Reliable change indices for the Italian version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in non-demented Parkinson's disease patients.

BACKGROUND: . The present study aimed at deriving regression-based reliable change indices (RCIs) for the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in an Italian cohort of non-demented Parkinson's disease (PD) patients. METHODS: N = 33 consecutive, non-demented PD patients were followed-up at a 5-to-8-month interval (M = 6.6; SD = 0.6) with the MoCA. Practice effects and test-retest reliability were assessed via dependent-sample t-tests and intra-class correlation (ICC) coefficients, respectively. RCIs were derived separately for raw and demographically adjusted MoCA scores according to a standardized regression-based approach by accounting for both baseline confounders (i.e., demographics, disease duration and Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores) and retest interval. RESULTS: No practice effects were found (t(32) = 0.29; p = .778), with acceptable test-retest reliability being detected (ICC = 0.67). MoCA scores at T0 proved to be the only significant predictor of T1 MoCA performances within both the model addressing raw scores and that addressing adjusted scores (ps < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides Italian practitioners and researchers with regression-based RCIs for the MoCA in non-demented PD patients, which can be reliably adopted for retest interval ≥ 5 and ≤ 8 months without encountering any practice effect.

QSM-detected iron accumulation in the cerebellar gray matter is selectively associated with executive dysfunction in non-demented ALS patients.

Background: This study aimed to assess whether quantitative susceptibility imaging (QSM)-based measures of iron accumulation in the cerebellum predict cognitive and behavioral features in non-demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Methods: A total of ALS patients underwent 3-T MRI and a clinical assessment using the ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) and the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS). Regression models were applied to each subscale of the cognitive section of the ECAS and the ECAS-Carer Interview to examine the effect of QSM-based measures in white and gray matter (WM; GM) of the cerebellum, separately for right, left, and bilateral cerebellar regions of interest (ROIs). These effects were compared to those of cerebellar volumetrics in WM/GM, right and left hemispheres while controlling for demographics, disease status, and total intracranial volume. Results: Higher QSM measures of the cerebellar GM on the left, right, and bilateral sides significantly predicted (ps ≤ 0.003) a greater number of errors on the executive functioning (EF) subscale of the ECAS (ECAS-EF). Moreover, higher GM-related, QSM measures of the cerebellum were associated with an increased probability of a below-cut-off performance on the ECAS-EF (ps ≤ 0.024). No significant effects were observed for QSM measures of the cerebellar WM or for volumetric measures on the ECAS-EF. Other ECAS measures showed no significant effects. Bilateral QSM measures of the cerebellar GM also selectively predicted performance on backward digit span and social cognition tasks. Discussion: Iron accumulation within the cerebellar GM, particularly in the cerebellar cortices, may be associated with executive functioning deficits in non-demented ALS patients. Therefore, QSM-based measures could be useful for identifying the neural correlates of extra-motor cognitive deficits in ALS patients.

Clinical usefulness of the Verbal Fluency Index (VFI) in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at assessing the clinical utility of the Verbal Fluency Index (VFI) over a classical phonemic verbal fluency test in Italian-speaking amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. METHODS: N = 343 non-demented ALS patients and N = 226 healthy controls (HCs) were administered the Verbal fluency - S task from the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS). The associations between the number of words produced (NoW), the time to read words aloud (TRW) and the VFI (computed as [(60"-TRW)/NoW]) on one hand and both bulbar/respiratory scores from the ALS Functional Rating Scale - Revised (ALSFRS-R) and the ECAS-Executive on the other were tested. Italian norms for the NoW and the VFI were derived in HCs via the Equivalent Score method. Patients were classified based on their impaired/unimpaired performances on the NoW and the VFI (NoW-VFI-; NoW-VFI+; NoW + VFI-; NoW + VFI+), with these groups being compared on ECAS-Executive scores. RESULTS: The VFI, but neither the NoW nor the TRW, were related to ALSFRS-Bulbar/-Respiratory scores; VFI and NoW measures, but not the TRW, were related to the ECAS-Executive (p < .001). The NoW slightly overestimated the number of executively impaired patients when compared to the VFI (31.1% vs. 26.8%, respectively). Patients with a defective VFI score - regardless of whether they presented or not with a below-cutoff NoW - reported worse ECAS-Executive scores than NoW + VFI + ones. CONCLUSIONS: The present reports support the use of the Italian VFI as a mean to validly assess ALS patients' executive status by limiting the effect of motor disabilities that might undermine their speech rate.

