Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik
Refine
Has Fulltext
- yes (527)
Year of publication
Document Type
- Journal article (359)
- Doctoral Thesis (165)
- Report (2)
- Book (1)
Keywords
- ischemic stroke (27)
- multiple sclerosis (22)
- deep brain stimulation (20)
- Parkinson's disease (19)
- Parkinson’s disease (18)
- neuroinflammation (18)
- Fabry disease (17)
- Multiple Sklerose (17)
- stroke (17)
- Schlaganfall (16)
Institute
- Neurologische Klinik und Poliklinik (527)
- Institut für diagnostische und interventionelle Neuroradiologie (ehem. Abteilung für Neuroradiologie) (26)
- Graduate School of Life Sciences (19)
- Neurochirurgische Klinik und Poliklinik (18)
- Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik I (17)
- Institut für Klinische Epidemiologie und Biometrie (16)
- Institut für Klinische Neurobiologie (16)
- Rudolf-Virchow-Zentrum (16)
- Deutsches Zentrum für Herzinsuffizienz (DZHI) (14)
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie, Psychosomatik und Psychotherapie (13)
Schriftenreihe
Sonstige beteiligte Institutionen
- Datenintegrationszentrum Würzburg (DIZ) (1)
- Institut für Musikphysiologie und Musiker-Medizin der Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien, Hannover (1)
- Interdisziplinäre Biomaterial- und Datenbank Würzburg (ibdw) (1)
- Interdisziplinäres Amyloidosezentrum Nordbayern (1)
- KfH Nierenzentrum (1)
- Klinische Studienzentrale (Universitätsklinikum) (1)
- Politecnico di Milano (1)
- Sahin Lab, F.M. Kirby Neurobiology Center Boston Children’s Hospital, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School (1)
- Wurzburg Fabry Center for Interdisciplinary Therapy (FAZIT), Wurzburg, Germany (1)
- Würzburg Fabry Center for Interdisciplinary Therapy (FAZIT), University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany (1)
Background
Fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) is a chronic condition characterized by widespread pain and associated symptoms. We investigated cerebral activation in FMS patients by functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS).
Methods
Two stimulation paradigms were applied: a) painful pressure stimulation at the dorsal forearm; b) verbal fluency test (VFT). We prospectively recruited 25 FMS patients, ten patients with unipolar major depression (MD) without pain, and 35 healthy controls. All patients underwent neurological examination and all subjects were investigated with questionnaires (pain, depression, FMS, empathy).
Results
FMS patients had lower pressure pain thresholds than patients with MD and controls (p < 0.001) and reported higher pain intensity (p < 0.001). Upon unilateral pressure pain stimulation fNIRS recordings revealed increased bilateral cortical activation in FMS patients compared to controls (p < 0.05). FMS patients also displayed a stronger contralateral activity over the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex in direct comparison to patients with MD (p < 0.05). While all three groups performed equally well in the VFT, a frontal deficit in cortical activation was only found in patients with depression (p < 0.05). Performance and cortical activation correlated negatively in FMS patients (p < 0.05) and positively in patients with MD (p < 0.05).
Conclusion
Our data give further evidence for altered central nervous processing in patients with FMS and the distinction between FMS and MD.
To investigate the usefulness of pain-related evoked potentials (PREP) elicited by electrical stimulation for the identification of small fiber involvement in patients with mixed fiber neuropathy (MFN). Eleven MFN patients with clinical signs of large fiber impairment and neuropathic pain and ten healthy controls underwent clinical and electrophysiological evaluation. Small fiber function, electrical conductivity and morphology were examined by quantitative sensory testing (QST), PREP, and skin punch biopsy. MFN was diagnosed following clinical and electrophysiological examination (chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy: n = 6; vasculitic neuropathy: n = 3; chronic axonal neuropathy: n = 2). The majority of patients with MFN characterized their pain by descriptors that mainly represent C-fiber-mediated pain. In QST, patients displayed elevated cold, warm, mechanical, and vibration detection thresholds and cold pain thresholds indicative of MFN. PREP amplitudes in patients correlated with cold (p < 0.05) and warm detection thresholds (p < 0.05). Burning pain and the presence of par-/dysesthesias correlated negatively with PREP amplitudes (p < 0.05). PREP amplitudes correlating with cold and warm detection thresholds, burning pain, and par-/dysesthesias support employing PREP amplitudes as an additional tool in conjunction with QST for detecting small fiber impairment in patients with MFN.
