Publications by authors named "Sara Locci"

Given the huge impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it appears of paramount importance to assess the cognitive effects on the population returning to work after COVID-19 resolution. Serum levels of neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) represent promising biomarkers of neuro-axonal damage and astrocytic activation. In this cohort study, we explored the association between sNfL and sGFAP concentrations and cognitive performance in a group of 147 adult workers with a previous asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection or mild COVID-19, one week and, in 49 of them, ten months after SARS-Cov2 negativization and compared them to a group of 82 age and BMI-matched healthy controls (HCs).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: mutations are responsible for Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC), a rare autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disease. Patients harbouring heterozygous mutations may rarely show parkinsonism or dementia. Here, we describe for the first time a large family with an apparently autosomal dominant late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) harbouring a novel heterozygous mutation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background And Purpose: Serum levels of neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) are promising neuro-axonal damage and astrocytic activation biomarkers. Susac syndrome (SS) is an increasingly recognized neurological condition and biomarkers that can help assess and monitor disease evolution are highly needed for the adequate management of these patients. sNfL and sGFAP levels were evaluated in patients with SS and their clinical relevance in the relapse and remission phase of the disease was assessed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Vitamin D may have multiple effects on the nervous system and its deficiency can represent a possible risk factor for the development of many neurological diseases. Recent studies are also trying to clarify the different effects of vitamin D supplementation over the course of progressive neurological diseases. In this narrative review, we summarise vitamin D chemistry, metabolism, mechanisms of action, and the recommended daily intake.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • The study investigates the impact of COVID-19 on the central nervous system, focusing on neuronal and glial cell markers in hospitalized patients without clinical neurological symptoms.
  • Findings show that levels of neurofilament light chain (sNfL) and glial fibrillar acidic protein (sGFAP) were significantly higher in COVID-19 patients compared to those with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis and healthy controls.
  • The study concludes that neuronal and glial degeneration can occur in COVID-19 patients, and that these markers may help predict in-hospital mortality and assess patient prognosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents the most common type of neurodegenerative dementia and is characterized by extracellular amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition, pathologic intracellular tau protein tangles, and neuronal loss. Increasing evidence has been accumulating over the past years, supporting a pivotal role of inflammation in the pathogenesis of AD. Microglia, monocytes, astrocytes, and neurons have been shown to play a major role in AD-associated inflammation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Primary familial brain calcification (PFBC) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder that presents cognitive and movement impairment. To diagnose PFBC, both brain calcium accumulations visible at computed tomography (CT) and autosomal dominant or recessive inherited genetic mutation(s) in one of the known genes have to be detected. We describe the case of a female patient aging 62, who presents marked calcifications at brain CT, not due to vitamin D deficiency.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Myotonic disorders are a group of diseases affecting the muscle, in different ways. Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is related to (CTG)n expansion in the 3-untranslated region of the dystrophia myotonica protein kinase (DMPK) gene and is the most frequent and disabling form, causing muscular, visibility, respiratory, and cardiac impairment. Non-dystrophic myotonias (NDMs) affect the skeletal muscle alone.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Gordon Holmes syndrome (GHS) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by cerebellar ataxia and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Among the genes associated with this syndrome, mutations in PNPLA6 have been detected and correlated with the phenotype of GHS. We report a case of a patient affected with GHS, confirmed by physical, neurological, laboratory and genetic analyses.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF