Topic Editors

Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41125 Modena, Italy
Dr. Elisabetta Bertellini
Anesthesia and Intensive Care, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria di Modena, Via del Pozzo 71, 41125 Modena, Italy

Neurological Updates in Neurocritical Care

Abstract submission deadline
30 November 2025
Manuscript submission deadline
28 February 2026
Viewed by
1918

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Neurocritical care is a developing multidisciplinary field that combines neurology, critical care, and advanced therapies to enhance the management and outcomes of critically ill patients with acute neurological and neurosurgical disorders. Conditions such as traumatic brain injury, stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, status epilepticus, central nervous system infections, and neurodegenerative crises require rapid, precise, and innovative approaches. Recent advancements in neurocritical care have significantly improved our understanding of these conditions, allowing clinicians and researchers to refine diagnostic, monitoring, and treatment strategies. Technological innovations such as advanced neuroimaging, multimodal neuromonitoring, and the integration of artificial intelligence have transformed our ability to assess and manage critically ill neurological patients. The emergence of biomarkers, neuroprotective agents, and individualized treatment protocols highlights the significance of personalized care in enhancing patient outcomes. Additionally, advancements in ventilatory strategies, temperature management, and hemodynamic optimization have changed the landscape of intensive care for neurological emergencies.

We invite submissions of high-quality original research, reviews, and case reports focusing on the latest developments and future directions in neurocritical care. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Innovations in neuroimaging and neuromonitoring techniques;
  • Biomarkers in prognosis and therapeutic responses;
  • Neuroprotective strategies and pharmacological advancements;
  • Advances in stroke, traumatic brain injury, and seizure management;
  • Artificial intelligence and machine learning in neurocritical care;
  • Ethical considerations and quality-of-life outcomes;
  • Brain death and organ donation;
  • Anesthesia and neuro-anesthesia;
  • Pain management.

Join us in exploring the cutting-edge trends and challenges that define this rapidly evolving field. Contribute to the collective effort of advancing knowledge and improving the standard of care for critically ill neurological patients.

Dr. Gabriele Melegari
Dr. Elisabetta Bertellini
Topic Editors

Keywords

  • neurocritical care
  • acute neurological disorders
  • traumatic brain injury (TBI)
  • advanced neuromonitoring
  • stroke management
  • neuroprotective therapies
  • critical care innovations
  • artificial intelligence in neurology
  • personalized neurological treatment
  • emerging neuroscience technologies

Participating Journals

Journal Name Impact Factor CiteScore Launched Year First Decision (median) APC
Brain Sciences
brainsci
2.8 5.6 2011 16.2 Days CHF 2200 Submit
Clinical and Translational Neuroscience
ctn
1.1 - 2017 21.9 Days CHF 1000 Submit
Neurology International
neurolint
3.0 4.8 2009 21.4 Days CHF 1800 Submit
NeuroSci
neurosci
2.0 - 2020 27.1 Days CHF 1200 Submit

Preprints.org is a multidisciplinary platform offering a preprint service designed to facilitate the early sharing of your research. It supports and empowers your research journey from the very beginning.

MDPI Topics is collaborating with Preprints.org and has established a direct connection between MDPI journals and the platform. Authors are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by posting their preprints at Preprints.org prior to publication:

  1. Share your research immediately: disseminate your ideas prior to publication and establish priority for your work.
  2. Safeguard your intellectual contribution: Protect your ideas with a time-stamped preprint that serves as proof of your research timeline.
  3. Boost visibility and impact: Increase the reach and influence of your research by making it accessible to a global audience.
  4. Gain early feedback: Receive valuable input and insights from peers before submitting to a journal.
  5. Ensure broad indexing: Web of Science (Preprint Citation Index), Google Scholar, Crossref, SHARE, PrePubMed, Scilit and Europe PMC.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Order results
Result details
Journals
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
18 pages, 1471 KB  
Systematic Review
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery in Elective Craniotomy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Perioperative Outcomes
by Carlos Darcy Alves Bersot, Lucas Ferreira Gomes Pereira, Vitor Alves Felippe, Matheus Reis Rocha Melo Barros, Gustavo Fernandes Nunes, José Eduardo Guimarães Pereira and Luiz Fernando dos Reis Falcão
Clin. Transl. Neurosci. 2025, 9(3), 39; https://doi.org/10.3390/ctn9030039 - 1 Sep 2025
Viewed by 364
Abstract
Introduction: Craniotomy, a common neurosurgical procedure, is frequently associated with substantial perioperative challenges and delayed recovery. While Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have demonstrated clear benefits in multiple surgical fields, their application in neurosurgery, particularly elective craniotomy, remains emerging. Objective: This systematic [...] Read more.
Introduction: Craniotomy, a common neurosurgical procedure, is frequently associated with substantial perioperative challenges and delayed recovery. While Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) protocols have demonstrated clear benefits in multiple surgical fields, their application in neurosurgery, particularly elective craniotomy, remains emerging. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of ERAS protocols in adult patients undergoing elective craniotomy, focusing on key outcomes such as length of hospital stay (LOS), postoperative pain, complications, and functional recovery. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library up to June 2025. Eligible studies included adult patients (≥18 years) undergoing elective craniotomy and compared ERAS protocols to conventional perioperative care. Primary outcomes were LOS, postoperative complications, pain, early oral intake, and early mobilization. Data extraction and risk of bias assessment (RoB 2.0) were independently performed by two reviewers. Results: Nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs), totaling 1453 patients, were included. Meta-analysis showed that ERAS protocols significantly reduced length of hospital stay (mean difference: −2.17 days; 95% CI: −2.92 to −1.42; p < 0.00001) and decreased the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting (odds ratio [OR]: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.19 to 0.44; I2 = 0%). ERAS protocols were associated with higher odds of early mobilization (OR: 6.88; 95% CI: 3.46 to 13.68) and early oral intake (OR: 14.04; 95% CI: 7.80 to 25.26). Postoperative complications were significantly reduced in the ERAS group (OR: 0.49; 95% CI: 0.24 to 0.99; p = 0.048; I2 = 0%). While early urinary catheter removal showed a favorable trend (OR: 13.48), high heterogeneity (I2 = 95.7%) limits interpretability. Postoperative pain on day 1 did not differ significantly between groups (mean difference: −0.37; 95% CI: −2.38 to 1.63; p = 0.72). The overall risk of bias was rated low to moderate across studies. Conclusions: ERAS protocols in elective craniotomy are associated with shorter hospital stays, lower complication rates, reduced PONV, and earlier return to function, without increasing adverse events. These findings support broader implementation of ERAS in neurosurgical practice. Further multicenter RCTs are warranted to standardize and refine ERAS components for craniotomy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Neurological Updates in Neurocritical Care)
Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 677 KB  
Review
Prognostic Utility of Arterial Spin Labeling in Traumatic Brain Injury: From Pathophysiology to Precision Imaging
by Silvia De Rosa, Flavia Carton, Alessandro Grecucci and Paola Feraco
NeuroSci 2025, 6(3), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/neurosci6030073 - 4 Aug 2025
Viewed by 611
Abstract
Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant contributor to global mortality and long-term neurological disability. Accurate prognostic biomarkers are crucial for enhancing prognostic accuracy and guiding personalized clinical management. Objective: This review assesses the prognostic value of arterial spin labeling (ASL), a [...] Read more.
Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a significant contributor to global mortality and long-term neurological disability. Accurate prognostic biomarkers are crucial for enhancing prognostic accuracy and guiding personalized clinical management. Objective: This review assesses the prognostic value of arterial spin labeling (ASL), a non-invasive MRI technique, in adult and pediatric TBI, with a focus on quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) and arterial transit time (ATT) measures. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and IEEE databases, including observational studies and clinical trials that applied ASL techniques (pCASL, PASL, VSASL, multi-PLD) in TBI patients with functional or cognitive outcomes, with outcome assessments conducted at least 3 months post-injury. Results: ASL-derived CBF and ATT parameters demonstrate potential as prognostic indicators across both acute and chronic stages of TBI. Hypoperfusion patterns correlate with worse neurocognitive outcomes, while region-specific perfusion alterations are associated with affective symptoms. Multi-delay and velocity-selective ASL sequences enhance diagnostic sensitivity in TBI with heterogeneous perfusion dynamics. Compared to conventional perfusion imaging, ASL provides absolute quantification without contrast agents, making it suitable for repeated monitoring in vulnerable populations. ASL emerges as a promising prognostic biomarker for clinical use in TBI. Conclusion: Integrating ASL into multiparametric models may improve risk stratification and guide individualized therapeutic strategies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Neurological Updates in Neurocritical Care)
Show Figures

Figure 1

8 pages, 515 KB  
Article
Attention Test as a Predictive Marker of Vasospasm in Patients with Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
by Helaina Lehrer, Ankit Bansal, Nicki Mohammadi, Anmol Mittal, John Liang and Alexandra S. Reynolds
Clin. Transl. Neurosci. 2025, 9(2), 28; https://doi.org/10.3390/ctn9020028 - 18 Jun 2025
Viewed by 412
Abstract
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) has high morbidity and mortality in part due to vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). This retrospective, single-center, case–control study evaluates the accuracy of an attention test, counting backwards from twenty to one (TTO), for detecting vasospasm and DCI [...] Read more.
Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) has high morbidity and mortality in part due to vasospasm and delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI). This retrospective, single-center, case–control study evaluates the accuracy of an attention test, counting backwards from twenty to one (TTO), for detecting vasospasm and DCI in patients admitted to the ICU with aSAH over one year. The odds of symptomatic vasospasm and hospital outcomes were compared between the inattention and control groups. A subgroup analysis included accuracy tests comparing TTO to radiographic vasospasm. Of 44 subjects, 24 had inattention during their ICU course. Compared to controls, the inattention group had increased odds of vasospasm (OR 72 [7.6–677.7], p = 0.001), with significantly longer ICU (5.9 days) and hospital (6.6 days) lengths of stay, and higher odds of discharge to other healthcare facilities (OR 11.4 [2.8 to 46.8], p < 0.001). Errors on TTO testing had a specificity and sensitivity of 78%, and a positive predictive value (PPV) of 91%, for radiographic vasospasm, primarily in the anterior circulation. This study provides support for future prospective research to help elucidate the utility of TTO testing for monitoring and treatment of patients with aSAH. Full article
(This article belongs to the Topic Neurological Updates in Neurocritical Care)
Show Figures

Figure 1

Back to TopTop