The mediating role of processing speed on the relationship between executive functions and social cognition in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients.

This study examined the mediating role of processing speed between executive functions and social cognition in 67 relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) patients. Executive functions were assessed using the Trail Making Test-Part B (TMT-B) and the Stroop Neuropsychological Screening Test (SNST); social cognition with the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET); and processing speed with the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT). Mediated effects were explored using a series of regression analyses and were further confirmed through bootstrapping procedures.

The utility of diaphragm ultrasound thickening indices for assessing respiratory decompensation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Introduction/aims: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) leads to diaphragmatic weakness at some point during its course, which is a major cause of respiratory insufficiency. The aim of this study was to evaluate ultrasound-based measures for assessing the diaphragmatic competency and the need for ventilatory support.

Methods: Twenty-six subjects with ALS and 12 healthy controls were enrolled.

Social Cognition Impairments in Association to Clinical, Cognitive, Mood, and Fatigue Features in Multiple Sclerosis: A Study Protocol.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system (CNS), characterized by the diffuse grey and white matter damage. Cognitive impairment (CI) is a frequent clinical feature in patients with MS (PwMS) that can be prevalent even in early disease stages, affecting the physical activity and active social participation of PwMS. Limited information is available regarding the influence of MS in social cognition (SC), which may occur independently from the overall neurocognitive dysfunction.

Quantitative muscle ultrasound assessment using automatic thresholding methods in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of automatic thresholding methods for quantitative assessments of muscle echogenicity in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients.

Methods: Thirty-one ALS patients and 31 matched healthy controls underwent ultrasound examination of the biceps brachii, rectus femoris and tibialis anterior muscles. Muscle echogenicity was evaluated using grayscale analysis and the 16 automatic thresholding methods of ImageJ program.

Effect of beam attenuation on muscle ultrasound echogenicity measurement in muscular dystrophies.

Purpose: In advanced muscular dystrophies (AMD), quantification of muscle echo-intensity (EI) may be influenced by ultrasound beam attenuation, due to fibrosis and fatty infiltration of muscle tissue. Objective of the study was to compare EI measurements using grayscale analysis between a superficial and whole-muscle region of interest (ROI) in subjects with advanced and mild-to-moderate muscular dystrophy (MMD).

Methods: Thirty-two adult subjects diagnosed with a muscular dystrophy and twenty-five matched healthy controls underwent ultrasound assessment of the biceps brachii (BB), rectus femoris (RF) and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles.

Teleneurology in a center for neuromuscular diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has urged the adoption of telemedicine services as a measure of greater patients' safety. This study aims to investigate efficacy and feasibility of teleneurology care for patients with neuromuscular diseases (NMD).

Methods: All patient visits from 4th March 2020 to 27th March 2021, the period of COVID-19 lockdown requiring partial transition to tele-consultation, were reviewed.

Internal carotid artery origin of the anterior cerebral artery: A rare anatomic intracranial arterial variation in a child with morning glory disc anomaly and moyamoya vascular pattern; case report and review of literature.

Morning glory disc anomaly (MGDA) characterizes a congenital dysgenetic disorder of the optic disc, coexisting with arterial intracranial abnormalities, including Moyamoya vascular disease, a significantly rare disease in the European populations. We report a 2.5-year-old female child from Greece previously diagnosed with MGDA, who presented with right-hand paresis, accompanied by focal epileptic spasms, followed by an episode of brief absence seizure, as well as some arm clonic spasms.