Heart rate variability biofeedback for critical illness polyneuropathy: a randomized sham-controlled study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) has been linked to neurocardiac dysfunction mediated by autonomic nervous system dysregulation, which increases mortality. We aimed to assess if heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback could improve neurocardiac function in CIP. METHODS: We randomly allocated (1:1) patients with electrophysiologically confirmed CIP undergoing early inpatient neurological rehabilitation to additional HRV or sham biofeedback over 14 days. We evaluated neurocardiac function via standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN) as the primary outcome, as well as HRV frequency domains, sympathetic cutaneous sudomotor and vasomotor functions and disability at baseline, post intervention and 4 weeks later. The study is registered on the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00028911). RESULTS: We included 30 patients with CIP (40% females, median [interquartile range] age 64.6 [56, 72] years). We observed an increase in SDNN and the predominantly parasympathetic high frequency domain post intervention (ß = 16.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.2, 32.6 [p = 0.047] and ß = 1179.2, 95% CI 119.9, 2158.5 [p = 0.018]), which was sustained at the 4-week follow-up (ß = 25.7, 95% CI 6.0, 45.4 [p = 0.011] and ß = 25.7, 95% CI 6.0, 45.4 [p = 0.011]). Patients who underwent HRV biofeedback displayed a higher adjusted Barthel index, indicating less severe disability 4 weeks after the intervention compared to those in the sham group (ß = 23.3, 95% CI 5.5, 41.1 [p = 0.014]). Low frequency and sympathetic skin functions did not differ between groups (p = nonsignificant). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides pilot data suggesting that, in patients with CIP, HRV biofeedback can improve neurocardiac function with a predominant effect on the parasympathetic nervous system and has a beneficial effect on functional recovery.

Intravenous Thrombolysis Before Thrombectomy Improves Functional Outcome After Stroke Independent of Reperfusion Grade.

BACKGROUND: We studied the association of bridging intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) before thrombectomy for anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion and functional outcome and scrutinized its dependence on grade of reperfusion and distal thrombus migration. METHODS AND RESULTS: We included consecutive patients with anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion from our prospective registry of thrombectomy-eligible patients treated from January 1, 2017 to January 1, 2023 at a tertiary stroke center in Germany in this retrospective cohort study. To evaluate the association of bridging IVT and functional outcome quantified via modified Rankin Scale score at 90 days we used multivariable logistic and lasso regression including interaction terms with grade of reperfusion quantified via modified Thrombolysis in Cerebral Infarction (mTICI) scale and distal thrombus migration adjusted for demographic and cardiovascular risk profiles, clinical and imaging stroke characteristics, onset-to-recanalization time and distal thrombus migration. We performed sensitivity analysis using propensity score matching. In our study population of 1000 thrombectomy-eligible patients (513 women; median age, 77 years [interquartile range, 67-84]), IVT emerged as a predictor of favorable functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 0-2) independent of modified mTICI score (adjusted odds ratio, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.32-0.75]; P=0.001). In those who underwent thrombectomy (n=812), the association of IVT and favorable functional outcome was reproduced (adjusted odds ratio, 0.49 [95% CI, 0.31-0.74]; P=0.001) and was further confirmed on propensity score analysis, where IVT led to a 0.35-point decrease in 90-day modified Rankin Scale score (ß=-0.35 [95 CI%, -0.68 to 0.01]; P=0.04). The additive benefit of IVT remained independent of modified mTICI score (ß=-1.79 [95% CI, -3.43 to -0.15]; P=0.03) and distal thrombus migration (ß=-0.41 [95% CI, -0.69 to -0.13]; P=0.004) on interaction analysis. Consequently, IVT showed an additive association with functional outcome in the subpopulation of patients undergoing thrombectomy who achieved successful reperfusion (mTICI ≥2b; ß=-0.46 [95% CI, -0.74 to -0.17]; P=0.002) and remained beneficial in those with unsuccessful reperfusion (mTICI ≤2a; ß=-0.47 [95% CI, -0.96 to 0.01]; P=0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In thrombectomy-eligible patients with anterior circulation large-vessel occlusion, IVT improves functional outcome independent of grade of reperfusion and distal thrombus migration.

