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Studies of preclinical Alzheimer disease (AD) have unexpectedly shown amyloid-β deposition and/or AD-like neurodegenerative changes in the brains of a high proportion of clinically normal elderly individuals. As two recent reports illustrate, imaging and fluid biomarker studies in these individuals are yielding new insights into the pathophysiology of cognitive ageing.
A recent study proposed a modified version of the current diagnostic criteria for neurocysticercosis, but the value of the modifications is unclear and the study design limits conclusions about the validity of the new criteria. Instead, the suggested changes might contribute to future revision of the existing diagnostic criteria.
According to new research, oestrogen therapy in postmenopausal women is associated with ventricular enlargement and increased white matter hyperintensities in the brain, but not with cognitive decline. This disconnect between structural and functional effects suggests that brain-derived lipids can be harnessed to meet the bioenergetic demand imposed by normal cognition.
Evidence is accumulating that cortical dysfunction — in particular, cortical hyperexcitability — is an early feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), thereby lending support to the 'dying-forward' hypothesis of ALS pathogenesis. The authors present an overview of recent insights into ALS pathophysiology, focusing on the importance of cortical hyperexcitability as a pathogenic and diagnostic biomarker.
According to a recent study, a high percentage of children with epilepsy show comorbid somatic, neurological, and developmental or psychiatric disorders. To provide comprehensive care for paediatric patients with epilepsy, all their needs must be evaluated and managed, including careful consideration of comorbid disorders.
Owing to a lack of objective diagnostic tools, the diagnosis of mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) and related conditions, such as postconcussive syndrome and chronic traumatic encephalopathy must be made on clinical grounds. Here, Zetterberg and Blennow review the most recent developments in search for biomarkers for mild TBI and related conditions.