Cognitive measures predict falls in Parkinson's disease: Insights from the CYCLE-II cohort.

Background: Accurate prediction of falls in patients with Parkinson's disease (PWP) is crucial for effective prevention efforts. Historically, fall risk models have heavily relied on motor features, overlooking the vital cognitive-motor interplay essential for locomotion.

Methods: Baseline assessments and year-long fall data from the CYClical Lower Extremity Exercise for Parkinson's disease II (CYCLE-II) trial's control group were utilized.

Differences and contributors to global cognitive performance in the underrepresented Latinx Parkinson's disease population.

Despite significant progress in understanding the factors influencing cognitive function in Parkinson's disease (PD), there is a notable gap in data representation for the Latinx population. This study aims to evaluate the contributors to and disparities in cognitive performance among Latinx patients with PD. A retrospective analysis was conducted based on cross-sectional data encompassing demographic, environmental, motor, and non-motor disease characteristics from the Latin American Research Consortium on the Genetics of PD (LARGE-PD) and the Parkinson's Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) cohorts.

Should antinuclear antibodies (ANA) be used to screen for connective tissue disease in neurological patients?

Background: Patients with connective tissue diseases (CTD) can have a wide range of neurological manifestations. Neurological complaints may be the presenting symptom of CTD. Therefore, screening for CTD using anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) is a common practice.

Critical evaluation of the current landscape of pharmacogenomics in Parkinson's disease - What is missing? A systematic review.

Introduction: The first-line treatment for Parkinson's disease (PD) involves dopamine-replacement therapies; however, significant variability exists in patient responses. Pharmacogenomics has been explored as a potential approach to understanding and predicting treatment outcomes. This review aims to evaluate the current state of knowledge regarding the role of pharmacogenomics in PD, focusing on identifying challenges and proposing future directions.

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.

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.

Introducing Virtual Shared Medical Appointments as a Novel Treatment Platform for Functional Movement Disorders.

The landscape of medical care has rapidly evolved with technological advancements, particularly through the widespread adoption of virtual appointments catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic. This shift has transcended geographical barriers, enhancing access for underserved populations and those with disabilities to specialized healthcare providers. A notable development stemming from this trend is the emergence of virtual shared medical appointments (VSMAs), which integrate group-based education with telemedicine technology.

The yield of genetic workup for middle-aged and elderly patients with neurological disorders in a real-world setting.

Genetic workup is becoming increasingly common in the clinical assessment of neurological disorders. We evaluated its yield among middle-aged and elderly neurological patients, in a real-world context. This retrospective study included 368 consecutive Israeli patients aged 50 years and older (202 [54.

Are LRRK2 p.G2019S or GBA1 variants associated with long-term outcomes of deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease?

Background: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a well-established treatment option for individuals with advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). The potential influence of the LRRK2 p.G2019S or GBA1 variants on its lasting efficacy and adverse effects should be better characterized.

Adult-onset Alexander disease among patients of Jewish Syrian descent.

Alexander disease (AxD) is a rare autosomal dominant leukodystrophy caused by heterozygous mutations in the glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) gene. The age of symptoms onset ranges from infancy to adulthood, with variable clinical and radiological manifestations. Adult-onset AxD manifests as a chronic and progressive condition, characterized by bulbar, motor, cerebellar, and other clinical signs and symptoms.

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.

Long-term safety of medical cannabis in Parkinson's disease: A retrospective case-control study.

Background: Whole-plant medical cannabis (MC) products are widely used for controlling symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). Despite its widespread use, few studies have investigated the long-term impact of MC on the progression of PD or its safety profile. This study examined the effects of MC on PD in a real-life setting.

Licensed Medical Cannabis Use in Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome: A Retrospective Long-term Follow-Up.

Medical cannabis (MC) is widely used in clinical practice to treat Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS). However, legislation, multiple modes of administration, and inconsistent plant preparations have limited trials to assess its benefits and long-term safety. For the past decade, licensed MC has been authorized in Israel for use in resistant GTS.

Vitamin D Insufficiency is Associated with Higher Incidence of Dementia, a Large Community-Based Retrospective Cohort Study.

Introduction: Active metabolite of vitamin D has neuro-immunomodulatory and neuroprotective properties. However, there is still a debate about the potential association between low serum levels of hydroxy-vitamin D and increased risk for dementia.

Objectives: To determine an association between hypovitaminosis D and dementia for different 25-hydroxyvitamin-D (25(OH)D) serum level cutoffs.

TNF inhibitors have a protective role in the risk of dementia in patients with ankylosing spondylitis: Results from a nationwide study.

Objectives: Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a chronic progressive and debilitating form of arthritis with associated extra-articular features including uveitis, intestinal and lung apical inflammation and psoriasis. Putative associations between AS and neurologic disorders has been relatively overlooked. The purpose of this study is to assess the link between AS and major neurologic disorders and whether treatment with Tumor-Necrosis-Factor inhibitors (TNFi) has an impact on that association.

Medical Cannabis for Gilles de la Tourette Syndrome: An Open-Label Prospective Study.

Objectives: Assessing the effectiveness and tolerability of medical cannabis (MC) treatment on Gilles de la Tourette syndrome (GTS) patients.

Methods: We report on an open-label, prospective study on the effect of MC on adult GTS patients. MC mode of use was decided by the treating neurologist and the patient.

Atypical duration of epileptic and psychogenic nonepileptic events.

Objectives: We aimed to estimate the frequency of epileptic seizures (ES) and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) with atypical duration in our epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU), in order to raise awareness of atypical durations of both types of events.

Materials & Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive video-electroencephalogram (vEEG) recordings in our medical center's EMU from January 2013 to December 2017 and identified patients with seizures with atypical duration. Short PNES were defined as those lasting fewer than 2 min and long ES as those lasting for more than 5 min.

Validation of the Hebrew Version of the Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale.

Background: The Unified Dyskinesia Rating Scale (UDysRS) is a well-established tool for producing comprehensive assessments of severity and disability associated with dyskinesia in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The scale was originally developed in English, and a broad international effort has been undertaken to develop and validate versions in additional languages. Our aim was to validate the Hebrew version of the UDysRS.

Clinical correlates and electroencephalographic features of FIRDA in a tertiary center.

Objectives: We aimed to explore the diagnostic value, clinical correlates and electroencephalographic features of FIRDA (Frontal intermittent rhythmic delta activity).

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively reviewed reports from EEG studies done in adults at our tertiary center between January 2015 and May 2018. For cases demonstrating FIRDA, medical files were reviewed and each case was given a diagnostic category.

[EPIGENETIC MECHANISMS IN MODELS OF CHRONIC PAIN - A TARGET FOR NOVEL THERAPY?].

Evidence of epigenetics' role in pain response is accumulating in recent years. Tightly regulated epigenetic alterations on DNA and histones in the sensory circuit shape the physiological response to injury. Altering those epigenetic processes hinders therapeutic potential in pain.

[Emerging new therapies for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis].

For the last 20 years the classic treatment for relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis was based on injectable disease-modifying drugs, interferon-β and glatiramer acetate (copaxone). Currently, new disease-modifying drugs have been added to the clinician's arsenal with similar and even improved efficacy and safety profiles. Some of these drugs are given orally and are recommended as first line treatment.