Data-Driven, Visual Framework for the Characterization of Aphasias Across Stroke, Post-resective, and Neurodegenerative Disorders Over Time

Aphasia classifications and specialized language batteries differ across the fields of neurodegenerative disorders and lesional brain injuries, resulting in difficult comparisons of language deficits across etiologies. In this study, we present a simplified framework, in which a widely-used aphasia battery captures clinical clusters across disease etiologies and provides a quantitative and visual method to characterize and track patients over time. The framework is used to evaluate populations representing three disease etiologies: stroke, primary progressive aphasia (PPA), and post-operative aphasia. A total of 330 patients across three populations with cerebral injury leading to aphasia were investigated, including 76 patients with stroke, 107 patients meeting criteria for PPA, and 147 patients following left hemispheric resective surgery. Western Aphasia Battery (WAB) measures (Information Content, Fluency, answering Yes/No questions, Auditory Word Recognition, Sequential Commands, and Repetition) were collected across the three populations and analyzed to develop a multi-dimensional aphasia model using dimensionality reduction techniques. Two orthogonal dimensions were found to explain 87% of the variance across aphasia phenotypes and three disease etiologies. The first dimension reflects shared weighting across aphasia subscores and correlated with aphasia severity. The second dimension incorporates fluency and comprehension, thereby separating Wernicke's from Broca's aphasia, and the non-fluent/agrammatic from semantic PPA variants. Clusters representing clinical classifications, including late PPA presentations, were preserved within the two-dimensional space. Early PPA presentations were not classifiable, as specialized batteries are needed for phenotyping. Longitudinal data was further used to visualize the trajectory of aphasias during recovery or disease progression, including the rapid recovery of post-operative aphasic patients. This method has implications for the conceptualization of aphasia as a spectrum disorder across different disease etiology and may serve as a framework to track the trajectories of aphasia progression and recovery.

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Neuroprotective Role of Nutritional Supplementation in Athletes

Current Molecular Pharmacology ◽

10.2174/1874467214666211209144721 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 ◽

Author(s):

Supriya Mishra ◽

Vikram Jeet Singh ◽

Pooja A Chawla ◽

Viney Chawla

Keyword(s):

Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽

Brain Injuries ◽

Recovery Process ◽

Traumatic Brain Injuries ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Long Run ◽

Pathological Mechanism ◽

Injury Recovery

Background: Neurodegenerative disorders belong to different classes of progressive/chronic conditions that affect the peripheral/central nervous system. It has been shown through studies that athletes who play sports involving repeated head trauma and sub-concussive impacts are more likely to experience neurological impairments and neurodegenerative disorders in the long run. Aims: The aim of the current narrative review article is to provide a summary of various nutraceuticals that offer promise in the prevention or management of sports-related injuries, especially concussions and mild traumatic brain injuries. Methods: This article reviews the various potential nutraceutical agents and their possible mechanisms in providing a beneficial effect in the injury recovery process. A thorough survey of the literature was carried out in the relevant databases to identify studies published in recent years. In the present article, we have also highlighted the major neurological disorders along with the associated nutraceutical(s) therapy in the management of disorders. Results: The exact pathological mechanism behind neurodegenerative conditions is complex as well as idiopathic. However, mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress as well as intracellular calcium overload are some common reasons responsible for the progression of these neurodegenerative disorders. Owing to the multifaceted effects of nutraceuticals (complementary medicine), these supplements have gained importance as neuroprotective. These diet-based approaches inhibit different pathways in a physiological manner without eliciting adverse effects. Food habits and lifestyle of an individual also affect neurodegeneration. Conclusion: Studies have shown nutraceuticals (such as resveratrol, omega-3-fatty acids) to be efficacious in terms of their neuroprotection against several neurodegenerative disorders and to be used as supplements in the management of traumatic brain injuries. Protection prior to injuries is needed since concussions or sub-concussive impacts may trigger several pathophysiological responses or cascades that can lead to long-term complications associated with CNS. Thus, the use of nutraceuticals as prophylactic treatment for neurological interventions has been proposed.

