Evidence of Pericyte Damage in a Cognitively Normal Cohort: Association With CSF and PET Biomarkers of Alzheimer Disease.

Background: Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is emerging as an important pathophysiologic factor in Alzheimer disease (AD). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFRβ) is a biomarker of BBB pericyte injury and has been implicated in cognitive impairment and AD.

Methods: We aimed to study CSF PDGFRβ protein levels, along with CSF biomarkers of brain amyloidosis and tau pathology in a well-characterized population of cognitively unimpaired individuals and correlated CSF findings with amyloid-PET positivity.

DOTATATE PET/MR Imaging Differentiates Secondary-Progressive from de Novo World Health Organization Grade 3 Meningiomas.

Background And Purpose: WHO grade 3 meningiomas are rare and poorly understood and have a higher propensity for recurrence, metastasis, and worsened clinical outcomes compared with lower-grade meningiomas. The purpose of our study was to prospectively evaluate the molecular profile, PET characteristics, and outcomes of patients with World Health Organization grade 3 meningiomas who were imaged with gallium 68 (Ga) DOTATATE PET/MR imaging.

Materials And Methods: Patients with World Health Organization grade 3 meningiomas enrolled in our prospective observational cohort evaluating the utility of (Ga) DOTATATE PET/MR imaging in somatostatin receptor positive brain tumors were included.

[Ga68] DOTATATE PET/MRI-guided radiosurgical treatment planning and response assessment in meningiomas.

Background: Our purpose was to determine the utility of [68Ga]-DOTATATE PET/MRI in meningioma response assessment following radiosurgery.

Methods: Patients with meningioma prospectively underwent postoperative DOTATATE PET/MRI. Co-registered PET and gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted MRI were employed for radiosurgery planning.

Statistical Parametric Mapping in Amyloid Positron Emission Tomography.

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, has limited treatment options. Emerging disease modifying therapies are targeted at clearing amyloid-β (Aβ) aggregates and slowing the rate of amyloid deposition. However, amyloid burden is not routinely evaluated quantitatively for purposes of disease progression and treatment response assessment.

Sleep quality and health among pregnant smokers.

Study Objectives: We aimed to examine (1) sleep quality trends of pregnant smokers and (2) their associations with health outcomes.

Methods: A secondary analysis of 88 participants from the University at Buffalo Pregnancy and Smoking Cessation Study (nonrandomized clinical study) was performed. Sleep quality was measured with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (higher scores, worse quality) and sleep duration was self-reported repeatedly during pregnancy at preintervention, postintervention, and end-of-pregnancy visits.

A Change from a Spinal Immobilization to a Spinal Motion Restriction Protocol was Not Associated with an Increase in Disabling Spinal Cord Injuries.

Background: Over the past decade, Emergency Medical Service (EMS) systems decreased backboard use as they transition from spinal immobilization (SI) protocols to spinal motion restriction (SMR) protocols. Since this change, no study has examined its effect on the neurologic outcomes of patients with spine injuries.

Objectives: The object of this study is to determine if a state-wide protocol change from an SI to an SMR protocol had an effect on the incidence of disabling spinal cord injuries.

Cervical Spine Trauma in East Africa: Presentation, Treatment, and Mortality.

Background: Cervical spine trauma (CST) leads to devastating neurologic injuries. In a cohort of CST patients from a major East Africa referral center, we sought to () describe presentation and operative treatment patterns, () report predictors of neurologic improvement, and () assess predictors of mortality.

Methods: A retrospective, cohort study of CST patients presenting to a tertiary hospital in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, was performed.

Ventral Tonsillar Herniation Predicts Headaches in Adults With Chiari Malformation.

Background: Radiographic characterization of Chiari malformation (CM) has historically focused on caudal tonsillar herniation (CH) below the foramen magnum. Previously, we published evidence linking ventral tonsillar herniation (VH) and medullary symptoms in very young children. We sought to extend that investigation by studying the radiographic and clinical significance of VH in adults diagnosed with CM.

Self-reported health without clinically measurable benefits among adult users of multivitamin and multimineral supplements: a cross-sectional study.

Objective: Multiple clinical trials fail to identify clinically measurable health benefits of daily multivitamin and multimineral (MVM) consumption in the general adult population. Understanding the determinants of widespread use of MVMs may guide efforts to better educate the public about effective nutritional practices. The objective of this study was to compare self-reported and clinically measurable health outcomes among MVM users and non-users in a large, nationally representative adult civilian non-institutionalised population in the USA surveyed on the use of complementary health practices.

Medical Student Concerns Relating to Neurosurgery Education During COVID-19.

Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has created significant obstacles within medical education. For medical students interested in pursuing neurosurgery as a specialty, the educational policies surrounding COVID-19 have resulted in unique challenges. The present study used a nationwide survey to identify the concerns of medical students interested in pursuing neurosurgery during the COVID-19 pandemic.

A multicomponent behavioral intervention for smoking cessation during pregnancy: a nonconcurrent multiple-baseline design.

Given serious consequences of maternal smoking, we aimed to develop and test a multicomponent behavioral intervention to enhance smoking cessation during pregnancy. In this nonconcurrent, multiple-baseline intervention pilot study, 48 daily smoking pregnant women (mean 13.7 weeks of gestation) were recruited from Buffalo, NY, USA.