Quantification of serum TDP-43 and neurofilament light chain in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis stratified by UNC13A genotype.

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative condition affecting upper and/or lower motor neurons and characterized neuropathologically by TDP-43 proteinopathy. Given its role in ALS pathobiology, it is currently under debate whether TDP-43 might represent a suitable ALS biomarker to be measured in patients' biofluids. The rs12608932 A > C single nucleotide polymorphism in the UNC13A gene is a risk factor for ALS and patients homozygous for the high-risk C allele display a higher burden of TDP-43 neuropathology than homozygotes for the low-risk A allele, although the association with TDP-43 levels in biofluids has never been evaluated. In this study, we measured serum levels of TDP-43 and neurofilament light chain (NFL) by Simoa technology in a cohort of 69 ALS patients stratified according to the UNC13A rs12608932 genotype compared to 43 neurologically healthy controls. By multiple linear regression analysis, serum TDP-43 was significantly elevated in ALS patients compared to controls, with UNC13A AA and AC, but not CC, ALS patients showing higher serum TDP-43 levels than controls. We also confirmed that serum NFL concentration was increased in ALS patients, without any correlation with the UNC13A genotype. Our results indicate that serum TDP-43 is higher in ALS patients compared to controls and that, in contrast to NFL, this increase is specifically associated with the UNC13A rs12608932 AA and AC genotypes, but not with the high-risk CC genotype. Studies in larger cohorts will be needed to confirm these findings and to elucidate the biological link between serum TDP-43 levels and UNC13A genotype.

Prevalence and motor-functional correlates of frontotemporal-spectrum disorders in a large cohort of non-demented ALS patients.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at (1) delivering generalizable estimates of the prevalence of frontotemporal-spectrum disorders (FTSDs) in non-demented ALS patients and (2) exploring their motor-functional correlates. METHODS: N = 808 ALS patients without FTD were assessed for motor-functional outcomes-i.e., disease duration, severity (ALSFRS-R), progression rate (ΔFS), and stage (King's and Milano-Torino-MiToS-systems)-cognition-via the cognitive section of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS)-and behaviour-via the ECAS-Carer Interview. Neuropsychological phenotypes were retrieved via Strong's revised criteria-i.e., ALS cognitively and behaviourally normal (ALScbn) or cognitively and/or behaviourally impaired (ALSci/bi/cbi). RESULTS: Defective ECAS-Total performances were detected in ~ 29% of patients, with the ECAS-Executive being failed by the highest number of patients (~ 30%), followed by the ECAS-Language, -Fluency, and -Memory (~ 15-17%) and -Visuospatial (~ %8). Apathy was the most frequent behavioural change (~ 28%), followed by loss of sympathy/empathy (~ 13%); remaining symptoms were reported in < 4% of patients. The distribution of Strong's classifications was as follows: ALScbn: 46.7%; ALSci/bi/cbi: 22.9%/20.0%/10.4%. Multinomial regressions on Strong's classifications revealed that lower ALSFRS-R scores were associated with a higher probability of ALSbi and ALScbi classifications (p ≤ .008). Higher King's and MiToS stages were associated with a higher probability of ALSbi classification (p ≤ .031). CONCLUSIONS: FTSDs affect ~ 50% of non-demented ALS patients, with cognitive deficits being as frequent as behavioural changes. A higher degree of motor-functional involvement is associated with worse behavioural outcomes-with this link being weaker for cognitive deficits.

Further insights into anti-IgLON5 disease: a case with complex clinical presentation.

