Necessity and feasibility of remote tele-programming of deep brain stimulation systems in Parkinson's disease.

Introduction: Outcomes after deep brain stimulation (DBS) therapy are dependent on good surgical placement in the target nucleus and optimized stimulation parameters through multiple programming sessions. This often requires frequent travel to a specialized DBS center, which presents a challenge for those with limited access. Recently, the FDA approved a remote tele-programming solution for DBS.

Neurocognitive Profiles in Patients With Persisting Cognitive Symptoms Associated With COVID-19.

Objective: A subset of individuals with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) appears to develop persisting cognitive and medical symptoms. Research in the acute stages of illness, generally utilizing cognitive screening measures or case reports, suggests presence of deficits in attention and executive function. This observational study investigated cognitive functioning among individuals with persistent cognitive complaints about 5.

The Cause of Alzheimer's Disease: The Theory of Multipathology Convergence to Chronic Neuronal Stress.

The field of Alzheimer's disease (AD) research critically lacks an all-inclusive etiology theory that would integrate existing hypotheses and explain the heterogeneity of disease trajectory and pathologies observed in each individual patient. Here, we propose a novel comprehensive theory that we named: the multipathology convergence to chronic neuronal stress. Our new theory reconsiders long-standing dogmas advanced by previous incomplete theories.

Real-world effectiveness of dimethyl fumarate versus fingolimod in a cohort of patients with multiple sclerosis using standardized, quantitative outcome metrics.

Background: Prior studies suggest comparable effectiveness of dimethyl fumarate (DMF) and fingolimod (FTY) in multiple sclerosis (MS) using relapse, Expanded Disability Status Score (EDSS), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion metrics.

Objective: Compare the real-world effectiveness of DMF versus FTY using quantitative, validated neuroperformance tests, MRI, and serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) outcomes while controlling for between-group differences.

Methods: Patients were eligible if on DMF or FTY when first enrolled in the MS Partners Advancing Technology and Health Solutions (MS PATHS) network and had ≥1-year follow-up in MS PATHS.

Artificial intelligence framework identifies candidate targets for drug repurposing in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified numerous susceptibility loci for Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, utilizing GWAS and multi-omics data to identify high-confidence AD risk genes (ARGs) and druggable targets that can guide development of new therapeutics for patients suffering from AD has heretofore not been successful.

Methods: To address this critical problem in the field, we have developed a network-based artificial intelligence framework that is capable of integrating multi-omics data along with human protein-protein interactome networks to accurately infer accurate drug targets impacted by GWAS-identified variants to identify new therapeutics.

Immunoglobulin G immune response to SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in people living with multiple sclerosis within Multiple Sclerosis Partners Advancing Technology and Health Solutions.

Background: The impact of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) on SARS-CoV-2 vaccination response is uncertain.

Methods: Post-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination blood samples across multiple DMTs were tested for SARS-CoV-2 immunoglobulin G (IgG) response.

Results: Three hundred twenty-two people with MS were included; 91.

Factors predicting fear of falling avoidance behavior in parkinsonisms.

Background: Fear of falling avoidance behavior (FFAB) is common in parkinsonisms and results in potentially mitigable downstream consequences.

Objective: Determine the characteristics of individuals with parkinsonisms most associated with FFAB.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted from medical records data of 142 patients with parkinsonisms.

The roles of executive functioning, simple attention, and medial temporal lobes in early learning, late learning, and delayed recall.

Fractionating performance of a verbal list-learning test can provide a nuanced interpretation of the relationship between brain networks and learning and memory abilities. Within older adult samples, including those with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, cortical volumes for attention and executive functioning networks correlate more strongly with neuropsychological performance measures of early learning trials relative to late learning and delayed recall. In contrast, medial temporal lobe (MTL) structures, such as the hippocampus, are more strongly correlated to performance on late learning and delayed recall measures relative to early learning.

Mind the gap: Inequalities in mental health care and lack of social support in Parkinson disease.

Inequalities in mental healthcare and lack of social support during the COVID-19 pandemic have lowered quality of life and increased overall burden of disease in people with Parkinson's (PWP). Although the pandemic has brought attention to these inequalities, they are long standing and will persist unless addressed. Lack of awareness of mental health issues is a major barrier and even when recognized disparities based on race, gender, and socioeconomic factors limit access to already scarce resources.

A narrative review of the biopsychosocial and health characteristics of Asian Indians in the United States: Clinical and research implications for neuropsychological functioning.

The prevailing scientific literature aggregates Asians living in America into one omnibus category and thus can problematically result in a subpar and at times inaccurate understanding of health, social and cultural factors necessary for competent and informed medical care. A literature search was conducted by cultural experts familiar with Asian Indian culture with a focus on immigrants from this community living in the US. Database using search engines was sought in the following domains: immigration patterns, prevalence for key medical and neurological conditions commonly associated with cognitive dysfunction, psychiatric/psychological needs in the community, some preliminary neuropsychological testing considerations while working with this community, and treatment considerations that could affect adherence and efficacy of outcomes.

