@article{UeceylerBuchholzKewenigetal.2020, author = {{\"U}{\c{c}}eyler, Nurcan and Buchholz, Hans-Georg and Kewenig, Susanne and Ament, Stephan-Johann and Birklein, Frank and Schreckenberger, Mathias and Sommer, Claudia}, title = {Cortical Binding Potential of Opioid Receptors in Patients With Fibromyalgia Syndrome and Reduced Systemic Interleukin-4 Levels - A Pilot Study}, series = {Frontiers in Neuroscience}, volume = {14}, journal = {Frontiers in Neuroscience}, issn = {1662-453X}, doi = {10.3389/fnins.2020.00512}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-204457}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Objective: We investigated cerebral opioid receptor binding potential in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) using positron-emission-tomography (PET) and correlated our results with patients' systemic interleukin-4 (IL-4) gene expression. Methods: In this pilot study, seven FMS patients (1 man, 6 women) agreed to participate in experimental PET scans. All patients underwent neurological examination, were investigated with questionnaires for pain, depression, and FMS symptoms. Additionally, blood for IL-4 gene expression analysis was withdrawn at two time points with a median latency of 1.3 years. Patients were investigated in a PET scanner using the opioid receptor ligand F-18-fluoro-ethyl-diprenorphine ([18F]FEDPN) and results were compared with laboratory normative values. Results: Neurological examination was normal in all FMS patients. Reduced opioid receptor binding was found in mid cingulate cortex compared to healthy controls (p < 0.005). Interestingly, three patients with high systemic IL-4 gene expression had increased opioid receptor binding in the fronto-basal cortex compared to those with low IL-4 gene expression (p < 0.005). Conclusion: Our data give further evidence for a reduction in cortical opioid receptor availability in FMS patients as another potential central nervous system contributor to pain in FMS.}, language = {en} } @article{WirschingOrtUeceyler2020, author = {Wirsching, Isabelle and Ort, Nora and {\"U}{\c{c}}eyler, Nurcan}, title = {ALS or ALS mimic by neuroborreliosis — A case report}, series = {Clinical Case Reports}, volume = {8}, journal = {Clinical Case Reports}, doi = {10.1002/ccr3.2569}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-201308}, pages = {86-91}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Comprehensive investigation in motor neuron disease is vital not to miss a treatable differential diagnosis. Neuroborreliosis should be considered during an ALS work-up. However, false-positive CSF results do occur, and thus, results should be interpreted carefully in context of all clinical test results.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Wind2020, author = {Wind, Teresa Elisabeth}, title = {Einfluss von Alter und Polyneuropathie auf zeitliche Wahrnehmungsschwellen somatosensorischer und kin{\"a}sthetischer Stimuli und propriozeptive Leistungsf{\"a}higkeit}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-20804}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-208047}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Zeitliche Diskrimination somatosensorischer und kin{\"a}sthetischer Stimuli wurde als neurophysiologisches Korrelat f{\"u}r propriozeptive Pr{\"a}zision postuliert und bei verschiedenen Bewegungsst{\"o}rungen als pathologisch beschrieben. Ziel der Untersuchung war es, den Einfluss von Alter und Polyneuropathie auf die kin{\"a}sthetische (TDMT) und taktile (STDT) zeitliche Wahrnehmungsschwelle sowie die propriozeptive Genauigkeit bei Zeigeversuchen systematisch zu untersuchen. Hierf{\"u}r wurden 54 gesunde Probanden und 25 Polyneuropathie-Patienten im Alter zwischen 30 und 76 Jahren untersucht. Die STDT-Messung erfolgte mit Oberfl{\"a}chenelektroden, die an der Zeigefingerspitze bzw. am Großzehengrundgelenk angebracht wurden. Die TDMT-Werte wurden mit Hilfe einer sterilen Nadelelektrode erfasst, welche in den Musculus flexor carpi radialis bzw. Musculus tibialis anterior inseriert wurde. Die Daten zur Propriozeption wurden mit Hilfe eines Goniometers erhoben und beinhalteten dabei aktive Zeigeaufgaben (Zeigen auf eine LED, Nachahmung einer Bewegung anhand einer auf einem Computerbildschirm dargebotenen PFEIL-Darstellung unterschiedlicher L{\"a}nge) und die Einsch{\"a}tzung der Position der jeweiligen Extremit{\"a}t nach passiver Bewegung (PASSIV). Die Messungen erfolgten jeweils ohne visuelle R{\"u}ckmeldung. Die Zeigefehler (Abweichung von der Zielposition) bzw. Sch{\"a}tzfehler (Abweichung der gesch{\"a}tzten von der tats{\"a}chlichen Position nach passiver Auslenkung) wurden als Maß der propriozeptiven Pr{\"a}zision verwendet. Die Ergebnisse der gesunden Probandengruppe zeigten, dass h{\"o}heres Alter mit h{\"o}heren STDT- und TDMT-Werten korrelierte. Die Polyneuropathie-Patienten erzielten in allen Bereichen (Diskriminationsschwellen und Propriozeptionsaufgaben) signifikant schlechtere Ergebnisse als die gesunde Kontrollgruppe. Zus{\"a}tzlich konnte eine statistisch signifikante positive Korrelation zwischen der propriozeptiven Pr{\"a}zision bei den aktiven Zeige-Aufgaben (LED und PFEIL) und den zeitlichen Diskriminationsschwellen (STDT und TDMT) gezeigt werden. In Anbetracht dieser Ergebnisse sollten das Patienten-Alter und m{\"o}gliche St{\"o}rungen der peripheren Nervenleitung ber{\"u}cksichtigt werden, wenn STDT-und TDMT-Bestimmungen bei Patienten mit Bewegungsst{\"o}rungen angewendet werden. Die Korrelation zwischen den Diskriminationsschwellen und der Performance bei aktiven Zeigeversuchen (PFEIL- und LED-Aufgabe) legt nahe, dass STDT und TDMT Indikatoren der propriozeptiven Funktion sein k{\"o}nnten. Es ist weitere Forschungsarbeit notwendig, um diese Beziehung exakt zu beleuchten. Im Falle einer Best{\"a}tigung der Befunde auch bei Patienten mit Bewegungsst{\"o}rungen erscheint denkbar, dass sich STDT und TDMT als vergleichsweise leicht messbare und gut quantifizierbare Parameter der Propriozeption herausstellen mit Potenzial zur differenzialdiagnostischen Anwendung, m{\"o}glicherweise aber auch als Surrogatparameter einer gezielten rehabilitativen Behandlung.