BACKGROUND: Anti-IgLON5 disease is an autoimmune encephalitis overlapping with neurodegenerative disorders due to pathological accumulation of hyperphosphorylated tau. It is characterized by several clinical manifestations determined by involvement of different brain areas, and mild response to first-line immunotherapies. We report a case of anti-IgLON5 disease with a multifaceted semiology and an unusually good response to glucocorticoid monotherapy. CASE PRESENTATION: A 68-year-old man with type 2 diabetes was evaluated for an 8-month history of progressive gait disorder causing frequent falls. He also suffered from obstructive sleep apneas and complained of dysphonia, dysarthria, occasional dysphagia, urinary incontinence, and upper limb action tremor. Neurological examination demonstrated bilateral eyelid ptosis, limitation of ocular horizontal smooth pursuit movements, slow horizontal saccades, and lack of inhibition of the vestibulo-ocular reflex during rapid horizontal head torsions. The patient also displayed involuntary, slow, rhythmic movements of the left periorbital and perioral muscles, spreading to the ipsilateral hemipalate and hemitongue, along with bilateral negative upper limb myoclonus. There were proximal muscle wasting in the upper limbs, proximal weakness of the four limbs, and diffuse fasciculations. Ataxia of stance and gait and of the four limbs was noted. MRI of the brain and spine was unremarkable; nerve conduction studies revealed a chronic, predominantly demyelinating, sensory-motor polyneuropathy, probably due to diabetes. Routine CSF examination was unrevealing and serum GFAP level was 89.6 pg/mL; however, the autoimmunity tests revealed a high-titer positivity for anti-IgLON5 autoantibodies in both CSF and serum, leading to the diagnosis of anti-IgLON5 disease. Symptoms improved significantly after intravenous methylprednisolone. CONCLUSIONS: Hemifacial and hemiorolingual myorhythmia along with peculiar oculomotor abnormalities characterizes the multifaceted clinical picture of our case. The complex semiology of our patient may reflect multifocal targeting of the autoimmune process or sequential spreading of tau inclusions in different brain areas. Our patient's optimal response to glucocorticoid monotherapy could be underpinned by a slightly different phenotype in which autoimmunity plays a greater pathogenic role than tauopathy, with a lower burden of tau deposition. In such patients, neurodegeneration and tau accumulation could be merely secondary to immune-mediated neuronal dysfunction, supporting the existence of a group of glucocorticoid-responsive patients.

Association of APOE genotype and cerebrospinal fluid Aß and tau biomarkers with cognitive and motor phenotype in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)-nonspecific cognitive deficits - most notably memory disturbance - and their biological underpinnings. We investigated the associations of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) genetic risk factor APOE and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers Aß and tau proteins with cognitive and motor phenotype in ALS. METHODS: APOE haplotype was determined in 281 ALS patients; for 105 of these, CSF levels of Aß42, Aß40, total tau (T-tau), and phosphorylated tau (P-tau181) were quantified by chemiluminescence enzyme immunoassay (CLEIA). The Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS) was employed to evaluate the neuropsychological phenotype. RESULTS: APOE-E4 allele was associated with worse ECAS memory score (median, 14.0 in carriers vs. 16.0 in non-carriers) and lower CSF Aß42 (-0.8 vs. 0.1, log-transformed values) and Aß42/40 ratio (-0.1 vs. 0.3). Some 37.1% of ALS patients showed low Aß42 levels, possibly reflecting cerebral Aß deposition. While lower Aß42/40 correlated with lower memory score (ß = 0.20), Aß42 positively correlated with both ALS-specific (ß = 0.24) and ALS-nonspecific (ß = 0.24) scores. Although Aß42/40 negatively correlated with T-tau (ß = -0.29) and P-tau181 (ß = -0.33), we found an unexpected positive association of Aß42 and Aß40 with both tau proteins. Regarding motor phenotype, lower levels of Aß species were associated with lower motor neuron (LMN) signs (Aß40: ß = 0.34; Aß42: ß = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS: APOE haplotype and CSF Aß biomarkers are associated with cognitive deficits in ALS and particularly with memory impairment. This might partly reflect AD-like pathophysiological processes, but additional ALS-specific mechanisms could be involved.

Ecological validity of performance-based cognitive screeners in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: preliminary evidence.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed at preliminarily assessing, in a cohort of non-demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, the ecological validity, and more specifically the veridicality, of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS) and the ALS Cognitive Behavioral Screen (ALS-CBS™), by relating their scores to caregiver-report ratings of cognitive changes. METHODS: N = 147 patient-caregiver dyads were recruited. Patients were administered the ECAS and ALS-CBS™, whilst caregiver the Caregiver Behavioral Questionnaire (CBQ) and Beaumont Behavioural Inventory (BBI). An Ecological Cognitive Functioning Index (ECFI) was derived from those items of the CBQ and BBI that tap on executive and language changes. Ecological validity was assessed via both correlational and predictive analyses net of caregiver-rated behavioural changes (as assessed by the ECAS-Carer Interview). RESULTS: The ECFI was associated with the total scores on both the ECAS (p = .014) and ALS-CBS™ (p = .017). When looking at ECAS and ALS-CBS™ subscales, those assessing verbal fluency were selectively associated with the ECFI. The ECFI was higher in patients performing defectively on the ECAS (p = .004) and on the ALS-CBS™ (p = .027). DISCUSSION: This study suggests that both the ECAS and the ALS-CBS™ represent a valid estimate of non-demented ALS patients' cognitive status in the real world, also highlighting the clinical relevance of cognitive changes reported by caregivers.