Assessment and Therapeutic Modulation of Heart Rate Variability: Potential Implications in Patients with COVID-19.

Cardiac damage has been attributed to SARS-CoV-2-related pathology contributing to increased risk of vascular events. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a parameter of functional neurocardiac integrity with low HRV constituting an independent predictor of cardiovascular mortality. Whether structural cardiac damage translates into neurocardiac dysfunction in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 remains poorly understood. Hypothesized mechanisms of possible neurocardiac dysfunction in COVID-19 comprise direct systemic neuroinvasion of autonomic control centers, ascending virus propagation along cranial nerves and cardiac autonomic neuropathy. While the relationship between the autonomic nervous system and the cytokine cascade in general has been studied extensively, the interplay between the inflammatory response caused by SARS-CoV-2 and autonomic cardiovascular regulation remains largely unclear. We reviewed the current literature on the potential diagnostic and prognostic value of autonomic neurocardiac function assessment via analysis of HRV including time domain and spectral analysis techniques in patients with COVID-19. Furthermore, we discuss potential therapeutic targets of modulating neurocardiac function in this high-risk population including HRV biofeedback and the impact of long COVID on HRV as well as the approaches of clinical management. These topics might be of particular interest with respect to multimodal pandemic preparedness concepts.

Two-Year observational study of autonomic skin function in patients with Parkinson's disease compared to healthy individuals.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: We characterized autonomic pilomotor and sudomotor skin function in early Parkinson's disease (PD) longitudinally. METHODS: We enrolled PD patients (Hoehn and Yahr 1-2) and healthy controls from movement disorder centers in Germany, Hungary, and the United States. We evaluated axon-reflex responses in adrenergic sympathetic pilomotor nerves and in cholinergic sudomotor nerves and assessed sympathetic skin response (SSR), predominantly parasympathetic neurocardiac function via heart rate variability, and disease-related symptoms at baseline, after 2 weeks, and after 1 and 2 years. CLINICALTRIALS: gov: NCT03043768. RESULTS: We included 38 participants: 26 PD (60% females, aged 62.4 ± 7.4 years, mean ± SD) and 12 controls (75% females, aged 59.5 ± 5.8 years). Pilomotor function was reduced in PD compared to controls at baseline when quantified via spatial axon-reflex spread (78 [43-143], median [interquartile range] mm2 vs. 175 [68-200] mm2 , p = 0.01) or erect hair follicle count in the axon-reflex region (8 [6-10] vs. 11 [6-16], p = 0.008) and showed reliability absent any changes from baseline to Week 2 (p = not significant [ns]). Between-group differences increased over the course of 2 years (p < 0.05), although no decline was observed within groups (p = ns). Pilomotor impairment in PD correlated with motor symptoms (rho = -0.59, p = 0.017) and was not lateralized (p = ns). Sudomotor axon-reflex and neurocardiac function did not differ between groups (p = ns), but SSR was reduced in PD (p = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Impairment of adrenergic sympathetic pilomotor function and SSR in evolving PD is not paralleled by changes to cholinergic sudomotor function and parasympathetic neurocardiac function, suggesting a sympathetic pathophysiology. A pilomotor axon-reflex test might be useful to monitor PD-related pathology.

Point-of-Care Assessment of Direct Oral Anticoagulation in Acute Ischemic Stroke: Protocol for a Prospective Observational Diagnostic Accuracy Study.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of ischemic stroke with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator for intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) must be delivered within a narrow time window after symptom onset. This effective hyperacute treatment can be administered after ruling out active anticoagulation with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs). Whenever this is impractical, e.g., due to aphasia, plasmatic DOAC levels are measured with a consequent delay in the IVT decision-making process ranging from 30 to 60 minutes of time. This study will test the hypothesis that hyperacute point-of-care assessment of clotting time in the patient's whole blood has sufficient diagnostic accuracy to determine immediately whether stroke patients are pretreated with DOAC. METHODS AND DESIGN: This will be a prospective single-center diagnostic accuracy study in 1,850 consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients at a tertiary stroke center in Saxony, Germany. Presence of active anticoagulation with DOAC will be determined by point-of-care quantification of clotting time via whole blood viscoelastic testing (ClotPro) using Russell venom viper and ecarin assay compared with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry as the reference standard. DISCUSSION: Viscoelastic point-of-care assessment of clotting time in whole blood might improve swift delivery of time-sensitive hyperacute treatment with IVT in stroke patients.

