Anti-Tetanus Vaccination Is Associated with Reduced Occurrence and Slower Progression of Parkinson's Disease-A Retrospective Study.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that progressively damages the autonomic and central nervous systems, leading to hallmark symptoms such as resting tremor, bradykinesia, and rigidity. Despite extensive research, the underlying cause of PD remains unclear, and current treatments are unable to halt the progression of the disease. In this retrospective study, based on historical electronic health records (EHR) from a national health provider covering the period from 2003 to 2023, we investigated the impact of vaccination and medication purchases on PD occurrence and severity.

Radiological markers of CSF α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson's disease patients.

Alpha-synuclein (αS) aggregation is a widely regarded hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD) and can be detected through synuclein amplification assays (SAA). This study investigated the association between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) radiological measures in 41 PD patients (14 iPD, 14 GBA1-PD, 13 LRRK2-PD) and 14 age-and-sex-matched healthy controls. Quantitative measures including striatal binding ratios (SBR), whole-brain and deep gray matter volumes, neuromelanin-MRI (NM-MRI), functional connectivity (FC), and white matter (WM) diffusion-tensor imaging (DTI) were calculated.

TMEM16F regulates pathologic α-synuclein secretion and spread in cellular and mouse models of Parkinson's disease.

One of the main hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD) pathology is the spread of the aggregate-prone protein α-synuclein (α-syn), which can be detected in the plasma and cerebrospinal fluid of patients as well as in the extracellular environment of neuronal cells. The secreted α-syn can exhibit "prion-like" behavior and transmission to naïve cells can promote conformational changes and pathology. The precise role of plasma membrane proteins in the pathologic process of α-syn is yet to be fully resolved.

Post-traumatic parkinsonism: The intricate twist between trauma, inflammation and neurodegeneration. A narrative review.

Post-traumatic Parkinsonism (PTP) is a complex neurological disorder that is often associated with the occurrence of a traumatic brain injury (TBI). PTP can occur either in the acute or chronic phase of TBI. There is still uncertainty about the mechanisms provoking PTP, which can be the result of the acute blast itself or secondary neurodegenerative process occurring months to years post the acute trauma.

A novel super-resolution microscopy platform for cutaneous alpha-synuclein detection in Parkinson's disease.

Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) aggregates in the central nervous system are the main pathological hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). ASyn aggregates have also been detected in many peripheral tissues, including the skin, thus providing a novel and accessible target tissue for the detection of PD pathology. Still, a well-established validated quantitative biomarker for early diagnosis of PD that also allows for tracking of disease progression remains lacking.

Effect of GBA1 Mutations and APOE Polymorphisms on Survival and Progression Among Ashkenazi Jews with Dementia with Lewy Bodies.

Background: Glucocerebrosidase 1 (GBA1) mutations are associated with reduced survival in Parkinson's disease but their effect on survival in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is unclear.

Objective: To assess the impact of GBA1 mutations on survival among Ashkenazi Jews with DLB, while controlling for APOE status.

Methods: One hundred and forty participants from Tel Aviv Medical Center, Israel were genotyped for GBA1 mutations and APOE polymorphisms.

Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel for advanced Parkinson's disease: Impact of LRRK2 and GBA1 mutations.

Background: Advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) can be treated with Levodopa-Carbidopa Intestinal Gel (LCIG).

Objective: To compare descriptive data of LCIG treatment in GBA1-PD and LRRK2-PD.

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study compared clinical data obtained from electronic medical records of PD patients treated with LCIG.

Blocking CCR5 activity by maraviroc augmentation in post-stroke depression: a proof-of-concept clinical trial.

Background: Post-stroke depression (PSD) is a significant impediment to successful rehabilitation and recovery after a stroke. Current therapeutic options are limited, leaving an unmet demand for specific and effective therapeutic options. Our objective was to investigate the safety of Maraviroc, a CCR5 antagonist, as a possible mechanism-based add-on therapeutic option for PSD in an open-label proof-of-concept clinical trial.

Validity of the Short Weekly Calendar Planning Activity in patients with Parkinson disease and nonmanifesting LRRK2 and GBA carriers.

Background And Purpose: Subtle executive dysfunction is common in people newly diagnosed with Parkinson disease (PD), even when general cognitive abilities are intact. This study examined the Short Weekly Calendar Planning Activity (WCPA-10)'s known-group construct validity, comparing persons with PD to healthy controls (HCs) and nonmanifesting carriers of LRRK2 and GBA gene mutations to HCs. Additionally, convergent and ecological validity was examined.

Mild cognitive impairment among LRRK2 and GBA1 patients with Parkinson's disease.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is common in Parkinson's disease (PD). We aimed to assess the incidence of MCI among patients with PD, carriers of mutations in LRRK2 and GBA1 genes, based on the movement disorder society (MDS) criteria for the diagnosis of MCI in early-stage PD.

Methods: Patients with PD were included if they scored ≤2 on the Hoehn and Yahr and ≤6 years since motor symptom onset.

