TY  - JOUR
A1  - Horn, A.
A1  - Krist, L.
A1  - Lieb, W.
A1  - Montellano, F. A.
A1  - Kohls, M.
A1  - Haas, K.
A1  - Gelbrich, G.
A1  - Bolay-Gehrig, S. J.
A1  - Morbach, C.
A1  - Reese, J. P.
A1  - Störk, S.
A1  - Fricke, J.
A1  - Zoller, T.
A1  - Schmidt, S.
A1  - Triller, P.
A1  - Kretzler, L.
A1  - Rönnefarth, M.
A1  - Von Kalle, C.
A1  - Willich, S. N.
A1  - Kurth, F.
A1  - Steinbeis, F.
A1  - Witzenrath, M.
A1  - Bahmer, T.
A1  - Hermes, A.
A1  - Krawczak, M.
A1  - Reinke, L.
A1  - Maetzler, C.
A1  - Franzenburg, J.
A1  - Enderle, J.
A1  - Flinspach, A.
A1  - Vehreschild, J.
A1  - Schons, M.
A1  - Illig, T.
A1  - Anton, G.
A1  - Ungethüm, K.
A1  - Finkenberg, B. C.
A1  - Gehrig, M. T.
A1  - Savaskan, N.
A1  - Heuschmann, P. U.
A1  - Keil, T.
A1  - Schreiber, S.
T1  - Long-term health sequelae and quality of life at least 6 months after infection with SARS-CoV-2: design and rationale of the COVIDOM-study as part of the NAPKON population-based cohort platform (POP)
JF  - Infection
N2  - Purpose
Over the course of COVID-19 pandemic, evidence has accumulated that SARS-CoV-2 infections may affect multiple organs and have serious clinical sequelae, but on-site clinical examinations with non-hospitalized samples are rare. We, therefore, aimed to systematically assess the long-term health status of samples of hospitalized and non-hospitalized SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals from three regions in Germany.

Methods
The present paper describes the COVIDOM-study within the population-based cohort platform (POP) which has been established under the auspices of the NAPKON infrastructure (German National Pandemic Cohort Network) of the national Network University Medicine (NUM). Comprehensive health assessments among SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals are conducted at least 6 months after the acute infection at the study sites Kiel, Würzburg and Berlin. Potential participants were identified and contacted via the local public health authorities, irrespective of the severity of the initial infection. A harmonized examination protocol has been implemented, consisting of detailed assessments of medical history, physical examinations, and the collection of multiple biosamples (e.g., serum, plasma, saliva, urine) for future analyses. In addition, patient-reported perception of the impact of local pandemic-related measures and infection on quality-of-life are obtained.

Results
As of July 2021, in total 6813 individuals infected in 2020 have been invited into the COVIDOM-study. Of these, about 36% wished to participate and 1295 have already been examined at least once.

Conclusion
NAPKON-POP COVIDOM-study complements other Long COVID studies assessing the long-term consequences of an infection with SARS-CoV-2 by providing detailed health data of population-based samples, including individuals with various degrees of disease severity.

Trial registration
Registered at the German registry for clinical studies (DRKS00023742).
KW  - Long COVID
KW  - Sars-CoV-2
KW  - on-site examination
KW  - internal medicine
KW  - neurological
KW  - population-based
Y1  - 2021
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-308960
SN  - 0300-8126
SN  - 1439-0973
VL  - 49
IS  - 6
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Barlinn, J.
A1  - Winzer, S.
A1  - Worthmann, H.
A1  - Urbanek, C.
A1  - Häusler, K. G.
A1  - Günther, A.
A1  - Erdur, H.
A1  - Görtler, M.
A1  - Busetto, L.
A1  - Wojciechowski, C.
A1  - Schmitt, J.
A1  - Shah, Y.
A1  - Büchele, B.
A1  - Sokolowski, P.
A1  - Kraya, T.
A1  - Merkelbach, S.
A1  - Rosengarten, B.
A1  - Stangenberg-Gliss, K.
A1  - Weber, J.
A1  - Schlachetzki, F.