Cerebrovascular Risk Profiles in a Saudi Arabian Cohort of Young Stroke Patients.

Background: The constantly increasing incidence of stroke in younger individuals substantiates an urgent need for research to elucidate underlying risk factors and etiologies. Heretofore, the vast majority of studies on stroke in the young have been carried out in European and North American regions. We aimed to characterize cerebrovascular risk profiles in a Saudi Arabic cohort of consecutive young stroke patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from consecutive ischemic stroke patients aged 15 to 49 years who underwent detailed cardiocerebrovascular evaluation at a tertiary stroke care center in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. Distributions of risk factors and stroke etiologies were assessed in the entire cohort and in two strata of very young (15-40 years) and young to middle-aged patients (41-49) to account for variability in suggested age cutoffs. Results: In the entire cohort [n = 63, ages 44 (34-47) median, interquartile range], dyslipidemia (71.4%) and small vessel occlusion (31.7%) displayed highest prevalence followed by diabetes (52.4%) and cardioembolism (19%). In very young patients, cardioembolism was the most prevalent etiology (27.3%). Risk profiles were similar between both age strata except for a higher prevalence of diabetes among the older cohort (31.8 vs. 63.4%, p = 0.01). Logistic regression identified diabetes as strongest predictor for association to the older strata (odds ratio = 4.2, 95% confidence interval = 1.2-14.1, p = 0.02). Conclusion: Cerebrovascular risk profiles and stroke etiologies in our cohort of young stroke patients differ from those of previous cohorts, suggesting the need for tailored prevention strategies that take into account local epidemiological data on cerebrovascular health.

Effects of digitalized university curriculum-associated teaching on the equilibrium of autonomic neurophysiology and disposition of learners in medical school (EDUCATE-AND-LEARN): protocol for a randomized crossover study.

BACKGROUND: Homoeostasis of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) contributes to cognitive functional integrity in learners and can be greatly influenced by emotions and stress. While moderate stress can enhance learning and memory processes, long-term stress compromises learning performance in a face-to-face classroom environment. Integrative online learning and communication tools were shown to be beneficial for visualization and comprehension but their effects on the ANS are poorly understood. We aim to assess the effects of video conference-supported live lectures compared to on-site classroom teaching on autonomic functions and their association with learning performance. METHODS AND DESIGN: Fifty mentally and physically healthy medical students will be enrolled in a randomized two-period crossover study. Subjects will attend a seminar, which is held in face-to-face and simultaneously transmitted via videoconference. Subjects will be allocated in two arms in a randomized sequence determining the order in which both seminar settings will be attended. At baseline and throughout the interactive seminar subjects will undergo detailed autonomic testing comprising neurocardiac (heart rate variability), sudomotor (sympathetic skin response), neurovascular (laser Doppler flowmetry) and pupillomotor (pupillography) function. Furthermore, learning progress will be evaluated using pre- and post-tests on the seminar subject and emotions will be assessed using profile of mood state (POMS) questionnaire. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Carryover effects will be handled using a two-way repeated measures (mixed model). Between-group differences (baseline vs face-to-face vs videoconference) will be determined using one-way analysis of variance ANOVA followed by Student-Newman-Keul test. LIMITATIONS AND STRENGTHS: This study may elucidate complex interactions between autonomic and emotional dynamics during conventional on-site and video conference-based teaching, thus providing a basis for customized learning and teaching methods. Understanding and utilizing advanced distance learning strategies is particularly important during the current pandemic, which has been limiting on-site teaching dramatically in nearly all countries of the world.

Preventive Approaches for Post-Stroke Depression: Where Do We Stand? A Systematic Review.

