Global synergistic actions to improve brain health for human development.

The global burden of neurological disorders is substantial and increasing, especially in low-resource settings. The current increased global interest in brain health and its impact on population wellbeing and economic growth, highlighted in the World Health Organization's new Intersectoral Global Action Plan on Epilepsy and other Neurological Disorders 2022-2031, presents an opportunity to rethink the delivery of neurological services. In this Perspective, we highlight the global burden of neurological disorders and propose pragmatic solutions to enhance neurological health, with an emphasis on building global synergies and fostering a 'neurological revolution' across four key pillars - surveillance, prevention, acute care and rehabilitation - termed the neurological quadrangle. Innovative strategies for achieving this transformation include the recognition and promotion of holistic, spiritual and planetary health. These strategies can be deployed through co-design and co-implementation to create equitable and inclusive access to services for the promotion, protection and recovery of neurological health in all human populations across the life course.

Predicting respiratory failure and outcome in pediatric Guillain-Barré syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) has a highly variable clinical course and outcome as indicated by the risk of developing respiratory failure and residual inability to walk. Prognostic models as Erasmus GBS Respiratory Insufficiency Score (EGRIS) developed in adult patients are inaccurate in children. Our aim was to determine the prognostic factors of respiratory failure and inability to walk in children with GBS and to develop a new clinical prognostic model for individual patients (EGRIS-Kids). METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed using the data of children (younger than 18 years) fulfilling the diagnostic criteria for GBS from the NINDS. This study was performed in two independent cohorts from centers in Germany, Switzerland, Austria (N = 265, collected 1989-2002) and The Netherlands (N = 156, collected 1987-2016). The predicted main outcomes were occurrence of respiratory failure during the disease course and inability to walk independent at one year after diagnosis. RESULTS: In the combined cohort of 421 children, 79 (19%) required mechanical ventilation and one patient died. The EGRIS-kids was developed including: age, cranial nerve involvement and GBS disability score at admission, resulting in a 9 point score predicting risks of respiratory failure ranging from 4 to 50% (AUC = 0.71). A lower GBS disability score at nadir was the strongest predictor of recovery to independent walking (at one month: OR 0.43 95%CI 0.25-0.74). CONCLUSIONS: EGRIS-Kids and GBS disability score at admission accurately predict the risk of respiratory failure and inability to walk respectively in children with GBS, as tools to personalize the monitoring and treatment.

Early MRI diagnosis of Sturge Weber Syndrome type 1 in infants.

BACKGROUND: Patients with Sturge-Weber syndrome type 1 (SWS1) have a port-wine birthmark (PWB) as cutaneous hallmark. Up to 35% of neonates with a high risk PWB develop SWS1. Clinical manifestations are severe and often progressive. Especially early onset seizures are associated with worse neurocognitive outcome. Identification of pre-symptomatic SWS1 patients is hampered because brain MRI in the first months of life does not always show the for SWS1 characteristic leptomeningeal capillary malformation (LMC). OBJECTIVES: Identification of sensitive and specific MRI predictors for early SWS1 diagnosis. METHODS: In this retrospective single centre study, we included 24 SWS1 patients and 20 controls. We studied specificity and sensitivity for SWS1 diagnosis of LMC and indirect MRI signs such as choroid plexus (CP) size and thickness, abnormal white matter signal, lobar cerebral atrophy, ischemia and cortical calcifications. RESULTS: In SWS1 patients CP thickness and CP thickness ratio on non-contrast brain MRI was significantly increased. The optimal cut-off value of 5.6 mm on the affected side corresponded with a sensitivity of 91.7% and a specificity of 100% for confirmation of SWS1 diagnosis. In 21% of children aged ≤3 months with a later confirmed SWS1 diagnosis, LMC on initial MRI could not be discerned but CP thickness ≥5.6 mm on the affected side confirmed SWS1 diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, CP size ratio and thickness were found to be sensitive and specific signs additional to earlier described criteria to support SWS1 diagnosis in neonates and infants which need to be confirmed in other series.

Perioperative risk factors for long-term intelligence in children with postoperative cerebellar mutism syndrome after medulloblastoma surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Approximately 7%-50% of children with medulloblastoma (MB) develop postoperative cerebellar mutism syndrome (pCMS). pCMS has a short-term negative impact on intelligence, but effects on long-term outcomes are contradictory. The aim of this study was to assess long-term effects of pCMS in MB patients on aspects of intelligence quotient (IQ) and its perioperative risk factors. METHODS: In this single-center retrospective cohort study, 31 children were included (14 pCMS). Perioperative risk factors included brainstem invasion, vermis incision, hydrocephalus, tumor size, severity of pCMS, neurological symptoms, mean body temperature (BT) on days 1-4 post surgery, and age at resection. Age-appropriate Wechsler Intelligence tests were assessed at least 2 years after tumor resection. RESULTS: Mean interval between tumor resection and neuropsychological evaluation was 3.9 years in pCMS and 4 years and 11 months in the no-pCMS group. No significant differences in IQ scores were found between groups. The pCMS group had a clinically relevant difference of 10 points when compared to age norms on verbal IQ (VIQ). Bilateral pyramidal and swallowing problems were risk factors for lower performance. In the overall group, tumor size, younger age at surgery, and raised mean BT were negatively correlated with aspects of IQ. CONCLUSIONS: We found a clinically significant reduction of VIQ in the pCMS patient group. pCMS patients with a larger tumor size, younger age at surgery, a higher mean BT in the first days after surgery, bilateral pyramidal symptoms, and swallowing problems 10 days post surgery are more at risk for VIQ deficits at long-term.

Determinants of impairments in functioning, fatigue, and participation ability in pediatric brain tumor survivors.

BACKGROUND: Pediatric brain tumor survivors (PBTS) experience disease- and treatment-related sequelae. We aimed to investigate the occurrence of participation limitations, impairments in functioning, fatigue, and the association between patient, tumor- and treatment-related factors and these outcomes. METHODS: Children (4-18 years) after treatment for a brain tumor between 2005 and 2014 at the Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, were eligible. The parent-reported Child and Family Follow-up Survey developed to measure participation and impairments in functioning in youth with acquired brain injury, was used. Fatigue was assessed using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Multidimensional Fatigue Scale. Associations with patient, tumor- and treatment-related factors were explored using univariable analyses. RESULTS: Ninety-one PBTS (median age: 11.3 years [range: 9.5-14.1], time since treatment: 3.9 years [range: 4-6.2]) were included (response rate: 55%). Participation limitations were reported in 53% and were associated with impairments in functioning (15-67%) (P ≤ .01) and fatigue (P ≤ .03).Parent- and child-reported fatigue was increased compared to normative values (P ≤ .02). History of hydrocephalus was associated with increased fatigue (P ≤ .04). Younger age at diagnosis and longer time since diagnosis were associated with impairments in functioning and cognitive fatigue (P < .05).Participation limitations, impairments in functioning and fatigue were similar in PBTS who were <3 or ≥3 years since completion of treatment. CONCLUSION: More than half of PBTS reported limited participation ability, which is associated with impairments in functioning and fatigue. The complication hydrocephalus seems to lead to more fatigue. Participation limitations, impairments in functioning and fatigue appear not to diminish in the longer term.

Timing and Cause of Death in Children Following Return of Circulation After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Single-Center Retrospective Cohort Study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine timing and cause of death in children admitted to the PICU following return of circulation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. DESIGN: Retrospective observational study. SETTING: Single-center observational cohort study at the PICU of a tertiary-care hospital (Erasmus MC-Sophia, Rotterdam, The Netherlands) between 2012 and 2017. PATIENTS: Children younger than 18 years old with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest and return of circulation admitted to the PICU. MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS: Data included general, cardiopulmonary resuscitation and postreturn of circulation characteristics. The primary outcome was defined as survival to hospital discharge. Modes of death were classified as brain death, withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies due to poor neurologic prognosis, withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies due to refractory circulatory and/or respiratory failure, and recurrent cardiac arrest without return of circulation. One hundred thirteen children with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest were admitted to the PICU following return of circulation (median age 53 months, 64% male, most common cause of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest drowning [21%]). In these 113 children, there was 44% survival to hospital discharge and 56% nonsurvival to hospital discharge (brain death 29%, withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies due to poor neurologic prognosis 67%, withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies due to refractory circulatory and/or respiratory failure 2%, and recurrent cardiac arrest 2%). Compared with nonsurvivors, more survivors had witnessed arrest (p = 0.007), initial shockable rhythm (p < 0.001), shorter cardiopulmonary resuscitation duration (p < 0.001), and more favorable clinical neurologic examination within 24 hours after admission. Basic cardiopulmonary resuscitation event and postreturn of circulation (except for the number of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) characteristics did not significantly differ between the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies due to poor neurologic prognosis and brain death patients. Timing of decision-making to withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies due to poor neurologic prognosis ranged from 0 to 18 days (median: 0 d; interquartile range, 0-3) after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The decision to withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies was based on neurologic examination (100%), electroencephalography (44%), and/or brain imaging (35%). CONCLUSIONS: More than half of children who achieve return of circulation after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest died after PICU admission. Of these deaths, two thirds (67%) underwent withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies based on an expected poor neurologic prognosis and did so early after return of circulation. There is a need for international guidelines for accurate neuroprognostication in children after cardiac arrest.

