Neurodegenerative disorders and dementia
Cytosolic dsDNA of mitochondrial origin induces cytotoxicity and neurodegeneration in cellular and zebrafish models of Parkinson’s disease
Recommended by Damiana Leo, Belgium: ´This study report that cytosolic dsDNA of mitochondrial origin escaping from lysosomal degradation induces cytotoxicity in cultured cells and Parkinson Disease phenotypes in vivo.´
Impairment of the neurotrophic signaling hub B-Raf contributes to motoneuron degeneration in spinal muscular atrophy
Recommended by Damiana Leo, Belgium: ´The authors show an altered signalling network in spinal muscular atrophy ( SMA) models and patient cells with a reduced B-Raf expression in the network center. B-Raf is crucial for motoneuron survival, and we present data that B-Raf restoration ameliorates motoneuron loss and symptoms in SMA models.´
Predicting optimal deep brain stimulation parameters for Parkinson’s disease using functional MRI and machine learning
Recommended by Damiana Leo, Belgium: ´The authors propose that fMRI brain responses to Deep Brain stimulation in Parkinson Disease patients could represent an objective biomarker of clinical response.´
ADAMANT: a placebo-controlled randomized phase 2 study of AADvac1, an active immunotherapy against pathological tau in Alzheimer’s disease
Novak, P., Kovacech, B., Katina, S. et al.
Recommended by Anne Eckert, Switzerland: 'Results from a Phase 2 trial of AADvac1—a vaccine against pathological forms of tau – published few days after the controversially discussed approval of Aducanumab by U.S. FDA. AADvac1 appeared safe and raised antibody responses among nearly all participants, who had been diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s disease, and attenuated a gradual rise in plasma Neurofilament light chain over the course of the two-year-trial. Post hoc analysis suggested that it slowed cognitive decline among those most likely to harbor Aβ and tau pathology.'
Large-scale plasma proteomic profiling identifies a high-performance biomarker panel for Alzheimer's disease screening and staging
Jiang Y, Zhou X, Ip FC, Chan P, Chen Y, Lai NCH, Cheung K, Lo RMN, Tong EPS, Wong BWY, Chan ALT, Mok VCT, Kwok TCY, Mok KY, Hardy J, Zetterberg H, Fu AKY, Ip NY.
Recommended by Anne Eckert, Switzerland: 'A promising first-step AD biomarker study: The authors selected 19 'hub proteins' representative of the AD plasma protein profile, which formed the basis of a scoring system that accurately classified clinical AD and associated endophenotypes. The protein panel distinguished AD from controls with 97 percent accuracy. It is not yet clear if the panel is specific for AD.'
Dietary spermidine improves cognitive function
Schroeder S, Hofer SJ, Zimmermann A, Pechlaner R, Dammbrueck C, Pendl T, Marcello GM, Pogatschnigg V, Bergmann M, Müller M, Gschiel V, Ristic S, Tadic J, Iwata K, Richter G, Farzi A, Üçal M, Schäfer U, Poglitsch M, Royer P, Mekis R, Agreiter M, Tölle RC, Sótonyi P, Willeit J, Mairhofer B, Niederkofler H, Pallhuber I, Rungger G, Tilg H, Defrancesco M, Marksteiner J, Sinner F, Magnes C, Pieber TR, Holzer P, Kroemer G, Carmona-Gutierrez D, Scorrano L, Dengjel J, Madl T, Sedej S, Sigrist SJ, Rácz B, Kiechl S, Eisenberg T, Madeo F.
Recommended by Anne Eckert, Switzerland: 'The spermidine paper noted humans with higher spermidine content in their diet appeared to have more successful brain aging. In my opinion, this paper together with others support the argument that bioenergetic metabolism, mitochondria, and mitochondrial-biology critically contribute to AD, and with regard to the development of drugs or lifestyle interventions that prevent AD, these are justified targets.'
