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Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Mar 2024(L.) Dunal is a medicinal plant belonging to the traditional Indian medical system, showing various therapeutic effects such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory,... (Review)
Review
(L.) Dunal is a medicinal plant belonging to the traditional Indian medical system, showing various therapeutic effects such as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-diabetic, and hepatoprotective activity. Of great interest is 's potential beneficial effect against neurodegenerative diseases, since the authorized medicinal treatments can only delay disease progression and provide symptomatic relief and are not without side effects. A systematic search of PubMed and Scopus databases was performed to identify preclinical and clinical studies focusing on the applications of in preventing neurodegenerative diseases. Only English articles and those containing the keywords ( AND "neurodegenerative diseases", "neuroprotective effects", "Huntington", "Parkinson", "Alzheimer", "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis", "neurological disorders") in the title or abstract were considered. Reviews, editorials, letters, meta-analyses, conference papers, short surveys, and book chapters were not considered. Selected articles were grouped by pathologies and summarized, considering the mechanism of action. The quality assessment and the risk of bias were performed using the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions checklist. This review uses a systematic approach to summarize the results from 60 investigations to highlight the potential role of and its specialized metabolites in treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases.
PubMed: 38592845
DOI: 10.3390/plants13060771 -
Biomolecules Dec 2023Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The early...
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord. The early diagnosis of ALS can be challenging, as it usually depends on clinical examination and the exclusion of other possible causes. In this regard, the analysis of miRNA expression profiles in biofluids makes miRNAs promising non-invasive clinical biomarkers. Due to the increasing amount of scientific literature that often provides controversial results, this work aims to deepen the understanding of the current state of the art on this topic using a machine-learning-based approach. A systematic literature search was conducted to analyze a set of 308 scientific articles using the MySLR digital platform and the Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) algorithm. Two relevant topics were identified, and the articles clustered in each of them were analyzed and discussed in terms of biomolecular mechanisms, as well as in translational and clinical settings. Several miRNAs detected in the tissues and biofluids of ALS patients, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), have been linked to ALS diagnosis and progression. Some of them may represent promising non-invasive clinical biomarkers. In this context, future scientific priorities and goals have been proposed.
Topics: Humans; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis; Biomarkers; Machine Learning; MicroRNAs
PubMed: 38254647
DOI: 10.3390/biom14010047 -
Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis &... Feb 2024This systematic review provides an updated summary of the existing literature on the validity of screening tools for cognitive and behavioral impairment in people with... (Review)
Review
This systematic review provides an updated summary of the existing literature on the validity of screening tools for cognitive and behavioral impairment in people with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (pwALS), and also focuses on their reliability. The following cognitive and behavioral screening tools were assessed in this review: the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS); the ALS Cognitive Behavioral Screen (ALS-CBS), the Mini Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (Mini-ACE), the Beaumont Behavioral Interview (BBI); the MND Behavior Scale (MiND-B); and the ALS-FTD Questionnaire (ALS-FTD-Q). A search, using Medline, PsychINFO and Embase (21/09/2023), generated 37 results after exclusion criteria were applied. Evidence of internal consistency, item-total correlations, inter-rater reliability, clinical validity, convergent validity, and structural validity were extracted and assessed and risk of bias was evaluated. The cognitive component of the ECAS was the tool with most evidence of reliability and validity for the assessment of cognitive impairment in ALS. It is well-suited to accommodate physical symptoms of ALS. For behavioral assessment, the BBI or ALS-FTD-Q had the most evidence of reliability and validity. The BBI is more thorough, but the ALS-FTD-Q is briefer. There is good but limited evidence for the reliability and validity of cognitive and behavioral screens. Further evidence of clinical and convergent validity would increase confidence in their clinical and research use.
PubMed: 38415696
DOI: 10.1080/21678421.2024.2314063 -
Non-coding RNA Research Jun 2024The discovery of disease-specific biomarkers, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), holds the potential to transform the landscape of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) by...
The discovery of disease-specific biomarkers, such as microRNAs (miRNAs), holds the potential to transform the landscape of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) by facilitating timely diagnosis, monitoring treatment response, and accelerating drug discovery. Such advancement could ultimately improve the quality of life and survival rates for ALS patients. Despite more than a decade of research, no miRNA biomarker candidate has been translated into clinical practice. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to quantitatively synthesize data from original studies that analyzed miRNA expression from liquid biopsies via PCR and compared them to healthy controls. Our analysis encompasses 807 miRNA observations from 31 studies, stratified according to their source tissue. We identified consistently dysregulated miRNAs in serum (hsa-miR-3665, -4530, -4745-5p, -206); blood (hsa-miR-338-3p, -183-5p); cerebrospinal fluid (hsa-miR-34a-3p); plasma (hsa-miR-206); and neural-enriched extracellular vesicles from plasma (hsa-miR-146a-5p, -151a-5p, -10b-5p, -29b-3p, and -4454). The meta-analyses provided further support for the upregulation of hsa-miR-206, hsa-miR-338-3p, hsa-miR-146a-5p and hsa-miR-151a-5p, and downregulation of hsa-miR-183-5p, hsa-miR-10b-5p, hsa-miR-29b-3p, and hsa-miR-4454 as consistent indicators of ALS across independent studies. Our findings provide valuable insights into the current understanding of miRNAs' dysregulated expression in ALS patients and on the researchers' choices of methodology. This work contributes to the ongoing efforts towards discovering disease-specific biomarkers.
