramuscularly in patients with advanced ALS. This regimen could be a candidate for initial therapy with further add-on to overcome ALS in the future.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-31
CmpDate: 2025-12-31
Unveiling the Genetic Association Between Hemoglobin Concentration and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.
Brain and behavior, 16(1):e71152.
BACKGROUND: Although previous studies have suggested an association between hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the precise cause-and-effect relationship between them is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the causal correlation between Hb concentration and ALS, and explore the potential genes related to their association.
METHODS: We extracted summary statistical data of Hb concentration and ALS from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), performed Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses, and conducted RNA sequencing of motor neurons different from ALS patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), followed by an intersection analysis between differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ALS motor neurons and selected instrumental variables (IVs) associated with Hb concentration.
RESULTS: As a result, Hb concentration had a negative causal relationship with the risk of ALS, established through IVW (OR = 0.854; 95% CI: 0.767-0.951; p = 0.00418) of the univariable MR analysis. A multivariable MR further confirmed that this causal link remained robust, even when accounting for confounders including systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol levels, body mass index, LDL cholesterol, diastolic blood pressure, and smoking. Importantly, genetically predicted ALS did not show a causal connection to Hb concentration. Additionally, RNA sequencing analysis and qRT-PCR results revealed that transcripts for BACH1 and FLVCR1 were upregulated, while those for TRIM58 were downregulated in SOD1[D90A] ALS motor neurons, compared to the control. In motor neurons differentiated from a sporadic ALS patient-derived iPSCs, qRT-PCR showed increased transcript levels of BACH1, and decreased transcript levels of FLVCR1 and TRIM58. These three genes were intersected with harmonized SNPs between Hb concentration and ALS.
CONCLUSION: Our study concludes that genetically predicted Hb concentration exhibited an independent inverse causal association with the risk of developing ALS, with potential involvement of genes such as BACH1, FLVCR1, and TRIM58.
Additional Links: PMID-41474642
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@article {pmid41474642,
year = {2026},
author = {Luo, H and Yang, Y and Cao, X and Deng, C and Chen, H},
title = {Unveiling the Genetic Association Between Hemoglobin Concentration and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.},
journal = {Brain and behavior},
volume = {16},
number = {1},
pages = {e71152},
doi = {10.1002/brb3.71152},
pmid = {41474642},
issn = {2162-3279},
support = {82171422//National Natural Science Foundation of China/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics/metabolism/blood ; *Hemoglobins/genetics/metabolism ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Motor Neurons/metabolism ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Although previous studies have suggested an association between hemoglobin (Hb) concentration and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), the precise cause-and-effect relationship between them is still unclear. This study aims to investigate the causal correlation between Hb concentration and ALS, and explore the potential genes related to their association.
METHODS: We extracted summary statistical data of Hb concentration and ALS from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), performed Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses, and conducted RNA sequencing of motor neurons different from ALS patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), followed by an intersection analysis between differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in ALS motor neurons and selected instrumental variables (IVs) associated with Hb concentration.
RESULTS: As a result, Hb concentration had a negative causal relationship with the risk of ALS, established through IVW (OR = 0.854; 95% CI: 0.767-0.951; p = 0.00418) of the univariable MR analysis. A multivariable MR further confirmed that this causal link remained robust, even when accounting for confounders including systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol levels, body mass index, LDL cholesterol, diastolic blood pressure, and smoking. Importantly, genetically predicted ALS did not show a causal connection to Hb concentration. Additionally, RNA sequencing analysis and qRT-PCR results revealed that transcripts for BACH1 and FLVCR1 were upregulated, while those for TRIM58 were downregulated in SOD1[D90A] ALS motor neurons, compared to the control. In motor neurons differentiated from a sporadic ALS patient-derived iPSCs, qRT-PCR showed increased transcript levels of BACH1, and decreased transcript levels of FLVCR1 and TRIM58. These three genes were intersected with harmonized SNPs between Hb concentration and ALS.
CONCLUSION: Our study concludes that genetically predicted Hb concentration exhibited an independent inverse causal association with the risk of developing ALS, with potential involvement of genes such as BACH1, FLVCR1, and TRIM58.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Humans
*Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics/metabolism/blood
*Hemoglobins/genetics/metabolism
Genome-Wide Association Study
Motor Neurons/metabolism
Mendelian Randomization Analysis
Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
RevDate: 2025-12-31
Cytochrome P450 and glutathione S-transferase may confer bensulfuron-methyl resistance in Cyperus iria.
Pest management science [Epub ahead of print].
BACKGROUND: Rice flatsedge (Cyperus iria L.) is one of the most troublesome weeds infesting rice fields across China. Bensulfuron-methyl, an acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicide, has been widely used for the control of Cyperaceae weeds in rice production. However, long-term and extensive use of this herbicide has resulted in the evolution of resistant C. iria populations. In this study, a suspected bensulfuron-methyl-resistant (R) population collected from a rice field that survived field-recommended applications was investigated to elucidate its resistance level and underlying mechanism.
RESULTS: Compared with a susceptible (S) population, the R population exhibited a high level of resistance to bensulfuron-methyl [resistance index (RI) = 12.88] and cross-resistance to metazosulfuron (RI = 11.66), bispyribac-sodium (RI = 9.10) and penoxsulam (RI = 6.35). No mutations were detected in the ALS gene, and ALS expression levels did not differ significantly between the R and S plants. Pretreatment with the cytochrome P450 inhibitor malathion and the glutathione S-transferase inhibitor 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzoxadiazole effectively reversed bensulfuron-methyl resistance in R plants. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis showed that the R plants metabolized bensulfuron-methyl significantly faster than the S plants. RNA sequenccing analysis revealed remarkable upregulation of CYP97A3 and GSTF1 in the R population, while molecular docking indicated strong binding affinities between both enzymes and bensulfuron-methyl at their active sites.
CONCLUSION: These results reveal that enhanced expression of CYP97A3 and GSTF1 may contribute to bensulfuron-methyl resistance in C. iria, highlighting the role of metabolic detoxification in the evolution of non-target-site resistance in this species. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.
Additional Links: PMID-41472414
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid41472414,
year = {2025},
author = {Wu, J and Tao, Z and Cao, J and Hu, W and Jiang, M and Li, Y and Cao, H and Liao, M and Zhao, N},
title = {Cytochrome P450 and glutathione S-transferase may confer bensulfuron-methyl resistance in Cyperus iria.},
journal = {Pest management science},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/ps.70492},
pmid = {41472414},
issn = {1526-4998},
support = {2021YFD1700100//National Key Research and Development Program of China/ ; X202510364082//College Students' Innovation Training Project in Anhui Agricultural University/ ; },
abstract = {BACKGROUND: Rice flatsedge (Cyperus iria L.) is one of the most troublesome weeds infesting rice fields across China. Bensulfuron-methyl, an acetolactate synthase (ALS)-inhibiting herbicide, has been widely used for the control of Cyperaceae weeds in rice production. However, long-term and extensive use of this herbicide has resulted in the evolution of resistant C. iria populations. In this study, a suspected bensulfuron-methyl-resistant (R) population collected from a rice field that survived field-recommended applications was investigated to elucidate its resistance level and underlying mechanism.
