Cerebrolysin improves symptoms and delays progression in patients with alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia

Dementia is the result of various cerebral disorders, leading to an acquired loss of memory and impaired cognitive ability. The most common forms are Alzheimer´s disease(AD) and vascular dementia (VaD). Neurotrophic factors are essential for the survival and differentiation of developing neurons and protecting them against damage under pathologic conditions. Cerebrolysin is a peptide preparation that mimics the pleiotropic effects of neurotrophic factors Several clinical trials investigating the therapeutic efficacy of Cerebrolysin in AD and VaD have confirmed the proof of concept. The results of these trials have shown statistically significant and clinically relevant treatment effects of Cerebrolysin on cognitive, global and functional domains in mild to moderately severe stages of dementia. Doses of 10 and 30 mL were the most effective, but higher doses of up to 60 mL turned out to be most effective in improving neuropsychiatric symptoms, which become relevant at later stages of the disease. Combining treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors and Cerebrolysin indicated long-term synergistic treatment effects in mild to moderate AD. The efficacy of Cerebrolysin persisted for up to several months after treatment suggesting Cerebrolysin has not merely symptomatic benefits, but a disease-delaying potential. This paper reviews the clinical efficacy of Cerebrolysin in the treatment of dementia. Data were obtained from international, multicenter, randomized clinical trials performed in compliance with Good Clinical Practice and the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (1964) and subsequent revisions.Fil: Allegri, Ricardo Francisco. Fundación para la Lucha Contra las Enfermedades Neurológicas de la Infancia. Instituto de Investigaciones Neurológicas "Raúl Carrea"; ArgentinaFil: Guekht, A.. Russian National Research Medical University; Rusi

Определение концентрации холестерина и триглицеридов в экстраклеточных везикулах сыворотки крови с помощью коммерческих наборов

Exosomes and microvesicles, collectively referred to as small extracellular vesicles (sEV) are vesicles with an average size of about 100-150 nm. Currently, the role of sEV in various aspects of signaling in the body is being actively investigated; in addition, sEV can often serve as markers of various pathologies. The active study of the sEV composition is continuing. In this study we have demonstrated that in sEV it is possible to determine cholesterol and triglycerides concentration by using commercial kits designed for serum. The technique was tested on sEV from the blood of patients diagnosed with depression and on healthy volunteers. No differences were found in the concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides in mEV from the blood serum of depressed patients and the control group. The concentration of cholesterol and triglycerides in the samples is several times higher than the sensitivity threshold of the methods set by the manufacturer of the kits.Экзосомы и микровезикулы, совместно называемые малые экстраклеточные везикулы (мЭВ), представляют собой везикулы со средним размером около 100-150 нм. В настоящее время активно исследуется роль мЭВ в самых разных аспектах сигналинга в организме, кроме того, часто мЭВ могут служить маркерами разных патологий. Продолжается активное изучение состава мЭВ. В данной работе мы показали, что в мЭВ можно определить концентрацию холестерина и триглицеридов с помощью коммерческих наборов, предназначенных для сыворотки крови. Методика была опробована на мЭВ из крови пациентов с диагнозом депрессия и на здоровых добровольцах. Различий в концентрации холестерина и триглицеридов в мЭВ из сыворотки крови пациентов с депрессией и контрольной группы найдено не было. Концентрация холестерина и триглицеридов в образцах в несколько раз превосходит порог чувствительности методов, установленный производителем наборов

The impact of COVID-19 quarantine on mental health: an observational study from an outpatient service for non-psychotic patients in Russia (Moscow)

