Larger perivascular space volume fraction is associated with worse post-stroke sensorimotor outcomes: An ENIGMA analysis.

Background: Perivascular Spaces (PVS) are a marker of cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) that are visible on brain imaging. Larger PVS has been associated with poor quality of life and cognitive impairment post-stroke. However, the association between PVS and post-stroke sensorimotor outcomes has not been investigated.

Improving localization and measurements of M-waves using high-density surface electromyography.

Surface electromyography () is useful for studying muscle function and controlling prosthetics, but crosstalk from nearby muscles often limits its effectiveness. High-density surface EMG () improves spatial resolution, allowing for the isolation of in the densely packed forearm muscles. This study assessed for localizing and evaluated the impact of spatial filters on crosstalk reduction.

Patient-specific visual neglect severity estimation for stroke patients with neglect using EEG.

We aim to assess the severity of spatial neglect (SN) through detailing patients' field of view (FOV) using EEG. Spatial neglect, a prevalent neurological syndrome in stroke patients, typically results from unilateral brain injuries, leading to inattention to the contralesional space. Commonly used Neglect detection methods like the Behavioral Inattention Test-conventional lack the capability to assess the full extent and severity of neglect.

Regulatory considerations for developing remote measurement technologies for Alzheimer's disease research.

The Remote Assessment of Disease and Relapse – Alzheimer’s Disease (RADAR-AD) consortium evaluated remote measurement technologies (RMTs) for assessing functional status in AD. The consortium engaged with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to obtain feedback on identification of meaningful functional domains, selection of RMTs and clinical study design to assess the feasibility of using RMTs in AD clinical studies. We summarized the feedback and the lessons learned to guide future projects.

Brain amyloid load, subjective memory complaints, and cognitive trajectories in older individuals at risk for dementia.

Background And Purpose: This study evaluated associations of brain amyloid with 2-year objective and subjective cognitive measures in a trial-ready older general population at risk for dementia.

Methods: Forty-eight participants in the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability underwent C-Pittsburgh compound B (PiB) positron emission tomography (PET) scans and assessment of cognition (modified Neuropsychological Test Battery [NTB]) and subjective memory complaints (Prospective and Retrospective Memory Questionnaire).

Results: Mean age was 71.

Improved Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand scores after myoelectric arm orthosis use at home in chronic stroke: A retrospective study.

Background: Most stroke survivors have persistent upper limb impairments after completing standard clinical care. The resulting impairments can adversely affect their quality of life and ability to complete self-care tasks and remain employed, leading to increased healthcare and societal costs. A myoelectric arm orthosis can be used effectively to support the affected weak arm and increase an individual's use of that arm.

Combining neuroimaging and brain stimulation to test alternative causal pathways for nicotine addiction in schizophrenia.

The smoking rate is high in patients with schizophrenia. Brain stimulation targeting conventional brain circuits associated with nicotine addiction has also yielded mixed results. We aimed to identify alternative circuitries associated with nicotine addiction in both the general population and schizophrenia, and then test whether modulation of such circuitries may alter nicotine addiction behaviors in schizophrenia.

Effects of noninvasive neuromodulation targeting the spinal cord on early learning of force control by the digits.

Aims: Control of finger forces underlies our capacity for skilled hand movements acquired during development and reacquired after neurological injury. Learning force control by the digits, therefore, predicates our functional independence. Noninvasive neuromodulation targeting synapses that link corticospinal neurons onto the final common pathway via spike-timing-dependent mechanisms can alter distal limb motor output on a transient basis, yet these effects appear subject to individual differences.

The effect of natural products used as pesticides on the soil microbiota: OECD 216 nitrogen transformation test fails to identify effects that were detected via q-PCR microbial abundance measurement.

Background: Natural products present an environmentally attractive alternative to synthetic pesticides which have been implicated in the off-target effect. Currently, the assessment of pesticide toxicity on soil microorganisms relies on the OECD 216 N transformation assay (OECD stands for the Organisation Economic Co-operation and Development, which is a key international standard-setting organisation). We tested the hypotheses that (i) the OECD 216 assay fails to identify unacceptable effects of pesticides on soil microbiota compared to more advanced molecular and standardized tests, and (ii) the natural products tested (dihydrochalcone, isoflavone, aliphatic phenol, and spinosad) are less toxic to soil microbiota compared to a synthetic pesticide compound (3,5-dichloraniline).