}, subject = {Propriozeption}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Weigl2020, author = {Weigl, Anna}, title = {Korrelation zwischen subjektiver Fatigue und objektiven physischen und kognitiven Einschr{\"a}nkungen bei Multipler Sklerose: eine Querschnittsstudie}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-21896}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218960}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Fatigue als ein „{\"u}berw{\"a}ltigendes Gef{\"u}hl von M{\"u}digkeit, Energielosigkeit und Ersch{\"o}pfung" stellt bei Patienten mit MS ein h{\"a}ufig auftretendes und oft im Alltag beeintr{\"a}chtigendes Symptom dar, das sowohl mit k{\"o}rperlichen als auch mit kognitiven Ersch{\"o}pfungssymptomen einhergeht. Die objektive Erfassung des Schweregrades der Fatigue beim einzelnen Patienten stellt ein Problem dar, da bisher keine objektiven Messverfahren zur Erfassung der Fatigue existieren. Im klinischen Alltag kommen meist Frageb{\"o}gen zum Einsatz, die das Ausmaß der subjektiven Beeintr{\"a}chtigung durch Fatigue im Alltag quantifizieren sollen. Ziel dieser Arbeit war es, zu untersuchen, inwieweit bestimmte im klinischen Alltag erhobene Parameter R{\"u}ckschl{\"u}sse auf die subjektive Fatigue bei Patienten mit MS erlauben, auch im Hinblick darauf, ob sich einzelne Parameter besonders zur Einsch{\"a}tzung der k{\"o}rperlichen bzw. kognitiven Fatigue eignen. Zudem sollte untersucht werden, ob die untersuchten klinischen Parameter bei bestimmten Patientengruppen besser als bei anderen R{\"u}ckschl{\"u}sse auf die subjektive Fatigue erlauben. Erfasst wurde die subjektive Fatigue durch das W{\"u}rzburger Ersch{\"o}pfungsinventar bei Multipler Sklerose (WEIMuS), einer Serie von Fragen, die zwischen k{\"o}rperlicher und kognitiver Fatigue unterscheiden. Dazu wurden Korrelationsanalysen zwischen der WEIMuS-Gesamtskala bzw. deren Subskalen f{\"u}r k{\"o}rperliche und kognitive Fatigue und EDSS-Wert, MSFC Z-Score einschließlich dessen Subscores und der Zeit des 50-Meter-Gehversuchs durchgef{\"u}hrt. Bez{\"u}glich der k{\"o}rperlichen Fatigue ergaben sich zwischen der WEIMuS-Subskala f{\"u}r k{\"o}rperliche Fatigue und dem EDSS sowie der Zeit des 50-Meter-Gehversuchs im Vergleich die st{\"a}rksten, absolut gesehen als mittelstark zu wertende, Korrelationen. Bez{\"u}glich der kognitiven Fatigue ergab sich die st{\"a}rkste Korrelation zwischen der WEIMuS-Subskala f{\"u}r kognitive Fatigue und dem PASAT3, die allerdings trotzdem als gering zu werten ist. Mit EDSS und 50-Meter-Gehversuch scheinen also zwei objektive klinische Parameter zu existieren, die in einem gewissen Maß auf die subjektive Fatigue r{\"u}ckschließen lassen. Ziel weiterer Untersuchungen wird es sein m{\"u}ssen, einen geeigneten klinischen Parameter zu finden, der bessere R{\"u}ckschl{\"u}sse auf die subjektive kognitive Fatigue erlaubt als der PASAT3. Zwischen der WEIMuS-Gesamtskala bzw. deren Subskalen f{\"u}r k{\"o}rperliche und kognitive Fatigue und Alter, Geschlecht und Erkrankungsdauer fanden sich bestenfalls geringe Korrelationen, weshalb diese Parameter ungeeignet erscheinen, Aussagen {\"u}ber die subjektive Fatigue zu machen. Durch die Einteilung der Patienten nach Alter und Geschlecht konnte untersucht werden, inwieweit diese Parameter Einfluss auf die untersuchten Zusammenh{\"a}nge zwischen klinischen Parametern und subjektiver Fatigue haben. Die Korrelationen zwischen den WEIMuS-Subskalen f{\"u}r k{\"o}rperliche und kognitive Fatigue mit den untersuchten klinischen Parametern waren f{\"u}r junge Patienten {\"u}berwiegend st{\"a}rker als f{\"u}r {\"a}ltere Patienten, insbesondere {\"a}ltere M{\"a}nner. Somit scheinen die untersuchten klinischen Parameter bei j{\"u}ngeren Patienten besser geeignet, Aussagen {\"u}ber die subjektive Fatigue zu machen als bei {\"a}lteren. Insgesamt ist festzuhalten, dass EDSS und 50-Meter-Gehversuch insbesondere bei jungen Patienten zu einer besseren objektiven Beurteilbarkeit vor allem der k{\"o}rperlichen Fatigue im klinischen Alltag beitragen k{\"o}nnen.}, subject = {Multiple Sklerose}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Toeppner2020, author = {T{\"o}ppner, Verena}, title = {Therapie und Outcome von Patienten mit aneurysmatischer Subarachnoidalblutung am Universit{\"a}tsklinikum W{\"u}rzburg}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-20912}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-209129}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Die aneurysmatische SAB ist trotz etablierter Therapieverfahren (Coiling und Clipping) weiterhin ein Krankheitsbild mit hoher Mortalit{\"a}t. In unserer Arbeit haben wir retrospektiv die Patientenakten der Patienten, die mit der Diagnose aneurysmatische SAB am Universit{\"a}tsklinikum W{\"u}rzburg zwischen dem 01.01.1999 und dem 31.12.2009 aufgenommen wurden, ausgewertet. Es konnte dargestellt werden das als Hauptrisikofaktoren f{\"u}r ein schlechtes Therapieergebnis ein schlechter Aufnahmestatus des Patienten und das Auftreten von Komplikationen im Verlauf verantwortlich sind.}, subject = {Subarachnoidalblutung}, language = {de} } @article{StengelVulinovicMeieretal.2020, author = {Stengel, Felix and Vulinovic, Franca and Meier, Britta and Gr{\"u}tz, Karen and Klein, Christine and Capetian, Philipp}, title = {Impaired differentiation of human induced neural stem cells by TOR1A overexpression}, series = {Molecular Biology Reports}, volume = {47}, journal = {Molecular Biology Reports}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-24117}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-241177}, pages = {3993-4001}, year = {2020}, abstract = {DYT-TOR1A is the most common inherited dystonia caused by a three nucleotide (GAG) deletion (dE) in the TOR1A gene. Death early after birth and cortical anomalies of the full knockout in rodents underscore its developmental importance. We therefore explored the timed effects of TOR1A-wt and TOR1A-dE during differentiation in a human neural in vitro model. We used lentiviral tet-ON expression of TOR1A-wt and -dE in induced neural stem cells derived from healthy donors. Overexpression was induced during proliferation of neural precursors, during differentiation and after differentiation into mature neurons. Overexpression of both wildtype and mutated protein had no effect on the viability and cell number of neural precursors as well as mature neurons when initiated before or after differentiation. However, if induced during differentiation, overexpression of TOR1A-wt and -dE led to a pronounced reduction of mature neurons in a dose dependent manner. Our data underscores the importance of physiological expression levels of TOR1A as crucial for proper neuronal differentiation. We did not find evidence for a specific impact of the mutated TOR1A on neuronal maturation.