We aimed to compare psychiatric hospital visits during the COVID-19 quarantine period with the same period in 2019, to reveal the predictors of underutilization of mental health services. We then investigated the fluctuation of telemedicine service during the quarantine period. The retrospective study included patients with non-psychotic mental disorders who consecutively visited the Moscow clinic. The number of outpatient visits, inpatient admissions, sociodemographic factors were analyzed. We assessed the sample within two periods -the "quarantine period" (March 30 -June 9, 2020) and "control period" (March 30 -June 9, 2019). Psychiatric visits decreased in older, retired and disabled persons, and increased among the unemployed. In multivariate analysis, the reduction became significant for the number of inpatient admissions. Telemedicine calls gradually increased from the start of the service, but decreased towards the end of the quarantine. In conclusion, referrals to outpatient and inpatient psychiatric services decreased during the quarantine period, with newly established TMS potentially compensating for that decrease. The strongest factor associated with visits during the pandemic is employment status

Educational needs of epileptologists regarding psychiatric comorbidities of the epilepsies: a descriptive quantitative survey.

Psychiatric disorders are relatively frequent comorbidities in epilepsy and they have an impact on morbidity, mortality, and quality of life. This is a report from the Task Force on Education of the ILAE Commission on Neuropsychiatry based on a survey about educational needs of epileptologists regarding management of the psychiatric comorbidities of epilepsy. The Task Force designed a quantitative questionnaire to survey the self-perceived confidence of child and adult epileptologists and psychiatrists in managing major psychiatric comorbidities of epilepsy to identify: (1) critical areas of improvement from a list of skills that are usually considered necessary for effective management of these conditions, and (2) the preferred educational format for improving these skills. A total of 211 respondents from 36 different countries participated in the survey. Confidence and usefulness scores suggest that responders would most value education and training in the management of specific clinical scenarios. Child neurologists identified major Axis I disorders, such as mood and anxiety disorders, while adult neurologists identified attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, intellectual disabilities, and autistic spectrum disorder as key areas. Both adult and child neurologists identified screening skills as the priority. Psychiatrists mainly valued specific training in the management of psychiatric complications of epilepsy surgery or psychiatric adverse events of antiepileptic drugs. Sessions during congresses and face-to-face meetings represent the preferred educational format, while e-learning modules and review papers were chosen by a minority of respondents. Results of this survey identify key areas for improvement in managing the psychiatric comorbidities of epilepsy and suggest specific strategies to develop better training for clinicians involved in epilepsy care

Плейотропный нейропротективный и метаболический эффекты актовегина

В обзоре рассматриваются механизмы действия актовегина в контексте изучения его эффектов на доклиническом уровне и новой концепции фармакологического лечения неврологических расстройств. Актовегин, получаемый при ультрафильтрации крови телят, состоит из более чем 200 биологических субстанций. Препарат используется при широком спектре заболеваний, включая нарушения периферического и мозгового кровообращения, ожоги, плохое заживление ран, радиационные поражения и диабетическую полинейропатию. Актовегин состоит из молекул малого размера, которые находятся в организме в нормальных физиологических условиях, и поэтому исследования их фармакокинетики и фармакодинамики для определения активной субстанции препарата затруднены. Результаты преклинических исследований показали, что актовегин улучшает метаболический баланс путем повышения усвоения глюкозы и потребление кислорода в условиях ишемии. Актовегин также повышает устойчивость к гамма-радиации и стимулирует ранозаживление. В более поздних работах было установлено, что антиоксидантный и антиапоптотический механизмы действия лежат в основе нейропротективных свойств актовегина, подтвержденных в экспериментах на первичных нейронах гиппокампа крыс и стрептозотоцининдуцированной модели диабетической полинейропатии у крыс. Последние данные свидетельствуют о положительном влиянии актовегина на фактор NF-κB, но при этом многие молекулярные и клеточные механизмы его действия остаются неизвестными. В первую очередь это касается влияния актовегина на нейропластичность, нейрогенез и трофическую функцию нервной системы, и данный аспект требует дальнейших исследований. Тем не менее становится очевидным, что мультифакториальная и многокомпонентная природа актовегина определяет его плейотропный нейропротективный механизм действия и клиническую эффективность

Testing blood and CSF in people with epilepsy: a practical guide.

