Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
4.6
2.9
Journals
Medicina
Special Issues
Advances in the Field of Neurology: Innovations in Research and...
share announcement

Advances in the Field of Neurology: Innovations in Research and Treatment

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Neurology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 10 January 2027 | Viewed by 7997

Editors

Dr. Alberto Ouro

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. NeuroAging Group (NEURAL), Clinical Neurosciences Research Laboratory (LINC), Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), 15706 Santiago de Compostela, Spain
2. Clinical University Hospital (CHUS), SERGAS, Travesía da Choupana, S/N, Santiago de Compostela, 15706 A Coruña, Spain
Interests: sphingolipids; cancer; inflammation; signaling pathways; neurosciences; Alzheimer’s disease; memory
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Allison B. Reiss

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Medicine, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY 11501, USA
2. Department of Foundations of Medicine, NYU Grossman Long Island School of Medicine, Mineola, NY 11501, USA
Interests: Alzheimer’s disease; neuroprotection; cognitive function; atherosclerosis; nutrition; lifestyle; dementia; lipid metabolism; aging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue of Medicina aims to collect general papers and extended and expanded versions of selected papers presented at IECMD2025 (https://sciforum.net/event/IECMD2025), offering authors the opportunity to publish their full-length manuscripts in a high-impact, peer-reviewed format.

The Special Issue will cover novel mechanistic insights, translational approaches, and clinical innovations that advance our understanding of the nervous system and its disorders. By integrating molecular, cellular, and clinical perspectives, this issue seeks to bridge the gap between bench and bedside in neurology.

We welcome submissions addressing emerging concepts and frontiers in neurology, including, but not limited to, the following:

  • Molecular and cellular mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, ALS, etc.);
  • Neuroinflammation and immune–brain interactions;
  • Neurovascular biology and cerebrovascular disorders (stroke and BBB dynamics);
  • Lysosomal and metabolic diseases with neurological manifestations;
  • Neuroplasticity, regeneration, and neurorepair mechanisms;
  • Biomarkers and diagnostic tools in neurological diseases;
  • Novel therapeutic targets and drug delivery systems for CNS disorders;
  • Precision neurology, personalized medicine, and patient stratification;
  • Advanced neuroimaging, electrophysiological, and computational approaches;
  • Translational and preclinical models of neurological pathologies.

Original research articles presenting novel mechanistic or translational findings in neurology and related disciplines are encouraged. We also welcome comprehensive and systematic reviews summarizing recent advances in neurological science and clinical practice. 

All manuscripts will undergo standard rigorous peer review and will be published open access in Medicina to ensure wide dissemination and visibility within the scientific and clinical community.

Dr. Alberto Ouro
Dr. Allison B. Reiss
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • neuron
  • synapse
  • neuroinflammation
  • motor neuron diseases
  • neurodegeneration
  • myelin
  • seizures

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (4 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