A1  - Abu-Mugheisib, M.
A1  - Petersen, M.
A1  - Schwartz, A.
A1  - Palm, F.
A1  - Jowaed, A.
A1  - Volbers, B.
A1  - Zickler, P.
A1  - Remi, J.
A1  - Bardutzky, J.
A1  - Bösel, J.
A1  - Audebert, H. J.
A1  - Hubert, G. J.
A1  - Gumbinger, C.
T1  - Telemedizin in der Schlaganfallversorgung – versorgungsrelevant für Deutschland
T1  - Telemedicine in stroke—pertinent to stroke care in Germany
JF  - Der Nervenarzt
N2  - Hintergrund und Ziel
Telemedizinische Schlaganfall-Netzwerke tragen dazu bei, die Schlaganfallversorgung und insbesondere den Zugang zu zeitkritischen Schlaganfalltherapien in vorrangig strukturschwachen, ländlichen Regionen zu gewährleisten. Ziel ist eine Darstellung der Nutzungsfrequenz und regionalen Verteilung dieser Versorgungsstruktur.

Methoden
Die Kommission „Telemedizinische Schlaganfallversorgung“ der Deutschen Schlaganfall-Gesellschaft führte eine Umfragestudie in allen Schlaganfall-Netzwerken durch.

Ergebnisse
In Deutschland sind 22 telemedizinische Schlaganfall-Netzwerke aktiv, welche insgesamt 43 Zentren (pro Netzwerk: Median 1,5, Interquartilsabstand [IQA] 1–3) sowie 225 Kooperationskliniken (pro Netzwerk: Median 9, IQA 4–17) umfassen und an einem unmittelbaren Zugang zur Schlaganfallversorgung für 48 Mio. Menschen teilhaben. Im Jahr 2018 wurden 38.211 Telekonsile (pro Netzwerk: Median 1340, IQA 319–2758) durchgeführt. Die Thrombolyserate betrug 14,1 % (95 %-Konfidenzintervall 13,6–14,7 %), eine Verlegung zur Thrombektomie wurde bei 7,9 % (95 %-Konfidenzintervall 7,5–8,4 %) der ischämischen Schlaganfallpatienten initiiert. Das Finanzierungssystem ist uneinheitlich mit einem Vergütungssystem für die Zentrumsleistungen in nur drei Bundesländern.

Diskussion
Etwa jeder 10. Schlaganfallpatient wird telemedizinisch behandelt. Die telemedizinischen Schlaganfall-Netzwerke erreichen vergleichbar hohe Lyseraten und Verlegungen zur Thrombektomie wie neurologische Stroke-Units und tragen zur Sicherstellung einer flächendeckenden Schlaganfallversorgung bei. Eine netzwerkübergreifende Sicherstellung der Finanzierung und einheitliche Erhebung von Qualitätssicherungsdaten haben das Potenzial diese Versorgungsstruktur zukünftig weiter zu stärken.
N2  - Background and objective
Telemedical stroke networks improve stroke care and provide access to time-dependent acute stroke treatment in predominantly rural regions. The aim is a presentation of data on its utility and regional distribution.

Methods
The working group on telemedical stroke care of the German Stroke Society performed a survey study among all telestroke networks.

Results
Currently, 22 telemedical stroke networks including 43 centers (per network: median 1.5, interquartile range, IQR, 1–3) as well as 225 cooperating hospitals (per network: median 9, IQR 4–17) operate in Germany and contribute to acute stroke care delivery to 48 million people. In 2018, 38,211 teleconsultations (per network: median 1340, IQR 319–2758) were performed. The thrombolysis rate was 14.1% (95% confidence interval 13.6–14.7%) and transfer for thrombectomy was initiated in 7.9% (95% confidence interval 7.5–8.4%) of ischemic stroke patients. Financial reimbursement differs regionally with compensation for telemedical stroke care in only three federal states.

Conclusion
Telemedical stroke care is utilized in about 1 out of 10 stroke patients in Germany. Telemedical stroke networks achieve similar rates of thrombolysis and transfer for thrombectomy compared with neurological stroke units and contribute to stroke care in rural regions. Standardization of network structures, financial assurance and uniform quality measurements may further strengthen the importance of telestroke networks in the future.
