453 research outputs found
Sustained improvement of cognition and global function in patients with moderately severe Alzheimer's disease: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with the neurotrophic agent Cerebrolysin (R)
No full textBackground: In a recent study, Cerebrolysin(R) (Cere), a compound with neurotrophic activity, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). A subgroup analysis of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed to assess the effects of Cere in cases with more advanced forms of AD. Patients and methods: Patients received infusions of 30 ml Cere or placebo five days/week for four weeks. This treatment was repeated after a two-months therapy-free interval. Effects on cognition, global function, behavioural symptoms and activities of daily living were evaluated 4, 12, 16, and 28 weeks after the beginning of the infusions. 109 patients with MMSE scores <20 were included in this analysis. Results: The responder rate of the Cere group was 65% on the CGI, compared to 24.5% in the placebo group (p < 0.004). In the ADAS-cog, a score difference of 4.1 points in favour of Cere was observed (p < 0.0001). Notably, improvements were largely maintained in the Cere group up to the week 28 visit. Conclusion: The data clearly demonstrate the efficacy of Cere treatment in moderate to severe forms of AD with sustained treatment effects on cognition and global function even after discontinuation of treatment
Sustained improvement of cognition and global function in patients with moderately severe Alzheimer's disease: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with the neurotrophic agent Cerebrolysin (R)
No full textBackground: In a recent study, Cerebrolysin(R) (Cere), a compound with neurotrophic activity, has been shown to be effective in the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). A subgroup analysis of this double-blind, placebo-controlled study was performed to assess the effects of Cere in cases with more advanced forms of AD. Patients and methods: Patients received infusions of 30 ml Cere or placebo five days/week for four weeks. This treatment was repeated after a two-months therapy-free interval. Effects on cognition, global function, behavioural symptoms and activities of daily living were evaluated 4, 12, 16, and 28 weeks after the beginning of the infusions. 109 patients with MMSE scores <20 were included in this analysis. Results: The responder rate of the Cere group was 65% on the CGI, compared to 24.5% in the placebo group (p < 0.004). In the ADAS-cog, a score difference of 4.1 points in favour of Cere was observed (p < 0.0001). Notably, improvements were largely maintained in the Cere group up to the week 28 visit. Conclusion: The data clearly demonstrate the efficacy of Cere treatment in moderate to severe forms of AD with sustained treatment effects on cognition and global function even after discontinuation of treatment
Multiple system atrophy as emerging template for accelerated drug discovery in α-synucleinopathies
No full textExpression of major histocompatibility complex Class I molecules on the different cell types in multiple sclerosis lesions
No full textMultiple sclerosis is considered to be an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system, characterized by chronic inflammation, primary demyelination and axonal damage. The mechanisms of demyelination and axonal injury are heterogeneous and complex. One possible mechanism is direct damage of oligodendrocytes and neurons by Class I MHC restricted cytotoxic T-cells. In this study we analyzed the expression of functional MHC class I molecule complex, consisting of alpha-chain and beta2-microglobulin, in a large sample of human autopsy material, containing 10 cases of acute MS, 10 cases of chronic active MS, 10 cases of chronic inactive MS and 21 controls. To examine the expression of MHC class I and II molecules on the different cell-types in brain, we used quantitative immunohistochemical techniques, double staining and confocal laser microscopy scans on paraffin embedded sections. We found constitutive expression of MHC class I molecule on microglia and endothelial cells. A hierarchical up-regulation of MHC class I was present on astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, neurons and axons, depending upon the severity of the disease and the activity of the lesions. MHC class II molecules were expressed on microglia and macrophages, but not on astrocytes. These data indicate that in MS lesions all cells of the central nervous system are potential targets for Class I MHC restricted cytotoxic T-cells
Postmortem examination of vascular lesions in cognitive impairment: A survey among neuropathological services
Get PDFBackground and Purpose - A full appreciation of the presence of cerebral vascular lesions in cognitively impaired patients can be ultimately reached at the neuropathological level. However, there are no detailed guidelines regarding what neuropathologists should look for at autopsy in cases of suspected vascular dementia or vascular cognitive impairment. We aimed at surveying the postmortem neuropathological procedures used in different centers in examining brain lesions of presumable or possible vascular origin in cognitively impaired patients. Methods - Thirteen laboratories participated in the survey by filling in a semistructured questionnaire. We reviewed sampling and histology procedures in use and the neuropathological definitions of some of these lesions. Neuropathological criteria for the definition of a vascular origin of the dementing process were also surveyed. Results - A large variability across centers was observed in the procedures used for the neuropathological examination and the histology techniques. Heterogeneity existed also in the definition of commonly found lesions (eg, white matter alterations, small vessel disease), interpretation of whether or not the lesions were reputed to be of vascular origin, and consequently in the interpretation of the cause of cognitive decline. Conclusions - The appreciation of the presence of neuropathologically verified vascular lesions in cognitively impaired cases may be heavily influenced by the laboratory tools used and also by the heterogeneity of the criteria applied in different centers. Harmonization of neuropathological procedures is badly needed in the field of vascular dementia and vascular cognitive impairment to better understand the association between various vascular lesions and clinical symptoms such as cognitive impairment
Expression of major histocompatibility complex class I molecules on the different cell types in multiple sclerosis lesions
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Preliminary NINDS neuropathologic criteria for Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy)
No full textExpression of major histocompatibility complex Class I molecules on the different cell types in multiple sclerosis lesions
No full textMultiple sclerosis is considered to be an immune-mediated disease of the central nervous system, characterized by chronic inflammation, primary demyelination and axonal damage. The mechanisms of demyelination and axonal injury are heterogeneous and complex. One possible mechanism is direct damage of oligodendrocytes and neurons by Class I MHC restricted cytotoxic T-cells. In this study we analyzed the expression of functional MHC class I molecule complex, consisting of alpha-chain and beta2-microglobulin, in a large sample of human autopsy material, containing 10 cases of acute MS, 10 cases of chronic active MS, 10 cases of chronic inactive MS and 21 controls. To examine the expression of MHC class I and II molecules on the different cell-types in brain, we used quantitative immunohistochemical techniques, double staining and confocal laser microscopy scans on paraffin embedded sections. We found constitutive expression of MHC class I molecule on microglia and endothelial cells. A hierarchical up-regulation of MHC class I was present on astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, neurons and axons, depending upon the severity of the disease and the activity of the lesions. MHC class II molecules were expressed on microglia and macrophages, but not on astrocytes. These data indicate that in MS lesions all cells of the central nervous system are potential targets for Class I MHC restricted cytotoxic T-cells
What can artificial networks teach us about neurodegenerative disorders with extrapyramidal features?
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