Publications by authors named "Valentina Alifirova"

Background: Motor recovery after stroke is based on neuronal plasticity and the structural reorganization of the brain. Questions are debated about the proper moment to start rehabilitation in the acute period of stroke, the significance of rehabilitation interventions during the so-called "plastic window", and the advantages of modern and traditional programs. The aims of this study were to evaluate the role of different rehabilitation strategies and their combinations for motor recovery and the impact on functional disability by way of neurological and functional outcomes 3 months after ischemic stroke.

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Introduction: The data of the survey of European (EU) neurologists on the methods of diagnosis and treatment of multiple sclerosis in Europe were compared with the data of the similar survey of neurologists of the Russian Federation (RF).

Method: Seventy-five neurologists specialized in MS from RF completed questionnaires on radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS), clinically isolated syndrome (CIS), relapsing-remitting (RRMS), secondary progressive (SPMS), and primary progressive (PPMS) multiple sclerosis.

Results: In the case of RIS, only 46% of neurologists from the RF recommended CSF analysis for oligoclonal IgG and only 54.

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Background: brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may play a role during neurorehabilitation following ischemic stroke. This study aimed to elucidate the possible role of BDNF during early recovery from ischemic stroke assisted by motor training.

Methods: fifty patients were included after acute recovery from ischemic stroke: 21 first received classical rehabilitation followed by 'motor rehabilitation using motion sensors and augmented reality' (AR-rehabilitation), 14 only received AR-rehabilitation, and 15 were only observed.

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This work is the first to demonstrate that class G immunoglobulins (IgGs) in patients with multiple sclerosis and healthy individuals have the ability to catalyze the dismutation reaction of the superoxide anion radical. Thus, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity is an intrinsic property of antibodies, which is confirmed by a number of stringent criteria. SOD activity of IgGs in patients with multiple sclerosis statistically significantly exceeds such activity in healthy individuals by 2-4 times.

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Article Synopsis
  • This study investigates the relationship between specific genetic variations (SNPs) in the COMT gene and the development of Levodopa-induced dyskinesia (LID) in Caucasian patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).
  • A total of 232 PD patients were analyzed, with 212 receiving Levodopa therapy, and their dyskinesia symptoms were evaluated using a standard movement scale.
  • Although some associations were found between certain SNPs and LID, the statistical significance diminished when considering the duration of the disease, suggesting that other factors may complicate the link between these genetic variations and the risk of developing LID.
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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a serious, incurable neurological disease. In 2009, the ANZgene studies detected the suggestive association of located upstream of CD40 gene in chromosome 20q13 (p = 1.3×10(-7)).

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