Boston Children's Research’s Post

📰 In recent months, a number of major publications have highlighted the critical need and urgency of developing therapies to deal with the public health problem that intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH🩸🧠) will represent over the next few years. . Let's take a look at the latest publications: - Publication in JAMA Neurology (rank 3/212 in clinical neurology field) by Dr. Renedo (Yale School of Medicine⚕️). ↗️↗️ Using data published by the Global Burden of Disease group in 2019 (GBD group), Dr Renedo and colleagues analysed the burden of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in the United States between 1990 and 2019. The study highlights that "the increasing absolute burden of stroke, coupled with a notable rise in hemorrhagic stroke, suggests an evolving and substantial public health challenge in the US". Between 1990 and 2019, the incidence, prevalence and burden associated with ICHs increased 💥. 💵💴💶 As a reminder, the direct and indirect cost of stroke in the United States was $56.5 billion in 2019. ICH accounts for >30% of stroke buden in the USA as reported by the GBD. In terms of projections, the number of US adults 65 years or older is expected to double over the next 40 years with a substantial impact on stroke epidemiology! In 2035, total direct medical stroke-related costs are projected to double to $94.3 billion. It is time to move forward with new treatments for ICH patients. Op2Lysis https://lnkd.in/efKfctk3 ... to be continued ...

🧠 Rising Prevalence of Parkinson’s Disease A new report highlights that diagnosed cases of Parkinson’s disease in seven major markets are projected to reach 3.15 million by 2033. This growing prevalence underscores the urgent need for advancements in diagnostics, treatments, and support systems for those living with Parkinson’s. From innovative therapies to improved access to care, the healthcare industry has a pivotal role to play in addressing this challenge. Read the full analysis here: #ParkinsonsDisease #Healthcare #MedicalResearch #Innovation #Neuroscience

The Indian Multiple Sclerosis and Allied Demyelinating Disorders Registry and Research Network (IMSRN) is an innovative initiative within Indian healthcare launched in August 2021 across 26 tertiary care centres. As the first registry of its kind in India, IMSRN aims to deepen our understanding of multiple sclerosis (MS), neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD), and other demyelinating disorders. Governed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), IMSRN seeks to address critical knowledge gaps through comprehensive, collaborative research efforts. **Significance of IMSRN:** - **Scale and Impact:** With 3,336 enrolled patients, the registry is a valuable resource for collecting real-world data on these conditions' epidemiology, disease progression, and treatment outcomes. - **Innovative Approach:** The registry employs a multifaceted approach, integrating clinical, imaging, and biorepository data, facilitating insights into biomarkers, risk factors, and therapeutic responses relevant to the Indian population. - **Collaborative Network:** IMSRN fosters partnerships among neurologists, researchers, and international experts, thereby enhancing research output and maximising the translational value of the findings. **Key Achievements:** - **Data Infrastructure:** A secure and user-friendly online portal supports longitudinal data collection, ensuring consistency and accessibility for all collaborators involved in the research. - **Biosample Repository:** The registry has established a repository of over 384 samples, including blood and cerebrospinal fluid, critical for advanced research into disease mechanisms and personalised medicine. - **Research-Driven Vision:** The insights derived from the registry will inform clinical practices, influence policy-making, and enhance patient care throughout the nation. IMSRN represents a significant advancement in addressing the challenges posed by demyelinating disorders in India, driving impactful changes in diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes. This initiative exemplifies innovation and collaboration, setting a benchmark for similar registries on a global scale. We recognise and celebrate this milestone in Indian healthcare research and encourage exploration of how such initiatives can transform lives and contribute to the future of neurology. #HealthcareInnovation #Neurology #MultipleSclerosis #ResearchCollaboration #IndiaHealthcare

New Publication Alert! 📜 Pathological platelet activation drives thrombosis & inflammation in coronary artery disease (CAD) and myocardial infarction (MI), central to cardiovascular disease pathology. 🩸 In our recent review in Trends in Pharmacological Sciences, we discuss how demographic diversity arising from factors such as age (pediatric to geriatric), sex, race, and ethnicity can significantly influence platelet phenotypes and responses to antiplatelet therapies (e.g., aspirin, DAPT with P2Y12 inhibitors). Inclusive pharmacogenomic studies and diverse clinical trials are urgently needed to address underrepresented populations, ensuring equitable CVD treatment outcomes. 🌍Strategies like therapy de-escalation and shortened DAPT durations can optimize safety and efficacy in diverse populations—paving the way for personalized medicine.Tailoring antiplatelet therapies based on demographic-driven platelet biology will advance precision medicine in cardiovascular disease management. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/ecgH4vCv #CardiovascularResearch #demographicdiversity #PlateletBiology #CVD #Age #Gender #Race #Ethnicity

EXCITING NEWS! I am thrilled to share that our paper entitled Very low levels of ABCA7 in the cerebrum and Alzheimer's disease onset between the ages of 60 and 80 independently of APOE, is now published and available on line in The Journal of Neuropathology and Experimental Neurology. Heartfelt congratulations to all the co-authors who contributed to this very important work! By using the largest cohort size to date for a work into the epidemiology of brain ABCA7 protein levels, we show that people aged 60-80 with low levels of this protein appear more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. These findings support the new idea that ABCA7 may function as an effective way to measure risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, especially for people in their 60s. Furthermore, we found that high levels of ABCA7 corresponded to remaining cognitively healthy beyond the age of 80, suggesting it could be an attractive target for prevention or treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. www.drdomenicopratico.com www.thepraticolab.com https://lnkd.in/ePYMYRWn https://lnkd.in/eJjn_Shz https://lnkd.in/e-NvsgBK https://lnkd.in/ecVzXE8D #Alzheimersdisease #dementia #ABCA7 #Alzheimertherapy #Alzheimercare #dementiacare #brain #brainaging #brainhealth #Alzheimerawareness #amyloidbeta #tauprotein #fibrillarytangles #cognition #cognitivedecline #memory #memorytest #drdomenicopratico #thepraticolab https://lnkd.in/ehwTdGhH

ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE CLINICAL STUDY HIGHLIGHTS - “Time Saved” Calculations to Improve Decision-Making in Progressive Disease Studies by Dickson, S.P. et al. The paper by Dickson et al. presents a novel approach titled "Time Saved" calculations, aimed at enhancing decision-making processes in progressive disease studies, particularly focusing on Alzheimer's Disease. By quantifying the time gained through treatment interventions or disease modification, this method offers valuable insights for clinicians and researchers. Through meticulous analysis and application of this approach, the study contributes to optimizing resource allocation and prioritizing interventions in the realm of progressive diseases, potentially fostering advancements in patient care and management strategies. Access the full article at: Dickson, S.P., Haaland, B., Mallinckrodt, C.H. et al. “Time Saved” Calculations to Improve Decision-Making in Progressive Disease Studies. J Prev Alzheimers Dis 11, 529–536 (2024). https://lnkd.in/ea_MiAiW. This article is licensed under a CC-BY license. #Neurology #Alzheimers #Dementia #TimeSaved #MedicalScience

Providing Support for Families Affected by Rare Genetic Diseases Einstein and Montefiore Health System have developed a unique, multi-disciplinary program to support families affected by rare genetic diseases that cause intellectual and developmental disability (IDD). All too often, parents of children born with IDDs are simply told that their child’s disease is due to a variant of a particular gene—information that fails to address parents’ questions and concerns about their child’s future. “Operation IDD Gene Team” was developed by Steven Walkley, D.V.M., Ph.D., and colleagues at the Rose F. Kennedy Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center (RFK IDDRC) to better inform and empower parents of children with IDDs and to inspire scientists to expand their research on individual genetic diseases. Gene Team meetings bring families of affected children together with the child’s physician, Montefiore physicians, Einstein basic scientists, and trainees. Family members share their child’s medical and personal history, physicians describe the broader clinical consequences of the condition, and scientists use lay language to inform parents about the fundamental biology of the relevant genes. Current and future treatment approaches are discussed when appropriate. Although Operation IDD Gene Team focuses on intellectual disabilities affecting children, it could also be applied to rare genetic diseases affecting people of any age and encompass a wide variety of developmental disorders affecting any part of the body. The program is described in the Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders, which published online on March 15. Dr. Walkey is professor emeritus in the Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, of pathology, in the Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, and director emeritus of the RFK IDDRC at Einstein. Additional Einstein authors include Sophie Molholm, Ph.D., Bryen Jordan, Ph.D., Robert W. Marion, M.D., and Melissa Wasserstein, M.D., all on the IDD Gene Team with Dr. Walkley. #GeneticDisease #RareDisease #IDD #research #health #medicine

We need to rethink outcomes in trials of Parkinson’s disease 🧠 I'm thrilled to share that my opinion paper has been published in The BMJ 💥 The paper addresses a crucial issue in Parkinson’s disease research: the need to prioritise hard outcomes instead of symptom scales. Many current trials focus heavily on symptom scales, which complicates the interpretation of research results for patients and clinicians, as it is difficult to determine whether a statistical difference translates to a meaningful change. Instead, we argue that hard outcomes—such as mortality, serious adverse events, falls, and hospitalisations—should be prioritised. Read the opinion piece here 📄: https://lnkd.in/dpRPk6eG We encountered the problematic interpretation of symptom scales during our systematic review of randomised clinical trials assessing deep brain stimulation for Parkinson’s disease. We found that deep brain stimulation increased the risk of serious adverse events. Due to the uncertain interpretation of symptom scales, it remains unclear whether any potential benefits of deep brain stimulation outweigh the increased risks. Read the systematic review here 📄: https://lnkd.in/dv7EDCSg Sophie Merrild Juul, Caroline Barkholt Kamp, Annemette Løkkegaard, Janus Christian Jakobsen, PhD #ParkinsonsDisease #ClinicalTrials #BMJ #DeepBrainStimulation #Neurology 

Did you know that infections like strep throat can trigger sudden neuropsychiatric conditions, such as PANDAS, by causing antibodies to mistakenly attack the brain? Ongoing research studies at the NIH Clinical Center are uncovering the role of autoantibodies and immune system dysregulation in brain function. From PANDAS and Down syndrome regression disorder (DSRD) to long COVID, these studies are advancing our understanding of complex illnesses. Read the full article in the IRP Catalyst: The Autoantibody Hunters: https://go.nih.gov/hzDMJbU

🚨New study alert!🚨Research shows a genetic link between autoimmune diseases and migraines!🧠💥Autoimmune hyperthyroidism & systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are tied to increased migraine risk!😲🔗Future treatments may be on the horizon! Frontiers Frontiers in Neurology #Autoimmune #Migraine #HealthBreakthrough 👩⚕️🧬 https://lnkd.in/dBuj6UHE