Blarcamesine for the treatment of Early Alzheimer's Disease: Results from the ANAVEX2-73-AD-004 Phase IIB/III trial.

Background: There are no approved oral disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess efficacy and safety of blarcamesine (ANAVEX®2-73), an orally available small-molecule activator of the sigma-1 receptor (SIGMAR1) in early AD through restoration of cellular homeostasis including autophagy enhancement.

Design: ANAVEX2-73-AD-004 was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 48-week Phase IIb/III trial.

The Role of Atrial Fibrillation and Oral Anticoagulation Status in Health-Related Quality of Life 12 Months After Ischemic Stroke or TIA.

Aims: Atrial fibrillation (AF) accounts for about 20% of all ischemic strokes worldwide. It is known that AF impairs health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in the general population, but data on HRQOL in stroke patients with newly diagnosed AF are sparse.

Methods: Post hoc analysis of the prospective, investigator-initiated, multicenter MonDAFIS study (NCT02204267) to analyze whether AF-related oral anticoagulation (OAC), and/or AF-symptom severity are associated with HRQOL after ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA).

What Do We Know About the Validity and Reliability of Mindfulness Self-Report Measures in Persons with Dementia? A Critical Narrative Review.

Objectives: Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) for persons with dementia (PwD) have yielded mixed results, possibly attributable to the fact that little is known about the validity and reliability of trait mindfulness self-report measures in PwD. This narrative review sought to identify studies involving self-reported trait mindfulness and other clinical measures that may hold information on the convergent validity and reliability of these measures in PwD.

Methods: Scientific databases were searched for studies involving PwD and mindfulness assessments.

Interferon beta-1a sc at 25 years: a mainstay in the treatment of multiple sclerosis over the period of one generation.

Introduction: Interferon beta (IFN beta) preparations are an established group of drugs used for immunomodulation in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Subcutaneously (sc) applied interferon beta-1a (IFN beta-1a sc) has been in continuous clinical use for 25 years as a disease-modifying treatment.

Areas Covered: Based on data published since 2018, we discuss recent insights from analyses of the pivotal trial PRISMS and its long-term extension as well as from newer randomized studies with IFN beta-1a sc as the reference treatment, the use of IFN beta-1a sc across the patient life span and as a bridging therapy, recent data regarding the mechanisms of action, and potential benefits of IFN beta-1a sc regarding vaccine responses.

Validity of an inertial sensor-based system for the assessment of spatio-temporal parameters in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Gait variability in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) reflects disease progression or may be used to evaluate treatment response. To date, marker-based camera systems are considered as gold standard to analyze gait impairment in PwMS. These systems might provide reliable data but are limited to a restricted laboratory setting and require knowledge, time, and cost to correctly interpret gait parameters.

Stability of sensor-based gait parameters reassessed after a period of one year in people with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Currently, there are several studies showing that wearable inertial sensors are highly sensitive in the detection of gait disturbances in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS), showing excellent reliability within one or 7-14 days. However, it is not known how stable these gait parameters remain over a longer period of time. This is surprising, because many treatments last longer than two weeks.

The congruency of neuropsychological and F18-FDG brain PET/CT diagnostics of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) in routine clinical practice: insights from a mixed neurological patient cohort.

Background: Diagnostics of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) require a multimodal approach. Neuropsychologists examine the degree and etiology of dementia syndromes and results are combined with those of cerebrospinal fluid markers and imaging data. In the diagnostic process, neuropsychologists often rely on anamnestic and clinical information, as well as cognitive tests, prior to the availability of exhaustive etiological information.

Mindfulness training during brief periods of hospitalization in multiple sclerosis (MS): beneficial alterations in fatigue and the mediating role of depression.

Objectives: Persons with MS (PwMS) are frequently affected by fatigue and depression. Mindfulness-based interventions may reduce these symptoms in PwMS and consequently their application has been extended to various settings. Only few efforts have been made to explore effects of short-term mindfulness training during brief periods of hospitalization.

Wearable inertial sensors are highly sensitive in the detection of gait disturbances and fatigue at early stages of multiple sclerosis.

Background: The aim of the current study was to examine multiple gait parameters obtained by wearable inertial sensors and their sensitivity to clinical status in early multiple sclerosis (MS). Further, a potential correlation between gait parameters and subjective fatigue was explored.

Methods: Automated gait analyses were carried out on 88 MS patients and 31 healthy participants.

Measuring Gait Stability in People with Multiple Sclerosis Using Different Sensor Locations and Time Scales.

The evaluation of local divergence exponent (LDE) has been proposed as a common gait stability measure in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). However, differences in methods of determining LDE may lead to different results. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to determine the effect of different sensor locations and LDE measures on the sensitivity to discriminate PwMS.

Subcutaneous Interferon Beta Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis Patients - Characterization of Injection Site Reactions and Flu-Like Symptoms in a Daily Practice Setting - Results from the Non-Interventional Study PERFECT.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of injection site reactions (ISR) and flu-like symptoms (FLS) during treatment with subcutaneous (SC) interferon (IFN) beta therapies and to document measures to mitigate and prevent ISR and FLS.

Patients And Methods: The cross-sectional post-authorization safety study PERFECT was conducted from 11/2017 to 7/2019 in neurology practices in Germany. Adult patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (MS) receiving SC IFN beta for ≥3 months were eligible.

Trait mindfulness is primarily associated with depression and not with fatigue in multiple sclerosis (MS): implications for mindfulness-based interventions.

