WFN Publications: Featured Articles

Editors' Choice

Links to important articles and articles of particular interest chosen by the Editors
published in last 3 months in Journal of the Neurological Sciences, World Neurology and eNeurologicalSci.

 

World Neurology

 

  • Organ Extracts for Diseases of the Nervous System

    Peter J. Koehler

    Some time ago, I wrote about brain stones, intracranial calcifications that have been found at autopsies for many centuries.  In this context, the pineal gland was in the spotlight after the French philosopher René Descartes (1596-1650) wrote down his ideas about the physical part of the soul supposedly localized in this structure.

    In the subsequent 150 years, there were lively discussions between physicians, who were proponents and opponents of this idea. 


  • Brain Health and Cherry Blossoms

    By  Dr. Aida Suárez-González, Prof. Morris Freedman, Prof. Manabu Ikeda, Dr. Yutaka Tanaka, Prof. Masaru Mimura, and Prof. Suvarna Alladi.

    The attendants for the 2024 biennial meeting of the WFN Aphasia, Dementia, and Cognitive Disorders Specialty Group (ADCD SG) arrived in Nara, Japan, about the same time as the sakura (Japanese cherry trees) reached full bloom. This served as a timely metaphor to usher in the four vibrant days of all things cognitive neurology that followed, elegantly wrapped in the most exquisite Japanese hospitality.


 

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Journal of the Neurological Sciences


  • Pediatric stroke: We need to look for it

    Buccilli B.

    Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 2024 Oct 18:123276.

    Recent advances in neuroimaging techniques, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), have significantly enhanced the diagnostic capabilities for pediatric stroke. Additionally, a better understanding of its underlying etiologies in specific cases, and of the importance of differential diagnosis have improved the outcome and prevention strategies in this vulnerable population.

  • Current status of fluid biomarkers for early Alzheimer's disease and FDA regulation implications

    Jamerlan AM, An SS, Hulme JP.

    Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 2024 Nov 22.

    Many changes can now be seen in the development and use of tests, especially those incorporating fluid biomarkers, to diagnose Alzheimer's disease (AD), a devastating disease caused by the progressive but rapid degeneration of cortical tissue. Some biomarkers we already know have a significant association with AD, such as amyloid beta (Aβ) and tau, as well as the ratio of concentrations of other Aβ isoforms. In addition, several novel biomarkers are emerging that can also be used as diagnostic fluid biomarkers for AD, but many studies are still needed before we can consider them reliable.

     


 

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eNeurologicalSci (eNS)

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  • Impact of COVID-19 on functional, cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and health-related outcomes in patients with dementia: A systematic review.

    Crivelli L, Winkler A, Keller G, Beretta S, Calandri I, De Groote W, Fornari A, Frontera J, Kivipelto M, Lopez-Rocha AS, Mangialasche F.

    eNeurologicalSci. 2024 Nov 21:100539


    This systematic review analyzes the impact of COVID-19 on dementia patients' functional, cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and health related outcomes. It hypothesizes that dementia patients infected with SARS-CoV-2experience more pronounced deterioration compared to those who are uninfected.

    Among 198 studies reviewed, only three met the criteria. Chen et al. (2023) identified higher mortality in SARS-CoV-2-infected dementia patients, while Merla et al. (2023) observed faster cognitive decline in infected individuals with increased hospital admissions. Additionally, Cascini et al. (2022) reported an increased risk of infection and significantly elevated mortality in dementia patients, highlighting comorbidities and antipsychotic medication use as key risk factors.

  • Neuroepidemiology: Basic concepts and population surveys.

    Rocca WA.

    eNeurologicalSci. 2024 Dec 3:100544.


    The practice of modern neurology is based on research evidence. Research evidence is constructed by teams of investigators throughout the world, from Tokyo to Buenos Aires, from Sidney to Vancouver, from New York to Rome. These investigators use research methods and tools to design and conduct their studies. Neuroepidemiology is the science used to conduct clinical studies and population studies and to construct medical research evidence. Thus, neuroepidemiology is the architecture of medical research evidence. In particular, epidemiologic methods are used to describe the frequency and distribution of neurological diseases in human populations, to discover risk and protective factors, to study outcomes of diseases, and to measure the response to treatments.


 

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