bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases with special	emphasis on Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease
Authors: Otto Markus , Wiltfang Jens 
Published: December 2024

In principle, two research approaches can be considered for the laboratory diagnosis of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE): (i) the direct detection of PrP $^{Sc}$ and (ii) the detection of surrogate markers in biological materials that show an altered pattern of expression in early stages of the disease or are used in the differential diagnosis of other dementias and thus enable an exclusion diagnosis. This review concentrates on the second approach. It was shown that a single determination of just a few markers (tau-protein, S-100B, 14-3-3-protein) was already sufficient to achieve a high degree of diagnostic certainty in the diagnosis of CJD. On the basis of the available data, it is to be expected that a combination of these markers will bring improved diagnostic strength with regard to the differential diagnosis of dementias as a whole. This especially applies to some of the subtypes of CJD and Alzheimer's dementia (AD).
A temporal study of axonal degeneration and glial scar formation	following a standardized crush injury of the optic nerve in the adult rat
Authors: Ohlsson Marcus , Mattsson Per , Svensson Mikael 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: In this methodological study, we describe a standardized optic nerve injury model in adult rats. The temporal pattern of the glial response is mapped in relation to axonal regeneration and degeneration. Methods: A standardized optic nerve crush injury was made in adult rats, using a fine pair of forceps with a preset pressure of 0.6~N during 10 seconds. Results: This crush injury resulted in a pronounced astroglial and microglial proliferation 2–7 dpi. Degenerative axons distal to the lesion presented a gradual decrease in neurofilament immunoreactivity. In contrast, Fluoro-Jade staining was gradually increased in these degenerative axons from 2–7 dpi. Regeneration was observed proximal to the lesion in sprouts double labeled with the tracer Fluoro-Gold and anti-GAP43. Conclusion: The standardized optic nerve crush injury model used in the present study resulted in a reproducible degenerative pattern including a pronounced astroglial and microglial proliferation. The gradual decrease in Neurofilament immunoreactivity in degenerative axons, and a gradual increase in Fluoro-Jade staining was paralleled with a spontaneous regeneration proximal to the lesion, shown with tracing and GAP43-immunoreactivity. The combination of these markers and this experimental setup thus allows analysis of the entire degenerative/regenerative process in a standardized CNS axotomy model.
Do peripheral nerve extracts protect retinal ganglion cells from	axotomy-induced death?
Authors: Świ�ch-Sabuda Ewa , Gołka Beata , Kotulska Katarzyna , Larysz-Brysz Magdalena , Górka Dariusz , Gołka Dariusz , Marcol Wiesław , Lewin-Kowalik Joanna 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: Study the effect of peripheral nerve extracts and BDNF on retinal ganglion cell (RGC) regeneration in adult rats. Methods: Postmicrosomal fractions were obtained from 7-day, predegenerated, as well as non-predegenerated peripheral adult rats nerves. Autologous connective tissue chambers filled with fibrin were implanted into a gap-injury site in the optic nerve. Chambers contained either fibrin, the fractions, or BDNF. RGCs retrogradely labeled with DiI were counted, the distance covered by regrowing fibers traced with rhodamine B was measured, and number of myelinated fibers in the middle part of the chambers was estimated. Results: BDNF and predegenerated nerve extracts enhanced RGC fiber outgrowth. The regeneration was significantly weaker in the groups with non-predegenerated nerve extracts, as well as fibrin, and was absent in the control group. Conclusion: Predegenerated nerve extracts, as well as BDNF, applied to injured optic nerves by means of connective tissue chambers, are able to induce retinal ganglion cell regeneration.