RESULTS: Compared with a susceptible (S) population, the R population exhibited a high level of resistance to bensulfuron-methyl [resistance index (RI) = 12.88] and cross-resistance to metazosulfuron (RI = 11.66), bispyribac-sodium (RI = 9.10) and penoxsulam (RI = 6.35). No mutations were detected in the ALS gene, and ALS expression levels did not differ significantly between the R and S plants. Pretreatment with the cytochrome P450 inhibitor malathion and the glutathione S-transferase inhibitor 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzoxadiazole effectively reversed bensulfuron-methyl resistance in R plants. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis showed that the R plants metabolized bensulfuron-methyl significantly faster than the S plants. RNA sequenccing analysis revealed remarkable upregulation of CYP97A3 and GSTF1 in the R population, while molecular docking indicated strong binding affinities between both enzymes and bensulfuron-methyl at their active sites.
CONCLUSION: These results reveal that enhanced expression of CYP97A3 and GSTF1 may contribute to bensulfuron-methyl resistance in C. iria, highlighting the role of metabolic detoxification in the evolution of non-target-site resistance in this species. © 2025 Society of Chemical Industry.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-31
CmpDate: 2025-12-31
Pridopidine, a Potent and Selective Therapeutic Sigma-1 Receptor (S1R) Agonist for Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases.
Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland), 18(12): pii:ph18121900.
Pridopidine is a highly selective sigma-1 receptor (S1R) agonist in clinical development for Huntington's disease (HD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The S1R is a ubiquitous chaperone protein enriched in the central nervous system and regulates multiple pathways critical for neuronal cell function and survival, including cellular stress responses, mitochondrial function, calcium signaling, protein folding, and autophagy. S1R has a crucial role in the ER mitochondria-associated membrane (MAM), whose dysfunction is implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases. By activating the S1R, pridopidine corrects multiple cellular pathways necessary to the cell's ability to respond to stress, which are disrupted in neurodegenerative diseases. Pridopidine restores MAM integrity; rescues Ca[2+] homeostasis and autophagy; mitigates ER stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative damage; and enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) axonal transport and secretion, synaptic plasticity, and dendritic spine density. Pridopidine demonstrates neuroprotective effects in in vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Importantly, pridopidine demonstrates the biphasic dose response characteristic of S1R agonists. In clinical trials in HD and ALS, pridopidine has shown benefits across multiple endpoints. Pridopidine's mechanism of action, modulating core cellular survival pathways, positions it as a promising candidate for disease modification for different nervous system disorders. Its broad therapeutic potential includes neurodevelopmental disorders, and rare diseases including Wolfram syndrome, Rett syndrome, and Vanishing White Matter Disease. Here, we review the experimental data demonstrating pridopidine's S1R-mediated neuroprotective effects. These findings underscore the therapeutic relevance of S1R activation and support further investigation of pridopidine for the treatment of different neurodegenerative diseases including ALS and HD.
Additional Links: PMID-41471389
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@article {pmid41471389,
year = {2025},
author = {Gershoni Emek, N and Tan, AM and Geva, M and Fekete, A and Abate, C and Hayden, MR},
title = {Pridopidine, a Potent and Selective Therapeutic Sigma-1 Receptor (S1R) Agonist for Treating Neurodegenerative Diseases.},
journal = {Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland)},
volume = {18},
number = {12},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ph18121900},
pmid = {41471389},
issn = {1424-8247},
abstract = {Pridopidine is a highly selective sigma-1 receptor (S1R) agonist in clinical development for Huntington's disease (HD) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The S1R is a ubiquitous chaperone protein enriched in the central nervous system and regulates multiple pathways critical for neuronal cell function and survival, including cellular stress responses, mitochondrial function, calcium signaling, protein folding, and autophagy. S1R has a crucial role in the ER mitochondria-associated membrane (MAM), whose dysfunction is implicated in several neurodegenerative diseases. By activating the S1R, pridopidine corrects multiple cellular pathways necessary to the cell's ability to respond to stress, which are disrupted in neurodegenerative diseases. Pridopidine restores MAM integrity; rescues Ca[2+] homeostasis and autophagy; mitigates ER stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and oxidative damage; and enhances brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) axonal transport and secretion, synaptic plasticity, and dendritic spine density. Pridopidine demonstrates neuroprotective effects in in vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Importantly, pridopidine demonstrates the biphasic dose response characteristic of S1R agonists. In clinical trials in HD and ALS, pridopidine has shown benefits across multiple endpoints. Pridopidine's mechanism of action, modulating core cellular survival pathways, positions it as a promising candidate for disease modification for different nervous system disorders. Its broad therapeutic potential includes neurodevelopmental disorders, and rare diseases including Wolfram syndrome, Rett syndrome, and Vanishing White Matter Disease. Here, we review the experimental data demonstrating pridopidine's S1R-mediated neuroprotective effects. These findings underscore the therapeutic relevance of S1R activation and support further investigation of pridopidine for the treatment of different neurodegenerative diseases including ALS and HD.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-30
Neuropeptide Y at the crossroads of neurodegeneration: Mechanistic insights and emerging therapeutic strategies.
Neuropeptides, 115:102583 pii:S0143-4179(25)00083-6 [Epub ahead of print].
Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a widely distributed and highly conserved neuropeptide, plays a central role in the regulation of diverse physiological processes, including stress responses, energy homeostasis, vascular tone, and immune modulation, via activation of its receptor subtypes. Beyond its physiological roles, the dysregulation of NPY expression has been documented in several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Machado-Joseph disease, and retinal disorders such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. These alterations in NPY levels and receptor activity highlight its potential not only as a biomarker for disease progression but also as a promising therapeutic target. Previous evidence revealed that NPY exerts neuroprotection by alleviating excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation while concurrently facilitating neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and cellular resilience. NPY activates receptor-mediated intracellular signaling cascades like PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK, and p38K, that control cellular survival, proteostasis, and inflammation and thereby influence disease trajectories. Understanding NPY operation with these mechanisms can unveil new avenues for targeted therapy. Current insights into the complex roles of NPY in neurodegeneration are discussed in this review, and their implications in diagnostic and treatment strategies are addressed.
Additional Links: PMID-41468784
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@article {pmid41468784,
year = {2025},
author = {Palanivel, V and Salkar, A and Shenoy, A and Eva, TA and Perera, R and Chitranshi, N and Gupta, V and You, Y and Mirzaei, M and Graham, SL and Gupta, V and Basavarajappa, D},
title = {Neuropeptide Y at the crossroads of neurodegeneration: Mechanistic insights and emerging therapeutic strategies.},
journal = {Neuropeptides},
volume = {115},
number = {},
pages = {102583},
doi = {10.1016/j.npep.2025.102583},
pmid = {41468784},
issn = {1532-2785},
abstract = {Neuropeptide Y (NPY), a widely distributed and highly conserved neuropeptide, plays a central role in the regulation of diverse physiological processes, including stress responses, energy homeostasis, vascular tone, and immune modulation, via activation of its receptor subtypes. Beyond its physiological roles, the dysregulation of NPY expression has been documented in several neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Machado-Joseph disease, and retinal disorders such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. These alterations in NPY levels and receptor activity highlight its potential not only as a biomarker for disease progression but also as a promising therapeutic target. Previous evidence revealed that NPY exerts neuroprotection by alleviating excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and neuroinflammation while concurrently facilitating neurogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and cellular resilience. NPY activates receptor-mediated intracellular signaling cascades like PI3K/Akt, MAPK/ERK, and p38K, that control cellular survival, proteostasis, and inflammation and thereby influence disease trajectories. Understanding NPY operation with these mechanisms can unveil new avenues for targeted therapy. Current insights into the complex roles of NPY in neurodegeneration are discussed in this review, and their implications in diagnostic and treatment strategies are addressed.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-30
CmpDate: 2025-12-30
Polygenic associations with clinical and neuropathological trait heterogeneity across TDP-43 proteinopathies.
