scholarly journals The Cross Talk between Underlying Mechanisms of Multiple Sclerosis and Epilepsy May Provide New Insights for More Efficient Therapies

2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1031
Author(s):  
Atefeh Rayatpour ◽  
Sahar Farhangi ◽  
Ester Verdaguer ◽  
Jordi Olloquequi ◽  
Jesus Ureña ◽  
...  

Despite the significant differences in pathological background of neurodegenerative diseases, epileptic seizures are a comorbidity in many disorders such as Huntington disease (HD), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and multiple sclerosis (MS). Regarding the last one, specifically, it has been shown that the risk of developing epilepsy is three to six times higher in patients with MS compared to the general population. In this context, understanding the pathological processes underlying this connection will allow for the targeting of the common and shared pathological pathways involved in both conditions, which may provide a new avenue in the management of neurological disorders. This review provides an outlook of what is known so far about the bidirectional association between epilepsy and MS.

Author(s):  
Kristine O’Phelan

The purpose of the Oral Board Examination is to determine a candidate’s competency in neurosurgical disorders, but also neurological disorders, which may mimic neurosurgical conditions. It is not uncommon for a candidate to be presented imaging studies that clearly appear surgical; however, after carefully listening to the history and relevant neurological findings, it will become apparent that the imaging does not explain the patient’s symptoms. Some of the common neurological ailments that the Oral Board examinee needs to be well aware of include amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple sclerosis (MS), Guillain-Barré syndrome, and Parsonage=Turner syndrome (brachial plexitis), some of which are covered either in this chapter or in other relevant chapters.


2021 ◽  
Vol 13 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda M. do Canto ◽  
Amanda Donatti ◽  
Jaqueline C. Geraldis ◽  
Alexandre B. Godoi ◽  
Douglas C. da Rosa ◽  
...  

Epilepsies are chronic neurological diseases that affect approximately 2% of the world population. In addition to being one of the most frequent neurological disorders, treatment for patients with epilepsy remains a challenge, because a proportion of patients do not respond to the antiseizure medications that are currently available. This results in a severe economic and social burden for patients, families, and the healthcare system. A characteristic common to all forms of epilepsy is the occurrence of epileptic seizures that are caused by abnormal neuronal discharges, leading to a clinical manifestation that is dependent on the affected brain region. It is generally accepted that an imbalance between neuronal excitation and inhibition generates the synchronic electrical activity leading to seizures. However, it is still unclear how a normal neural circuit becomes susceptible to the generation of seizures or how epileptogenesis is induced. Herein, we review the results of recent proteomic studies applied to investigate the underlying mechanisms leading to epilepsies and how these findings may impact research and treatment for these disorders.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (21) ◽  
pp. 2475-2491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Morello ◽  
Massimo Pieri ◽  
Rossella Zenobi ◽  
Alessandra Talamo ◽  
Delphine Stephan ◽  
...  

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone implicated in the regulation of neuronal integrity and many brain functions. Its influence, as a nutrient and a hormone, on the physiopathology of the most common neurodegenerative diseases is continuously emphasized by new studies. This review addresses what is currently known about the action of vitamin D on the nervous system and neurodegenerative diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Further vitamin D research is necessary to understand how the action of this “neuroactive” steroid can help to optimize the prevention and treatment of several neurological diseases.


Author(s):  
Ross Paterson ◽  
Laszlo Sztriha

The face of neurology in clinical practice is changing. Neurology is no longer primarily a diagnostic specialty. As more therapeutic treatments become available in all fields from epilepsy to multiple sclerosis, early and accurate diagnosis is increasingly required so that patients can benefit from early treatment aiming to reduce the lifelong burden of neuro­logical disease. Diagnosis of neurological disorders is often considered by junior doc­tors to be highly complex and, as such, is responsible for a great deal of anxiety. One of the most difficult challenges can be determining the loca­tion of the lesion. A helpful approach to this is by analysis of the patterns that each lesion produces. Table 8.1 describes some of the common patterns seen in clinical practice, and the questions in this chapter will attempt to highlight some of the other specific presentations needed in assessing the neurology patient.


Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 2893
Author(s):  
Zhizhong Zhang ◽  
Mengmeng Wang ◽  
Shuai Yuan ◽  
Susanna C. Larsson ◽  
Xinfeng Liu

Milk intake has been associated with risk of neurodegenerative diseases in observational studies. Nevertheless, whether the association is causal remains unknown. We adopted Mendelian randomization design to evaluate the potential causal association between milk intake and common neurodegenerative diseases, including multiple sclerosis (MS), Alzheimer’s disease (AD), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Genetic associations for neurodegenerative diseases were obtained from the International Multiple Sclerosis Genetics Consortium (n = 80,094), FinnGen consortium (n = 176,899), AD GWAS (n = 63,926), Web-Based Study of Parkinson’s Disease (n = 308,518), PDGene (n = 108,990), and ALS GWAS (n = 80,610). Lactase persistence variant rs4988235 (LCT-13910 C > T) was used as the instrumental variable for milk intake. Genetically predicted higher milk intake was associated with a decreased risk of MS and AD and with an increased risk of PD. For each additional milk intake increasing allele, the odds ratios were 0.94 (95% confidence intervals [CI]: 0.91–0.97; p = 1.51 × 10−4) for MS, 0.97 (0.94–0.99; p = 0.019) for AD and 1.09 (95%CI: 1.06–1.12, p = 9.30 × 10−9) for PD. Genetically predicted milk intake was not associated with ALS (odds ratio: 0.97, 95%CI: 0.94–1.01, p = 0.135). Our results suggest that genetically predicted milk intake is associated with a decreased risk of MS and AD but with an increased risk of PD. Further investigations are needed to clarify the underlying mechanisms.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (7) ◽  
pp. 2341 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Witt ◽  
Dirk Schaumlöffel ◽  
Tanja Schwerdtle

