The correlation between the severity of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity and plasma catecholamine levels in patients with severe traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND: There is limited literature investigating the catecholamine levels in patients with paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) after traumatic brain injury (TBI). The primary objective of this study was to correlate the severity of PSH (assessed using the PSH-Assessment measure [AM]) with plasma catecholamine levels at a resting state. METHODS: In this prospective case-control study, blood samples for epinephrine and norepinephrine estimation were obtained at rest on three consecutive days, only for 'cases' of PSH after severe TBI (s-TBI) and for control patients (matched for age, gender, and Glasgow coma scale [GCS]. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients with PSH and 16 controls were recruited. The median PSH-AM score was 20 and 9 in cases and controls, respectively. The epinephrine and norepinephrine levels at rest did not correlate with the severity of PSH assessed during PSH paroxysms (p = 0.949 and 0.975). Norepinephrine levels increased in PSH patients over the 3 consecutive days, once PSH was diagnosed (p = 0.022). The length of hospital stay was longer and the motor-GCS score was lower in PSH patients, with no differences in other outcomes between the groups. CONCLUSION: Catecholamine levels in the inter-paroxysmal interval cannot be correlated with PSH severity assessed during the paroxysms. However, the results of the study need to be confirmed by a larger sample size as the study is underpowered.

Novel insights into the genetic profile of hereditary spastic paraplegia in India.

The Hereditary Spastic Paraplegias (HSPs) are a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous disorders characterized by length dependent degeneration of the corticospinal tracts. Genetic data related to HSPs are limited from India. We aimed to comprehensively analyse the phenotypic characteristics and genetic basis of a large cohort of HSP from India. Patients with HSP phenotype were evaluated for their clinical features, electrophysiological and radiological abnormalities. Genetic analyses were carried out by clinical exome sequencing (n = 52) and targeted sequencing (n = 5). The cohort comprised of 57 probands (M:F 40:17, age: 3.5-49 years). Based on the phenotype, the cohort could be categorized as 'pure' (n = 15, 26.3%) and 'complicated' (n = 42, 73.7%) HSP. Brain MRI showed thin corpus callosum (n = 10), periventricular hyperintensities (n = 20), cerebral atrophy (n = 3), cerebellar atrophy (n = 3) and diffuse atrophy (n = 4). Sixty-seven variants representing 40 genes were identified including 47 novel variants. Forty-eight patients (84.2%) had variants in genes previously implicated in HSP and other spastic paraplegia syndromes (SPG genes = 24, non-SPG genes = 24); among these 13 had variations in more than one gene and 12 patients (21.0%) had variations in genes implicated in potentially treatable/modifiable metabolic disorders (MTHFR = 8, MTRR = 1, ARG1 = 2 and ABCD1 = 1). In nine patients, no genetic variants implicated in spastic paraplegia phenotype were identified. Thus, the present study from India highlights the phenotypic complexities and spectrum of genetic variations in patients with HSP including those implicated in metabolically modifiable disorders. It sets a platform for carrying out functional studies to validate the causal role of the novel variants and variants of uncertain significance.

Altered MicroRNA Expression in Intracranial Aneurysmal Tissues: Possible Role in TGF-ß Signaling Pathway.

