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Bibliography on: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

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Robert J. Robbins is a biologist, an educator, a science administrator, a publisher, an information technologist, and an IT leader and manager who specializes in advancing biomedical knowledge and supporting education through the application of information technology. More About:  RJR | OUR TEAM | OUR SERVICES | THIS WEBSITE

RJR: Recommended Bibliography 22 Mar 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®)

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RevDate: 2026-03-20

Kamar N, Congy-Jolivet N, Salhi S, et al (2026)

Anti-lymphocyte globulin versus anti-thymocyte globulin in kidney transplant patients with preformed donor specific antibodies.

Transplant immunology pii:S0966-3274(26)00033-X [Epub ahead of print].

State-of-the-art immunosuppressant therapies recommend the use of induction therapy after kidney transplantation. Anti-interleukin-2 receptor antibody (basiliximab) is used for low-risk patients whereas polyclonal anti-lymphocyte sera (ALS) are recommended for medium/high-risk patients. There are two commercially available rabbit-derived ALS, namely anti-thymocyte globulin (RATG; Thymoglobulin®) and anti-lymphocyte globulin (RATLG; Grafalon®). We retrospectively compared the efficacy and safety of RATG or RATLG induction therapy in high-risk kidney transplant recipients with preformed donor specific antibodies (DSAs; n = 124). Forty-seven recipients received 1.25 mg/kg RATG for 2 to 3 days. Seventy-seven recipients were treated with 9 mg/kg RATLG on day 0 followed by 4 mg/kg RATLG for 2 to 3 days (n = 21) or a single dose of 9 mg/kg RATLG on day 0 (n = 56). Overall there were no significant differences observed between patients treated with RATG and RATLG. Similarly, no difference was observed between patients who had been given a single dose of RATLG and multiple doses of RATLG or RATG. At one year, patient and graft survival rates, acute rejection rate and type of rejection, kidney function, infections and malignancies did not differ between groups. Kidney transplant patients with preformed DSA showed similar clinical outcomes when treated with RATG or RATLG induction therapy. Polyclonal antibodies in high immunological risk kidney transplant patients.

RevDate: 2026-03-19

Wang R, W Chen (2026)

Comment on: "Clinical safety of ultra-high-dose methylcobalamin in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Open-label extension of a phase 2/3 randomized controlled study".

RevDate: 2026-03-20

Zhang Z, Fan R, Jing S, et al (2026)

Plasma proteomic trajectories before the onset of neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative disease management [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: The study aimed to identify indicative proteins associated with the occurrence and mortality of three neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) and track the changes of proteins before the onset of NDDs.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We analyzed plasma proteomic data from UK Biobank. Cox regression analyses were utilized to detect the relationship between plasma proteins and the risk of development and all-cause mortality of Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Predictive models were established based on related proteins using Lasso regression.

RESULTS: We identified 14 disease-associated proteins for AD, 35 for PD, and one for ALS. The trajectory of plasma proteins before the onset of NDDs was portrayed. Neuroinflammation and the remodeling of the extracellular matrix might be common pathways for NDDs.

CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlighted that the landscape of plasma protein changes before the onset of NDDs.

RevDate: 2026-03-20

Ellis AC, Dobak S, Pearson K, et al (2026)

Registered Dietitians' perspectives on nutrition management of persons living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Neurodegenerative disease management [Epub ahead of print].

AIM: Persons with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (PALS) are at high risk for malnutrition, which is a negative prognostic factor for disease progression and survival. This study explored the perspectives of Registered Dietitians (RDs) providing nutrition care to PALS, focusing on barriers and facilitators to optimal patient care.

METHODS: RDs from U.S. multidisciplinary ALS clinics participated in six virtual focus groups. Recordings were transcribed verbatim and independently coded by two researchers for deductive content analysis.

RESULTS: RDs highlighted the importance of using clinical judgment to assess nutrition status and individualizing recommendations to respect patient autonomy. The multidisciplinary team model was identified as a strong facilitator to optimal patient care, while insurance coverage for nutrition-related supplies was a common barrier. RDs reported having little prior knowledge of ALS before assuming their current roles and described the need to upskill through self-teaching and on-the-job experience.

CONCLUSIONS: Results emphasize the importance of clinical judgment with respect to patient autonomy in providing nutrition care to PALS. The barriers and facilitators identified across multiple levels provide insight for future interventions to improve patient care.

RevDate: 2026-03-20
CmpDate: 2026-03-20

Chun S, Woon Kim G, H Bit Kim (2026)

Association between on-scene cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration and outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest patients.

World journal of emergency medicine, 17(2):137-145.

BACKGROUND: Prolonged on-scene Advanced Life Support (ALS) in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients may enhance return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC), but the optimal duration of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) without initial prehospital ROSC remains unclear. We investigated the association between on-scene CPR duration and outcomes using nationwide data. METHODS: This prospective, multi-regional study (2015-2022) included medical cause OHCA patients who underwent Smart ALS (SALS). Data from emergency medical services (EMS) records, SALS logs, and hospital outcomes were analyzed. Logistic regression models were developed for prehospital ROSC, survival to discharge, and good neurological outcome (Cerebral Performance Category [CPC] 1-2). RESULTS: Among 98,569 patients, 34,989 were SALS-eligible and 16,052 received SALS. Predictors of ROSC included younger age, male sex, public arrest, witnessed arrest, bystander CPR, shockable rhythm, and shorter response/scene times. Longer on-scene CPR reduced probabilities of ROSC, survival, and neurological recovery at hospital discharge. Model AUROCs were 0.697 (95%CI 0.676-0.717) for ROSC, 0.836 (95%CI 0.810-0.861) for survival, and 0.925 (95%CI 0.904-0.946) for neurological outcome. CONCLUSION: On-scene CPR duration is a critical prognostic factor in OHCA. The proposed models highlight on-scene predictors that may inform decisions about CPR continuation and support individualized resuscitation strategies. External validation in other EMS systems is warranted.

RevDate: 2026-03-20
CmpDate: 2026-03-20

Hier DB, Carrithers MD, Rodríguez-Fernández JM, et al (2026)

Editorial: The digitalization of neurology-volume II.

Frontiers in digital health, 8:1806851.

RevDate: 2026-03-20
CmpDate: 2026-03-20

Jessee S, Malhotra N, M Sen (2026)

Is the Supreme Court veering rightward? The ebb and flow of representation.

PNAS nexus, 5(3):pgag060.

Conducting novel surveys that allow the first direct comparisons between Supreme Court decisions and public preferences, Jessee et al. find that the Court moved sharply to the right between 2020 and 2021 and attribute this change to the replacement of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg with Justice Amy Coney Barrett. We extend Jessee et al.'s analysis by presenting additional data gathered between 2022 and 2025. We find that the Supreme Court maintained its conservative position in 2022 but then moderated in 2023 following the backlash to the decision in Dobbs v. Mississippi (2022), which repealed Roe v. Wade (1973). We show that despite the composition of the Court remaining stable and the identity of the median voter being unchanged between 2021 and 2025, there is an ebb and flow to the representativeness of Court decisions, with the institution sometimes further to the right of the public and then sometimes shifting closer to the average voter. However, despite these important periodic shifts, the Court has, since 2021, generally remained in a more conservative position relative to the ideological positioning of the American electorate. Our findings have important implications for the legitimacy of the Court and the stability of the rule of law.

RevDate: 2026-03-20
CmpDate: 2026-03-20

Raber J, TJ Sharpton (2026)

Diet, gut microbiome, and cognition in neurodegeneration: a review and methodological framework.

Frontiers in aging neuroscience, 18:1771904.

The gut microbiome influences brain function through the gut-brain axis via synthesis of neurotransmitters, production of metabolites affecting epithelial barrier integrity and immune modulation and signaling through the vagus nerve. In humans, microbiome diversity reflects healthy aging and predicts survival, while dysbiosis is increasingly implicated in neurodegenerative conditions including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and ALS. Fecal transplant studies in germ-free mice demonstrate that microbiome alterations are sufficient to induce cognitive and neuropathological phenotypes, supporting causality in preclinical models. Genetic risk factors and environmental exposures affect both neurodegeneration risk and microbiome composition. In this review, we synthesize evidence from human cohorts and preclinical models on the gut-brain axis in cognitive health and disease. We then present a methodological framework for diet-microbiome-cognition research, addressing causal inference through mediation analysis, supervised approaches for deriving diet scores, validation strategies, and individual heterogeneity. This framework can guide development of microbiome-targeted dietary interventions to improve cognitive outcomes.

RevDate: 2026-03-20
CmpDate: 2026-03-20

Sharbafshaaer M, Pirozzi MA, Caiazzo G, et al (2026)

Subcortical microstructural impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: clinical correlates of neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) changes.

Frontiers in neuroscience, 20:1757470.

INTRODUCTION: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease involving widespread network disruption beyond the motor cortex. Deep gray matter (DGM) nuclei, crucial for motor and cognitive integration, remain underexplored in vivo. This study applied neurite orientation dispersion and density imaging (NODDI) to evaluate DGM microstructure and its relationship with clinical disability in ALS.

METHODS: Diffusion-weighted MRI data were acquired from 23 ALS patients and 24 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Orientation dispersion index (ODI), neurite density index (NDI), and free water fraction (FWF) were extracted from the bilateral thalamus, caudate, putamen, pallidum, hippocampus, and amygdala using the Destrieux atlas. Group comparisons and partial correlations were adjusted for age, sex, and disease duration.

RESULTS: No significant group differences in DGM volumes or NODDI-derived metrics survived correction for multiple comparisons. Within the ALS group, several nominal (uncorrected) associations were observed between DGM microstructural metrics and ALSFRS-R subscores. Reduced respiratory subscores were associated with higher ODI in the left thalamus (ρ = 0.57, p = 0.0047, uncorrected). Fine-motor subscores showed nominal positive associations with ODI in the left (ρ = 0.48, p = 0.021, uncorrected) and right amygdala (ρ = 0.51, p = 0.012, uncorrected). Gross motor subscores were nominally associated with NDI in the right thalamus (ρ = 0.58, p = 0.004, uncorrected), left thalamus (ρ = 0.42, p = 0.047, uncorrected), left caudate (ρ = 0.52, p = 0.011, uncorrected), and right caudate (ρ = 0.57, p = 0.033, uncorrected). None of these associations survived false discovery rate correction and should therefore be interpreted as exploratory.

DISCUSSION: These findings suggest subtle and predominantly exploratory associations between DGM microstructural properties and clinical measures in ALS. NODDI derived metrics, particularly ODI and NDI, may provide sensitive indices of subcortical microstructural variation, warranting further investigation in larger cohorts.

RevDate: 2026-03-20
CmpDate: 2026-03-20

Mak SS, McManus P, Greer S, et al (2026)

Deployment of an Activity Monitoring Program to Complement a Clinical Intervention for Veterans With Gulf War Illness: Qualitative Study.

JMIR human factors, 13:e82177 pii:v13i1e82177.

BACKGROUND: Many veterans who served in the Gulf experience Gulf War Illness (GWI), a chronic multisymptom condition associated with fatigue, pain, gastrointestinal problems and respiratory issues, mood/cognitive issues, and sleep difficulties. These symptoms contribute to decreased function, increased mental health needs, and poor quality of life. The Veterans Affairs War Related Illness and Injury Study Center in New Jersey developed a 26-week virtual health coaching intervention to support symptom management for veterans with GWI. In 2023, a consumer-grade smartwatch was added as part of an activity monitoring program to complement this program.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this project was to assess the feasibility and acceptability of including a smartwatch-based activity monitoring component to complement a virtual health coaching program for veterans with GWI.

METHODS: Twenty-four veterans enrolled in the health coaching program were invited to participate in the activity monitoring component. Participants attended a virtual orientation to set up the smartwatch, and verbal consent to share data through a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-compliant platform was obtained. Program feasibility was assessed by evaluating wear-time percentage and duration of use. Acceptability was assessed using two items from a monthly survey and through a midprogram semistructured interview. Quantitative data were summarized descriptively, and qualitative data were analyzed using a coding scheme adapted from Sekhon et al's Theoretical Framework for Acceptability (TFA).

RESULTS: Twenty veterans agreed to participate in the program (mean age 49 years; 7/20, 35% female; 19/20, 94% non-Hispanic White; 11/20, 55% first-time smartwatch users). Twelve participants (60%) wore the watch for the full 26 weeks. Among participants who completed 26 weeks, median daily wear-time completeness exceeded 80% for 25 weeks. Most participants (12/20, 60%) reported that wearing the smartwatch helped them achieve their wellness goals, and the majority (16/20, 80%) said they would recommend using the smartwatch for activity monitoring to other veterans. Qualitative findings supported acceptability across TFA domains. One adverse event was reported (minor skin irritation that resolved after changing the smartwatch band to a hypoallergenic watch band).

CONCLUSIONS: Within this clinical program, pairing a smartwatch with virtual health coaching for veterans with GWI was feasible and acceptable. Activity monitoring integrated into an existing intervention may support symptom self-management and augment patient education and engagement. As no prior activity monitoring programs specific to veterans with GWI have been described, these findings could inform future program development and implementation within this population.

RevDate: 2026-03-20

Pirdankar OH, Nene AS, Thakur R, et al (2026)

Intravitreal Anti-vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Retinopathy of Prematurity: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Journal of pediatric ophthalmology and strabismus [Epub ahead of print].

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is one of the leading cause of blindness in premature infants. A bibliometric analysis on intravitreal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in ROP was conducted. A comprehensive search of the article on the Scopus database was conducted with the terms related to "anti-vascular endothelial growth factor and retinopathy of prematurity." Only original research and review articles published in the English language were considered. VOSviewer version 1.6.20 was used for the visualization and analysis of the data. Publication trend, productive countries, researchers' details, commonly cited documents, source and influential journals, and keyword occurrence were analyzed. A total of 329 studies were considered, of which 270 were original articles and 59 were review articles. The highest numbers of publications were seen in the year 2022. The United States, China, Turkey, India, and Taiwan were the top 5 countries that published research on the use of anti-VEGF in ROP. The most documents were published by Wei-Chi Wu (22) and Chi-Chun Lai (14), and Falavarjani et al's article had the most citations (737). A total of 2,504 keywords were identified. All keyword analysis revealed the occurrence of "retinopathy of prematurity" and "human" as a keyword was 290 and 286 times, respectively. Most articles and citations were found in Retina. The use of anti-VEGF in ROP is constantly evolving and bibliometric analysis highlights a research trend and influential authors and journals that have published significant work on it. This article can serve as a guide to conduct a literature review for future researchers.

RevDate: 2026-03-20

Burt-Oberecken N, Megat S, C Rouaux (2026)

[Protective effect of a CREB3 gain-offunction variant in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis].

Medecine sciences : M/S, 42(3):234-237.

RevDate: 2026-03-20

Bao S, Bajet A, Martínez R, et al (2026)

Commentary: On the Equal-Opportunity Jerk "Defense": Rudeness Complicates Sexism Attributions but Comes at a Cost.

Psychological science [Epub ahead of print].

Sexism is a pervasive and persistent problem. In their 2022 article "The 'Equal-Opportunity Jerk' Defense: Rudeness Can Obfuscate Gender Bias" (Psychological Science, Vol. 33, pp. 397-411), Belmi et al. argued that sexism can be obfuscated and go unpunished if perpetrators also act rudely toward men: the "equal-opportunity jerk defense." We introduce a simple Bayesian model that accounts for Belmi et al.'s findings and corroborated their predictions and implications in five preregistered experiments (N = 6,968 U.S. adults recruited via Prolific). We replicated that being rude toward men decreased perceived sexism but importantly found that it came at the cost of increased punishment (Study 1). Moreover, rudeness primarily decreased actors' perceived sexism, whereas their actions were still perceived as sexist (Study 2). Sexism ratings were sensitive to prior beliefs about the prevalence of sexism and to the diagnosticity of observed sexist behavior (Supplementary Studies S1-S2), in line with a broader Bayesian perspective. Bias in sexism ratings thus need not implicate fallacious cognitive processes or an "illusion of gender blindness."

RevDate: 2026-03-20

Fu P, Zhang X, Zhou Y, et al (2026)

Embedded CRISPRi Enhances Gene-Silencing Efficiency in Drosophila.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany) [Epub ahead of print].

CRISPR interference (CRISPRi), leveraging catalytically inactive Cas9 (dCas9), has transformed transcriptional silencing. However, its application in Drosophila melanogaster has been constrained by inconsistent efficiency and limited repression amplitude. Here, we present embedded CRISPR interference (emCRISPRi), an advanced gene-silencing platform that integrates transcriptional repression domains (Mxi and TRD) into a structurally flexible region of dCas9. This design significantly enhances silencing efficiency, enabling robust repression of coding genes and cis-regulatory elements, particularly at transcription start site (TSS)-proximal regions. emCRISPRi demonstrates improved gene-silencing activity compared to RNA interference (RNAi) at several tested loci and facilitates strong phenotypic rescue via unmodified cDNA. Its versatility is demonstrated through the dissection of Hippo pathway interactions and the mitigation of TDP-43-induced neurotoxicity in an amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) model. These findings position emCRISPRi as a transformative tool for functional genomics, enhancer studies, and disease modeling in Drosophila, with significant potential for cross-species adaptation and therapeutic innovation.

RevDate: 2026-03-20

Oka S, Yamazaki T, Y Takefuji (2026)

Breaking the spline: Why distributed lag non-linear models miss thresholds in environmental psychiatry.

