Updates on radiotherapy-immunotherapy combinations: Proceedings of 6(th) annual ImmunoRad conference

Focal radiation therapy (RT) has attracted considerable attention as a combinatorial partner for immunotherapy (IT), largely reflecting a well-defined, predictable safety profile and at least some potential for immunostimulation. However, only a few RT-IT combinations have been tested successfully in patients with cancer, highlighting the urgent need for an improved understanding of the interaction between RT and IT in both preclinical and clinical scenarios. Every year since 2016, ImmunoRad gathers experts working at the interface between RT and IT to provide a forum for education and discussion, with the ultimate goal of fostering progress in the field at both preclinical and clinical levels. Here, we summarize the key concepts and findings presented at the Sixth Annual ImmunoRad conference

Attention processing speed impairment in early dementia with Lewy Bodies correlates with white matter damage on volumetric and diffusion tensor imaging.

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Patch-based DTI grading: Application to Alzheimer's disease classication

International audienceEarly diagnosis is one of the most important challenges related to Alzheimer's disease (AD). To address this issue, numerous studies proposed biomarkers based on anatomical MRI. Among them, patch-based grading demonstrated state-of-the-art results when applied to T1-weighted MRI. In this work, we propose to use a similar framework on dierent diusion parameters extracted from DTI. We also propose to use a fast patch-based search strategy to provide novel biomarkers for the early detection of AD. We intensively compare our new grading-based DTI features with basic MRI/DTI biomarkers and evaluate our method within a cross validation classication framework. Finally, we demonstrate that the proposed biomarkers obtain competitive results for the identication of the dierent stages of AD

Electroencephalographic signatures of dogs with presumptive diagnosis of canine cognitive dysfunction

Canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is a highly prevalent neurodegenerative disease considered the canine analog of early Alzheimer's disease (AD). Unfortunately, CCD cannot be cured. However, early therapeutic interventions can slow the progression of cognitive decline and improve quality of life of the patients; therefore, early diagnosis is ideal. In humans, electroencephalogram (EEG) findings specific to AD have been described, and some of them have successfully detect early stages of the disease. In this study we characterized the EEG correlates of CCD, and we compared them with the EEGs of healthy aging dogs and dogs at risk of developing CCD. EEG recordings were performed in 25 senior dogs during wakefulness. Dogs were categorized in normal, at risk of CCD or with CCD according to their score in the Rofina questionnaire. We demonstrated that, quantitative EEG can detect differences between normal dogs and dogs with CCD. Dogs with CCD experience a reduction in beta and gamma interhemispheric coherence, and higher Joint Lempel Ziv complexity. Dogs at risk of developing CCD, had higher alpha power and interhemispheric coherence, making these features potential markers of early stages of the disease. These results demonstrate that quantitative EEG analysis could aid the diagnosis of CCD, and reinforce the CCD as a translational model of early AD.Fil: Mondino, Alejandra. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Gutiérrez, Mary. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: González, Camila. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Mateos, Diego Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Santa Fe. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral. Universidad Nacional del Litoral. Instituto de Matemática Aplicada del Litoral; Argentina. Universidad Autónoma de Entre Ríos; ArgentinaFil: Torterolo, Pablo. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Olby, Natasha. North Carolina State University; Estados UnidosFil: Delucchi, Luis. Universidad de la República; Urugua

Neural basis of impaired narrative discourse comprehension in prodromal and mild dementia with lewy bodies

International audienceNarrative discourse (ND) comprehension is a complex task that implies not only linguistic abilities but also other cognitive abilities, including efficient executive functioning. An executive dysfunction has been described in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) from the early stage. Here, we question the link between executive dysfunction in DLB and narrative comprehension. The aim of our study was to evaluate ND comprehension and to investigate the neuroanatomical basis for its impairment in the early stage of DLB. DLB patients ( N = 26) and controls ( N = 19) underwent the ND comprehension test of the Montreal Protocol for Evaluation of Communication (MEC). An additional, qualitative analysis was conducted on their verbal productions. Cognitive tests assessing verbal episodic memory, executive functions, naming and oral syntactic comprehension were also performed. Brain gray matter correlates of the ND comprehension test were examined using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). An ND comprehension impairment was found for prodromal and mild DLB patients as compared to controls. These difficulties were correlated with the Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) score. ND comprehension impairment in DLB was further characterized by a deficit in the organization and the logic of the discourse. Moreover, VBM analysis revealed a correlation between striatal gray matter volumes and DLB patients’ ability to extract and organize relevant information ( p < 0.05, FDR correction, cluster level). The ND comprehension impairment in DLB patients could be related to their executive dysfunction through a deficit of information selection and organization that correlates with the volumetric reduction of striatal gray matter