Word learning can be achieved without feedback: Implications for	aphasia therapy
Authors: Breitenstein Caterina , Kamping Sandra , Jansen Andreas , Schomacher Marion , Knecht Stefan 
Published: December 2024

Purpose. Children acquire new words through exposure, without the necessity for explicit feedback by caregivers. In aphasia therapy, feedback to the patient is considered an important asset even though the empirical base demonstrating superior learning with online feedback is lacking. The present study examined if healthy adults and patients with chronic aphasia can acquire a new lexicon by intense frequency of exposure alone. Methods. We compared learning rates with "frequency of exposure alone" (no-feedback condition: n = 19 healthy adults; two patients with chronic Broca's and Wernicke's aphasia, respectively) with a condition where subjects additionally received online feedback (feedback condition; n = 19). The learning principle was higher statistical co-occurrences of "correct" picture-pseudoword pairings as compared to "incorrect" pairings. In the feedback condition, immediate online feedback on the correctness of respective choices was additionally provided. Results. Both healthy groups successfully acquired the vocabulary. Feedback led to a slight initial acceleration of learning but did not improve latency to peak performance or long-term retention of lexical knowledge. These findings show that high frequency interactive exposure is a potent word learning mechanism in adults and that feedback is not crucial. This is further corroborated by our successful training of two patients with chronic aphasia without online feedback. Conclusions. Our findings demonstrate that word re-learning in aphasia could benefit from maximizing on the frequency of exposure and exploiting the therapeutic principle of "massed practice", which has been successful in physical rehabilitation after stroke. Additionally, economizing on feedback may prevent patients becoming discouraged by continuous confrontation with their deficits.
Compensatory changes in cortical cholinergic innervation in the	rat following an immunotoxic lesion
Authors: Hartonian Ivet , de Lacalle Sonsoles 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: To investigate the plastic capacity of the cholinergic system in a partial animal model of Alzheimer's disease. Methods: Rats received unilateral lesions of the horizontal diagonal band of Broca (HDB) using a cholinergic-specific toxin, 192 IgG-saporin. After the appropriate survival time (2, 4, 8, 12 and 24 weeks post-lesion) rats were sacrificed and the brains were prepared for histology. Immunocytochemical and morphometric techniques were employed to quantify the cholinergic neurons surviving the lesion and to measure the density of cortical cholinergic fibers. Results: Cell counts revealed on average a 60% reduction in cholinergic neurons on the lesioned side, compared to the spared side. This cell loss was permanent, that is, there was no significant change in the amount of cell loss over time. In correlation with this cell loss, cholinergic fibers in the target area, the entorhinal cortex (EC), were also reduced such that the density of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-stained fibers on the lesioned side was 44% of the spared side. The density of cholinergic fibers in the EC increased significantly between 2 and 12 weeks post-lesion (p = 0.0216) but remained stable at that level by 24 weeks after the lesion. Conclusions: Following a cholinergic-specific lesion, a compensatory mechanism is activated in the basal forebrain cholinergic system, such that surviving neurons, projecting to the same target, extend their terminals to occupy the denervated area. It remains to be investigated whether these sprouts are able to establish proper synaptic connections and make a functional recovery in this particular system.
Recovery of a partially damaged corticospinal tract in a patient	with intracerebral hemorrhage: A diffusion tensor image study
Authors: Jang Sung Ho , Byun Woo Mok , Han Bong Soo , Park Hae-Jeong , Bai Daiseg , Ahn Young Hwan , Kwon Yong-Hyun , Lee Mi Young 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: We hypothesized that diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) could be useful for exploring corticospinal tract (CST) regeneration if longitudinal changes of diffusion anisotropy can be detected. In this study, we explored the recovery of a CST partially damaged by intracerebral hematoma in a patient by DTI. Methods: A 61-year-old female patient and six age-matched control subjects were evaluated. The patient presented with complete paralysis of the left extremities, which occurred at the onset of a spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in the right corona radiata and internal capsule. Over the five-month period following onset, motor function of the affected extremities slowly recovered to the normal range. Two longitudinal DTIs were acquired from the patient (at 3 weeks and 5 months from onset) and one DTI from the control subjects. Fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were measured using a region of interest (ROI) method. Results: On the 3-week DTI, FA values of ROIs in the ICH regions in the affected hemisphere were significantly lower, and ADC values of ROIs in the same areas were significantly higher than those of the control subjects (p<0.002). However, both mean FA and ADC values of the affected hemisphere in the 5-month DTI showed no significant differences versus those of the control.