Process evaluation of 'Brains Ahead!': an intervention for children and adolescents with mild traumatic brain injury within a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether the 'Brains Ahead! Intervention for children and adolescents with mild traumatic brain injury' was implemented as intended. In addition, involvement in and satisfaction with the intervention among patients, caregivers and professionals delivering the intervention were studied. DESIGN: Mixed methods, prospective study. PARTICIPANTS: Children with mild traumatic brain injury and their caregivers, allocated to the intervention group of the randomized controlled trial in the 'Brains Ahead!' study, and the two professionals providing the intervention. INTERVENTION: The intervention consists of a standardized and individualized psychoeducational session with written take-home information, and follow-up telephone call(s). MAIN MEASURES: Registration forms, evaluation questionnaires for patients and caregivers and semi-structured interviews for professionals. DATA ANALYSIS: Qualitative data were categorized based on content. Quantitative data were reported as descriptive statistics. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients and caregivers out of 60 study-participants attended both sessions. All elements of the intervention were delivered to 53 study-participants. Evaluation questionnaires were completed by 21 of the 31 patients aged 12 years and older, and by 41 caregivers. Overall, the sessions were considered useful by 19 patients, 40 caregivers and both professionals. Reassurance, creating a better understanding and recognition of symptoms were rated as important aspects. On a scale from 1 to 10, the intervention was rated by children, caregivers and professionals with 7.6 (SD 1.2), 8.1 (SD .9) and 8.0 (SD .0), respectively. CONCLUSION: The 'Brains Ahead!' intervention was largely implemented as intended and the process evaluation revealed that it is considered feasible according to patients, caregivers and professionals.

Effectiveness of the Brains Ahead! Intervention: 6 Months Results of a Randomized Controlled Trial in School-Aged Children With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effectiveness of Brains Ahead!, a psychoeducational intervention aimed to prevent long-term problems with activities and participation in children after mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). PARTICIPANTS: In total, 124 children, aged 6 to 18 years, diagnosed with mTBI and their caregivers. METHOD: After randomization, participants in the intervention group received a face-to-face psychoeducational session with written take-home information and follow-up telephone call(s). Participants in the control group received usual care, consisting of a concise information brochure. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Activities and participation (Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation [CASP]). SECONDARY OUTCOMES: fatigue, postconcussive symptoms (PCSs), posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSSs), and quality of life (QOL). RESULTS: Generalized Estimated Equation analyses showed that both groups improved over the first 6 months post-mTBI, but the intervention group did not differ significantly on the CASP. Mann-Whitney U tests showed that the intervention group reported significantly less fatigue, PCSs, and PTSSs and better QOL compared with the control group at 6 months post-MTBI. CONCLUSIONS: The Brains Ahead! intervention resulted in significant improvements compared with usual care in reducing fatigue, PCSs, and PTSSs and improving QOL. Lack of an effect on activities and participation may be due to the ceiling effect of the CASP.

Activities and Participation in the First 6 Months After Mild Traumatic Brain Injury in Children and Adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the natural course of activities and participation of children up to 6 months after a mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). METHODS: A prospective longitudinal cohort study with complete data sets of 231 children diagnosed with mTBI and their caregivers. MAIN MEASURES: Activities and participation assessed with the Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation (CASP) and the Children's Assessment of Participation and Enjoyment (CAPE) measured at 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post-mTBI. Because of a ceiling effect, the primary outcome measure (CASP) was divided into deviant (not maximum score) or full functioning. RESULTS: Friedman's, Cochran's Q, and McNemar's tests (CASP) and repeated-measures analyses of variance (CAPE) showed significant increases in activities and participation between 2 weeks and 3 and 6 months after mTBI. Based on the parents' perspective, 67% of the children returned to full functioning at 6 months postinjury, with only 38% of the children describing themselves as functioning at their premorbid level. DISCUSSION: Findings indicate that most children return to maximum level of activities and participation over time after mTBI. In a substantial number of children, however, the level of activities and participation at 6 months postinjury is evaluated as lower than that of peers. The importance of investigating predictors for child and caregiver perspectives is emphasized.