The molecular mechanisms behind the rupture of intracranial aneurysms remain obscure. MiRNAs are key regulators of a wide array of biological processes altering protein synthesis by binding to target mRNAs. However, variations in miRNA levels in ruptured aneurysmal wall have not been completely examined. We hypothesized that altered miRNA signature in aneurysmal tissues could potentially provide insight into aneurysm pathophysiology. Using a high-throughput miRNA microarray screening approach, we compared the miRNA expression pattern in aneurysm tissues obtained during surgery from patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) with control tissues (GEO accession number GSE161870). We found that the expression of 70 miRNAs was altered. Expressions of the top 10 miRNA were validated, by qRT-PCR and results were correlated with clinical characteristics of aSAH patients. The level of 10 miRNAs (miR-24-3p, miR-26b-5p, miR-27b-3p, miR-125b-5p, miR-143-3p, miR-145-5p, miR-193a-3p, miR-199a-5p, miR-365a-3p/365b-3p, and miR-497-5p) was significantly decreased in patients compared to controls. Expression of miR-125b-5p, miR-143-3p and miR-199a-5p was significantly decreased in patients with poor prognosis and vasospasm. The target genes of few miRNAs were enriched in Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-ß) and Mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathways. We found significant negative correlation between the miRNA and mRNA expression (TGF-ß1, TGF-ß2, SMAD family member 2 (SMAD2), SMAD family member 4 (SMAD4), MAPK1 and MAPK3) in aneurysm tissues. We suggest that miR-26b, miR-199a, miR-497and miR-365, could target multiple genes in TGF-ß and MAPK signaling cascades to influence inflammatory processes, extracellular matrix and vascular smooth muscle cell degradation and apoptosis, and ultimately cause vessel wall degradation and rupture.

Disorders of Tetrahydrobiopterin Metabolism: Experience from South India.

BACKGROUND: Disorders of tetrahydrobiopterin metabolism represent a rare group of inherited neurotransmitter disorders that manifests mainly in infancy or childhood with developmental delay, neuroregression, epilepsy, movement disorders, and autonomic symptoms. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective review of genetically confirmed cases of disorders of tetrahydrobiopterin metabolism over a period of three years (Jan 2018 to Jan 2021) was performed across two paediatric neurology centres from South India. RESULTS: A total of nine patients(M:F=4:5) fulfilled the eligibility criteria. The genetic variants detected include homozygous mutations in the QDPR(n=6), GCH1(n=2), and PTS(n=1) genes. The median age at onset of symptoms was 6-months(range 3-78 months), while that at diagnosis was 15-months (8-120 months), resulting in a median delay in diagnosis of 9-months. The main clinical manifestations included neuroregression (89%), developmental delay(78%), dystonia(78%) and seizures(55%). Management strategies included a phenylalanine restricted diet, levodopa/carbidopa, 5-Hydroxytryphtophan, and folinic acid. Only, Patient-2 afforded and received BH4 supplementation at a sub-optimal dose later in the disease course. We had a median duration of follow up of 15 months (range 2-48 months). Though the biochemical response has been marked; except for patients with GTPCH deficiency, only mild clinical improvement was noted with regards to developmental milestones, seizures, or dystonia in others. CONCLUSION: Tetrahydrobiopterin deficiencies represent a rare yet potentially treatable cause for non-phenylketonuria hyperphenylalaninemia with better outcomes when treated early in life. Screening for disorders of biopterin metabolism in patients with hyperphenylalaninemia prevents delayed diagnosis. This study expands the genotype-phenotype spectrum of patients with disorders of tetrahydrobiopterin metabolism from South India.

Experiences and reactions of adolescent offspring to their fathers' heavy drinking: A qualitative study from an urban metropolis in India.

The study assessed the experiences and reactions of adolescent offspring of alcohol-dependent fathers (N = 15) to their fathers' heavy drinking. Data were analyzed qualitatively, identifying themes and sub-themes. Respondent accounts elaborated these themes with reference to explanations, experiences, reactions to their fathers' drinking. Gender differences were notable: girls were more likely to report abuse, shouldering of family responsibilities, physiological and other reactions, ambivalent feelings toward father, sadness and worthlessness. Boys were more likely to react with anger and/or aggression. The findings should guide the development of gender-sensitive family-based interventions for the adolescents, with special attention to psychological, social and legal dimensions.

Estrogen receptor alpha gene variant, PvuII (rs2234693), as a potential pharmacogenetic biomarker for aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in postmenopausal women.