PloS one, 20(12):e0338398 pii:PONE-D-25-38772.
TDP-43 proteinopathies, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 (FTLD-TDP), and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy, encompass a spectrum of clinical and neuropathological traits. Despite mounting evidence for shared genetic risk across TDP-43 proteinopathies, the modifiers of individual-level traits are unknown. We aimed to identify polygenic contributions to trait heterogeneity across TDP-43 proteinopathies. We used weighted correlation analysis of GWAS summary statistics for ALS, FTLD-TDP, and hippocampal sclerosis of aging (HS-Aging) to identify data-driven clusters of highly correlated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We performed gene ontology enrichment analysis for each identified cluster. We derived cluster-specific polygenic scores and evaluated their association with clinical and neuropathological traits in an independently evaluated sample of individuals who met neuropathological and/or genetic criteria for FTLD-TDP or ALS (n = 260). We identified 5 distinct data-driven clusters, including 3 GWAS phenotype-specific clusters (FTLD-TDP, ALS, HS-Aging) and 2 clusters representing the overlap between a pair of GWAS phenotypes (ALS-FTLD and FTLD-HS). Pathway analysis revealed biologically meaningful associations including distinct GWAS phenotype-specific processes within clusters. Cluster-specific ALS and FTLD-TDP polygenic risk each associated with individual-level clinical traits, even within the context of autosomal dominant mutation carriers, where higher ALS polygenic risk associated with neuromuscular impairment and higher FTLD-TDP polygenic risk associated with cognitive-behavioral impairment. Moreover, higher FTLD-TDP polygenic risk associated with higher TDP-43 burden within characteristic FTLD-TDP brain regions. We suggest that there are polygenic modifiers of clinical and neuropathological traits across TDP-43 proteinopathies that may contribute to individual-level differences, including likelihood for developing FTLD or ALS.
Additional Links: PMID-41468379
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@article {pmid41468379,
year = {2025},
author = {Spencer, BE and Irwin, DJ and Van Deerlin, VM and Suh, E and Lee, EB and Elman, L and Quinn, CC and Amado, D and Baer, M and Grossman, M and Wolk, DA and McMillan, CT},
title = {Polygenic associations with clinical and neuropathological trait heterogeneity across TDP-43 proteinopathies.},
journal = {PloS one},
volume = {20},
number = {12},
pages = {e0338398},
doi = {10.1371/journal.pone.0338398},
pmid = {41468379},
issn = {1932-6203},
mesh = {Humans ; *Multifactorial Inheritance ; *TDP-43 Proteinopathies/genetics/pathology ; *Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics/pathology ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Male ; Female ; *DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics ; Aged ; Phenotype ; Middle Aged ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; },
abstract = {TDP-43 proteinopathies, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 (FTLD-TDP), and limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy, encompass a spectrum of clinical and neuropathological traits. Despite mounting evidence for shared genetic risk across TDP-43 proteinopathies, the modifiers of individual-level traits are unknown. We aimed to identify polygenic contributions to trait heterogeneity across TDP-43 proteinopathies. We used weighted correlation analysis of GWAS summary statistics for ALS, FTLD-TDP, and hippocampal sclerosis of aging (HS-Aging) to identify data-driven clusters of highly correlated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). We performed gene ontology enrichment analysis for each identified cluster. We derived cluster-specific polygenic scores and evaluated their association with clinical and neuropathological traits in an independently evaluated sample of individuals who met neuropathological and/or genetic criteria for FTLD-TDP or ALS (n = 260). We identified 5 distinct data-driven clusters, including 3 GWAS phenotype-specific clusters (FTLD-TDP, ALS, HS-Aging) and 2 clusters representing the overlap between a pair of GWAS phenotypes (ALS-FTLD and FTLD-HS). Pathway analysis revealed biologically meaningful associations including distinct GWAS phenotype-specific processes within clusters. Cluster-specific ALS and FTLD-TDP polygenic risk each associated with individual-level clinical traits, even within the context of autosomal dominant mutation carriers, where higher ALS polygenic risk associated with neuromuscular impairment and higher FTLD-TDP polygenic risk associated with cognitive-behavioral impairment. Moreover, higher FTLD-TDP polygenic risk associated with higher TDP-43 burden within characteristic FTLD-TDP brain regions. We suggest that there are polygenic modifiers of clinical and neuropathological traits across TDP-43 proteinopathies that may contribute to individual-level differences, including likelihood for developing FTLD or ALS.},
}
MeSH Terms:
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Humans
*Multifactorial Inheritance
*TDP-43 Proteinopathies/genetics/pathology
*Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis/genetics/pathology
Genome-Wide Association Study
Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
Male
Female
*DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics
Aged
Phenotype
Middle Aged
Genetic Predisposition to Disease
RevDate: 2025-12-30
Seeing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a multi-omic perspective.
Neural regeneration research pii:01300535-990000000-01087 [Epub ahead of print].
Additional Links: PMID-41467445
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@article {pmid41467445,
year = {2025},
author = {Dikwella, N and Lingor, P and Tzeplaeff, L},
title = {Seeing amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a multi-omic perspective.},
journal = {Neural regeneration research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-01010},
pmid = {41467445},
issn = {1673-5374},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-30
Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes and calcium ion exchange: A novel direction for aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Neural regeneration research pii:01300535-990000000-01088 [Epub ahead of print].
Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes serve as crucial signaling hubs mediating communication between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and play a central role in calcium ion exchange. This dynamic interface regulates key cellular processes including bioenergetic metabolism, apoptosis, autophagy, and stress responses. Dysregulation of calcium transport associated with mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes can disrupt intracellular homeostasis, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuronal death, which are hallmarks of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. This review systematically examines the functions of protein complexes within mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes and the pathogenic mechanisms of calcium signaling regulated by these membranes in neurodegenerative disorders. It places particular emphasis on structural alterations in calcium ion transport machinery as a common mechanism underlying various neurodegenerative diseases. In Alzheimer's disease, mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes exhibit a hyperactive state, promoting the generation of amyloid-β and enhancing calcium ion flux from the endoplasmic reticulum to the mitochondria. In contrast, in Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the activity of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes is reduced, leading to a decline in mitochondrial calcium ion buffering capacity and exacerbating excitotoxicity. Proteins residing in mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes are disrupted across various neurodegenerative diseases, resulting in abnormal communication between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Recent studies indicate that mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes play a bidirectional role in disease progression, and compensatory mechanisms often exacerbate the pathological process. Therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving the integrity of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes hold promise for alleviating neurodegenerative damage. Therefore, calcium ion exchange mediated by mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes plays a key role in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, making it a highly promising therapeutic target.