KW  - Schlaganfall
KW  - Stroke-Unit
KW  - Telemedizin
KW  - Schlaganfall-Netzwerk
KW  - Umfragestudie
KW  - stroke
KW  - stroke unit
KW  - telemedicine
KW  - stroke networks
KW  - survey
Y1  - 2021
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-307752
SN  - 0028-2804
SN  - 1433-0407
VL  - 92
IS  - 6
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Baum, Petra
A1  - Toyka, Klaus V.
A1  - Blüher, Matthias
A1  - Kosacka, Joanna
A1  - Nowicki, Marcin
T1  - Inflammatory mechanisms in the pathophysiology of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DN) — new aspects
JF  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
N2  - The pathogenesis of diabetic neuropathy is complex, and various pathogenic pathways have been proposed. A better understanding of the pathophysiology is warranted for developing novel therapeutic strategies. Here, we summarize recent evidence from experiments using animal models of type 1 and type 2 diabetes showing that low-grade intraneural inflammation is a facet of diabetic neuropathy. Our experimental data suggest that these mild inflammatory processes are a likely common terminal pathway in diabetic neuropathy associated with the degeneration of intraepidermal nerve fibers. In contrast to earlier reports claiming toxic effects of high-iron content, we found the opposite, i.e., nutritional iron deficiency caused low-grade inflammation and fiber degeneration while in normal or high non-heme iron nutrition no or only extremely mild inflammatory signs were identified in nerve tissue. Obesity and dyslipidemia also appear to trigger mild inflammation of peripheral nerves, associated with neuropathy even in the absence of overt diabetes mellitus. Our finding may be the experimental analog of recent observations identifying systemic proinflammatory activity in human sensorimotor diabetic neuropathy. In a rat model of type 1 diabetes, a mild neuropathy with inflammatory components could be induced by insulin treatment causing an abrupt reduction in HbA1c. This is in line with observations in patients with severe diabetes developing a small fiber neuropathy upon treatment-induced rapid HbA1c reduction. If the inflammatory pathogenesis could be further substantiated by data from human tissues and intervention studies, anti-inflammatory compounds with different modes of action may become candidates for the treatment or prevention of diabetic neuropathy.
KW  - diabetic neuropathy
KW  - pathogenesis
KW  - inflammation
KW  - iron
KW  - treatment-induced neuropathy in diabetes (TIND)
Y1  - 2021
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-284556
SN  - 1422-0067
VL  - 22
IS  - 19
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Bieber, Michael
A1  - Foerster, Kathrin I.
A1  - Haefeli, Walter E.
A1  - Pham, Mirko
A1  - Schuhmann, Michael K.
A1  - Kraft, Peter
T1  - Treatment with edoxaban attenuates acute stroke severity in mice by reducing blood–brain barrier damage and inflammation
JF  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
N2  - Patients with atrial fibrillation and previous ischemic stroke (IS) are at increased risk of cerebrovascular events despite anticoagulation. In these patients, treatment with non-vitamin K oral anticoagulants (NOAC) such as edoxaban reduced the probability and severity of further IS without increasing the risk of major bleeding. However, the detailed protective mechanism of edoxaban has not yet been investigated in a model of ischemia/reperfusion injury. Therefore, in the current study we aimed to assess in a clinically relevant setting whether treatment with edoxaban attenuates stroke severity, and whether edoxaban has an impact on the local cerebral inflammatory response and blood–brain barrier (BBB) function after experimental IS in mice. Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by transient middle cerebral artery occlusion in male mice receiving edoxaban, phenprocoumon or vehicle. Infarct volumes, functional outcome and the occurrence of intracerebral hemorrhage were assessed. BBB damage and the extent of local inflammatory response were determined. Treatment with edoxaban significantly reduced infarct volumes and improved neurological outcome and BBB function on day 1 and attenuated brain tissue inflammation. In summary, our study provides evidence that edoxaban might exert its protective effect in human IS by modulating different key steps of IS pathophysiology, but further studies are warranted.