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) occurs more often in postmenopausal women than in men. Estrogen plays an important role in vascular homeostasis. Our aim was to elucidate whether a drop in circulating estradiol in conjunction with variants of estrogen receptor genes have a role in female gender susceptibility to aSAH. A total of 709 subjects were enrolled (349 aSAH patients, 360 controls) and genotyped for rs2234693 or PvuII (intron 1, T>C) in the ESR1 gene and rs4986938 or AluI (exon 8, 1730G>A) of ESR2 gene by PCR-RFLP. Serum estradiol was estimated by ELISA. Estrogen receptor gene expression was studied by qRT-PCR. Logistic regression analysis indicated a significant recessive effect of the T allele of PvuII on aSAH in females, and this association remained statistically significant even after adjusting for confounders (OR 1.702, CI 95% 1.062, 2.726, P value = 0.027). ESR1 gene expression was significantly reduced (P value = 0.0089) in subjects carrying PvuII T allele. In postmenopausal women with TT genotype and low serum estradiol, the odds for developing aSAH were found to be 3.5-fold increase compared with premenopausal women (CI 95% 1.424-8.828, P value = 0.0074). However, this variant showed no significant association with aSAH in men. No significant difference was found in genotype and allelic distribution of AluI polymorphism in ESR2 gene, between patients and controls. We propose that the PvuII T allele could be a potential pharmacogenetic marker for strategizing personal medicine for preventing aSAH in postmenopausal women with low circulating estradiol. Further larger studies in other population are warranted.

Mitochondrial dysfunction in human skeletal muscle biopsies of lipid storage disorder.

Mitochondria regulate the balance between lipid metabolism and storage in the skeletal muscle. Altered lipid transport, metabolism and storage influence the bioenergetics, redox status and insulin signalling, contributing to cardiac and neurological diseases. Lipid storage disorders (LSDs) are neurological disorders which entail intramuscular lipid accumulation and impaired mitochondrial bioenergetics in the skeletal muscle causing progressive myopathy with muscle weakness. However, the mitochondrial changes including molecular events associated with impaired lipid storage have not been completely understood in the human skeletal muscle. We carried out morphological and biochemical analysis of mitochondrial function in muscle biopsies of human subjects with LSDs (n = 7), compared to controls (n = 10). Routine histology, enzyme histochemistry and ultrastructural analysis indicated altered muscle cell morphology and mitochondrial structure. Protein profiling of the muscle mitochondria from LSD samples (n = 5) (vs. control, n = 5) by high-throughput mass spectrometric analysis revealed that impaired metabolic processes could contribute to mitochondrial dysfunction and ensuing myopathy in LSDs. We propose that impaired fatty acid and respiratory metabolism along with increased membrane permeability, elevated lipolysis and altered cristae entail mitochondrial dysfunction in LSDs. Some of these mechanisms were unique to LSD apart from others that were common to dystrophic and inflammatory muscle pathologies. Many differentially regulated mitochondrial proteins in LSD are linked with other human diseases, indicating that mitochondrial protection via targeted drugs could be a treatment modality in LSD and related metabolic diseases. Cover Image for this Issue: doi: 10.1111/jnc.14177.

Effect of temperature on lysosomal enzyme activity during preparation and storage of dried blood spots.

BACKGROUND: The use of dried blood spots (DBS) for the assay of lysosomal enzymes has facilitated the implementation of pilot studies for newborn screening for lysosomal storage disorders in various developed countries. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of ambient temperature during DBS preparation and storage on lysosomal enzyme activity in a developing, tropical country. METHODS: Blood samples from 12 healthy subjects collected on a S&S 903 filter paper were dried and stored at different temperatures for different periods of time. Activities of five lysosomal enzymes (acid α-glucosidase, acid α-galactosidase, acid ß-glucocerebrosidase, acid sphingomyelinase, and galactocerebrosidase) were determined by tandem mass spectrometric and fluorimetric (acid α-glucosidase and acid ß-glucocerebrosidase only) assays. RESULTS: The mean activities of all five enzymes decreased significantly when DBS was dried at temperatures above 24°C (P<.0001). DBS stored at 4°C, 24°C, 30°C, 37°C, and 45°C for 10 days and more, also showed significant reduction in activities of all five enzymes (P<.0001). CONCLUSION: The results highlight the importance of maintaining the correct ambient temperature during DBS preparation and storage to avoid false positive results when screening for lysosomal storage disorders.

