Publications by authors named "Merilee Needham"

Article Synopsis
  • * Additional gene-based analyses revealed links to several genes, including B4GALNT1 and TRIP11-ATXN3, and highlighted the role of ACSL5 and GPX3 in rapid weight loss, a common characteristic in ALS patients that can lead to shorter survival.
  • * Using data from 77 ALS patients and 77 controls, we found a trend indicating that certain genetic variants (SNPs) may impact fat-free mass in patients but not in controls, emphasizing the importance of lipid metabolism in understanding ALS
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Background: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disorder of the human motor system. Neuroinflammation appears to be an important modulator of disease progression in ALS. Specifically, reduction of regulatory T cell (Treg) levels, along with an increase in pro-inflammatory effector T cells, macrophage activation and upregulation of co-stimulatory pathways have all been associated with a rapid disease course in ALS.

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The aim of this work was to evaluate sex differences in the incidence of multiple sclerosis relapses; assess the relationship between sex and primary progressive disease course; and compare effects of age and disease duration on relapse incidence. Annualized relapse rates were calculated using the MSBase registry. Patients with incomplete data or <1 year of follow-up were excluded.

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Introduction: Inclusion-body myopathy, Paget disease of the bone, and frontotemporal dementia (IBMPFD) is an autosomal dominant disorder due to mutations in the valosin-containing protein (VCP) gene. Patients with this disorder may have neuropathic or myopathic features.

Methods: Peripheral nerve function and axonal excitability were studied in three members from two families with VCP mutations (p.

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