This critique evaluates Monti et al.'s investigation into associations between air pollution, apparent temperature, and schizophrenia severity. While their findings indicate significant short‑ and medium‑term effects of PM10 and thermal stress on PANSS scores, several methodological limitations warrant caution. Their study relies on residential exposure assignments, which may not capture individual mobility or indoor environments, potentially introducing substantial exposure misclassification. Despite appropriately modeling delayed and non-linear effects, the DLNM's reliance on predefined spline structures may oversimplify the complex, synergistic interactions among atmospheric variables. Seasonal discrepancies-such as the absence of PM10 effects in autumn-winter-may reflect unmodeled dependencies or limited pollutant data, particularly for PM2.5 and black carbon. To address these constraints, future research should incorporate flexible, data‑driven approaches, particularly those capable of uncovering latent structures within environmental mixtures. Unsupervised feature‑clustering methods can identify correlated pollutant groupings and reduce dimensional noise, while rank‑based correlation metrics provide robust assessment of non‑linear dependencies that are often obscured by parametric spline specifications. These non‑parametric techniques can complement DLNM by capturing multivariate synergies and interaction patterns that rigid basis structures may overlook. Overall, integrating such approaches is essential for advancing analytical capacity and improving risk assessment for vulnerable psychiatric populations.

RevDate: 2026-03-18

Takeda T, Ishikawa A, Kokubun S, et al (2026)

Reduced nuclear TDP-43 and cytoplasmic DLK1 as markers of motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Journal of neuropathology and experimental neurology pii:8528003 [Epub ahead of print].

Loss of upper and lower motor neurons (MNs) is a defining pathological feature underlying the clinical manifestations of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the differences in MN loss and TDP-43 pathology between these areas in ALS patients remain unclear. This study included 7 patients with ALS and 3 controls from consecutive autopsies. The cell density and regional density of TDP-43-positive inclusions in 4 upper MN areas and their anatomically corresponding lower MN areas were measured. The numbers of large cells with loss of nuclear TDP-43 and cytoplasmic delta-like-1 homolog (DLK1) were counted. The results showed severe MN loss in both upper and lower MN areas. However, TDP-43-positive inclusions differed markedly, that is they were rare in upper MNs but abundant in lower MN. In upper MN areas, TDP-43 density was not associated with the residual rate of MNs, whereas in lower MN areas, the density in MNs was associated with the cell residual rate. Significantly higher numbers of MNs lacking nuclear TDP-43 and cytoplasmic DLK1 were observed in the upper and lower MN regions in ALS vs controls. These findings suggest that these morphological changes may be closely related to motor neuron vulnerability and may be mechanistic contributors to ALS development.

RevDate: 2026-03-19

Leinders S, Aarnoutse EJ, Branco MP, et al (2026)

Implanted brain-computer interface functionality during nighttime in late-stage amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Scientific reports pii:10.1038/s41598-026-44228-7 [Epub ahead of print].

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) hold promise as assistive communication technology for people with severe paralysis. Although such BCIs should be available 24/7, feasibility of nocturnal BCI use has not been investigated. Here, we addressed this question using data from an electrocorticography-BCI user with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. We investigated nocturnal dynamics of neural signal features used for BCI control. Additionally, we assessed nocturnal performance of a decoder trained on daytime data, by quantifying the number of unintentional BCI activations at night. Finally, we developed a nightmode functionality and assessed its performance. Mean and variance of low and high frequency band power were significantly higher at night than during the day. When applied to night data, daytime decoders caused unintentional BCI activations in 100% of nights (245 unintended click-commands and 13 unintended caregiver-calls per hour). The specifically developed nightmode functionality, however, functioned error-free in 79% of nights over a period of ± 1.5 years, allowing the user to reliably call the caregiver. Reliable nighttime use of a BCI requires strategies to adjust to circadian and sleep-related signal changes. This demonstration of a reliable nightmode and its long-term use by an individual with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis underscores the importance of 24/7 BCI reliability.

RevDate: 2026-03-19

Hodgson RE, Huang WP, Lang R, et al (2026)

Paraspeckle condensation is controlled via TDP-43 polymerization and linked to neuroprotection.

Nature cell biology [Epub ahead of print].

The paraspeckle is a disease-relevant biomolecular condensate assembled from long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) NEAT1_2 ribonucleoprotein particles. Paraspeckle biogenesis is suppressed in normal tissues, yet it can be rapidly upregulated under stress. Here we demonstrate that a neurodegeneration-linked RNA-binding protein TDP-43 inhibits NEAT1_2 ribonucleoprotein particle condensation into the paraspeckle, in a concentration-dependent manner, which requires its intact polymerization and RNA binding. This effect is counterbalanced by core paraspeckle proteins such as FUS. Below disruptive concentrations, TDP-43 can be recruited into paraspeckles, forming non-liquid clusters. Under stress, TDP-43 sequestration into de novo nuclear condensates alleviates paraspeckle suppression and increases their dynamism. NEAT1_2 middle-part and 3'-end UG repeats mediate paraspeckle regulation by TDP-43 cotranscriptionally and post assembly, respectively. The deletion of the 3'-end UG repeat increases paraspeckle stability and cytoprotection in stressed human neurons. Consistently, longer 3'-end UG repeats are linked to shorter survival in the neurodegenerative disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Thus, TDP-43 is a critical regulator of paraspeckle condensates linked to cytoprotection.

RevDate: 2026-03-19

Michaelis T, Lindestam Arlehamn CS, Johansson E, et al (2026)

Author Correction: Autoimmune response to C9orf72 protein in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

RevDate: 2026-03-19

Gagliardi D, Villella C, Zanovello M, et al (2026)

High Prevalence of SOD1 Pathogenic Variants in the UK Biobank: Implications for Early Intervention in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Annals of neurology [Epub ahead of print].

OBJECTIVE: SOD1 is the second most frequently mutated gene in European patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Given the recent authorization of SOD1-targeted antisense oligonucleotides for SOD1-ALS, prompt screening for SOD1 mutations in patients with ALS patients is highly recommended. Large-scale genomic analysis could inform on the population-based prevalence of SOD1 mutation carriers, who would potentially benefit from treatment. We aim to determine the number of people with pathogenic SOD1 variants in the UK Biobank (UKB), to address a critical gap between clinical and genetic prevalence of SOD1-ALS.

METHODS: We analyzed SOD1 variants within exome sequencing data from 470,000 individuals aged over 40 years. Pathogenicity was evaluated using referenced databases and American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) guidelines. Leveraging the UKB carrier frequency and age at onset data, we estimated the genetic prevalence of SOD1-ALS. We examined factors that may influence penetrance.

RESULTS: We identified 122 individuals with monoallelic SOD1 coding variants, 93.4% of whom were asymptomatic. Additionally, the low-penetrance p.Asp91Ala variant was observed in heterozygosis in 535 subjects, whereas it was never found in homozygosis. Excluding this variant, the expected number of people developing SOD1-ALS is 1.04:100,000 in the UK population, 4 times higher than clinically reported figures. Symptomatic carriers had significantly increased levels of serum neurofilament at baseline. Age-related penetrance was higher in non-p.Asp91Ala carriers versus p.Asp91Ala carriers. Long-term survivor status was associated with p.Asp91Ala genotype, older age, and lower neurofilament levels.

INTERPRETATION: Incomplete and age-related penetrance, along with underascertainment due to disease heterogeneity and limitations in data collection, likely account for the reduced number of symptomatic patients identified. Our findings highlight the need to identify genetic and environmental factors, as well as biological indicators, able to influence disease penetrance and phenoconversion risk in presymptomatic carriers and to predict treatment response in patients. ANN NEUROL 2026.

RevDate: 2026-03-19

Isik FI, Pickford R, Timmins HC, et al (2026)

Systemic dysregulation of apolipoproteins in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis serum.

FEBS open bio [Epub ahead of print].

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive motor neuron degeneration. Increasing evidence implicates systemic lipid perturbation in ALS pathogenesis. However, the extent and nature of apolipoprotein changes underlying lipid perturbations in ALS remain largely unknown. To address this, we performed a comprehensive analysis of major apolipoproteins involved in lipid metabolism and examined their association with lipoprotein membrane lipids in sporadic ALS (n = 32) and age-matched healthy controls (n = 32), using ELISA and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Compared with controls, serum levels of apoB, apoCI, apoCII, apoCIII and apoE were significantly elevated in ALS, whereas apoAI and apoAII were unchanged. Distributional analyses demonstrated a relative decrease in apoAI and an increase in apoB in ALS, resulting in an elevated apoB/apoAI ratio, a marker of atherogenic risk, alongside a reduced apoAI/apoE ratio. Correlation analyses revealed strengthened interrelationships among apolipoproteins in ALS, suggesting altered regulatory coordination. At the lipid level, phosphatidylcholine (PC) was increased, whereas sphingomyelin (SM) was reduced in ALS serum. Notably, the strong associations of apoB to both PC and SM observed in controls were absent in ALS. Biomarker analyses identified apoE as the strongest discriminator between ALS and control groups. Collectively, these findings demonstrate a coordinated disruption of apolipoproteins and lipoprotein-associated lipids in ALS serum, with likely functional consequences for lipoprotein metabolism. This study provides new insights into lipid dysregulation in ALS pathobiology and supports the emerging view that ALS encompasses not only neurodegenerative processes but also systemic metabolic reprogramming.

RevDate: 2026-03-19
CmpDate: 2026-03-19

Montesanti S, Bradley N, Demedeiros S, et al (2026)

Designing for implementation: a cognitive task analysis of intimate partner violence screening in hospital trauma care in Alberta, Canada.

Frontiers in health services, 6:1743548.

BACKGROUND: Intimate partner violence (IPV) has serious health consequences, yet routine IPV screening remains inconsistently implemented in hospital trauma centres. Despite evidence supporting screening, implementation challenges persist. This study used Cognitive Task Analysis (CTA) to examine how trauma care providers perceive and enact IPV screening, with attention to cognitive processes, barriers, and facilitators to implementation.

METHODS: We conducted CTA group interviews with nine trauma care providers from two trauma centers in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. Participants included trauma surgeons, nurse practitioners, social workers, and patient care managers. Using a structured interview guide and concept mapping techniques, we elicited knowledge structures, decision-making processes, and perceived constraints related to IPV screening. We applied an interpretive qualitative approach to uncover underlying themes related to cognitive work and task complexity. Grounded theory techniques, such as open and axial coding, were used in conjunction with CTA to analyze how participants reasoned through clinical scenarios. We paid close attention to how providers assessed cues, coordinated across roles, shifted priorities, and navigated organizational constraints. This hybrid approach allowed us to bridge systems-level implementation science with cognitive insights, drawing conceptually on CFIR and Proctor et al.'s implementation outcomes to generate actionable knowledge for IPV screening interventions in trauma care settings.

RESULTS: Themes were synthesized into six overarching cognitive domains: trauma care workflow, team collaboration and knowledge, critical situations and decision-making, IPV screening practices and challenges, understanding patient experiences, and institutional support. These were further illustrated through refined concept maps that visually represented participants' mental models, task sequences, and decision-making strategies.

CONCLUSION: Trauma care providers are well-positioned to identify IPV, yet screening is constrained by limited institutional support, unclear procedures, and poor integration into trauma workflows. Findings highlight the need for system-level strategies that align IPV screening with the cognitive and organizational realities of trauma care. By applying CTA, this study informs the design and implementation of context-sensitive IPV screening interventions that are more acceptable, appropriate, and feasible in hospital trauma settings. Furthermore, this study informs implementation strategies for integrating IPV screening interventions into trauma care, with particular implications for improving the acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility, and sustainability of evidence-based practices.

RevDate: 2026-03-19
CmpDate: 2026-03-19

Elshaer A, L Thomas (2026)

Investigating inequality in Advanced Life Support courses: a retrospective, single-centre, survey-based pilot study.

Resuscitation plus, 28:101283.

BACKGROUND: With more International Medical Graduates (IMGs) joining the United Kingdom's medical workforce, the demand for Advanced Life Support (ALS) courses has increased. Whilst differential attainment among IMGs is well-documented, little is understood about this phenomenon in ALS courses. This study explores the relationship between ALS course participants' background and course outcomes.

METHODS: Doctors who attended ALS courses at a UK course centre were retrospectively recruited to participate in a 28-question online survey about their language, education and clinical backgrounds, as well as their ALS course experience and outcomes. Quantitative and qualitative analyses were carried out, and recommendations were thematically summarised.

RESULTS: Of 419 invited healthcare professionals, 38 doctors (9%) completed the survey. 27 (71.1%) of the respondents graduated outside the UK, 32 (84.2%) studied medicine in English, and 15 (39.5%) were native English speakers. Passing the Cardiac Arrest Simulation Tests (CAS-Test) was statistically associated with more previous scenario-based simulation experience. Thematic analysis of responses suggested that biased treatment, language barriers, communication anxiety, inadequate undergraduate training, vulnerability, rigid professionalism and psychological insecurity were obstacles to IMGs attaining course outcomes. Suggestions for improvement focused on enhancing course accessibility, learning materials, the educational environment, assessment, and faculty development.

CONCLUSIONS: This exploratory study investigates IMGs' self-reported challenges and proposes interventions to promote the inclusivity of ALS courses. Further prospective research is required to evaluate the nature and generalisability of these findings and the applicability of the offered recommendations.

RevDate: 2026-03-19
CmpDate: 2026-03-19

Piotrowski SL, Allnutt MA, Johnson K, et al (2026)

Herpesvirus genome integration in whole-genome sequences of dementia and control cohorts.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 22(3):e71047.

INTRODUCTION: The infectious hypothesis suggests that microbes like herpesviruses may play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other related dementias through methods that may include viral genome integration. The occurrence of herpesvirus genome integration in dementia patients has not been thoroughly characterized.

METHODS: Over 7500 total whole-genome sequences from control, frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis spectrum, Lewy body dementia (LBD), multiple system atrophy (MSA), and AD cohorts were screened for the integration of pathogen genomes using the PathSeq computational tool.

RESULTS: Low PathSeq scores for human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) were consistent with the suspected integration of viral genome segments. The LBD and MSA cohorts had a significantly higher prevalence of this partial HHV-6 genome integration.

DISCUSSION: This higher prevalence in both synucleinopathies was not noted in other herpesviruses, suggesting that the integration of HHV-6 may play a role in a subset of these patients.

HIGHLIGHTS: Over 7500 whole-genome sequences from controls and dementia patients were analyzed. Sequences consistent with integrated herpesviruses were identified using PathSeq. Prevalence of partial HHV-6 integration was higher in synucleinopathies. Herpesviruses genome integration may play a role in subsets of dementia patients.

RevDate: 2026-03-19

Fragkoudi A, Stern C, Pollock D, et al (2026)

Identifying priorities for a national motor neurone disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) guideline: results from an Australian online survey.

Disability and rehabilitation [Epub ahead of print].

PURPOSE: To identify the priorities of people living with motor neurone disease (MND), their carers, asymptomatic genetic carriers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) in Australia, to inform the development of a national MND care guideline.

METHODS: An anonymous online survey was distributed via MND organisations and groups to the Australian MND community.

RESULTS: Two hundred and fourteen individuals completed the survey. Of those, 44.8% (n = 96) were HCPs, with the remaining consisting of people living with MND, genetic carriers, and carers. The following areas were rated as extremely important and should be included in the guideline: diagnosis, service delivery models, clinical care management, caregiver support, and palliative care; while views on genetic testing and cognitive assessment were mixed. Participants highlighted a need for holistic care which considered emotional/psychological and physical aspects of MND. People with MND and their carers want the Australian MND care guideline to highlight proactive and coordinated support prioritising quality of life, while maintaining independence for as long as possible.

CONCLUSIONS: Identifying priorities is a fundamental step that will shape the forthcoming Australian MND care guideline. This methodology ensures the voices of those with lived experience and interest holders are incorporated from the outset.

RevDate: 2026-03-19
CmpDate: 2026-03-19

Walker TB, Trowbridge JW, McMahon S, et al (2026)

Small heat shock proteins HspB1 and HspB5 differentially alter the condensation and aggregation of the TDP-43 low-complexity domain.

Protein science : a publication of the Protein Society, 35(4):e70539.

TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a nucleic acid-binding protein that regulates processes of mRNA metabolism, during which it undergoes condensation mediated by its C-terminal low-complexity domain (TDP-43[LCD]). TDP-43 aggregation and condensation are associated with neurodegenerative disease. However, the proteostasis mechanisms that regulate these processes remain elusive. Some evidence has shown that the molecular chaperone small heat shock protein HspB1 binds to and regulates the cytoplasmic phase separation of TDP-43, indicating that other small heat shock proteins may have similar effects. Here, we demonstrate divergent behaviors for HspB1 and its homolog HspB5 on TDP-43[LCD] condensation and aggregation. In addition to inhibiting TDP-43[LCD] aggregation, HspB1 partitions into TDP-43[LCD] condensates and increases the dynamic exchange of TDP-43[LCD] within condensates and with the surrounding solution. Phosphorylation-mimicking mutations within HspB1 enhance these effects. HspB5 inhibits TDP-43[LCD] aggregation more effectively than HspB1 and partitions into TDP-43[LCD] condensates, where it delays the pathological transition of the condensate to a gel/solid. We identify the N- and C-terminal regions of HspB1 and HspB5 to be crucial for the chaperone effects, and highlight the role of sequence diversity within these regions in defining small heat shock protein function. These findings demonstrate that HspB1 and HspB5 are regulators of TDP-43 phase separation and aggregation and may be potential therapeutic targets in mitigating toxic TDP-43 aggregation in neurodegenerative disease.