PURPOSE: Post-stroke depression (PSD) occurs in one-third of stroke survivors, leading to a substantial decrease in quality of life as well as delayed functional and neurological recovery. Early detection of patients at risk and initiation of tailored preventive measures may reduce the medical and socioeconomic burden associated with PSD. We sought to review the current evidence on pharmacological and non-pharmacological prevention of PSD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a systematic review using PubMed/MEDLINE and bibliographies of identified papers following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, including randomized controlled studies. Eligible studies were included when performed within 1 year after the index cerebrovascular event. Animal and basic research studies, studies lacking a control group, review papers, and case reports were excluded. RESULTS: Out of 150 studies screened, 37 met our criteria. Among the strategies identified, administration of antidepressants displayed the most robust evidence for preventing PSD, whereas non-pharmacological interventions such as psychotherapy appear to be the most frequently used approaches to prevent depression after stroke. Research suggests that the efficacy of PSD prevention increases with the duration of preventive treatment. Seven out of 11 studies (63%) that used pharmacological and eight out of 16 (50%) that used non-pharmacological interventions reported a positive preventive effect on PSD. CONCLUSION: Overall, the current literature on PSD prevention shows heterogeneity, substantiating a need for well-designed randomized controlled trials to test the safety and efficacy of pharmacological as well as non-pharmacological and composite prevention regimens to minimize the risk of PSD in stroke survivors. Integrative strategies combining personalized non-pharmacological interventions such as educational, mental, and physical health support, and pharmacological strategies such as SSRIs may be the most promising approach to prevent PSD.

Video-Oculography-Assisted Head Impulse Test and Caloric Testing for Detecting Stroke in Acute Vertigo Patients via Modified HINTS Plus.

BACKGROUND: We assessed whether detection of stroke underlying acute vertigo using HINTS plus (head-impulse test, nystagmus type, test of skew, hearing loss) can be improved by video-oculography for automated head-impulse test (V-HIT) analysis. METHODS: We evaluated patients with acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) presenting to the emergency room using HINTS plus and V-HIT-assisted HINTS plus in a randomized sequence followed by cranial MRI and caloric testing. Image-confirmed posterior circulation stroke or vertebrobasilar TIA were the reference standards to calculate diagnostic accuracy. We repeated statistical analysis for a third protocol that was composed post hoc by replacing the head-impulse test with caloric testing in the HINTS plus protocol. RESULTS: We included 30 AVS patients (ages 55.4 ± 17.2 years, 14 females). Of these, 11 (36.7%) had posterior circulation stroke (n = 4) or TIA (n = 7). Acute V-HIT-assisted HINTS plus was feasible and displayed tendentially higher accuracy than conventional HINTS plus (sensitivity: 81.8%, 95% CI 48.2-97.7%; specificity 31.6%, 95% CI 12.6-56.6% vs. sensitivity 72.7%, 95% CI 39.0-94.0%; specificity 36.8%, 95% CI 16.3-61.6%). The new caloric-supported algorithm showed high accuracy (sensitivity 100%, 95% CI 66.4-100%; specificity 66.7%, 95% CI 41-86.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides pilot data on V-HIT-assisted HINTS plus for acute AVS assessment and indicates the diagnostic value of integrated acute caloric testing.

Sertraline for Functional Recovery After Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Prospective Observational Study.