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Using deep neural networks along with dimensionality reduction techniques to assist the diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders

Logic Journal of IGPL ◽

10.1093/jigpal/jzy026 ◽

2018 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

F Segovia ◽

J M Górriz ◽

J Ramírez ◽

F J Martinez-Murcia ◽

M García-Pérez

Keyword(s):

Neural Networks ◽

Dimensionality Reduction ◽

Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽

Deep Neural Networks ◽

Reduction Techniques ◽

Dimensionality Reduction Techniques

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Lost in a Dream

Sleep Disorders ◽

10.1093/med/9780190671099.003.0020 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 381-396

Author(s):

Carlos L. Rodriguez ◽

Babak Tousi

Keyword(s):

Motor Neurons ◽

Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽

Dementia With Lewy Bodies ◽

Neurodegenerative Disorder ◽

Lewy Bodies ◽

Behavior Disorder ◽

Sleep Behavior ◽

The Relationship ◽

Over Time

Rapid-eye-movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is a parasomnia that is closely associated with neurodegenerative disorders. RBD is usually caused by neurodegeneration within the brainstem that disables the system responsible for immobilizing skeletal muscles during REM sleep and thus permits motor neurons to activate these muscles during dreaming. The underlying source of the brainstem neurodegeneration spreads over time to other central nervous system regions until it has sufficiently evolved to permit clinical recognition of the underlying neurodegenerative disorder. Longitudinal follow-up of patients with RBD has demonstrated that most patients subsequently develop some neurodegenerative disorder years later, particularly the synucleinopathies. We review the relationship between RBD and dementia with Lewy bodies, which is one of the synucleinopathies. The management of RBD is reviewed with discussion of the relevant considerations in patients with dementia with Lewy bodies.

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Neurophysiologic Monitoring and Neuroprotection

10.1093/med/9780190280253.003.0005 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Aws Alawi ◽

Michael Reznik ◽

Jan Claassen

Keyword(s):

Early Detection ◽

Brain Injuries ◽

Cerebral Injury ◽

Secondary Brain Injury ◽

Neurophysiologic Monitoring ◽

Permanent Damage ◽

Injured Brain ◽

Physiological Assessment ◽

Physiologic Parameters ◽

Sedation Monitoring

One of the main goals of monitoring neurologically ill patients is detection of secondary brain injury early enough to intervene to prevent permanent damage. In some patients with impaired levels of consciousness and those who require sedation, monitoring various brain physiologic parameters by invasive and noninvasive means has become an essential tool in the care of critically ill patients. Integration of multiple physiological parameters provides a more comprehensive physiological assessment of the injured brain and allows real-time, early detection of secondary cerebral injury and intervention to prevent permanent damage. Importantly, these modalities should be interpreted collectively and not in isolation in order to manage acute brain injuries, which are often complex and dynamic at the same time.

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Astrocytes and their Phenomenal Possibilities in the Treatment of Various Neurodegenerative Disorders: An Overview

Journal of Pharmaceutical Research International ◽

10.9734/jpri/2021/v33i33a31772 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 60-68

Author(s):

Alina Yuryevna Maslova ◽

Kheda Lechaevna Bazaeva ◽

Zaira Arazovna Abdullaeva ◽

Shuainat Omarovna Khazamova ◽

Karina Akhmedovna Zeusheva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽

Brain Injuries ◽

Neurological Diseases ◽

External Environment ◽

Close Attention ◽

Rate Of Development ◽

Pharmacological Modulation ◽

Cerebral Neurons ◽

Cns Pathology ◽

The Brain

At present, research in the field of the brain does not cease to surprise us with new facts and discoveries that no one could have suspected about 30 years ago. But it was at the time when it became clear that the cerebral neurons are not the only cells that can respond to changes in the external environment. A real scientific boom began to study a heterogeneous group called glia. And scientists are paying close attention to the largest of them – astrocytes. Understanding the importance of astrocytes in the mechanisms of repair and damage to brain cells in various forms of CNS pathology determines the possibility of targeted search for drugs that affect the rate of development of reactive astrogliosis in response to various brain injuries. At the same time, pharmacological modulation of activated astrocytes and other components of glia can be an integral part of the therapy of neurological diseases.

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Pharmacologic Neuroprotection

10.1093/med/9780190280253.003.0002 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Nino Stocchetti ◽

Marco Carbonara

Keyword(s):

Clinical Trials ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Neuronal Damage ◽

Experimental Models ◽

Cerebral Injury ◽

Controlled Trials ◽

Neuroprotective Agents ◽

Randomized Controlled ◽

Ischemic Encephalopathy ◽

Over Time

Acute cerebral injury sets into motion a cascade of deleterious biochemical events that cause further neuronal damage and amplify deleterious effects. This cascade develops over time and potentially may be attenuated or limited by pharmacologic manipulation. The neuroprotective properties of several molecules have been clearly demonstrated in experimental models of various pathologies. Based on these findings, many promising compounds have been tested in clinical trials. Large randomized controlled trials, however, have repeatedly failed to provide evidence of clinical efficacy. The authors present an overview of neuroprotective agents studied in traumatic brain injury, subarachnoid hemorrhage, ischemic stroke, and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in adults due to cardiac arrest. They review the molecular mechanisms involved in secondary neuronal injury and how drugs targeting these mechanisms have been evaluated in clinical trials. Finally, the chapter briefly analyzes the possible reasons for repeated failures in translating experimental success into clinical benefit.