Post-operative cerebellar mutism syndrome: rehabilitation issues.

INTRODUCTION: Tumors of the cerebellum are the most common brain tumors in children. Modern treatment and aggressive surgery have improved the overall survival. Consequently, growing numbers of survivors are at high risk for developing adverse and long-term neurological deficits including deficits of cognition, behavior, speech, and language. Post-operative cerebellar mutism syndrome (pCMS) is a well-known and frequently occurring complication of cerebellar tumor surgery in children. In the acute stage, children with pCMS may show deterioration of cerebellar motor function as well as pyramidal and cranial neuropathies. Most debilitating is the mutism or the severe reduction of speech and a range of neurobehavioral symptoms that may occur. In the long term, children that recover from pCMS continue to have more motor, behavioral, and cognitive problems than children who did not develop pCMS after cerebellar tumor surgery. The severity of these long-term sequelae seems to be related to the length of the mute phase. AIM OF THIS NARRATIVE REVIEW: The impact of pCMS on patients and families cannot be overstated. This contribution aims to discuss the present knowledge on the natural course, recovery, and rehabilitation of children with pCMS. We suggest future priorities in developing rehabilitation programs in order to improve the long-term quality of life and participation of children after cerebellar tumor surgery and after pCMS in particular.

Predictors of activities and participation six months after mild traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify predictors of long-term consequences for activities and participation in children and adolescents with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). METHODS: A multicentre prospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted. The primary outcome measure was activities and participation measured with the Child and Adolescent Scale of Participation - CASP and completed by children (N = 156) and caregivers (N = 231) six months post-mTBI. The CASP items were categorized into home, community, school, and environment. Predictors were categorized according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health for Children and Youth. Predictors included pre-injury personal- and environmental factors, injury-related factors, symptoms, and resumption of activities in the first two weeks after mTBI. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the predictive value of these factors. RESULTS: Results show that predictors differ across settings and perspectives (child or caregiver). Decreased activities and participation in children with mTBI can be predicted by adverse pre-injury behavioral functioning of the child (p < .000 - p = .038), adverse pre-injury family functioning (p = .001), lower parental SES (p = .038), more stress symptoms post-injury (p = .017 - p = .032), more post-concussive symptoms (p = .016 - p = .028) and less resumption of activities (p = .006 - p = .045). DISCUSSION: Pre-injury factors, more symptoms post-injury and less resumption of activities should be considered when children are screened for unfavorable outcomes. Additional factors may add to the prediction, but injury-related factors do not. It is recommended that future research explores psychosocial factors, such as coping styles, emotion-regulation, personality traits, social support, and other comorbid problems of both children and caregivers.

Ketogenic diet treatment as adjuvant to standard treatment of glioblastoma multiforme: a feasibility and safety study.

BACKGROUND: High-grade glioma cells consume mainly glucose and cannot compensate for glucose restriction. Apoptosis may potentially occur under carbohydrate restriction by a ketogenic diet (KD). We explored the feasibility and safety of KD during standard treatment of chemoradiation in patients with glioblastoma multiforme. METHODS: A full liquid KD induced ketosis within 2 weeks before start of chemoradiation. After 6 weeks, the KD was modified with solid foods and medium-chain-triglyceride emulsions and used for an additional 6 weeks while maintaining ketosis. During the total study period (14 weeks), feasibility, safety, coping (both patient and partner), quality of life (QoL), neurological functioning and impairment were measured. Overall survival was analyzed with actuarial estimates. RESULTS: Eleven patients started the study protocol, nine reached ketosis and six (67%) completed the study. Severe adverse effects did not occur. The majority of coping scores ranged from 3 to 6 on a 10-point scale at all timepoints; QoL, neurological functioning, and impairment did not essentially change over time; overall survival ranged between 9.8 and 19.0 months. CONCLUSION: KD was feasible and safe as an adjuvant to standard chemoradiation treatment of glioblastoma multiforme. A supportive partner and intensive counseling were essential for coping. Future research should identify possible beneficial effects on overall survival. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Netherlands Trial Registry: NTR5167 (registration date 29-01-2015), http://www.trialregister.nl/trialreg/index.asp.

Real-world validation of the 2017 McDonald criteria for pediatric MS.

