Publications by authors named "Americo Fernandes"
Introduction/aims: Patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) are susceptible to malnutrition, with appropriate management of nutritional interventions an active area of investigation. We sought to determine the impact of gastrostomy tube placement in ALS patients, exploring the correlation between forced vital capacity (FVC), malnutrition, and perioperative complications.
Methods: A retrospective review was performed of clinically diagnosed ALS patients treated at two multidisciplinary clinics (University of Kansas, University of Nebraska) from January 2009 to September 2020 who were referred for gastrostomy.
Primary lateral sclerosis natural history study - planning, designing, and early enrollment.
Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener
August 2023
Article Synopsis
- Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a rare, misunderstood disease, but recent developments in biomarkers and potential treatments are changing the landscape of research.
- The PLS Natural History Study, spanning 30 sites over 24 months, aims to enroll 100 participants and uses a mix of smartphone-based assessments and in-person evaluations to track disease progression through the PLS Functional Rating Scale.
- Enrollment progress has been slower than expected, impacted by COVID-19 and the uniqueness of PLS, highlighting the need for innovative strategies to improve recruitment and research for rare diseases.
The NEALS primary lateral sclerosis registry.
Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener
November 2020
Primary lateral sclerosis (PLS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive upper motor neuron dysfunction. Because PLS patients represent only 1 to 4% of patients with adult motor neuron diseases, there is limited information about the disease's natural history. The objective of this study was to establish a large multicenter retrospective longitudinal registry of PLS patients seen at Northeast ALS Consortium (NEALS) sites to better characterize the natural progression of PLS.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Our aim in this study was to identify the prevalence and clinical characteristics of LRP4/agrin-antibody-positive double-seronegative myasthenia gravis (DNMG).
Methods: DNMG patients at 16 sites in the United States were tested for LRP4 and agrin antibodies, and the clinical data were collected.
Results: Of 181 DNMG patients, 27 (14.
Plasma creatinine and oxidative stress biomarkers in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener
May 2020
To determine the associations between plasma creatinine (PCr), plasma uric acid (PUA), and urinary oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers with the ALSFRS-R at baseline and survival in a large epidemiological cohort study (ALS COSMOS) with a well-phenotyped patient population ( = 355). Fasting plasma and first void urine samples were obtained. PCr, PUA, urinary 8-oxo-deoxy guanosine (8-oxodG), and 15-F-isoprostane (IsoP) were analyzed at baseline, near the midpoint of follow-up, and at the final blood draw (before death or withdrawal from study).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- - This study explores how prediabetes, metabolic syndrome, and small fiber neuropathy are related, involving 268 patients who showed symptoms of small fiber neuropathy but had normal electrical tests.
- - Diagnosis of small fiber neuropathy was based on specific nerve fiber density measurements and other sensory tests, revealing no significant differences between individuals with prediabetes and those with normal glucose levels.
- - Findings indicate that only diabetes mellitus is linked to small fiber neuropathy, while certain features of metabolic syndrome seem to affect nerve structure more than functioning, especially in those with abnormal skin tests.
Background: We evaluated the prevalence and risk factors of workplace violence against Brazilian nurses in 2014.
Methods: The study's population comprised of 112 nurses working in teams of Family Primary Care Units and Primary Care Health Centers. Those nurses were asked to answer a questionnaire that addressed the socio-demographic information, the professional routine and the occupational violence faced (types, frequency and characteristics of perpetrators).
Introduction: Rasagiline is a monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) inhibitor with possible neuroprotective effects in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
Methods: We performed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 80 ALS participants with enrichment of the placebo group with historical controls (n = 177) at 10 centers in the United States. Participants were randomized in a 3:1 ratio to 2 mg/day rasagiline or placebo.
Inflammatory Diabetic Neuropathy: Helpful Diagnostic Parameters.
J Clin Neuromuscul Dis
September 2018
Objectives: Mild inflammatory diabetic neuropathies (IDNs) overlap with diabetic sensorimotor neuropathy (DPN) in clinical presentation and electrophysiological and laboratory tests. This study is to determine whether IDN can be differentiated from DPN by clinical features, electrophysiological, pathological, or laboratory tests.
Methods: Suspected IDN cases were identified by a subacute onset and progressive sensory or motor neuropathy in patients with diabetes.
A multi-center screening trial of rasagiline in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Possible mitochondrial biomarker target engagement.
Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener
August 2016
Rasagiline, a monoamine oxidase B inhibitor, slowed disease progression in the SOD1 mouse, and in a case series of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Here we determine whether rasagiline is safe and effective in ALS compared to historical placebo controls, and whether it alters mitochondrial biomarkers. We performed a prospective open-label, multicenter screening trial of 36 ALS patients treated with 2 mg oral rasagiline daily for 12 months.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAdult-onset acid maltase deficiency with isolated axial muscle involvement.
J Clin Neuromuscul Dis
September 2010
Introduction: We report a patient with acid maltase deficiency who presented with subacute respiratory failure as the first symptom without significant extremity weakness.
Methods And Results: Electromyography of extremities was normal but showed myopathic changes and myotonic discharges limited to axial muscles only. Muscle biopsy confirmed the diagnosis.