Additional Links: PMID-41467443
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@article {pmid41467443,
year = {2025},
author = {Yang, Y and Chen, M and Ding, L and Liu, J and Luo, J and Yan, R and Ning, J and Xie, S and Li, X and Ren, Z and Zhou, R and Chen, Z},
title = {Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes and calcium ion exchange: A novel direction for aging and neurodegenerative diseases.},
journal = {Neural regeneration research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00857},
pmid = {41467443},
issn = {1673-5374},
abstract = {Mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes serve as crucial signaling hubs mediating communication between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, and play a central role in calcium ion exchange. This dynamic interface regulates key cellular processes including bioenergetic metabolism, apoptosis, autophagy, and stress responses. Dysregulation of calcium transport associated with mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes can disrupt intracellular homeostasis, leading to mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and neuronal death, which are hallmarks of aging and neurodegenerative diseases. This review systematically examines the functions of protein complexes within mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes and the pathogenic mechanisms of calcium signaling regulated by these membranes in neurodegenerative disorders. It places particular emphasis on structural alterations in calcium ion transport machinery as a common mechanism underlying various neurodegenerative diseases. In Alzheimer's disease, mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes exhibit a hyperactive state, promoting the generation of amyloid-β and enhancing calcium ion flux from the endoplasmic reticulum to the mitochondria. In contrast, in Parkinson's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, the activity of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes is reduced, leading to a decline in mitochondrial calcium ion buffering capacity and exacerbating excitotoxicity. Proteins residing in mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes are disrupted across various neurodegenerative diseases, resulting in abnormal communication between the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Recent studies indicate that mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes play a bidirectional role in disease progression, and compensatory mechanisms often exacerbate the pathological process. Therapeutic strategies aimed at preserving the integrity of mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes hold promise for alleviating neurodegenerative damage. Therefore, calcium ion exchange mediated by mitochondria-associated endoplasmic reticulum membranes plays a key role in aging and neurodegenerative diseases, making it a highly promising therapeutic target.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-30
Error-prone translation as a driver of proteostasis collapse and neurodegeneration.
Neural regeneration research pii:01300535-990000000-01091 [Epub ahead of print].
Error-prone translation, resulting in inaccuracies in protein synthesis, is increasingly recognized as a critical contributor to proteostasis disruption and the pathogenesis of age-related neurological disorders. In recent years, numerous studies have elucidated that stochastic errors during mRNA translation may act as a molecular "tipping point" initiating pathogenic protein misfolding. A detailed analysis of how translation errors lead to protein misfolding, aggregation, and subsequent neurotoxicity will facilitate the identification of promising therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This article explores the contribution of mistranslation to proteostasis decline, focusing on the unique vulnerabilities of neuronal cells. We review the sources of translation errors, effects of ribosomal ambiguity and error-restrictive mutations, role of proteostatic mechanisms (such as molecular chaperones, ubiquitin-proteasome system, and unfolded protein response), and provide a unified perspective that links age-related translational infidelity to neurodegeneration. By synthesizing the most recent data obtained with genetically modified cellular and animal model studies, we highlight how age-associated decline in translational fidelity exacerbates proteostasis failure and propose potential therapeutic interventions targeting translation accuracy to mitigate neurodegeneration.
Additional Links: PMID-41467440
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@article {pmid41467440,
year = {2025},
author = {Akbergenov, R and Wolfer, DP and Gillingham, D and Shcherbakov, D},
title = {Error-prone translation as a driver of proteostasis collapse and neurodegeneration.},
journal = {Neural regeneration research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00795},
pmid = {41467440},
issn = {1673-5374},
abstract = {Error-prone translation, resulting in inaccuracies in protein synthesis, is increasingly recognized as a critical contributor to proteostasis disruption and the pathogenesis of age-related neurological disorders. In recent years, numerous studies have elucidated that stochastic errors during mRNA translation may act as a molecular "tipping point" initiating pathogenic protein misfolding. A detailed analysis of how translation errors lead to protein misfolding, aggregation, and subsequent neurotoxicity will facilitate the identification of promising therapeutic targets for neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. This article explores the contribution of mistranslation to proteostasis decline, focusing on the unique vulnerabilities of neuronal cells. We review the sources of translation errors, effects of ribosomal ambiguity and error-restrictive mutations, role of proteostatic mechanisms (such as molecular chaperones, ubiquitin-proteasome system, and unfolded protein response), and provide a unified perspective that links age-related translational infidelity to neurodegeneration. By synthesizing the most recent data obtained with genetically modified cellular and animal model studies, we highlight how age-associated decline in translational fidelity exacerbates proteostasis failure and propose potential therapeutic interventions targeting translation accuracy to mitigate neurodegeneration.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-30
Microbiota-gut-brain axis and bile acids-driven neuromodulation.
Neural regeneration research pii:01300535-990000000-01093 [Epub ahead of print].
Bile acids emerge as multifunctional signaling molecules with dual hepatic and microbial origins, acting through farnesoid X receptor and Takeda G protein coupled receptor 5 to influence inflammation and metabolism. Their dysregulation is consistently observed across various neurodegenerative diseases. The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a pivotal conduit for bile acids-driven neuromodulation, while sex-specific bile acid profiles and signaling pathways introduce critical biological heterogeneity. Emerging translational evidence indicates the promise of bile acids as biomarkers and therapeutic targets, yet highlights the critical hurdles that need to be addressed to realize precision interventions. Our core findings are: (1) Bile acids are far more than mere metabolic byproducts. They orchestrate core pathological processes such as neuroinflammation and energy metabolism. Their functions, whether neuroprotective or neurotoxic, are highly context-dependent, varying with cell type and disease-specific pathological backgrounds, thus exhibiting a potent "double-edged sword" effect. (2) The "microbiota-bile acids-brain axis" serves as a crucial bridge linking peripheral metabolic dysregulation to central nervous system pathology. (3) Sexual dimorphism emerges as a fundamental biological variable essential for understanding the heterogeneity in bile acid profiles and disease susceptibility. The primary contribution of this work is the proposal of an integrated "microbiota-bile acids-sex" framework that systematically describes the key scientific challenge of the context-dependent, dual roles of bile acids. Ultimately, this review champions a paradigm shift from a traditional brain-centric view to a systemic, metabolic perspective, establishing the bile acid system as a promising target for future precision therapeutic interventions.