}, language = {en} } @article{SteinhardtWiercinskaPhametal.2020, author = {Steinhardt, M. J. and Wiercinska, E. and Pham, M. and Grigoleit, G. U. and Mazzoni, A. and Da-Via, M. and Zhou, X. and Meckel, K. and Nickel, K. and Duell, J. and Krummenast, F. C. and Kraus, S. and Hopkinson, C. and Weissbrich, B. and M{\"u}llges, W. and Stoll, G. and Kort{\"u}m, K. M. and Einsele, H. and Bonig, H. and Rasche, L.}, title = {Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient post allo-HCT successfully treated with JC virus specific donor lymphocytes}, series = {Journal of Translational Medicine}, volume = {18}, journal = {Journal of Translational Medicine}, doi = {10.1186/s12967-020-02337-5}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-229307}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a demyelinating CNS disorder. Reactivation of John Cunningham virus leads to oligodendrocyte infection with lysis and consequent axonal loss due to demyelination. Patients usually present with confusion and seizures. Late diagnosis and lack of adequate therapy options persistently result in permanent impairment of brain functions. Due to profound T cell depletion, impairment of T-cell function and potent immunosuppressive factors, allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation recipients are at high risk for JCV reactivation. To date, PML is almost universally fatal when occurring after allo-HCT. Methods To optimize therapy specificity, we enriched JCV specific T-cells out of the donor T-cell repertoire from the HLA-identical, anti-JCV-antibody positive family stem cell donor by unstimulated peripheral apheresis [1]. For this, we selected T cells responsive to five JCV peptide libraries via the Cytokine Capture System technology. It enables the enrichment of JCV specific T cells via identification of stimulus-induced interferon gamma secretion. Results Despite low frequencies of responsive T cells, we succeeded in generating a product containing 20 000 JCV reactive T cells ready for patient infusion. The adoptive cell transfer was performed without complication. Consequently, the clinical course stabilized and the patient slowly went into remission of PML with JCV negative CSF and containment of PML lesion expansion. Conclusion We report for the first time feasibility of generating T cells with possible anti-JCV activity from a seropositive family donor, a variation of virus specific T-cell therapies suitable for the post allo transplant setting. We also present the unusual case for successful treatment of PML after allo-HCT via virus specific T-cell therapy.}, language = {en} } @article{SommerKloseWelschetal.2020, author = {Sommer, Claudia and Klose, Petra and Welsch, Patrick and Petzke, Frank and H{\"a}user, Winfried}, title = {Opioids for chronic non-cancer neuropathic pain. An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy, tolerability and safety in randomized placebo-controlled studies of at least 4 weeks duration}, series = {European Journal of Pain}, volume = {24}, journal = {European Journal of Pain}, number = {1}, doi = {10.1002/ejp.1494}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218487}, pages = {3 -- 18}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background and Objective This updated systematic review evaluated the efficacy, tolerability and safety of opioids compared to placebo in chronic non-cancer neuropathic pain. Databases and Data Treatment Clinicaltrials.gov, CENTRAL, PubMed and PsycINFO were searched from October 2013 to June 2019. Randomized controlled trials comparing opioids with placebo and at least 4 weeks double-blinded duration were analysed. Primary outcomes were pain relief of 50\% or greater, disability, tolerability and safety. Effects were summarized by a random effects model using risk differences (RD) or standardized mean differences (SMD). We added four new studies with 662 participants for a total of 16 included studies with 2,199 participants. Study duration ranged between 4 and 12 weeks. Studies with a parallel and cross-over design: Based on low to moderate quality evidence, opioids (buprenorphine, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, tramadol) provided a clinically relevant pain relief of 50\% or greater and reduction of disability compared to placebo. There was no clinically relevant harm with regards to the drop out rate due to adverse and serious adverse events by opioids compared to placebo. Enriched enrolment randomized withdrawal design: Based on low to moderate quality evidence, tapentadol provided a clinically relevant pain relief of 50\% or greater and reduction of disability compared to placebo in diabetic polyneuropathy. There was no clinically relevant harm with regards to the drop out rate due to adverse and serious adverse events by tapentadol compared to placebo. Conclusions Some opioids provided a short-term substantial pain relief in highly selected patients in some neuropathic pain syndromes. Significance Some opioids (buprenorphine, morphine, oxycodone, tramadol, tapentadol) provide substantial pain relief compared to placebo in postherpetic neuralgia and peripheral neuropathies of different aetiologies for 4-12 weeks. There is insufficient evidence to support or refute the suggestion that these drugs are effective in other neuropathic pain conditions. The safety of opioids with regards to abuse and deaths in the studies analysed cannot be extrapolated to routine clinical care.