Eye-brain axis in microgravity and its implications for Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome.

Long-duration human spaceflight can lead to changes in both the eye and the brain, which have been referred to as Spaceflight Associated Neuro-ocular Syndrome (SANS). These changes may manifest as a constellation of symptoms, which can include optic disc edema, optic nerve sheath distension, choroidal folds, globe flattening, hyperopic shift, and cotton wool spots. Although the underpinning mechanisms for SANS are not yet known, contributors may include intracranial interstitial fluid accumulation following microgravity induced headward fluid shift.

Frequency and Phenotype of Repeat Expansions in Bilateral Vestibulopathy.

Background And Objectives: Bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) is a chronic debilitating neurologic disorder with no monogenic cause established so far despite familiar presentations. We hypothesized that replication factor complex subunit 1 (RFC1) repeat expansions might present a recurrent monogenic cause of BVP.

Methods: The study involved RFC1 screening and in-depth neurologic, vestibulo-oculomotor, and disease evolution phenotyping of 168 consecutive patients with idiopathic at least "probable BVP" from a tertiary referral center for balance disorders, with127 of them meeting current diagnostic criteria of BVP (Bárány Society Classification).

Vestibular mapping of the naturalistic head-centered motion spectrum.

Background: Naturalistic head accelerations can be used to elicit vestibular evoked potentials (VestEPs). These potentials allow for analysis of cortical vestibular processing and its multi-sensory integration with a high temporal resolution.

Methods: We report the results of two experiments in which we compared the differential VestEPs elicited by randomized translations, rotations, and tilts in healthy subjects on a motion platform.

The Semont-Plus Maneuver or the Epley Maneuver in Posterior Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Randomized Clinical Study.

Importance: Questions remain concerning treatment efficacy for the common condition of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of the Semont-plus maneuver (SM-plus) and the Epley maneuver (EM) for treatment of posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (pcBPPV) canalolithiasis.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This prospective randomized clinical trial was performed at 3 national referral centers (in Munich, Germany; Siena, Italy; and Bruges, Belgium) over 2 years, with a follow-up to 4 weeks after the initial examination.

Lateropulsion in Right-Sided Stroke: Brain Anatomical Correlates of Severity and Duration.

Background And Purpose: Lateropulsion (LP) is a profound disorder of postural control that has a significant impact on neurorehabilitation. Knowledge of relevant brain areas could guide decisions on appropriate intervention methods. Although LP severity and duration are highly variable in individuals with LP, imaging studies on LP have not sufficiently considered these aspects.

Contralaterally EMG-triggered functional electrical stimulation during serious gaming for upper limb stroke rehabilitation: a feasibility study.

Introduction: Virtual Reality/serious games (SG) and functional electrical stimulation (FES) therapies are used in upper limb stroke rehabilitation. A combination of both approaches seems to be beneficial for therapy success. The feasibility of a combination of SG and contralaterally EMG-triggered FES (SG+FES) was investigated as well as the characteristics of responders to such a therapy.

N-acetyl-L-leucine for Niemann-Pick type C: a multinational double-blind randomized placebo-controlled crossover study.

Background: Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) is a rare autosomal recessive neurodegenerative lysosomal disease characterized by multiple symptoms such as progressive cerebellar ataxia and cognitive decline. The modified amino acid N-acetyl-leucine has been associated with positive symptomatic and neuroprotective, disease-modifying effects in various studies, including animal models of NPC, observational clinical case studies, and a multinational, rater-blinded phase IIb clinical trial. Here, we describe the development of a study protocol (Sponsor Code "IB1001-301") for the chronic treatment of symptoms in adult and pediatric patients with NPC.

Persistent symptoms and risk factors predicting prolonged time to symptom-free after SARS‑CoV‑2 infection: an analysis of the baseline examination of the German COVIDOM/NAPKON-POP cohort.

Purpose: We aimed to assess symptoms in patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection and to identify factors predicting prolonged time to symptom-free.

Methods: COVIDOM/NAPKON-POP is a population-based prospective cohort of adults whose first on-site visits were scheduled ≥ 6 months after a positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR test. Retrospective data including self-reported symptoms and time to symptom-free were collected during the survey before a site visit.

Specific and individualized instructions improve the efficacy of booklet-based vestibular rehabilitation at home - a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Background: Vestibular rehabilitation therapy (VRT) is effective for most patients with dizziness and imbalance. Home exercise programs are widely used. It is unknown, however, how specific the instructions for exercises have to be.