Effects of baicalin pre-treatment on pentylenetetrazole-induced seizures: Insights from zebrafish larvae locomotor behavior and neuronal calcium imaging.

Natural compounds are increasingly being studied for their potential neuroprotective effects against inflammatory neurological diseases. Epilepsy is a common neurological disease associated with inflammatory processes, and around 30% of people with epilepsy do not respond to traditional treatments. Some flavonoids, when taken along with antiseizure medications can help reduce the likelihood of drug-resistant epilepsy. Baicalin, a plant-based compound, has been shown to possess pharmacological properties such as anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, anticonvulsant, and antioxidant activities. In this study, we tested the effect of baicalin on an established model of pharmacologically induced seizure in zebrafish using measures of both locomotor behavior and calcium imaging of neuronal activity. The results of our study showed that, at the tested concentration, and contrary to other studies in rodents, baicalin did not have an anti-seizure effect in zebrafish larvae. However, given its known properties, other concentrations and approaches should be explored to determine if it could potentially have other beneficial effects, either alone or when administered in combination with classic antiseizure medications.

Longitudinal Feasibility of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in Non-Demented ALS Patients.

INTRODUCTION: The present study aimed at testing the longitudinal feasibility of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) in an Italian cohort of non-demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. METHODS: N = 39 non-demented ALS patients were followed-up at a 5-to-10-month interval (M = 6.8; SD = 1.4) with the MoCA and the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS). Practice effects, test-retest reliability, and predictive validity (against follow-up ECAS scores) were assessed. Reliable change indices (RCIs) were derived via a regression-based approach by accounting for retest interval and baseline confounders (i.e., demographics, disease duration, and severity and progression rate). RESULTS: At retest, 100% and 69.2% of patients completed the ECAS and the MoCA, respectively. Patients who could not complete the MoCA showed a slightly more severe and fast-progressing disease. The MoCA was not subject to practice effects (t[32] = -0.80; p = 0.429) and was reliable at retest (intra-class correlation = 0.82). Moreover, baseline MoCA scores predicted the ECAS at retest. RCIs were successfully derived - with baseline MoCA scores being the only significant predictor of retest performances (ps < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: As long as motor disabilities do not undermine its applicability, the MoCA appears to be longitudinally feasible at a 5-to-10-month interval in non-demented ALS patients. However, ALS-specific screeners - such as the ECAS - should be preferred whenever possible.

A Novel Automatic Algorithm to Support Lung Ultrasound Non-Expert Physicians in Interstitial Pneumonia Evaluation: A Single-Center Study.