}, language = {en} } @article{SamperAgreloSchiraHeinenBeyeretal.2020, author = {Samper Agrelo, Iria and Schira-Heinen, Jessica and Beyer, Felix and Groh, Janos and B{\"u}termann, Christine and Estrada, Veronica and Poschmann, Gereon and Bribian, Ana and Jadasz, Janusz J. and Lopez-Mascaraque, Laura and Kremer, David and Martini, Rudolf and M{\"u}ller, Hans Werner and Hartung, Hans Peter and Adjaye, James and St{\"u}hler, Kai and K{\"u}ry, Patrick}, title = {Secretome analysis of mesenchymal stem cell factors fostering oligodendroglial differentiation of neural stem cells in vivo}, series = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, volume = {21}, journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences}, number = {12}, issn = {1422-0067}, doi = {10.3390/ijms21124350}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285465}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-secreted factors have been shown to significantly promote oligodendrogenesis from cultured primary adult neural stem cells (aNSCs) and oligodendroglial precursor cells (OPCs). Revealing underlying mechanisms of how aNSCs can be fostered to differentiate into a specific cell lineage could provide important insights for the establishment of novel neuroregenerative treatment approaches aiming at myelin repair. However, the nature of MSC-derived differentiation and maturation factors acting on the oligodendroglial lineage has not been identified thus far. In addition to missing information on active ingredients, the degree to which MSC-dependent lineage instruction is functional in vivo also remains to be established. We here demonstrate that MSC-derived factors can indeed stimulate oligodendrogenesis and myelin sheath generation of aNSCs transplanted into different rodent central nervous system (CNS) regions, and furthermore, we provide insights into the underlying mechanism on the basis of a comparative mass spectrometry secretome analysis. We identified a number of secreted proteins known to act on oligodendroglia lineage differentiation. Among them, the tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase type 1 (TIMP-1) was revealed to be an active component of the MSC-conditioned medium, thus validating our chosen secretome approach.}, language = {en} } @article{RickertWagenhaeuserNordbecketal.2020, author = {Rickert, V. and Wagenh{\"a}user, L. and Nordbeck, P. and Wanner, C. and Sommer, C. and Rost, S. and {\"U}{\c{c}}eyler, N.}, title = {Stratification of Fabry mutations in clinical practice: a closer look at α-galactosidase A-3D structure}, series = {Journal of Internal Medicine}, volume = {288}, journal = {Journal of Internal Medicine}, number = {5}, doi = {10.1111/joim.13125}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218125}, pages = {593 -- 604}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background Fabry disease (FD) is an X-linked lysosomal storage and multi-system disorder due to mutations in the α-galactosidase A (α-GalA) gene. We investigated the impact of individual amino acid exchanges in the α-GalA 3D-structure on the clinical phenotype of FD patients. Patients and methods We enrolled 80 adult FD patients with α-GalA missense mutations and stratified them into three groups based on the amino acid exchange location in the α-GalA 3D-structure: patients with active site mutations, buried mutations and other mutations. Patient subgroups were deep phenotyped for clinical and laboratory parameters and FD-specific treatment. Results Patients with active site or buried mutations showed a severe phenotype with multi-organ involvement and early disease manifestation. Patients with other mutations had a milder phenotype with less organ impairment and later disease onset. α-GalA activity was lower in patients with active site or buried mutations than in those with other mutations (P < 0.01 in men; P < 0.05 in women) whilst lyso-Gb3 levels were higher (P < 0.01 in men; <0.05 in women). Conclusions The type of amino acid exchange location in the α-GalA 3D-structure determines disease severity and temporal course of symptom onset. Patient stratification using this parameter may become a useful tool in the management of FD patients.}, language = {en} } @article{RauschenbergervonWardenburgSchaeferetal.2020, author = {Rauschenberger, Vera and von Wardenburg, Niels and Schaefer, Natascha and Ogino, Kazutoyo and Hirata, Hiromi and Lillesaar, Christina and Kluck, Christoph J. and Meinck, Hans-Michael and Borrmann, Marc and Weishaupt, Andreas and Doppler, Kathrin and Wickel, Jonathan and Geis, Christian and Sommer, Claudia and Villmann, Carmen}, title = {Glycine Receptor Autoantibodies Impair Receptor Function and Induce Motor Dysfunction}, series = {Annals of Neurology}, volume = {88}, journal = {Annals of Neurology}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1002/ana.25832}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-216005}, pages = {544 -- 561}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Objective Impairment of glycinergic neurotransmission leads to complex movement and behavioral disorders. Patients harboring glycine receptor autoantibodies suffer from stiff-person syndrome or its severe variant progressive encephalomyelitis with rigidity and myoclonus. Enhanced receptor internalization was proposed as the common molecular mechanism upon autoantibody binding. Although functional impairment of glycine receptors following autoantibody binding has recently been investigated, it is still incompletely understood. Methods A cell-based assay was used for positive sample evaluation. Glycine receptor function was assessed by electrophysiological recordings and radioligand binding assays. The in vivo passive transfer of patient autoantibodies was done using the zebrafish animal model. Results Glycine receptor function as assessed by glycine dose-response curves showed significantly decreased glycine potency in the presence of patient sera. Upon binding of autoantibodies from 2 patients, a decreased fraction of desensitized receptors was observed, whereas closing of the ion channel remained fast. The glycine receptor N-terminal residues \(^{29}\)A to \(^{62}\)G were mapped as a common epitope of glycine receptor autoantibodies. An in vivo transfer into the zebrafish animal model generated a phenotype with disturbed escape behavior accompanied by a reduced number of glycine receptor clusters in the spinal cord of affected animals. Interpretation Autoantibodies against the extracellular domain mediate alterations of glycine receptor physiology. Moreover, our in vivo data demonstrate that the autoantibodies are a direct cause of the disease, because the transfer of human glycine receptor autoantibodies to zebrafish larvae generated impaired escape behavior in the animal model compatible with abnormal startle response in stiff-person syndrome or progressive encephalitis with rigidity and myoclonus patients.