An observational study on monoclonal antibodies against calcitonin-gene-related peptide and its receptor.

Background And Purpose: Based on their pharmacological target, two classes of calcitonin-gene-related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been identified: antibodies against the CGRP ligand-galcanezumab, fremanezumab, eptinezumab-and antibodies against the CGRP receptor (CGRP-R), erenumab. The aim of the present study was to compare anti-CGRP versus anti-CGRP-R mAbs in patients with high frequency episodic and chronic migraine.

Methods: All patients on monthly treatment with anti-CGRP mAbs with an available 6 months' follow-up at January 2022 were included.

Migraine Disability Improvement during Treatment with Galcanezumab in Patients with Chronic and High Frequency Episodic Migraine.

Background: The aim of the present study was to assess the migraine outcome, in particular migraine disability, in chronic (CM) and high frequency episodic migraine (HFEM) patients in treatment with galcanezumab.

Methods: The present study was conducted at the Headache Centre of Spedali Civili of Brescia. Patients were treated with galcanezumab 120 mg monthly.

Photophobia and migraine outcome during treatment with galcanezumab.

Background: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) plays a pivotal role in migraine physiology, not only regarding migraine pain but also associated symptoms such as photophobia. The aim of the present study was to assess monoclonal antibodies targeting CGRP efficacy not only in terms of headache and migraine frequency and disability but also in reducing ictal photophobia.

Material And Methods: This is a retrospective observational study, conducted at the Headache Center-ASST Spedali Civili Brescia.

Migraine Disability and Severity Improvement during Long-Term Treatment with Erenumab.

The aim of the present study was to assess erenumab efficacy in migraine disability and intensity throughout the first treatment cycle, discontinuation, and the first 6 months of re-treatment in patients with high-frequency episodic migraine. The study design was retrospective and observational. Inclusion criteria were the following: diagnosis of high-frequency episodic migraine and ongoing treatment with erenumab 140 mg currently at their second treatment cycle.

Post COVID-19 vaccination headache: A clinical and epidemiological evaluation.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of headaches, in particular secondary headaches.

Materials And Methods: This observational study was performed at the ASST Spedali Civili of Brescia, Italy. Visits to the Emergency Department (ED) and subsequent hospitalizations regarding a new or worsening headache in the 16 days following the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine between January 2021 and January 2022 were recorded and compared with those of January 2019-January 2020.

Erenumab Discontinuation After 12-Month Treatment: A Multicentric, Observational Real-Life Study.

Objective: To assess migraine outcome after 12-month treatment with erenumab and compare patients who underwent 3-month erenumab discontinuation following the first treatment cycle with those who continued monthly administrations.

Methods: This is a multicentric observational study in patients with migraine in treatment with erenumab. After a full 12-month treatment cycle (T), patients could either continue or discontinue erenumab for at least 3 months.

Migraine Monitoring in the Time of COVID-19: Triggers and Protectors During a Pandemic.

Objective: Aim of the present observational study was to assess the impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) quarantine on migraine and evaluate potential influencing factors. Previous studies reported mixed results regarding clinical outcome during quarantine in patients with migraine. In particular, data from areas strongly affected by COVID-19 pandemic are missing.

Diaphragmatic myoclonus due to SARS-CoV-2 infection.

A wide range of neurological signs and symptoms have been associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection. In the present report, we described two Italian patients diagnosed with diaphragmatic myoclonus after COVID-19. In both cases, mild lymphocytosis at cerebrospinal fluid analysis and no structural brain changes were reported.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of inpatients with neurologic disease and COVID-19 in Brescia, Lombardy, Italy.

Objective: To report clinical and laboratory characteristics, treatment, and clinical outcomes of patients admitted for neurologic diseases with and without coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: In this retrospective, single-center cohort study, we included all adult inpatients with confirmed COVID-19 admitted to a neuro-COVID unit beginning February 21, 2020, who had been discharged or died by April 5, 2020. Demographic, clinical, treatment, and laboratory data were extracted from medical records and compared (false discovery rate corrected) to those of neurologic patients without COVID-19 admitted in the same period.