15 pages, 843 KB  
Article
Time to Complete Clinical Recovery and Its Predictors in Bell’s Palsy Patients Receiving Acupuncture: A Prospective Cohort Study
by Aleksandar Kopitović, Sandro Kalember, Filip Katanić, Nina Vico Katanić, Zita Jovin, Sofija Banić Horvat, Miroslav Ilin, Marko Bojović and Svetlana Simić
Medicina 2026, 62(7), 1248; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62071248 - 29 Jun 2026
Viewed by 260
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Bell’s palsy (BP) is the most common cause of acute unilateral peripheral facial nerve paralysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time to complete clinical recovery in patients with BP treated with acupuncture and to identify [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Bell’s palsy (BP) is the most common cause of acute unilateral peripheral facial nerve paralysis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the time to complete clinical recovery in patients with BP treated with acupuncture and to identify baseline clinical and electrophysiological predictors of recovery outcomes. In addition, electrophysiological characteristics at the time of complete clinical recovery were examined. Materials and Methods: This prospective, observational, uncontrolled cohort study included 1050 patients with clinically confirmed BP who received acupuncture as the only therapeutic intervention between January 2017 and August 2025. Clinical severity was assessed using the House–Brackmann (HB) and Sunnybrook (SB) grading systems. Electrophysiological evaluation included compound muscle action potential (CMAP) analysis and needle electromyography (EMG). Time-to-event analysis was performed using the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. Results: Complete clinical recovery was achieved in 843 patients (80.3%). The median time to recovery was 40 days (IQR 30–60). Patients with milder baseline deficits (HB II–IV) demonstrated significantly faster recovery than those with severe paralysis (HB V–VI) (log-rank p < 0.001). In multivariable Cox regression analysis, higher baseline HB grade, older age, and more severe EMG denervation were independently associated with slower recovery. Residual electrophysiological abnormalities persisted in most patients despite complete clinical recovery. Conclusions: Recovery from BP is a dynamic and heterogeneous process, significantly influenced by initial clinical severity and the degree of electrophysiological impairment. Combined clinical and electrophysiological assessment may contribute to more precise prognostic stratification and follow-up of patients with BP. Persistent electrophysiological abnormalities despite complete clinical recovery suggest that complete clinical recovery may precede complete neurophysiological regeneration of the facial nerve. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Field of Neurology: Innovations in Research and Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 833 KB  
Article
Cup-to-Disc Ratio Is Associated with Disability in Multiple Sclerosis: A Combined OCT and Subjective Visual Vertical Study
by Ieva Vienažindytė, Tautvydas Klėgėris, Ingrida Ulozienė, Diego Kaski, Brigita Glebauskienė and Renata Balnytė
Medicina 2026, 62(6), 1158; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62061158 - 14 Jun 2026
Viewed by 289
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Non-invasive biomarkers reflecting neurodegeneration are increasingly important in multiple sclerosis (MS). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides quantitative measures of retinal structure, most commonly peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness. However, the potential clinical relevance of optic nerve head [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Non-invasive biomarkers reflecting neurodegeneration are increasingly important in multiple sclerosis (MS). Optical coherence tomography (OCT) provides quantitative measures of retinal structure, most commonly peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL) thickness. However, the potential clinical relevance of optic nerve head morphology, including cup-to-disc ratio (CDR), remains insufficiently explored. We investigated associations between OCT-derived parameters, subjective visual vertical (SVV), and disability in MS. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 100 patients with MS were included. OCT parameters (pRNFL thickness and area-based CDR) were analyzed at baseline and follow-up. Clinical disability was assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). Detailed optic neuritis history was not consistently available in the retrospective clinical records and therefore could not be systematically accounted for in the analyses. SVV was evaluated in 37 patients using a virtual reality–based protocol. Associations were assessed using Spearman correlation and linear regression analyses. Multivariable regression models were adjusted for age, sex, and follow-up duration. Results: pRNFL thickness was not associated with baseline EDSS (rho = −0.06, p = 0.55) or annualized EDSS change. Baseline CDR correlated with both baseline EDSS (rho = 0.30, p = 0.0065) and follow-up EDSS (rho = 0.46, p < 0.0001). In univariable regression analysis, baseline CDR was associated with follow-up EDSS (B = 3.33, R2 = 0.23, p < 0.0001), remaining significant after adjustment for age, sex, and follow-up duration (B = 2.59, 95% CI 1.26–3.92, p = 0.0002). No significant associations were observed between OCT parameters and SVV measures. Conclusions: Higher CDR values, but not pRNFL thickness, were associated with disability measures in this exploratory MS cohort. However, these findings should be interpreted cautiously because optic neuritis history could not be systematically accounted for and physiological optic disc variability may substantially influence CDR measurements. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Field of Neurology: Innovations in Research and Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

