Volume 6 Issue 6, June 2010

The dramatic increase in survival of extremely premature infants has been associated with a growing population of individuals with neurodevelopmental disabilities. To date, clinical trials of neuroprotective agents in preterm infants have been limited, but new data suggest that erythropoietin might have important neuroprotective effects in these vulnerable infants.

The burden of cerebrovascular disease is thought to be greater than current official estimates. A new systematic review shows that a history of stroke is associated with an increased risk of incident dementia in the elderly. The findings also highlight the confusion in the classification of dementia and the need for more recognition of vascular-related cognitive disorders.

Classification of glioblastomas into various molecular entities is required for the successful application of targeted therapeutics and personalized cancer therapy. Analyses of gene expression, genomic mutations and DNA copy number identified four molecular subtypes among histopathologically indistinguishable glioblastomas. This classification suggests the existence of distinct paths of tumor cell origin and variation in therapeutic sensitivity.

Two genome-wide association studies have independently identified genetic risk factors for Parkinson disease (PD). One study, conducted in individuals of European ancestry, provides further evidence for an association between PD risk and the genes SNCA and MAPT. The other study, conducted in a Japanese series, identified two novel loci that are associated with PD risk.

The role of hyperlipidemia as a risk factor for stroke is unclear. A new retrospective study has examined the relationship between a history of hyperlipidemia and MRI-defined white matter hyperintensities in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The results indicate that hyperlipidemia might have a protective role against cerebral small-vessel disease.

The development of interventions to slow or prevent the progression of Parkinson disease (PD) will depend on a clearer understanding of the etiology and pathophysiology of the disease. Schapira and Tolosa describe the biochemical events and pathways that are thought to comprise the molecular prodrome of PD and consider how these events might relate to the pathological changes and clinical features that characterize the early phase of PD.

The success of future preventative treatments for dementia might rely on early and accurate identification of individuals who have a high risk of developing this condition. Here, Stephan et al. examine models of dementia risk prediction that have been tested in population-based samples. The authors discuss the predictive utility of both mild cognitive impairment criteria, and population screening models that combine cognitive deficits with other known dementia risk factors.

The brains of preterm infants are highly vulnerable to injury caused by hypoxic–ischemic events and inflammation, which can have deleterious consequences both acutely and later in life. In this article, Deng reviews evidence regarding the neurobiology of injury to immature white matter, including the roles of activated microglia and astrogliosis, and discusses potential therapies for this condition.

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a somatosensory network disorder, a key feature of which is an overwhelming urge to move the legs. In this article, Trenkwalder and Paulus review the state of knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of RLS, including the proposed roles of the dopamine and iron systems, and discuss current approaches to the diagnosis and treatment of this condition.

Behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD) is characterized by a decline in social skills, emotions, personal conduct and self-awareness, that is indicative of frontal lobe degeneration. Facundo Manes and colleagues report on a case of a patient presenting with pathological gambling who went on to develop the typical syndrome of bvFTD. The authors discuss the importance of recognizing symptoms of bvFTD and raise issues about the legal implications of the diagnosis.