Contribution of PET-MRI in brain diseases in clinical practice
Purpose of review
Hybrid PET- MRI is a technique that has the ability to improve diagnostic accuracy in many applications, whereas PET and MRI performed separately often fail to provide accurate responses to clinical questions. Here, we review recent studies and current developments in PET-MRI, focusing on clinical applications.
Recent findings
The combination of PET and MRI imaging methods aims at increasing the potential of each individual modality. Combined methods of image reconstruction and correction of PET-MRI attenuation are being developed, and a number of applications are being introduced into clinical pract...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - July 30, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: NEUROIMAGING: Edited by Stéphane Lehéricy Source Type: research
Ultra-high field 7 T imaging in multiple sclerosis
Purpose of review
Ultra-high field 7 T MRI has multiple applications for the in vivo characterization of the heterogeneous aspects underlying multiple sclerosis including the identification of cortical lesions, characterization of the different types of white matter plaques, evaluation of structures difficult to assess with conventional MRI (thalamus, cerebellum, spinal cord, meninges).
Recent findings
The sensitivity of cortical lesion detection at 7 T is twice than at lower field MRI, especially for subpial lesions, the most common cortical lesion type in multiple sclerosis. Cortical lesion load accrual is indep...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - July 30, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: NEUROIMAGING: Edited by Stéphane Lehéricy Source Type: research
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of isocitrate dehydrogenase mutated gliomas: current knowledge on the neurochemical profile
Purpose of review
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) may play a key role for the management of patients with glioma. We highlighted the utility of MRS in the noninvasive diagnosis of gliomas with mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) genes, by providing an overview of the neurochemical alterations observed in different glioma subtypes, as well as during treatment and progression, both in vivo and ex vivo.
Recent findings
D-2-hydroxyglutarate (2HG) decrease during anticancer treatments was recently shown to be associated with altered levels of other metabolites, including lactate, glutamate and glutathione, su...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - July 30, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: NEUROIMAGING: Edited by Stéphane Lehéricy Source Type: research
Editorial introductions
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Neurology)
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - July 30, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: EDITORIAL INTRODUCTIONS Source Type: research
Update on T cells in the virally infected brain: friends and foes
Purpose of review
The present review will outline neuroprotective and neurotoxic effects of central nervous system (CNS) infiltrating T cells during viral infections. Evidence demonstrating differential roles for antiviral effector and resident memory T-cell subsets in virologic control and immunopathology in the CNS will be discussed. Potential therapeutic targets emanating from a growing understanding of T-cell-initiated neuropathology that impacts learning and memory will also be delineated.
Recent findings
The critical role for T cells in preventing and clearing CNS infections became incontrovertible during the er...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - May 6, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: CNS INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS OUTSIDE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Edited by Bruce T. Volpe Source Type: research
Chronic inflammation mediates brain injury in HIV infection: relevance for cure strategies
Purpose of review
Chronic inflammation is a major component of HIV infection, the effects of which can be devastating in the central nervous system (CNS). Protecting the brain is, therefore, critical as efforts proceed to cure HIV infection by reactivating latent viral reservoirs and driving immune responses. We review the clinical presentation and pathology findings of inflammatory processes in the CNS in patients managed with ART and the drivers of these processes.
Recent findings
Chronic inflammation is associated with increased mortality and morbidity and HIV infection increases the risk for chronic diseases, espe...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - May 6, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: CNS INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS OUTSIDE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Edited by Bruce T. Volpe Source Type: research
The biological basis of chronic fatigue: neuroinflammation and innate immunity
Purpose of review
Chronic fatigue is common in cancer, neurodegenerative, and chronic inflammatory diseases and is regarded by many patients as their absolutely worst problem. Lately, fatigue is increasingly understood to have a genetic and molecular basis.
Recent findings
Biologically, fatigue occurs as part of the sickness behavior response, a complex and automated behavior triggered by the activation of innate immunity and neuroinflammation. IL-1β causes neuronal activation in the brain and subsequent fatigue. In addition to proinflammatory molecules, potential partners in the complex brain signaling of fatigue in...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - May 6, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: CNS INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS OUTSIDE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Edited by Bruce T. Volpe Source Type: research
Galectins in the brain: advances in neuroinflammation, neuroprotection and therapeutic opportunities
Purpose of review
Galectin interactions with glycoproteins and glycolipids modulate a variety of cellular responses that are now increasingly explored to better understand neuroinflammation processes and eventually find new therapeutic opportunities for neurological diseases.
