Brain Sciences最新文献

Background: Predicting mortality in patients with acute ischemic stroke who need endovascular treatment (EVT) has previously been shown to be related to inflammation. In this study, we aimed to examine the effects of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and hypersensitive C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio (CAR) values on mortality and hemorrhagic transformation. Methods: A total of 225 adult patients who underwent EVT between 2022 and 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The presence of intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) after the procedure; good and poor clinical outcomes according to modified Rankin Scores; mortality status; and NLR, PLR, and CAR values were collected. Results: The average age of the patients was 66.95 ± 12.74 years, and 133 (59.1%) patients were male. Thirty-eight (30.4%) patients had symptomatic ICH. While 164 (72.9%) patients had a poor outcome, 80 (35.6%) patients died. There was a correlation between the NLR and PLR values and symptomatic ICH (p = 0.013, 0.009, respectively) in the univariate analysis, but this relationship was not found in the multivariate analyses (p: 0.212 and p: 0.459). No statistically significant relationship was observed between the CAR and symptomatic ICH and mortality (p = 0.784, 0.079, respectively). When the laboratory data were compared according to the mortality status, the NLR and PLR were observed to be statistically significantly higher in the patients with mortality (p < 0.001, 0.005, respectively) in univariate analyses. But, as a result, the NLR, PLR, and CAR were not associated with ICH and mortality according to the multivariable logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need to better understand the post-stroke immune response. Our study demonstrated that the NLR, PLR, and CAR were not associated with ICH and mortality according to the multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Background. Mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) have emerged as an alternative intervention for symptoms of psychological and psychiatric conditions, such as depression, anxiety, and emotional discomfort. Over the last ten years, MBIs have established a growing body of evidence that shows cognitive and neurophysiological benefits. Depression and anxiety are conditions with a high prevalence in the world population. In developing countries, it is reported that, given the conditions of being at a social disadvantage, anxiety and depression are higher, resulting in compromised psychological well-being and mental health. Objectives. This systematic review aims to quantitatively and qualitatively assess changes in the neuropsychological, particularly executive functioning and social cognition domains, and electroencephalographical (EEG) effects of MBIs. Methods. A systematic review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) in three databases, Web of Science, Scopus, and EBSCO MedLine complete; 14,464 articles were found, 141 articles evaluated the effects of MBI on executive functioning, and 16 included both as in qualitative and quantitative variables. Results. The qualitative results show that the research on the effects of MBI on behavior and cognitive skills, including executive function, social cognition, and EEG analysis, is very scarce but consistent in suggesting strong correlations on cognitive and electrophysiological alpha-beta proportions asymmetry on frontal areas. Undoubtedly, executive functions, as a behavioral regulatory and self-monitoring system, are the most popular study of interest in the literature, including emotional regulation, awareness, planning, social skills, and focused attention. Although there are fewer studies assessing the effects of MBIs on social cognition skills. The funnel plot showed a symmetrical distribution but ranked out of significant correlation. Most estimates of treatment effects are positive (58%); however, the average outcome observed did not significantly differ from zero. Conclusions. This study concludes that the research integrating the analysis of the electrophysiological and executive function effects of MBI shows important methodological variations and clinical conditions, which explains the significant results reported individually. Even when most of the literature reports positive effects of MBIs on several behavioral and neurophysiological domains, there are still confounding factors that must be taken into consideration by researchers and clinicians before attributing possible inaccurate or generalizable benefits.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a highly aggressive brain tumor characterized by rapid cell proliferation, invasive behavior, and chemoresistance. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is implicated in chemoresistance and immune evasion, making it a promising therapeutic target. Natural compounds such as flavonoids have gained attention for their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Among them, naringenin, a citrus-derived flavonoid, exerts antiproliferative, pro-apoptotic, and immunomodulatory effects.

Objectives: This study investigated the antiglioma effects of the flavonoid naringenin on the viability, growth, and migration of glioma cells and its potential role as an AhR modulator.