PubMed: 38511059
DOI: 10.1016/j.ncrna.2024.02.006 -
Basic and Clinical Neuroscience 2023Published data obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies was reviewed systematically and analyzed critically to evaluate the effect of oral cavity-derived stem cells... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Published data obtained from in vitro and in vivo studies was reviewed systematically and analyzed critically to evaluate the effect of oral cavity-derived stem cells (OCDSCs) on the recovery or therapy of neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), such as Alzheimer disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Huntington (HD) diseases, and Parkinson disease (PD).
METHODS
An electronic search was accomplished. References of included articles were also manually searched. Studies were critically evaluated for suitability against the inclusion/exclusion criteria and the data was extracted. Bias risk evaluation of the studies and evidence synthesis were conducted.
RESULTS
A total of 14 in vivo and 10 in vitro studies met the inclusion criteria. PD was induced in 10 in vivo and 7 in vitro studies, while AD was induced in 2 in vivo and 4 in vitro studies. Two studies (1 in vitro and 1 in vivo) evaluated ALS disease and 1 in vivo study evaluated HD. Moderate evidence was found for in vitro studies reporting the positive effect of OCDSCs on PD or AD recovery. Strong evidence was found for in vivo studies in which PD animal models were used; meanwhile, moderate evidence was found for the impact of OCDSCs on AD recovery. Limited evidence was found for in vivo studies evaluating HD and ALS.
CONCLUSION
Although studies reported favorable data regarding the OCDSCs on NDs, they presented a considerable risk of bias. Because of heterogeneous study characteristics, the current study recommends improving standardized methods to evaluate the therapeutic effects of OCDSCs on the NDs.
PubMed: 38628839
DOI: 10.32598/bcn.2021.2892.1 -
Journal of Neurology Nov 2023Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a well-established treatment that significantly improves the motor symptoms of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD); however, patients... (Review)
Review
Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a well-established treatment that significantly improves the motor symptoms of patients with Parkinson's disease (PD); however, patients may experience post-operative psychological distress and social maladjustments. This phenomenon has been shown to be related to patients' pre-operative cognitive representations, such as expectations. In this systematic review, we discuss the findings on the role of the expectations of patients with PD regarding the clinical outcomes of DBS to identify areas of intervention to improve pre-operative patient education and promote successful post-operative psychosocial adjustment. PubMed was searched for relevant articles published up to 16 January 2023. Of the 84 identified records, 10 articles focusing on the treatment expectations of patients with PD undergoing DBS were included in this review. The selected studies were conducted among cohorts of patients with different DBS targets, among which the most common was the bilateral subthalamic nucleus. Overall, the data showed that patients' expectations contribute to treatment efficacy. Experiments investigating the placebo effect itself have shown clinical improvement after the induction of positive therapeutic expectations; conversely, unrealistic treatment expectations can affect patient satisfaction after surgery, clinical outcomes, and subjective well-being. This review highlights the need for routine clinical practice to better investigate and manage patients' pre-operative expectations, as well as multidisciplinary education to improve patient satisfaction and psychosocial adjustment after DBS.
Topics: Humans; Parkinson Disease; Deep Brain Stimulation; Motivation; Subthalamic Nucleus; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37517038
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11898-6 -
Journal of Integrative Neuroscience Apr 2024Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are progressive neurodegenerative disorders characterized by motor impairment and non-motor symptoms. The involvement of the thalamus in...
BACKGROUND
Motor neuron diseases (MNDs) are progressive neurodegenerative disorders characterized by motor impairment and non-motor symptoms. The involvement of the thalamus in MNDs, especially in conditions such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and its interaction with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), has garnered increasing research interest. This systematic review analyzed magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies that focused on thalamic alterations in MNDs to understand the significance of these changes and their correlation with clinical outcomes.
METHODS
Following PRISMA 2020 guidelines, the PubMed and Scopus databases were searched from inception to June 2023 for studies related to MRI findings in the thalamus of patients with MNDs. Eligible studies included adult patients diagnosed with ALS or other forms of MND who underwent brain MRI, with outcomes related to thalamic alterations. Studies were evaluated for risk of bias using the Newcastle-Ottawa scale.
RESULTS
A total of 52 studies (including 3009 MND patients and 2181 healthy controls) used various MRI techniques, including volumetric analysis, diffusion tensor imaging, and functional MRI, to measure thalamic volume, connectivity, and other alterations. This review confirmed significant thalamic changes in MNDs, such as atrophy and microstructural degradation, which are associated with disease severity, progression, and functional disability. Thalamic involvement varies across different MND subtypes and is influenced by the presence of cognitive impairment and mutations in genes including chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (). The synthesis of findings across studies indicates that thalamic pathology is a prevalent early biomarker of MNDs that contributes to motor and cognitive deficits. The thalamus is a promising target for monitoring as its dysfunction underpins a variety of clinical symptoms in MNDs.