Die hier vorliegende Forschungsarbeit überprüfte eine mögliche Beteiligung des peripheren Nervensystems bei M. Parkinson und den atypischen Parkinson-Syndromen. 31 Patienten mit einem idiopathischen Parkinson-Syndrom (IPD-Patienten) und neun Patienten mit einem atypischen Parkinson-Syndrom (APD-Patienten) sowie 35 altersentsprechende Kontrollprobanden wurden zwischen 2011 und 2012 für diese Studie rekrutiert. Neben der Eigenanamnese und der neurologischen Untersuchung erhielten die Patienten eine Suralisneurographie zur Überprüfung der large fibers und eine Quantitative sensorische Testung (QST) zur Detektion einer möglichen Small-fiber-Dysfunktion. Die Vitamin-Bestimmung diente der Untersuchung möglicher Zusammenhänge zwischen der Levodopa-Therapie, eventuell daraus resultierenden Vitamin-Mangelzuständen und einer reduzierten intraepidermalen Nervenfaser-Dichte (IENF-Dichte) beim M. Parkinson. Für die histologische Auswertung der IENF-Dichte und der dermalen, myelinisierten Nervenfaserbündel (PGP 9.5- / MBP- Doppelfärbung) sowie für die immunohistochemische Untersuchung der Nervenfasersubtypen (anti-alpha-CGRP- und anti-Substanz P-Antikörper) wurden bei jedem Probanden vier Hautbiopsien von den Extremitäten und dem Körperstamm entnommen.
Sieben IPD-Patienten und ein Proband mit einem atypischen Parkinson-Syndrom wiesen ein vermindertes sensorisches Nervenaktionspotenzial (SNAP) in der Suralisneurographie auf. Dagegen war eine pathologisch reduzierte Nervenleitgeschwindigkeit nur bei einem IPD-Patienten nachweisbar. Auffällig war zudem eine negative Korrelation zwischen der Erkrankungsdauer und dem SNAP (Korrelationskoeffizient -0,367, p<0,03). In der Auswertung der Hautbiopsien konnte eine statistisch signifikante Reduktion der myelinisierten Bündel am Unterschenkel der IPD-Patienten festgestellt werden.
Bei zehn von 30 IPD-Patienten, jedoch bei keinem der Probanden mit einem atypischen Parkinson-Syndrom, konnte eine verminderte IENF-Dichte nachgewiesen werden. In der statistischen Überprüfung wurde außerdem am Unterschenkel ein signifikanter Unterschied zwischen den IPD-Patienten und der Kontrollkohorte sowie eine negative Korrelation zwischen der Krankheitsdauer und der IENF-Dichte (Korrelationskoeffizient -0,320, p<0,05) festgestellt. Die QST konnte dagegen keinen statistisch signifikanten Unterschied zwischen den einzelnen Kohorten aufzeigen.
Im Kontrast dazu fand sich eine längenunabhängige Reduktion der CGRP-positiven und der Substanz P-positiven IENF-Dichte bei den Patienten mit einem idiopathischen Parkinson-Syndrom. Bemerkenswert war zudem eine signifikante Verminderung der Substanz P-positiven intraepidermalen Nervenfasern am Oberschenkel und Rücken bei den APD-Patienten. Eine statistisch signifikante Abweichung der CGRP- und Substanz P-positiven Bündel konnte dagegen nicht festgestellt werden.
In der laborchemischen Untersuchung war ein Zusammenhang zwischen den bestimmten Vitamin-Spiegeln und der kumulativen Levodopa-Dosis sowie zwischen den Vitaminen und der IENF-Dichte lediglich bei dem Vitamin B6 nachweisbar.