RevDate: 2026-03-19

Morojele NK, London L, Saban A, et al (2026)

Implications of COVID-19 Restrictions on the Ethics and Methods of a Multi-Site Study on Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) Use Treatment among Men in South Africa.

Journal of empirical research on human research ethics : JERHRE [Epub ahead of print].

Public health measures for medical emergencies generate methodological and ethical challenges for human research. Using Emanuel et al.'s framework, we assessed the ethical integrity of the research methods used in a men's alcohol and other drug (AOD) use disorder study following their revision due to COVID-19 restrictions in South Africa. Following the amendments, the study's social value, favorable risk-benefit ratio, and respect for participants increased. Collaborative partnership, scientific validity, fair participant selection, independent review, and informed consent improved in terms of successful stakeholder engagements and interviewing procedures, but were compromised due to a cellphone access eligibility criterion and complicated consenting procedures. Methodological and ethical challenges of research during health emergencies can be navigated with flexibility and innovation.

RevDate: 2026-03-19

Shukla A, Upadhyay A, Qadeer M, et al (2026)

Eco-friendly Immersion-Coating Strategy for Scalable and Durable Superhydrophobic Aluminum Surfaces.

Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids [Epub ahead of print].

Superhydrophobic (SHPB) surfaces have strong potential to mitigate corrosion, fouling, and icing, yet conventional fabrication methods rely on fluorinated modifiers, toxic reagents, or multistep protocols that limit scalability and conformal coverage on complex geometries. Here, we report an eco-friendly, scalable, and fluorine-free immersion-coating strategy for developing SHPB aluminum (SHPB-Al) surfaces using an ionic liquid (IL, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride) and lauric acid (LA) as nontoxic precursors. The central novelty lies in generating the requisite hierarchical roughness via an ionic liquid adsorption-driven surface modification mechanism, rather than through conventional material-removal or etching processes, thereby minimizing substrate damage and preserving structural integrity. Specifically, the two-step protocol first forms an IL-derived adsorbed substrate layer that induces hierarchical topography and hydrophilicity, followed by lauric acid functionalization to reduce surface energy and induce superhydrophobicity. Systematic optimization of the precursor concentration and dip duration identifies an optimum condition that achieves a static contact angle (SCA) of ≈165° with contact angle hysteresis (CAH) of <5°. Microscopy and surface analyses confirm the presence of hierarchical textures and robust chemical grafting. Durability tests under harsh chemical, thermal, mechanical, and environmental conditions reveal minimal performance loss (SCA > 150° and CAH < 10°), underscoring the coating's reliability. Droplet dynamics exhibit ≥15 successive rebounds, a coefficient of restitution of ≈0.9, and contact times as short as ≈10 ms, demonstrating ultralow adhesion. Building on these insights, we introduce an improvised one-step IL-LA codeposition method that simplifies the fabrication route while retaining high performance (SCA of ≈160° and CAH of ≈5°) and prolonged durability under environmental exposure. Together, this fluorine-free immersion-coating framework offers durable, scalable, and nontoxic routes for producing SHPB-Als, enabling conformal coatings on complex geometries such as heat-exchanger fins and paving the way for industrial deployment in harsh service environments.

RevDate: 2026-03-19

Calvache Anaya JA, Urdiales Merino A, Druetta NN, et al (2026)

Nonlinear and Asymmetric Refractive Sensitivity to Effective Lens Position Errors in Pseudophakic Eye Models.

Ophthalmic & physiological optics : the journal of the British College of Ophthalmic Opticians (Optometrists) [Epub ahead of print].

PURPOSE: To perform a theoretical analysis of refractive sensitivity to effective lens position (ELP) errors in pseudophakic eyes using an explicit vergence-based optical model, and to quantify how this sensitivity depends on axial length (AL) and corneal power across a wide biometric range.

METHODS: A paraxial two-lens thin-lens model of the pseudophakic eye was developed, explicitly parameterised by AL, total corneal power (TCP), intraocular lens (IOL) power and effective lens position (ELP). Refraction was calculated at the corneal plane using vergence propagation. For a fixed reference ELP, the emmetropic IOL power was derived analytically for each combination of AL and TCP, and subsequently held constant while ELP was perturbed by ±1.0 mm. Simulations were performed for ALs from 19 to 31 mm and corneal powers from 38 to 50 dioptres. Refractive changes were approximated using families of quadratic regression models as functions of AL.

RESULTS: Refractive sensitivity to ELP errors was dominated by AL. Short eyes exhibited large refractive changes per millimetre of ELP error, whereas long eyes showed markedly reduced sensitivity. The relationship between refractive error and ELP displacement was nonlinear, resulting in asymmetric refractive effects for equal-magnitude anterior and posterior ELP deviations. TCP continuously modulated refractive sensitivity indirectly through its influence on the emmetropic IOL power required for a given optical configuration.

CONCLUSIONS: Refractive sensitivity to ELP errors in pseudophakic eye models is inherently nonlinear and asymmetric. This sensitivity is primarily governed by AL, with TCP acting as a secondary but systematic modulator through its effect on emmetropic IOL power. By explicitly separating optical sensitivity from ELP prediction, this vergence-based framework provides a physical basis for understanding ELP-related refractive variability across the biometric spectrum.

RevDate: 2026-03-19
CmpDate: 2026-03-19

Nguyen L (2026)

Repeat expansion RNA elicits toxicity through hybrid G-quadruplexes with promoter DNA.

Neuron, 114(6):969-971.

In this Neuron issue, Liu et al.[1] show that the C9orf72 expanded G4C2 repeat RNA forms hybrid G-quadruplexes with CG-rich promoter regions, which impedes RNA polymerase II. This process causes global transcriptional dysregulation in C9orf72 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patient-derived cells.

RevDate: 2026-03-19

Sadler SM, Volker DK, Garguilo D, et al (2026)

An Analysis of United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee National Governing Body Policies Related to Body Pressures, Body Image Concerns, and Eating Pathology.

Psychology of sport and exercise pii:S1469-0292(26)00065-8 [Epub ahead of print].

Athletes are often exposed to body pressures in sport environments, which can contribute to body image concerns and eating pathology, with lasting consequences for performance and well-being. Although research has highlighted the harmful impacts of these concerns, and has called for a broader investigation into the sources of athletes' experiences of these concerns, little is known about the role of sport organizations in influencing athletes' body pressures, body image concerns, and eating pathology. Using a descriptive qualitative research design within a post-positivist paradigmatic approach, the current study explored the frequency and content of body- and eating-related policies within the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee's (USOPC) 51 national governing bodies, examining differences in policy frequency and content by sport type. National governing body websites were searched for policy documents aligned with Viollet et al.'s (2023) definition of sport policy. Following reflexive content analysis (Nicmanis, 2024) of 156 body- and eating-related policies, five overarching categories were identified: (a) uniform requirements, (b) athlete body image and nutrition-related supports, (c) organizational strategies to prevent body- and eating-related concerns, (d) body- and eating-related maltreatment, and (e) athletes' responsibilities related to nutrition and body weight. Findings highlight the inconsistent and often vague nature of existing national governing body policies, underscoring the need for standardized and comprehensive policies. Practical recommendations include developing both proactive and reactive body- and eating-related policies, providing clear and specific guidance, and critically examining gendered appearance standards communicated through policy to create a more inclusive sport culture that reduces athletes' experiences of body pressures, body image concerns, and eating pathology.

RevDate: 2026-03-18

Gurunandan K, Greve A, Wilmot E, et al (2026)

Does signed prediction error drive declarative memory? Evidence from variable choice paradigms.

Memory & cognition [Epub ahead of print].

Prediction error (PE) is the discrepancy between predictions and new information. For a binary reward outcome, PE may be signed (positive if the outcome was better than predicted and negative if the outcome was worse than predicted) or unsigned (absolute value of "surprise"). Using a "variable choice" paradigm, De Loof et al. (PLOS ONE, 131, Article e0189212, 2018) examined the role of PE in one-shot learning of unknown translations of known words and showed that associative memory for the translation was greater when (financial) reward was more unexpected and lesser when an expected reward was not received (i.e., signed PE); an effect that they replicated in several subsequent studies. However, other work on PE in declarative memory has assumed that memory is greater when an outcome is more unexpected, without any explicit reward (i.e., unsigned PE). We replicated De Loof et al.'s paradigm with and without financial reward, and found that memory was explained slightly better by unsigned PE (Experiments 1A-1B). However, we also identified a potential confound in the paradigm that could explain the results without any role of PE, as confirmed by simulations. We therefore designed a modified version of the paradigm that circumvents this confound (Experiment 2). Results were inconsistent with the PE account. We conclude that variable choice paradigms may not be well-suited to investigate the role of PE in one-shot declarative learning, and that the purported role of signed PE in declarative memory requires further investigation.

RevDate: 2026-03-18

Dahlhaus R, RJ Braun (2026)

The role of TDP-43 fragments in regular cellular functions and homeostatic failure.

Neurobiology of disease pii:S0969-9961(26)00094-X [Epub ahead of print].

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by the progressive degeneration of motor neurons, leading to severe muscle weakness, loss of voluntary movement, and respiratory failure. A widely noted feature of the disease is the presence of TDP-43 proteinopathies. Under homeostatic conditions, the RNA/DNA-binding protein TDP-43 mainly resides in the nucleus, where it functions to regulate gene expression, controlling not only RNA transcription and splicing, but also stability and transport to the cytoplasm. Upon the arrival at ribosomes, TDP-43 may further moderate translation, acting as a global repressor of protein synthesis. However, in over 95% of ALS cases, TDP-43 mislocalies from the nucleus to the cytoplasm, where it enriches in cytoplasmic inclusions that are marked by the presence of misfolded, ubiquitinated, phosphorylated and fragmented protein species of TDP-43. Although recent studies have tried to untangle the relationship between TDP fragments on the one hand, and cytotoxicity as well as neurodegeneration on the other, the results are still a matter of debate. Here, we review our current understanding of the different TDP fragments derived from proteolytic cleavage as well as alternative splicing, addressing the different N-terminal and C-terminal species and evaluating differences in rodent and primate models. We focus our analysis on the potential homeostatic functions of TDP fragments in the context of viral infections and myelination control, which are potentially pivotally interconnected. The findings illustrate several facets of fragmented TDP-43 protein species in scenarios of enhanced cellular stress. Gaining a detailed understanding could help to reveal new treatment options for ALS and other TDP-43 proteinopathies.

RevDate: 2026-03-18

Yang L, Fan W, Wang Z, et al (2026)

The role of IRF5 in Microglia-Mediated neuroinflammation in ALS.

Neuroscience letters pii:S0304-3940(26)00079-0 [Epub ahead of print].

The occurrence and development of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) involve neuroinflammatory responses, in which microglial activation plays a critical role. IRF5, a key regulator of inflammatory responses, is implicated in the disease mechanisms of various conditions. However, its mechanism in ALS remains unclear. This study found that IRF5 expression was significantly increased in hSOD1-G93A transgenic ALS mice and cell models, primarily localized in activated microglia. Silencing IRF5 altered microglial polarization, suppressed the release of inflammatory factors, enhanced phagocytic function, and reduced motor neuron apoptosis in a co-culture system. Mechanistic studies suggested that IRF5 may regulate microglial function through the NF-κB signaling pathway. This study reveals the key role of IRF5 in microglia-mediated neuroinflammation and neuronal damage in ALS, indicating that targeting IRF5 could represent a promising treatment strategy for this disease.

RevDate: 2026-03-18
CmpDate: 2026-03-18

Ahire C, Yadav R, Bhamare UU, et al (2026)

From Refractory Epilepsy to Neurodegeneration: Emerging Mechanistic and Clinical Insights Into the Ketogenic Diet.

FASEB journal : official publication of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology, 40(6):e71609.

The ketogenic diet (KD), a high-fat, low-carbohydrate intervention, is well established for drug-resistant epilepsy and is increasingly explored in neurodegenerative disorders. KD reduces neuronal hyperexcitability through enhanced γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic transmission and modulation of neurotransmitter balance, underlying its efficacy in refractory epilepsy. Beyond seizure control, emerging evidence suggests KD may influence disease processes in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, and Huntington's disease. Preclinical studies indicate that KD can modulate mitochondrial bioenergetics, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, neurotransmitter signaling, and gut-brain interactions, though these effects are highly context-dependent and primarily derived from cellular and animal models. Clinical data remain limited, heterogeneous, and short-term, with small cohorts and variable outcome measures. Sustaining adherence and assessing long-term safety remain significant challenges in patient populations. This review summarizes recent experimental and clinical findings, highlighting the molecular and cellular mechanisms through which KD exerts neuroprotective effects. We also evaluate translational evidence and discuss the potential utility of KD as an adjunctive intervention in neurological disease management.

RevDate: 2026-03-18

Raby KL (2026)

Synthesizing five decades of research on sensitive caregiving: A commentary on Nivison et al. (2026).

Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, and allied disciplines [Epub ahead of print].

This commentary highlights the contributions of Nivison et al.'s (2026) umbrella meta-analysis synthesizing five decades of research on sensitive caregiving and child development. Integrating findings from numerous meta-analyses, the authors demonstrate that caregiver sensitivity is meaningfully associated with multiple domains of child development. Notably, associations with cognitive and language development are at least as large as those with attachment security and behavior problems, expanding traditional conceptualizations of sensitivity's developmental significance. The findings further indicate substantial consistency across child, parent, and family demographic characteristics, while suggesting amplified benefits in socioeconomically disadvantaged contexts. This commentary underscores key gaps in the literature, including the need for meta-analytic investigations of children's peer competence, self-regulation, and physical health outcomes, as well as the need for refined measurement of caregiving dimensions. Although causal inferences require randomized intervention evidence, the synthesis provides compelling support for sensitive caregiving as a central determinant of healthy development and offers a roadmap for future research and policy.

RevDate: 2026-03-18

Denby K, Connelly EDS, Glerup H, et al (2026)

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Identification of Spondyloarthritis Questionnaire (IBIS-Q) into Danish for patients with inflammatory bowel disease.

Scandinavian journal of gastroenterology [Epub ahead of print].

OBJECTIVES OF THE ARTICLE: Spondyloarthritis (SpA) affects 10-30% of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). An early diagnosis is essential as a delayed diagnosis of SpA increases the risk of disability and reduces quality of life. However, few screening tools for patients with IBD exist and none are available in Danish. To support early identification of spondyloarthritis symptoms in Danish patients with IBD, this study aimed to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Identification of Spondyloarthritis Questionnaire (IBIS-Q) into Danish and to assess face validity of the Danish version.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following Beaton et al.'s six step forward-backward translation guideline, the IBIS-Q was translated and cross-culturally adapted into Danish. This was done through an iterative process with an expert committee of translators, clinicians, methodologists and with inclusion of the IBIS-Q developers. Face validity was assessed through semi-structured interviews with 24 adults with and without arthritis-related symptoms.

RESULTS: Participants generally found the questionnaire easy to understand, and face validity was confirmed. The semantic equivalence of painful and sore in a Danish context was a central topic of discussion within the expert committee. However, only minor modifications were made, including the addition of an introductory paragraph and changing the questionnaire's title.

CONCLUSIONS: Following an international, standardised guideline, the IBIS-Q was successfully translated and cross-culturally adapted into Danish, and face validity was confirmed. The IBIS-Q is the first available questionnaire to assess Danish patients with IBD for SpA symptoms. Psychometric validation of the measurement properties of IBIS-Q is recommended prior to implementation.

RevDate: 2026-03-18
CmpDate: 2026-03-18

Zarco-Martín MT, Andreo-López MC, Yagui-Beltrán MS, et al (2026)

Sarcopenia in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a key predictor of respiratory dysfunction and disease progression.

Frontiers in nutrition, 13:1713253.

BACKGROUND: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive muscle weakness and respiratory decline. Sarcopenia remains underexplored in terms of prevalence and their relationship with disease progression. We aimed to determine the prevalence of sarcopenia in ALS patients, assess the predictive value of morphofunctional assessment tools for sarcopenia, and explore their relationship with respiratory function and disease progression.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 40 ALS patients at the ALS Multidisciplinary Unit, San Cecilio University Hospital in Granada. Sarcopenia was defined based on the European Working Group of Sarcopenia in Older People 2(EWGSOP2) and malnutrition was diagnosed using GLIM criteria. Morphofunctional status was assessed using: Phase Angle (PA) and body composition by Bioelectrical Impedance Vector Analysis, muscle strength through Handgrip Strength (HGS). Respiratory function was evaluated using Forced Vital Capacity (FVC). Associations between sarcopenia, body composition, respiratory function, and disease severity were analyzed using logistic regression models. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were performed to identify optimal predictive cut-off values.

RESULTS: Sarcopenia was identified in 25% of ALS patients. Compared with non-sarcopenic individuals, sarcopenic patients exhibited significantly lower muscle mass indices, PA, and HGS, along with higher extracellular water percentage (%ECW). Malnutrition was more frequent in sarcopenia group (90% vs. 25%, p < 0.001). Respiratory impairment was more pronounced in sarcopenic patients, with reduced FVC and elevated pCO₂ (p = 0.02), and a greater need for non-invasive mechanical ventilation (NIMV) (70% vs. 10%, p = 0.001). VC correlated positively with body cell mass index (BCMI) (r = 0.450), skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) (r = 0.413), and ALSFRS-R score (r = 0.731; all p < 0.05). Lower PA, BCMI, and ALSFRS-R scores, together with higher %ECW and partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO₂), predicted sarcopenia risk. Reduced BCMI, HGS, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and sarcopenia were associated with the need of NIMV. BCMI (cut-off:8.05 kg/m[2]; AUC:0.889) and ALSFRS-R (cut-off:33 points; AUC:0.884) were the most accurate predictors of sarcopenia and ventilatory support, respectively.