Circulating microRNAs as potential biomarkers for the identification of vascular dementia due to cerebral small vessel disease.

Background: the diagnosis of cerebral small vessel disease, a leading cause of vascular dementia (VaD), relies solely on neuroimaging studies. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as diagnostic biomarkers in various disorders. Our aim was to identify differentially expressed, circulating miRNAs in small vessel VaD which could serve as diagnostic biomarkers for this disease. Method: we performed plasma miRNA profiling by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) array in small vessel VaD patients and age- and gender-matched, cognitively normal and healthy controls. Selected, differentially expressed miRNAs were validated by qPCR. Sensitivity, specificity and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated for each individual miRNA. Results: profiling results showed that 44 miRNAs were differentially expressed in small vessel VaD cases (P < 0.05 with a fold change of <2 or >2). A set of seven, highly differentially expressed miRNAs (fold change of <3.6 or >3.6), were estimated in a cohort of 204 small vessel VaD patients and 200 healthy, age and gender-matched controls. Validation study revealed that four miRNAs (miR-409-3p, miR-502-3p, miR-486-5p and miR-451a) could be used as valuable biomarkers for identifying the disease. Sensitivity, specificity and AUC for these miRNAs were 76, 75, 75  and 70%; 89, 89, 83 and 75% and 0.94, 0.92, 0.90 and 0.86, respectively. However, combined receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of seven miRNAs revealed an AUC of 0.64 with sensitivity of 55.5% and specificity of 65.7%. Conclusion: plasma miR-409-3p, miR-502-3p, miR-486-5p and miR-451a could be used to differentiate small vessel VaD patients from healthy controls. Large-scale studies of their biomarker potential are warranted.

Imaging biomarker correlates with oxidative stress in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: While oxidative stress (OS) may be one of the crucial factors determining the initiation and progression of Parkinson's disease (PD), its correlation with gray matter (GM) atrophy is not known. AIMS: To determine the GM volume (GMV) changes using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and correlation with OS marker serum malondialdehyde (MDA) in PD. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventy-two patients with PD were clinically evaluated and underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on a 3T MRI scanner using a 32-channel head coil. Lipid peroxidation product MDA levels were measured by spectrophotometry. MDA levels and regional GM differences using VBM were compared with 72 healthy controls. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 51.3 ± 10.6 years and that of controls was 50.8 ± 10.4 years. The mean age of onset of symptoms in PD was 45.2 ± 11.3 years. In PD, serum MDA level was significantly higher than that in controls (0.592 ± 0.89 µmol/l vs. 0.427 ± 0.055 µmol/l; P < 0.0001). Compared to controls, patients had greater regional GM atrophy in all the brain lobes (P < 0.001, uncorrected). A significant positive correlation was found between GMV and MDA in the caudate nucleus (CN) and posterior cingulate gyrus (PC) in the patient group (P < 0.001, uncorrected). CONCLUSIONS: We observed GM atrophy in all major brain lobes of patients when compared to controls. Only in the patient group, a significant positive correlation was observed in CN and PC with MDA. These findings suggest that, even though the whole brain is affected in PD, some of the non-substantia nigra regions of the brain, such as CN, may have some differential compensatory mechanism, which are preserved from oxidative damage.