Additional Links: PMID-41467439
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@article {pmid41467439,
year = {2025},
author = {Dong, T and Zhang, T and Wang, H and Zhang, J and Abdullah, R and Sun, B and Peng, G},
title = {Microbiota-gut-brain axis and bile acids-driven neuromodulation.},
journal = {Neural regeneration research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00927},
pmid = {41467439},
issn = {1673-5374},
abstract = {Bile acids emerge as multifunctional signaling molecules with dual hepatic and microbial origins, acting through farnesoid X receptor and Takeda G protein coupled receptor 5 to influence inflammation and metabolism. Their dysregulation is consistently observed across various neurodegenerative diseases. The microbiota-gut-brain axis is a pivotal conduit for bile acids-driven neuromodulation, while sex-specific bile acid profiles and signaling pathways introduce critical biological heterogeneity. Emerging translational evidence indicates the promise of bile acids as biomarkers and therapeutic targets, yet highlights the critical hurdles that need to be addressed to realize precision interventions. Our core findings are: (1) Bile acids are far more than mere metabolic byproducts. They orchestrate core pathological processes such as neuroinflammation and energy metabolism. Their functions, whether neuroprotective or neurotoxic, are highly context-dependent, varying with cell type and disease-specific pathological backgrounds, thus exhibiting a potent "double-edged sword" effect. (2) The "microbiota-bile acids-brain axis" serves as a crucial bridge linking peripheral metabolic dysregulation to central nervous system pathology. (3) Sexual dimorphism emerges as a fundamental biological variable essential for understanding the heterogeneity in bile acid profiles and disease susceptibility. The primary contribution of this work is the proposal of an integrated "microbiota-bile acids-sex" framework that systematically describes the key scientific challenge of the context-dependent, dual roles of bile acids. Ultimately, this review champions a paradigm shift from a traditional brain-centric view to a systemic, metabolic perspective, establishing the bile acid system as a promising target for future precision therapeutic interventions.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-30
Organoids: Key advances, optimization, and technological iterations in their application to neurodegenerative diseases.
Neural regeneration research pii:01300535-990000000-01083 [Epub ahead of print].
Organoid technology, as an innovative approach, has shown great potential in disease modeling, target screening, and the development of treatment strategies. However, traditional organoids still have three major limitations in research: the absence of specific cell types, the lack of blood-brain barrier structure, and insufficient reproducibility of experimental results. In recent years, researchers have gradually overcome these limitations by introducing innovative techniques such as advanced culture methods, microfluidic systems, bioprinting, organoid transplantation, and assembloid construction. This progress has facilitated the widespread application of organoids in the study of neurodegenerative diseases. This paper aims to systematically review the technological innovations of organoids in the study of neurodegenerative diseases. By summarizing classical organoid construction strategies and their limitations, it emphasizes the value of organoids in comprehensive applications within neurodegenerative disease research. In this review, we focus on five specific neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and frontotemporal dementia. Research in these diseases demonstrates that organoids improve experimental accessibility and reduce development cycles in disease modeling, target discovery, and therapeutic strategy formation. Using customized equipment and gene editing techniques, these organoids can be tailored to specific needs, providing pathophysiologically relevant disease models and enhancing our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases. Although organoid technology has demonstrated significant advantages in disease research, its potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases has not yet been fully explored, which may become an important direction for future research.
Additional Links: PMID-41467438
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid41467438,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhao, J and Wang, J and Guo, X},
title = {Organoids: Key advances, optimization, and technological iterations in their application to neurodegenerative diseases.},
journal = {Neural regeneration research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00924},
pmid = {41467438},
issn = {1673-5374},
abstract = {Organoid technology, as an innovative approach, has shown great potential in disease modeling, target screening, and the development of treatment strategies. However, traditional organoids still have three major limitations in research: the absence of specific cell types, the lack of blood-brain barrier structure, and insufficient reproducibility of experimental results. In recent years, researchers have gradually overcome these limitations by introducing innovative techniques such as advanced culture methods, microfluidic systems, bioprinting, organoid transplantation, and assembloid construction. This progress has facilitated the widespread application of organoids in the study of neurodegenerative diseases. This paper aims to systematically review the technological innovations of organoids in the study of neurodegenerative diseases. By summarizing classical organoid construction strategies and their limitations, it emphasizes the value of organoids in comprehensive applications within neurodegenerative disease research. In this review, we focus on five specific neurodegenerative diseases: Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and frontotemporal dementia. Research in these diseases demonstrates that organoids improve experimental accessibility and reduce development cycles in disease modeling, target discovery, and therapeutic strategy formation. Using customized equipment and gene editing techniques, these organoids can be tailored to specific needs, providing pathophysiologically relevant disease models and enhancing our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases. Although organoid technology has demonstrated significant advantages in disease research, its potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases has not yet been fully explored, which may become an important direction for future research.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-30
Therapeutic potential of astrocyte transdifferentiated neurons.
Neural regeneration research pii:01300535-990000000-01107 [Epub ahead of print].
The permanent functional deficits resulting from the inability of adult mammalian central nervous system neurons to regenerate after injury present a significant clinical challenge. While traditional stem cell transplantation strategies continue to encounter ethical concerns and the risk of immune rejection, this impasse has shifted regenerative medicine research toward targeting endogenous astrocytes. Due to their intrinsic plasticity, widespread distribution throughout the central nervous system, and affinity for neurodevelopmental lineage, astrocytes are a unique target for in situ neuronal regeneration. This review systematically elucidates the core regulatory network governing astrocyte transdifferentiation, identifying 10 key signaling pathways, such as Wnt signaling pathway, that form a cascade regulatory system. Directed overexpression of transcription factors such as NeuroD1, Ascl1, or Neurog2 can directly initiate neuronal phenotypic conversion. Meanwhile, small molecule compounds such as valproic acid combined with CHIR99021 activate endogenous neurogenic programs by inhibiting the bone morphogenetic protein signaling axis. Notably, polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTB) gene silencing significantly enhances transdifferentiation efficiency by suppressing the microRNA 124/re1 silencing transcription factor (miR-124/REST) feedback loop. From a translational perspective, a multidimensional evaluation system based on morphological, molecular marker, and electrophysiological properties has demonstrated considerable therapeutic potential. In stroke models, NeuroD1-mediated transdifferentiation replenished approximately 30% of lost cortical neurons and improved motor coordination, evidenced by enhanced performance in food pellet retrieval, grid walking, and cylinder tests compared with controls. In spinal cord injury studies, SOX2-induced glutamatergic neurons moderately reduced glial scar density by about 25%, permitting regenerating axons to pass through while preserving the supportive structure of scar. In neurodegenerative contexts, PTB inhibition yielded functionally mature dopaminergic neurons and reconstructed nigrostriatal pathways in Parkinson's disease models. In Alzheimer's disease models, adeno-associated virus-delivered NeuroD1 induced whole-brain neural circuit remodeling, generating 500,000 new neurons widely distributed across the cortex and hippocampus, accompanied by improved cognitive performance. Current technical limitations include off-target effects of adeno-associated virus vectors, which cause nonspecific gene expression and require rigorous validation via Cre-loxP lineage tracing. Transdifferentiation efficiency is also highly influenced by regional microenvironments: gray matter astrocytes show higher conversion rates than those in white matter, and oxidative stress increases apoptosis among newly generated neurons. Clinical translation is further constrained by the safety of delivery systems and the aging tissue microenvironment, where transforming growth factor beta 1 is often elevated. Ferroptosis inhibitors have been shown to nearly double the survival rate of transdifferentiated cells, offering a novel strategy to mitigate oxidative damage. Based on current evidence, astrocyte transdifferentiation enables neural functional recovery across multiple disease models through endogenous repair mechanisms. Future advances should focus on optogenetically inducible vectors for spatiotemporal precision, non-viral delivery systems to mitigate vector-related risks, and integration of long-term safety validation in non-human primates with single-cell multi-omics technologies to facilitate the clinical translation of personalized regenerative therapies.