CONCLUSION: This study is the first to assess sarcopenia prevalence in ALS patients using standardized diagnostic criteria. The findings highlight the relationship between sarcopenia, malnutrition, and respiratory decline. PA, BCMI, and respiratory parameters emerge as potential tools for sarcopenia and NIMV risk stratification.

RevDate: 2026-03-18
CmpDate: 2026-03-18

Talbot SR, Scorrano F, Gaburro S, et al (2026)

From observation to optimization: behavioral metrics that matter in KPI based home cage monitoring.

Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 20:1694689.

Most in vivo scientists would agree that digital biomarkers collected via home-cage monitoring generate valuable data. However, few can tell precisely how valuable. The gap between enthusiasm and evidence has slowed the adoption of digital biomarkers in preclinical research. This framework paper addresses that gap by providing explicit key performance indicators (KPIs), organized into scientific, operational, welfare, and financial categories. We show how return-on-investment calculations differ across pharmaceutical companies, contract research organizations (CROs), and academic institutions. Furthermore, we demonstrate the approach through a worked example in an Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) mouse model that reduces full-time equivalent (FTE) requirements by half. When successfully integrated, digital biomarkers can generate richer datasets, reduce the number of animals, improve welfare, and enhance translational value. However, successful implementation requires clear performance metrics to justify investment and measure success. We also discuss what these technologies cannot do, because understanding limitations matters as much as understanding benefits.

RevDate: 2026-03-18

Gao Y, Sun Z, Wei Q, et al (2026)

Employing an integrated computational simulation strategy to identify high-affinity ligands for TDP-43 amyloid proteins.

Bioorganic & medicinal chemistry, 137:118634 pii:S0968-0896(26)00090-8 [Epub ahead of print].

Developing high-affinity ligands targeting TDP-43 amyloid species is a potential therapeutic approach for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here, we propose an integrated computational simulation strategy, which integrates multiple virtual screening methods, molecular dynamics simulations and binding free energy evaluations. Using this strategy, we successfully identified TDPL1, a high-affinity ligand for TDP-43 amyloid proteins. In vitro affinity assays confirmed the computational predictions. Based on the MD simulation results, we further investigated the binding mode between TDPL1 and TDP-43 amyloid proteins. Additionally, steered molecular dynamics simulations were employed to assess the impact of TDPL1 on the stability of β-sheet interactions within the TDP-43 amyloid structure. Our data demonstrate that TDPL1 not only binds effectively to TDP-43 amyloid proteins but also possesses the potential to disrupt the stability of amyloid aggregates. These findings provide a molecular foundation for the future development of diagnostic agents or targeted therapeutics for ALS and related diseases.

RevDate: 2026-03-18
CmpDate: 2026-03-18

Guise AJ, Ferber KL, Young D, et al (2026)

Identification of tofersen PD-response biomarkers in VALOR clinical trial CSF via multiplexed quantitative proteomics.

Cell reports. Medicine, 7(3):102648.

Tofersen, the first approved genetically targeted therapy for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), demonstrates significant lowering of plasma neurofilament in adults carrying mutations in the superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) gene; however, additional biomarkers of treatment response in ALS are lacking. Here, we analyze longitudinally collected cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) samples from the phase 3 VALOR clinical trial to identify candidate tofersen treatment-response biomarkers in SOD1-ALS via quantitative proteomics. We observe significant modulation from baseline abundance for 56 proteins in tofersen-treated participants relative to placebo, including CSF GPNMB, which is significantly and continuously elevated across all post-baseline timepoints. We orthogonally confirm this observation by GPNMB immunoassay in independent tofersen-treated cohorts. Taken together, these data identify pharmacodynamic-response biomarkers of tofersen treatment that can be measured as early as 4 weeks post-treatment in SOD1-ALS patients and demonstrate the utility of leveraging unbiased proteomic screening integrated with targeted validation methods to identify pharmacodynamic-response biomarkers in clinical trial patient samples.

RevDate: 2026-03-18

Glaubitz R, Harst L, Ehm F, et al (2026)

Testing a model-based approach for planning and regional coordination of hospital service group offerings: A model project in the East Saxony healthcare cluster.

Gesundheitswesen (Bundesverband der Arzte des Offentlichen Gesundheitsdienstes (Germany)) [Epub ahead of print].

The hospital reform passed in 2024 will lead to regional and nationwide changes in the German hospital landscape. A joint project to examine the effects of the hospital reform on health care structures in the East Saxony region was initiated by the Center for Evidence-Based Health Care (ZEGV) at Dresden University Hospital, the regional health care coordinators of the four districts in the East Saxony care cluster and the city of Dresden, a statutory health insurance provider (AOK PLUS), and other regional stakeholders. In addition, the aim was to promote cooperation between the stakeholders for the purpose of future regionally coordinated planning for inpatient care. The project involved the application and validation of a model displaying a hospital's relevance for stationary care provision (care relevance model), which was developed in cooperation with the GKV-Spitzenverband (National Association of Statutory Health Insurance Funds) and is based on the performance data of German hospitals in accordance with § 21 KHEntgG (Hospital Remuneration Act). Thirty of the 36 hospital locations in the project region agreed to participate in the project. Both in a questionnaire-based self-assessment provided by the clinics and during a joint cluster conference, the tension between the need for cooperation and individual interests became clear. At this point, the care relevance model developed can scientifically support the dialogue between the stakeholders and thus support inpatient planning.Im Zuge der im Jahr 2024 verabschiedeten Krankenhausreform wird es zu regionalen und deutschlandweiten Veränderungen der Krankenhauslandschaft kommen. Vor diesem Hintergrund wurde ein gemeinsames Projekt des Zentrums für Evidenzbasierte Gesundheitsversorgung (ZEGV) der Hochschulmedizin Dresden mit den Regionalkoordinator:innen für Gesundheit der vier Landkreise im Versorgungscluster Ostsachsen und der Stadt Dresden, der AOK PLUS und weiteren regionalen Akteuren initiiert, um die Auswirkungen der Krankenhausreform auf die Versorgungsstrukturen in der Region Ostsachsen zu untersuchen. Zudem sollte die Kooperation zwischen den Akteuren zum Zweck einer zukünftigen regional abgestimmten Planung für die stationäre Versorgung gefördert werden. Im Projekt erfolgte die Anwendung und Validierung eines Versorgungsrelevanzmodells, welches in Kooperation mit dem GKV-Spitzenverband entwickelt wurde und auf den Leistungsdaten deutscher Krankenhäuser nach § 21 KHEntgG basiert. Dreißig von 36 Krankenhausstandorten in der Projektregion konnten für eine Teilnahme am Projekt gewonnen werden. Sowohl in einer fragebogengestützten Selbstauskunft der Kliniken als auch im Rahmen der zusammenführenden Clusterkonferenz wurde das Spannungsfeld zwischen Kooperationsnotwendigkeiten und Partikularinteressen deutlich. An dieser Stelle kann das entwickelte Versorgungsrelevanzmodell den Dialog zwischen den Akteuren wissenschaftlich begleiten und so die stationäre Planung unterstützen.

RevDate: 2026-03-18

Pu Y, X Cao (2026)

KLHL6: a proteostatic guardian against T-cell exhaustion.

Trends in immunology pii:S1471-4906(26)00034-7 [Epub ahead of print].

Cheng et al.'s recent study identifies the Cullin3-RING E3 ubiquitin ligase complexes (CRL3) adaptor protein Kelch-like protein 6 (KLHL6) as a proteostasis regulator whose downregulation in chronically stimulated T cells leads to the accumulation of thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box protein and phosphoglycerate mutase family member 5, driving T-cell dysfunction. This work positions T-cell exhaustion as a proteostatic disorder and highlights KLHL6 as a promising target for cancer immunotherapy.

RevDate: 2026-03-17

Zhao J, Ji X, Leng L, et al (2026)

Integrating terrain and spectral attributes for automated water-land classification using airborne LiDAR without any prior information.

Applied optics, 65(7):2053-2062.

Accurate differentiation between water and land is crucial for flood monitoring, land-use planning, and ecological protection. Airborne laser scanning (ALS) provides high-resolution three-dimensional topographic and intensity data, offering a robust foundation for these applications. However, existing classification approaches largely depend on manually defined thresholds or supervised learning, with limited attention to the underlying synergies among multidimensional features, thereby constraining both accuracy and automation. To address these limitations, this study introduces an unsupervised classification framework based on multi-feature fusion, where four fusion indicators are derived from 14 geometric and radiometric features, enabling fully automated water-land classification. Experiments on two ALS datasets from central Dublin demonstrate that the proposed method substantially outperforms SLIER, fuzzy logic, and elevation-threshold approaches, achieving overall accuracies of 98.3% and 97.3%, with Kappa coefficients of 0.903 and 0.914. Beyond improving classification accuracy and reducing computational complexity, the fusion indicators also enhance digital elevation model (DEM) reconstruction by repairing voids in water regions and refining boundary delineation, thereby reinforcing the value of ALS data for environmental monitoring and disaster management.

RevDate: 2026-03-17

Meyer T, Ticozzi N, Weber M, et al (2026)

ALS motor phenotypes: a revised 'OPM' classification.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: Defining motor phenotypes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is important for individualized care and optimal therapeutic trial design. The "ALS-OPM" classification is based on the onset region (O), the propagation of motor symptoms (P), and the degree of clinical upper (UMN) and/or lower (LMN) motor neuron dysfunction (M).

METHODS: An international ALS expert focus group was held in September 2025, followed by a consensus process through which revisions of the OPM classification were finalized.

RESULTS: Onset (O1-4) identifies first motor symptoms as relating to the head (O1), distal/proximal arm (O2d/p), respiratory/axial trunk (O3r/a), or distal/proximal leg (O4d/p). Onset symptoms are defined by weakness or slowed, poorly coordinated voluntary movements in the muscles of the head, arm, trunk, or leg, including dysarthria, dysphagia, dysphonia, dyspnea, and axial instability. Propagation (P1(n)) or absence of propagation (P0(n)) of motor symptoms from the onset region to another body region are designated, where n denotes the number of months from onset to propagation or assessment. The degree of UMN dysfunction (slowed, poorly coordinated voluntary movements, hyperreflexia and/or spastic muscle tone, emotional lability) and/or LMN dysfunction (weakness with associated muscle atrophy) is classified as follows: balanced UMN and LMN dysfunction (M0); dominant (M1d) or pure UMN dysfunction (M1p); dominant (M2d) or pure LMN dysfunction (M2p); and dissociated UMN/LMN dysfunction (M3), in which the arms and legs predominantly show LMN and UMN involvement, respectively.

CONCLUSION: The revised ALS-OPM classification aims to make it routine, practical and feasible to capture phenotype in clinical practice and therapeutic trials.

RevDate: 2025-12-05
CmpDate: 2025-12-05

Sarker SC, Chen J, Wang C, et al (2026)

ALS target-site mutations and overexpression synergistically enhance mesosulfuron resistance in Lolium perenne.

Pesticide biochemistry and physiology, 216(Pt 2):106802.

The invasive weed Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass) poses a considerable threat to winter wheat crops in China and is hardly controlled by acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitors after years of application. In this study, four L. perenne populations from different locations in Henan were collected to evaluate the mechanisms of target site resistance to mesosulfuron-methyl. The resistant index (RI) of these four populations ranged from 122.73 to 149.26 compared to the susceptible population. ALS gene sequencing revealed three specific target site mutations: Pro-197-Thr, Asp-376-Glu, and Trp-574-Leu. Among these, Trp-574-Leu has not been previously reported in L. perenne. Three simultaneous double mutations were found in the same individual: Pro-197-Thr and Asp-376-Glu (Group I); Pro-197-Thr and Trp-574-Leu (Group II); and Asp-376-Glu and Trp-574-Leu (Group III). The gene expression levels of the double mutant groups were significantly higher than those of the susceptible plants. The I50 values obtained from the ALS enzyme assays showed that all three double mutant groups demonstrated a 136.75 to 149-fold increase compared to the enzyme activity of susceptible plants. Molecular docking analysis of mutant ALS proteins with mesosulfuron-methyl indicated that the mutant proteins had a reduced binding affinity to the herbicide. This reduced affinity was due to the disruption of hydrogen bonds and other key interactions, which contributed to increased herbicide resistance. Double target site mutations in a single ALS gene are a crucial mechanism for conferring high levels of mesosulfuron-methyl resistance in L. perenne.

RevDate: 2025-12-05
CmpDate: 2025-12-05

Wu G, Chen Y, Yao Y, et al (2026)

Integrating network toxicology and molecular docking to uncover mechanisms of novel herbicide-induced neurodegeneration.

Pesticide biochemistry and physiology, 216(Pt 2):106821.

Rising global reliance on novel herbicides has outpaced understanding of their potential neurotoxicity. This study employs an integrative network-toxicology pipeline to clarify how five widely used compounds, including mesotrione, topramezone, flufenazopyr, glufosinate-ammonium and beflubutamid-M, may contribute to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis pathogenesis. We first predicted toxic liabilities in eMolTox, SwissADME and ProTox, then harvested 310 human targets via PubChem, ChEMBL, STITCH and Swiss Target Prediction. Intersection with 3668-3429 disease genes (GeneCards/ OMIM) revealed 91-176 shared targets per disorder. PPI networks constructed in STRING and refined with Cytoscape (MCODE, cytoHubba) and novel NodeIdentifyR algorithm converged on eleven high-impact hub genes: EGFR, GSK3B, SRC, AKT1, MAPT, CASP3, MMP9, MTOR, PTK2, BCL2L1 and MAPK8. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses highlighted apoptosis, PI3K-Akt and MAPK signaling dysregulation. Single-cell and bulk transcriptomic atlases confirmed aberrant expression of these hubs in patient brains; Molecular docking demonstrated low-nanomolar affinities of all herbicides for multiple hub proteins, with mesotrione and topramezone displaying the broadest binding spectra and SRC emerging as a common high-affinity site. Molecular dynamics simulations supported stable binding in a representative herbicide-protein complex. Additionally, in vivo and in vitro experiments using Glufosinate-ammonium exposure corroborated the computational findings, underscoring the robustness of our approach. Together, these results establish a systems-level framework linking environmental herbicide exposure to neurodegeneration and nominate tractable targets for surveillance and therapeutic intervention.

RevDate: 2026-01-11

Hokkoku K, Inoue M, Yamada S, et al (2026)

Reply to the letter by Marimbun et al. on fasciculation awareness in ALS.

Journal of the neurological sciences, 480:125677.

RevDate: 2025-12-08
CmpDate: 2025-12-05

Williams SE, Luisi K, Liang C, et al (2025)

Methodological Issues in Taquet et al.'s analysis preclude any conclusions regarding AS01 adjuvant's specific role in dementia prevention.

NPJ vaccines, 10(1):255.

Taquet et al. evaluated the impact of AS01-adjuvanted vaccines on subsequent dementia diagnosis[1]. The authors conclude: "No difference was observed between the two AS01-adjuvanted vaccines, suggesting that the AS01 adjuvant itself plays a direct role in lowering dementia risk". Although the study offers promising evidence, the inference regarding the role of AS01 adjuvant in dementia prevention is not convincingly supported by the presented data or other published literature[2].

RevDate: 2026-01-10
CmpDate: 2026-01-07

Cheng S, Zhong C, Zhu H, et al (2025)

Structural mechanisms and insights on multiple nanobodies binding diverse SOD1 epitopes.

Communications biology, 9(1):30.

Copper/zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1) is a crucial metalloenzyme that mitigates oxidative stress by scavenging superoxide anion radicals. Mutations and aggregation of SOD1 are closely linked to the pathogenesis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Targeting pathogenic SOD1 with nanobodies presents a promising therapeutic approach. We report the first high-resolution crystal structures of SOD1 in complex with three distinct nanobodies (Nb1, Nb2, and Nb3) and their multimeric assemblies (1:2 and 1:3 stoichiometries), revealing distinct binding epitopes primarily mediated by their complementarity determining regions (CDRs) through hydrogen bonds, salt bridges, and hydrophobic interactions. Structural and biophysical analyses using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and fluorescence-detection size-exclusion chromatography (FSEC) demonstrated that all three nanobodies bind SOD1 simultaneously with nanomolar affinities (KD values ranging from 23.2 nM to 529 nM). Notably, engineered multimeric tandem nanobodies (Nb1-Nb2-Nb3) achieved higher affinity (KD = 4.39 nM) compared to single nanobodies, as validated by ITC. Characterization via dynamic light scattering (DLS) further revealed colloidal stability of SOD1-nanobody complexes. These results provide the first atomic-resolution insights into multi-nanobody targeting of SOD1 without steric interference, establishing a foundation for developing high-affinity tools to detect and manipulate SOD1 in ALS and related neurodegenerative diseases.

RevDate: 2025-12-08
CmpDate: 2025-12-06

Nakamura R, Tohnai G, Atsuta N, et al (2025)

A genome-wide association study identifies the GPM6A locus associated with age at onset in ALS.