Correlation of ubiquitin C terminal hydrolase and S100ß with cognitive deficits in young adults with mild traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: To study the acute phase serum biomarkers in patients with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) and to correlate them with short term cognitive deficits. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective observational study conducted at a tertiary care center for neurotrauma. The participants included patients with mTBI (n = 20) and age, gender, and education-status matched healthy controls (n = 20). In both the groups, the serum concentrations of biomarkers ubiquitin C terminal hydrolase (UCH-L1) and S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B) were measured. Both the groups underwent neuropsychological tests. The serum tests were done in the acute stage after injury and the neuropsychological tests were done 3 months after injury. RESULTS: There was no significant increase in the serum S100B and UCH-L1 levels in patients with mTBI. Patients with mTBI had significant cognitive deficits at 3 months after injury, which was suggestive of involvement of diffuse areas of the brain, in particular, the premotor, prefrontal, and medial inferior frontal lobes and the basitemporal region. The correlation of biomarkers with cognitive deficits in patients with mTBI was found in the following domains: working memory, verbal learning, verbal fluency, and visual memory. CONCLUSION: The serum biomarkers of mTBI have a correlation with selective domains of neuropsychological outcome.

Cerebrospinal Fluid from Sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Patients Induces Mitochondrial and Lysosomal Dysfunction.

In our laboratory, we have developed (1) an in vitro model of sporadic Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (sALS) involving exposure of motor neurons to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from sALS patients and (2) an in vivo model involving intrathecal injection of sALS-CSF into rat pups. In the current study, we observed that spinal cord extract from the in vivo sALS model displayed elevated reactive oxygen species (ROS) and mitochondrial dysfunction. Quantitative proteomic analysis of sub-cellular fractions from spinal cord of the in vivo sALS model revealed down-regulation of 35 mitochondrial proteins and 4 lysosomal proteins. Many of the down-regulated mitochondrial proteins contribute to alterations in respiratory chain complexes and organellar morphology. Down-regulated lysosomal proteins Hexosaminidase, Sialidase and Aryl sulfatase also displayed lowered enzyme activity, thus validating the mass spectrometry data. Proteomic analysis and validation by western blot indicated that sALS-CSF induced the over-expression of the pro-apoptotic mitochondrial protein BNIP3L. In the in vitro model, sALS-CSF induced neurotoxicity and elevated ROS, while it lowered the mitochondrial membrane potential in rat spinal cord mitochondria in the in vivo model. Ultra structural alterations were evident in mitochondria of cultured motor neurons exposed to ALS-CSF. These observations indicate the first line evidence that sALS-CSF mediated mitochondrial and lysosomal defects collectively contribute to the pathogenesis underlying sALS.

Plasma Proteome Database as a resource for proteomics research: 2014 update.

Plasma Proteome Database (PPD; http://www.plasmaproteomedatabase.org/) was initially described in the year 2005 as a part of Human Proteome Organization's (HUPO's) pilot initiative on Human Plasma Proteome Project. Since then, improvements in proteomic technologies and increased throughput have led to identification of a large number of novel plasma proteins. To keep up with this increase in data, we have significantly enriched the proteomic information in PPD. This database currently contains information on 10,546 proteins detected in serum/plasma of which 3784 have been reported in two or more studies. The latest version of the database also incorporates mass spectrometry-derived data including experimentally verified proteotypic peptides used for multiple reaction monitoring assays. Other novel features include published plasma/serum concentrations for 1278 proteins along with a separate category of plasma-derived extracellular vesicle proteins. As plasma proteins have become a major thrust in the field of biomarkers, we have enabled a batch-based query designated Plasma Proteome Explorer, which will permit the users in screening a list of proteins or peptides against known plasma proteins to assess novelty of their data set. We believe that PPD will facilitate both clinical and basic research by serving as a comprehensive reference of plasma proteins in humans and accelerate biomarker discovery and translation efforts.

Serum cortisol and BDNF in patients with major depression-effect of yoga.

Depression is associated with low serum Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and elevated levels of serum cortisol. Yoga practices have been associated with antidepressant effects, increase in serum BDNF, and reduction in serum cortisol. This study examined the association between serum BDNF and cortisol levels in drug-naïve patients with depression treated with antidepressants, yoga therapy, and both. Fifty-four drug-naïve consenting adult outpatients with Major Depression (32 males) received antidepressants only (n = 16), yoga therapy only (n = 19), or yoga with antidepressants (n = 19). Serum BDNF andcortisol levels were obtained before and after 3 months using a sandwich ELISA method. One-way ANOVA, Chi-square test, and Pearson's correlation tests were used for analysis. The groups were comparable at baseline on most parameters. Significant improvement in depression scores and serum BDNF levels, and reduction in serum cortisol in the yoga groups, have been described in previous reports. A significant negative correlation was observed between change in BDNF (pre-post) and cortisol (pre-post) levels in the yoga-only group (r = -0.59, p = 0.008). In conclusion, yoga may facilitate neuroplasticity through stress reduction in depressed patients. Further studies are needed to confirm the findings and delineate the pathways for these effects.