Background: Neuroprotective and neurorestorative effects have been postulated for selective serotonin-reuptake inhibitors (SSRI). We hypothesized that sertraline, which is characterized by less severe adverse effects and more stable pharmacokinetics than classic SSRI, is associated with improved functional recovery in acute ischemic stroke patients with motor deficits. Methods: Prospective observational study of consecutive acute ischemic stroke patients who received sertraline for clinically suspected post-stroke depression (PSD) or at high risk for PSD. Eligibility comprised acute motor deficit caused by ischemic stroke (≥2 points on NIHSS motor items) and functional independence pre-stroke (mRS ≤1). Decision to initiate treatment with SSRI during hospital stay was at the discretion of the treating stroke physician. Patients not receiving sertraline served as control group. Favorable functional recovery defined as mRS ≤2 was prospectively assessed at 3 months. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to explore the effects of sertraline on 3-months functional recovery. Secondary outcomes were frequency of any and incident PSD (defined by BDI ≥10) at 3 months. Results: During the study period (03/2017-12/2018), 114 patients were assigned to sertraline (n = 72, 62.6%) or control group (n = 42, 37.4%). At study entry, patients in sertraline group were more severely neurologically affected than patients in the control group (NIHSS: 8 [IQR, 5-11] vs. 5 [IQR, 4-7]; p = 0.002). Also, motor NIHSS scores were more pronounced in sertraline than in control group (4 [IQR 2-7] vs. 2 [IQR 2-4], p = 0.001). After adjusting for age and baseline NIHSS, multivariable regression analysis revealed a significant association between sertraline intake and favorable functional outcome at 3 months (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.02-9.41; p = 0.045). There was no difference between both groups regarding the frequency of any depression at 3 months (26/53 [49.1%] vs. 14/28 [50.0%] patients, p = 0.643, BDI ≥10). However, fewer incident depressions were observed in sertraline group patients compared to patients in control group (0/53 [0%] vs. 5/28 [17.9%] patients, p = 0.004). Conclusions: In this non-randomized comparison, early treatment with sertraline tended to favor functional recovery in patients with acute ischemic stroke. While exploratory in nature, this hypothesis needs further investigation in a clinical trial.

Delayed Comprehensive Stroke Unit Care Attributable to the Evolution of Infection Protection Measures across Two Consecutive Waves of the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We aimed to assess how evidence-based stroke care changed over the two waves of the COVID-19 pandemic. We analyzed acute stroke patients admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Germany during the first (2 March 2020-9 June 2020) and second (23 September 2020-31 December 2020, 100 days each) infection waves. Stroke care performance indicators were compared among waves. A 25.2% decline of acute stroke admissions was noted during the second (n = 249) compared with the first (n = 333) wave of the pandemic. Patients were more frequently tested SARS-CoV-2 positive during the second than the first wave (11 (4.4%) vs. 0; p < 0.001). There were no differences in rates of reperfusion therapies (37% vs. 36.5%; p = 1.0) or treatment process times (p > 0.05). However, stroke unit access was more frequently delayed (17 (6.8%) vs. 5 (1.5%); p = 0.001), and hospitalization until inpatient rehabilitation was longer (20 (1, 27) vs. 12 (8, 17) days; p < 0.0001) during the second compared with the first pandemic wave. Clinical severity, stroke etiology, appropriate secondary prevention medication, and discharge disposition were comparable among both waves. Infection control measures may adversely affect access to stroke unit care and extend hospitalization, while performance indicators of hyperacute stroke care seem to be untainted.

Strength of clinical evidence leading to approval of novel cancer medicines in Europe: A systematic review and data synthesis.

We aimed to evaluate the quality of clinical evidence that substantiated approval of cancer medicines by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the last decade. We performed a systematic review and data synthesis of EMA documents in agreement with PRISMA guidelines. We included the European Public Assessment Reports, Summaries of Product Characteristics, and published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on anti-cancer drugs approved by EMA from 2010 to 2019, and excluded drugs not indicated for targeting solid or hematological tumors and non-innovative treatments. We synthesized frequencies of approvals differentiating between unblinded and blinded RCTs with and without overall survival (OS) as a predefined primary outcome measure. We assessed the frequency of post-approval RCTs for indications without at least one RCT at the time of approval. Of 199 approvals, 159 (80%) were supported by at least one RCT, 63 (32%) by at least one RCT having OS as the primary or co-primary endpoint, 74 (37%) by at least one blinded RCT, and 30 (15%) by at least one blinded RCT having OS as the primary or co-primary endpoint. Whereas 40 approvals (20%) were not supported by any RCT and, of those, 9 (22%) were followed by a post-approval RCT. While the majority of approvals of cancer medicines approved by EMA was supported by at least one RCT, we noted substantial methodological heterogeneity of the studies. Clinical trial registration: PROSPERO registration number CRD42020206669.