Zusammengefasst erscheint eine Beteiligung des peripheren Nervensystems beim idiopathischen Parkinson als wahrscheinlich, wohingegen bei den atypischen Parkinson-Syndromen vor allem von einer zentralen Genese ausgegangen werden kann. Basierend auf den Ergebnissen der Suralisneurographie und der Bestimmung der myelinisierten Bündel erscheint eine krankheitsbedingte Large-fiber-Beeinträchtigung beim M.Parkinson möglich. Die nachgewiesene längenabhängige Small-fiber-Reduktion bei IPD-Patienten wird vermutlich durch eine axonale Transportstörung verursacht. Einen krankheitsbedingten Erklärungsansatz für die längenunabhängige Reduktion der CGRP-positiven und der Substanz P-positiven IENF-Dichte bei IPD-Patienten liefert der Nachweis von neurotoxischem α-Synuclein in den sensiblen Spinatganglien mit einem daraus resultierenden Untergang von sensorischen Nervenfasern. Aufgrund der geringen Anzahl an Parkinson-Patienten mit sensiblen Symptomen und dem fehlenden Nachweis eines statistisch signifikanten Unterschiedes in der QST liegt der Verdacht nahe, dass die ermittelte intraepidermale Nervenfaserreduktion der IPD-Patienten nicht stark genug ausgeprägt ist, um eine signifikante Abweichung der QST-Ergebnisse zu verursachen. Weiterhin konnte kein Zusammenhang zwischen der kumulativen Levodopa-Menge, den Vitaminen B12, Methylmalonsäure sowie Homocystein und dem Auftreten einer Nervenfaserverminderung nachgewiesen werden, was gegen eine iatrogene Beteiligung des peripheren Nervensystems als Nebenwirkung der Levodopa-Therapie spricht. Das idiopathische Parkinson-Syndrom geht mit einer Reduktion der kleinen Nervenfasern einher, welche vermutlich auf die Grunderkrankung selbst zurückzuführen ist. Die Untersuchung der Haut erscheint somit vielversprechend für die Erforschung der Pathogenese und für die Differentialdiagnostik des M. Parkinson.
Background
A new thromboembolic animal model showed beneficial effects of t-PA with an infarct volume reduction of 36.8% in swiss mice. Because knock-out animal experiments for stroke frequently used C57BL76 mice we evaluated t-PA effects in this mouse strain and measured infarct volume and vascular recanalisation in-vivo by using high-field 9.4 T MRI and a 1H surface cryo coil.
Methods
Clot formation was triggered by microinjection of murine thrombin into the right middle cerebral artery (MCA). Animals (n = 28) were treated with 10 mg/kg, 5 mg/kg or no tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) 40 min after MCA occlusion. For MR-imaging a Bruker 9.4 T animal system with a 1H surface cryo probe was used and a T2-weighted RARE sequence, a diffusion weighted multishot EPI sequence and a 3D flow-compensated gradient echo TOF angiography were performed.
Results
The infarct volume in animals treated with t-PA was significantly reduced (0.67 ± 1.38 mm3 for 10 mg/kg and 10.9 ± 8.79 mm3 for 5 mg/kg vs. 19.76 ± 2.72 mm3 ; p < 0.001) compared to untreated mice. An additional group was reperfused with t-PA inside the MRI. Already ten minutes after beginning of t-PA treatment, reperfusion flow was re-established in the right MCA. However, signal intensity was lower than in the contralateral MCA. This reduction in cerebral blood flow was attenuated during the first 60 minutes after reperfusion. 24 h after MCA occlusion and reperfusion, no difference in signal intensity of the contralateral and ipsilateral MCAs was observed.
Conclusions
We confirm a t-Pa effect using this stroke model in the C57BL76 mouse strain and demonstrate a chronological sequence MRI imaging after t-PA using a 1H surface cryo coil in a 9.4 T MRI. This setting will allow testing of new thrombolytic strategies for stroke treatment in-vivo in C57BL76 knock-out mice.