Additional Links: PMID-41467429
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PubMed:
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@article {pmid41467429,
year = {2025},
author = {Liang, X and Qin, R and Qin, Q and Xu, W and Xu, H and Lai, X and Shao, L and Li, C and Xie, M and Xiong, X and Tang, Q and Chen, L},
title = {Therapeutic potential of astrocyte transdifferentiated neurons.},
journal = {Neural regeneration research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00554},
pmid = {41467429},
issn = {1673-5374},
abstract = {The permanent functional deficits resulting from the inability of adult mammalian central nervous system neurons to regenerate after injury present a significant clinical challenge. While traditional stem cell transplantation strategies continue to encounter ethical concerns and the risk of immune rejection, this impasse has shifted regenerative medicine research toward targeting endogenous astrocytes. Due to their intrinsic plasticity, widespread distribution throughout the central nervous system, and affinity for neurodevelopmental lineage, astrocytes are a unique target for in situ neuronal regeneration. This review systematically elucidates the core regulatory network governing astrocyte transdifferentiation, identifying 10 key signaling pathways, such as Wnt signaling pathway, that form a cascade regulatory system. Directed overexpression of transcription factors such as NeuroD1, Ascl1, or Neurog2 can directly initiate neuronal phenotypic conversion. Meanwhile, small molecule compounds such as valproic acid combined with CHIR99021 activate endogenous neurogenic programs by inhibiting the bone morphogenetic protein signaling axis. Notably, polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1 (PTB) gene silencing significantly enhances transdifferentiation efficiency by suppressing the microRNA 124/re1 silencing transcription factor (miR-124/REST) feedback loop. From a translational perspective, a multidimensional evaluation system based on morphological, molecular marker, and electrophysiological properties has demonstrated considerable therapeutic potential. In stroke models, NeuroD1-mediated transdifferentiation replenished approximately 30% of lost cortical neurons and improved motor coordination, evidenced by enhanced performance in food pellet retrieval, grid walking, and cylinder tests compared with controls. In spinal cord injury studies, SOX2-induced glutamatergic neurons moderately reduced glial scar density by about 25%, permitting regenerating axons to pass through while preserving the supportive structure of scar. In neurodegenerative contexts, PTB inhibition yielded functionally mature dopaminergic neurons and reconstructed nigrostriatal pathways in Parkinson's disease models. In Alzheimer's disease models, adeno-associated virus-delivered NeuroD1 induced whole-brain neural circuit remodeling, generating 500,000 new neurons widely distributed across the cortex and hippocampus, accompanied by improved cognitive performance. Current technical limitations include off-target effects of adeno-associated virus vectors, which cause nonspecific gene expression and require rigorous validation via Cre-loxP lineage tracing. Transdifferentiation efficiency is also highly influenced by regional microenvironments: gray matter astrocytes show higher conversion rates than those in white matter, and oxidative stress increases apoptosis among newly generated neurons. Clinical translation is further constrained by the safety of delivery systems and the aging tissue microenvironment, where transforming growth factor beta 1 is often elevated. Ferroptosis inhibitors have been shown to nearly double the survival rate of transdifferentiated cells, offering a novel strategy to mitigate oxidative damage. Based on current evidence, astrocyte transdifferentiation enables neural functional recovery across multiple disease models through endogenous repair mechanisms. Future advances should focus on optogenetically inducible vectors for spatiotemporal precision, non-viral delivery systems to mitigate vector-related risks, and integration of long-term safety validation in non-human primates with single-cell multi-omics technologies to facilitate the clinical translation of personalized regenerative therapies.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-30
Cell-based immunotherapy for neurodegenerative disease: A promising avenue.
Neural regeneration research pii:01300535-990000000-01096 [Epub ahead of print].
Neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease are characterized by progressive neuronal loss and chronic neuroinflammation, with current treatments remaining largely symptomatic. This review explores the potential of cell-based immunotherapy as a disease-modifying strategy. Advances in stem cell biology and immune engineering have facilitated the development of therapies using mesenchymal stem cells, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, macrophages, regulatory T cells, modified macrophages, and monoclonal antibodies. These approaches aim to regulate immune mechanisms implicated in neurodegeneration, such as microglial activation, systemic inflammation, and immune checkpoint dysregulation. Notably, macrophage-mediated delivery systems, such as genetically modified cells expressing neurotrophic factors or antioxidant enzymes, have demonstrated neuroprotective effects. Likewise, emerging data support T-cell modulation and monoclonal antibody development as therapeutic targets in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. We highlight current preclinical findings, underlying mechanisms, and translational challenges, emphasizing that immunomodulatory cell therapies represent a promising avenue for precision medicine in neurodegenerative diseases.
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@article {pmid41467421,
year = {2025},
author = {Huerta, TJ and Urbina-Muñoz, V and Urra-Alvarez, V and Villablanca, C and Gomez-Perez, LS and Saavedra, B and Contreras, T and Vidal, RL},
title = {Cell-based immunotherapy for neurodegenerative disease: A promising avenue.},
journal = {Neural regeneration research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00816},
pmid = {41467421},
issn = {1673-5374},
abstract = {Neurodegenerative diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease are characterized by progressive neuronal loss and chronic neuroinflammation, with current treatments remaining largely symptomatic. This review explores the potential of cell-based immunotherapy as a disease-modifying strategy. Advances in stem cell biology and immune engineering have facilitated the development of therapies using mesenchymal stem cells, chimeric antigen receptor T cells, macrophages, regulatory T cells, modified macrophages, and monoclonal antibodies. These approaches aim to regulate immune mechanisms implicated in neurodegeneration, such as microglial activation, systemic inflammation, and immune checkpoint dysregulation. Notably, macrophage-mediated delivery systems, such as genetically modified cells expressing neurotrophic factors or antioxidant enzymes, have demonstrated neuroprotective effects. Likewise, emerging data support T-cell modulation and monoclonal antibody development as therapeutic targets in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. We highlight current preclinical findings, underlying mechanisms, and translational challenges, emphasizing that immunomodulatory cell therapies represent a promising avenue for precision medicine in neurodegenerative diseases.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-30
CD11c+ microglia: From basic research to clinical application.
Neural regeneration research pii:01300535-990000000-01084 [Epub ahead of print].