Objective: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of the McDonald 2017 vs the McDonald 2010 criteria to predict a second attack of MS (clinically definite MS [CDMS]) at the first attack of acquired demyelinating syndromes (ADS). Methods: One hundred sixty-four children (aged <18 years) with an incident attack of ADS were included in a prospective multicenter study between June 2006 and December 2016. Brain (and spinal if available) MRI was performed ≤3 months after symptom onset. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were compared at baseline between the 2010 and 2017 criteria. Results: Among the 164 patients, 110 patients (67%) presented without encephalopathy (ADS-, female 63%; median age 14.8 years, IQR 11.3-16.1years) and 54 (33%) with encephalopathy (acute disseminated encephalomyelitis [ADEM], female 52%; median age 4.0 years, IQR 2.6-6.1 years). Of the 110 ADS- patients, 52 (47%) were diagnosed with CDMS within a median follow-up of 4.5 years (IQR 2.6-6.7 years). The sensitivity was higher for the 2017 criteria than for the 2010 criteria (83%; 95% CI 67-92, vs 49%; 95% CI 33-65; p < 0.001), but the specificity was lower (73%; 95% CI 59-84 vs 87%; 95% CI 74-94, p = 0.02). At baseline, 48 patients fulfilled the 2017 criteria compared with 27 patients when using the 2010 criteria. The results for children aged <12 years without encephalopathy were similar. In patients with ADEM, 8% fulfilled the 2010 criteria and 10% the 2017 criteria at baseline but no patient fulfilled the criteria for CDMS. Conclusions: The McDonald 2017 criteria are more sensitive than the McDonald 2010 criteria for predicting CDMS at baseline. These criteria can also be applied in children aged <12 years without encephalopathy but not in children with ADEM. Classification of evidence: This study provides Class II evidence that in children with ADS, the 2017 McDonald criteria are more sensitive but less specific than the 2010 McDonald criteria for predicting CDMS.

Ketogenic diet treatment in recurrent diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma in children: A safety and feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: The mean overall survival rate of children with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) is 9-11 months, with current standard treatment with fractionated radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy. So far, novel therapeutic strategies have not yet resulted in significantly better survival. The main source of energy for glioblastoma cells is glucose. Therefore, metabolic alterations induced by the use of the extremely carbohydrate-restricted ketogenic diet (KD) as adjuvant therapy are subject of interest in cancer research. PROCEDURE: This study explores the safety and feasibility of the KD in children with recurrent DIPG and no remaining treatment options. Safety was defined as the number of adverse effects. Feasibility was defined as the number of patients who were able to use the KD for three months. Coping of patients and parents was measured with questionnaires. RESULTS: Three of 14 children referred to our hospital between 2010 and 2015 were included. Two patients completed the study, and one died before the end of the study. Hospitalizations were needed for placing a nasogastric tube (n = 1) and epileptic seizures (n = 1). Adverse effects related to the diet were mild and transient. Parents were highly motivated during the study. CONCLUSION: Use of KD is safe and feasible, but the effect on survival has to be proven in a larger cohort of children who start the KD earlier after diagnosis, preferably as adjuvant therapy to fractionated radiotherapy.

Correction to: Relevance of neuroimaging for neurocognitive and behavioral outcome after pediatric traumatic brain injury.

JC Goslings is the correct name of the sixth author of this article.

The Brains Ahead! intervention for children and adolescents with mild traumatic brain injury and their caregivers: rationale and description of the treatment protocol.

PURPOSE:: Approximately 20% of the children and adolescents after mild traumatic brain injury will not fully recover. They suffer long-term postconcussive symptoms and may experience limitations in activities and participation. Research suggests that early psychoeducational interventions may prevent long-term postconcussive symptoms. The Brains Ahead! intervention was developed to prevent long-term symptoms and, furthermore, to establish a more successful return to activities and participation after mild traumatic brain injury in children and adolescents. The intervention is currently being evaluated in a multicenter randomized controlled trial. RATIONALE:: Providing individualized information and personal advice in addition to standardized information about the injury and possible consequences early after the injury may enable patients and caregivers to recognize and anticipate on relevant symptoms at an early stage and to prevent problems in activities and participation. THEORY INTO PRACTICE:: The Brains Ahead! intervention is a psychoeducational intervention for children and adolescents who sustained a mild traumatic brain injury and for their caregivers. The patients will receive a partially standardized and partially individualized psychoeducational session and a telephone follow-up within the first two to eight weeks after the injury.