The Effects of Movement on Literacy.

The purpose of this study was to extend the knowledge of the relationship between movement and cognition by examining the impact of a sensory-motor program on the literacy skills of first grade learners from one elementary school in East Tennessee. Literacy skills were evaluated using five subtests of the Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) assessment. A 2 x 2 x 2 mixed factorial MANOVA was used to analyze group, gender, and test time effects on multiple dependent variables. The analysis yielded a statistically significant result (p \u3c .05) in gains for the movement group and a significant interaction between gender and group. Post hoc analysis indicated that participation in a movement program appeared to negatively impact males and positively impact females. Replication of this study with a longer duration is strongly recommended to substantiate these findings

Plasma complement biomarkers distinguish multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders (NMOSD) are autoimmune demyelinating diseases distinguished clinically by selective involvement in NMOSD of optic nerves and spinal cord. Early clinical manifestations are similar, complicating clinical management. Aquaporin-4 autoantibody measurement aids diagnosis of NMOSD but is frequently negative, creating unmet need for alternative biomarkers. Objective: We investigated whether plasma complement proteins are altered in MS and NMOSD and whether these provide biomarkers that reliably distinguish the diseases. Methods: Plasma from 53 NMOSD, 49 MS and 69 control donors was tested in multiplex assays measuring complement activation products and proteins. Logistic regression was used to test whether combinations of complement analyte measurements distinguish NMOSD from controls and MS. Results: All activation products were significantly elevated in NMOSD compared to either control or MS. Four complement proteins (C1inh, C1s, C5, FH) were significantly higher in NMOSD compared to MS or controls. A model comprising C1 inhibitor and TCC distinguished NMOSD from MS (area under curve (AUC) 0.98), while C1 inhibitor and C5 distinguished NMOSD from controls (AUC 0.94). Conclusions: NMOSD is distinguished from MS by plasma complement activation

Seasonal distribution of attacks in aquaporin-4 antibody disease and myelin-oligodendrocyte antibody disease.

Background Seasonal variation in incidence and exacerbations has been reported for neuroinflammatory conditions such as multiple sclerosis and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). It is unknown whether seasonality also influences aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4-Ab) disease and myelin-oligodendrocyte antibody (MOG-Ab) disease. Objective We examined the seasonal distribution of attacks in AQP4-Ab disease and MOG-Ab disease. Methods Observational study using data prospectively recorded from three cohorts in the United Kingdom. Results There was no clear seasonal variation in AQP4-Ab or MOG-Ab attacks for either the onset attack nor subsequent relapses. In both groups, the proportion of attacks manifesting with each of the main phenotypes (optic neuritis, transverse myelitis, ADEM/ADEM-like) appeared stable across the year. This study is the first to examine seasonal distribution of MOG-Ab attacks and the largest in AQP4-Ab disease so far. Conclusion Lack of seasonal distribution in AQP4-Ab and MOG-Ab disease may argue against environment factors playing a role in the aetiopathogenesis of these conditions