CD11c+ microglia are a functionally specialized subpopulation of microglia that play a crucial role in the pathophysiological processes of various central nervous system diseases. This review synthesizes compelling evidence that CD11c+ microglia exhibit unique transcriptomic and phagocytic characteristics. These characteristics distinguish them from homeostatic microglia and support their specialized functions. During development, CD11c+ microglia are crucial for the maturation of oligodendrocytes and the integrity of white matter, particularly in regions such as the corpus callosum and cerebellum. In preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and central nervous system injuries (such as stroke and spinal cord injury), they are consistently associated with neuroprotective phenotypes. CD11c+ microglia exhibit enhanced phagocytic capacity near amyloid plaques and damaged neurons, helping to clear pathological protein aggregates and cell debris, thereby reducing neurotoxicity and promoting a repair environment. The current consensus is that specific microenvironmental cues, particularly hazard signaling molecules (DAMPs) and cytokines (such as interferon-γ), are the main drivers of the differentiation and activation of CD11c+ microglia. Among these, the TREM2-APOE signaling axis is a key and widely accepted regulatory pathway for their survival, proliferation, and functional status. The plasticity of CD11c+ microglia is regulated by multiple signaling pathways, including CSF1R, SIRPα-CD47, IFN-γ, and the complement cascade. Emerging therapeutic strategies aim to regulate their activities through gene targeting, metabolic intervention, and immune regulation using TREM2 agonists, CSF1R inhibitors, or nanopharmacological methods. However, challenges remain in defining specific CD11c+ biomarkers, understanding environment-dependent functions, and achieving targeted delivery. Future prospects depend on clearly addressing individual developmental issues, deciphering the molecular switches that control phenotypic plasticity, and developing highly specific therapeutic strategies to leverage their beneficial functions, thereby paving the way for new intervention methods for neurological diseases.
Additional Links: PMID-41467385
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@article {pmid41467385,
year = {2025},
author = {Zhou, Z and Zhao, Y and Fan, X and Zhang, J and Niu, R and Ma, Y and Xie, F and Tang, P and Mei, X and Zhang, L and Deng, J},
title = {CD11c+ microglia: From basic research to clinical application.},
journal = {Neural regeneration research},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-25-00868},
pmid = {41467385},
issn = {1673-5374},
abstract = {CD11c+ microglia are a functionally specialized subpopulation of microglia that play a crucial role in the pathophysiological processes of various central nervous system diseases. This review synthesizes compelling evidence that CD11c+ microglia exhibit unique transcriptomic and phagocytic characteristics. These characteristics distinguish them from homeostatic microglia and support their specialized functions. During development, CD11c+ microglia are crucial for the maturation of oligodendrocytes and the integrity of white matter, particularly in regions such as the corpus callosum and cerebellum. In preclinical models of neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) and central nervous system injuries (such as stroke and spinal cord injury), they are consistently associated with neuroprotective phenotypes. CD11c+ microglia exhibit enhanced phagocytic capacity near amyloid plaques and damaged neurons, helping to clear pathological protein aggregates and cell debris, thereby reducing neurotoxicity and promoting a repair environment. The current consensus is that specific microenvironmental cues, particularly hazard signaling molecules (DAMPs) and cytokines (such as interferon-γ), are the main drivers of the differentiation and activation of CD11c+ microglia. Among these, the TREM2-APOE signaling axis is a key and widely accepted regulatory pathway for their survival, proliferation, and functional status. The plasticity of CD11c+ microglia is regulated by multiple signaling pathways, including CSF1R, SIRPα-CD47, IFN-γ, and the complement cascade. Emerging therapeutic strategies aim to regulate their activities through gene targeting, metabolic intervention, and immune regulation using TREM2 agonists, CSF1R inhibitors, or nanopharmacological methods. However, challenges remain in defining specific CD11c+ biomarkers, understanding environment-dependent functions, and achieving targeted delivery. Future prospects depend on clearly addressing individual developmental issues, deciphering the molecular switches that control phenotypic plasticity, and developing highly specific therapeutic strategies to leverage their beneficial functions, thereby paving the way for new intervention methods for neurological diseases.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-30
Praja1 E3 ubiquitin ligase and the role it plays in neurodegeneration.
The FEBS journal [Epub ahead of print].
Protein aggregation and transmission are hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases. Praja1 E3 ubiquitin ligase has been shown to suppress the aggregation of causative proteins in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and spinocerebellar degeneration, which include transactivation response DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa, fused in sarcoma, superoxide dismutase 1, α-synuclein, huntingtin, and ataxin-3. Aoki et al. demonstrated that Praja1 ubiquitinates and degrades tau, a key molecule in tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and corticobasal syndrome, furthering our understanding of the role of Praja1 in neurodegenerative diseases and potential therapeutic approaches.
Additional Links: PMID-41466523
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41466523,
year = {2025},
author = {Watabe, K},
title = {Praja1 E3 ubiquitin ligase and the role it plays in neurodegeneration.},
journal = {The FEBS journal},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1111/febs.70383},
pmid = {41466523},
issn = {1742-4658},
abstract = {Protein aggregation and transmission are hallmarks of neurodegenerative diseases. Praja1 E3 ubiquitin ligase has been shown to suppress the aggregation of causative proteins in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and spinocerebellar degeneration, which include transactivation response DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa, fused in sarcoma, superoxide dismutase 1, α-synuclein, huntingtin, and ataxin-3. Aoki et al. demonstrated that Praja1 ubiquitinates and degrades tau, a key molecule in tauopathies such as Alzheimer's disease, Pick's disease, progressive supranuclear palsy, and corticobasal syndrome, furthering our understanding of the role of Praja1 in neurodegenerative diseases and potential therapeutic approaches.},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-30
Does the ACT Have ImpACT for ALS?.
Additional Links: PMID-41466416
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41466416,
year = {2025},
author = {Howard, I and Simmons, Z},
title = {Does the ACT Have ImpACT for ALS?.},
journal = {Muscle & nerve},
volume = {},
number = {},
pages = {},
doi = {10.1002/mus.70117},
pmid = {41466416},
issn = {1097-4598},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-30
ALS: a field in motion.
Scientific reports, 15(1):44791.
Additional Links: PMID-41466038
PubMed:
Citation:
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@article {pmid41466038,
year = {2025},
author = {Cauchi, RJ and Tosolini, AP},
title = {ALS: a field in motion.},
journal = {Scientific reports},
volume = {15},
number = {1},
pages = {44791},
pmid = {41466038},
issn = {2045-2322},
}
RevDate: 2025-12-30
CmpDate: 2025-12-30
The Determinant of Tau Spreading in Alzheimer's Disease: Dependent on Senile Plaque, Neural Circuits, or Spatial Proximity?.
International journal of molecular sciences, 26(24): pii:ijms262412088.
