Exercise can prevent the sedentary lifestyle-related risk of metabolic and cognitive decline, but mechanisms and mediators of exercise effects on human brain are relatively unexplored. We measured acute exercise-induced changes in adiponectin, insulin and other bioactive molecules in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum from young lean individuals. Samples of serum and CSF were obtained before and 1-h after the 90-min run (75–80% HRmax; maximal heart rate), additional serum was taken at finish-line. Body composition, physical fitness, metabolic rate, cognitive functions, food preference, glucose, insulin and albumin were measured. The spectrum of 174 cytokines was assessed by protein arrays, adiponectin was also determined by ELISA and immunoblotting. CSF adiponectin decreased post-exercise by 21.3% (arrays) and 25.8% (ELISA) (p < 0.009). Immunoblotting revealed reduction in a low-molecular-weight-adiponectin (p < 0.005). CSF adiponectin positively correlated with CSF/serum albumin ratio (p < 0.022), an indicator of blood-brain-barrier permeability. CSF and serum adiponectin were positively associated with memory and running-induced changes in insulinemia and CSF insulin. Additionally, running modulated CSF levels of 16 other cytokines. Acute running reduced CSF adiponectin and modulated insulin and albumin in CSF and serum. Associations of adiponectin with memory and metabolism indicate the potential role of this bioactive molecule in mediating exercise-induced adaptive response in human brain.

Background Good short‐term results of pallidal deep brain stimulation have been reported in myoclonus‐dystonia. Efficacy and safety in the long term remain to be established. In addition, the actual impact of DBS treatment on social inclusion is unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the long‐term clinical outcome, quality of life, and social adjustment of GPi‐DBS in patients with ε‐sarcoglycan (DYT11)‐positive myoclonus‐dystonia. Methods Consecutive myoclonus‐dystonia patients with ε‐sarcoglycan mutations who underwent GPi‐DBS were evaluated at least 5 years postoperatively. Motor symptoms were assessed using the Burke‐Fahn‐Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale including the Disability Scale, a composite score combining the rest and action parts of the Unified Myoclonus Rating Scale and modified Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale. Standardized video‐protocols were assessed by a blinded and external movement disorder specialist. Social adjustment, cognition, and mood were evaluated. Results Nine patients (5 women) with long‐term GPi‐DBS (8.7 ± 3.1 years) were included. There was significant improvement in the composite myoclonus score (94.1% ± 4% improvement; P = 0.008). Dystonia severity was also markedly improved (71.4% ± 28.33% improvement; P = 0.008) as well as motor disability (88.3% ± 20% improvement; P = 0.008) and abnormal involuntary movement score (71.1% ± 15.0% improvement; P = 0.008). No patients experienced postoperative speech or gait problems or any permanent adverse effects. Eight of the 9 patients had fully enhanced social adjustment and personal achievement, with little or no mood or behavioral disorders. Conclusions GPi‐DBS seems to be a safe and efficacious treatment for medically refractory ɛ‐sarcoglycan myoclonus‐dystonia, with sustained motor benefit, good quality of life, and social adjustment in long‐term follow‐up. © 2018 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society

No abstract

A BS TRACT: Background: Primary orthostatic tremor (POT) is a rare disorder, characterized by 13 to 18 Hz tremor in the legs when standing and is often refractory to medical treatment. Epidural spinal cord stimulation has been proposed as an alternative treatment. However, this approach is invasive, which limits its application. Objective: Trans-spinal direct current stimulation (tsDCS) is a non-invasive method to modulate spinal cord circuits. The aim of this proof-of-concept study was to investigate the potential beneficial effect of tsDCS in POT. Methods: We conducted a double-blind, shamcontrolled study in 16 patients with POT. In two separate visits, patients received sham tsDCS first followed by active (either cathodal or anodal) tsDCS. The primary outcome was the change in time in standing position. Secondary outcomes comprised quantitative assessment of tremor, measurement of corticospinal excitability including short-latency afferent inhibition, and clinical global impression-improvement (CGI-I). Measurements were made at baseline, after sham tsDCS, 0-30 min, and 30-60 min after active conditions. Results: Cathodal-tsDCS reduced tremor amplitude and frequency and lowered corticospinal excitability whereas anodal-tsDCS reduced tremor frequency only. CGI-I scores positively correlated with the time in standing position after both active tsDCS conditions. Conclusion: A single session of tsDCS can improve instability in POT. This opens a new vista for experimental treatment options using multiple sessions of spinal DC stimulation.

BackgroundHepatic encephalopathy may manifest by a wide spectrum of neuropsychiatric symptoms, including cognitive impairment, seizures or extrapyramidal symptoms. The liver transplant can lead to improvement of the signs of encephalopathy but subsequent immunosuppressive treatment might possess pronounced neurotoxicity.Case presentationWe present a case report of a patient with chronic liver disease who developed signs of Parkinsonism after an orthotopic liver transplant, with consecutive immunosuppressant treatment with tacrolimus. Despite the improvement of liver functions due to the cytostatic treatment, a progressive worsening of neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with the presence of tremor was observed. Metabolic as well as endocrine dysfunctions were excluded as the primary causes of this condition. A brain CT did not reveal structural pathology. Signs of severe, symmetric Parkinsonism - with resting tremor, bradykinesia, rigidity and severe postural instability were observed. A brain MRI was performed with the presence of T2- hyperintensities in basal ganglia bilaterally. Tacrolimus blood concentration was elevated; hence the dose was reduced and later switched to less toxic sirolimus. Subsequently, clinical signs markedly improved after treatment modification. Improvement of clinical symptomatology after tacrolimus discontinuation supports the drug-induced etiology of this neurological condition.ConclusionsCytostatic treatment after solid organ transplantation often leads to signs of encephalopathy. If necessary, the dose of cytostatics needs to be reduced, or a less toxic agent must be chosen for the therapy. This modification is usually efficient with no further need for neurological intervention.

No abstract

No abstract

Sentence comprehension in Slovak-speak ing patients with Parkinson dis ease Súhrn Cieľ: Zmapovať porozumenie viet u slovensky hovoriacich pa cientov s Parkinsonovou chorobou. Metóda: Testom porozumenia viet sa testovalo porozumenie reverzibilných viet (vety, v ktorých si účastníci deja môžu vymeniť svoje úlohy) a kognitívne funkcie neuropsychologickou testovou batériou. Vzorka: Na výskume sa zúčastnilo 37 pa cientov s idiopatickou Parkinsonovou chorobou a 37 zdravých respondentov. Skupiny sa nelíšili vzhľadom na vek, vzdelanie a pohlavie. Dia gnózu Parkinsonovej choroby u pa cientov stanovil neurológ. Výsledky: Štatistické spracovanie dát Mann-Whitneyho U-testom ukázalo, že pa cienti dosahovali signifikantne nižšie skóre len v jednom zo šiestich typov viet (p = 0,016), a to v porozumení včlenených vzťažných viet objektových (napr. Mama, ktorú bozkáva dcéra, má svetlé šaty.). Signifikantne horší boli aj v dekódovaní viet s nekanonickým poradím sémantických rolí (najprv patiens, potom agens; p = 0,013). Signifikantné korelácie jednotlivých syntaktických konštrukcií sa objavili hlavne s testami: Reyova figúra, Sémantická (verbálna) fluencia a Opakovaním čísel a písmen. Záver: Výsledky preukazujú prítomné deficity v porozumení viet u slovensky hovoriacich pa cientov s Parkinsonovou chorobou, pričom schopnosť porozumieť vetám koreluje s výkonom v kognitívnych testoch.