Genotype-phenotype correlation in PRKN-associated Parkinson's disease.

Bi-allelic pathogenic variants in PRKN are the most common cause of autosomal recessive Parkinson's disease (PD). 647 patients with PRKN-PD were included in this international study. The pathogenic variants present were characterised and investigated for their effect on phenotype. Clinical features and progression of PRKN-PD was also assessed. Among 133 variants in index cases (n = 582), there were 58 (43.6%) structural variants, 34 (25.6%) missense, 20 (15%) frameshift, 10 splice site (7.5%%), 9 (6.8%) nonsense and 2 (1.5%) indels. The most frequent variant overall was an exon 3 deletion (n = 145, 12.3%), followed by the p.R275W substitution (n = 117, 10%). Exon3, RING0 protein domain and the ubiquitin-like protein domain were mutational hotspots with 31%, 35.4% and 31.7% of index cases presenting mutations in these regions respectively. The presence of a frameshift or structural variant was associated with a 3.4 ± 1.6 years or a 4.7 ± 1.6 years earlier age at onset of PRKN-PD respectively (p < 0.05). Furthermore, variants located in the N-terminus of the protein, a region enriched with frameshift variants, were associated with an earlier age at onset. The phenotype of PRKN-PD was characterised by slow motor progression, preserved cognition, an excellent motor response to levodopa therapy and later development of motor complications compared to early-onset PD. Non-motor symptoms were however common in PRKN-PD. Our findings on the relationship between the type of variant in PRKN and the phenotype of the disease may have implications for both genetic counselling and the design of precision clinical trials.

Identification and Decomposition of Uranium Oxychloride Phases in Oxygen-Exposed UCl3 Salt Compositions.

Complementary X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy studies were conducted on several UCl3 concentrations in several chloride salt compositions. The samples were 5% UCl3 in LiCl (S1), 5% UCl3 in KCl (S2), 5% UCl3 in LiCl-KCl eutectic (S3), 5% UCl3 in LiCl-KCl eutectic (S4), 50% UCl3 in KCl (S5), and 20% UCl3 in KCl (S6) molar concentrations. Sample S3 had UCl3 sourced from Idaho National Laboratory (INL), and all other samples were UCl3 sourced from TerraPower. The initial compositions were prepared in an inert and oxygen-free atmosphere. XAFS measurements were performed in the atmosphere at a beamline, and Raman spectroscopy was conducted inside a glovebox. Raman spectra were able to confirm initial UCl3. XAFS and later Raman spectra measured, however, did not correctly match the literature and computational spectra for the prepared UCl3 salt. Rather, the data shows some complex uranium oxychloride phases at room temperature that transition into uranium oxides upon heating. Oxygen pollution due to failure of the sealing mechanism can result in oxidation of the UCl3 salts. The oxychlorides present may be both a function of the unknown O2 exposure concentration, depending on the source of the leak and the salt composition. Evidence of this oxychloride claim and its subsequent decomposition is justified in this work.

Co-Designing Digital Technologies for Improving Clinical Care in People with Parkinson's Disease: What Did We Learn?

The healthcare model is shifting towards integrated care approaches. This new model requires patients to be more closely involved. The iCARE-PD project aims to address this need by developing a technology-enabled, home-based, and community-centered integrated care paradigm. A central part of this project is the codesign process of the model of care, exemplified by the active participation of patients in the design and iterative evaluation of three sensor-based technological solutions. We proposed a codesign methodology used for testing the usability and acceptability of these digital technologies and present initial results for one of them, MooVeo. Our results show the usefulness of this approach in testing the usability and acceptability as well as the opportunity to incorporate patients' feedback into the development. This initiative will hopefully help other groups incorporate a similar codesign approach and develop tools that are well adapted to patients' and care teams' needs.

International Genetic Testing and Counseling Practices for Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: There is growing clinical and research utilization of genetic testing in Parkinson's disease (PD), including direct-to-consumer testing. OBJECTIVES: The aim is to determine the international landscape of genetic testing in PD to inform future worldwide recommendations. METHODS: A web-based survey assessing current practices, concerns, and barriers to genetic testing and counseling was administered to the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society membership. RESULTS: Common hurdles across sites included cost and access to genetic testing, and counseling, as well as education on genetic counseling. Region-dependent differences in access to and availability of testing and counseling were most notable in Africa. High-income countries also demonstrated heterogeneity, with European nations more likely to have genetic testing covered through insurance than Pan-American and Asian countries. CONCLUSIONS: This survey highlights not only diversity of barriers in different regions but also the shared and highly actionable needs for improved education and access to genetic counseling and testing for PD worldwide. © 2023 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Humanitarian Assistance Lessons Learned From Providing Acute Medical Care for Afghan Nationals on a U.S. Military Base.

