Pub Date : 2025-01-23DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2025.111574
Bogdan-Alexandru Hagiu
The hypothesis is proposed that fibrates, SGLT2 inhibitors and PDE5 inhibitors can have the same effect as metabolic medication (l-arginine and antioxidants) to amplify the action of physical exercises in inhibiting the formation of atheroma plaques. Moreover, the respective drugs could shorten the duration of a training session. The hypothesis can be tested on rats, but the association of some of the listed drugs with physical exercises presents some risks: clofibrate can cause muscular syndrome, dapagliflozin prevents the improvement of insulin sensitivity in obese patients, and sidenafil can affect renal function in patients with heart failure. The good part is that SGLT2 inhibitors increase the exercise capacity of patients with heart failure, dapagliflozin can prevent diabetic cardiomyopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and PDE5 inhibitors can be combined with physical exercises in patients with stable coronary artery disease, heart failure or pulmonary hypertension. All these conditions are associated with atherosclerosis, which is a reason for the implementation of these therapeutic methods.
{"title":"Some drugs can make the prevention of atherosclerosis through physical exercises more efficient","authors":"Bogdan-Alexandru Hagiu","doi":"10.1016/j.mehy.2025.111574","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mehy.2025.111574","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The hypothesis is proposed that fibrates, SGLT2 inhibitors and PDE5 inhibitors can have the same effect as metabolic medication (l-arginine and antioxidants) to amplify the action of physical exercises in inhibiting the formation of atheroma plaques. Moreover, the respective drugs could shorten the duration of a training session. The hypothesis can be tested on rats, but the association of some of the listed drugs with physical exercises presents some risks: clofibrate can cause muscular syndrome, dapagliflozin prevents the improvement of insulin sensitivity in obese patients, and sidenafil can affect renal function in patients with heart failure. The good part is that SGLT2 inhibitors increase the exercise capacity of patients with heart failure, dapagliflozin can prevent diabetic cardiomyopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and PDE5 inhibitors can be combined with physical exercises in patients with stable coronary artery disease, heart failure or pulmonary hypertension. All these conditions are associated with atherosclerosis, which is a reason for the implementation of these therapeutic methods.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18425,"journal":{"name":"Medical hypotheses","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 111574"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143157719","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-21DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2025.111576
Dinghao An , Xiaotong Li , Yun Xu
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and one of the hardest diseases to cure in the world. It is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to cognitive decline and brain damage. The amyloid hypothesis is one of the most convincing hypotheses regarding its underlying mechanism. Before the advent of monoclonal antibodies, intervention measures were very limited. Despite several clinical trial failures, the FDA eventually approved two drugs, Lecanemab and Donanemab. However, in recent years, after the launch of amyloid-targeting monoclonal antibodies, some patients have experienced adverse reactions related to amyloid-associated imaging abnormalities (ARIA), including both cerebral edema-type and cerebral hemorrhage-type ARIA, which significantly impact the overall prognosis of patients. Nimodipine, a calcium channel blocker Cav2.1 with a dihydropyridine ring structure that selectively targets cerebral blood vessels, has shown significant pharmacological benefits. It has also demonstrated neuroprotective effects by crossing the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Robust studies of its therapeutic role in cerebrovascular diseases suggest that its potential application in the treatment of ARIA-E (edema-type of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities) in AD patients may be groundbreaking. Future research needs to assess the efficacy and safety of combining nimodipine amyloid monoclonal antibodies in alleviating the symptoms and reducing the occurrence of ARIA-E in Alzheimer’s disease patients.