Communications biology, 8(1):1720.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) exhibits considerable clinical variability, such as differences in age at onset (AAO). Multiple factors, including genetic factors, may underlie this variability; however, the specific determinants remain unclear. To identify genes affecting AAO, we have conducted a genome-wide association study in Japanese patients with ALS (discovery cohort: n = 1808; replication cohort: n = 207). Here, we show that the minor A allele of rs113161727 at the ADAM29-GPM6A locus is associated with a younger AAO in the discovery cohort (effect, -4.27 years; p = 4.60 × 10[-8]); this finding has been confirmed in the replication cohort (p = 0.0068) and meta-analysis (p = 1.08 × 10[-9]). Among 65 ALS patients with a SOD1 mutation, the AAO has been found to be 10.2 years younger in those with the A allele than in those without it (p = 0.002). This variant correlates with GPM6A upregulation in iPSC-derived motor neurons, suggesting GPM6A as a candidate AAO modifier. Overall, our study highlights the impact of genetic modifiers on ALS heterogeneity and provides a potential target for delaying disease onset.

RevDate: 2025-12-06
CmpDate: 2025-12-06

Amirian R, Merati A, Babamohamadi M, et al (2025)

Navigating the Autophagy Maze: ATG and Their Impact on Neurodegenerative Diseases.

Molecular neurobiology, 63(1):260.

Autophagy, a tightly regulated process essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs). These disorders-marked by diverse mechanisms and clinical heterogeneity-pose significant challenges in developing effective therapies. Central to the autophagic machinery are autophagy-related genes (ATGs), whose functions and variants are increasingly recognized as pivotal in modulating disease-specific pathways. This review explores the intricate roles of ATGs in NDs, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of molecular signaling networks, protein-protein interactions, and regulatory checkpoints that may serve as therapeutic targets. We highlight recent advancements in disease modeling, autophagy assays, and biomarker identification that facilitate the translation of ATG-related discoveries into clinical practice. Furthermore, we underscore the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration across academia, industry, clinical medicine, and regulatory bodies to harness the therapeutic potential of autophagy. This article aims to serve as a detailed roadmap for understanding the role of ATGs in NDs and to illuminate promising avenues for future research and therapeutic development.

RevDate: 2026-01-26
CmpDate: 2026-01-14

Geleta LA, Doyle C, Garton FC, et al (2026)

The roles of human endogenous retrovirus in neurodegenerative diseases: A systematic review.

Brain, behavior, and immunity, 132:106201.

BACKGROUND: Human endogenous retroviruses (HERVs) constitute ∼8 % of the human genome, far exceeding the 2 % occupied by protein-coding genes. Although most HERV sequences are inactive, some HERV elements can be reactivated under certain conditions and may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). However, the findings vary across different HERV families, disease models, and detection methods. Here, we systematically review and synthesize the available evidence on the role of HERVs in human NDDs and reconcile inconsistencies in the literature.

METHODS: We systematically searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and Emcare to identify relevant studies. Two independent reviewers screened studies, assessed quality, and extracted data. Qualitative synthesis was conducted for all included NDDs, specifically Alzheimer's disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and Parkinson's disease (PD), and due to data availability, meta-analysis was used to assess the impact of HERVs antibodies on ALS only.

RESULTS: Twenty-six studies (N ranges: 6-485) met the inclusion criteria, with majority focusing on HERV-K and ALS. Across studies, the association between HERV expression and NDDs was inconsistent, particularly for ALS, PD, and FTD, whereas investigations in AD showed a more consistent upregulation of specific HERVs. Studies relying on polymerase chain reaction (PCR) (typically smaller) showed inconsistent associations (21 studies), while RNA sequencing studies reported consistent associations (9 studies). A preliminary meta-analysis revealed a fivefold increase [OR: 5.83; 95 % CI: 4.14, 8.18] in ALS risk among participants with positive HERV antibodies.

CONCLUSIONS: The inconsistencies in HERV involvement across NDDs highlight the need for further studies employing standardized methodologies. RNAseq findings on the association of HERVs expression and NDDs support the need for large-scale RNA sequencing studies (rather than small, PCR studies) and careful tissue selection to clarify HERVs' role in NDDs. The association of HERV-K antibodies with ALS risk and prognosis suggests a significant role in disease, which could help detect biomarkers and used as a target for treatment.

RevDate: 2026-01-10
CmpDate: 2026-01-10

Chikuchi R, Kato Y, Tomatsu A, et al (2026)

The TDP-43[I383V] heterozygous mutation results in increased TDP-43 expression and altered neuronal activity in ALS patient-derived iPSC motor neurons.

Neuroscience research, 222:105003.

TAR-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) is a pathogenic RNA-binding protein associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). To elucidate the pathogenesis of ALS, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL) cells of an ALS patient with the TDP-43[I383V] heterozygous mutation. Furthermore, we generated isogenic wild-type iPSCs from wild-type LCL cells using scarless genome editing with CRISPR/Cas9. A modified iPSC-derived motor neuron culture method utilizing BrainPhys neuronal medium and rat astrocyte co-culture effectively promoted and maintained neuronal activity. Under these conditions, the TDP-43[I383V] heterozygous mutation resulted in increased TDP-43 protein expression through prolonged stabilization. Moreover, mutant iPSC-derived motor neurons showed increased numbers of pre-synapses and altered neuronal activity. These results suggest that the modified motor neuron culture method can help elucidate abnormalities in TDP-43 expression, synapse formation, and neuronal activity caused by the heterozygous TDP-43[I383V] mutation. The model developed in this study has the potential to facilitate the analysis of the early pathological phenotype of ALS.

RevDate: 2025-12-29

Maas D, Spindler A, Zappi I, et al (2025)

Response to Vaz de Faria et al's ''Forehead atrophy in frontal fibrosing alopecia: An ultrasonographic and histopathological study of 10 patients".

RevDate: 2025-12-29

Doche I, JR Vaz de Faria (2025)

Response to Maas et al, "Response to Vaz de Faria et al's "Forehead atrophy in frontal fibrosing alopecia: An ultrasonographic and histopathological study of 10 patients"".

RevDate: 2025-12-06
CmpDate: 2025-12-06

Queral-Beltran A, Lacorte S, R Tauler (2026)

GC-orbitrap-HRMS with ROIMCR and MSident targeted and non-targeted analysis of persistent organic pollutants in fish-based certified reference materials.

Analytica chimica acta, 1383:344892.

The use of fish-based reference materials allows the validation of analytical methods used for the monitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in environmental samples. Thus, the aim of this work has been to apply and validate the Regions of Interest Multivariate Curve Resolution (ROIMCR) procedure, in a first instance, to quantify POPs using two fish-based certified reference materials (CRM) provided by the Institute of Reference Materials (IRMM); and also to identify, with the MSident program, the presence of more POPs in the same samples. Samples were extracted and analyzed by gas chromatography coupled to an Orbitrap mass spectrometer (GC-HRMS). A targeted analysis was performed to quantify the four certified POPs: hexachlorobenzene (HCBz) and hexachlorobutadiene (HCBu) in ERM®-CE100 and pentachlorobenzene (PeCB) and α, β, γ, and δ-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) in ERM®-CE103. Quantitative estimations obtained with ROIMCR method were compared with those obtained using the instrument vendor's Xcalibur software. Two tailed t-tests were performed and good agreement was observed between the two approaches and with the certified values. A non-targeted analysis approach was then performed to characterize other unknown POPs present in the samples. Data processed with the ROIMCR method in the non-targeted acquisition mode was complemented with the MSident chemical identification procedure, which allowed the annotation of several polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), phthalates, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). The presence of some of these compounds was confirmed with the analysis of validation standard mixture samples containing 43 POPs. The ROIMCR methodology herein proposed allows, in a first instance, the quantitative analysis of multiple unknown contaminants present in the analyzed fish-based certified samples by using GC-HRMS data and also, combined with the MSident program, enables a qualitative analysis which could provide a comprehensive assessment of POP pollution patterns in fish or other environmental samples.

RevDate: 2026-02-01

Van Beckhoven D, Serrien B, Demeester R, et al (2026)

Reply to Satapathy et al.'s comment on "Dual cross-sectional and longitudinal perspective on the continuum of HIV care to disentangle natural epidemic evolution from real progress, Belgium 2014-2022".

HIV medicine, 27(2):328-331.

RevDate: 2026-01-05
CmpDate: 2026-01-01

Mendes Araújo L, Chianca T, Persaud C, et al (2026)

Respiratory strength training for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Respiratory medicine, 251:108560.

INTRODUCTION: Respiratory strength training (RST) has been considered as a possible add-on treatment for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the benefits of RST are still controversial. We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of RST in patients with ALS.

METHODS: PubMed, Embase and Cochrane Central were searched for RCTs comparing the use of RST with sham therapy or minimal device load in patients with ALS. The main outcomes were maximal expiratory pressure (MEP), maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) and the ALS functioning rating scale (ALSFRS-R) score. Statistical analysis was performed using R software and heterogeneity was assessed with I[2] statistics.

RESULTS: Four RCTs were included with a total of 138 patients. RST was used to treat 69 (50 %) patients. The mean age was 60.2 ± 10.4 years, with 82 (62.3 %) male patients. Follow-up ranged from 2 to 8 months. Subgroup analysis of expiratory muscle training protocols showed a statistically significant improvement in MEP (MD 20.22 cmH2O; 95 % CI 2.66-37.77; p = 0.04). In overall analyses, there was no difference between groups regarding MEP (MD 9.40 cmH2O; 95 % CI -11.57-30.37; p = 0.25), MIP (MD 3.26 cmH2O; 95 % CI -9.23-15.75; p = 0.38), FVC (MD 4.05 %predicted; 95 % CI -0.91-9.01; p = 0.08) and ALSFRS-R score (MD 0.01 points; 95 % CI -0.29-0.32; p = 0.85).

CONCLUSION: In this meta-analysis of RCTs including patients with ALS, expiratory muscle training was associated with increased MEP compared with sham or minimal load. However, no statistically significant associations were found for overall RST in MIP, FVC, MEP, and ALSFRS-R.

RevDate: 2025-12-20

Mouhi S, Pio T, J Andersen (2025)

Revisiting oligodendrocytes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using human multicellular stem cell models.

Trends in cell biology [Epub ahead of print].

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive motor neuron degeneration, muscle wasting, and eventual paralysis. The clinical and genetic complexity along with rapid disease progression has hindered efforts to model the disease and develop effective treatments. Rodent models and human tissue studies point to dysfunction in oligodendrocyte lineage cells early in disease, although the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Advances in stem cell research have introduced novel platforms to investigate cells in the oligodendrocyte lineage and their interactions with neurons and other glial cells in complex human genetic backgrounds. This Review summarizes the literature implicating oligodendrocyte lineage cells in ALS and discusses both the potential and limitations of in vitro-derived cultures to shed light on their vulnerabilities and cellular interactions.

RevDate: 2025-12-18
CmpDate: 2025-12-17

Oraha J, Wagner R, Bergh S, et al (2025)

Differential effects of overexpression of mutant huntingtin and TDP-43 in agouti-related protein neurons in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus in mice.

Acta neuropathologica communications, 13(1):253.

The spectrum of frontotemporal dementia/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD/ALS) and Huntington disease (HD) are fatal neurodegenerative disorders with no major disease-modifying therapies. Recent work has shown that the hallmark pathological proteins TAR DNA binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) in FTD/ALS and mutant huntingtin (mHTT) in HD may be interlinked. Furthermore, these disorders share early features of altered metabolism and psychiatric symptoms that have been suggested to arise from pathology in the hypothalamus, an important brain region involved in the regulation of metabolism and emotions. Agouti-related protein (AgRP)-expressing neurons localised exclusively to the arcuate nucleus (ARC) of the hypothalamus are key modulators of body weight regulation and food seeking behaviour, and they have recently been implicated in anxiety- and anhedonic-like processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of overexpression of TDP-43 or mHTT in AgRP-expressing neurons on metabolic, behavioral and neuropathological features in mice. Flex-switch adeno associated viral vectors expressing human wild-type TDP-43, mHTT or green fluorescent protein to serve as a control, were injected into male and female AgRP-Cre mice to target the ARC using stereotactic surgery. We demonstrate targeted overexpression of transgenes including formation of mHTT inclusions in the ARC of the hypothalamus. Overexpression of mHTT led to a significant reduction in AgRP fibres in the hypothalamus 21 weeks post-injection, as well as higher food consumption in female mice. Overexpression of TDP-43 did not lead to the development of any metabolic or behavioral phenotypes in the mice. Our data suggest that AgRP neurons in the ARC are protected from the toxic effects resulting from overexpression of TDP-43 whereas they display some sensitivity to mHTT overexpression resulting in mHTT inclusion formation, reduction in AgRP fibers and sex-specific effects on food consumption. Taken together, other hypothalamic neuronal populations may be more important for the development of non-motor features resulting from overexpression of TDP-43 and mHTT in the hypothalamus.

RevDate: 2026-03-16
CmpDate: 2025-12-08

Tahedl M, Kleinerova J, McKenna MC, et al (2025)

Putative mitochondrial components of frontotemporal lobar degeneration: topological correlations between mitochondrial density and atrophy in FTLD/FTD phenotypes.

Journal of neurology, 273(1):11.

BACKGROUND: Frontotemporal lobar degeneration encompasses a spectrum of clinically, radiologically, and molecularly heterogeneous conditions. Clinical phenotypes are defined based on predominant neuropsychological manifestations and the selective involvement of specific brain regions determines the core symptoms, disability profiles, and care needs. While the unique anatomical patterns of cortical and subcortical degeneration along the FTLD/FTD spectrum are well recognised, the molecular basis of this selective vulnerability remains unclear.

METHODS: A large prospective neuroimaging study has been undertaken to explore topological associations between phenotype-specific atrophy patterns and physiological mitochondrial density along the FTLD/FTD spectrum. Patients with behavioural variant FTD (bvFTD), nonfluent variant primary progressive aphasia (nfvPPA), semantic variant primary progressive aphasia (svPPA), C9orf72-positive ALS-FTD, C9orf72-negative ALS-FTD, and a cohort of healthy controls (HC) were included. FTD phenotypes were first contrasted to healthy controls and the resulting voxelwise maps were correlated to physiological mitochondrial density maps.

RESULTS: We have identified voxelwise associations between atrophic change and physiological mitochondrial density. The resulting correlation coefficients over the entire GM mask revealed weak topological associations with r = 0.217 in C9NEG ALS-FTD, r = 0.251 in C9POS ALS-FTD, r = 0.213 in bvFTD, r = 0.182 in nfvPPA, and r = 0.292 in svPPA at p FWE < 0.001. Our region-of-interest analyses revealed moderate-to-strong regional associations between mitochondrial density and focal degenerative change with r values above 0.65 in multiple brain regions in all five FTD subgroups. Brain regions exhibiting the most significant associations between volume loss and mitochondrial density in each FTD subgroup are the very regions that define the core clinical manifestations of the given phenotype.

DISCUSSION: Cortical and subcortical brain regions with high physiological mitochondrial density are particularly vulnerable to neurodegenerative change in FTD. While these anatomical associations do not indicate direct causation, mitochondrial metabolism may represent an important component in the cascade of focal degeneration.

RevDate: 2026-01-22
CmpDate: 2026-01-22

Cline LL, Biggs R, Butler JS, et al (2025)

A Systems-Approach to Addressing the US Rural Veterinarian Shortage Through Collaborative Problem-Solving Training and Education.

New directions for student leadership, 2025(188):97-105.

The shortage of rural veterinarians in the United States poses significant challenges to food security, public health, and the agricultural economy. This article explores two systems-based training strategies to address this issue through two case studies: the Integrated Beef Cattle Program (IBCP) in the College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) at Oklahoma State University (OSU) and the development of adaptive leadership and collaborative problem-solving capacity among rural veterinarians at Pat Dye Clinics. Grounded in Heifetz et al.'s (2009) adaptive leadership framework and Kirton's (2011) Adaption-Innovation Theory (A-I theory), these initiatives demonstrate how leadership development and cognitive diversity can enhance recruitment, retention, and resilience in rural veterinary practice. Findings suggest that integrating leadership learning in veterinary education and professional development can serve as a critical leverage point for systemic change.

RevDate: 2025-12-08
CmpDate: 2025-12-08

Lağap AC, M Harma (2026)

Does Your Love Lift Me Higher? A Direct Replication of the Energising Role of Secure Relationships.

International journal of psychology : Journal international de psychologie, 61(1):e70144.

Previous work has revealed that priming people with significant others increases feelings of security and energy, and in turn, boosts exploration motivations. In this preregistered study, we directly replicated Luke et al.'s (2012) Study 2 (N = 281). We found similar results as the replicated study regarding increased security feelings and exploration motivations on the self-report measures after the priming. However, we did not find any support for the increased energy feelings after the attachment security priming. In addition, contrary to Luke et al.'s (2012) results, energy feelings did not mediate the relationship between security priming and exploration motivations. A discussion of null findings, along with the limitations of self-reports and potential misinterpretation of the mediational analyses, follows. We also discuss possible future implications of the current findings.

RevDate: 2026-01-02
CmpDate: 2025-12-08

Pal P, Carrer M, Weiss L, et al (2025)

Antisense oligonucleotides targeting valosin-containing protein ameliorate muscle pathology and molecular defects in cell and mouse models of multisystem proteinopathy.

Clinical and translational medicine, 15(12):e70530.

BACKGROUND: Valosin-containing protein (VCP) related disease, also known as multisystem proteinopathy 1 (MSP1), is an autosomal dominant disease caused by gain-of-function pathogenic variants of the VCP gene. The disease presents with variable combinations of inclusion body myopathy, early-onset Paget's disease of bone, frontotemporal dementia and may also overlap with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. There is currently no treatment for this progressive disease associated with early demise resulting from proximal limb girdle and respiratory muscle weakness. We hypothesise that regulating VCP hyperactivity to normal levels can reduce the disease pathology.

