NeuroSci最新文献

This perspective paper proposes a theoretical framework for investigating potential associations between Long COVID and rising autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prevalence through established epidemiological methodologies. I propose examining temporal correlations, biological mechanisms, and rigorous methodological approaches, including Mendelian randomization, animal models, and evidence-based analyses, that could distinguish association from causation. The proposed framework recognizes autism as neurodiversity while suggesting investigation of environmental factors that may influence expression of genetic predispositions. Hypothesized key mechanisms include neuroinflammation, cytokine alterations, and immune dysfunction. I emphasize the critical distinction between demonstrating statistical associations and establishing causal influence, proposing specific experimental designs that could test causality. This paper presents conceptual frameworks requiring future empirical validation and does not include original data analysis.

The menstrual cycle affects the autonomic nervous system (ANS), cognition, and emotional valence in all biological women. There exists a complex relationship between hormonal fluctuations, ANS, cognition, and emotional valence during the different phases of the menstrual cycle, which includes menstruation, the follicular phase, ovulation, and the luteal phase. Hence, this narrative review is an attempt to comprehensively understand the effects of the menstrual cycle on the structural and functional integrity of the ANS. In order to provide a comprehensive understanding of the complex relationship between the menstrual cycle, hormonal fluctuations, and ANS function in biological women, this review examines key parameters, including heart rate variability (HRV), baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA), and pupillary light reflex (PLR), to investigate how these physiological systems are dynamically influenced by the cyclical changes in hormone levels and how these fluctuations impact various physiological and psychological outcomes, such as mood, cognition, and emotional regulation. There have been several studies previously performed to assess these parameters during different phases of the menstrual cycle. However, the results have been contradictory; therefore, this review explores possible reasons behind these inconsistent results, with likely reasons including irregularity in the menstrual cycles and differences in hormonal fluctuations between different women during similar phases of the menstrual cycle. Overall, there appears to be evidence to suggest that the menstrual cycle has both direct and indirect effects on ANS, cognition, and emotional valence, whilst measures of ANS may provide a means for assessing the effect of the menstrual cycle.

Seizure clusters can be observed in patients with epilepsy as well as in individuals without a previous history of epilepsy. However, there are no data on whether seizure clusters differ between these two populations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical presentation, diagnostic findings, presence of seizure triggers, outcomes and complications of seizure clusters in patients with epilepsy and individuals without epilepsy in their medical history. The results indicate that epilepsy history was not independently associated with the number of seizures during cluster; however, increasing age was significantly associated with a lower seizure burden, and pneumonia demonstrated a marginal positive association. Structural brain lesions were prevalent in both groups; particularly chronic post-stroke lesions and frontal lobe lesions were significantly more common among epilepsy patients. Over half of patients without prior epilepsy received a new epilepsy diagnosis following the cluster event. No severe complications, including status epilepticus or postictal psychosis, were observed. Our findings suggest that age, acute comorbidities, and structural brain pathology likely exert greater influence on frequency of seizures during cluster. Chronic post-stroke lesions, which have not yet been reported as a risk factor for seizure clusters, were the most frequent brain pathology in both groups and may thus be considered as an additional risk factor for this clinical entity. Prospective and larger-scale studies are needed to further clarify these associations.

Background: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) has the highest case fatality of all stroke types, yet recent epidemiological and outcome data from Central and Eastern Europe remain limited.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed prospectively collected data for 601 consecutive adults with primary ICH admitted to Sibiu County Clinical Emergency Hospital, Romania (2017-2023). Demographics, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), CT-derived hematoma volume (ABC/2), anatomical site, intraventricular extension (IVH), treatment, comorbidities, and in-hospital death were reported with exact counts and percentages; no imputation was performed.

