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Gatto A, Capossela L, Conti G, Eftimiadi G, Ferretti S, Manni L, Curatola A, Graglia B, Di Sarno L, Calcagni ML, Di Giuda D, Cecere S, Romeo DM, Soligo M, Picconi E, Piastra M, Della Marca G, Staccioli S, Ruggiero A, Cocciolillo F, Pulitanò S, Chiaretti A. Intranasal human-recombinant NGF administration improves outcome in children with post-traumatic unresponsive wakefulness syndrome. Biol Direct 2023; 18:61. [PMID: 37789391 PMCID: PMC10546699 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-023-00418-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the most dramatic events in pediatric age and, despite advanced neuro-intensive care, the survival rate of these patients remains low. Children suffering from severe TBI show long-term sequelae, more pronounced in behavioral, neurological and neuropsychological functions leading to, in the most severe cases, an unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS). Currently, no effective treatments can restore neuronal loss or produce significant improvement in these patients. In experimental animal models, human- recombinant Nerve Growth Factor (hr-NGF) promotes neural recovery supporting neuronal growth, differentiation and survival of brain cells and up-regulating the neurogenesis-associated processes. Only a few studies reported the efficacy of intranasal hr-NGF administration in children with post- traumatic UWS. METHODS Children with the diagnosis of post-traumatic UWS were enrolled. These patients underwent a treatment with intranasal hr-NGF administration, at a total dose of 50 gamma/kg, three times a day for 7 consecutive days. The treatment schedule was performed for 4 cycles, at one month distance each. Neuroradiogical evaluation by Positron Emission Tomography scan (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Electroencephalography (EEG), and Power Spectral Density (PSD) was determined before the treatment and one month after the end. Neurological assessment was also deepened by using modified Ashworth Scale, Gross Motor Function Measure, and Disability Rating Scale. RESULTS Three children with post-traumatic UWS were treated. hr-NGF administration improved functional (PET and SPECT) and electrophysiological (EEG and PSD) assessment. Also clinical conditions improved, mainly for the reduction of spasticity and with the acquisition of voluntary movements, facial mimicry, attention and verbal comprehension, ability to cry, cough reflex, oral motility, and feeding capacity, with a significant improvement of their neurological scores. No side effects were reported. CONCLUSION These promising results and the ease of administration of this treatment make it worthwhile to be investigated further, mainly in the early stages from severe TBI and in patients with better baseline neurological conditions, to explore more thoroughly the benefits of this new approach on neuronal function recovery after traumatic brain damage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Gatto
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lavinia Capossela
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Conti
- Terapia Intensiva Pediatrica, Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e Rianimazione, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Gemma Eftimiadi
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Ferretti
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Manni
- Istituto di Farmacologia Traslazionale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Antonietta Curatola
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Benedetta Graglia
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Di Sarno
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Lucia Calcagni
- UOC di Medicina Nucleare, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Di Giuda
- UOC di Medicina Nucleare, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Stefano Cecere
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Marco Romeo
- Unità di Neurologia Pediatrica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marzia Soligo
- Istituto di Farmacologia Traslazionale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Enzo Picconi
- Terapia Intensiva Pediatrica, Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e Rianimazione, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Piastra
- Terapia Intensiva Pediatrica, Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e Rianimazione, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giacomo Della Marca
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della Testa-Collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Staccioli
- Dipartimento di Neuroriabilitazione Intensiva, Ospedale Pediatrico "Bambino Gesù", Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Ruggiero
- Oncologia Pediatrica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A.Gemelli IRCCS - Dipartimento Scienze della Salute della Donna, del Bambino e di Sanità Pubblica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Cocciolillo
- UOC di Medicina Nucleare, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Pulitanò
- Terapia Intensiva Pediatrica, Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e Rianimazione, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Chiaretti
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
- Department of Women's Health Sciences, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli - IRCCS, Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, 00168, Rome, Italy.