MAIN TOPICS COVERED: In this study, we assessed the effect of antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) specifically targeting the human VCP gene in the patient (R155H) iPSC-derived skeletal muscle progenitor cells (SMPCs). ASOs were well tolerated up to a concentration of 5 µM and significantly reduced VCP protein expression in the SMPCs by 48% (95% CI [39-56]). We also treated the transgenic mouse model of VCP disease with the overexpressed humanised VCP severe A232E pathogenic gene variant (VCP A232E mice) with weekly subcutaneous ASO injections starting from 6 months of age for 3 months. In the skeletal muscle of transgenic mice, ASOs resulted in 30% (95% CI [27-32]) knockdown of VCP protein compared with control ASO. The ASO-mediated reduction of VCP expression in muscle tissue was associated with improvement in autophagy flux and reduction in TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) expression, hallmarks of VCP related MSP1. In addition, ASO-treated VCP A232E mice showed improvements in functional tests of muscle strength, such as rotarod and inverted screen test compared with mice treated with control ASO.

CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that targeting VCP could be beneficial in preventing the progression of the VCP myopathy and hold promise for the treatment of patients with VCP related MSP1.

KEY POINTS: VCP multisystem proteinopathy 1 is caused by gain-of-function pathogenic variants of the VCP gene. VCP targeting ASOs were well tolerated and significantly reduced VCP, TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP 43), and autophagy protein expression in the (R155H) iPSC-derived skeletal muscle progenitor cells (SMPCs). The ASOs reduced VCP, TDP-43, and autophagy flux expression, and improved functional tests of muscle strength in the humanized VCP A232E mice.

RevDate: 2025-12-10
CmpDate: 2025-12-08

Seyam MK, Shaik RA, Miraj M, et al (2025)

Effect of mobile phone applications on medication adherence among patients with coronary artery diseases: A scoping review.

World journal of cardiology, 17(11):114140.

Patients with cardiovascular disease rely on medication to achieve favorable long-term clinical results. Poor adherence has been linked to a relative increase in mortality of 50%-80% as well as higher health care costs. This scoping review thus aimed to explore the evidence of the effects of mobile health care apps on medication adherence in patients with cardiovascular diseases. A comprehensive data search and extraction was done in line with the updated Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews checklist. A total of 10 studies were included for the review. The mean pooled improvement in adherence was found to be 18% and the most effective tool was the digital therapeutics app discussed in Li et al's study. Smartphones and apps enhance coronary artery disease management by promoting medication compliance. Challenges include data security and smartphone usage among the elderly. Tailored apps or voice assistants offer potential solutions.

RevDate: 2025-12-10
CmpDate: 2025-12-08

Liu HR, JL Weng (2025)

Interpreting fractional flow reserve-guided percutaneous coronary intervention vs coronary artery bypass grafting outcomes.

World journal of cardiology, 17(11):113225.

Kataveni et al's meta-analysis offers an important contemporary synthesis of randomized evidence comparing fractional flow reserve-guided percutaneous coronary intervention and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) in multivessel coronary artery disease (CAD). The pooled analysis found no significant difference in all-cause mortality or stroke, yet CABG was superior in reducing myocardial infarction, major adverse cardiac events, and repeat revascularization. These results confirm CABG's durability even in the era of physiological lesion assessment and second-generation drug-eluting stents. From a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) perspective, multivessel CAD corresponds to syndromes such as "heart vessel obstruction" and "Qi and blood stagnation", in which local blockage is compounded by systemic imbalance. While revascularization addresses the structural impediment to blood flow, TCM approaches, including herbal medicine, acupuncture, and lifestyle therapy, aim to improve microcirculation, reduce inflammation, and support recovery, potentially mitigating recurrent ischemic events. This commentary argues that future research should integrate optimal revascularization strategies with rigorously evaluated TCM interventions to address both the anatomical and systemic dimensions of CAD and improve long-term patient outcomes.

RevDate: 2025-12-08

Gondim FAA, Fernandes JMA, Dutra Junior AM, et al (2025)

Four families with slowly progressive ALS due to p.Val120Leu SOD1 variant in Northeast Brazil.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration [Epub ahead of print].

Objective: SOD1 mutations are the second most prevalent variants in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Epidemiological data about SOD1 mutations are scarce in Brazil. Here, we report the clinical and genetic findings of four Brazilian families with p.Val120Leu SOD1 variant. Methods: This study is part of an epidemiological study of the prevalence of ALS conducted in the State of Ceará, Brazil. We reviewed the medical records of families with p.Val120Leu (c.358G > C, exon 5) SOD1 variant seen at the Walter Cantídio University Hospital, Federal University of Ceará, Brazil. Results: We identified 15 patients from 4 families with p.Val120Leu SOD1 variant among 251 ALS patients. Of these, six were personally examined and had ALS confirmed and five had confirmatory genetic testing (four homozygous and one heterozygous). C9orf72 testing was normal in the heterozygous patient. In two families, three older heterozygous patients (genetically tested) had no signs or symptoms of ALS. The mean age of symptom onset was 46.7 ± 13.4 years. Features of ALS in the four families were very similar, with prolonged disease duration and upper and lower motor neuron involvement, fulfilling the Revised El Escorial, Awaji, and Gold Coast diagnostic criteria. All examined living patients had limb onset and a few bulbar symptoms. Conclusion: p.Val120Leu SOD1 variant leads to slowly progressive ALS with incomplete penetrance. Our findings are similar to a previous report of ALS due to p.Asp90Ala SOD1 variant.

RevDate: 2026-01-15
CmpDate: 2026-01-12

Guerra-Hernández J, Mauro-Gutiérrez F, Rodríguez-Puerta F, et al (2025)

Scaling and sampling dependencies of forest canopy height mapping towards jurisdictional biomass reporting using airborne LiDAR and small-area estimation.

Carbon balance and management, 21(1):12.

Consolidated airborne laser scanning (ALS) programs, satellite imagery and spaceborne structural measurements have enabled major advances in canopy height mapping that translate towards the forest carbon biomass arena. However, we must carefully evaluate the cost of using fine-grained canopy height products to predict biomass under calibration models scoped at the scale of inventory plots. In this study, we estimated biomass using field plots and ALS metrics before predicting biomass over a jurisdiction of ~ 15,500 km[2] in Spain using 10 m, 25 m, 44 m, and 100 m as prediction scales. We altered the scale of ALS-based biomass predictors in 10 sub-jurisdictions intensively surveyed by the Spanish National Forest Inventory (NFI) before estimating mean and total biomass using three options: (i) traditional NFI design-based (DB) estimation, (ii) a model-based (MB) approach using scale-varying canopy height metrics from ALS and NFI plots, and (iii) an small-area estimation (SAE) implemntation designed for sub-jurisdictional domains. Higher uncertainties - relative standard errors (SE) - were found for DB, particularly at sub-jurisdictional and stratum levels. We observed a consistent increase in uncertainty for MB estimation from the finest 10 m scale up to 100 m. In MB estimation, the maximum relative bias reached 11% for 10-m predictions compared to the baseline estimate at the NFI sampling native resolution. The bias associated with the prediction scale ranged from + 5% (25 m) to -8% (100 m). The mean biomass estimates for SAE generally ranged between DB and MB but at lower uncertainty to the former, especially as the NFI sampling becomes scarcer and not enough for solid inference of biomass mean. The SEA statistics helped to disentangle biomass comparisons between ALS-based inference and the traditional NFI estimation that do not incorporate remote sensing data.

RevDate: 2025-12-08

Zulhairy-Liong NA, Edgar S, Ellis M, et al (2025)

Novel and rare variants in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis genes identified in Malaysian patients.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration [Epub ahead of print].

There is limited information on the genetic architecture of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in Southeast Asian populations. To address this knowledge gap, we performed 1) SOD1 (exon 1-4), FUS (exon 13-15), TARDBP (exon 6) and ATXN2 repeat expansion screening in 201 multi-ethnic Malaysian (Malay, Chinese, Indian and others) ALS patients, 2) C9orf72 repeat expansion testing in 179 subset patients, and 3) a panel of 61 ALS-associated genes screening in 112 subset cases using either whole genome (n = 21) or exome (n = 91) sequencing datasets. Among the patients, the observed mutational frequencies in key ALS genes were: SOD1 3.0% (6/201), C9orf72 2.2% (4/179), ATXN2 2.0% (4/201), FUS 1.5% (3/201), and TARDBP 1.5% (3/201). Of the 112 cases that underwent WGS/WES, 6.3% (7/112) comprised of pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants in FIG4 (p.Lys657Serfs*2), FUS (p.Arg485Profs*32), TARDBP (p.Ile383del), NEK1 (p.Ile633Asnfs*28), GRN (c.599-1G > C), CYP27A1 (p.Met1Thr) and SPAST (p.Glu449Gly). Additionally, 42.9% (48/112) had at least one variant of uncertain significance (VUS) in 34 genes. Notably, in the 24 genes classified as 'definitive' by the ClinGen ALS Spectrum Disorders Gene Curation Expert Panel, five patients (4.5%, 5/112) harbored more than one likely pathogenic variant and/or VUS. However, burden analysis revealed no significant differences in clinical characteristics between patients with varying numbers of variants. Our findings highlight the utility of next-generation sequencing in elucidating the genetic basis of ALS in Malaysian and Southeast Asian ethnic groups, including the identification of several novel variants of clinical interest as well as increasing diagnostic yield up to 47.7%.

RevDate: 2025-12-11

Rees L, Lam CF, Du QS, et al (2025)

Exploring the duality of voice habit: Testing and extending theory and measurement.

The Journal of applied psychology pii:2026-99582-001 [Epub ahead of print].

Scholars increasingly recognize the existence of voice habit, wherein employees speak up automatically without considering relevant situational factors, being able to control their impulse to voice, and exerting effort in deciding whether to voice. However, a lack of theory testing and an absence of a psychometrically valid measure have called into question its theoretical usefulness as well as its construct validity. Moreover, contrary to Lam et al.'s (2018) theorizing on the interpersonal costs and intrapersonal benefits of voice habit, research on the reticence bias suggests the opposite: Habitual voicers may gain interpersonal benefits by experiencing higher supervisor liking, but they may also suffer intrapersonal costs by experiencing voice regret. Integrating these divergent insights with theorizing on voice habit, we predict that voice habit may elicit supervisor liking when supervisors perceive habitual voicers as having higher prosocial motives or behavioral integrity, even though habitual voicers may experience regret in work units with a weaker voice climate. Results from a multiwave, multisource field study with 435 employees and 135 supervisors using a 12-item validated scale of voice habit support our hypotheses. Our work provides a direct test and extension of the recently proposed theorizing on voice habit and introduces a psychometrically valid measure for future research use. Our findings also empirically support the dual nature of voice habit, highlighting both its potential functional interpersonal outcomes in relation to supervisors and its potential dysfunctional intrapersonal outcomes for habitual voicers. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved).

RevDate: 2026-03-07
CmpDate: 2026-03-07

Bollen C, J van Grunsven (2026)

In defense of the double empathy problem hypothesis: An urgently needed alternative to fallacies and injustices in mainstream autism research.

Psychological review, 133(2):507-514.

In their theoretical note, "The Double Empathy Problem: A Derivation Chain Analysis and Cautionary Note," Livingston et al. (2024) took a critical look at the double empathy problem hypothesis (DEPH). While they acknowledge that the DEPH offers promising insights, and while their critical note seems, at times, to be written with an eye to furthering and expanding DEPH, the main point they ultimately drive home is that DEPH has a "precarious theoretical and evidence base" and that, given this (allegedly) shaky foundation, applying DEPH "into real-world applications may have unintended and potentially harmful consequences for autistic people and those with similar conditions" (Livingston et al., 2024, p. 10). In this theoretical note, we take a critical look at Livingston et al.'s critique of DEPH, arguing that their warning note is problematic both from an ethical and philosophy of science point of view. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).

RevDate: 2026-03-06
CmpDate: 2026-03-06

Chis-Ciure R (2026)

The unbearable hardness of inferring being: Comment on "preliminaries to artificial consciousness" by Evers et al.

Physics of life reviews, 56:87-90.

This commentary commends Evers et al.'s multidimensional heuristic for structuring artificial consciousness research while arguing it cannot, as stated, adjudicate the nomological possibility of phenomenal consciousness, which is at stake in current debates. Behavioral-cognitive "profiles" lack a justified principle linking function to experience, and the awareness case study illustrates how externally specified goals can just as well underwrite as-if (pseudo-intentional) control rather than original intentionality. Moreover, the proposed heuristic overlooks that substrate similarity is currently indispensable for justifiably inferring the presence of consciousness beyond the validated case of the adult human brain. Given all this, the framework seems to provide a blueprint for building a more sophisticated philosophical zombie; it does not-and cannot-tell us whether anyone is there.

RevDate: 2026-02-20
CmpDate: 2026-02-18

Ma JY, Wang X, Cai Y, et al (2026)

Anionic Liposomes as Optimal Membrane Fusion Carriers Enabling in Situ Multiplexed Detection of Extracellular Vesicle MicroRNAs.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany), 13(10):e19758.

Extracellular vesicle (EV) microRNAs (miRNAs) are promising liquid biopsy biomarkers for non-invasive diagnosis, monitoring, and therapeutic evaluation of cancer. However, sensitive EV miRNA detection is hindered by complex pre-analytical processing. Here, the authors present an anionic liposome (AL) assisted membrane fusion strategy enabling one-step multiplexed quantification of EV miRNAs directly from plasma without EV isolation or RNA extraction, termed EValarm (Anionic Liposome Assisted miRNAs Monitoring for Extracellular Vesicles). Liposomes encapsulating probes are prepared using a microfluidic chip, achieving catalytic signal amplification after target recognition of miRNA. Systematic lipid screening identified ALs as optimal carriers, exhibiting minimal background and superior sensitivity compared to cationic and neutral liposomes. The AL-based assay delivered accuracy comparable to quantitative PCR with a streamlined workflow. Applied to 106 clinical samples from lymphoma patients and healthy controls, integration with artificial intelligence achieved high accuracy (AUC > 0.99). In summary, this study demonstrates a platform enabling direct and sensitive plasma EV miRNA detection, offering strong potential for clinical translation in cancer liquid biopsy.

RevDate: 2025-12-11
CmpDate: 2025-12-08

Taquet M, Todd JA, PJ Harrison (2025)

Reply to: Methodological Issues in Taquet et al.'s analysis preclude any conclusions regarding AS01 adjuvant's specific role in dementia prevention.

NPJ vaccines, 10(1):256.

RevDate: 2025-12-11
CmpDate: 2025-12-08

Zhao R, Bai Y, Zhang S, et al (2025)

An open dataset of multidimensional signals based on different speech patterns in pragmatic Mandarin.

Scientific data, 12(1):1934.

Speech is essential for human communication, but millions of people lose the ability to speak due to conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or stroke. Assistive technologies like brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), can convert brain signals into speech. However, these technologies still face challenges in decoding accuracy. This issue is especially challenging for tonal languages like Mandarin Chinese. Furthermore, most existing speech datasets are based on Indo-European languages, which hinders our understanding of how tonal information is encoded in the brain. To address this, we introduce a comprehensive open dataset, which includes multimodal signals from 30 subjects using Mandarin Chinese across overt, silent, and imagined speech modes, covering electroencephalogram (EEG), surface electromyogram (sEMG), and speech recordings. This dataset lays a valuable groundwork for exploring the neural encoding of tonal languages, investigating tone-related brain dynamics, and improving assistive communication strategies. It supports cross-linguistic speech processing research and contributes to data-driven neural speech decoding technology innovations.

RevDate: 2025-12-09

Rosenfeld J, Abrahams S, McHutchinson C, et al (2025)

Utility of patient subgrouping in ALS clinical trials: a World Federation of Neurology white paper.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration [Epub ahead of print].

The heterogeneity among the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)/MND patient population is well recognized but not well understood. Such heterogeneity may represent a significant confound in our current and prior clinical trials as certain subgroups of patients might have a selective response (or resistance) to a novel therapeutic. The basis on which to segregate the patient population is, however, unclear. The ALS/MND Committee of the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) convened a symposium to discuss various strategies that might be considered for separating (stratifying) the population to further study. The results of that conference are presented here as a white paper, reflecting current understanding of several of the various criteria that could be implemented to divide the patient population as presented and discussed at that meeting. Consideration of grouping patients based on phenotype, cognitive involvement, imaging, or electrophysiology is presented here.

RevDate: 2025-12-09

Ma T, Zhu H, Zhu J, et al (2025)

Evaluation of pathogenicity, host resistance, biological properties and chemical control of Xanthomonas fragariae Strain JD1 causing angular leaf spot on strawberry.

Plant disease [Epub ahead of print].