KW  - edoxaban
KW  - thrombo-inflammation
KW  - blood–brain barrier
KW  - tMCAO
KW  - experimental stroke
KW  - hemorrhagic transformation
KW  - NOAC
Y1  - 2021
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-284481
SN  - 1422-0067
VL  - 22
IS  - 18
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Strinitz, Marc
A1  - Pham, Mirko
A1  - März, Alexander G.
A1  - Feick, Jörn
A1  - Weidner, Franziska
A1  - Vogt, Marius L.
A1  - Essig, Fabian
A1  - Neugebauer, Hermann
A1  - Stoll, Guido
A1  - Schuhmann, Michael K.
A1  - Kollikowski, Alexander M.
T1  - Immune cells invade the collateral circulation during human stroke: prospective replication and extension
JF  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
N2  - It remains unclear if principal components of the local cerebral stroke immune response can be reliably and reproducibly observed in patients with acute large-vessel-occlusion (LVO) stroke. We prospectively studied a large independent cohort of n = 318 consecutive LVO stroke patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy during which cerebral blood samples from within the occluded anterior circulation and systemic control samples from the ipsilateral cervical internal carotid artery were obtained. An extensive protocol was applied to homogenize the patient cohort and to standardize the procedural steps of endovascular sample collection, sample processing, and laboratory analyses. N = 58 patients met all inclusion criteria. (1) Mean total leukocyte counts were significantly higher within the occluded ischemic cerebral vasculature (I) vs. intraindividual systemic controls (S): +9.6%, I: 8114/µL ± 529 vs. S: 7406/µL ± 468, p = 0.0125. (2) This increase was driven by neutrophils: +12.1%, I: 7197/µL ± 510 vs. S: 6420/µL ± 438, p = 0.0022. Leukocyte influx was associated with (3) reduced retrograde collateral flow (R\(^2\) = 0.09696, p = 0.0373) and (4) greater infarct extent (R\(^2\) = 0.08382, p = 0.032). Despite LVO, leukocytes invade the occluded territory via retrograde collateral pathways early during ischemia, likely compromising cerebral hemodynamics and tissue integrity. This inflammatory response can be reliably observed in human stroke by harvesting immune cells from the occluded cerebral vascular compartment.
KW  - ischemic stroke
KW  - cerebral ischemia
KW  - mechanical thrombectomy
KW  - large vessel occlusion
KW  - leukocytes
KW  - neutrophils
KW  - collateral circulation
Y1  - 2021
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-284281
SN  - 1422-0067
VL  - 22
IS  - 17
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Stetter, Christian
A1  - Lopez-Caperuchipi, Simon
A1  - Hopp-Krämer, Sarah
A1  - Bieber, Michael
A1  - Kleinschnitz, Christoph
A1  - Sirén, Anna-Leena
A1  - Albert-Weißenberger, Christiane
T1  - Amelioration of cognitive and behavioral deficits after traumatic brain injury in coagulation factor XII deficient mice
JF  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
N2  - Based on recent findings that show that depletion of factor XII (FXII) leads to better posttraumatic neurological recovery, we studied the effect of FXII-deficiency on post-traumatic cognitive and behavioral outcomes in female and male mice. In agreement with our previous findings, neurological deficits on day 7 after weight-drop traumatic brain injury (TBI) were significantly reduced in FXII\(^{−/−}\) mice compared to wild type (WT) mice. Also, glycoprotein Ib (GPIb)-positive platelet aggregates were more frequent in brain microvasculature of WT than FXII\(^{−/−}\) mice 3 months after TBI. Six weeks after TBI, memory for novel object was significantly reduced in both female and male WT but not in FXII\(^{−/−}\) mice compared to sham-operated mice. In the setting of automated home-cage monitoring of socially housed mice in IntelliCages, female WT mice but not FXII\(^{−/−}\) mice showed decreased exploration and reacted negatively to reward extinction one month after TBI. Since neuroendocrine stress after TBI might contribute to trauma-induced cognitive dysfunction and negative emotional contrast reactions, we measured peripheral corticosterone levels and the ration of heart, lung, and spleen weight to bodyweight. Three months after TBI, plasma corticosterone levels were significantly suppressed in both female and male WT but not in FXII\(^{−/−}\) mice, while the relative heart weight increased in males but not in females of both phenotypes when compared to sham-operated mice. Our results indicate that FXII deficiency is associated with efficient post-traumatic behavioral and neuroendocrine recovery.