Recent findings
Gal-1 confirmed its indirect neuroprotective roles through anti-inflammatory properties whereas Gal-3 remains elusive, showing anti-inflammatory or pro-inflammatory roles depending on damaging conditions and genetic background of mice models. Interestingly, microglial intracellular rather than extracellular overexpression of Gal-3...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - May 6, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: CNS INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS OUTSIDE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Edited by Bruce T. Volpe Source Type: research
Anti-gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor type A encephalitis: a review
Purpose of review
To systematically review the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of anti-gamma-aminobutyric acid receptor Type A (GABAA) autoimmune encephalitis with a focus on recent data.
Recent findings
In a review of published reports, we identified 50 cases of anti-GABAA receptor encephalitis with clinical features reported. The median age at presentation was 47 years old (range, 2.5 months–88 years old), 64% were adults, 36% were children and it occurred in both males and females. Eight-two percent (41/50) presented with seizures, 72% (36/50) with encephalopathy, and 58% (29/50) with both. Of those ...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - May 6, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: CNS INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS OUTSIDE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Edited by Bruce T. Volpe Source Type: research
Novel insights into pathophysiology and therapeutic possibilities reveal further differences between AQP4-IgG- and MOG-IgG-associated diseases
Purpose of review
This review summarizes recent insights into the pathogenesis and therapeutic options for patients with MOG- or AQP4-antibodies.
Recent findings
Although AQP4-IgG are linked to NMOSD, MOG-IgG-associated diseases (MOGAD) include a broader clinical spectrum of autoimmune diseases of the central nervous system (CNS). Details of membrane assembly of AQP4-IgG required for complement activation have been uncovered. Affinity-purified MOG-IgG from patients were shown to be pathogenic by induction of demyelination when the blood--brain barrier (BBB) was breached and by enhancement of activation of cognate T ce...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - May 6, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: CNS INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS OUTSIDE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Edited by Bruce T. Volpe Source Type: research
Advanced neuroimaging in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus
Purpose of review
Neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE) comprises a disparate collection of syndromes affecting the central and peripheral nervous systems. Progress in the attribution of neuropsychiatric syndromes to SLE-related mechanisms and development of targeted treatment strategies has been impeded by a lack of objective imaging biomarkers that reflect specific neuropsychiatric syndromes and/or pathologic mechanisms. The present review addresses recent publications of neuroimaging techniques in NPSLE.
Recent findings
Imaging studies grouping all NPSLE syndromes together are unable to differentiate between NPSLE and non...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - May 6, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: CNS INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS OUTSIDE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Edited by Bruce T. Volpe Source Type: research
What are the latest clinical findings regarding the association of neurotoxic brain antibodies found in the cerebrospinal fluid in patients with autoimmune disorders?
Purpose of review
Recently, experiments show that the autoantibodies with direct access to neurons following blood brain barrier (BBB) disruption destroy neurons and lead to remodeling in damaged neurons. These are critical steps in autoantibody-mediated central nervous system disorder called neuropsychiatric syndromes in systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). The purpose of this review is to examine therapeutic opportunities to repress neuronal remodeling by microglia after acute neuronal injury by autoantibodies.
Recent findings
Recent studies have demonstrated that BBB disruption is a critical step for developing NP...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - May 6, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: CNS INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS OUTSIDE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Edited by Bruce T. Volpe Source Type: research
Persistent inflammatory states and their implications in brain disease
Purpose of review
Apart from mental, motor and sensory functions, the human central nervous system (CNS) regulates a plethora of homeostatic (autonomic and hormonal) bodily functions. These functions are dependent on specialized neuronal networks. To ensure connectivity of these networks, they are continuously refined and supported by glial cells that outnumber neurons by, according to some accounts, an order of magnitude. Among glial cells, microglia – the brain resident macrophages – plays a crucial role in maintaining neuronal networks. However, in their concomitant role as brain immune cells microglia also engage...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - May 6, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: CNS INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS OUTSIDE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Edited by Bruce T. Volpe Source Type: research
Editorial: Immune mechanisms and brain dysfunction
No abstract available (Source: Current Opinion in Neurology)
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - May 6, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: CNS INFLAMMATORY DISORDERS OUTSIDE MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Edited by Bruce T. Volpe Source Type: research
Neuromodulation in primary headaches: current evidence and integration into clinical practice
Purpose of review
Neuromodulatory approaches add to our armamentarium of therapeutic tools for the treatment of primary headaches. This review provides a comprehensive overview of current controlled studies on the different neuromodulation techniques and recommendations for clinical practice.
Recent findings
Evidence for efficacy of transcutaneous vagal nerve stimulation (tVNS) is limited to acute use in migraine with ambiguous results and episodic cluster headache as well as chronic cluster headache if applied in addition to conventional treatment. Transcutaneous stimulation of the supraorbital and supratrochlear ner...
Source: Current Opinion in Neurology - May 6, 2020 Category: Neurology Tags: HEADACHE: Edited by Peter J. Goadsby Source Type: research