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Efficacy of Cell-Based Therapies for Traumatic Brain Injuries

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci9100270 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 9 (10) ◽

pp. 270

Author(s):

Matthew R. Chrostek ◽

Emily G. Fellows ◽

Winston L. Guo ◽

William J. Swanson ◽

Andrew T. Crane ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Neurodegenerative Disorders ◽

Progenitor Cell ◽

Brain Injuries ◽

Traumatic Brain Injuries ◽

Preliminary Evidence ◽

Routes Of Administration ◽

Therapeutic Benefits ◽

Promising Avenue ◽

Viable Treatment

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a leading cause of death and disability. Additionally, growing evidence suggests a link between TBI-induced neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative disorders. Treatments for TBI patients are limited, largely focused on rehabilitation therapy, and ultimately, fail to provide long-term neuroprotective or neurorestorative benefits. Because of the prevalence of TBI and lack of viable treatments, new therapies are needed which can promote neurological recovery. Cell-based treatments are a promising avenue because of their potential to provide multiple therapeutic benefits. Cell-based therapies can promote neuroprotection via modulation of inflammation and promote neurorestoration via induction of angiogenesis and neurogenesis. Neural stem/progenitor cell transplantations have been investigated in preclinical TBI models for their ability to directly contribute to neuroregeneration, form neural-like cells, and improve recovery. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been investigated in clinical trials through multiple different routes of administration. Intravenous administration of MSCs appears most promising, demonstrating a robust safety profile, correlation with neurological improvements, and reductions in systemic inflammation following TBI. While still preliminary, evidence suggests cell-based therapies may become a viable treatment for TBI based on their ability to promote neuroregeneration and reduce inflammation.

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Two Geometrical Models for Pixelism

Metaphysica ◽

10.1515/mp-2019-0002 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 99-113

Author(s):

Fabio Patrone

Keyword(s):

Possible Worlds ◽

Dimensional Space ◽

Counterpart Theory ◽

Mereological Nihilism ◽

Spatial Dimensions ◽

Consistent Manner ◽

Over Time ◽

Radical Form

AbstractPixelism is the combination of three metaphysical thesis, namely a radical form of exdurantism, mereological nihilism and counterpart theory. Pixelism is a theory that evaluates all the metaphysical phenomena of persistence, composition and modality in a homogeneous and consistent manner. In a pixel world, there is no identity over time and over possible worlds and nothing persists over more than an instant or a world. Entities can be univocally identified by a five-coordinates system (the three spatial dimensions, the temporal one and the possible worlds), and their relation is a counterpart relation both in different worlds and at different times or different regions of space. In this paper I will provide two models for pixelism: the first one takes pixels to be hypercubes, i. e. four-dimensional cubes, the acceptance of which is conditional on the acceptance of extended simples. The second one considers pixels as points in a four-dimensional space.

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The longitudinal stability of the WRAT-R Reading subtest: Is it an appropriate estimate of premorbid intelligence?

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society ◽

10.1017/s1355617700001296 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 2 (4) ◽

pp. 282-285 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Brick Johnstone ◽

Karen L. Wilhelm

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Dysfunction ◽

Cerebral Injury ◽

Reading Scores ◽

Neuropsychological Evaluation ◽

Neurologically Impaired ◽

Longitudinal Stability ◽

Reading Tests ◽

Reading Score ◽

Premorbid Intelligence ◽

Over Time

AbstractReading tests are assumed to be accurate estimates of premorbid intelligence, based on the belief that reading remains relatively stable following cerebral injury/disease. However, this assumption has been primarily inferred only from studies comparing differences in reading/intelligence measures between neurologically impaired and normal groups. The current study, using within-subject comparisons, compared the longitudinal stability of reading (WRAT-R/3) and intelligence (WAIS-R FIQ) scores for 39 individuals with cognitive dysfunction referred for repeat neuropsychological evaluation. Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests indicated that reading scores: (1) did not statistically change for those demonstrating intellectual decline (>0 point decline in FIQ), or for those who remained relatively stable (FIQ increase between 0 and 6 points) over retest, but (2) did significantly improve for those demonstrating intellectual improvement greater than 6 points. These results suggest that reading scores may be appropriately considered as “hold” tests for individuals who intellectually decline/remain stable over time, but not for those demonstrating significant intellectual improvement. Additionally, significant variability in reading score decline/improvement suggests that caution must be used when estimating premorbid intelligence based on WRAT-R/3 Reading scores. (JINS, 1996, 2, 282–285.)

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