The Barcelona-Asymptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis (AsIA) study: Subclinical cervico-cerebral stenosis and middle cerebral artery pulsatility index as predictors of long-term incident cognitive impairment.

Background And Aims: We aimed to study subclinical non-invasive vascular markers as predictors of incident long-term cognitive impairment in a longitudinal population-based study.

Methods: The Barcelona-Asymptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis (AsIA) study is a population-based study that included a random sample of 933 Caucasian subjects (mean age 66 years, 64% male) with a moderate-high vascular risk and without history of stroke or dementia. Subclinical carotid and intracranial stenosis was assessed at baseline visit by cervical and transcranial color-coded duplex (TCCD) and confirmed by magnetic resonance angiography.

Features of speech and swallowing dysfunction in pre-ataxic spinocerebellar ataxia type 2.

Objective: To determine whether objective and quantitative assessment of dysarthria and dysphagia in spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), specifically at pre-ataxic and early disease phases, can act as sensitive disease markers.

Methods: Forty-six individuals (16 with pre-ataxic SCA2, 14 with early-stage ataxic SCA2, and 16 healthy controls) were recruited in Holguin, Cuba. All participants underwent a comprehensive battery of assessments including objective acoustic analysis, clinician-derived ratings of speech function and swallowing, and quality of life assessments of swallowing.

Third Ventricle Width Assessed by Transcranial Sonography as Predictor of Long-Term Cognitive Impairment.

Background: Non-invasive biomarkers of cognitive impairment are needed. We aim to evaluate transcranial sonographic markers as predictors of cognitive impairment in a prospective cohort.

Objective: To study the changes in the third ventricle diameter and the SN echogenicity between the baseline and the control visit, as well as its association with cognitive performance and the diagnosis of cognitive impairment in a prospective cohort.

The Barcelona-Asymptomatic Intracranial Atherosclerosis study: Subclinical intracranial atherosclerosis as predictor of long-term vascular events.

Background And Aims: Symptomatic intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) is associated with a high risk of stroke recurrence and occurrence of other vascular events. However, ICAS has been poorly studied from its asymptomatic stage. The objective of our study was to determine if subclinical intracranial atherosclerosis is associated with long-term incident vascular events in Caucasians.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy associated to natalizumab extended dosing regimen.

A risk for developing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a major barrier to natalizumab use. Extended dosing intervals have been proposed as a way to maintain therapeutic efficacy and reduce progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy incidence. This is the first reported case of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient using an extended dosing regimen (300 mg/6 weeks).