Laboratory investigations, whilst not essential to the diagnosis of seizures or of epilepsy, can be fundamental to determining the cause and guiding management. Over 50% of first seizures have an acute symptomatic cause, including a range of metabolic, toxic or infectious cause. The same triggers can precipitate status epilepticus, either de novo or as part of a deterioration in control in individuals with established epilepsy. Some, such as hypoglycaemia or severe hyponatraemia, can be fatal without prompt identification and treatment. Failure to identify seizures associated with recreational drug or alcohol misuse can lead to inappropriate AED treatment, as well as a missed opportunity for more appropriate intervention. In individuals with established epilepsy on treatment, some laboratory monitoring is desirable at least occasionally, in particular, in relation to bone health, as well as in situations where changes in AED clearance or metabolism are likely (extremes of age, pregnancy, comorbid disorders of renal or hepatic function). For any clinician managing people with epilepsy, awareness of the commoner derangements associated with individual AEDs is essential to guide practice. In this article, we review indications for tests on blood, urine and/or cerebrospinal fluid in patients presenting with new-onset seizures and status epilepticus and in people with established epilepsy presenting acutely or as part of planned monitoring. Important, but rare, neurometabolic and genetic disorders associated with epilepsy are also mentioned

Action Plan for Stroke in Europe 2018–2030

Two previous pan-European consensus meetings, the 1995 and 2006 Helsingborg meetings, were convened to review the scientific evidence and the state of current services to identify priorities for research and development and to set targets for the development of stroke care for the decade to follow. Adhering to the same format, the European Stroke Organisation (ESO) prepared a European Stroke Action Plan (ESAP) for the years 2018 to 2030, in cooperation with the Stroke Alliance for Europe (SAFE). The ESAP included seven domains: primary prevention, organisation of stroke services, management of acute stroke, secondary prevention, rehabilitation, evaluation of stroke outcome and quality assessment and life after stroke. Research priorities for translational stroke research were also identified. Documents were prepared by a working group and were open to public comments. The final document was prepared after a workshop in Munich on 21–23 March 2018. Four overarching targets for 2030 were identified: (1) to reduce the absolute number of strokes in Europe by 10%, (2) to treat 90% or more of all patients with stroke in Europe in a dedicated stroke unit as the first level of care, (3) to have national plans for stroke encompassing the entire chain of care, (4) to fully implement national strategies for multisector public health interventions. Overall, 30 targets and 72 research priorities were identified for the seven domains. The ESAP provides a basic road map and sets targets for the implementation of evidence-based preventive actions and stroke services to 2030

Epilepsy care during the COVID-19 pandemic

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the care of all patients around the world. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) COVID-19 and Telemedicine Task Forces examined, through surveys to people with epilepsy (PWE), caregivers, and health care professionals, how the pandemic has affected the well-being, care, and services for PWE. The ILAE included a link on their website whereby PWE and/or their caregivers could fill out a survey (in 11 languages) about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including access to health services and impact on mental health, including the 6-item Kessler Psychological Distress Scale. An anonymous link was also provided whereby health care providers could report cases of new-onset seizures or an exacerbation of seizures in the context of COVID-19. Finally, a separate questionnaire aimed at exploring the utilization of telehealth by health care professionals since the pandemic began was available on the ILAE website and also disseminated to its members. Seventeen case reports were received; data were limited and therefore no firm conclusions could be drawn. Of 590 respondents to the well-being survey (422 PWE, 166 caregivers), 22.8% PWE and 27.5% caregivers reported an increase in seizure frequency, with difficulty in accessing medication and health care professionals reported as barriers to care. Of all respondents, 57.1% PWE and 21.5% caregivers had severe psychological distress (k score >13), which was significantly higher among PWE than caregivers (p<0.01). An increase in telemedicine use during the COVID-19 pandemic was reported by health care professionals, with 40% of consultations conducted by this method. Although 74.9% of health care providers thought that this impacted positively, barriers to care were also identified. As we move forward, there is a need to ensure ongoing support and care for PWE to prevent a parallel pandemic of unmet health care needs