Early Screening for the Parkinson Variant of Multiple System Atrophy: A 6-Item Score.

Background: A 4-item score based on ≥2 features out of orthostatic hypotension, overactive bladder, urinary retention and postural instability was previously shown to early distinguish the Parkinson-variant of multiple system atrophy (MSA-P) from Parkinson's disease (PD) with 78% sensitivity and 86% specificity.

Objectives: To replicate and improve the 4-item MSA-P score.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 161 patients with early parkinsonism [ie, ≤2 years disease duration or no postural instability, aged 64 (57; 68) years, 44% females] and a diagnosis of clinically established MSA-P (n = 38) or PD (n = 123) after ≥24 months follow-up.

Safety and efficacy of continuous subcutaneous levodopa-carbidopa infusion (ND0612) for Parkinson's disease with motor fluctuations (BouNDless): a phase 3, randomised, double-blind, double-dummy, multicentre trial.

Background: Conventional oral levodopa therapy for the treatment of Parkinson's disease can be associated with variations in plasma concentrations. Levodopa infusion strategies might provide more consistent drug delivery and fewer motor fluctuations. We aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of a continuous 24 h/day subcutaneous infusion of ND0612 (a levodopa-carbidopa solution) compared with oral immediate-release levodopa-carbidopa for the treatment of motor fluctuations in people with Parkinson's disease.

Locus in Parkinson's Disease Patients of Ashkenazi Origin: A Stratified Analysis.

: locus is associated with Parkinson's disease (PD), which is located within a large inversion region of high linkage disequilibrium (LD). We aimed to determine whether the H2-haplotype protective effect and its effect size depends on the or risk allele carrier status, and to further characterize genetic alterations that might contribute to its effect. : LD analysis was performed using whole-genome sequencing data of 202 unrelated Ashkenazi Jewish (AJ) PDs.

Digital Mobility Measures: A Window into Real-World Severity and Progression of Parkinson's Disease.

Background: Real-world monitoring using wearable sensors has enormous potential for assessing disease severity and symptoms among persons with Parkinson's disease (PD). Many distinct features can be extracted, reflecting multiple mobility domains. However, it is unclear which digital measures are related to PD severity and are sensitive to disease progression.

A meta-analysis identifies factors predicting the future development of freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease.

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a debilitating problem that is common among many, but not all, people with Parkinson's disease (PD). Numerous attempts have been made at treating FOG to reduce its negative impact on fall risk, functional independence, and health-related quality of life. However, optimal treatment remains elusive.

Differences in EEG Event-Related Potentials during Dual Task in Parkinson's Disease Carriers and Non-Carriers of the G2019S-LRRK2 Mutation.

Background: The G2019S- gene mutation is a common cause of hereditary Parkinson's disease (PD), associated with a higher frequency of the postural instability gait difficulty (PIGD) motor phenotype yet with preserved cognition. This study investigated neurophysiological changes during motor and cognitive tasks in PD patients with and without the mutation.

Methods: 33 iPD patients and 22 patients performed the visual Go/NoGo task (VGNG) during sitting (single-task) and walking (dual-task) while wearing a 64-channel EEG cap.

Overnight Distribution of REM Sleep Features in People with Parkinson's Disease (PD) and Non-PD Controls.

Background: Rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a leading predictor of Parkinson's disease (PD). Diagnosis is performed in the sleep laboratory by detecting pathological REM sleep without atonia (RSWA). The evidence on the overnight distribution of RSWA% is conflicting.

Incidence of cardiovascular morbidity among Parkinson's disease patients; a large-scale cohort study in a 16-year time window around disease onset.

Objectives: To examine the risk of any or specific types of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), in the 16 years around disease onset, and to compare it to that in the general population.

Methods: This is a large-scale population-based retrospective cohort study of newly diagnosed PD patients, members of Maccabi Health Services (MHS), who started taking anti-parkinsonian drugs (APD) between 1/1/2000-31/12/2019 (study period). We collected information about CVD incidence (Congestive heart failure-CHF, Myocardial infarction-MI, Stroke) from MHS-CVD registry.

Safety and efficacy of venglustat in GBA1-associated Parkinson's disease: an international, multicentre, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial.

Background: Variants in the GBA1 gene, which encodes lysosomal acid glucocerebrosidase, are among the most common genetic risk factors for Parkinson's disease and are associated with faster disease progression. The mechanisms involved are unresolved but might include accumulation of glucosylceramide. Venglustat is a brain-penetrant glucosylceramide synthase inhibitor that, in previous studies, reduced amounts of the glycosphingolipid.

A single-center real-life study on the use of medical cannabis in patients with dystonia.

Background: While cannabis-based medicine is being commonly used in patients with movement disorders, there is a scarcity of publications regarding the effect of cannabis on dystonia. We aimed to describe medical cannabis use in patients with dystonia and related pain.

Methods: We employed a structured interview to obtain data on the cannabis treatment regimen, perception of effectiveness and side effect profile.