INTRODUCTION: Tuberculous meningitis (TM) causes substantial morbidity and mortality in humans. Human TM has been known to be induced by bacteria from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC), such as M. tuberculosis and M. bovis.
CASE PRESENTATION: We describe a case of meningitis treated with fosfomycin, which showed partial effectiveness in an 80-year-old patient. After a lethal myocardial infarction, M. caprae (MC) was identified in cerebrospinal fluid culture. This isolated acid-fast organism was first identified as MTBC by MTBC-specific PCR (16S rDNA-PCR). Furthermore, species-specific identification of the isolate was done by gyrB PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of a part of gyrB DNA. Colony morphology of the isolated MC strain showed dysgonic growth on Lowenstein-Jensen medium. The strain was susceptible to pyrazinamide (PZA).
CONCLUSION: This isolated strain was convincingly identified as MC according to the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics and PZA sensitivity. This is the first report of MC causing TM.
Unlike other organs the nervous system is secluded from the rest of the organism by the blood brain barrier (BBB) or blood nerve barrier (BNB) preventing passive influx of fluids from the circulation. Similarly, leukocyte entry to the nervous system is tightly controlled. Breakdown of these barriers and cellular inflammation are hallmarks of inflammatory as well as ischemic neurological diseases and thus represent potential therapeutic targets. The spatiotemporal relationship between BBB/BNB disruption and leukocyte infiltration has been a matter of debate. We here review contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a non-invasive tool to depict barrier dysfunction and its relation to macrophage infiltration in the central and peripheral nervous system under pathological conditions. Novel experimental contrast agents like Gadofluorine M (Gf) allow more sensitive assessment of BBB dysfunction than conventional Gadolinium (Gd)-DTPA enhanced MRI. In addition, Gf facilitates visualization of functional and transient alterations of the BBB remote from lesions. Cellular contrast agents such as superparamagnetic iron oxide particles (SPIO) and perfluorocarbons enable assessment of leukocyte (mainly macrophage) infiltration by MR technology. Combined use of these MR contrast agents disclosed that leukocytes can enter the nervous system independent from a disturbance of the BBB, and vice versa, a dysfunctional BBB/BNB by itself is not sufficient to attract inflammatory cells from the circulation. We will illustrate these basic imaging findings in animal models of multiple sclerosis, cerebral ischemia, and traumatic nerve injury and review corresponding findings in patients.
Background. Missed or delayed detection of progressive neuronal damage after traumatic brain injury (TBI) may have negative impact on the outcome. We investigated whether routine follow-up CT is beneficial in sedated and mechanically ventilated trauma patients. Methods. The study design is a retrospective chart review. A routine follow-up cCT was performed 6 hours after the admission scan. We defined 2 groups of patients, group I: patients with equal or recurrent pathologies and group II: patients with new findings or progression of known pathologies. Results. A progression of intracranial injury was found in 63 patients (42%) and 18 patients (12%) had new findings in cCT 2 (group II). In group II a change in therapy was found in 44 out of 81 patients (54%). 55 patients with progression or new findings on the second cCT had no clinical signs of neurological deterioration. Of those 24 patients (44%) had therapeutic consequences due to the results of the follow-up cCT. Conclusion. We found new diagnosis or progression of intracranial pathology in 54% of the patients. In 54% of patients with new findings and progression of pathology, therapy was changed due to the results of follow-up cCT. In trauma patients who are sedated and ventilated for different reasons a routine follow-up CT is beneficial.
The pathogenic role of endogenous antibodies in a mouse model for Charcot-Marie-Tooth 1B neuropathy
(2015)
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) type 1 neuropathies are a genetically heterogeneous group of non-treatable inherited disorders affecting the peripheral nervous system that lead to sensory and motor dysfunction. Secondary low grade inflammation, implicating the innate and adaptive immune system, could previously be identified as a substantial disease modifier in two mouse models for CMT1, CMT1B and 1X, respectively. However, the exact mechanism how the adaptive immune system contributes to disease pathogenesis is not completely understood. Based on observations that the accumulation of endogenous antibodies to myelin components is important for rapid myelin clearance after nerve injury during Wallerian degeneration, a possibly similar mechanism was considered for endogenous antibodies as disease amplifier in mice heterozygously deficient for P0 (P0het), mimicking some typical features of CMT1B.
