Descriptive epidemiological study on patients with movement disorders, with emphasis on Parkinson's disease

Lewy Body Dementia Research in Latin America: A Scoping Review

BACKGROUND

Dementia research in Latin America (LA) has primarily focused on Alzheimer's Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia, while Lewy body dementia (LBD) has been largely forgotten.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to review the available evidence on LBD in LA, offering a comprehensive perspective for understanding the lack of reports and the unique challenges and characteristics of this region.

METHODS

We carried out a scoping review in databases: PubMed, EMBASE, LILACS, and Web of Science. Original studies that included participants with LBD were analyzed.

RESULTS

Of the 1388 studies identified, 70 met the inclusion criteria for this review. Among them, 63 were cross-sectional studies, three were cohort studies, two followed a case-control methodology, and only two were non-randomized clinical trials. These studies primarily examined clinical manifestations, risk factors, neuropsychiatric and non-motor symptoms, as well as cognitive impairment and its assessment in LBD within LA. Regarding geographical distribution, 52 studies were conducted in Brazil, seven in Argentina, the rest in Peru, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, and Chile.

CONCLUSIONS

LBD research in LA is underrepresented, with most studies being cross-sectional, few utilizing a longitudinal design, and only two clinical trials, both of which lack rigorous methodology. Challenges include weak study designs, high heterogeneity, limited trials, and unclear differentiation within the LBD spectrum. Addressing these gaps requires increasing awareness, strengthening research capacity, securing funding, and fostering international collaboration.

Phenomenological patterns and aetiological spectrum in patients visiting a tertiary care Movement disorders service in India: An observational study

OBJECTIVE

Although previous studies have described phenomenological diagnoses, they lacked description of aetiological spectrum in patients visiting movement disorders (MD) service. Herein, we classify the MD phenomenology and describe aetiology wise distribution of each phenomenology in patients visiting a tertiary care movement disorders service.

METHODS

Collected information included demographic profile (age of onset, age at presentation, gender, duration of illness before presentation), predominant MD phenomenology [such as parkinsonism, dystonia, ataxia, tremor, chorea, ballism, myoclonus, tics, stereotypy, restless legs syndrome (RLS) and others], diagnostic evaluations and detected aetiology.

RESULTS

This observational study included 1140 MD patients over a span of 5 years. The median (IQR) age of onset was 49 (35-60) years and age at presentation was 54 (40-65) years, with median duration of illness being 36 (18-72) months. Nearly two-third of patients were males (M:F=731:409). Parkinsonism (n=494, 43.3 %) was the most common MD phenomenology observed, followed by dystonia (n=219, 19.2 %), ataxia (n=125, 11 %), tremor (n=118, 10.4 %), myoclonus (n=73, 6.4 %), chorea (n=40, 3.5 %), spasticity (n=22, 1.9 %), tics (n=8, 0.7 %), and RLS (n=8, 0.7 %). Thirty-three (2.9 %) patients were grouped under miscellaneous MDs. Overall, neurodegenerative disorders (57.4 %) were the most common cause of MDs. Parkinson's disease, genetic dystonia, essential tremor, genetic ataxias, hemifacial spasm, and Huntington's disease were the most common aetiologies for parkinsonism, dystonia, tremor, ataxia, myoclonus, and chorea, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Parkinsonism was the most common phenomenology observed in MD patients, and was followed by dystonia, ataxia and tremor. Neurodegenerative disorders were the most common aetiology detected.

Updates in essential tremor

Essential tremor (ET) is one of the most common tremor disorders and can be disabling in its affect on daily activities. There have been major breakthroughs in the treatment of tremor and ET is the subject of important ongoing research. This review will present recent advancements in the epidemiology, genetics, pathophysiology, diagnosis, comorbidities, and imaging of ET. Current and future treatment options in the management of ET will also be reviewed. The need for continued innovation and scientific inquiry to address the unmet needs of persons of ET will be highlighted.

Single-Molecule Protein Analysis by Centrifugal Droplet Immuno-PCR with Magnetic Nanoparticles

Detecting proteins in ultralow concentrations in complex media is important for many applications but often relies on complicated techniques. Herein, a single-molecule protein analyzer with the potential for high-throughput applications is reported. Gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles with DNA-labeled antibodies were used for target recognition and separation. The immunocomplex was loaded into microdroplets generated with centrifugation. Immuno-PCR amplification of the DNA enabled the quantification of proteins at the level of single molecules. As an example, ultrasensitive detection of α-synuclein, a biomarker for neurodegenerative diseases, is achieved. The limit of detection was determined to be ∼50 aM in buffer and ∼170 aM in serum. The method exhibited high specificity and could be used to analyze post-translational modifications such as protein phosphorylation. This study will inspire wider studies on single-molecule protein detection, especially in disease diagnostics, biomarker discovery, and drug development.