INTRODUCTION: Lung ultrasound (LUS) is widely used in clinical practice for identifying interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) and assessing their progression. Although high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) remains the gold standard for evaluating the severity of ILDs, LUS can be performed as a screening method or as a follow-up tool post-HRCT. Minimum training is needed to better identify typical lesions, and the integration of innovative artificial intelligence (AI) automatic algorithms may enhance diagnostic efficiency. AIM: This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a novel AI algorithm in automatic ILD recognition and scoring in comparison to an expert LUS sonographer. The "SensUS Lung" device, equipped with an automatic algorithm, was employed for the automatic recognition of the typical ILD patterns and to calculate an index grading of the interstitial involvement. METHODS: We selected 33 Caucasian patients in follow-up for ILDs exhibiting typical HRCT patterns (honeycombing, ground glass, fibrosis). An expert physician evaluated all patients with LUS on twelve segments (six per side). Next, blinded to the previous evaluation, an untrained operator, a non-expert in LUS, performed the exam with the SensUS device equipped with the automatic algorithm ("SensUS Lung") using the same protocol. Pulmonary functional tests (PFT) and DLCO were conducted for all patients, categorizing them as having reduced or preserved DLCO. The SensUS device indicated different grades of interstitial involvement named Lung Staging that were scored from 0 (absent) to 4 (peak), which was compared to the Lung Ultrasound Score (LUS score) by dividing it by the number of segments evaluated. Statistical analyses were done with Wilcoxon tests for paired values or Mann-Whitney for unpaired samples, and correlations were performed using Spearman analysis; p < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Lung Staging was non-inferior to LUS score in identifying the risk of ILDs (median SensUS 1 [0-2] vs. LUS 0.67 [0.25-1.54]; p = 0.84). Furthermore, the grade of interstitial pulmonary involvement detected with the SensUS device is directly related to the LUS score (r = 0.607, p = 0.002). Lung Staging values were inversely correlated with forced expiratory volume at first second (FEV1%, r = -0.40, p = 0.027), forced vital capacity (FVC%, r = -0.39, p = 0.03) and forced expiratory flow (FEF) at 25th percentile (FEF25%, r = -0.39, p = 0.02) while results directly correlated with FEF25-75% (r = 0.45, p = 0.04) and FEF75% (r = 0.43, p = 0.01). Finally, in patients with reduced DLCO, the Lung Staging was significantly higher, overlapping the LUS (reduced median 1 [1-2] vs. preserved 0 [0-1], p = 0.001), and overlapping the LUS (reduced median 18 [4-20] vs. preserved 5.5 [2-9], p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that the considered AI automatic algorithm may assist non-expert physicians in LUS, resulting in non-inferior-to-expert LUS despite a tendency to overestimate ILD lesions. Therefore, the AI algorithm has the potential to support physicians, particularly non-expert LUS sonographers, in daily clinical practice to monitor patients with ILDs. The adopted device is user-friendly, offering a fully automatic real-time analysis. However, it needs proper training in basic skills.

Frontotemporal-spectrum disorders and functional independence in non-demented ALS patients.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed at determining whether, net of motor confounders, neuropsychological features affect functional independence (FI) in activities of daily living (ADLs) in non-demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. METHODS: N = 88 ALS patients without frontotemporal dementia were assessed for FI-Katz's Basic ADL Scale (BADL) and Lawton-Brody's Instrumental ADL Scale (IADL)-, cognition-Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioural ALS Screen (ECAS)-and behaviour-Beaumont Behavioural Inventory and Dimensional Apathy Scale. The association between cognitive and behavioural measures and BADL/IADL scores was assessed by covarying for demographics, anxiety and depression levels, disease duration and motor confounders-i.e. ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) scores, progression rate and both King's and Milano-Torino stages. RESULTS: Higher scores on the ECAS-Language were associated with higher IADL scores (p = 0.005), whilst higher apathetic features-as measured by the Dimensional Apathy Scale (DAS)-were inversely related to the BADL (p = 0.003). Whilst IADL scores were related to all ECAS-Language tasks, the DAS-Initiation was the only subscale associated with BADL scores. Patients with abnormal ECAS-Language (p = 0.023) and DAS (p = 0.008) scores were more functionally dependent than those without. DISCUSSION: Among non-motor features, language changes and apathetic features detrimentally affect FI in non-demented ALS patients.

The value of routine blood work-up in clinical stratification and prognosis of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: There is an unmet need in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) to provide specific biomarkers for the disease. Due to their easy availability, we aimed to investigate whether routine blood parameters provide useful clues for phenotypic classification and disease prognosis. METHODS: We analyzed a large inpatient cohort of 836 ALS patients who underwent deep phenotyping with evaluation of the clinical and neurophysiological burden of upper (UMN) and lower (LMN) motor neuron signs. Disability and progression rate were measured through the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS-R) and its changes during time. Cox regression analysis was performed to assess survival associations. RESULTS: Creatinine significantly correlated with LMN damage (r = 0.38), active (r = 0.18) and chronic (r = 0.24) denervation and baseline ALSFRS-R (r = 0.33). Creatine kinase (CK), alanine (ALT) and aspartate (AST) transaminases correlated with active (r = 0.35, r = 0.27, r = 0.24) and chronic (r = 0.37, r = 0.20, r = 0.19) denervation, while albumin and C-reactive protein significantly correlated with LMN score (r = 0.20 and r = 0.17). Disease progression rate showed correlations with chloride (r = -0.19) and potassium levels (r = -0.16). After adjustment for known prognostic factors, total protein [HR 0.70 (95% CI 0.57-0.86)], creatinine [HR 0.86 (95% CI 0.81-0.92)], chloride [HR 0.95 (95% CI 0.92-0.99)], lactate dehydrogenase [HR 0.99 (95% CI 0.99-0.99)], and AST [HR 1.02 (95% CI 1.01-1.02)] were independently associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS: Creatinine is a reliable biomarker for ALS, associated with clinical features, disability and survival. Markers of nutrition/inflammation may offer additional prognostic information and partially correlate with clinical features. AST and chloride could further assist in predicting progression rate and survival.