Data-driven biomarkers outperform theory-based biomarkers in predicting stroke motor outcomes.

Chronic motor impairments are a leading cause of disability after stroke. Previous studies have predicted motor outcomes based on the degree of damage to predefined structures in the motor system, such as the corticospinal tract. However, such theory-based approaches may not take full advantage of the information contained in clinical imaging data.

Force oscillations underlying precision grip in humans with lesioned corticospinal tracts.

Stability of precision grip depends on the ability to regulate forces applied by the digits. Increased frequency composition and temporal irregularity of oscillations in the force signal are associated with enhanced force stability, which is thought to result from increased voluntary drive along the corticospinal tract (CST). There is limited knowledge of how these oscillations in force output are regulated in the context of dexterous hand movements like precision grip, which are often impaired by CST damage due to stroke.

Association of Brain Age, Lesion Volume, and Functional Outcome in Patients With Stroke.

Background And Objectives: Functional outcomes after stroke are strongly related to focal injury measures. However, the role of global brain health is less clear. In this study, we examined the impact of brain age, a measure of neurobiological aging derived from whole-brain structural neuroimaging, on poststroke outcomes, with a focus on sensorimotor performance.

Epidural stimulation of the cervical spinal cord for post-stroke upper-limb paresis.

Cerebral strokes can disrupt descending commands from motor cortical areas to the spinal cord, which can result in permanent motor deficits of the arm and hand. However, below the lesion, the spinal circuits that control movement remain intact and could be targeted by neurotechnologies to restore movement. Here we report results from two participants in a first-in-human study using electrical stimulation of cervical spinal circuits to facilitate arm and hand motor control in chronic post-stroke hemiparesis ( NCT04512690 ).

Design of a Nursing Home Infection Control Peer Coaching Program.

Objective: To pilot test and refine an infection control peer coaching program, Infection Control Amplification in Nursing Centers (ICAN), in partnership with providers.

Design: Intervention design and pilot test.

Setting And Participants: Infection preventionists (IPs) from 7 Connecticut nursing homes (NHs).

Implementation of a "Patient Blood Management" program in medium sized hospitals: Results of a survey among German hemotherapists.

Background And Aims: Germany uses more blood transfusions than the majority of other countries. The objective of this study was to detect the degree of Patient Blood Management (PBM) implementation within Germany and to identify obstacles to establishing PBM programs.

Methods: An electronical questionnaire containing 21 questions and 4 topics was sent in 2018 to the members of the German interdisciplinary hemotherapy (IAKH) society in Germany.

Revealing Unknown Benefits of Existing Medications to Aid the Discovery of New Treatments for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Objective: To systematically identify novel pharmacological strategies for preventing or treating post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by leveraging large-scale analysis of real-world observational data.

Methods: Using a self-controlled study design, the association between 1399 medications and the incidence of PTSD across four US insurance claims databases covering commercially insured, Medicare eligible, and Medicaid patients was examined. A validated algorithm for identifying PTSD in claims data was used, and medications were identified by their RxNorm ingredient.

Providers' Perspectives on High-Quality Dementia Care in Long-Term Care.

Objectives: To understand dementia care providers' perspectives on high-quality care for persons living with dementia (PLWD) in long-term care (LTC).

Design: A qualitative study using a directed content analysis approach.

Setting And Participants: Nine national LTC dementia care providers.

Baseline Predictors of Response to Repetitive Task Practice in Chronic Stroke.

Background: Repetitive task practice reduces mean upper extremity motor impairment in of patients with chronic stroke, but response is highly variable. A method to predict meaningful reduction in impairment in response to training based on biomarkers and other data collected prior to an intervention is needed to establish realistic rehabilitation goals and to effectively allocate resources.

Objectives: To identify prognostic factors and better understand the biological substrate for reductions in arm impairment in response to repetitive task practice among patients with chronic (≥6 months) post-stroke hemiparesis.