Results: Mean age was 68.4 ± 12.9 years, and 59.7% were male. Mean hematoma volume was 30.4 mL, and 23.0% exceeded 30 mL. IVH occurred in 40.1% and doubled mortality (50.6% vs. 16.7%). Overall case fatality was 29.6% and climbed to 74.5% for brain-stem bleeds. Men, although younger than women (66.0 vs. 71.9 years), died more often (35.4% vs. 21.1%; risk ratio 1.67, 95% CI 1.26-2.21). Systemic hazards amplified death risk: Oral anticoagulation, 44.2%; chronic alcohol misuse, 51.4%; thrombocytopenia, 41.0%; chronic kidney disease, 42.3%. Conservative management (74.9%) yielded 27.8% mortality overall and ≤15 for small-to-mid lobar or capsulo-lenticular bleeds; lobar surgery matched this (13.4%) only in large clots. Thalamic evacuation was futile (82.3% mortality), and cerebellar decompression performed late still carried 54.5% mortality versus 16.6% medically. Multivariable analysis confirmed that low GCS, IVH, large hematoma volume, thrombocytopenia, and chronic alcohol use independently predicted in-hospital mortality.

Limitations: This retrospective study lacked post-discharge functional outcome data (e.g., mRS at 90 days).

Conclusions: This study presents the largest Romanian single-center ICH cohort, establishing national benchmarks and underscoring modifiable risk factors. Early ICH lethality aligns with Western data but is amplified by exposures such as alcohol misuse, anticoagulation, thrombocytopenia, and CKD. Priorities include preventive strategies, timely surgical access, wider adoption of minimally invasive techniques, and development of a prospective regional registry.

(1) Background: Choroid plexus papillomas (CPPs) are rare brain tumors that tend to occur in very young children. Mechanisms of CPP development remain unelucidated. Separately, the process of angiogenesis has been implicated in other primary brain tumors. We hypothesize that angiogenesis is a hallmark of CPP biology. This study aims to identify and validate angiogenic factors in CPPs. (2) Methods: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and CPP tumor samples are collected. A multiplex immunoassay panel is used to identify differentially expressed cytokines in the CSF samples. Concurrently, patient-derived primary cell cultures and their supernatants are derived from CPP samples. Targeted proteome blot arrays and human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) angiogenesis assays are used for validation studies. (3) Results: CSF profiling showed higher expressions of VEGF-A, MCP-1, MMP-1, TNF-α, and CD40L in CPP patient samples versus non-tumor controls. Next, assessment via online protein-protein network platforms reports that these cytokines are associated with endothelial cell regulation. Using an angiogenesis-focused approach, CPP-derived cell lines and supernatants showed similarly higher expressions of VEGF, MCP-1, and MMP-1. Next, sprouting of nodes and tubule formation were observed in HUVEC angiogenesis assay cultures when conditioned CPP cell culture media was added. (4) Conclusions: This proof-of-concept study demonstrates potential to explore angiogenesis in CPP.

S100β is a significant signaling molecule and biomarker that is primarily expressed in the brain. At low physiological concentrations, S100β induces astrocyte maturation, microglial migration, and neural proliferation. However, high concentrations activate inflammatory and pro-apoptotic pathways. Due to this dual role, increased research is being invested into the role of S100β in neuronal homeostasis and inflammation. In fact, increased S100β expression is seen in many neuropathologies including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, cerebral ischemia, and traumatic brain injury. High S100β is generally associated with worsened disease outcome. Here, we provide an overview of the structure and role of S100β in various pathways, particularly in the context of neurological disorders. Modulation of S100β levels also holds promise as a therapeutic strategy. Micro-RNAs (miRNA) post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression and provide a novel approach reduce excess S100β protein. However, much of this research is still in its infancy. We outline current studies identifying miRNA in human and animal models of various neurological disorders. S100β itself has several predicted miRNA interactions although most have not yet been directly validated. Together, we compile the literature identifying S100β and miRNAs to guide future research in this field. We also comment on the feasibility and future uses of miRNA for pharmaceutical regulation of S100β, particularly for neurological treatments.