{"title":"The calcium channel blocker Cav2.1 combined with amyloid beta monoclonal antibodies may reduce the occurrence of ARIA-E","authors":"Dinghao An , Xiaotong Li , Yun Xu","doi":"10.1016/j.mehy.2025.111576","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mehy.2025.111576","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and one of the hardest diseases to cure in the world. It is a neurodegenerative disease that leads to cognitive decline and brain damage. The amyloid hypothesis is one of the most convincing hypotheses regarding its underlying mechanism. Before the advent of monoclonal antibodies, intervention measures were very limited. Despite several clinical trial failures, the FDA eventually approved two drugs, Lecanemab and Donanemab. However, in recent years, after the launch of amyloid-targeting monoclonal antibodies, some patients have experienced adverse reactions related to amyloid-associated imaging abnormalities (ARIA), including both cerebral edema-type and cerebral hemorrhage-type ARIA, which significantly impact the overall prognosis of patients. Nimodipine, a calcium channel blocker Cav2.1 with a dihydropyridine ring structure that selectively targets cerebral blood vessels, has shown significant pharmacological benefits. It has also demonstrated neuroprotective effects by crossing the blood–brain barrier (BBB). Robust studies of its therapeutic role in cerebrovascular diseases suggest that its potential application in the treatment of ARIA-E (edema-type of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities) in AD patients may be groundbreaking. Future research needs to assess the efficacy and safety of combining nimodipine amyloid monoclonal antibodies in alleviating the symptoms and reducing the occurrence of ARIA-E in Alzheimer’s disease patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18425,"journal":{"name":"Medical hypotheses","volume":"196 ","pages":"Article 111576"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143157717","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111544
Tanya Ramnauth, Tiffany M. Haddock, Steven M. Platek
Research on female ejaculation is scant. In recent years, scientists have assayed female ejaculate and discovered that, in addition to urine, an organ called the Skeen’s gland releases prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA in male ejaculate serves to fragment semenogelins and dissolve the seminal coagulum, enhancing sperm motility. The incidence of female orgasm is highly variable, with estimates ranging from 95% from self-stimulation to 50% during penile-vaginal intercourse. By contrast, the incidence rate of female ejaculation is even less well-understood and even more variable. Existing research suggests that female orgasm functions to enhance reproductive success by moving sperm in closer proximity to the egg as well as serves as a mate selection mechanism. We hypothesize that increased PSA paired with various substances from female ejaculation further enhances sperm motility and, therefore, conception. In addition to laying out the hypothesis for the possible adaptive function of female ejaculation, we propose several empirical questions derived from the hypothesis.
{"title":"Female ejaculation enhances reproductive success","authors":"Tanya Ramnauth, Tiffany M. Haddock, Steven M. Platek","doi":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111544","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111544","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Research on female ejaculation is scant. In recent years, scientists have assayed female ejaculate and discovered that, in addition to urine, an organ called the Skeen’s gland releases prostate-specific antigen (PSA). PSA in male ejaculate serves to fragment semenogelins and dissolve the seminal coagulum, enhancing sperm motility. The incidence of female orgasm is highly variable, with estimates ranging from 95% from self-stimulation to 50% during penile-vaginal intercourse. By contrast, the incidence rate of female ejaculation is even less well-understood and even more variable. Existing research suggests that female orgasm functions to enhance reproductive success by moving sperm in closer proximity to the egg as well as serves as a mate selection mechanism. We hypothesize that increased PSA paired with various substances from female ejaculation further enhances sperm motility and, therefore, conception. In addition to laying out the hypothesis for the possible adaptive function of female ejaculation, we propose several empirical questions derived from the hypothesis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18425,"journal":{"name":"Medical hypotheses","volume":"194 ","pages":"Article 111544"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143180229","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity featuring lateral curvature of one or more spine segments with vertebral rotation. It involves coronal, sagittal, and axial plane abnormalities, leading to the spine losing its natural curvature. It is commonly observed in adolescents aged 10 to 17. Despite extensive research, the pathogenesis of AIS remains complex. This paper proposes a novel hypothesis that unilateral hypoplasia of the multifidus muscle may contribute to the development of AIS. We review existing studies on multifidus muscle dysfunction in AIS and present results supporting our hypothesis. Further research is necessary to validate this hypothesis and explore its implications for the diagnosis and management of AIS.