Angular leaf spot (ALS), caused by the quarantine pathogen Xanthomonas fragariae, is a major bacterial disease threatening global strawberry production. In China, its continued spread across multiple regions poses a significant and persistent epidemiological threat to the strawberry industry. Recently, ALS has emerged as a great threat to strawberry industry in the Jiande, Zhejiang province (located at 29°N, 119°E). This study reports the first isolation and characterization of X. fragariae strain JD1 from symptomatic strawberry leaves in Jiande, Zhejiang Province. The identification of strain JD1 was confirmed through species-specific PCR, analysis of colony characteristics, and phylogenetic clustering based on 16S rRNA and HrpB gene sequences. Pathogenicity assays revealed strain JD1 resulted in water-soaked lesions progressing to necrotic patches on leaves, along with systemic colonization of crown tissues showing water-soaked, reddish-brown lesions without cavity formation. Additionally, resistance evaluation across six strawberry cultivars revealed that 'Yue Xiu' was the most susceptible, followed closely by 'Jiande Hong', 'Hong Yu', 'Li Fen', and 'Hong Yan', while 'Fen Yu' exhibited the highest resistance. Biological characterization showed that strain JD1 grows optimally at 25°C and pH 7.0, with significant inhibition observed at 35°C and under acidic (pH 4) or alkaline (pH 9) conditions. In bactericide screening, tetramycin and benziothiazolinone were identified as highly effective against JD, followed by sintracin acetate aqueous with minor efficacy, whereas kasugamycin and quinoline copper showed limited or no efficacy. Collectively, these findings not only emphasize the threat posed by X. fragariae strain JD1 to strawberry production but also provide critical insights that inform integrated management strategies, including the use of resistant cultivars, environmental controls, and targeted bactericides, for controlling ALS.

RevDate: 2025-12-09

Levine AA, Rucker JA, Cockerham A, et al (2025)

U.S. health plan coverage of Neuromuscular Disease Therapies: An assessment of policy availability and restrictions.

Journal of neuromuscular diseases [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: Health plan policies managing neuromuscular disease (NMD) therapies may impose burdensome requirements on patients and providers. While prior research has explored payer restrictions for rare NMD treatments, limited evidence exists on policies specifically governing therapy initiation and reauthorization.

OBJECTIVES: To examine initial and reauthorization coverage policies for therapies targeting five NMDs-Duchenne muscular dystrophy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, spinal muscular atrophy, generalized myasthenia gravis, and Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome-across all U.S. state Medicaid programs and leading commercial health plans.

METHODS: We constructed a database of coverage decisions issued by 50 states and DC Medicaid programs and 35 major commercial insurers, including both fee-for-service and managed care organizations. We analyzed (1) policy availability and coverage frequency, (2) initial coverage requirements (e.g., subgroup restrictions, step therapy, prescriber type), (3) reauthorization criteria, and (4) approval durations.

RESULTS: Of 1204 potential decisions, 908 (75%) had publicly available policies. Of these, 558 (46%) included reauthorization criteria. Among covered therapies, 96% imposed restrictions beyond FDA label indications. Requirements varied by payer type, NMD, and therapy. Average approval durations were 6 months for initial coverage and 10 months for reauthorization.

CONCLUSIONS: Many plans lacked publicly accessible policies, and most covered therapies were subject to restrictive requirements. These barriers-such as step therapy, narrow prescriber criteria, and short approval periods-may delay treatment and disrupt care continuity. Findings underscore the need for greater transparency and reform in prior authorization and pharmacy benefit design to support timely access to NMD therapies.

RevDate: 2025-12-09

Matur Z, Deveci Ş, Y Erdal (2025)

Correlations of cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain levels with clinical and electromyography findings in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Irish journal of medical science [Epub ahead of print].

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to examine correlations between cerebrospinal fluid neurofilament light chain (CSF NfL) levels, and clinical and electrophysiological findings in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Compare CSF NfL and total protein levels between ALS and other central nervous system (CNS) neurodegenerative disorders.

METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed 46 ALS patients (Gold Coast criteria) and 33 non-ALS neurodegenerative controls. We documented time from symptom onset to diagnosis, revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) scores at CSF sampling, initial involvement regions (bulbar/cervical/lumbosacral), and extent of lower motor neuron (LMN) involvement.

RESULTS: ALS patients had significantly higher CSF NfL levels than non-ALS controls (4221 ± 2585 vs. 3004 ± 2788 pg/mL, p = 0.025). In the ALS group, CSF NfL levels showed significant inverse correlation with ALSFRS-R scores (r = -0.332, p = 0.024), and patients demonstrating involvement in all four-region on needle electromyography exhibited the highest CSF NfL levels. Among the ALS cohort 18 patients (39%) had died by the last follow-up, and patients who died during the study exhibited significantly higher baseline CSF NfL levels (median: 5115 pg/mL) compared to surviving patients (median: 3276 pg/mL; p = 0.007).

CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that CSF NFL levels were significantly elevated in ALS compared to other neurodegenerative disorders. Higher CSF NFL concentrations correlated with more rapid functional decline, more extensive LMN degeneration, and poorer survival outcomes.

RevDate: 2026-01-28
CmpDate: 2026-01-23

Hamzeloo M, Bogenschütz L, Hackländer RPM, et al (2026)

Evaluating the generalizability of the normative odor rating across cultures: Evidence from a German-speaking sample.

Acta psychologica, 262:106056.

Olfactory perception varies across cultures, yet the cross-cultural generalizability of normative odor ratings remains underexplored. This study investigates the generalizability of normative odor ratings to a German-speaking sample by assessing 24 odors across eight dimensions-familiarity, frequency, pleasantness, irritability, context availability, discriminability, age of acquisition, and verbalizability-in 124 German-speaking participants (Mage = 22.36, SD = 3.24). Building on Moss et al.'s (2016) methodology with English-speaking participants, we examined the consistency of these dimensions, the influence of odor familiarity, and the role of odor-specific properties versus individual differences. Results revealed significant intercorrelations among the dimensions, except for age of acquisition, which negatively correlated with others, confirming the importance of early exposure in olfactory perceptual saliency and linguistic accessibility. For high-familiar odors, strong correlations with Moss et al.'s ratings were found for familiarity (r = 0.805), frequency (r = 0.799), pleasantness (r = 0.792), context availability (r = 0.794), discriminability (r = 0.967), and verbalizability (r = 0.844), and age of acquisition (r = 0.750), but not for irritability (r = 0.495). Low-familiar odors showed only a moderate correlation for verbalizability (r = 0.530), highlighting the role of exposure in cross-cultural consistency. Variance across odors significantly exceeded variance across participants, indicating reliable differentiation by odor properties. These findings suggest that normative odor ratings show strong cross-sample consistency across the two samples, particularly for familiar odors. This study supports the utility of normative ratings in olfactory research while highlighting the role of familiarity and context in cross-cultural perception.

RevDate: 2026-01-28
CmpDate: 2026-01-23

Svendsen O, Stevens MWR, Hamamura T, et al (2026)

Reporting quality standards in gaming disorder treatment evidence: A systematic review.

Acta psychologica, 262:106063.

BACKGROUND: The treatment evidence base for gaming disorder (GD) has grown steadily over the past two decades. A systematic review by King et al. (2017) of 30 studies reported that GD treatment studies tended to favor psychotherapy approaches, but the research was limited by poor reporting standards as assessed by the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) framework. This systematic review aimed to conduct a follow up evaluation of the reporting quality of subsequent GD treatment studies.

METHODS: A literature search of six databases yielded 51,056 records, which resulted in 31 eligible studies after screening. Each study's reporting quality was assessed using the CONSORT statement, and then these assessments were compared to King et al.'s (2017) review.

RESULTS: This review identified several methodological improvements since 2017: 61 % of studies were randomized controlled trials (vs. 40 % in 2017), 90 % included control groups (vs. 63 %), and follow-up duration increased to 6.1 months (vs. 3.5 months; p = .032). Reporting improved for participant flow (87.1 % vs. 43.3 %; p = .001) and group-level statistics (74.2 % vs. 36.7 %; p = .003), but some areas showed no improvement.

DISCUSSION: There have been several improvements in GD treatment study design and reporting, including controls, randomization and follow up, reflecting an increasing number of higher quality trials for the condition. Most of the studies with higher reporting quality (i.e., scoring ≥30/46 on the CONSORT framework) were psychotherapy-based. Future research should employ designs with longer follow-ups, broader assessment of outcomes, and standardized ICD-11-aligned tools. Pharmacological treatments, including novel pharmacotherapies for other addictions (e.g., Naltrexone), are underexplored and lack high quality evidence.

RevDate: 2026-01-10
CmpDate: 2026-01-10

Kulappu Arachchige SN, Abeykoon AMH, Stevenson MA, et al (2026)

Assessment of tracheal mucosal thicknesses is a preferable method for evaluation of the immunogenicity of Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccines in poultry.

Vaccine, 72:128063.

Live-attenuated vaccines are commonly used to control chronic respiratory disease (CRD) caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum in poultry. A previous review found that measures of tracheal lesions are better indicators of the validity of a vaccine efficacy test than air sac lesions. Here we extend those observations by comparing the raw tracheal mucosal thickness (TMT) and gross air sac lesion score (ALS) data from published vaccine efficacy studies to provide insights into standardising methods for evaluation of M. gallisepticum vaccine efficacy by identifying the most discriminative and reproducible parameter to demonstrate the efficacy of vaccines and the validity of immunogenicity tests. Our analyses revealed that a higher proportion of trials detected a ≥ 80 % effectiveness of challenge based on TMT, with a significantly lower number of biological replicates, than ALS. Furthermore, a significantly higher proportion of vaccinated-and-challenged groups had a proportion protected of ≥80 %, a reduction in lesions of ≥30 % and a mitigated fraction of ≥0.80, with a significantly lower number of biological replicates, compared to the positive-control group when analyses were based on TMT rather than ALSs. These findings indicate that TMT is a more discriminative and reproducible parameter to assess the efficacy of a vaccine and the validity of an efficacy test, and hence that this should be the primary outcome variable used to evaluate M. gallisepticum vaccine efficacy studies. Furthermore, the ability of TMT to discriminate these groups with fewer biological replicates enhances animal welfare by reducing the number of animals needed for efficacy studies.

RevDate: 2025-12-12

Huang J, Liu Y, Li M, et al (2025)

Safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin injection for sialorrhea in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BMC neurology, 25(1):496.

INTRODUCTION: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, with 80% of ALS patients experiencing bulbar weakness at some stage of the disease. ALS patients with bulbar weakness often suffer from troublesome sialorrhea. Botulinum toxin injection, as a neuromuscular blocker, has been widely used in the treatment of sialorrhea. This paper evaluates the safety and efficacy of botulinum toxin injections for the treatment of sialorrhea in ALS patients through a systematic review and meta-analysis.

METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted by searching eight databases, including PubMed, EMBASE, and CNKI, up to April 13, 2025. Eligible randomized controlled trials and quasi-experimental studies were analyzed using Review Manager 5.4 and Stata software.

RESULTS: Thirteen studies (2 RCTs, 11 quasi-experimental studies) with 130 ALS patients were included. Botulinum toxin significantly reduced sialorrhea and improved quality of life (Z = 10.98, p < 0.00001; RD = 0.82, 95% CI: 0.67–0.97). The treatment effect was independent of toxin type (p = 0.48), injection site (p = 0.17), and ultrasound guidance use (p = 0.44).

CONCLUSION: Botulinum toxin appears to be a safe and effective option for managing sialorrhea in ALS patients, regardless of injection technique. However, given that most included studies were observational, further validation through high-quality RCTs is warranted.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: This meta-analysis has been registered with Prospero, and the registration number is CRD420251029441. The registration period is April 9, 2025.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12883-025-04515-8.

RevDate: 2025-12-13
CmpDate: 2025-12-10

Saracino D, Cipriano L, Houot M, et al (2025)

Quantifying multimodal longitudinal brain changes in presymptomatic C9orf72 disease.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 21(12):e70902.

INTRODUCTION: The presymptomatic phase of frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated with C9orf72 repeat expansion features widespread structural brain changes. We aimed at fulfilling the unmet need of quantitative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-derived measures suitable for disease tracking.

METHODS: We compared the profile of longitudinal gray (GM) and white matter (WM) changes in 66 presymptomatic carriers and 52 controls over 3-year follow-up and appraised their annualized rate of change (ARC).

RESULTS: Both putamen (p < 0.01) and left insula (p = 0.005) volumes declined the most in carriers over 40, with an ARC up to four-fold higher than in controls. Increases in mean diffusivity occurred first in the left uncinate fasciculus, followed by thalamo-cortical bundles (p < 0.05), associated with higher neurofilament levels.

DISCUSSION: Our study highlighted the GM and WM structures showing the greatest longitudinal decline during the preclinical stage, whose ARC may serve as an MRI-derived biomarker for longitudinal surveillance and therapeutic outcome.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT02590276 and NCT05358431.

HIGHLIGHTS: We studied longitudinal multimodal MRI changes in presymptomatic C9orf72 disease. Carriers displayed faster atrophy in putamen, insula and cerebellar regions. Mean diffusivity increased mainly in uncinate and thalamo-cortical tracts. These differences were even more significant in older (> 40) participants. We proposed targeted annualized rate of change as a quantitative biomarker.

RevDate: 2026-01-15
CmpDate: 2025-12-10

Barahona-López C, Plans-Beriso E, Diez-Echave P, et al (2025)

Personalized prevention of neurodegenerative diseases: scoping review and evidence gap map.

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association, 21(12):e70980.

Neurodegenerative diseases represent a major public health challenge due to their high prevalence and poor prognosis. Identifying biomarkers to stratify individuals by their risk of developing these diseases may help to define new personalized prevention interventions. The objective of this study was to conduct a scoping review of biomarkers for primary and secondary personalized prevention of neurodegenerative diseases. The search targeted biomarkers in adults or high-risk subpopulations in clinical or public health settings for Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ultimately, 286 papers were included in the review and the interactive gap map. There is a strong focus on Alzheimer's disease, and most papers included -omics-based biomarkers and/or used artificial intelligence. Genetics/genomics are at the forefront of current scientific research, although there is a notable gap in studying gene-environment interactions, and studies in clinical settings are still scarce. HIGHLIGHTS: Research indicates a strong focus on Alzheimer´s disease and limited research in other diseases. Genetics and genomics are at the forefront of current scientific research. We found biomarkers for predicting progression in mild cognitive decline. There is a notable gap in studying gene-environment interactions. Studies investigating biomarkers in a clinical context are still scarce.

RevDate: 2025-12-12
CmpDate: 2025-12-10

Yu L, Yang Z, Ming Z, et al (2025)

Evaluation of ascending aorta and radial artery elasticity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus via velocity vector imaging.

Quantitative imaging in medicine and surgery, 15(12):12044-12054.

BACKGROUND: A decrease in arterial elasticity may contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis, the sequelae of which are the most common causes of death in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. The aim of this study was to assess ascending aorta (AA) and radial artery (RA) elasticity in T2DM patients via velocity vector imaging (VVI).

METHODS: We enrolled 50 patients with T2DM and 52 age- and sex-matched nondiabetic individuals as controls. All the participants underwent echocardiography and RA ultrasound examinations. AA elasticity parameters, i.e., ascending aortic mean longitudinal strain (ALS), ascending aortic global circumferential strain (ACS), ascending aortic fractional area change (FAC), and RA elasticity parameters, i.e., radial arterial mean longitudinal strain (RLS) and radial arterial global circumferential strain (RCS), were evaluated with VVI. The differences in arterial elasticity parameters between diabetic and non-diabetic patients were evaluated by a paired t-test. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to demonstrate the relationship between arterial elasticity parameters and clinical risk factors and cardiovascular biometrics in T2DM patients.

RESULTS: We found that the T2DM group presented significantly lower ALS, ACS, FAC, RLS and RCS values than the control group did (all P<0.05). There were significant associations between all arterial elasticity parameters and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and diabetes duration (ALS and HbA1c: r=-0.36, ALS and diabetes duration: r=-0.52, ACS and HbA1c: r=-0.32, ACS and diabetes duration: r=-0.38, FAC and HbA1c: r=-0.36, FAC and diabetes duration: r=-0.32, RLS and HbA1c: r=-0.39, RLS and diabetes duration: r=-0.46, RCS and HbA1c: r=-0.31, RCS and diabetes duration: r=-0.39, respectively; P<0.01). Additionally, the ALS was significantly negatively correlated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) (r=-0.30, P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS: The elasticity of the AA and RA in T2DM patients was impaired. Decreased arterial elasticity was associated with poor blood glucose control and a longer duration of diabetes. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical value of VVI findings for predicting future cardiac events.

RevDate: 2025-12-15
CmpDate: 2025-12-10

Shamsi A, Alrouji M, AlOmeir O, et al (2025)

Correction: CRISPR-Cas9: bridging the gap between aging mechanisms and therapeutic advances in neurodegenerative disorders.

Frontiers in cellular neuroscience, 19:1739705.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2025.1681891.].

RevDate: 2025-12-10

Correa-Arrieta C, Castellar-Leones S, Ruiz-Ospina E, et al (2025)

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Colombia: a population-based study of incidence and socioeconomic determinants.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis & frontotemporal degeneration [Epub ahead of print].

Background and Objectives: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with variable global incidence. In Latin America, limited population-level data hinder accurate burden estimation and public health planning. This study estimated ALS incidence in Colombia from 1984 to 2024, analyzing regional distribution patterns and the demographic and socioeconomic profiles of affected individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional, population-based study analyzed 2185 clinically confirmed ALS cases reported to the Colombian National Institute of Health. Diagnoses were established using El Escorial or Gold Coast criteria. Annual and cumulative incidence rates were estimated using national population data. Demographic, geographic, and socioeconomic variables were classified under international standards, and all statistical analyses were performed using Python (version 3.12). Results: A total of 2185 ALS cases diagnosed between 1984 and 2024 were included. For the most recent decade (2015-2024), the national cumulative incidence was 41.46 per million inhabitants, with a steady increase in annual incidence. Bogotá and Caldas showed the highest cumulative incidence, whereas Chocó and Casanare reported the lowest. The mean age at diagnosis was 59.9 years, with a slight male predominance (male-to-female ratio 1.11:1). Socioeconomic disparities were evident: 18.0% of patients had no formal education, and over 40% were economically inactive at diagnosis. Conclusions: ALS incidence in Colombia is lower than that reported in high-income regions, but shows pronounced geographic and socioeconomic heterogeneity. These findings underscore the need to strengthen diagnostic capacity, improve equitable access to neurology services, and advance research on environmental and genetic determinants of ALS in Latin America.