Methods: Human (U87) and rat (C6) glioma cell lines were exposed to naringenin (10-300 µM) alone or in combination with the AhR agonist indole-3-carbinol (50 µM) for 24 to 48 h. Cell viability, scratch wound, and cell migration assays were performed. The expression of inflammatory markers was also analyzed by RT-qPCR.

Results: Naringenin exerted dose- and time-dependent inhibition of cell viability and migration. The treatment decreased the gene expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and chemokine (CCL2), alongside increased tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) expression, an effect reversed by the AhR agonist.

Conclusions: These findings highlight naringenin's potential as an antiglioma agent and its role in AhR signaling.

Psychopharmacological interventions are the treatment cornerstone of most psychiatric disorders such as depression, schizophrenia, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and bipolar disorders, with a huge number of studies including clinical trials and review articles deepening knowledge in the field in recent decades [...].

The metaverse, an immersive virtual environment, is emerging as a transformative tool in rehabilitation, offering innovative modalities for motor and cognitive treatments. Virtual reality and augmented reality within the metaverse facilitate interactive exercises, allowing patients to perform rehabilitative tasks in a gamified context, which can improve motivation and adherence. Furthermore, the metaverse supports treatments that are not easy to carry out during conventional therapy, such as the rehabilitation of social participation, and creates a real individuals-based platform of continuum of care thanks to its interoperability. However, challenges such as technological accessibility, user adaptability, and the need for comprehensive clinical guidelines remain. Future research should focus on long-term efficacy, integration into traditional rehabilitation frameworks, and addressing ethical considerations, ultimately positioning the metaverse as a valuable adjunct in rehabilitative practices.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents a significant challenge among neurodegenerative disorders, as effective treatments and therapies remain largely undeveloped. Despite extensive research efforts employing various methodologies and diverse genetic models focused on amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology, the research for effective therapeutic strategies remains inconclusive. The key pathological features of AD include Aβ senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), and the activation of neuroinflammatory pathways. Presently, investigations into AD and assessing potential treatments predominantly utilize Aβ transgenic models. Conversely, non-transgenic models may provide valuable insights into the multifaceted pathological states associated with AD. Thus, these models may serve as practical complementary tools for evaluating therapeutic and intervention strategies, since the primary AD risk factors are most frequently modeled. This review aims to critically assess the existing literature on AD non-transgenic models induced by streptozotocin, scopolamine, aging, mechanical stress, metals, and dietary patterns to enhance their application in AD research.

Background: Parkinson's disease has a significant impact on vocal characteristics and speech patterns, making them potential biomarkers for monitoring disease progression. To effectively utilise these biomarkers, it is essential to understand how they evolve over time as this degenerative disease progresses. Objectives: This review aims to identify the most used vocal features in Parkinson's disease monitoring and to track the temporal changes observed in each feature. Methods: An online database search was conducted to identify studies on voice and speech changes associated with Parkinson's disease progression. The analysis examined the features and their temporal changes to identify potential feature classes and trends. Results: Eighteen features were identified and categorised into three main aspects of speech: articulation, phonation and prosody. While twelve of these features exhibited measurable variations in Parkinsonian voices compared to those of healthy individuals, insights into long-term changes were limited. Conclusions: Vocal features can effectively discriminate Parkinsonian voices and may be used to monitor changes through disease progression. These changes remain underexplored and necessitate more evidence from long-term studies. The additional evidence could provide clinical insights into the disease and enhance the effectiveness of automated voice-based monitoring.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to (i) evaluate the effectiveness of the Familiarity and Spatial Cognitive Style Scale (FSCS) and the short Computerized Ecological Navigational Battery (LBS) in predicting navigational performance by comparing self-reported scores with actual results; (ii) investigate the FSCS's potential as a screening tool for Developmental Topographical Disorientation (DTD), which affects about 3% of youth, focusing on early detection; and (iii) examine gender differences in self-reported data versus real-world performance to understand how stereotypes affect self-assessment. Methods: The study involved 185 college students (125 female), aged 18-35 years, who completed the FSCS and performed navigation tasks using a new version of the LBS. Participants' performances were analysed using MAD-based z-scores to identify potential DTD cases, with scores below the fifth percentile flagged for further investigation. The relationship between self-reported abilities and actual performance was assessed through correlation analyses and robust linear regressions. Results: The SOD subscale of FSCS emerged as a comprehensive predictor of navigation performance, correlating significantly with accuracy across multiple tasks. The study identified a 5.42% prevalence of DTD using FSCS criteria, aligning with previous research, while LBS identified 11.96% of participants with navigational difficulties. Gender differences were observed in Survey Knowledge and Landmark Ordering tasks, with males showing higher performances. Only two participants were flagged as DTD cases by both assessment methods, suggesting they may evaluate distinct aspects of navigational ability. Conclusions: The findings validate FSCS as an initial screening tool for DTD while highlighting the need for comprehensive assessment using multiple tools. The study suggests the existence of at least two distinct forms of DTD: one affecting navigational memory (detectable by both FSCS and LBS) and another impacting perceptual navigation aspects (more readily identified by LBS). These results emphasise the importance of developing a detailed DTD taxonomy and implementing personalised interventions based on specific navigational challenges.