KW  - closed head injury
KW  - contact-kinin system
KW  - object recognition memory
KW  - IntelliCage
KW  - Crespi effect
KW  - stress
Y1  - 2021
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-284959
SN  - 1422-0067
VL  - 22
IS  - 9
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Baum, Petra
A1  - Koj, Severin
A1  - Klöting, Nora
A1  - Blüher, Matthias
A1  - Classen, Joseph
A1  - Paeschke, Sabine
A1  - Gericke, Martin
A1  - Toyka, Klaus V.
A1  - Nowicki, Marcin
A1  - Kosacka, Joanna
T1  - Treatment-induced neuropathy in diabetes (TIND) — Developing a disease model in type 1 diabetic rats
JF  - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
N2  - Treatment-induced neuropathy in diabetes (TIND) is defined by the occurrence of an acute neuropathy within 8 weeks of an abrupt decrease in glycated hemoglobin-A1c (HbA1c). The underlying pathogenic mechanisms are still incompletely understood with only one mouse model being explored to date. The aim of this study was to further explore the hypothesis that an abrupt insulin-induced fall in HbA1c may be the prime causal factor of developing TIND. BB/OKL (bio breeding/OKL, Ottawa Karlsburg Leipzig) diabetic rats were randomized in three groups, receiving insulin treatment by implanted subcutaneous osmotic insulin pumps for 3 months, as follows: Group one received 2 units per day; group two 1 unit per day: and group three 1 unit per day in the first month, followed by 2 units per day in the last two months. We serially examined blood glucose and HbA1c levels, motor- and sensory/mixed afferent conduction velocities (mNCV and csNCV) and peripheral nerve morphology, including intraepidermal nerve fiber density and numbers of Iba-1 (ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1) positive macrophages in the sciatic nerve. Only in BB/OKL rats of group three, with a rapid decrease in HbA1c of more than 2%, did we find a significant decrease in mNCV in sciatic nerves (81% of initial values) after three months of treatment as compared to those group three rats with a less marked decrease in HbA1c <2% (mNCV 106% of initial values, p ≤ 0.01). A similar trend was observed for sensory/mixed afferent nerve conduction velocities: csNCV were reduced in BB/OKL rats with a rapid decrease in HbA1c >2% (csNCV 90% of initial values), compared to those rats with a mild decrease <2% (csNCV 112% of initial values, p ≤ 0.01). Moreover, BB/OKL rats of group three with a decrease in HbA1c >2% showed significantly greater infiltration of macrophages by about 50% (p ≤ 0.01) and a decreased amount of calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) positive nerve fibers as compared to the animals with a milder decrease in HbA1c. We conclude that a mild acute neuropathy with inflammatory components was induced in BB/OKL rats as a consequence of an abrupt decrease in HbA1c caused by high-dose insulin treatment. This experimentally induced neuropathy shares some features with TIND in humans and may be further explored in studies into the pathogenesis and treatment of TIND.
KW  - BB/OKL rats
KW  - peripheral neuropathy
KW  - sciatic nerve
KW  - TIND
KW  - Type 1 diabetes
Y1  - 2021
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-285793
SN  - 1422-0067
VL  - 22
IS  - 4
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Nguemeni, Carine
A1  - Hiew, Shawn
A1  - Kögler, Stefanie
A1  - Homola, György A.