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is neuropathologically characterized by tau-immunopositive neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and amyloid-β (Aβ)-immunopositive senile plaques. According to the widely accepted amyloid cascade hypothesis, Aβ pathology represents the upstream event in AD pathophysiology and induces tau aggregation. However, numerous studies have suggested that tau aggregates correlate more closely with neuronal loss and regional brain atrophy than with Aβ depositions. Tau aggregation in AD demonstrates a hierarchical spreading pattern beginning in the transentorhinal cortex, but the mechanisms underlying this spreading manner of lesions remain to be elucidated. This review aims to address current controversies regarding tau pathology in AD from the perspectives of both the 'amyloid cascade' and 'tauopathy' hypotheses. From the 'amyloid cascade' viewpoint, Aβ deposition prominently involves distal axon and axon terminals, and in some regions, there are anatomical correspondences between axonal Aβ pathology and cytoplasmic tau aggregations (e.g., a close relationship between senile plaques in the molecular layer of the hippocampal dentate gyrus and NFTs in the transentorhinal cortex). Nevertheless, this model cannot explain the whole body of hierarchical spreading of tau aggregation because notable spaciotemporal discrepancies also exist in many regions. From the 'tauopathy' perspective, the distribution of tau aggregates in AD involves key nodes within the memory circuits. Also, experimental studies have suggested that patient-derived tau exhibits seeding and neuron-to-neuron propagation properties. Interestingly, tau aggregation in AD appears to spread laterally in a proximity-dependent, cortico-cortical fashion rather than along long-range memory circuits. This contrasts with the system-selective, poly-nodal degenerations seen in four-repeat tauopathies, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or spinocerebellar degenerations. Moreover, the proportions of three-repeat and four-repeat isoforms shift during the maturation of NFTs in AD. Overall, spreading patterns of tau-pathology in AD cannot be fully explained by Aβ pathology and also differ from the system degeneration seen in other tauopathies.
Additional Links: PMID-41465514
Publisher:
PubMed:
Citation:
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hide bibtex listing
@article {pmid41465514,
year = {2025},
author = {Riku, Y and Brion, JP and Ando, K and Uchihara, T and Iwasaki, Y},
title = {The Determinant of Tau Spreading in Alzheimer's Disease: Dependent on Senile Plaque, Neural Circuits, or Spatial Proximity?.},
journal = {International journal of molecular sciences},
volume = {26},
number = {24},
pages = {},
doi = {10.3390/ijms262412088},
pmid = {41465514},
issn = {1422-0067},
support = {JPMH23FC1008//MHLW Research on rare and intractable diseases Program/ ; 23K06935, 25K22597, and 25K10781//JSPS-KAKENHI/ ; },
mesh = {Humans ; *Alzheimer Disease/metabolism/pathology ; *tau Proteins/metabolism ; *Plaque, Amyloid/metabolism/pathology ; Animals ; Neurofibrillary Tangles/metabolism/pathology ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism ; Brain/metabolism/pathology ; },
abstract = {Alzheimer's disease (AD) is neuropathologically characterized by tau-immunopositive neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) and amyloid-β (Aβ)-immunopositive senile plaques. According to the widely accepted amyloid cascade hypothesis, Aβ pathology represents the upstream event in AD pathophysiology and induces tau aggregation. However, numerous studies have suggested that tau aggregates correlate more closely with neuronal loss and regional brain atrophy than with Aβ depositions. Tau aggregation in AD demonstrates a hierarchical spreading pattern beginning in the transentorhinal cortex, but the mechanisms underlying this spreading manner of lesions remain to be elucidated. This review aims to address current controversies regarding tau pathology in AD from the perspectives of both the 'amyloid cascade' and 'tauopathy' hypotheses. From the 'amyloid cascade' viewpoint, Aβ deposition prominently involves distal axon and axon terminals, and in some regions, there are anatomical correspondences between axonal Aβ pathology and cytoplasmic tau aggregations (e.g., a close relationship between senile plaques in the molecular layer of the hippocampal dentate gyrus and NFTs in the transentorhinal cortex). Nevertheless, this model cannot explain the whole body of hierarchical spreading of tau aggregation because notable spaciotemporal discrepancies also exist in many regions. From the 'tauopathy' perspective, the distribution of tau aggregates in AD involves key nodes within the memory circuits. Also, experimental studies have suggested that patient-derived tau exhibits seeding and neuron-to-neuron propagation properties. Interestingly, tau aggregation in AD appears to spread laterally in a proximity-dependent, cortico-cortical fashion rather than along long-range memory circuits. This contrasts with the system-selective, poly-nodal degenerations seen in four-repeat tauopathies, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or spinocerebellar degenerations. Moreover, the proportions of three-repeat and four-repeat isoforms shift during the maturation of NFTs in AD. Overall, spreading patterns of tau-pathology in AD cannot be fully explained by Aβ pathology and also differ from the system degeneration seen in other tauopathies.},
}
MeSH Terms:
show MeSH Terms
hide MeSH Terms
Humans
*Alzheimer Disease/metabolism/pathology
*tau Proteins/metabolism
*Plaque, Amyloid/metabolism/pathology
Animals
Neurofibrillary Tangles/metabolism/pathology
Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism
Brain/metabolism/pathology
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RJR Experience and Expertise
Researcher
Robbins holds BS, MS, and PhD degrees in the life sciences. He served as a tenured faculty member in the Zoology and Biological Science departments at Michigan State University. He is currently exploring the intersection between genomics, microbial ecology, and biodiversity — an area that promises to transform our understanding of the biosphere.
Educator
Robbins has extensive experience in college-level education: At MSU he taught introductory biology, genetics, and population genetics. At JHU, he was an instructor for a special course on biological database design. At FHCRC, he team-taught a graduate-level course on the history of genetics. At Bellevue College he taught medical informatics.
Administrator
Robbins has been involved in science administration at both the federal and the institutional levels. At NSF he was a program officer for database activities in the life sciences, at DOE he was a program officer for information infrastructure in the human genome project. At the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, he served as a vice president for fifteen years.
Technologist
Robbins has been involved with information technology since writing his first Fortran program as a college student. At NSF he was the first program officer for database activities in the life sciences. At JHU he held an appointment in the CS department and served as director of the informatics core for the Genome Data Base. At the FHCRC he was VP for Information Technology.
Publisher
While still at Michigan State, Robbins started his first publishing venture, founding a small company that addressed the short-run publishing needs of instructors in very large undergraduate classes. For more than 20 years, Robbins has been operating The Electronic Scholarly Publishing Project, a web site dedicated to the digital publishing of critical works in science, especially classical genetics.
Speaker
Robbins is well-known for his speaking abilities and is often called upon to provide keynote or plenary addresses at international meetings. For example, in July, 2012, he gave a well-received keynote address at the Global Biodiversity Informatics Congress, sponsored by GBIF and held in Copenhagen. The slides from that talk can be seen HERE.
Facilitator
Robbins is a skilled meeting facilitator. He prefers a participatory approach, with part of the meeting involving dynamic breakout groups, created by the participants in real time: (1) individuals propose breakout groups; (2) everyone signs up for one (or more) groups; (3) the groups with the most interested parties then meet, with reports from each group presented and discussed in a subsequent plenary session.
Designer
Robbins has been engaged with photography and design since the 1960s, when he worked for a professional photography laboratory. He now prefers digital photography and tools for their precision and reproducibility. He designed his first web site more than 20 years ago and he personally designed and implemented this web site. He engages in graphic design as a hobby.
RJR Picks from Around the Web (updated 11 MAY 2018 )
Old Science
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Treating Disease with Fecal Transplantation
Fossils of miniature humans (hobbits) discovered in Indonesia
Paleontology
Dinosaur tail, complete with feathers, found preserved in amber.
Astronomy
Mysterious fast radio burst (FRB) detected in the distant universe.
Big Data & Informatics
Big Data: Buzzword or Big Deal?
Hacking the genome: Identifying anonymized human subjects using publicly available data.