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Purrer2020, author = {Purrer, Veronika}, title = {Nicht-motorische Begleitsymptome bei Patienten mit Essentiellen Tremor}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-19366}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-193665}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Der essentielle Tremor (ET) ist eine der h{\"a}ufigsten Bewegungsst{\"o}rungen, welcher lange Zeit als rein motorische St{\"o}rung angesehen wurde. Aufgrund zunehmender Belege {\"u}ber nicht-motorisch Begleitsymptome wandelte sich dieses Bild jedoch in den letzten Jahren zunehmend. In der vorliegenden Arbeit untersuchten wir 113 Probanden aus der Allgemeinbev{\"o}lkerung mit klinisch definitiven oder wahrscheinlichen ET anhand einer breiten Batterie neuro-psychologischer Testverfahren. Es gelang hierbei signifikante Unterschiede im Vergleich zu gesunden Eichstichproben im Hinblick auf neuro-psychologische Charakteristika, wie Apathie, {\"A}ngstlichkeit und exekutive Dysfunktion, sowie deren negativen Einfluss auf die Lebensqualit{\"a}t der Probanden darzustellen. Bisher werden im klinischen Alltag nicht-motorische Begleitph{\"a}nomene beim ET nicht regelhaft erfasst; aufgrund unserer Ergebnisse und der Relevanz vor allem im Hinblick auf die Lebensqualit{\"a}t des Einzelnen halten wir jedoch die Erfassung und gegebenenfalls Behandlung dieser Symptome f{\"u}r ebenso relevant.}, subject = {Essentieller Tremor}, language = {de} } @phdthesis{Pozzi2020, author = {Pozzi, Nicol{\´o} Gabriele}, title = {Parkinson's disease revisited: multiple circuitopathies}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-21671}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-216715}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Parkinson's disease (PD) is among the most common neurodegenerative conditions, and it is characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons and a great variability in clinical expression. Despite several effective medications, it still causes disability as all patients show treatment-resistant symptoms and complications. A possible reason for this therapeutic-burden and great clinical variability lies in a probable misconception about its pathophysiology, one that focuses on neurodegeneration, while largely neglecting its functional consequences and the related compensatory changes. In this thesis, I expand on the hypothesis that some PD symptoms have a dysfunctional origin and reflect derangements of neural network dynamics, the means by which brain coordination supports any motor behaviour. In particular, I have investigated resting tremor and freezing of gait, two common symptoms with an enigmatic mechanism and suboptimal management. In the case of tremor, I predicted a pathological change in response to dopamine loss, which included the activation of noradrenergic (NA) neurons of the locus coeruleus (LC) projecting to the cerebellum. This compensatory LC activation that supports dopaminergic neurons might indeed come at the expense of tremor development. To assess the role of LC-NA in tremor development, I recorded tremor occurrence in the reserpinized rat model of PD, one of very few showing tremor, after selective lesioning (with the neurotoxin DSP-4) of the LC-NA terminal axons. DSP-4 induced a severe reduction of LC-NA terminal axons in the cerebellar cortex and this was associated with a significant reduction in tremor development. Unlike its development, tremor frequency and the akinetic rigid signs did not differ between the groups, thus suggesting a dopaminergic dependency. These findings suggest that the LC-NA innervation of the cerebellum has a critical role for PD tremor, possibly by exerting a network effect, which gates the cerebello-thalamic-cortical circuit into pathological oscillations upon a dopaminergic loss in the basal ganglia. In contrast, for the study of freezing of gait, I worked with human PD subjects and deep brain stimulation, a therapeutic neuromodulation device that in some prototypes also allows the recording of neural activity in freely-moving subjects. Gait freezing is a disabling PD symptom that suddenly impairs effective stepping, thus causing falls and disability. Also in this study, I hypothesized that the underlying pathophysiology may be represented by dysfunctional neural network dynamics that abruptly impair locomotor control by affecting the communication in the supraspinal locomotor network. To test this hypothesis, I investigated the coupling between the cortex and the subthalamic nucleus, two main nodes of the supraspinal locomotor network, in freely-moving subjects PD patients and also performed molecular brain imaging of striatal dopamine receptor density and kinematic measurements. I found that in PD patients, walking is associated with cortical-subthalamic stable coupling in a low-frequency band (i.e. θ-α rhythms). In contrast, these structures decoupled when gait freezing occurred in the brain hemisphere with less dopaminergic innervation. These findings suggest that freezing of gait is a "circuitopathy", with dysfunctional cortical-subcortical communication. Altogether the results of my experiments support the hypothesis that the pathophysiology of PD goes beyond neurodegenerative (loss-of-function) processes and that derangement of neural network dynamics coincides with some disabling PD symptoms, thus suggesting that PD can be interpreted as the combination of multiple circuitopathies.