A1  - Volkmann, Jens
A1  - Zeller, Daniel
T1  - Split-belt training but not cerebellar anodal tDCS improves stability control and reduces risk of fall in patients with multiple sclerosis
JF  - Brain Sciences
N2  - The objective of this study was to examine the therapeutic potential of multiple sessions of training on a split-belt treadmill (SBT) combined with cerebellar anodal transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on gait and balance in People with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS). Twenty-two PwMS received six sessions of anodal (PwMS\(_{real}\), n = 12) or sham (PwMS\(_{sham}\), n = 10) tDCS to the cerebellum prior to performing the locomotor adaptation task on the SBT. To evaluate the effect of the intervention, functional gait assessment (FGA) scores and distance walked in 2 min (2MWT) were measured at the baseline (T0), day 6 (T5), and at the 4-week follow up (T6). Locomotor performance and changes of motor outcomes were similar in PwMS\(_{real}\) and PwMS\(_{sham}\) independently from tDCS mode applied to the cerebellum (anodal vs. sham, on FGA, p = 0.23; and 2MWT, p = 0.49). When the data were pooled across the groups to investigate the effects of multiple sessions of SBT training alone, significant improvement of gait and balance was found on T5 and T6, respectively, relative to baseline (FGA, p < 0.001 for both time points). The FGA change at T6 was significantly higher than at T5 (p = 0.01) underlining a long-lasting improvement. An improvement of the distance walked during the 2MWT was also observed on T5 and T6 relative to T0 (p = 0.002). Multiple sessions of SBT training resulted in a lasting improvement of gait stability and endurance, thus potentially reducing the risk of fall as measured by FGA and 2MWT. Application of cerebellar tDCS during SBT walking had no additional effect on locomotor outcomes.
KW  - multiple sclerosis
KW  - split-belt treadmill
KW  - cerebellar tDCS
KW  - gait
KW  - balance
KW  - risk of fall
Y1  - 2021
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-252179
SN  - 2076-3425
VL  - 12
IS  - 1
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Dauer née Joppe, Karina
A1  - Tatenhorst, Lars
A1  - Caldi Gomes, Lucas
A1  - Zhang, Shuyu
A1  - Parvaz, Mojan
A1  - Carboni, Eleonora
A1  - Roser, Anna‐Elisa
A1  - El DeBakey, Hazem
A1  - Bähr, Mathias
A1  - Vogel‐Mikuš, Katarina
A1  - Wang Ip, Chi
A1  - Becker, Stefan
A1  - Zweckstetter, Markus
A1  - Lingor, Paul
T1  - Brain iron enrichment attenuates α‐synuclein spreading after injection of preformed fibrils
JF  - Journal of Neurochemistry
N2  - Regional iron accumulation and α‐synuclein (α‐syn) spreading pathology within the central nervous system are common pathological findings in Parkinson's disease (PD). Whereas iron is known to bind to α‐syn, facilitating its aggregation and regulating α‐syn expression, it remains unclear if and how iron also modulates α‐syn spreading. To elucidate the influence of iron on the propagation of α‐syn pathology, we investigated α‐syn spreading after stereotactic injection of α‐syn preformed fibrils (PFFs) into the striatum of mouse brains after neonatal brain iron enrichment. C57Bl/6J mouse pups received oral gavage with 60, 120, or 240 mg/kg carbonyl iron or vehicle between postnatal days 10 and 17. At 12 weeks of age, intrastriatal injections of 5‐µg PFFs were performed to induce seeding of α‐syn aggregates. At 90 days post‐injection, PFFs‐injected mice displayed long‐term memory deficits, without affection of motor behavior. Interestingly, quantification of α‐syn phosphorylated at S129 showed reduced α‐syn pathology and attenuated spreading to connectome‐specific brain regions after brain iron enrichment. Furthermore, PFFs injection caused intrastriatal microglia accumulation, which was alleviated by iron in a dose‐dependent way. In primary cortical neurons in a microfluidic chamber model in vitro, iron application did not alter trans‐synaptic α‐syn propagation, possibly indicating an involvement of non‐neuronal cells in this process. Our study suggests that α‐syn PFFs may induce cognitive deficits in mice independent of iron. However, a redistribution of α‐syn aggregate pathology and reduction of striatal microglia accumulation in the mouse brain may be mediated via iron‐induced alterations of the brain connectome.