Randomized Sham-Controlled Pilot Study of Neurocardiac Function in Patients With Acute Ischaemic Stroke Undergoing Heart Rate Variability Biofeedback.

Background: Neurocardiac dysfunction worsens clinical outcome and increases mortality in stroke survivors. We hypothesized that heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback improves neurocardiac function by modulating autonomic nervous system activity after acute ischaemic stroke (AIS). Methods: We randomly allocated (1:1) 48 acute ischaemic stroke patients to receive nine sessions of HRV- or sham biofeedback over 3 days in addition to comprehensive stroke unit care. Before and after the intervention patients were evaluated for HRV via standard deviation of normal-to-normal intervals (SDNN, primary outcome), root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (RMSSD), a predominantly parasympathetic measure, and for sympathetic vasomotor and sudomotor function. Severity of autonomic symptoms was assessed via survey of autonomic symptom scale total impact score (TIS) at baseline and after 3 months. Results: We included 48 patients with acute ischaemic stroke [19 females, ages 65 (4.4), median (interquartile range)]. Treatment with HRV biofeedback increased HRV post intervention [SDNN: 43.5 (79.0) ms vs. 34.1 (45.0) ms baseline, p = 0.015; RMSSD: 46.0 (140.6) ms vs. 29.1 (52.2) ms baseline, p = 0.015] and alleviated autonomic symptoms after 3 months [TIS 3.5 (8.0) vs. 7.5 (7.0) baseline, p = 0.029], which was not seen after sham biofeedback (SDNN: p = 0.63, RMSSD: p = 0.65, TIS: 0.06). There were no changes in sympathetic vasomotor and sudomotor function (p = ns). Conclusions: Adding HRV biofeedback to standard stroke unit care led to improved neurocardiac function and sustained alleviation of autonomic symptoms after acute ischaemic stroke, which was likely mediated by a predominantly parasympathetic mechanism. Clinical Trial Registration: www.ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT03865225.

Association of history of cerebrovascular disease with severity of COVID-19.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a history of cerebrovascular disease (CVD) increases risk of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: In a retrospective multicenter study, we retrieved individual data from in-patients treated March 1 to April 15, 2020 from COVID-19 registries of three hospitals in Saxony, Germany. We also performed a systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA recommendations using PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library databases and bibliographies of identified papers (last search on April 11, 2020) and pooled data with those deriving from our multicenter study. Of 3762 records identified, 11 eligible observational studies of laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients were included in quantitative data synthesis. Risk ratios (RR) of severe COVID-19 according to history of CVD were pooled using DerSimonian and Laird random effects model. Between-study heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q and I2-statistics. Severity of COVID-19 according to definitions applied in included studies was the main outcome. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for clusters of studies with equal definitions of severity. RESULTS: Pooled analysis included data from 1906 laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 patients (43.9% females, median age ranging from 39 to 76 years). Patients with previous CVD had higher risk of severe COVID-19 than those without [RR 2.07, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.52-2.81; p < 0.0001]. This association was also observed in clusters of studies that defined severe manifestation of the disease by clinical parameters (RR 1.44, 95% CI 1.22-1.71; p < 0.0001), necessity of intensive care (RR 2.79, 95% CI 1.83-4.24; p < 0.0001) and in-hospital death (RR 2.18, 95% CI 1.75-2.7; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: A history of CVD might constitute an important risk factor of unfavorable clinical course of COVID-19  suggesting a need of tailored infection prevention and clinical management strategies for this population at risk.