Proteomic Signature of Endothelial Dysfunction Identified in the Serum of Acute Ischemic Stroke Patients by the iTRAQ-Based LC-MS Approach.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a devastating cerebrovascular disorder that leads to permanent physical and neurological disabilities in adults worldwide. Proteins associated with stroke pathogenesis may appear in the serum of AIS patients due to blood-brain barrier dysfunction, thus permitting the development of blood-based biomarkers for early diagnosis of stroke. These biomarkers could perhaps be an adjunct to the existing imaging modalities and aid in better management and therapeutic intervention during the course of the disease. For this exploratory study, a combination of multiplexed isobaric tagging using iTRAQ reagents and high resolution tandem mass spectrometry was used to identify differentially expressed proteins in serum samples from AIS patients. The quantitative proteomic analysis of serum from both AIS and control subjects revealed 389 high confidence protein identifications and their relative levels. Among them, 60 proteins showed a ≥1.5-fold change in the AIS subjects. We verified the altered serum levels of candidate proteins such as vWF, ADAMTS13, S100A7, and DLG4 through ELISA, and the results also corroborate with the experimental findings. vWF and ADAMTS13 are key players that regulate blood hemostasis, and their altered concentration may contribute to endothelial dysfunction. S100A7 is a novel candidate protein identified in this study that is also known to mediate inflammation, endothelial proliferation, and angiogenesis. The current study provided a potential and novel biomarker panel that may in turn provide diagnostic aid to the existing imaging modalities for the rapid diagnosis of ischemic stroke.

Genetic variants of vitamin D receptor and susceptibility to ischemic stroke.

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a potential candidate for cardiovascular disease. To date the genetic association of VDR with ischemic stroke has not been explored. In the present study we aimed to evaluate the association between VDR gene variants and ischemic stroke in Asian Indian population. Overall, 557 subjects were investigated that included 313 ischemic stroke patients and 244 control subjects. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms of the VDR gene termed as Fok I, Apa I, Taq I and Bsm I were genotyped by using PCR-RFLP method. The genotype distribution of Bsm I polymorphism was found to deviate from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium in control subjects, and hence excluded from the study. Apa I and Taq I polymorphisms were not found to be associated with ischemic stroke. However, presence of ff genotype of Fok I was found to confer 2.97-fold risk of ischemic stroke (95% CI=1.16-7.63, P=0.02) as compared to FF genotype. This association was found to be independent of various demographic and important biochemical covariates including age, gender, smoking, alcohol intake, BMI, and serum glucose, lipid profile, insulin and HOMA-IR, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and plasma NOx levels [OR=2.27, 95% CI=1.25-4.09, P=0.01]. However, adjustment for lipid metabolites attenuated the genetic association [OR=1.68, 95% CI=0.75-3.78, P=0.21]. Fok I polymorphism was also found to be associated with total cholesterol levels; ff genotype carriers were found to have significantly higher cholesterol levels (203.56 ± 30.50mg/dl) as compared to FF carriers (177.38 ± 47.90 mg/dl) (P=0.04). On stratification by gender the genetic association between Fok I polymorphism and ischemic stroke remained significant in females only (OR=2.28, 95% CI=1.15-4.53, P=0.02). This genetic association was also found to attenuate on adjustment with lipid variables. In the present study we could associate the only known functional polymorphism of VDR i.e., Fok I, with ischemic stroke in a gender specific manner. Adjustment with lipid variables was found to attenuate this association indicating that impaired lipid metabolism may be the underlying mechanism of action of this polymorphism which leads to an increase in the risk of ischemic stroke. Further larger scale validations in other population are warranted in other population.

