Clinical features, pathogenesis and treatment of long-haul COVID‑19 impact on nervous system

2021 ◽  
pp. 14-22
Author(s):  
A. N. Barinov ◽  
L. S. Moshkhoeva ◽  
E. V. Parkhomenko ◽  
E. V. Emikh ◽  
I. P. Yastrebtseva
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cognitive Therapy ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Difficulty Breathing ◽  
Current Outbreak ◽  
Ethylmethylhydroxypyridine Succinate

The current outbreak of coronavirus SARS-CoV‑2 (COVID-19) has raised great concern worldwide, but its impact on nervous system still needs more investigation. Thirty per cent of symptomatic patients with COVID‑19 will have symptoms that last longer than the typical two weeks, 10 % have symptoms longer than 3 months and this is called ‘long-COVID’. These symptoms affect not only people with severe disease, but also those with milder cases. Many long-haulers experience the same symptoms they had during their initial fight with COVID‑19, such as fatigue, cognitive impairment (or brain fog), difficulty breathing, headache, depression, insomnia and loss of the sense of taste and\or smell. Treatment of those complications with citicoline, ethylmethylhydroxypyridine succinate and vitamin B improves these symptoms in patients but most of them also need cognitive therapy for dehypochondrisation.

Reconsidering NMIHBA Core Features: Macrocephaly Is Not a So Unusual Sign in PRUNE1-Related Encephalopathy

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roberta Battini ◽  
Enrico Bertini ◽  
Roberta Milone ◽  
Chiara Aiello ◽  
Rosa Pasquariello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Neurodevelopmental Disorder ◽  
Recurrent Mutation ◽  
Clinical Suspicion ◽  
Alexander Disease ◽  
Brain Anomalies ◽  
Progressive Encephalopathy ◽  
Core Features

Abstract PRUNE1-related disorders manifest as severe neurodevelopmental conditions associated with neurodegeneration, implying a differential diagnosis at birth with static encephalopathies, and later with those manifesting progressive brain damage with the involvement of both the central and the peripheral nervous system.Here we report on another patient with PRUNE1 (p.Asp106Asn) recurrent mutation, whose leukodystrophy, inferior olives hyperintensity, and macrocephaly led to the misleading clinical suspicion of Alexander disease. Clinical features, together with other recent descriptions, suggest avoiding the term “microcephaly” in defining this disorder that could be renamed “neurodevelopmental disorder with progressive encephalopathy, hypotonia, and variable brain anomalies” (NPEHBA).

scholarly journals Native α-Synuclein, 3-Nitrotyrosine Proteins, and Patterns of Nitro-α-Synuclein-Immunoreactive Inclusions in Saliva and Submandibulary Gland in Parkinson’s Disease

Antioxidants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 715
Author(s):  
Emilio Fernández-Espejo ◽  
Fernando Rodríguez de Fonseca ◽  
Juan Suárez ◽  
Eduardo Tolosa ◽  
Dolores Vilas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Clinical Feature ◽  
Similar Concentration ◽  
Duct Cells ◽  
Nitrative Stress ◽  
Salivary Concentration

