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Life
Special Issues
Neurodegenerative and Aging-Associated Disorders: From Diagnosis to Therapy
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Neurodegenerative and Aging-Associated Disorders: From Diagnosis to Therapy

A special issue of Life (ISSN 2075-1729). This special issue belongs to the section "Pharmaceutical Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (21 April 2023) | Viewed by 4622

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Tiziana Colletti

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
ALS Clinical Research Center, Department of Experimental Biomedicine, Neuroscience, and Advanced Diagnostic (Bi.N.D.), University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Interests: neurodegeneration; aging; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; dementia; biomarkers
Dr. Tommaso Piccoli

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Unit of Neurology, Department of Biomedicine, Neurosciences and Advanced Diagnostics, University of Palermo, 90127 Palermo, Italy
Interests: neurodegenerative dementia; cognition; Alzheimer’s disease; biomarkers

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

To date, the study of molecular mechanisms of processes such as aging and neurodegeneration represents one of the major worldwide challenges for researchers. Aging is a physiological process in which a progressive degeneration of physical and cognitive functions is observed, representing one of the principal risk factors for neurodegenerative disorders (ND) such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD). Recently, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), considered until a few years ago a young adult disease, has also been added to the list of age-related diseases, showing an incidence curve similar to AD and PD. Over the years, many researchers have shown that different NDs present common molecular pathways, leading us to think that diseases such as AD, PD, and ALS may share a common origin.

The aim of the present Special Issue is to collect original in vitro and in vivo studies on the molecular mechanisms involved in aging and neurodegenerative processes through the analysis of potential pathways that are shared between different NDs in relation to age. Original articles or reviews of the existing literature (i.e., narrative, systematic, metanalyses) on candidate biomarkers (i.e., instrumental, fluid, neuropsychological) useful for diagnostic and/or prognostic purposes are also encouraged. Moreover, the Special Issue will explore potential genetic, pharmacologic, and non-pharmacologic approaches able to delay the onset of NDs in older people or in carriers of mutations in ND-related genes.

Dr. Tiziana Colletti
Dr. Tommaso Piccoli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Life is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • neurodegeneration
  • aging
  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • dementia
  • biomarkers

Published Papers (3 papers)

