Distinct limbic connectivity in left and right benign mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: Evidence from a resting state functional MRI study.

Background: Functional connectivity (FC) studies showed that pharmaco-resistant mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) affects not only the limbic system, but also several extra-limbic regions, including areas belonging to resting state networks. Less is known about FC in subjects with benign MTLE (i.e.

Negative DAT-SPECT in Old Onset Parkinson's Disease: An Additional Pitfall?

Background: Scans without evidence of dopaminergic deficit (SWEDDs) refer to patients clinically diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (PD), but showing normal findings on dopamine transporter single-photon emission computed tomography (DAT-SPECT). This entity remains highly debated, but recent findings suggesting that DAT-SPECT does not reflect either nigral cell bodies or striatal fibers of dopaminergic nigrostriatal neurons could improve our understanding of SWEDDs. Notably, compensatory downregulation of DAT in the early stages of PD seems to be less efficient in older-onset than in young-onset patients.

Post-Stroke Detection of Subclinical Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation in Patients With Embolic Stroke of Undetermined Source in the Real World Practice: The Empoli ESUS Atrial Fibrillation (E 2 AF) Study.

Background: Subclinical paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the main occult causative mechanisms of embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS). Aim of this study was to identify AF predictors, and to develop a score to predict the probability of AF detection in ESUS.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed ESUS patients undergoing 2-week external electrocardiographic monitoring.

Fluid Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Disease and Other Neurodegenerative Disorders: Toward Integrative Diagnostic Frameworks and Tailored Treatments.

The diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) represents an increasing social burden, with the unsolved issue of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs). The failure of clinical trials treating Alzheimer's Disease (AD) so far highlighted the need for a different approach in drug design and patient selection. Identifying subjects in the prodromal or early symptomatic phase is critical to slow down neurodegeneration, but the implementation of screening programs with this aim will have an ethical and social aftermath.

Dopamine Transporter Imaging, Current Status of a Potential Biomarker: A Comprehensive Review.

A major goal of current clinical research in Parkinson's disease (PD) is the validation and standardization of biomarkers enabling early diagnosis, predicting outcomes, understanding PD pathophysiology, and demonstrating target engagement in clinical trials. Molecular imaging with specific dopamine-related tracers offers a practical indirect imaging biomarker of PD, serving as a powerful tool to assess the status of presynaptic nigrostriatal terminals. In this review we provide an update on the dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging in PD and translate recent findings to potentially valuable clinical practice applications.

Statins in Parkinson's Disease: Influence on Motor Progression.

Background: It has been speculated that stains are neuroprotective and are associated with a reduced risk of Parkinson's disease (PD), but only a few studies have investigated the influence of statins on the progression of PD.

Objective: To evaluate whether long-term statin use may affect motor progression in a large cohort of de novo patients with PD.

Methods: We conducted a 4-year retrospective observational cohort study to assess patients with PD.

Does the Degree of Trunk Bending Predict Patient Disability, Motor Impairment, Falls, and Back Pain in Parkinson's Disease?

Postural abnormalities in Parkinson's disease (PD) form a spectrum of functional trunk misalignment, ranging from a "typical" parkinsonian stooped posture to progressively greater degrees of spine deviation. To analyze the association between degree of postural abnormalities and disability and to determine cut-off values of trunk bending associated with limitations in activities of daily living (ADLs), motor impairment, falls, and back pain. The study population was 283 PD patients with ≥5° of forward trunk bending (FTB), lateral trunk bending (LTB) or forward neck bending (FNB).

Dopamine Transporter, Age, and Motor Complications in Parkinson's Disease: A Clinical and Single-Photon Emission Computed Tomography Study.

Background: Previous molecular imaging studies comparing dopamine function in vivo between early-onset PD and late-onset PD patients have shown contradictory results, presumably attributable to the aging-related decline in nigrostriatal function.

Objectives: (1) To investigate baseline dopamine transporter availability in early-onset PD (<55 years) and late-onset PD (>70 years) patients, z-scores values of putamen and caudate [ I]-ioflupane uptake were calculated using the respective age-matched controls in order to correct for early presynaptic compensatory mechanisms and age-related dopamine neuron loss; (2) to examine the associations of such baseline single-photon emission computed tomography measures with the emergence of late-disease motor complications.

Methods: In this retrospective study, 105 de novo PD patients who underwent [ I]-ioflupane single-photon emission computed tomography at time of diagnosis were divided into three tertile groups according to age at disease onset (35 early-onset PD and 40 late-onset PD patients).

Validity of the wall goniometer as a screening tool to detect postural abnormalities in Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Software-based measurements of postural abnormalities in Parkinson's disease (PD) are the gold standard but may be time-consuming and not always feasible in clinical practice. Wall goniometer (WG) is an easier, quicker, and inexpensive instrument for screening patients with postural abnormalities, but no studies have investigated its validity so far. The aim of this study was to investigate the validity of the WG to measure postural abnormalities.

Postural Abnormalities in Parkinson's Disease: An Epidemiological and Clinical Multicenter Study.

Introduction: The overall frequency of postural abnormalities (PA) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is unknown. We evaluated the overall prevalence of PA and assessed the association with demographic and clinical variables.

Methods: For this multicenter, cross-sectional study, consecutive PD outpatients attending 7 tertiary Italian centers were enrolled.