The associations between common neuroimaging parameters of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy in magnetic resonance imaging and non-specific inflammatory factors - pilot study.

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy is an atypical parkinsonism based on tauopathic pathology. Growing interest is associated with the pathomechanism of this disease. Among theories analyzing this issue can be mentioned the one highlighting the significance of inflammation. In this study authors examined 14 patients with PSP-Richardson syndrome (PSP-RS) and 13 healthy volunteers using laboratory testing based on the analysis of interleukins 1 and 6 (IL-1 and IL-6), tau in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and non-specific parameters of peripheral inflammation in the serum (IL-1, IL-6, neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, platelets and the ratios based on the factors). All of the patients underwent neuroimaging using magnetic resonance imaging using 3 Tesla. The serum levels of IL-1 were positively correlated with the area of the mesencephalon, suggesting that higher levels of IL-1 are not linked with atrophic changes in this region, whereas serum levels IL-6 was positively correlated with frontal horn width and negatively correlated with superior cerebellar area. Additionally IL-6 in the serum was found to be correlated with neutrophil-to-high density lipoprotein ratio. The observations were not confirmed in the analysis of the levels of interleukins in the CSF. To the best of our knowledge this work is one of the first analyzing this issue. The outcome of the work shows that the role of interleukins associated with microglial activation may possibly differ in the context of neurodegenerative changes, moreover the role of peripheral inflammation in PSP requires further analysis.

The potential significance of hepcidin evaluation in progressive supranuclear palsy.

INTRODUCTION: Hepcidin is a peptide associated with controlling the distribution of iron in tissues. Growing interest is linked with its impact on neurodegenerative diseases, as disruption of the iron regulation may be considered an initiatory element of pathological protein accumulation. The possible impact of hepcidin was not previously sufficiently explored in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP). METHODS: Twelve patients with PSP-Richardson's syndrome (PSP-RS), 12 with PSP-Parkinsonism Predominant (PSP-P), and 12 controls were examined using Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III part (UPDRS-III) in OFF stage and analyzed in the context of hepcidin levels in the serum. RESULTS: The work revealed increased levels of hepcidin in PSP-RS when compared to PSP-P and controls. Moreover, hepcidin was found to be negatively correlated with UPDRS-III results in PSP-RS, whereas positively in PSP-P. CONCLUSION: The work may suggest a possible impact of hepcidin in PSP, possibly differing depending on its subtype.

The significance of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor analysis in Progressive Supranuclear Palsy.

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) is an atypical parkinsonism. Major subtypes of the disease: PSP-Richardson's Syndrome (PSP-RS) and PSP Parkinsonism Predominant (PSP-P) vary in clinical features, the pathomechanism remains unexplored. The aim of this work is to analyze the relevance of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) evaluation in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in PSP subtypes and to verify its significance as a possible factor in the in vivo examination. Authors assessed the concentration of GDNF in the serum and CSF of 12 patients with PSP-RS, 12 with PSP-P and 12 controls. Additionally authors evaluated patients using Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale-III part (UPDRS-III), Frontal Assessment Battery (FAB) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The evaluation revealed significantly increased concentrations of GDNF in the CSF among PSP-RS patients and substantially increased concentrations of GDNF in the serum in PSP-P. Though the GDNF concentrations differentiated PSP subtypes, no correlations between with clinical factors were observed however certain correlations with atrophic changes in MRI were detected. GDNF is a factor which may impact the pathogenesis of PSP. Possible implementation of GDNF as a therapeutic factor could be a perspective in the search for therapy in this currently incurable disease.