In this study an increased antibody deposition was detected in the affected peripheral nerves of P0het myelin mutant mice. By crossbreeding P0het mutants with mice specifically lacking B-lymphocytes, and therefore antibodies (JHD-/-), a decline of endoneurial macrophages together with a substantially ameliorated demyelination could be demonstrated in 6-month-old mutant mice. Moreover, reconstitution with murine IgGs reverted the neuropathic phenotype, substantiating that endogenous antibodies are potentially pathogenic at this early stage of disease. Unexpectedly, in 12-months-old P0het mutants, JHD deficiency resulted in disease aggravation accompanied by an increased inflammatory reaction and M2-polarized macrophage response.
These observations suggest that in a mouse model for CMT1B, the lack of endogenous antibodies has a dichotomous effect: ameliorating early macrophage-mediated demyelination, as opposed to increasing inflammatory reactions leading to disease aggravation at older ages.
Rett syndrome is an X-linked neurodevelopmental condition mainly characterized by loss of spoken language and a regression of purposeful hand use, with the development of distinctive hand stereotypies, and gait abnormalities. Gait initiation is the transition from quiet stance to steady-state condition of walking. The associated motor program seems to be centrally mediated and includes preparatory adjustments prior to any apparent voluntary movement of the lower limbs. Anticipatory postural adjustments contribute to postural stability and to create the propulsive forces necessary to reach steady-state gait at a predefined velocity and may be indicative of the effectiveness of the feedforward control of gait. In this study, we examined anticipatory postural adjustments associated with gait initiation in eleven girls with Rett syndrome and ten healthy subjects. Muscle activity (tibialis anterior and soleus muscles), ground reaction forces and body kinematic were recorded. Children with Rett syndrome showed a distinctive impairment in temporal organization of all phases of the anticipatory postural adjustments. The lack of appropriate temporal scaling resulted in a diminished impulse to move forward, documented by an impairment in several parameters describing the efficiency of gait start: length and velocity of the first step, magnitude and orientation of centre of pressure-centre of mass vector at the instant of (swing-)toe off. These findings were related to an abnormal muscular activation pattern mainly characterized by a disruption of the synergistic activity of antagonistic pairs of postural muscles. This study showed that girls with Rett syndrome lack accurate tuning of feedforward control of gait.
Background and Purpose
In animal models, von Willebrand factor (VWF) is involved in thrombus formation and propagation of ischemic stroke. However, the pathophysiological relevance of this molecule in humans, and its potential use as a biomarker for the risk and severity of ischemic stroke remains unclear. This study had two aims: to identify predictors of altered VWF levels and to examine whether VWF levels differ between acute cerebrovascular events and chronic cerebrovascular disease (CCD).
Methods
A case–control study was undertaken between 2010 and 2013 at our University clinic. In total, 116 patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transitory ischemic attack (TIA), 117 patients with CCD, and 104 healthy volunteers (HV) were included. Blood was taken at days 0, 1, and 3 in patients with AIS or TIA, and once in CCD patients and HV. VWF serum levels were measured and correlated with demographic and clinical parameters by multivariate linear regression and ANOVA.
Results
Patients with CCD (158±46%) had significantly higher VWF levels than HV (113±36%, P<0.001), but lower levels than AIS/TIA patients (200±95%, P<0.001). Age, sex, and stroke severity influenced VWF levels (P<0.05).
Conclusions
VWF levels differed across disease subtypes and patient characteristics. Our study confirms increased VWF levels as a risk factor for cerebrovascular disease and, moreover, suggests that it may represent a potential biomarker for stroke severity, warranting further investigation.