Background. Salivary α-synuclein (aSyn) and its nitrated form, or 3-nitrotyrosine-α-synuclein (3-NT-αSyn), hold promise as biomarkers for idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD). Nitrative stress that is characterized by an excess of 3-nitrotyrosine proteins (3-NT-proteins) has been proposed as a pathogenic mechanism in IPD. The objective is to study the pathological role of native αSyn, 3-NT-αSyn, and 3-NT-proteins in the saliva and submandibulary glands of patients with IPD. Methods. The salivary and serum αSyn and 3-NT-proteins concentration is evaluated with ELISA in patients and controls. Correlations of αSyn and 3-NT-proteins content with clinical features of the disease are examined. Immunohistochemical 3-NT-αSyn expression in submandibulary gland sections is analyzed. Results. (a) Salivary concentration and saliva/serum ratios of native αSyn and 3-NT-proteins are similar in patients and controls; (b) salivary αSyn and 3-NT-proteins do not correlate with any clinical feature; and (c) three patterns of 3-NT-αSyn-positive inclusions are observed on histological sections: rounded “Lewy-type” aggregates of 10–25 µm in diameter, coarse deposits with varied morphology, and spheroid inclusions or bodies of 3–5 µm in diameter. “Lewy-type” and coarse inclusions are observed in the interlobular connective tissue of the gland, and small-sized bodies are located within the cytoplasm of duct cells. “Lewy-type” inclusions are only observed in patients, and the remaining patterns of inclusions are observed in both the patients and controls. Conclusions. The patients’ saliva presents a similar concentration of native αSyn and 3-nitrotyrosine-proteins than that of the controls, and no correlations with clinical features are found. These findings preclude the utility of native αSyn in the saliva as a biomarker, and they indicate the absence of nitrative stress in the saliva and serum of patients. As regards nitrated αSyn, “Lewy-type” inclusions expressing 3-NT-αSyn are observed in the patients, not the controls—a novel finding that suggests that a biopsy of the submandibulary gland, if proven safe, could be a useful technique for diagnosing IPD. Finally, to our knowledge, this is also the first description of 3-NT-αSyn-immunoreactive intracytoplasmic bodies in cells that are located outside the nervous system. These intracytoplasmic bodies are present in duct cells of submandibulary gland sections from all subjects regardless of their pathology, and they can represent an aging or involutional change. Further immunostaining studies with different antibodies and larger samples are needed to validate the data.

scholarly journals Persistent cognitive impairment associated with cerebrospinal fluid anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies six months after mild COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Max Borsche ◽  
Dirk Reichel ◽  
Anja Fellbrich ◽  
Anne S. Lixenfeld ◽  
Johann Rahmöller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Cerebrospinal Fluid ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Female Patient ◽  
Acute Phase ◽  
Neuropsychological Testing ◽  
Important Challenge ◽  
Central Nervous System Invasion

AbstractNeurological long-term sequelae are increasingly considered an important challenge in the recent COVID-19 pandemic. However, most evidence for neurological symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection and central nervous system invasion of the virus stems from individuals severely affected in the acute phase of the disease. Here, we report long-lasting cognitive impairment along with persistent cerebrospinal fluid anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in a female patient with unremarkable standard examination 6 months after mild COVID-19, supporting the implementation of neuropsychological testing and specific cerebrospinal fluid investigation also in patients with a relatively mild acute disease phase.

scholarly journals Neurological and mental health consequences of COVID-19: potential implications for well-being and labor force

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
I B Meier ◽  
C Vieira Ligo Teixeira ◽  
I Tarnanas ◽  
F Mirza ◽  
L Rajendran
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Immune Cell ◽  
Previous History ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Neurological Protection

Abstract Recent case studies show that the SARS-CoV-2 infectious disease, COVID-19, is associated with accelerated decline of mental health, in particular, cognition in elderly individuals, but also with neurological and neuropsychiatric illness in young people. Recent studies also show a bidirectional link between COVID-19 and mental health in that people with previous history of psychiatric illness have a higher risk for contracting COVID-19 and that COVID-19 patients display a variety of psychiatric illnesses. Risk factors and the response of the central nervous system to the virus show large overlaps with pathophysiological processes associated with Alzheimer’s disease, delirium, post-operative cognitive dysfunction and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, all characterized by cognitive impairment. These similarities lead to the hypothesis that the neurological symptoms could arise from neuroinflammation and immune cell dysfunction both in the periphery as well as in the central nervous system and the assumption that long-term consequences of COVID-19 may lead to cognitive impairment in the well-being of the patient and thus in today’s workforce, resulting in large loss of productivity. Therefore, particular attention should be paid to neurological protection during treatment and recovery of COVID-19, while cognitive consequences may require monitoring.

