Search Results (5)

Anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) are eating diseases characterized by extreme eating behaviours impacting both mental and physical health. Aberrant musculoskeletal adaptations due to malnutrition affect motor abilities such as postural control and gait. To date, limited data is available with regards to gait symmetry in AN and BN. The aim of this study was to characterize inter-limb asymmetry during gait in two cohorts affected by AN and BN, respectively, using the synchronized cyclograms and to compare it with a healthy weight group. A total of 14 AN, 17 BN, and 11 healthy-weight females were assessed via 3D gait analysis. Gait spatio-temporal parameters were computed together with angle–angle diagrams, which were characterized in terms of their geometric features. Individuals with AN and BN were characterized by reduced speed and cadence and an abnormal increase in the duration of the double support phase with respect to the healthy controls. With respect to inter-limb symmetry, asymmetries were detected in both groups, with individuals with BN exhibiting significantly larger cyclogram areas at the hip joint with respect to the other groups (323.43 degrees² vs. 253.74 degrees² vs. 136.37 degrees²) and significantly higher orientation angle and Trend Symmetry at both knee and ankle joint. The cyclogram analysis suggests the presence of an altered gait symmetry in individuals with BN. In the AN group, it is possible to observe a similar trend; however, this is not statistically significant. Overall, the findings of this study may provide a novel perspective on the motor control dysfunction linked to eating disorders and aid clinicians in selecting a suitable rehabilitation scheme targeted at enhancing motor stability and control. Full article

Organophosphate (OP) insecticides are used to eliminate agricultural threats posed by insects, through inhibition of the neurotransmitter acetylcholinesterase (AChE). These potent neurotoxins are extremely efficacious in insect elimination, and as such, are the preferred agricultural insecticides worldwide. Despite their efficacy, however, estimates indicate that only 0.1% of organophosphates reach their desired target. Moreover, multiple studies have shown that OP exposure in both humans and animals can lead to aberrations in embryonic development, defects in childhood neurocognition, and substantial contribution to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Motor Neurone Disease. Here, we review the current state of knowledge pertaining to organophosphate exposure on both embryonic development and/or subsequent neurological consequences on behaviour, paying particular attention to data gleaned using an excellent animal model, the zebrafish (Danio rerio). Full article

Background and Objectives: To explore whether specific Neuropsychiatric Symptoms (NPS) are related to worse performance in particular cognitive domains. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of the baseline evaluations of older (≥60 years), cognitively unimpaired (CU) participants from the National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) Uniform Data Set was performed. Data were derived from 43 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers. Cognitively impaired individuals, participants with psychiatric disorders and/or under treatment with antipsychotic, anxiolytic, sedative, or hypnotic agents were excluded. NPS were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire. The association of NPS with participants’ performance on episodic memory, semantic memory, language, attention, processing speed and executive function was analysed using an adjusted (considering important demographic and medical factors) multivariate general linear model. Results: A total of 7179 CU, older, predominantly female, Caucasian, and well-educated participants were included in the present analysis. Among them, 1856 individuals had one or more NPS. Our analysis revealed that moderate/severe anxiety was related to worse performance on semantic memory, attention and executive function, the presence of hallucinations was linked to worse processing speed and executive function scores, while the presence of elation/euphoria and aberrant motor behaviour were associated with poorer attention and language performance, respectively. In the context of a secondary, exploratory analysis, the presence of moderate/severe delusions was related to worse processing speed and executive function performance. Conclusions: The relationship between specific NPS and worse performance in particular cognitive domains could inform the formulation of individualized preventive strategies directed to the ‘‘fortification’’ of specific cognitive functions in CU individuals with NPS. Full article

Background: Aberrant motor behaviour or wandering refers to aimless movement without a specific purpose. Wandering is common in patients with dementia and leads to early institutionalization and caregivers’ burden. Non-pharmacological interventions should be also considered as a first-line solution for the wandering because current pharmacological treatment has serious side-effects. Methods: A cross-over randomised controlled trial (RCT) with 60 participants of all stages and different types of dementia was conducted in Greece. The sample was randomly assigned in 6 different groups of 10 participants each. Every intervention lasted for 5 days, and there were 2 days as a wash-out period. There was no drop-out rate. The measurements used were the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), Functional Rating Scale for Symptoms in Dementia (FRSSD), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). The interventions that were evaluated were reminiscence therapy (RT), music therapy (MT), and physical exercise (PE). Results: NPI scores were reduced in the group receiving PE (p = 0.006). When MT (p = 0.018) follows PE, wandering symptoms are reduced further. RT should follow MT in order to reduce wandering more (p = 0.034). The same combination was effective for the caregivers’ burden as well; PE (p = 0.004), MT (p = 0.036), RT (p = 0.039). Conclusions: An effective combination that can reduce wandering symptoms in all stages and types of dementia was found: The best order was PH-MT-RT. The same combination in the same order reduced caregivers’ burden. Full article

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, rapidly progressing neurodegenerative disease affecting motor neurons, and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a behavioural disorder resulting in early-onset dementia. Hexanucleotide (G4C2) repeat expansions in the gene encoding chromosome 9 open reading frame 72 (C9orf72) are the major cause of familial forms of both ALS (~40%) and FTD (~20%) worldwide. The C9orf72 repeat expansion is known to form abnormal nuclei acid structures, such as hairpins, G-quadruplexes, and R-loops, which are increasingly associated with human diseases involving microsatellite repeats. These configurations form during normal cellular processes, but if they persist they also damage DNA, and hence are a serious threat to genome integrity. It is unclear how the repeat expansion in C9orf72 causes ALS, but recent evidence implicates DNA damage in neurodegeneration. This may arise from abnormal nucleic acid structures, the greatly expanded C9orf72 RNA, or by repeat-associated non-ATG (RAN) translation, which generates toxic dipeptide repeat proteins. In this review, we detail recent advances implicating DNA damage in C9orf72-ALS. Furthermore, we also discuss increasing evidence that targeting these aberrant C9orf72 confirmations may have therapeutic value for ALS, thus revealing new avenues for drug discovery for this disorder. Full article