}, subject = {Parkinson-Krankheit}, language = {en} } @article{PetzkeKloseWelschetal.2020, author = {Petzke, Frank and Klose, Petra and Welsch, Patrick and Sommer, Claudia and H{\"a}user, Winfried}, title = {Opioids for chronic low back pain: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis of efficacy, tolerability and safety in randomized placebo-controlled studies of at least 4 weeks of double-blind duration}, series = {European Journal of Pain}, volume = {24}, journal = {European Journal of Pain}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1002/ejp.1519}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-218498}, pages = {497 -- 517}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background and Objective This updated systematic review evaluated the efficacy, tolerability and safety of opioids compared to placebo in non-malignant chronic low back pain. Databases and Data Treatment Clinicaltrials.gov, CENTRAL, MEDLINE and PsycINFO were searched from October 2013 to May 2019. Randomized controlled trials comparing opioids with placebo and at least 4 weeks of double-blinded duration were analysed. Primary outcomes were pain relief of 50\% or greater, disability, tolerability and safety. Effects were summarized by a random effects model using risk differences or standardized mean differences. We added nine new studies with 2,980 participants for a total of 21 studies with 7,650 participants. Study duration ranged between 4 and 15 weeks. Studies with a parallel and cross-over design: Based on very low to low-quality evidence, opioids provided no clinically relevant pain relief of 50\% or greater, but a clinically relevant reduction of disability compared to placebo. Enriched enrolment randomized withdrawal (EERW) design: Based on very low to low-quality evidence, opioids provided a clinically relevant pain relief of 50\% or greater, but not a clinically relevant reduction of disability compared to placebo. There was no clinically relevant harm with regard to serious adverse events by opioids compared to placebo in studies with parallel/cross-over and EERW design. There was a relevant harm with regard to drop out rates due to adverse events in studies with parallel/cross-over, but not in studies with EERW design. Conclusions Opioids may provide a safe and clinically relevant pain relief for 4-15 weeks in highly selected patients. Significance Within the context of randomized controlled trials of 4-15 weeks, opioids provided a clinically relevant pain relief of 30\% or greater and a clinically relevant reduction of disability compared to placebo in non-malignant chronic low back pain. Number needed to treat for an additional drop out due to side effects was 11 (95\% confidence interval: 6-33). Assessment of abuse and addiction was incomplete. The frequency of serious adverse events including deaths did not differ from placebo.}, language = {en} } @article{PeterkaOdorferSchwabetal.2020, author = {Peterka, Manuel and Odorfer, Thorsten and Schwab, Michael and Volkmann, Jens and Zeller, Daniel}, title = {LSVT-BIG therapy in Parkinson's disease: physiological evidence for proprioceptive recalibration}, series = {BMC Neurology}, volume = {20}, journal = {BMC Neurology}, doi = {10.1186/s12883-020-01858-2}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-230084}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background There is growing evidence for proprioceptive dysfunction in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). The Lee Silvermann Voice Treatment-BIG therapy (LSVT-BIG), a special training program aiming at an increase of movement amplitudes in persons with PD (PwPD), has shown to be effective on motor symptoms. LSVT-BIG is conceptionally based on improving bradykinesia, in particular the decrement of repetitive movements, by proprioceptive recalibration. Objective To assess proprioceptive impairment in PwPD as compared to matched controls and to probe potential recalibration effects of the LSVT-BIG therapy on proprioception. Methods Proprioceptive performance and fine motor skills were assessed in 30 PwPD and 15 matched controls. Measurements with significant impairment in PwPD were chosen as outcome parameters for a standardized 4 weeks amplitude-based training intervention (LSVT-BIG) in 11 PwPD. Proprioceptive performance served as primary outcome measure. Secondary outcome measures included the motor part of the MDS-UPDRS, the nine-hole-peg test, and a questionnaire on quality of life. Post-interventional assessments were conducted at weeks 4 and 8. Results Compared to the control group, PwPD showed significantly larger pointing errors. After 4 weeks of LSVT-BIG therapy and even more so after an additional 4 weeks of continued training, proprioceptive performance improved significantly. In addition, quality of life improved as indicated by a questionnaire. Conclusion LSVT-BIG training may achieve a recalibration of proprioceptive processing in PwPD. Our data indicates a probable physiological mechanism of a symptom-specific, amplitude-based behavioral intervention in PwPD.}, language = {en} } @article{PalmisanoBrandtVissanietal.2020, author = {Palmisano, Chiara and Brandt, Gregor and Vissani, Matteo and Pozzi, Nicol{\´o} G. and Canessa, Andrea and Brumberg, Joachim and Marotta, Giorgio and Volkmann, Jens and Mazzoni, Alberto and Pezzoli, Gianni and Frigo, Carlo A. and Isaias, Ioannis U.