Background: Modulating spontaneous neuronal activity is critical for understanding and potentially treating neurological disorders, yet the comparative effects of different non-invasive brain stimulation techniques remain underexplored. Objective: This study aimed to systematically compare the effects of temporal interference (TI) stimulation and high-definition transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) on spontaneous neuronal activity in the primary motor cortex. Methods: In a randomized, crossover design, forty right-handed participants underwent two 20 min sessions of either TI or HD-tDCS. Resting-state fMRI data were collected at four stages: pre-stimulus baseline (S1), first half of stimulation (S2), second half of stimulation (S3), and post-stimulation (S4). We analyzed changes in regional homogeneity (ReHo), dynamic ReHo (dReHo), fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFFs), and dynamic fALFFs (dfALFFs) to assess the impact on spontaneous neuronal activity. Results: The analysis revealed that TI had a more significant impact on ReHo, especially in the left superior temporal gyrus and postcentral gyrus, compared with HD-tDCS. Both stimulation methods exhibited their strongest effects during the second half of the stimulation period, but only TI maintained significant activity in the post-stimulation phase. Additionally, both TI and HD-tDCS enhanced fALFFs in real-time, with TI showing more pronounced effects in sensorimotor regions. Conclusions: These findings suggest that TI exerts a more potent and sustained influence on spontaneous neuronal activity than HD-tDCS. This enhanced understanding of their differential effects provides valuable insights for optimizing non-invasive brain stimulation protocols for therapeutic applications.

Background/Objectives: First-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) and second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are frequently prescribed for the management of problem behaviours (PBs) in people with intellectual developmental disorders (IDDs) with or without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the different effectiveness of these two groups of drugs has not been adequately investigated, especially in terms of person-centred outcomes, such as quality of life (QoL). The aim of the present observational study was to compare the personal QoL of two groups of people with IDDs with and without ASD, attending the same residential facility, but receiving FGAs and SGAs, respectively, for the management of PBs. Methods: Twenty-two people with IDDs (ten with ASD) receiving FGAs and twenty-three (eleven with ASD) receiving SGAs for the management of PBs were consecutively recruited. The participants underwent a complex clinical and instrumental evaluation, including the systematic psychopathological assessment for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities-general screening (SPAIDD-G), the Wing's handicaps, behaviours, and skills schedule (HBS), the DOTES, and the BASIQ (QoL Assessment tool battery). Follow-up evaluations were carried out after 6, 12, and 18 months. Results: The use of antipsychotics was withdrawn only in 16 cases, of which only 4 were for significant improvement. Treatment with FGAs was associated with more frequent discontinuation, a higher incidence of side effects, and a trend toward a lower efficacy on PBs than treatment with SGAs. FGAs also improved generic QoL significantly less than SGAs. Conclusions: The present pilot study is the first to compare FGAs and SGAs with respect to the generic QoL in people with IDDs and PBs. SGAs resulted to have a significantly greater positive impact on QoL than FGAs, despite demonstrating similar efficacy in treating PBs.