Objectives: Persons with MS (PwMS) often display symptoms of depression and fatigue. Mindfulness-based interventions are known to counteract these symptoms. However, to-date the exact relations between trait mindfulness, depression and fatigue remain to be examined.

Reasons to switch: a noninterventional study evaluating immunotherapy switches in a large German multicentre cohort of patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.

Background: With a large array of disease modifying therapies (DMTs) for relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS), identifying the optimal treatment option for the individual patient is challenging and switching of immunotherapies is often required. The objective of this study was to systematically investigate reasons for DMT switching in patients on immunotherapies for mild/moderate MS, and provide real-life insights into currently applied therapeutic strategies.

Methods: This noninterventional, cross-sectional study (ML29913) at 50 sites in Germany included RRMS patients on therapies for mild/moderate MS who switched immunotherapy in the years 2014-2017.

Frontal brain activity and cognitive processing speed in multiple sclerosis: An exploration of EEG neurofeedback training.

Background: Cognitive deficits including impaired information processing speed as assessed by the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) are common in multiple sclerosis (MS). Oscillatory markers of processing speed may be extracted from magnetoencephalographic (MEG) and electroencephalographic (EEG) resting-state recordings. In this context, an increased proportion of frontal slow-wave (theta, 4-8 Hz) to fast-wave (beta, 13-30 Hz) EEG activity was indicative of impaired SDMT performance.

Exploring resting-state EEG brain oscillatory activity in relation to cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis.

Objective: Neurophysiologic monitoring parameters related to cognition in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) are sparse. Previous work reported an association between magnetoencephalographic (MEG) alpha-1 activity and information processing speed. While this remains to be replicated by more available electroencephalographic (EEG) methods, also other established EEG markers, e.

Measuring standing balance in multiple sclerosis: Further progress towards an automatic and reliable method in clinical practice.

Background: Balance deficits in multiple sclerosis (MS) are often monitored by means of observer-rated tests. These may provide reliable data, but may also be time-consuming, subject to inter-rater variability, and potentially insensitive to mild fluctuations throughout the clinical course. On the other hand, laboratory assessments are often not available.

[Telemedicine: Comprehensive coverage and quality - Not a contradiction : Practical experience from the stroke network with telemedicine in northern Bavaria (STENO)].

Telemedicine is widely used in the field of stroke treatment. Following the pioneering and implementation phase, the quality of the whole stroke treatment process needs to be ensured in telemedically connected hospitals. This is particular important for telestroke hospitals without neurological expertise and can be achieved by integrating telemedicine into the stroke unit concept and stroke networks.

Cognitive screening in Multiple Sclerosis: the Five-Point Test as a substitute for the PASAT in measuring executive function.

Objective: The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) is frequently employed to measure executive functions in patients with Multiple Sclerosis (MS). In the past, the PASAT has often been criticized because of its stressful and demanding requirements. Continuous utilization might also reduce its validity.

Cognitive screening tools in multiple sclerosis revisited: sensitivity and specificity of a short version of Rao's Brief Repeatable Battery.

Background: Cognitive deficits are common in multiple sclerosis (MS) and require continuous monitoring. In routine examinations, screening instruments such as the Brief Repeatable Battery (BRB) may serve this purpose. It was suggested that even a shortened version of the BRB, comprising the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) and Selective Reminding Test (SRT), may be feasible.

Dynamic walking features and improved walking performance in multiple sclerosis patients treated with fampridine (4-aminopyridine).

Background: Impaired walking capacity is a frequent confinement in Multiple Sclerosis (MS). Patients are affected by limitations in coordination, walking speed and the distance they may cover. Also abnormal dynamic walking patterns have been reported, involving continuous deceleration over time.

Use of a telestroke service for evaluation of non-stroke neurological cases.

Telemedicine is a growing field in many medical specialties. Within clinical neurosciences one of its largest applications is in acute stroke care. However, little is known about its value and effect in general neurology, despite stroke.

Mindfulness-based interventions in multiple sclerosis: beneficial effects of Tai Chi on balance, coordination, fatigue and depression.

Background: Patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis (MS) experience a wide array of symptoms, including balance problems, mobility impairment, fatigue and depression. Physical exercise has recently been acknowledged as a treatment option complementary to medication. However, information regarding putative effects of structured exercise programs on neurological symptoms is sparse.

Feasibility of certified quality management in a comprehensive stroke care network using telemedicine: STENO project.

Background: Stroke care networks with and without telemedicine have been established in several countries over the last decade to provide specialized stroke expertise to patients in rural areas. Acute consultation is a first step in the management of stroke, but not the only one. Methods of standardization of care and treatment are much needed.

Normative data and long-term test-retest reliability of the triple stimulation technique (TST) in multiple sclerosis.

Objectives: Transcranial magnetic stimulation is useful for the assessment of cortico-spinal tract integrity in multiple sclerosis (MS). An advanced approach is the triple stimulation technique (TST), utilizing a combination of central and peripheral stimuli, reducing individual response variability. Although TST measures have been implemented in longitudinal studies, basic methodological data on temporal properties of abnormal TST values in MS are sparse.

FADD is upregulated in relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis.

Objective: To elucidate the role of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor signal transduction in multiple sclerosis (MS).

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the gene expression of TNF receptor-associated death domain protein (TRADD) and Fas-associated death domain protein (FADD) in peripheral blood leukocytes of 23 relapsing remitting (RR), 19 secondary progressive (SP) and 12 primary progressive (PP) MS patients, as well as of 29 healthy controls by quantitative RT-PCR. Additionally, we monitored a subgroup of 15 RR MS patients longitudinally every 3 months over the time period of 9 months.