Clinical, cellular, and molecular characterisation of cardiac rhabdomyoma in tuberous sclerosis

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Hamood N. Al Kindi ◽  
Ayman M. Ibrahim ◽  
Mohamed Roshdy ◽  
Besra S. Abdelghany ◽  
Dina Yehia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tuberous Sclerosis ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex ◽  
Potential Role ◽  
Severe Disease ◽  
Cardiac Rhabdomyoma ◽  
Urgent Surgery ◽  
Pathogenic Mutations ◽  
Personalised Treatment

Abstract Background: Rhabdomyoma is the most common cardiac tumour in children. It is usually associated with tuberous sclerosis complex caused by mutations in TSC-1 or TSC-2 genes. This tumour typically regresses by unknown mechanisms; however, it may cause inflow or outflow obstruction that necessitates urgent surgery. Here we investigate the clinical features and the genetic analysis of patients with tuberous sclerosis complex presenting with large rhabdomyoma tumours. We also investigate the potential role of autophagy and apoptosis in the pathogenesis of this tumour. Methods: All the patients with cardiac rhabdomyoma referred to Aswan Heart Centre from 2010 to 2018 were included in this study. Sanger sequencing was performed for coding exons and the flanking intronic regions of TSC1 and TSC2 genes. Histopathological evaluation, immunohistochemistry, and western blotting were performed with P62, LC3b, caspase3, and caspase7, to evaluate autophagic and apoptotic signaling. Results: Five patients were included and had the clinical features of tuberous sclerosis complex. Three patients, who were having obstructive tumours, were found to have pathogenic mutations in TSC-2. The expression of two autophagic markers, P62 and LC3b, and two apoptotic markers, caspase3 and caspase7, were increased in the tumour cells compared to normal surrounding myocardial tissue. Conclusion: All the patients with rhabdomyoma were diagnosed to have tuberous sclerosis complex. The patients who had pathogenic mutations in the TSC-2 gene had a severe disease form necessitating urgent intervention. We also demonstrate the potential role of autophagy and apoptosis as a possible mechanism for tumourigenesis and regression. Future studies will help in designing personalised treatment for cardiac rhabdomyoma.

scholarly journals Clinical features and disease severity in patients with mosaic neurofibromatosis type 1: a single-center study and literature review

2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Ejerskov ◽  
M. Raundahl ◽  
P. A. Gregersen ◽  
M. M. Handrup
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Learning Disability ◽  
Diagnostic Criteria ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Neurofibromatosis Type 1 ◽  
Plexiform Neurofibroma ◽  
Neurofibromatosis Type ◽  
Language Delay

Abstract Background The mosaic form of neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is called mosaic NF1 (MNF1). No specific MNF1 follow-up guidelines exist. It is debatable if patients with MNF1 should be clinically examined and undergo follow-up in accordance with the standard NF1 guidelines, as MNF1 patients more often may develop more benign phenotypes and thereby less disease-associated complications including cognitive impairment. We discussed the need for a specific MNF1 follow-up guideline with focus on frequency of plexiform neurofibromas and NF1-associated complications. Method A systematic retrospective data collection in a MNF1 cohort from one of two Danish national centers of NF1 Expertise was completed. Data collected included demographics, clinical features including NF1 diagnostic criteria and NF1-associated complications. Recent literature in the field was reviewed. Results We identified 17 patients with MNF1 with a median age of 37 years [4; 66]. Eleven (65%) were females. Five patients (30%) had a plexiform neurofibroma. The median age at detection of plexiform neurofibroma was 30 years [14; 60]. Nine (53%) had at least one NF1-related complication; scoliosis, hypertension, ADHD, learning disability, language delay, autism and delay in gross and fine motor function development. We reviewed nine articles. In total, 126 cases were described within three case-series. Nineteen (15%) had a plexiform neurofibroma and in total, 23 NF1-associated complications were reported including language delay, learning disability and skeletal abnormalities. Furthermore, from the literature it was evident that the diagnosing of MNF1 varies among physicians and across countries. Conclusion Patients with MNF1 present with plexiform neurofibromas and other NF1-related complications with a frequency requiring that follow-up of MNF1 patients should be in accordance with the standard NF1 guideline in both childhood and adulthood. Physicians should be aware of cognitive impairment as a complication to MNF1. To develop a specific MNF1 follow-up guideline, there is a need for an international consensus on the diagnostic criteria for MNF1 and a follow-up study conducted in a larger MNF1 cohort.

scholarly journals Diagnosis, treatment, and misdiagnosis analysis of 28 cases of central nervous system echinococcosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guojia Du ◽  
Yandong Li ◽  
Pan Wu ◽  
Xin Wang ◽  
Riqing Su ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Multiple Organ ◽  
Pathological Examination ◽  
Surgical Removal ◽  
Surgical Treatments