Is diabetes associated with increased pathological burden in Alzheimer's disease?

Introduction: We examined the association between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and hypothesized that diabetes is associated with an increased pathological burden in clinically and pathologically diagnosed AD.

Methods: All data were obtained from the Uniform Data Set (UDS) v3, the Neuropathology Data Set, and the Researcher's Data Dictionary-Genetic Data from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center. The dataset (37 cases with diabetes and 1158 cases without) relies on autopsy-confirmed data in clinically diagnosed AD patients who were assessed for diabetes type in form A5 or D2 during at least one visit.

Videoconferencing Software Options for Telemedicine: A Review for Movement Disorder Neurologists.

The use of telemedicine has increased to address the ongoing healthcare needs of patients with movement disorders. We aimed to describe the technical and basic security features of the most popular telemedicine videoconferencing software. We conducted a systematic review of articles/websites about "Telemedicine," "Cybersecurity," and "Videoconferencing software.

North American survey on impact of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown on DBS care.

Background: The initial COVID-19 pandemic shutdown led to the canceling of elective surgeries throughout most of the USA and Canada.

Objective: This survey was carried out on behalf of the Parkinson Study Group (PSG) to understand the impact of the shutdown on deep brain stimulation (DBS) practices in North America.

Methods: A survey was distributed through RedCap® to the members of the PSG Functional Neurosurgical Working Group.

Brain Injury and Mental Health Among the Victims of Intimate Partner Violence: A Case-Series Exploratory Study.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) survivors frequently report face, head, and neck as their injury site. Many mild traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are undiagnosed or underreported among IPV survivors while these injuries may be linked to changes in brain function or pathology. TBI sustained due to IPV often occurs over time and ranges in severity.

Multiple Sclerosis Progression Discussion Tool Usability and Usefulness in Clinical Practice: Cross-sectional, Web-Based Survey.

Background: A digital tool, Multiple Sclerosis Progression Discussion Tool (MSProDiscuss), was developed to facilitate discussions between health care professionals (HCPs) and patients in evaluating early, subtle signs of multiple sclerosis (MS) disease progression.

Objective: The aim of this study is to report the findings on the usability and usefulness of MSProDiscuss in a real-world clinical setting.

Methods: In this cross-sectional, web-based survey, HCPs across 34 countries completed an initial individual questionnaire (comprising 7 questions on comprehensibility, usability, and usefulness after using MSProDiscuss during each patient consultation) and a final questionnaire (comprising 13 questions on comprehensibility, usability, usefulness, and integration and adoption into clinical practice to capture the HCPs' overall experience of using the tool).

Dementia with Lewy bodies research consortia: A global perspective from the ISTAART Lewy Body Dementias Professional Interest Area working group.

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) research has seen a significant growth in international collaboration over the last three decades. However, researchers face a challenge in identifying large and diverse samples capable of powering longitudinal studies and clinical trials. The DLB research community has begun to focus efforts on supporting the development and harmonization of consortia, while also continuing to forge networks within which data and findings can be shared.

Philips IntelliSpace Cognition digital test battery: Equivalence and measurement invariance compared to traditional analog test versions.

To collect evidence of validity for a selection of digital tests on the Philips IntelliSpace Cognition (ISC) platform. A total of 200 healthy participants (age 50-80) completed both the ISC battery and an analog version of the battery during separate visits. The battery included the following screeners and cognitive tests: Mini-Mental State Examination (2 edition), Clock Drawing Test, Trail-Making Test (TMT), Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCFT), Letter Fluency, Star Cancellation Test, and Digit Span Test.

Neuroscience20 (BRAIN20, SPINE20, and MENTAL20) Health Initiative: A Global Consortium Addressing the Human and Economic Burden of Brain, Spine, and Mental Disorders Through Neurotech Innovations and Policies.

Neurological disorders significantly impact the world's economy due to their often chronic and life-threatening nature afflicting individuals which, in turn, creates a global disease burden. The Group of Twenty (G20) member nations, which represent the largest economies globally, should come together to formulate a plan on how to overcome this burden. The Neuroscience-20 (N20) initiative of the Society for Brain Mapping and Therapeutics (SBMT) is at the vanguard of this global collaboration to comprehensively raise awareness about brain, spine, and mental disorders worldwide.

Consensus Curriculum for Fellowship Training in Multiple Sclerosis and Neuroimmunology.

Management of multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunologic disorders has become increasingly complex because of the expanding number of recognized neuroimmune disorders, increased number of therapeutic options, and multidisciplinary care management needs of people with multiple sclerosis and neuroimmunologic disorders. More subspecialists are needed to optimize care of these patients, and many fellowship programs have been created or expanded to increase the subspecialty workforce. Consequently, defining the scope and standardizing fellowship training is essential to ensure that trainees receive high-quality training.