RevDate: 2026-03-13
CmpDate: 2026-03-13

Ding W, Guo J, Lu Y, et al (2026)

Nocturnal hypoxemia mediates age-related sleep fragmentation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a polysomnographic case-control study.

Acta neurologica Belgica, 126(1):251-258.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate sleep architecture disruptions in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using polysomnography (PSG) and identify clinical/demographic correlates for targeted interventions.

METHODS: Forty definite/probable ALS patients (revised El Escorial criteria) without primary sleep disorders and 40 age/sex/BMI-matched controls underwent full polysomnography (PSG). Sleep parameters (total sleep time [TST], sleep efficiency [SE], wake after sleep onset [WASO], N1-N3, rapid eye movement [REM] sleep), respiratory indices (AHI, minimum peripheral oxygen saturation (min SpO₂), SpO₂ range/coefficient of variation [CV]), and clinical metrics (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale-Revised [ALSFRS-R], Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]) were compared. Multivariate regression identified independent sleep predictors, and mediation analysis quantified min SpO₂'s role in age-sleep fragmentation relationships.

RESULTS: ALS patients showed significantly reduced TST (371.54 ± 67.62 vs. 495.13 ± 45.69 min, p = 0.004), SE (69.95 ± 13.79 vs. 85.10 ± 7.03%, p = 0.009), N2 sleep (127.33 ± 56.75 vs. 204.28 ± 67.16 min, p = 0.013), N3 sleep (61.70 ± 33.67 vs. 91.90 ± 44.06 min, p = 0.021), and REM sleep (66.09 ± 35.85 vs. 84.66 ± 37.65 min, p = 0.012) alongside elevated WASO (131.70 ± 78.82 vs. 64.26 ± 44.18 min, p = 0.015). Nocturnal oxygenation was impaired (min SpO₂: 89.3 ± 3.1% vs. 93.7 ± 2.4%, p < 0.001; SpO₂ CV: 3.7 ± 1.5% vs. 1.8 ± 0.9%, p < 0.001), though AHI and REM AHI were comparable (AHI: p = 0.087; REM AHI: p = 0.134). Age (β = -0.28, p = 0.02) and min SpO₂ (β = 0.31, p = 0.01) independently predicted TST. Mediation analysis confirmed min SpO₂ partially explains age-related TST reduction (indirect effect: -0.14, 95% CI: -0.28 to - 0.03; accounting for 43.8% of the total effect).

CONCLUSION: Our data confirm profound sleep architecture disruption and nocturnal hypoxemia in ALS independent of primary sleep disorders. Critically, we establish min SpO₂ as a partial mediator of age-related sleep fragmentation, suggesting that early management of hypoxemia may improve sleep quality. Larger prospective studies validating these mechanisms and their impact on disease progression are warranted.

RevDate: 2025-12-29

Spindler A, Maas D, Zappi I, et al (2025)

Response to Huang et al.'s ''Real-world efficacy of ritlecitinib in treating alopecia areata across various anatomical sites: potential rapid response predictors".

RevDate: 2026-03-11
CmpDate: 2026-01-28

Dalton C, Mojsilovic-Petrovic J, Safren N, et al (2026)

Ubiquitin Proteasome System Components, RAD23A and USP13, Modulate TDP-43 Solubility and Neuronal Toxicity.

The Journal of neuroscience : the official journal of the Society for Neuroscience, 46(4):.

At autopsy, >95% of ALS cases display a redistribution of the essential RNA binding protein TDP-43 from the nucleus into cytoplasmic aggregates. The mislocalization and aggregation of TDP-43 is believed to be a key pathological driver in ALS. Due to its vital role in basic cellular mechanisms, direct depletion of TDP-43 is unlikely to lead to a promising therapy. Therefore, we have explored the utility of identifying genes that modify its mislocalization or aggregation. We have previously shown that loss of rad-23 improves locomotor deficits in TDP-43 Caenorhabditis elegans models of disease and increases the degradation rate of TDP-43 in cellular models. To understand the mechanism through which these protective effects occur, we generated an inducible mutant TDP-43 HEK293 cell line. We find that knockdown of RAD23A reduces insoluble TDP-43 levels in this model and primary rat cortical neurons expressing human TDP-43[A315T] Utilizing a discovery-based proteomics approach, we then explored how loss of RAD23A remodels the proteome. Through this proteomic screen, we identified USP13, a deubiquitinase, as a new potent modifier of TDP-43 induced aggregation and cytotoxicity. We find that knockdown of USP13 reduces the abundance of sarkosyl insoluble mTDP-43 in both our HEK293 model and primary rat neurons, reduces cell death in primary rat motor neurons, and improves locomotor deficits in C. elegans ALS models.

RevDate: 2025-12-14
CmpDate: 2025-12-11

Butcher EL, S Arthur (2025)

Emerging Roles of Bile Acids in Neuroinflammation.

International journal of molecular sciences, 26(23):.

Bile acids, once considered mere digestive detergents, have emerged as multifaceted signaling molecules with systemic influence extending far beyond the gastrointestinal tract. Recent discoveries reveal their capacity to modulate immune responses, cross the blood-brain barrier, and interact with central nervous system (CNS) cells through their receptors. Neuroinflammation, a key driver of neurodegenerative and neuroimmune disorders, is increasingly linked to bile acid signaling pathways that regulate glial activation, cytokine production, and neuronal survival. This review compiles the current evidence connecting bile acids to CNS inflammation, highlighting mechanistic insights, disease-specific alterations, and the gut-microbiome-bile acid-brain axis. It also explores the therapeutic potential of bile acid derivatives and receptor modulators, as well as their emerging role as biomarkers in conditions such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and hepatic encephalopathy. Despite promising advances, critical gaps remain, including the need for bile receptor mapping in human CNS cells, standardized CNS bile acid profiling, and longitudinal metabolomic studies. Bridging these gaps may unlock new strategies for targeting neuroinflammation through bile acid-immune crosstalk.

RevDate: 2025-12-14
CmpDate: 2025-12-11

Apolloni S, Tortoriello S, Milani M, et al (2025)

Extracellular Matrix Remodeling in Motor Neuron Diseases.

International journal of molecular sciences, 26(23):.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) constitutes a dynamic scaffold composed of both cellular and non-cellular elements that not only ensure tissue integrity but also regulate signaling events crucial for development and homeostasis. While its dysregulation has long been investigated in cancer, fibrosis, and autoimmunity, increasing evidence implicates ECM remodeling in neurodegenerative diseases, including motor neuron diseases (MNDs). Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and spinal muscular atrophy, the most studied MNDs, both exhibit profound ECM alterations that influence synaptic connectivity, glial reactivity, and neuroinflammation. This review outlines recent data on ECM dynamics in MNDs, highlighting shared and disease-specific mechanisms, their potential as biomarkers, and therapeutic opportunities targeting the ECM environment to preserve neuronal function and slow disease progression.

RevDate: 2025-12-14
CmpDate: 2025-12-11

Salvany S, Hernández S, Casanovas A, et al (2025)

Chronic Overexpression of Neuronal NRG1-III in Mice Causes Long-Term Detrimental Changes in Lower Motor Neurons, Neuromuscular Synapses and Motor Behaviour.

International journal of molecular sciences, 26(23):.

Neuregulins (NRGs) are ligands of tyrosine kinase receptors from the ErbB family and play multiple developmental roles. NRG1-ErbB signaling regulates myelination and has been associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) pathology. Given the potential therapeutic relevance of this pathway for motor neuron (MN) diseases, we employed a transgenic (TG) mouse with persistent neuronal overexpression of neuregulin type III (NRG1-III) to investigate its impact on the neuromuscular system. We performed an analysis of phenotypic changes in this TG model, including motor behavior, neuropathological evaluation by immunocytochemistry and ultrastructural examination of the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). Calcium dynamics in cultured MNs were also examined. We found that cholinergic C-boutons on TG MNs, where NRG1-III typically accumulates, exhibited upregulation of C-bouton-associated proteins and expansion of the subsynaptic cistern (SSC)-associated endoplasmic reticulum. Calcium imaging revealed altered homeostasis in TG MNs, accompanied by the upregulation of molecules linked to axonal plasticity. At NMJs, regressive changes involving autophagic dysregulation were observed. These alterations were accompanied by increased motor activity in behavioral tests. Overall, our findings indicate that persistently elevated NRG1-III signaling compromises MN connectivity and long-term health, a factor to consider when developing therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases such as ALS.

RevDate: 2025-12-14
CmpDate: 2025-12-11

Mukhija S, Hering L, Schreiner SJ, et al (2025)

Multimodal Biomarker Characterization of the ALS/FTD Spectrum: A Real-World Clinical Dataset Analysis.

International journal of molecular sciences, 26(23):.

Diagnosis and prognosis of the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal dementia (ALS/FTD) spectrum remain largely dependent on clinical assessments due to a lack of established fluid biomarkers. While neurofilaments and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) phosphorylated-tau/total-tau ratio (pTau:tTau) have been studied, their limitations, including their lack of clinical implementation and low specificity, necessitate multimodal approaches. This study aimed to characterize the biological features of the ALS/FTD spectrum through integration of clinically available parameters. We conducted a retrospective, single-center, cross-sectional study analyzing routinely collected clinical, neuroimaging, CSF, and serum data from 229 samples, including 45 from patients with ALS, 26 from patients with FTD, 158 from patients with other neurodegenerative diseases, and 29 from cognitively healthy controls. We implemented propensity score-weighted comparisons, an F1 score-based optimal cut-point determination for the pTau:tTau ratio, and a regularized XGBoost-based multimodal feature modeling approach. The biomarker and model performance was evaluated by the area under the precision-recall curve (AUC-PR). Feature importance analysis identified characteristic indicators of the ALS/FTD spectrum. Consistent with the prior literature, the pTau:tTau ratio was significantly reduced in ALS/FTD, but the classification performance was modest (AUC-PR 0.32). A multimodal model integrating clinical, biofluid, and neuroimaging features achieved a notably better performance (AUC-PR 0.75). Feature importance analysis revealed an ALS/FTD signature beyond the pTau:tTau ratio characterized by higher global cognition, younger age, an altered Aβ42/pTau ratio, and immunoglobulin changes (CSF IgG:IgA, serum IgG). Integration of clinical routine data centered on tau, amyloid, and immunological pathophysiology as well as temporal disease dynamics provide a contextualized biological characterization of the ALS/FTD spectrum. This approach offers a foundation for hypothesis generation regarding ALS/FTD pathophysiology and biomarker-supported diagnosis.

RevDate: 2025-12-14
CmpDate: 2025-12-11

Basavarajappa BS, S Subbanna (2025)

From Synaptic Plasticity to Neurotoxicity: Endocannabinoid Influence on Addiction and Neurodegeneration.

International journal of molecular sciences, 26(23):.

The endocannabinoid system (eCBS) is a versatile neuromodulatory network that orchestrates synaptic plasticity, reward processing, and neuronal homeostasis. Increasing evidence implicates eCBS dysregulation in both addiction and neurodegenerative (ND) disorders, suggesting overlapping molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying these conditions. This review synthesizes recent advances in understanding how eCBS components-cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2), endogenous ligands (anandamide and 2-arachidonoylglycerol), and their metabolic enzymes-modulate dopaminergic and glutamatergic signaling within reward and reinforcement circuits. Chronic exposure to drugs of abuse, including alcohol, opioids, cocaine, and methamphetamine, perturbs eCBS homeostasis, promoting oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, excitotoxicity, mitochondrial dysfunction, and protein aggregation-pathological features common to Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These overlapping mechanisms disrupt neuronal integrity and contribute to progressive neurotoxicity, highlighting shared pathogenic pathways between addiction and neurodegeneration. Despite these advances, critical gaps remain in delineating how substance-induced eCBS alterations precipitate neurodegenerative cascades. Addressing these gaps will be essential for harnessing the eCBS as a therapeutic target to mitigate addiction-driven neurotoxicity and age-related cognitive decline.

RevDate: 2025-12-14
CmpDate: 2025-12-11

Krysiak D, Ćwiertnia M, Wójcik M, et al (2025)

Analysis of Medical Response Team Interventions and the Impact of Certified Training on the Treatment of Patients with Hypoglycaemia-A Simulation Study.

Journal of clinical medicine, 14(23):.

Background/objectives: The effectiveness of emergency medical procedures administered to a patient in a life-threatening condition depends, to a large degree, on the knowledge and skills of medical response team personnel. Their competencies can be developed through participation in training and then verified during emergency medicine championships. Methods: The research was conducted on the basis of one of the tasks carried out during the '16th International Winter Championships in Emergency Medicine'. The task was completed by 28 Polish emergency response teams from ambulance stations across the country. The teams carried out a simulated scenario related to procedures with a patient with hypoglycaemia. The teams' interventions were assessed in accordance with European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines by judges selected from among academic lecturers and ERC instructors. Results: The research showed that 86% of the teams obtained the maximum number of points for adhering to safety procedures. Further, 61% of the teams obtained the maximum of 6 points for the initial assessment, with the average number of points obtained by the teams being 5.54. The average number of points for the physical examination was 21.04, with only one team obtaining the maximum result of 26 points. Additionally, 57% of the teams obtained the maximum number of 6 points for the medical consultation, with the average obtained by the teams being 5.43. The teams obtained, on average, 8.18 points for the correct treatment of hypoglycaemia, with 68% of the teams obtaining the maximum of 9 points. The research demonstrated a positive correlation between the quality of patient examination and the collection of medical data, and the effectiveness of hypoglycaemia treatment. It was also shown that if the team leader had completed an ALS course, they obtained higher scores for the treatment of hypoglycaemia, although this finding is specific to this scenario. Conclusions: The teams demonstrated generally high performance in a simulated hypoglycaemia scenario. More complete assessment and history-taking were associated with higher treatment scores. Correct treatment was achieved in 79% of ALS-led teams versus 44% of non-ALS teams, although this observation is specific to this simulation and should not be generalised.

RevDate: 2025-12-14
CmpDate: 2025-12-11

Gratzer A, Gdynia N, Sasse N, et al (2025)

Rehabilitation in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Recommendations for Clinical Practice and Further Research.

Journal of clinical medicine, 14(23):.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition characterized by the degeneration of upper and lower motor neurons. This degeneration leads to a gradual muscle weakness, dysarthria, dysphagia, respiratory insufficiency, and, in some patients, alterations in cognitive and behavioral performance. Regardless of advancements made in pharmacological and gene-targeted interventions, a definitive curative treatment remains elusive. Consequently, rehabilitation plays a pivotal role in preserving autonomy, participation, and overall quality of life. This review outlines the current evidence and clinical approaches related to multidisciplinary rehabilitation in ALS. It covers physical and occupational therapy, respiratory, speech and language, psychological, and palliative care domains. Evidence supports moderate tailored exercise programs, early respiratory therapy, and structured management of mobility deficits, spasticity, pain, dysphagia, and communication impairments as key elements of symptomatic treatment. Psychological and social support, which includes the involvement of caregivers and relatives, enhances emotional well-being and coping resilience. Even with progressive development of gene-targeted and disease-modifying therapies, rehabilitation will stay relevant for maintaining long-term motor function. This review highlights the need for standardized, evidence-based rehabilitation protocols and intensified neurorehabilitation research to strengthen clinical outcomes and quality of life as key therapeutic goals in ALS management.

RevDate: 2025-12-14
CmpDate: 2025-12-11

Sancho J, Ferrer S, J Signes-Costa (2025)

Noninvasive Ventilation Effectiveness in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis.

Journal of clinical medicine, 14(23):.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects motor neurons; respiratory problems are the leading cause of death and hospital admissions and are secondary to progressive weakness of the respiratory muscles and upper airway. Noninvasive ventilation (NIV) can increase survival, alleviate symptoms, reduce hospital admissions, and improve the quality of life of these patients. The key factor in respiratory management of patients with ALS is achieving effective NIV; ineffective NIV has a negative impact on survival, with a reduction of up to 50% compared to patients with an effective technique. The most common cause of ineffective NIV is air leaks; other causes include upper airway obstruction events, residual hypoventilation, hyperventilation, and upper airway obstruction secondary to an oronasal mask. Regular monitoring of the effectiveness of NIV is essential given its impact on survival; the key tools that detect the main problems are the presence of hypoventilation symptoms, arterial blood gases, nocturnal oximetry and capnography, and built-in ventilator software. Different measures have been proposed to address the ineffectiveness of NIV, such as fitting the mask to reduce air leaks, increasing ventilatory support for residual hypoventilation, decreasing ventilatory support for hyperventilation, or a trial with a nasal mask to address oronasal interface effects. In the case of obstruction, the most common measure is to increase positive expiratory pressure during NIV. These measures enable NIV to be effective in 58% of cases, achieving a survival rate similar to that of patients who have effective NIV from the outset.

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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.

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, is a rare, incurable neuro-degenerative disease, of unknown etiology. With this disease, both upper (brain) and lower (spinal cord) motor neurons progressively degenerate and die, rendering immobile the muscles that they innervated. For anyone with a need or desire to appreciate what is known about ALS, this book provides a good foundation. R. Robbins

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