KW  - alpha‐synuclein
KW  - alpha‐synuclein propagation
KW  - alpha‐synuclein seeding
KW  - iron dyshomeostasis
KW  - Parkinson's disease
Y1  - 2021
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-262544
VL  - 159
IS  - 3
SP  - 554
EP  - 573
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Schischlevskij, Pavel
A1  - Cordts, Isabell
A1  - Günther, René
A1  - Stolte, Benjamin
A1  - Zeller, Daniel
A1  - Schröter, Carsten
A1  - Weyen, Ute
A1  - Regensburger, Martin
A1  - Wolf, Joachim
A1  - Schneider, Ilka
A1  - Hermann, Andreas
A1  - Metelmann, Moritz
A1  - Kohl, Zacharias
A1  - Linker, Ralf A.
A1  - Koch, Jan Christoph
A1  - Stendel, Claudia
A1  - Müschen, Lars H.
A1  - Osmanovic, Alma
A1  - Binz, Camilla
A1  - Klopstock, Thomas
A1  - Dorst, Johannes
A1  - Ludolph, Albert C.
A1  - Boentert, Matthias
A1  - Hagenacker, Tim
A1  - Deschauer, Marcus
A1  - Lingor, Paul
A1  - Petri, Susanne
A1  - Schreiber-Katz, Olivia
T1  - Informal caregiving in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS): a high caregiver burden and drastic consequences on caregivers' lives
JF  - Brain Sciences
N2  - Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes progressive autonomy loss and need for care. This does not only affect patients themselves, but also the patients’ informal caregivers (CGs) in their health, personal and professional lives. The big efforts of this multi-center study were not only to evaluate the caregivers' burden and to identify its predictors, but it also should provide a specific understanding of the needs of ALS patients' CGs and fill the gap of knowledge on their personal and work lives. Using standardized questionnaires, primary data from patients and their main informal CGs (n = 249) were collected. Patients' functional status and disease severity were evaluated using the Barthel Index, the revised Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) and the King’s Stages for ALS. The caregivers' burden was recorded by the Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI). Comorbid anxiety and depression of caregivers were assessed by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Additionally, the EuroQol Five Dimension Five Level Scale evaluated their health-related quality of life. The caregivers' burden was high (mean ZBI = 26/88, 0 = no burden, ≥24 = highly burdened) and correlated with patients' functional status (r\(_p\) = −0.555, p < 0.001, n = 242). It was influenced by the CGs' own mental health issues due to caregiving (+11.36, 95% CI [6.84; 15.87], p < 0.001), patients' wheelchair dependency (+9.30, 95% CI [5.94; 12.66], p < 0.001) and was interrelated with the CGs' depression (r\(_p\) = 0.627, p < 0.001, n = 234), anxiety (r\(_p\) = 0.550, p < 0.001, n = 234), and poorer physical condition (r\(_p\) = −0.362, p < 0.001, n = 237). Moreover, female CGs showed symptoms of anxiety more often, which also correlated with the patients' impairment in daily routine (r\(_s\) = −0.280, p < 0.001, n = 169). As increasing disease severity, along with decreasing autonomy, was the main predictor of caregiver burden and showed to create relevant (negative) implications on CGs' lives, patient care and supportive therapies should address this issue. Moreover, in order to preserve the mental and physical health of the CGs, new concepts of care have to focus on both, on not only patients but also their CGs and gender-associated specific issues. As caregiving in ALS also significantly influences the socioeconomic status by restrictions in CGs' work lives and income, and the main reported needs being lack of psychological support and a high bureaucracy, the situation of CGs needs more attention. Apart from their own multi-disciplinary medical and psychological care, more support in care and patient management issues is required.
KW  - amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
KW  - informal caregiving
KW  - caregiver burden
KW  - functional status
KW  - decreasing autonomy
KW  - depression
KW  - anxiety
KW  - health-related quality of life
KW  - socioeconomic status
KW  - psychological support
Y1  - 2021
U6  - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-240981
SN  - 2076-3425
VL  - 11
IS  - 6
ER  -