Background: Neuropathic pain (NP), resulting from damage to the somatosensory nervous system, affects 7-10% of the global population and remains poorly managed despite available therapies. Smoking has been associated with increased pain severity and disease burden, yet its role in neuropathy/NP has not been systematically reviewed. This systematic review synthesizes the existing literature on smoking status and its relationship with neuropathy/NP incidence, prevalence, and severity. Methods: The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines and included studies that assessed smoking consumption, dependency, quantity, and cessation in individuals with neuropathy/NP. Summary estimates were stratified by exposure type, and pooled odds ratios and relative risks were calculated. Results: Across 62 studies comprising cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional designs, smoking was consistently associated with greater NP prevalence and pain severity. Smoking dependency was linked to increased incidence, while cessation was associated with reduced risk of NP. Despite considerable heterogeneity and risk of bias, particularly from subjective exposure measurement and inconsistent classification, this relationship remained statistically significant. Conclusions: Findings support the role of smoking as a modifiable risk factor in various etiologies of neuropathy/NP. Cessation may represent a low-cost, low-risk, low-tech adjunctive therapy; however, further robust cessation interventional trials are needed, particularly for less common infectious causes of chronic NP such as leprosy.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant contributor to global mortality and long-term neurological disability. Accurate prognostic biomarkers are crucial for enhancing prognostic accuracy and guiding personalized clinical management.

Objective: This review assesses the prognostic value of arterial spin labeling (ASL), a non-invasive MRI technique, in adult and pediatric TBI, with a focus on quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial transit time (ATT) measures. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and IEEE databases, including observational studies and clinical trials that applied ASL techniques (pCASL, PASL, VSASL, multi-PLD) in TBI patients with functional or cognitive outcomes, with outcome assessments conducted at least 3 months post-injury.

Results: ASL-derived CBF and ATT parameters demonstrate potential as prognostic indicators across both acute and chronic stages of TBI. Hypoperfusion patterns correlate with worse neurocognitive outcomes, while region-specific perfusion alterations are associated with affective symptoms. Multi-delay and velocity-selective ASL sequences enhance diagnostic sensitivity in TBI with heterogeneous perfusion dynamics. Compared to conventional perfusion imaging, ASL provides absolute quantification without contrast agents, making it suitable for repeated monitoring in vulnerable populations. ASL emerges as a promising prognostic biomarker for clinical use in TBI.

Conclusion: Integrating ASL into multiparametric models may improve risk stratification and guide individualized therapeutic strategies.

Introduction: Despite clinical evidence for efficacy, there has been minimal uptake of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) for musculoskeletal conditions. Thus, our objective was to explore the perceptions and experiences of people living with lower-limb musculoskeletal injury as well as healthy physically active populations and relate this to the usage of tDCS and key aspects of tDCS design that would improve the capacity for implementation.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative descriptive study of 16 participants (44% women) using semi-structured focus groups to identify the descriptions and experiences of people living with lower-limb musculoskeletal injury and healthy physically active populations. A thematic template was used to create a coding structure. Codes were then grouped, and key themes were derived from the data.

Results: Four primary themes were identified from focus groups. These were (i) the impact of musculoskeletal injuries on health and quality of life, (ii) performance and injury recovery as facilitators to using tDCS, (iii) barriers and facilitators to tCDS application and (iv) design and aesthetic factors for a tDCS device.

Discussion: Our qualitative descriptive study identified four themes relevant to the successful implementation of tDCS into rehabilitative and performance practice. To increase the likelihood of successful tDCS implementation, these barriers should be addressed and facilitators promoted. This should include innovative approaches to device application and structure that allow for a stylish, user-friendly design.

Optimal sensorimotor control depends on response timing. With age, it is broadly assumed that reaction time (RT) increases as cognitive function declines. However, it is not clear if the literature supports this assumption. The purpose of this work was to review the association between cognition and upper extremity RT in older adults. We conducted a search using Scopus database with four inclusion criteria: (1) healthy, community-dwelling adults over 60 years old, (2) upper extremity movement, (3) cognitive assessment, and (4) RT measure. Twenty-five of the 1608 articles screened met the inclusion criteria. Only nine studies directly or indirectly assessed the association between cognition and RT. Our interpretation of the literature was further limited by inconsistency in test selection and measurement interdependence that could be addressed by future studies. We present a conceptual framework to guide research assessing the influence of cognition on sensorimotor control with age.