Universal laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2 in hyperacute stroke during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: Stroke patients are thought to be at increased risk of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). To evaluate yield of universal laboratory testing for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in acute stroke patients and its impact on hyperacute stroke care. METHODS: Between weeks 14 and 18 in 2020, a protected code stroke protocol including infection control screening and laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2 was prospectively implemented for all code stroke patients upon arrival to the emergency department. If infection control screen was positive, patients received protective hygienic measures and laboratory test results were available within four hours from testing. In patients with negative screen, laboratory results were available no later than the next working day. Door-to-imaging times of patients treated with thrombolysis or thrombectomy were compared with those of patients treated during the preceding weeks 1 to 13 in 2020. RESULTS: During the 4-weeks study period, 116 consecutive code stroke patients underwent infection control screen and laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2. Among 5 (4.3%) patients whose infection control screen was positive, no patient was tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. All patients with negative infection control screens had negative test results. Door-to-imaging times of patients treated with thrombolysis and/or thrombectomy were not different to those treated during the preceding weeks (12 [9-15] min versus 13 [11-17] min, p = 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: Universal laboratory testing for SARS-CoV-2 provided useful information on patients' infection status and its implementation into a protected code stroke protocol did not adversely affect hyperacute stroke care.

Assessment of cutaneous axon-reflex responses to evaluate functional integrity of autonomic small nerve fibers.

Cutaneous autonomic small nerve fibers encompass unmyelinated C-fibers and thinly myelinated Aδ-fibers, which innervate dermal vessels (vasomotor fibers), sweat glands (sudomotor fibers), and hair follicles (pilomotor fibers). Analysis of their integrity can capture early pathology in autonomic neuropathies such as diabetic autonomic neuropathy or peripheral nerve inflammation due to infectious and autoimmune diseases. Furthermore, intraneural deposition of alpha-synuclein in synucleinopathies such as Parkinson's disease can lead to small fiber damage. Research indicated that detection and quantitative analysis of small fiber pathology might facilitate early diagnosis and initiation of treatment. While autonomic neuropathies show substantial etiopathogenetic heterogeneity, they have in common impaired functional integrity of small nerve fibers. This impairment can be evaluated by quantitative analysis of axonal responses to iontophoretic application of adrenergic or cholinergic agonists to the skin. The axon-reflex can be elicited in cholinergic sudomotor fibers to induce sweating and in cholinergic vasomotor fibers to induce vasodilation. Currently, only few techniques are available to quantify axon-reflex responses, the majority of which is limited by technical demands or lack of validated analysis protocols. Function of vasomotor small fibers can be analyzed using laser Doppler flowmetry, laser Doppler imaging, and laser speckle contrast imaging. Sudomotor function can be assessed using quantitative sudomotor axon-reflex test, silicone imprints, and quantitative direct and indirect testing of sudomotor function. More recent advancements include analysis of piloerection (goose bumps) following stimulation of adrenergic small fibers using pilomotor axon-reflex test. We provide a review of the current literature on axon-reflex tests in cutaneous autonomic small fibers.

Dermal Phospho-Alpha-Synuclein Deposition in Patients With Parkinson's Disease and Mutation of the Glucocerebrosidase Gene.

Heterozygous mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA1) represent the most common genetic risk factor for Parkinson's disease (PD) and are histopathologically associated with a widespread load of alpha-synuclein in the brain. Therefore, PD patients with GBA1 mutations are a cohort of high interest for clinical trials on disease-modifying therapies targeting alpha-synuclein. There is evidence that detection of phospho-alpha-synuclein (p-syn) in dermal nerve fibers might be a biomarker for the histopathological identification of PD patients even at premotor or very early stages of disease. It is so far unknown whether dermal p-syn deposition can also be found in PD patients with GBA1 mutations and may serve as a biomarker for PD in these patients. Skin biopsies of 10 PD patients with different GBA1 mutations (six N370S, three E326K, one L444P) were analyzed by double-immunofluorescence labeling with anti-p-syn and anti-protein gene product 9.5 (PGP9.5, axonal marker) to detect intraaxonal p-syn deposition. Four biopsy sites (distal, proximal leg, paravertebral Th10, and C7) per patient were studied. P-syn was found in six patients (three N370S, three E326K). P-syn deposition was mainly detected in autonomic nerve fibers, but also in somatosensory fibers and was not restricted to a certain GBA1 mutation. In summary, dermal p-syn in PD patients with GBA1 mutations seems to offer a similar distribution and frequency as observed in patients without a known mutation. Skin biopsy may be suitable to study p-syn deposition in these patients or even to identify premotor patients with GBA1 mutations.