Novel imaging findings in two cases of biotinidase deficiency-a treatable metabolic disorder.

Biotinidase deficiency is one of the few treatable inborn errors of metabolism. We describe unique MRI features in two patients with biotinidase deficiency. Brain MRI in case one demonstrated symmetrical diffusion restriction in bilateral hippocampi, parahippocampal gyri, central tegmental tracts, and cerebellar white matter besides other structures that have been reported previously. The second patient was noted to have bilateral symmetrical T2 hyperintensities involving the anterior, lateral and posterior columns of the entire spinal cord on MRI. Knowledge of the varied MRI features of biotinidase deficiency will aid the prompt diagnosis and treatment of a potentially disabling illness, especially in countries where newborn screening is not routinely performed.

HOMER1 Polymorphism and Parkinson's Disease-Psychosis: Is there an Association?

Objective: Homer1, a postsynaptic protein coded by the HOMER1 gene, presumably has a role in homeostatic plasticity that dampens neuronal responsiveness when the input activity is too high. HOMER1 polymorphism has been studied in major psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia. The objective of this study is to investigate if polymorphisms of the HOMER1 gene are associated with psychosis in Parkinson's disease (PD-P). Methods: One hundred patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 100 healthy controls were enrolled consecutively in a PD-P biomarker study at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, Bangalore, India. Of the 100 PD patients, 50 had psychosis (PD-P) and 50 did not have psychosis (PD-NP). Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms of HOMER1 (rs4704559 and rs4704560) were analyzed from the DNA isolated from peripheral blood. The allele and genotype frequencies in the PD-P and PD-NP groups were compared. Results: Analysis of HOMER1 rs4704560 revealed a significant difference in both genotype and allele levels between PD-P and PD-NP groups. There was an overrepresentation of T-allele (42% vs. 16%; P < 0.001) and TT genotype (24% vs. 6%; P < 0.001) in the PD-P group compared to PD-NP group. There was no significant difference between PD-P and PD-NP groups when various genotypes and allele frequencies related to HOMER1 rs4704559 were compared. Conclusion: PD-P is probably associated with overrepresentation of T-allele of HOMER1 rs4704560, and larger studies are warranted to confirm our results.

Clinical effects of a yoga-based intervention for patients with schizophrenia - A six-month randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Yoga has shown promise as an add-on therapy for patients with schizophrenia. However, most studies have been short-term, with methodological limitations. METHODS: We conducted a six-month parallel-group randomized-controlled trial (with rater blinding) to evaluate the effectiveness of a yoga-based intervention in improving symptoms and quality of life in patients with schizophrenia. We recruited 110 patients from an urban tertiary hospital and a semi-urban community centre who met DSM 5 criteria for schizophrenia and were on stable medication for at least six weeks. Participants were randomly assigned to either yoga add-on therapy (YT) or treatment-as-usual (TAU) groups. Clinical assessments were conducted at baseline and at one, three and six months. The primary outcome was changes in positive/negative symptom scores and secondary outcomes included changes in quality of life, perceived stress and socio-occupational functioning. RESULTS: Intention to treat analysis with a longitudinal mixed model approach revealed a significant group-by-time interaction with the YT group showing medium effect improvements in negative symptoms (η2p = 0.06) and small effect improvements in positive symptoms (η2p = 0.012), WHOQOL-BREF quality of life [psychological well-being (η2p = 0.015) and environmental health (η2p = 0.048)] when compared to TAU. The patients successfully learned and performed yoga practices without reporting any significant adverse effects. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that yoga-based intervention may be a valuable adjuvant therapy for medication-stabilized patients with schizophrenia, especially in ameliorating negative symptoms and enhancing quality of life. Future controlled trials, including active physical interventions, are crucial to validate yoga's efficacy, optimize clinical use, and elucidate underlying mechanisms.