{"title":"Unilateral multifidus hypoplasia as a potential cause of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: A hypothesis","authors":"Yong Tang, Lei Zhou, Jihong Jiang, Yangsheng Wang, Changwei Chen, Feng Zhu","doi":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111549","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111549","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity featuring lateral curvature of one or more spine segments with vertebral rotation. It involves coronal, sagittal, and axial plane abnormalities, leading to the spine losing its natural curvature. It is commonly observed in adolescents aged 10 to 17. Despite extensive research, the pathogenesis of AIS remains complex. This paper proposes a novel hypothesis that unilateral hypoplasia of the multifidus muscle may contribute to the development of AIS. We review existing studies on multifidus muscle dysfunction in AIS and present results supporting our hypothesis. Further research is necessary to validate this hypothesis and explore its implications for the diagnosis and management of AIS.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18425,"journal":{"name":"Medical hypotheses","volume":"194 ","pages":"Article 111549"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143180226","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111547
Egarit Noulsri , Surada Lerdwana
Patients with β-thalassemia experience various complications, including vascular damage, inflammation, and kidney dysfunction. Although antiplatelet and chelation therapies help reduce these complications, more targeted treatment is needed to enhance therapeutic efficacy and improve patient prognosis. Slit homolog 2 (Slit2) is a secreted extracellular matrix glycoprotein. Upon binding to their cognate roundabout (Robo) receptors expressed on platelets, leukocytes, and endothelial cells, Slit2-Robo complexes activate multiple downstream signaling pathways. Accumulating evidence suggests that Slit2-Robo signaling inhibits platelet adhesion and spreading. Slit2-Robo signaling decreases leukocyte migration and proinflammatory cytokine release and can be modulated by Slit2 analogs. Therefore, we hypothesized that the administration of Slit2 might help minimize vascular injury, inflammation, and kidney dysfunction-related complications in patients with β-thalassemia. Our proposed idea provides a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of β-thalassemia, and modulation of the Slit2-Robo signaling cascade could serve as an alternative therapy in the future, pending validation.
{"title":"Administration of Slit2 analogs to minimize vascular injuries, inflammation, and kidney involvement in β-thalassemia: A hypothesis","authors":"Egarit Noulsri , Surada Lerdwana","doi":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111547","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111547","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Patients with β-thalassemia experience various complications, including vascular damage, inflammation, and kidney dysfunction. Although antiplatelet and chelation therapies help reduce these complications, more targeted treatment is needed to enhance therapeutic efficacy and improve patient prognosis. Slit homolog 2 (Slit2) is a secreted extracellular matrix glycoprotein. Upon binding to their cognate roundabout (Robo) receptors expressed on platelets, leukocytes, and endothelial cells, Slit2-Robo complexes activate multiple downstream signaling pathways. Accumulating evidence suggests that Slit2-Robo signaling inhibits platelet adhesion and spreading. Slit2-Robo signaling decreases leukocyte migration and proinflammatory cytokine release and can be modulated by Slit2 analogs. Therefore, we hypothesized that the administration of Slit2 might help minimize vascular injury, inflammation, and kidney dysfunction-related complications in patients with β-thalassemia. Our proposed idea provides a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of β-thalassemia, and modulation of the Slit2-Robo signaling cascade could serve as an alternative therapy in the future, pending validation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18425,"journal":{"name":"Medical hypotheses","volume":"194 ","pages":"Article 111547"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143180224","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111543
José Artur Bogo Chies
{"title":"Far beyond experiments or myths – Medical Hypotheses is a provocative resource that helps students to think about science with criticism","authors":"José Artur Bogo Chies","doi":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111543","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111543","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18425,"journal":{"name":"Medical hypotheses","volume":"194 ","pages":"Article 111543"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143180228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111542
Kazuki Yatsuzuka, Jun Muto
{"title":"The role of BIO potency in treatment algorithms: A hypothetical proposal for optimizing biologic therapies in psoriasis with atopic predisposition","authors":"Kazuki Yatsuzuka, Jun Muto","doi":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111542","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111542","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":18425,"journal":{"name":"Medical hypotheses","volume":"194 ","pages":"Article 111542"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143180227","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111529
Luis Moncayo Molina , José Isidro Yamasqui Padilla , María Erlina Aguaiza Pichazaca , María Fernanda Peralta Cárdenas , Sandra Edith Cando Malla , Ana Lucía Guaman Alvarez , Carla Lossada , José Luis Paz , Ysaías J. Alvarado , Aleivi Pérez , Lenin González-Paz
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a serious pathogen in vulnerable individuals and a major cause of hospitalization and death. With limited access to effective biotherapeutics for RSV treatment, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been explored, including bacteriocins such as labyrinthopeptins (Labys) produced by Actinomadura namibiensis. Labys have demonstrated antiviral activity against RSV and are believed to interact with phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in the capsid to form pores in the viral membrane. However, a greater understanding of the interaction mechanism of these bacteriocins with phospholipids like PE is needed. Our hypothesis suggests that, due to the structural plasticity of Labys, these peptides can undergo changes in their intrinsic deformability and thus bind stably to PE, mediating subsequent disruption of the lipid envelope as a new therapeutic target. Findings from modeling, classical dynamics, and ENM suggest that some Labys, such as Laby A1, interact favorably and stably with PE, with computationally predictable experimental inhibitory kinetics, and can even interact with more complex membranes rich in PE. Additionally, Laby A1 can undergo allosteric conformational changes based on its interaction with PE, adopting a “toroidal” folded conformation. This conformation is associated with peptide-lipid interactions, where the embedding of the peptide into the membrane, due to its affinity for PE, may lead to the formation of toroidal pores. This could explain the mechanism of RSV inhibition. The results support the need for further research in the development of antivirals against RSV based on Labys-like bacteriocins.
呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）是易感人群的一种严重病原体，也是导致住院和死亡的主要原因。由于治疗 RSV 的有效生物疗法有限，人们对抗菌肽（AMPs）进行了探索，其中包括由纳米比亚放线菌（Actinomadura namibiensis）产生的迷宫肽（Labys）等细菌素。拉比肽对 RSV 具有抗病毒活性，被认为能与病毒壳中的磷脂酰乙醇胺（PE）相互作用，在病毒膜上形成孔隙。然而，我们需要进一步了解这些细菌素与 PE 等磷脂的相互作用机制。我们的假设表明，由于拉贝丝的结构可塑性，这些肽的内在变形能力会发生变化，从而与 PE 稳定结合，进而介导脂质包膜的破坏，成为新的治疗靶点。建模、经典动力学和 ENM 的研究结果表明，一些拉比肽（如拉比 A1）能与 PE 发生良好而稳定的相互作用，其实验抑制动力学可通过计算预测，甚至能与富含 PE 的更复杂的膜发生相互作用。此外，拉比 A1 还能在与 PE 相互作用的基础上发生异构构象变化，形成 "环状 "折叠构象。这种构象与肽-脂相互作用有关，由于肽与 PE 的亲和力，肽嵌入膜后可能会形成环形孔。这可以解释 RSV 的抑制机制。研究结果表明，有必要进一步研究开发基于拉贝类细菌素的 RSV 抗病毒药物。
{"title":"Hypothetical molecular mechanism of a novel class of bacteriocin-based antivirals for the inhibition of respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)","authors":"Luis Moncayo Molina , José Isidro Yamasqui Padilla , María Erlina Aguaiza Pichazaca , María Fernanda Peralta Cárdenas , Sandra Edith Cando Malla , Ana Lucía Guaman Alvarez , Carla Lossada , José Luis Paz , Ysaías J. Alvarado , Aleivi Pérez , Lenin González-Paz","doi":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111529","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111529","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is a serious pathogen in vulnerable individuals and a major cause of hospitalization and death. With limited access to effective biotherapeutics for RSV treatment, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have been explored, including bacteriocins such as labyrinthopeptins (Labys) produced by Actinomadura namibiensis. Labys have demonstrated antiviral activity against RSV and are believed to interact with phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in the capsid to form pores in the viral membrane. However, a greater understanding of the interaction mechanism of these bacteriocins with phospholipids like PE is needed. Our hypothesis suggests that, due to the structural plasticity of Labys, these peptides can undergo changes in their intrinsic deformability and thus bind stably to PE, mediating subsequent disruption of the lipid envelope as a new therapeutic target. Findings from modeling, classical dynamics, and ENM suggest that some Labys, such as Laby A1, interact favorably and stably with PE, with computationally predictable experimental inhibitory kinetics, and can even interact with more complex membranes rich in PE. Additionally, Laby A1 can undergo allosteric conformational changes based on its interaction with PE, adopting a “toroidal” folded conformation. This conformation is associated with peptide-lipid interactions, where the embedding of the peptide into the membrane, due to its affinity for PE, may lead to the formation of toroidal pores. This could explain the mechanism of RSV inhibition. The results support the need for further research in the development of antivirals against RSV based on Labys-like bacteriocins.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18425,"journal":{"name":"Medical hypotheses","volume":"194 ","pages":"Article 111529"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143180223","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2025-01-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111548
Qi Huang
Acquired epilepsy is a widespread neurological disorder marked by recurrent seizures that typically appear after an initial brain injury (IBI) and a subsequent latent period (LP). The processes underlying epileptogenesis remain debated. There are limitations in the traditional view that solely attributes epileptogenesis to the IBI, as the effects of this injury do not persist through the LP. Recent studies indicate that electrographic seizures (ESs), which occur without visible clinical symptoms, are common among individuals with epilepsy. This finding prompts a reassessment of the relationship between ESs and epileptogenesis. We propose that ESs act as a persistent form of electrical injury that operates throughout the LP, potentially contributing to the development of an epileptic network. Testing of the hypothesis will be conducted using longitudinal intracranial EEG monitoring in a primate model, with computational neuroscience techniques employed to decode EEG pattern and provide insights into this dynamic system.