Response Predictors in Chronic Migraine: Medication Overuse and Depressive Symptoms Negatively Impact Onabotulinumtoxin-A Treatment.

Despite numerous studies that have investigated clinical, radiological, and biochemical response predictors, the clinical profile of those patients who might benefit from OnabotulinumtoxinA is still missing. The aim of the present study was to identify potential OnabotulinumtoxinA response predictors among several clinical characteristics and confirm OnabotulinumtoxinA efficacy and safety in chronic migraine (CM) prevention. The study was conducted at the Headache Center-Neurology Clinic-Spedali Civili Hospital of Brescia.

Functional Connectivity Networks in Asymptomatic and Symptomatic DYT1 Carriers.

Background: DYT1 mutation is characterized by focal to generalized dystonia and incomplete penetrance. To explore the complex perturbations in the different neural networks and the mutual interactions among them, we studied symptomatic and asymptomatic DTY1 mutation carriers by resting-state functional MRI.

Methods: A total of 7 symptomatic DYT1, 10 asymptomatic DYT1, and 26 healthy controls were considered.

Management of headache disorders in the Emergency Department setting.

Headache is a common presenting complaint in the Emergency Department. The aim of this study was to delineate the demographic profile of patients presenting a chief complaint of headache and to assess the application of diagnostic algorithms for the management of these patients. We examined patients admitted to the Spedali Civili Hospital ED between January 2005 and December 2009 who complained of headache not related to trauma and all patients hospitalized for headache in Neurological Clinic, from ED, between January 2008 and December 2009.

Odor identification deficit predicts clinical conversion from mild cognitive impairment to dementia due to Alzheimer's disease.

The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between olfactory and cognitive functions in subjects affected by mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and to investigate whether olfactory deficits might reflect the likelihood of conversion from MCI to dementia. In this longitudinal study conducted on a sample of MCI outpatients, CA-SIT Smell Identification Test was administered to 88 MCI subjects and 46 healthy control subjects. MCI subjects have been divided into two groups, considering smell identification performances: 40% had normal performances (MCI olfactory-normal), whereas 60% had a moderate olfaction deficit (MCI olfactory-impaired).

Bilateral optic perineuritis as the presenting feature of giant cell arteritis.

Optic perineuritis (OPN) is an uncommon inflammatory disorder of the optic nerve sheath. Most cases are idiopathic, though OPN can rarely occur as a manifestation of vasculitic diseases. We describe the case of a 74-year-old Caucasian man presenting with diplopia and bilateral visual loss.

Where SUNCT contacts TN: a case report.

Background: Short-lasting unilateral neuralgiform headache with conjunctival injection and tearing (SUNCT) and trigeminal neuralgia (TN) are unilateral painful conditions that can share the same triggering factors, autonomic features and the main location, as well as the cyclically recurrent crises. Both these syndromes are associated with a high percentage of findings of vascular malformation touching the trigeminal nerve, suggesting a pathophysiological relationship.

Case: In this paper, we report a new case with the main purpose to shine a light on the pathophysiology of these conditions.

Reduction in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in migraine patients.

Migraine is a common disorder and its pathogenesis remains still unclear. Several hypotheses about the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of migraine have been proposed, but the issue is still far from being fully clarified. Neurovascular system remains one of the most important mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of migraine and it could be possible that hypoperfusion might involve other areas besides brain, including the retina.

Immigration and neurological diseases: a longitudinal study in an acute neurological care.

Very few data exist on causes and outcomes of hospitalization of immigrants in Italy. Even though immigration is a real challenge for the western countries, we are still unaware of how it reflects on the costs and the management of an acute care department. This study was aimed to compare the patterns of hospital use by immigrants incoming to the Acute Care Department of Neurology in Brescia, Italy, with those of the resident Italian people.

Cerebrovascular risk factors and MRI abnormalities in migraine.

Case series have demonstrated an increased incidence of white matter lesions (WMLs) in patients with migraine. It is controversial whether the evidence of subclinical brain lesions relates to a higher risk of cerebrovascular disease. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association between magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) subclinical brain lesions and cerebrovascular risk factors (hyperhomocysteinaemia, MTHFR genotype, patent foramen ovale, hypertension, smoking and hypercholesterolaemia).