}, title = {Gait Initiation in Parkinson's Disease: Impact of Dopamine Depletion and Initial Stance Condition}, series = {Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology}, volume = {8}, journal = {Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology}, issn = {2296-4185}, doi = {10.3389/fbioe.2020.00137}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-200801}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Postural instability, in particular at gait initiation (GI), and resulting falls are a major determinant of poor quality of life in subjects with Parkinson's disease (PD). Still, the contribution of the basal ganglia and dopamine on the feedforward postural control associated with this motor task is poorly known. In addition, the influence of anthropometric measures (AM) and initial stance condition on GI has never been consistently assessed. The biomechanical resultants of anticipatory postural adjustments contributing to GI [imbalance (IMB), unloading (UNL), and stepping phase) were studied in 26 unmedicated subjects with idiopathic PD and in 27 healthy subjects. A subset of 13 patients was analyzed under standardized medication conditions and the striatal dopaminergic innervation was studied in 22 patients using FP-CIT and SPECT. People with PD showed a significant reduction in center of pressure (CoP) displacement and velocity during the IMB phase, reduced first step length and velocity, and decreased velocity and acceleration of the center of mass (CoM) at toe off of the stance foot. All these measurements correlated with the dopaminergic innervation of the putamen and substantially improved with levodopa. These results were not influenced by anthropometric parameters or by the initial stance condition. In contrast, most of the measurements of the UNL phase were influenced by the foot placement and did not correlate with putaminal dopaminergic innervation. Our results suggest a significant role of dopamine and the putamen particularly in the elaboration of the IMB phase of anticipatory postural adjustments and in the execution of the first step. The basal ganglia circuitry may contribute to defining the optimal referent body configuration for a proper initiation of gait and possibly gait adaptation to the environment.}, language = {en} } @article{NguemeniHomolaNakchbandietal.2020, author = {Nguemeni, Carine and Homola, Gy{\"o}rgy A. and Nakchbandi, Luis and Pham, Mirko and Volkmann, Jens and Zeller, Daniel}, title = {A Single Session of Anodal Cerebellar Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Does Not Induce Facilitation of Locomotor Consolidation in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis}, series = {Frontiers in Human Neuroscience}, volume = {14}, journal = {Frontiers in Human Neuroscience}, issn = {1662-5161}, doi = {10.3389/fnhum.2020.588671}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-215291}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) may cause variable functional impairment. The discrepancy between functional impairment and brain imaging findings in patients with MS (PwMS) might be attributed to differential adaptive and consolidation capacities. Modulating those abilities could contribute to a favorable clinical course of the disease. Objectives: We examined the effect of cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (c-tDCS) on locomotor adaptation and consolidation in PwMS using a split-belt treadmill (SBT) paradigm. Methods: 40 PwMS and 30 matched healthy controls performed a locomotor adaptation task on a SBT. First, we assessed locomotor adaptation in PwMS. In a second investigation, this training was followed by cerebellar anodal tDCS applied immediately after the task ipsilateral to the fast leg (T0). The SBT paradigm was repeated 24 h (T1) and 78 h (T2) post-stimulation to evaluate consolidation. Results: The gait dynamics and adaptation on the SBT were comparable between PwMS and controls. We found no effects of offline cerebellar anodal tDCS on locomotor adaptation and consolidation. Participants who received the active stimulation showed the same retention index than sham-stimulated subjects at T1 (p = 0.33) and T2 (p = 0.46). Conclusion: Locomotor adaptation is preserved in people with mild-to-moderate MS. However, cerebellar anodal tDCS applied immediately post-training does not further enhance this ability. Future studies should define the neurobiological substrates of maintained plasticity in PwMS and how these substrates can be manipulated to improve compensation. Systematic assessments of methodological variables for cerebellar tDCS are urgently needed to increase the consistency and replicability of the results across experiments in various settings.}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Kuzkina2020, author = {Kuzkina, Anastasia}, title = {Dermal α-synuclein oligomers and aggregates in Parkinson's disease}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-20436}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-204369}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites are neuropathological hallmarks of Parkinson's disease (PD). These depositions in the brain mostly consist of aggregated α-synuclein (α-syn) phosphorylated at Ser129. A number of studies reported detection of phosphorylated α-syn (p-α-syn) in the dermal nerve fibers in Parkinson's disease. The objective of this study was to investigate whether pathological α-syn accumulations detected in the skin represent aggregated protein. A number of methods aimed at detecting α-syn oligomers and aggregates were first tested and optimized on the brain samples in PD and normal control. These methods included proximity ligation assay (PLA), PET-blot, immunohistochemical (IHC) stains with α-syn aggregate (5G4) or oligomer specific (ASyO5) antibodies and a stain against native α-syn (syn211) after proteinase K (PK) digestion. Subsequently, the most specific methods (stains with 5G4, ASyO5 and syn211 after PK digestion) were studied in two separate patient and control cohorts. Anti-p-α-syn stain was performed in parallel. Single sections from at least 2 biopsy sites from 44 patients and 22 controls (cohort 1) as well as serial sections of 4 biopsy sites from 27 patients and 5 controls (cohort 2) were systematically studied for presence of aggregated and oligomeric α-syn. In total, 5G4 positive deposits were found in 24\% (cohort 1) and 37\% (cohort 2), ASyO5 positive lesions in 17,7\% (cohort 1) and 33\% (cohort 2), syn211 positive lesions after PK digestion in 38,7\% (cohort 1) and 48\% (cohort 2) of cases. There was a major overlap among positivity for a particular staining on the patient level and in most cases, the same nerve fiber was found to be positive for all 4 markers in neighboring sections. Among the skin biopsies which contained p-α-syn accumulation, 59\% were also PK resistant, 41\% were 5G4 positive and 45\% were ASyO5 positive. The samples belonging to normal controls did not show any positive signal in either of the newly established stainings or in the anti-p-α-syn staining. Using 3 distinct IHC methods, α-syn oligomers and aggregates were detectable in the majority of p-α-syn positive skin biopsies. This finding supports the hypothesis that α-syn aggregation occurs in the peripheral (i.e. dermal) nerves and can be specifically detected using skin biopsy.