Spinal reflex control of micturition after spinal cord	injury
Authors: Tai Changfeng , Roppolo James R. , de Groat William C. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: This review summarizes possible spinal reflexes involved in micturition control as well as current treatments for lower urinary tract dysfunction after spinal cord injury (SCI) in an effort to further promote the development of new treatments for people with SCI. Methods: A systematic literature search was conducted on the Medline database, and on the Web of Science. Results: After SCI normal functions of the lower urinary tract are lost. The detrusor contracts frequently even at a small bladder volume, which results in urinary incontinence. In addition, the hyperactive bladder can not empty well because the urethral sphincter contracts simultaneously with the bladder (detrusor sphincter dyssynergia), which results in a large residual volume of urine. The malfunction of the lower urinary tract after SCI is caused by remaining and newly emerged bladder and urethral sphincter spinal reflexes. Current treatments have either limited success or troublesome side effects, and many new treatments are under development. Conclusions: In order to restore the functions of the lower urinary tract after SCI, efforts should be directed at re-establishing the coordination between the spinal reflex control of bladder and urethral sphincter using either pharmacological or neurophysiological approaches.
Motor enrichment sustains hindlimb movement recovered after spinal	cord injury and glial transplantation
Authors: Moon L.D.F. , Leasure J.L. , Gage F.H. , Bunge M.B. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: This study investigated whether enrichment improves hindlimb movement following complete spinal cord transection and transplantation of olfactory ensheathing glia (OEG), with or without a Schwann cell (SC) bridge. Methods: Motor activity was encouraged through provision of motor enrichment housing (MEH); a multi-level cage containing ramps, textured surfaces and rewards. Hindlimb joint movement was assessed weekly for 22 weeks starting one week post-surgery, comparing rats housed in MEH to those in basic housing (BH). Transganglionic tracer was injected into the crushed right sciatic nerve three days prior to sacrifice, allowing sensory axons in the dorsal columns to be visualized by immunolabeling. Serotonergic axons and glial cells expressing low affinity nerve growth factor receptor were identified by immunolabeling. Results: All rats, having received transplants, recovered some hindlimb movement. Rats housed in BH progressively lost recovered hindlimb function whereas recovered hindlimb movements were sustained in most rats in MEH. In rats transplanted with SCs and OEG, effects of MEH were first significant 14 weeks after injury. In rats transplanted with OEG, a trend was seen from 14 weeks after injury, but this did not reach significance. In all rats, traced sensory axons died back from sites of transplantation and did not regenerate rostrally. Further, in no rat were serotonergic axons observed regenerating into, around or beyond transplants. Conclusions: Transection and transplantation of SC/OEG or OEG induced recovery of hindlimb function. This recovered hindlimb movement was sustained in rats housed in MEH but was progressively lost in rats housed in BH. Because benefits of MEH were not observed until 14 weeks after injury, long-term assessment of behavior is recommended. BH conditions are not conducive to maintenance of recovered hindlimb function, and MEH should be used in studies of recovery of function following spinal cord injury.
Impact of neglect on functional outcome after stroke – a	review of methodological issues and recent research findings
Authors: Jehkonen M. , Laihosalo M. , Kettunen J.E. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: This study provides an update on recent research findings concerning neglect and its impact on functional outcome. The review covers studies published during the past ten years. Methods: A systematic review was carried out on reports drawn from electronic databases (MEDLINE and PSYCHLIT, January 1996 – August 2005) and identified from the lists of references in these reports. Unpublished reports, articles in other than the English language, and studies with non-human and non-adult subjects were excluded. The selection criteria were met by 26 articles. Results: 15 of the 26 studies recruited heterogeneous patient groups (patients with right and left and/or unspecified lesions). The results from homogeneous groups (right hemisphere patients) were more consistent, emphasizing neglect as an independent predictor of functional outcome. Studies with homogeneous patient groups used consecutive series of patients, standardized measures of neglect, and a broader concept of functional outcome (both motor and cognitive items) than those with heterogeneous patient groups. Follow-ups longer than one year were very rare. Conclusions: Neglect has a significant negative impact on functional outcome, either as an independent predictive factor or in connection with other variables. The results, however, are inevitably affected by differences in patient samples and in the methods used in assessing neglect and functional outcome. Research focusing on homogeneous patient groups and especially on left hemisphere patients is needed. Neglect should be assessed with a standardized test battery rather than a single test, and functional outcome should be measured with scales consisting of cognitive, social and motor items. Also longer follow-ups are needed to verify the long-term functional outcome of neglect patients.