18 pages, 4417 KB  
Article
Effects of Exogenous SARS-CoV-2 S1 Protein and mRNA Vaccines on Mixed Neuronal–Glial Cell Cultures
by Vytenis Markevičius, Eimina Dirvelytė-Valauskė, Urtė Neniškytė and Vilmantė Borutaitė
Medicina 2026, 62(1), 198; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62010198 - 17 Jan 2026
Viewed by 1355
Abstract
Background and Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 produces potentially pathogenic molecules, such as single-stranded RNA and spike proteins, which can potentially activate microglial cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 and mRNA vaccines can cause neurotoxicity directly or through [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: SARS-CoV-2 produces potentially pathogenic molecules, such as single-stranded RNA and spike proteins, which can potentially activate microglial cells. In this study, we aimed to investigate whether SARS-CoV-2 spike protein S1 and mRNA vaccines can cause neurotoxicity directly or through microglial involvement. Materials and Methods: Primary cerebellar granule cell cultures isolated from Wistar rats and organotypic hippocampal slice cultures from transgenic C57BL/6J mice were used in the experiments. Imaging and quantitative analysis of cell viability, proliferation, and phagocytic activity were performed using light and fluorescence microscopy. Results: The exogenous SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein at 50 µg/mL concentration induced neuronal cell death in neuronal–glial co-cultures and stimulated microglial proliferation during the first 3 days of exposure without an effect on inflammatory cytokine secretion. Single application of Tozinameran/Riltozinameran and Original/Omicron BA. 4–5 vaccines did not affect neuronal viability and total neuronal number in cell co-cultures after 7 days of exposure. In contrast, three repeated treatments with mRNA vaccines at 6 ng/mL caused microglial proliferation without affecting microglial phagocytosis and TNF-α release. In organotypic brain slice cultures, only Tozinameran/Riltozinameran stimulated microglial cell proliferation in female brain slices, while male brain slices remained unaffected by both vaccines, indicating sex-dependent effects. Conclusions: The findings suggest that mRNA vaccines do not exert neurotoxic effects in primary neuronal–glial co-cultures, but induce microglial proliferation, particularly in female brains in the absence of inflammatory cytokine release. SARS-CoV-2 S1 protein at high concentrations directly induces neuronal death. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Field of Neurology: Innovations in Research and Treatment)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

27 pages, 473 KB  
Review
Beneficial Effects of Olive Oil and the Mediterranean Diet on Alzheimer’s Disease and Vascular Dementia: A Review
by Aitor González-Cidad, Juan Carlos García-Moncó and Gustavo C. Román
Medicina 2026, 62(4), 696; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina62040696 - 4 Apr 2026
Viewed by 5321
Abstract
Background and Objectives: During the past 25 years, a significant body of research has been conducted reporting on the salutary effects of the Mediterranean diet and extra-virgin olive oil, one of its main components. The initial studies were epidemiological observations on populations with [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: During the past 25 years, a significant body of research has been conducted reporting on the salutary effects of the Mediterranean diet and extra-virgin olive oil, one of its main components. The initial studies were epidemiological observations on populations with very low mortality rates due to significant reductions in myocardial infarction fatalities. Population-based studies demonstrated that the Mediterranean diet with olive oil consumption is associated with a lower prevalence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease, obesity, arthritis, and cancer. Materials and Methods: In this narrative review, we present recent studies on the effects of extra-virgin olive oil and the Mediterranean diet—compared with various other diets—on several vascular risk factors, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and obesity, as well as their impact on cognitive decline and dementia. Results: This diet has been shown to improve cognitive function in patients with mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular cognitive impairment, and vascular dementia. The main mechanisms responsible for cognitive improvement include control of arterial hypertension by reducing systolic and diastolic blood pressure, lowering triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, along with improvement in fasting glucose, insulin levels, and hemoglobin A1c in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus, as well as lowering body mass index and obesity. Conclusions: The Mediterranean diet and olive oil induce—along with prevention of cardiovascular disease and stroke—a significant improvement of vascular risk factors, slowing the progression of both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. There is a need for additional placebo-controlled clinical trials to confirm the supportive nutritional role of extra-virgin olive oil in age-associated cognitive decline in the elderly. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in the Field of Neurology: Innovations in Research and Treatment)
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-4
Back to TopTop