{"title":"Electrographic seizures possibly contribute to the epileptogenesis of acquired epilepsy","authors":"Qi Huang","doi":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111548","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111548","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Acquired epilepsy is a widespread neurological disorder marked by recurrent seizures that typically appear after an initial brain injury (IBI) and a subsequent latent period (LP). The processes underlying epileptogenesis remain debated. There are limitations in the traditional view that solely attributes epileptogenesis to the IBI, as the effects of this injury do not persist through the LP. Recent studies indicate that electrographic seizures (ESs), which occur without visible clinical symptoms, are common among individuals with epilepsy. This finding prompts a reassessment of the relationship between ESs and epileptogenesis. We propose that ESs act as a persistent form of electrical injury that operates throughout the LP, potentially contributing to the development of an epileptic network. Testing of the hypothesis will be conducted using longitudinal intracranial EEG monitoring in a primate model, with computational neuroscience techniques employed to decode EEG pattern and provide insights into this dynamic system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18425,"journal":{"name":"Medical hypotheses","volume":"194 ","pages":"Article 111548"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143180225","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Pub Date : 2024-12-01DOI: 10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111541
Elise H. Mallon BS, Arnold Brown MD, FIDSA
Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by Naegleria fowleri is a rare, usually fatal disease. It is thought that PAM occurs most often in southern US states because of the warmer surface waters in these states. To better understand the epidemiology of this disease we converted the raw number of cases reported in each state from 1962 to 2022, to an estimate of cases per individual at potential risk. Our relative risk estimates paint a slightly different picture, suggesting that in addition to the temperature of surface waters other epidemiologic factors are also at play, and that there may be an association between waterfowl nesting areas and risk of disease acquisition. We hypothesize that waterfowl serve as reservoirs that maintain the environmental sources of human infection. If this can be shown, control measures can be implemented to reduce the risk of disease acquisition.
{"title":"Hypothesis: Waterfowl may be important intermediary reservoirs of Naegleria fowleri","authors":"Elise H. Mallon BS, Arnold Brown MD, FIDSA","doi":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111541","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.mehy.2024.111541","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) caused by <em>Naegleria fowleri</em> is a rare, usually fatal disease. It is thought that PAM occurs most often in southern US states because of the warmer surface waters in these states. To better understand the epidemiology of this disease we converted the raw number of cases reported in each state from 1962 to 2022, to an estimate of cases per individual at potential risk. Our relative risk estimates paint a slightly different picture, suggesting that in addition to the temperature of surface waters other epidemiologic factors are also at play, and that there may be an association between waterfowl nesting areas and risk of disease acquisition. We hypothesize that waterfowl serve as reservoirs that maintain the environmental sources of human infection. If this can be shown, control measures can be implemented to reduce the risk of disease acquisition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18425,"journal":{"name":"Medical hypotheses","volume":"194 ","pages":"Article 111541"},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-12-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142758842","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
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