Impact of creatine kinase correction on the predictive value of	S-100B after mild traumatic brain injury
Authors: Bazarian Jeffrey J. , Beck Christopher , Blyth Brian , von Ahsen Nicolas , Hasselblatt Martin 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: To validate a correction factor for the extracranial release of the astroglial protein, S-100B, based on concomitant creatine kinase (CK) levels. Methods: The CK- S-100B relationship in non-head injured marathon runners was used to derive a correction factor for the extracranial release of S-100B. This factor was then applied to a separate cohort of 96 mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients in whom both CK and S-100B levels were measured. Corrected S-100B was compared to uncorrected S-100B for the prediction of initial head CT, three-month headache and three-month post concussive syndrome (PCS). Results: Corrected S-100B resulted in a statistically significant improvement in the prediction of 3-month headache (area under curve [AUC] 0.46 vs 0.52, p=0.02), but not PCS or initial head CT. Using a cutoff that maximizes sensitivity (⩾90%), corrected S-100B improved the prediction of initial head CT scan (negative predictive value from 75% [95% CI, 2.6%, 67.0%] to 96% [95% CI: 83.5%, 99.8%]). Conclusions: Although S-100B is overall poorly predictive of outcome, a correction factor using CK is a valid means of accounting for extracranial release. By increasing the proportion of mild TBI patients correctly categorized as low risk for abnormal head CT, CK-corrected S100-B can further reduce the number of unnecessary brain CT scans performed after this injury.
A battery of tests for the quantitative assessment of unilateral	neglect
Authors: Azouvi Philippe , Bartolomeo Paolo , Beis Jean-Marie , Perennou Dominic , Pradat-Diehl Pascale , Rousseaux Marc 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: The lack of agreement regarding assessment methods is responsible for the variability in the reported rate of occurrence of unilateral neglect (UN) after stroke. In addition, dissociations have been reported between performance on traditional paper-and-pencil tests and UN in everyday life situations. Methods: In this paper, we present the validation studies of a quantitative test battery for UN, including paper-and-pencil tests, an assessment of personal neglect, extinction, and anosognosia, and a behavioural assessment, the Catherine Bergego Scale (CBS). The battery was given to healthy subjects (n=456–476) and to patients with subacute stroke, either of the right or the left hemisphere. Results: In healthy subjects, a significant effect of age, education duration and acting hand was found in several tasks. In patients with right hemisphere stroke, the most sensitive paper and pencil measure was the starting point in the cancellation task. The whole battery was more sensitive than any single test alone. An important finding was that behavioural assessment was more sensitive than any other single test. Neglect was two to four times less frequent, but also less severe and less consistent after left hemisphere stroke. Conclusion: Assessment of UN should rely on a battery of quantitative and standardised tests. Some patients may show clinically significant UN in everyday life while obtaining a normal performance on paper-and-pencil measures. This underlines the necessity to use a behavioural assessment of UN.