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Curatola A, Graglia B, Granata G, Conti G, Capossela L, Manni L, Ferretti S, Di Giuda D, Romeo DM, Calcagni ML, Soligo M, Castelli E, Piastra M, Mantelli F, Marca GD, Staccioli S, Romeo T, Pani M, Cocciolillo F, Mancino A, Gatto A, Chiaretti A. Combined treatment of nerve growth factor and transcranical direct current stimulations to improve outcome in children with vegetative state after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Biol Direct 2023; 18:24. [PMID: 37165387 PMCID: PMC10170696 DOI: 10.1186/s13062-023-00379-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is one of the most dramatic events in pediatric age and, despite advanced neurointensive care, the survival rate remains low. Currently, no effective treatments can restore neuronal loss or produce significant improvement in these patients. Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin potentially able to counteract many of the deleterious effects triggered by OHCA. Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS) has been reported to be neuroprotective in many neurological diseases, such as motor deficit and cognitive impairment. Children with the diagnosis of chronic vegetative state after OHCA were enrolled. These patients underwent a combined treatment of intranasal administration of human recombinant NGF (hr-NGF), at a total dose of 50 gamma/kg, and tDCS, in which current intensity was increased from zero to 2 mA from the first 5 s of stimulation and maintained constant for 20 min. The treatment schedule was performed twice, at one month distance each. Neuroradiogical evaluation with Positron Emission Tomography scan (PET), Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT), Electroencephalography (EEG) and Power Spectral Density of the brain (PSD) was determined before the treatment and one month after the end. Neurological assessment was deepened by using modified Ashworth Scale, Gross Motor Function Measure, and Disability Rating Scale. RESULTS Three children with a chronic vegetative state secondary to OHCA were treated. The combined treatment with hr-NGF and tDCS improved functional (PET and SPECT) and electrophysiological (EEG and PSD) assessment. Also clinical conditions improved, mainly for the reduction of spasticity and with the acquisition of voluntary finger movements, improved facial mimicry and reaction to painful stimuli. No side effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS These promising preliminary results and the ease of administration of this treatment make it worthwhile to be investigated further, mainly in the early stages from OHCA and in patients with better baseline neurological conditions, in order to explore more thoroughly the benefits of this new approach on neuronal function recovery after OHCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonietta Curatola
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Benedetta Graglia
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Granata
- Istituto di Neurologia, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Giorgio Conti
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e Rianimazione, Terapia Intensiva Pediatrica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Lavinia Capossela
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Manni
- Istituto di Farmacologia Traslazionale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Serena Ferretti
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Daniela Di Giuda
- UOC di Medicina Nucleare, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Domenico Marco Romeo
- Unità di Neurologia Pediatrica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Maria Lucia Calcagni
- UOC di Medicina Nucleare, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS - Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy
| | - Marzia Soligo
- Istituto di Farmacologia Traslazionale, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Enrico Castelli
- Dipartimento di Neuroriabilitazione Intensiva, Ospedale Pediatrico "Bambino Gesù", Rome, Italy
| | - Marco Piastra
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e Rianimazione, Terapia Intensiva Pediatrica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Flavio Mantelli
- Dompé Farmaceutici Spa, Via Campo di Pile, snc, L'Aquila, 67100, Italy
| | - Giacomo Della Marca
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Invecchiamento, Neurologiche, Ortopediche e della Testa-Collo, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Susanna Staccioli
- Dipartimento di Neuroriabilitazione Intensiva, Ospedale Pediatrico "Bambino Gesù", Rome, Italy
| | - Tiziana Romeo
- Dompé Farmaceutici Spa, Via Campo di Pile, snc, L'Aquila, 67100, Italy
| | - Marcello Pani
- Direttore Farmacia Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli, IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Fabrizio Cocciolillo
- UOC di Medicina Nucleare, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Aldo Mancino
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Emergenza, Anestesiologiche e Rianimazione, Terapia Intensiva Pediatrica, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Gatto
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Chiaretti
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario "A. Gemelli" IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
- Dipartimento di Pediatria, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Rome, Italy.
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Chiaretti A, Eftimiadi G, Buonsenso D, Rendeli C, Staccioli S, Conti G. Intranasal nerve growth factor administration improves neurological outcome after GBS meningitis. Childs Nerv Syst 2020; 36:2083-8. [PMID: 32274529 DOI: 10.1007/s00381-020-04590-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2020] [Accepted: 03/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a neurotrophin that promotes neural recovery and plasticity after experimental brain injury, supporting neuronal growth, differentiation, and survival of brain cells. Only a few studies reported NGF administration in pediatric patients with impaired brain functions after traumatic injuries, ischemic or infectious diseases, such as meningitis. We described the beneficial therapeutic effects of human-recombinant nerve growth factor (hr-NGF) treatment in an infant with persistent unresponsive wakefulness syndrome (UWS), due to late-onset group B Streptococcus meningitis. The infant received five monthly cycles of intranasal hr-NGF (0.1 mg/kg, 3 times daily for 7 consecutive days) through a mucosal atomizer device (MAD). NGF administration improved functional [positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT), single-photon emission/computed tomography (SPECT/CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)] assessments, electrophysiological [Electroencephalogram (EEG)] studies, as well as main cognitive processes and clinical and neurological functions. After hr-NGF treatment, significant improvements in facial mimicry, attention, motor reactions, oral motility, and feeding capacity were observed. She also recovered some hypothalamic functions and her cough reflex was restored. No side effects were reported during and after the treatment. For the first time ever, hr-NGF has been successfully utilized in an infant with UWS and severe neurologic outcome due to a bacterial meningitis. Although further studies are needed for better understanding the neuroprotective role of this neurotrophin, intranasal hr-NGF administration appears to be a promising and save rescuing strategy treatment in infants with severe neurological impairment after brain damage.
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