Analysis of normal C9orf72 repeat length as possible disease modifier in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The C9orf72 hexanucleotide repeat (HR) expansion is the main genetic cause of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), with expansion size from 30 to >4000 units. Normal C9orf72 HR length is polymorphic (2-23 repeats) with alleles >8 units showing a low frequency in the general population. This study aimed to investigate if the normal C9orf72 HR length influences C9orf72 gene expression and acts as disease modifier in ALS patients negative for C9orf72 mutation (ALS-C9Neg). We found that the distribution of HR alleles was similar in 325 ALS-C9Neg and 303 healthy controls. Gene expression analysis in blood revealed a significant increase of total C9orf72 and V3 mRNA levels in ALS-C9Neg carrying two long alleles (L/L; ≥8 units) compared to patients homozygous for the 2-unit short allele (S/S). However, HR allele genotypes (L/L, S/L, S/S) correlated with no clinical parameters. Our data suggest that normal C9orf72 HR length does not act as disease modifier in ALS-C9Neg despite increasing gene expression.

An exploratory study on counterfactual thinking in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objectives: This study aimed at exploring (1) the motor and non-motor correlates of counterfactual thinking (CFT) abilities in non-demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and (2) the ability of CFT measures to discriminate these patients from healthy controls (HCs) and patients with and without cognitive impairment. Methods: N = 110 ALS patients and N = 51 HCs were administered two CFT tasks, whose sum, resulting in a CFT Index (CFTI), was addressed as the outcome. Patients further underwent an in-depth cognitive, behavioral, and motor-functional evaluation. Correlational analyses were run to explore the correlates of the CFTI in patients. Logistic regressions were performed to test whether the CFTI could discriminate patients from HCs. Results: The CFTI was selectively associated (p ≤ 0.005) with fluency and memory subscales of the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS), but not with other variables. CFTI scores discriminated patients from HCs (p < 0.001) with high accuracy (82%), but not patients with a normal vs. defective performance on the ECAS-Total. Conclusion: CFT measures in non-demented ALS patients were associated with verbal fluency and memory functions, and they were also able to discriminate them from HCs.

Bulbar involvement and cognitive features in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a retrospective study on 347 patients.

Background: This study aimed at clarifying the role of bulbar involvement (BI) as a risk factor for cognitive impairment (CI) in non-demented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. Methods: Data on N = 347 patients were retrospectively collected. Cognition was assessed via the Edinburgh Cognitive and Behavioral ALS Screen (ECAS). On the basis of clinical records and ALS Functional Rating Scale-Revised (ALSFRS-R) scores, BI was characterized as follows: (1) BI at onset-from medical history; (2) BI at testing (an ALSFRS-R-Bulbar score ≤11); (3) dysarthria (a score ≤3 on item 1 of the ALSFRS-R); (4) severity of BI (the total score on the ALSFRS-R-Bulbar); and (5) progression rate of BI (computed as 12-ALSFRS-R-Bulbar/disease duration in months). Logistic regressions were run to predict a below- vs. above-cutoff performance on each ECAS measure based on BI-related features while accounting for sex, disease duration, severity and progression rate of respiratory and spinal involvement and ECAS response modality. Results: No predictors yielded significance either on the ECAS-Total and -ALS-non-specific or on ECAS-Language/-Fluency or -Visuospatial subscales. BI at testing predicted a higher probability of an abnormal performance on the ECAS-ALS-specific (p = 0.035) and ECAS-Executive Functioning (p = 0.018). Lower ALSFRS-R-Bulbar scores were associated with a defective performance on the ECAS-Memory (p = 0.025). No other BI-related features affected other ECAS performances. Discussion: In ALS, the occurrence of BI itself, while neither its specific features nor its presence at onset, might selectively represent a risk factor for executive impairment, whilst its severity might be associated with memory deficits.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with upper motor neuron predominance: diagnostic accuracy of qualitative and quantitative susceptibility metrics in the precentral gyrus.