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11 pages, 677 KiB  
Article
Effects of Motor Rehabilitation on Balance and Functional Activities in Elderly Patients with Peripheral Neuropathy and Recurrent Falls
by Bernardo Gialanella, Laura Comini, Paola Prometti, Fabio Vanoglio and Raffaele Santoro
Life 2023, 13(4), 1059; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13041059 - 20 Apr 2023
Viewed by 1394
Abstract
To date, little is known about the effects of motor rehabilitation in peripheral neuropathy (PN) patients with a history of recurrent falls (RFH). This study aimed to assess balance and the activities of daily living (ADLs) in elderly lower limb PN patients with [...] Read more.
To date, little is known about the effects of motor rehabilitation in peripheral neuropathy (PN) patients with a history of recurrent falls (RFH). This study aimed to assess balance and the activities of daily living (ADLs) in elderly lower limb PN patients with and without RFH and to verify the effects of motor rehabilitation on balance and ADLs in these patients. We collected data from 64 lower limb PN patients, who underwent a conventional motor rehabilitation program: 35 patients had a history of recurrent falls, and 29 did not. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and motor FIM, before and after rehabilitation, were the outcome measures. After rehabilitation, lower limb PN patients with RFH had significantly higher scores in BBS and motor FIM (p < 0.001, for both) than at entry. The final BBS score and effectiveness in the BBS score of lower limb PN patients with RFH were lower than those of patients without RFH (p < 0.05 and p = 0.009, respectively). The study shows that conventional motor rehabilitation improves both balance and ADLs in patients, but balance improvement is lower in those with RFH. Thus, motor rehabilitation can be a therapeutic option for the management of these patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurodegenerative and Aging-Associated Disorders: From Diagnosis to Therapy)
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11 pages, 871 KiB  
Case Report
D-Penicillamine-Induced Myasthenia Gravis—A Probable Complication of Wilson’s Disease Treatment—A Case Report and Systematic Review of the Literature
by Agnieszka Antos, Anna Członkowska, Jan Bembenek, Iwona Kurkowska-Jastrzębska and Tomasz Litwin
Life 2023, 13(8), 1715; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13081715 - 10 Aug 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1004
Abstract
Wilson’s disease (WD) is a genetic disorder with copper accumulation in various tissues leading to related clinical symptoms (mainly hepatic and neuropsychiatric) which can be in 85% of patients successfully treated with anti-copper agents. However, during WD treatment neurological deterioration may occur in [...] Read more.
Wilson’s disease (WD) is a genetic disorder with copper accumulation in various tissues leading to related clinical symptoms (mainly hepatic and neuropsychiatric) which can be in 85% of patients successfully treated with anti-copper agents. However, during WD treatment neurological deterioration may occur in several patients. D-penicillamine (DPA) is one of the most frequently used drugs in WD treatment. Despite its efficacy, DPA can produce many adverse drug reactions, which should be recognized early. We present the case of a 51-year-old man diagnosed with the hepatic form of WD and initially treated with DPA in whom after 15 months of treatment, diplopia and evening ptosis occurred. WD treatment non-compliance as well as overtreatment were excluded. Supported by neurological symptoms, a positive edrophonium test, and high serum levels of antibodies against acetylcholine receptors (AChR-Abs), as well as low concentrations of antibodies against muscle-specific kinase (MuSK-Abs), the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG), induced by DPA, was established. DPA was stopped; zinc sulfate for WD and pyridostigmine for MG symptoms were introduced. Diplopia and ptosis subsided after a few days, which supported our diagnosis. During a follow-up visit after 6 months, the patient did not present any MG symptoms. AChR-Abs level gradually decreased and MuSK-Abs were no longer detected. Pyridostigmine was stopped, and within 9 months of follow-up, the neurological symptoms of MG did not reoccur. The authors discussed the patient’s neurological deterioration, performed a systematic review of DPA-induced MG in WD and concluded that MG is a rare and usually reversible complication of DPA treatment. DPA-induced MG generally occurs 2–12 months after treatment initiation and ocular symptoms predominate. Response to pyridostigmine treatment is good and MG symptoms usually reverse within one year after DPA treatment cessation. However, symptoms may persist in some cases where DPA treatment is only a trigger factor for MG occurrence. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurodegenerative and Aging-Associated Disorders: From Diagnosis to Therapy)
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9 pages, 557 KiB  
Brief Report
Parkinson’s Disease and the Cardiac Cycle: A Rapid Literature Review and Case Series
by Holly Bardutz, Jyotpal Singh, Ziaur Rehman and Patrick Bernat
Life 2023, 13(4), 1003; https://doi.org/10.3390/life13041003 - 13 Apr 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1633
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Cardiac function in patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is not well understood. We conducted a review of the literature to summarize all available data on the cardiac cycle in patients with PD and followed up the review with a case [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Cardiac function in patients with Parkinson’s Disease (PD) is not well understood. We conducted a review of the literature to summarize all available data on the cardiac cycle in patients with PD and followed up the review with a case series to describe the cardiac cycle timing intervals in this patient population. Methods: Using the search terms (“Cardiac cycle” OR “echocardiography” OR “LVET” OR “IVCT” OR “IVRT” OR “LVEF” OR “Systolic Dysfunction” OR “Diastolic Dysfunction”) AND (“Parkinson’s Disease”), 514 studies were found with 19 included in the review. Results: Studies focused on the impact of medication, the presence of autonomic dysfunction, and resting-state, descriptive observational studies which considered the cardiac cycle. While inconsistent, the evidence suggests that patients with PD have some systolic dysfunction, with recent research implying the presence of subclinical systolic dysfunction. From the case series, 13 participants with PD were included and collected cardiac data daily for 6 weeks. Heart rate was consistent on a weekly basis at 67–71 bpm. Mean week-by-week cardiac parameters were also consistent with the systolic time interval at 332–348 ms, isovolumic relaxation time at 92–96 ms, and isovolumic contraction time at 34–36 ms. Conclusion: These timing intervals add valuable normative values for this patient population and the review of the literature suggests that more research is required to better understand cardiac cycle timing intervals in patients with Parkinson’s Disease. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Neurodegenerative and Aging-Associated Disorders: From Diagnosis to Therapy)
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