Abstract Background To explore central nervous system (CNS) involvement in this disease, from the perspectives of diagnosis, treatment, and misdiagnosis Methods Twenty-eight patients with CNS echinococcosis were included in this retrospective study, including 18 males (64.3%) and 10 (35.7%) females. The average age of all the patients were 23.5 years (ranged 4–60 years). Twenty-three (23) patients (82.1%) received the first surgical resection in our hospital. Five (5) patients (17.9%) gave up surgical treatment for multiple-organ hydatidosis and previous surgery history at other hospitals, and albendazole was applied for a long-term (3–6 months) adjunct therapy for the 5 patients. The average follow-up time was 8 years. Results For the 28 patients, 23 cases received surgical treatments, and the diagnosis was confirmed by pathological examinations. The diagnosis of 4 cases of brain echinococcosis and 2 cases of spinal cord echinococcosis could not be confirmed, resulting in a misdiagnosis rate of 21.4% (6/28). For the pathological examination, a total of 17 cases were infected with Echinococcus granulosus (including 2 cases of spinal cord echinococcosis), and 6 cases were infected with Echinococcus alveolaris. Conclusion The diagnosis should be specifically considered in endemic regions. The clinical features of CNS hydatidosis were intracranial space-occupying lesions. For the treatment, the surgical removal of cysts should be necessary. In addition, the adjuvant therapy with drug and intraoperative prophylaxis is also suggested. The misdiagnosis may have resulted from atypical clinical features and radiographic manifestations, as well as the accuracy of hydatid immunologic test.

scholarly journals Clinical features of incidental mild cognitive impairment and dementia in a population-based study

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 722-729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nozomi Hishikawa ◽  
Yusuke Fukui ◽  
Kota Sato ◽  
Toru Yamashita ◽  
Yasuyuki Ohta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Population Based Study

Thiamine (Vitamin B1)

2011 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aviva Fattal-Valevski
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Cerebral Metabolism ◽  
Oxidant Stress ◽  
Vitamin B1 ◽  
Vitamin B ◽  
Deficient Diet ◽  
Common Cause ◽  
Korsakoff Syndrome ◽  
Reducing Substances ◽  
B Vitamin

Thiamine (vitamin B1) was the first B vitamin to have been identified. It serves as a cofactor for several enzymes involved in energy metabolism. The thiamine-dependent enzymes are important for the biosynthesis of neurotransmitters and for the production of reducing substances used in oxidant stress defenses, as well as for the synthesis of pentoses used as nucleic acid precursors. Thiamine plays a central role in cerebral metabolism. Its deficiency results in dry beriberi, a peripheral neuropathy, wet beriberi, a cardiomyopathy with edema and lactic acidosis, and Wernicke—Korsakoff syndrome, whose manifestations consist of nystagmus, ophthalmoplegia, and ataxia evolving into confusion, retrograde amnesia, cognitive impairment, and confabulation. Patients on a strict thiamine-deficient diet display a state of severe depletion within 18 days. The most common cause of thiamine deficiency in affluent countries is either alcoholism or malnutrition in nonalcoholic patients. Treatment by thiamine supplementation is beneficial for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.

First Presentation of an Acquired Demyelinating Syndrome

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (03) ◽  
pp. 164-170
Author(s):  
Rachel Gottlieb-Smith ◽  
Amy Waldman
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Differential Diagnosis ◽  
Optic Neuritis ◽  
Clinical Features ◽  
Neuromyelitis Optica ◽  
Transverse Myelitis ◽  
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis ◽  
The Central Nervous System

AbstractAcquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS) present with acute or subacute monofocal or polyfocal neurologic deficits localizing to the central nervous system. The clinical features of distinct ADS have been carefully characterized including optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis. These disorders may all be monophasic disorders. Alternatively, optic neuritis, partial transverse myelitis, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis may be first presentations of a relapsing or polyphasic neuroinflammatory disorder, such as multiple sclerosis or neuromyelitis optica. The clinical features of these disorders and the differential diagnosis are discussed in this article.

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