Spatial and non-spatial attention deficits in neurodegenerative	diseases: Assessment based on Bundesen's theory of visual attention (TVA)
Authors: Bublak Peter , Redel Petra , Finke Kathrin 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: The aim was to present evidence that, similarly as in neglect, a combined pattern of spatial and non-spatial deficits of visual attention can also be typically observed in patients suffering from neurodegenerative disorders. Method: Whole and partial report of brief letter arrays, based on Bundesen's 'theory of visual attention' (TVA), was applied in patients suffering from Huntington's disease (HD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or Alzheimer's disease (AD). TVA-based parameter estimates were derived reflecting (a) perceptual processing speed and visual working memory storage capacity as non-spatial aspects of visual attention (determined by whole report performance), and (b) spatial attentional weighting (determined by partial report performance). Results: Processing speed was severely slowed in HD, and also reduced, although to a lesser degree, in MCI and AD patients. In HD and AD patients, but not in MCI patients, a strong leftward bias of spatial attention was observed. Conclusion: Neglect and neurodegenerative diseases both involve a similar constellation of non-spatial and spatial deficits of visual attention. Therefore, by using TVA-based measurement, results from both fields of research may fruitfully inform each other in future studies, thus improving our understanding of the interaction of spatial and non-spatial attention deficits and its behavioral consequences.
Development of a rehabilitative program for unilateral	neglect
Authors: Pizzamiglio Luigi , Guariglia Cecilia , Antonucci Gabriella , Zoccolotti Pierluigi 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: The aim of the present paper is to review several studies which assessed the validity of a visuo-spatial training for the rehabilitation of neglect patients. In addition two peripheral stimulations (TENS and Optokinetic Stimulation) have been studied to assess the improvements of neglect disorders when used in combination with the visuo-spatial training. Also we analyzed the potential effect of training for attention on neglect and, viceversa, the effect of visuo-spatial training on attentional impairments. Methods: the goals have been investigated by both group studies and descriptions of single cases. Results: The visuo-spatial training produced significant improvements on the performance of neglect patients which generalized to every day living situations: the results showed to be stable over time and had positive effects on a variety of other neurological impairments. It was also shown that the improvements are confined to tasks involving spatial exploration of extrapersonal space, but did not extend to other neglect disorders, such as representational and personal neglect. The use of peripheral stimulations, at variance with other studies in the literature, did not add any advantage as compared to the improvements produced by the visuo-spatial training. No transfer between training for neglect and attention was observed. Conclusions: the present review pointed out that neglect disorders can be improved in a clinically meaningful way: the studies described also showed some limitations and proposed the need of further researches in order to extend the improvements to several other aspects of the neglect syndrome.
Construction and psychometric properties of a novel test for body	representational neglect (Vest Test)
Authors: Glocker D. , Bittl P. , Kerkhoff G. 
Published: December 2024

Purpose: Multimodal spatial neglect manifests itself also in nonvisual modalities such as audition, touch and body representation. Yet, quantitative tests for the diagnosis of nonvisual neglect are still quite rare. The purpose of the present paper was to develop and evaluate a novel, simple and sensitive test for the assessment of body representational neglect (BRN) in patients with left or right cerebral hemispheric lesions. Methods: The vest test covers the front part of the trunk. The blindfolded subject wears the vest and is instructed to pick up all objects from the 24 pockets of the vest (12 on each side) as quickly as possible using the ipsilesional, nonparetic hand. Two samples of healthy control subjects (each N=25) using either their left or their right hand performed the test in identical way to obtain normative data for patients searching with their left hand (i.e. left hemisphere stroke patients) versus their right hand (i.e. right hemisphere stroke patients). The test can be performed within 5~minutes, even with aphasic or apractic stroke patients. Results: Psychometric evaluations in a sample of 50 patients with unilateral stroke (25 leftsided, 25 rightsided) show high objectivity, high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha=0.96), good retest-reliability (0.79 after 1 week in neglect patients) and good validity as compared with two other measures of BRN or multimodal neglect. Patient examples show that BRN as assessed with the vest test allows the detection of qualitatively and quantitatively different patterns of BRN, and shows double dissociations from visual neglect and from apraxia in left hemisphere stroke patients. Details of the test including instructions and cut-off values are given for users in the appendix of this article. Conclusions: In conclusion, the vest test is a sensitive, quick and reliable test for BRN which complements the assessment of visuo- and audiospatial neglect and allows to measure recovery (spontaneous or treatment-induced) in patients with BRN. Furthermore, it can help to improve our knowledge about the multisensory coding of our body and the surrounding space in the human brain.