}, subject = {Parkinson-Krankheit}, language = {en} } @phdthesis{Kress2020, author = {Kreß, Luisa Sophia}, title = {Determination of cytokine and axon guidance molecule profiles in patients with small fiber neuropathy}, doi = {10.25972/OPUS-20911}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-209113}, school = {Universit{\"a}t W{\"u}rzburg}, year = {2020}, abstract = {The pathophysiological mechanisms of pain in small fiber neuropathy (SFN) are unclear. Based on experimental and clinical studies, sensitized nociceptors in the skin are reported to be involved in pain development. These nociceptors may be sensitized by cutaneous and systemic pain mediators e.g. pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The aim of our study was, to measure the systemic and local gene expression of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in white blood cells (WBC) as well as in primary fibroblasts and keratinocytes obtained from human skin of patients with SFN. Furthermore, gene expression levels of axon guidance molecules and their receptors, as potential regulators of the intraepidermal nerve fiber density (IENFD), were investigated. 55 patients and 31 healthy controls were prospectively recruited. Participants underwent extensive clinical phenotyping and blood sampling, 6-mm skin punch biopsies were taken from the right lateral calf and the upper thigh. Systemic relative gene expression levels (ΔG) of the interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-2, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) was measured in WBC. Skin punch biopsies were taken to determine the IENFD and to obtain primary fibroblast and keratinocyte cell cultures. Skin cells were then used for investigation of ΔG in axon guidance molecules netrin 1 (NTN1) and ephrin A4 (EPHA4) as well as their receptors Unc5b receptor, and ephrin A4 (EFNA4) as well as cytokines IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, TNF, and transforming growth factor (TGF). Systemically, gene expression of IL-2, IL-8, and TNF was higher in SFN patients compared to healthy controls. In keratinocytes, higher expression levels of NTN1 and TGF were found when comparing the SFN patients to the controls. In fibroblasts higher gene expression was shown in NTN1, Unc5b, IL-6, and IL-8 when comparing patients to healthy controls. The systemically and local elevated levels of pro-inflammatory, algesic cytokines in SFN patients compared to healthy controls, confirms a potential pathophysiological role in the development of neuropathic pain. Data also indicate fibroblasts and keratinocytes to influence subepidermal and intraepidermal nerve fiber growth through the expression of NTN1 and Unc5b. Thus, skin cells may contribute to the development of neuropathic pain through local denervation.}, subject = {Neuropathischer Schmerz}, language = {en} } @article{KollikowskiSchuhmannNieswandtetal.2020, author = {Kollikowski, Alexander M. and Schuhmann, Michael K. and Nieswandt, Bernhard and M{\"u}llges, Wolfgang and Stoll, Guido and Pham, Mirko}, title = {Local Leukocyte Invasion during Hyperacute Human Ischemic Stroke}, series = {Annals of Neurology}, volume = {87}, journal = {Annals of Neurology}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1002/ana.25665}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-212168}, pages = {466-479}, year = {2020}, abstract = {Objective Bridging the gap between experimental stroke and patients by ischemic blood probing during the hyperacute stage of vascular occlusion is crucial to assess the role of inflammation in human stroke and for the development of adjunct treatments beyond recanalization. Methods We prospectively observed 151 consecutive ischemic stroke patients with embolic large vessel occlusion of the anterior circulation who underwent mechanical thrombectomy. In all these patients, we attempted microcatheter aspiration of 3 different arterial blood samples: (1) within the core of the occluded vascular compartment and controlled by (2) carotid and (3) femoral samples obtained under physiological flow conditions. Subsequent laboratory analyses comprised leukocyte counting and differentiation, platelet counting, and the quantification of 13 proinflammatory human chemokines/cytokines. Results Forty patients meeting all clinical, imaging, interventional, and laboratory inclusion criteria could be analyzed, showing that the total number of leukocytes significantly increased under the occlusion condition. This increase was predominantly driven by neutrophils. Significant increases were also apparent for lymphocytes and monocytes, accompanied by locally elevated plasma levels of the T-cell chemoattractant CXCL-11. Finally, we found evidence that short-term clinical outcome (National Institute of Health Stroke Scale at 72 hours) was negatively associated with neutrophil accumulation. Interpretation We provide the first direct human evidence that neutrophils, lymphocytes, and monocytes, accompanied by specific chemokine upregulation, accumulate in the ischemic vasculature during hyperacute stroke and may affect outcome. These findings strongly support experimental evidence that immune cells contribute to acute ischemic brain damage and indicate that ischemic inflammation initiates already during vascular occlusion. Ann Neurol 2020;87:466-479}, language = {en} }