OBJECTIVE: The study aims at comparing the diagnostic accuracy of qualitative and quantitative assessment of the susceptibility in the precentral gyrus in detecting amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with predominance of upper motor neuron (UMN) impairment. METHODS: We retrospectively collected clinical and 3T MRI data of 47 ALS patients, of whom 12 with UMN predominance (UMN-ALS). We further enrolled 23 healthy controls (HC) and 15 ALS Mimics (ALS-Mim). The Motor Cortex Susceptibility (MCS) score was qualitatively assessed on the susceptibility-weighted images (SWI) and automatic metrics were extracted from the quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) in the precentral gyrus. MCS scores and QSM-based metrics were tested for correlation, and ROC analyses. RESULTS: The correlation of MCS score and susceptibility skewness was significant (Rho = 0.55, p < 0.001). The susceptibility SD showed an AUC of 0.809 with a specificity and positive predictive value of 100% in differentiating ALS and ALS Mim versus HC, significantly higher than MCS (Z = -3.384, p-value = 0.00071). The susceptibility skewness value of -0.017 showed specificity of 92.3% and predictive positive value of 91.7% in differentiating UMN-ALS versus ALS mimics, even if the performance was not significantly better than MCS (Z = 0.81, p = 0.21). CONCLUSION: The MCS and susceptibility skewness of the precentral gyrus show high diagnostic accuracy in differentiating UMN-ALS from ALS-mimics subjects. The quantitative assessment might be preferred being an automatic measure unbiased by the reader. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT: The clinical diagnostic evaluation of ALS patients might benefit from the qualitative and/or quantitative assessment of the susceptibility in the precentral gyrus as imaging marker of upper motor neuron predominance. KEY POINTS: • Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnostic work-up lacks biomarkers able to identify upper motor neuron involvement. • Susceptibility-weighted imaging/quantitative susceptibility mapping-based measures showed good diagnostic accuracy in discriminating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with predominant upper motor neuron impairment from patients with suspected motor neuron disorder. • Susceptibility-weighted imaging/quantitative susceptibility mapping-based assessment of the magnetic susceptibility provides a diagnostic marker for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with upper motor neuron predominance.

Phosphorylated tau in plasma could be a biomarker of lower motor neuron impairment in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: Plasma levels of phosphorylated tau (P-tau181) have been recently reported to be increased in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and associated with lower motor neuron (LMN) impairment. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We quantified plasma P-tau181 (pP-tau181) in a cohort of 29 deeply phenotyped ALS patients using the new fully automated Lumipulse assay and analysed phenotype-biomarker correlations. RESULTS: pP-tau181 levels correlated positively with a clinical LMN score (r = 0.3803) and negatively, albeit not significantly, with a composite index of muscle strength (r = - 0.3416; p = 0.0811), but not with Penn Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) Score. Accordingly, pP-tau181 correlated with electromyographic indices of spinal active and chronic denervation (r = 0.4507 and r = 0.3864, respectively) but not with transcranial magnetic stimulation parameters of UMN dysfunction. pP-tau181 levels did not correlate with those in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), serum NFL, serum GFAP, CSF/serum albumin ratio, or estimated glomerular filtration rate, but correlated with plasma creatine kinase levels (r = 0.4661). Finally, while not being associated with neuropsychological phenotype, pP-tau181 correlated negatively with pH (r = - 0.5632) and positively with partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2; r = 0.7092), bicarbonate (sHCO3-; r = 0.6667) and base excess (r = 0.6611) on arterial blood gas analysis. DISCUSSION: pP-tau181 has potential as ALS biomarker and could be associated with LMN impairment. Its raised levels might reflect pathophysiological processes (tau hyperphosphorylation and/or release) occurring in the axons of LMNs distantly from the CNS and the CSF. pP-tau181 could also be associated with respiratory dysfunction.