CONCLUSIONS
Thalamic alterations provide valuable insights into the pathophysiology and progression of MNDs. Multimodal MRI techniques are potent tools for detecting dynamic thalamic changes, indicating structural integrity, connectivity disruption, and metabolic activity.
Topics: Humans; Thalamus; Motor Neuron Disease; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
PubMed: 38682227
DOI: 10.31083/j.jin2304077 -
Neurological Sciences : Official... May 2024Masitinib, originally developed as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor for cancer treatment, has shown potential neuroprotective effects in various neurological disorders by... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Masitinib, originally developed as a tyrosine kinase inhibitor for cancer treatment, has shown potential neuroprotective effects in various neurological disorders by modulating key pathways implicated in neurodegeneration. This scoping review aimed to summarize the current evidence of masitinib's neuroprotective activities from preclinical to clinical studies.
METHODS
This scoping review was conducted following the guidelines described by Arksey and O'Malley and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The inclusion criteria covered all original studies reporting on the neuroprotective effects of masitinib, including clinical studies, animal studies, and in vitro studies.
RESULTS
A total of 16 studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the review. These comprised five randomized controlled trials (RCTs), one post-hoc analysis study, one case report, and nine animal studies. The RCTs focused on Alzheimer's disease (two studies), multiple sclerosis (two studies), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (one study). Across all included studies, masitinib consistently demonstrated neuroprotective properties. However, the majority of RCTs reported concerns regarding the safety profile of masitinib. Preclinical studies revealed the neuroprotective mechanisms of masitinib, which include inhibition of certain kinases interfering with cell proliferation and survival, reduction of neuroinflammation, and exhibition of antioxidant activity.
CONCLUSION
The current evidence suggests a promising therapeutic benefit of masitinib in neurodegenerative diseases. However, further research is necessary to validate and expand upon these findings, particularly regarding the precise mechanisms through which masitinib exerts its therapeutic effects. Future studies should also focus on addressing the safety concerns associated with masitinib use.
Topics: Animals; Neuroprotective Agents; Piperidines; Pyridines; Benzamides; Thiazoles
PubMed: 38105307
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-023-07259-w -
Translational Vision Science &... Feb 2024Retinal images contain rich biomarker information for neurodegenerative disease. Recently, deep learning models have been used for automated neurodegenerative disease...
PURPOSE
Retinal images contain rich biomarker information for neurodegenerative disease. Recently, deep learning models have been used for automated neurodegenerative disease diagnosis and risk prediction using retinal images with good results.
METHODS
In this review, we systematically report studies with datasets of retinal images from patients with neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and others. We also review and characterize the models in the current literature which have been used for classification, regression, or segmentation problems using retinal images in patients with neurodegenerative diseases.
RESULTS
Our review found several existing datasets and models with various imaging modalities primarily in patients with Alzheimer's disease, with most datasets on the order of tens to a few hundred images. We found limited data available for the other neurodegenerative diseases. Although cross-sectional imaging data for Alzheimer's disease is becoming more abundant, datasets with longitudinal imaging of any disease are lacking.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of bilateral and multimodal imaging together with metadata seems to improve model performance, thus multimodal bilateral image datasets with patient metadata are needed. We identified several deep learning tools that have been useful in this context including feature extraction algorithms specifically for retinal images, retinal image preprocessing techniques, transfer learning, feature fusion, and attention mapping. Importantly, we also consider the limitations common to these models in real-world clinical applications.
TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE
This systematic review evaluates the deep learning models and retinal features relevant in the evaluation of retinal images of patients with neurodegenerative disease.
Topics: Humans; Algorithms; Alzheimer Disease; Deep Learning; Machine Learning; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Datasets as Topic; Retina
PubMed: 38381447
DOI: 10.1167/tvst.13.2.16 -
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This systematic review aims to comprehensively examine all existing knowledge on psychosocial interventions for family caregivers for ALS patients. Also, the study will... (Review)
Review
PROPOSAL
This systematic review aims to comprehensively examine all existing knowledge on psychosocial interventions for family caregivers for ALS patients. Also, the study will present the gaps in knowledge, recommendations for future research, and guidelines for psychosocial interventions that are focused and adapted to the needs of family caregivers of ALS patients.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The systematic review was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines and identified studies on psychosocial intervention for family caregivers of ALS patients, using five electronic databases: PsychNET, PubMed, EBSCO, PRIMO, and PROQUEST. Seven articles met the criteria and were included in the review. A thematic analysis was conducted to extract major themes.
RESULTS
Three major themes emerged from the data: (1) Personal benefits; (2) Interpersonal benefits; and (3) Charting challenges and pathways to improve psychosocial interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
Based on the findings, practical guidelines were formulated that focus on the group's composition, the facilitator's role, the contents, the relationships within the group, and the opportunities and limitations of online interventions.
PubMed: 38921286
DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12121171