As an essential trace element, copper plays a pivotal role in physiological body functions. In fact, dysregulated copper homeostasis has been clearly linked to neurological disorders including Wilson and Alzheimer’s disease. Such neurodegenerative diseases are associated with progressive loss of neurons and thus impaired brain functions. However, the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. Characterization of the element species and their subcellular localization is of great importance to uncover cellular mechanisms. Recent research activities focus on the question of how copper contributes to the pathological findings. Cellular bioimaging of copper is an essential key to accomplish this objective. Besides information on the spatial distribution and chemical properties of copper, other essential trace elements can be localized in parallel. Highly sensitive and high spatial resolution techniques such as LA-ICP-MS, TEM-EDS, S-XRF and NanoSIMS are required for elemental mapping on subcellular level. This review summarizes state-of-the-art techniques in the field of bioimaging. Their strengths and limitations will be discussed with particular focus on potential applications for the elucidation of copper-related diseases. Based on such investigations, further information on cellular processes and mechanisms can be derived under physiological and pathological conditions. Bioimaging studies might enable the clarification of the role of copper in the context of neurodegenerative diseases and provide an important basis to develop therapeutic strategies for reduction or even prevention of copper-related disorders and their pathological consequences.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1057
Author(s):  
Amanda Cano ◽  
Elena Fonseca ◽  
Miren Ettcheto ◽  
Elena Sánchez-López ◽  
Itziar de Rojas ◽  
...  

Epilepsy is a chronic disease of the central nervous system characterized by an electrical imbalance in neurons. It is the second most prevalent neurological disease, with 50 million people affected around the world, and 30% of all epilepsies do not respond to available treatments. Currently, the main hypothesis about the molecular processes that trigger epileptic seizures and promote the neurotoxic effects that lead to cell death focuses on the exacerbation of the glutamate pathway and the massive influx of Ca2+ into neurons by different factors. However, other mechanisms have been proposed, and most of them have also been described in other neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease, or multiple sclerosis. Interestingly, and mainly because of these common molecular links and the lack of effective treatments for these diseases, some antiseizure drugs have been investigated to evaluate their therapeutic potential in these pathologies. Therefore, in this review, we thoroughly investigate the common molecular pathways between epilepsy and the major neurodegenerative diseases, examine the incidence of epilepsy in these populations, and explore the use of current and innovative antiseizure drugs in the treatment of refractory epilepsy and other neurodegenerative diseases.


CNS Spectrums ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 12 (S5) ◽  
pp. 6-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
John E. Duda

AbstractThe syndrome now known as involuntary emotional expression disorder (IEED) is a condition characterized by uncontrollable episodes of laughing and/or crying. It has been known for more than a century, but confusing and conflicting terminology may have hampered the progress of physicians in recognizing this condition. IEED is associated with various neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, and neurological injuries such as stroke and traumatic brain injury. It is hoped that better defined terminology for IEED may help in the future diagnosis of this debilitating condition, the establishment of accurate prevalence rates for IEED in the varying underlying conditions, and also in removing blame and stigma from sufferers by providing reassurance about the nature of their condition.


2016 ◽  
Vol 24 (6) ◽  
pp. 526-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keith A Johnson ◽  
Matthew D Macfarlane ◽  
Jeffrey CL Looi

Objective: This paper aims to describe the prevalence, assessment and management of affective disorders as well as functional (non-epileptic) seizures in people with epilepsy. Method: This paper comprises a selective review of the literature of the common affective manifestations of epilepsy. Results: Affective disorders are the most common psychiatric comorbidity seen in people with epilepsy and assessment and management parallels that of the general population. Additionally, people with epilepsy may experience higher rates of mood instability, irritability and euphoria, classified together as a group, interictal dysphoric disorder and resembling an unstable bipolar Type II disorder. Functional seizures present unique challenges in terms of identification of the disorder and a lack of specific management. Conclusions: Given their high prevalence, it is important to be able to recognise affective disorders in people with epilepsy. Management principles parallel those in the general population with specific caution exercised regarding the potential interactions between antidepressant medications and antiepileptic drugs. Functional seizures are more complex and require a coordinated approach involving neurologists, psychiatrists, general practitioners, nursing and allied health. There is very limited evidence to guide psychological and behavioural interventions for neurotic disorders in epilepsy and much more research is needed.


2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (3) ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Yam Nath Paudel ◽  
Christos Panagiotis Lisgaras ◽  
Kheng Seang Lim ◽  
Mohd. Farooq Shaikh

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological disorder characterized by the rapid occurrence of epileptic seizures affecting approximately 70 million people worldwide. The quality of life of people with epilepsy (PWE) is challenged by a series of comorbidities that might include neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders (cognitive decline, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and autism) as well as metabolic, cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Neurobehavioral and other comorbidities might share a reciprocal and complex relationship with epileptogenesis and ictogenesis thus biomarkers of the former might be useful for the prediction of the latter and vice versa. This bidirectional relationship between epilepsy and associated comorbidities has attracted significant attention in recent years as supported by data showing that one half of PWE demonstrate cognitive impairments, 30-50% depressive behavior, 10-25% anxiety disorders and 5-40% autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In the past decades, epilepsy-related neurobehavioral comorbidities have been critically discussed, but the current need in unraveling the precise mechanism associated with epilepsy and these neurobehavioral comorbidities is unmet. The precise understanding of the mechanistic pathway underlying these epilepsy-associated comorbid conditions could be instrumental in developing therapeutic interventions that might modify seizure burden and accompanying comorbid conditions.


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