Association of Mortality and Risk of Epilepsy With Type of Acute Symptomatic Seizure After Ischemic Stroke and an Updated Prognostic Model.

Importance: Acute symptomatic seizures occurring within 7 days after ischemic stroke may be associated with an increased mortality and risk of epilepsy. It is unknown whether the type of acute symptomatic seizure influences this risk.

Objective: To compare mortality and risk of epilepsy following different types of acute symptomatic seizures.

Efficacy and Safety of Intranasal Betahistine in the Treatment of Surgery-Induced Acute Vestibular Syndrome: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Phase 2 Study.

Objective: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of AM-125 nasal spray (intranasal betahistine) in the treatment of surgery-induced acute vestibular syndrome (AVS).

Study Design: Prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled exploratory phase 2 study with dose escalation (part A) followed by parallel dose testing (part B); open-label oral treatment for reference.

Setting: Twelve European study sites (tertiary referral centers).

Network Architecture of Verticality Processing in the Human Thalamus.

Objective: Thalamic dysfunction in lesions or neurodegeneration may alter verticality perception and lead to postural imbalance and falls. The aim of the current study was to delineate the structural and functional connectivity network architecture of the vestibular representations in the thalamus by multimodal magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods: Seventy-four patients with acute unilateral isolated thalamic infarcts were studied prospectively with emphasis on the perception of verticality (tilts of the subjective visual vertical [SVV]).

Exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medication is associated with impaired functioning in older people with vertigo, dizziness and balance disorders-Results from the longitudinal multicenter study MobilE-TRA.

Anticholinergic and sedative medication is prescribed for various conditions in older patients. While the general association between anticholinergic and sedative medication and impaired functioning is well established, its specific role in older individuals with vertigo, dizziness, and balance disorders (VDB) is still incompletely understood. The objective of this study was to investigate, whether an exposure to anticholinergic and sedative medication is associated with lower generic and lower vertigo-specific functioning in older patients with VDB.

Depletion and activation of microglia impact metabolic connectivity of the mouse brain.

Aim: We aimed to investigate the impact of microglial activity and microglial FDG uptake on metabolic connectivity, since microglial activation states determine FDG-PET alterations. Metabolic connectivity refers to a concept of interacting metabolic brain regions and receives growing interest in approaching complex cerebral metabolic networks in neurodegenerative diseases. However, underlying sources of metabolic connectivity remain to be elucidated.

Common neural correlates of vestibular stimulation and fear learning: an fMRI meta-analysis.

Background: A bidirectional functional link between vestibular and fear-related disorders has been previously suggested.

Objective: To test a potential overlap of vestibular and fear systems with regard to their brain imaging representation maps.

Methods: By use of voxel-based mapping permutation of subject images, we conducted a meta-analysis of earlier functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) studies applying vestibular stimulation and fear conditioning in healthy volunteers.

Accuracy and repeatability of the Microsoft Azure Kinect for clinical measurement of motor function.

Quantitative assessment of motor function is increasingly applied in fall risk stratification, diagnosis, and disease monitoring of neuro-geriatric disorders of balance and gait. Its broad application, however, demands for low-cost and easy to use solutions that facilitate high-quality assessment outside laboratory settings. In this study, we validated in 30 healthy adults (12 female, age: 32.

Impact of episodic and chronic vestibular disorders on health-related quality of life and functioning-results from the DizzyReg patient registry.

Purpose: Vertigo and dizziness belong to the most frequent syndromes in the primary, secondary and tertiary setting and can be divided into vertigo with episodic or chronic persistent complaints. Episodic vertigo (EVS) is characterized by recurrent attacks of vertigo or dizziness with intermittent symptom-free periods, while chronic vertigo (CVS) presents with persistent vertigo. It is still not completely understood how EVS or CVS affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functioning.

Endovascular thrombectomy for basilar artery occlusion stroke: Analysis of the German Stroke Registry-Endovascular Treatment.

Background And Purpose: Acute ischemic stroke due to basilar artery occlusion (BAO) causes the most severe strokes and has a poor prognosis. Data regarding efficacy of endovascular thrombectomy in BAO are sparse. Therefore, in this study, we performed an analysis of the therapy of patients with BAO in routine clinical practice.