Operation Allies Welcome provided a unique opportunity for military medical personnel to engage in humanitarian assistance operations on military bases in the USA. With thousands of Afghan nationals evacuated from Kabul in August 2021 to various military installations across the USA, the Military Health System was tasked with health screening, emergency care, and disease prevention and surveillance in resource-limited settings. Marine Corps Base Quantico served as a "safe haven" site from August to December 2021, providing refuge to nearly 5000 travelers awaiting resettlement. During this time, active duty medical personnel provided 10,122 primary and acute patient encounters to patients aged < 1 to 90 years. Pediatrics represented 44% of the total encounters and children aged less than 5 years represented nearly 62% of the pediatric visits. In caring for this population, the authors were able to learn important lessons about humanitarian assistance capabilities, the difficulties of establishing acute care centers in a resource-limited environment, and the importance of cultural competency. Recommendations include staffing with medical providers that can see a large volume of pediatric, obstetrics, and urgent care visits, with less emphasis on trauma and surgical capabilities, which are the more traditional focus of military medicine. To this end, the authors advocate for the creation of specific humanitarian assistance supply blocks that would focus more on urgent and primary care treatments as well as an ample supply of pediatric, neonatal, and prenatal medicines. Further, early engagement with telecommunications companies when practicing in a remote location can be crucial to mission success. Finally, the medical care team should maintain continued mindfulness of the cultural norms of the population to which aid is given, particularly the gender norms and expectations of Afghan nationals. The authors hope that these lessons can prove informative and may provide increased readiness for future humanitarian assistance missions.

Tolerability of clobazam as add-on therapy in patients aged 50 years and older with drug-resistant epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the tolerability of clobazam in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy aged 50 years and older. METHODS: We performed a single center, retrospective chart review of patients at least 50 years of age with drug resistant epilepsy of any type who started clobazam as an add on therapy. Retention rate, safety, and tolerability at 6 and 12 months and last follow-up, and the discontinuation rate due to side effects were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 26 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 62 ± 7.1 years, and 69.2% of patients were female. The mean baseline seizure frequency before initiation of clobazam was 2 (range 1-30) seizures per month. The mean total daily dose of clobazam administered was 13 (range 5 to 30) mg/day. At the 12-month follow-up visit after clobazam initiation, 40% of patients were seizure-free and an additional 45% of patients had > 50% reduction in seizure frequency. The mean seizure frequency at 12-month follow-up was 1.5 (range 0-24) seizures per month. The mean total dose of clobazam at 12-month follow-up was 14.25 (range 5 to 25) mg/day. The mean duration of clobazam at last follow was 55.2 ± 27.02 (mean ± SD months) and 18 (69.2%) patients remained on clobazam. Twenty out of 26 (76.9%) patients reported at least one side effect and 6/26 (23%) discontinued the medication within a month of initiation. At last follow-up, 40% remained seizure free on stable dosing. CONCLUSION: Clobazam can be a safe and tolerable, add-on treatment older adults with drug-resistant epilepsy. Those who responded tolerated the medication well. Discontinuation due to side effects occurred soon after initiation of therapy.

Mimics or Multiplicity: 2 Cases of Rare Neurological Conditions Discovered Following Presentation with Richardson's Syndrome Phenotype.

Background: Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP)-Richardson's syndrome (RS) presents with a distinctive clinical phenotype of supranuclear ophthalmoplegia, parkinsonism, postural instability with falls, and cognitive impairment. Several rare neurological conditions have been described that mimic PSP, and the co-occurrence of dual pathologies has also been described. Cases: In this article, we present 2 cases of patients who presented with a parkinsonian phenotype suggestive of PSP-RS. In 1 case, a family history and early levodopa-induced chorea led to testing for Huntington's disease, and a pathogenic HTT mutation was found. In the second case, magnetic resonance imaging findings led to genetic confirmation of a pathogenic FMR1 mutation. Conclusions: These observations raised the possibility that HD and fragile-X tremor-ataxia syndrome may on occasion present with PSP-RS. Alternatively, and perhaps more likely, is the co-occurrence of 2 rare neurodegenerative conditions. Neuropathological studies of cases involving complex phenotypes in rare genetic conditions are required to better understand the likely pathologies in cases such as these.

Numerical Modeling of Head Losses in Different Types of Well Screens.

Quantifying total well loss through well screens has been traditionally undertaken through experimentally based empirical equations or equations derived for water flow through (circular) orifices. Advances in computer capacity enables incorporation of CFD formulations at millimeter scale, coupling Darcy flow and Reynolds Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) to better understand and quantify processes related to well loss for different screen types. This study provides a methodology of quantifying well screen head loss using numerical models, coupling Darcy flow (aquifer and filter/gravel pack) with turbulent flow (in-well and through screen) at a sub-millimeter scale. Results are used to compare performance of four different types of well screens (Louver, slotted, bridge and wire wrap) and their overall impact and contribution to total well head loss for different slot apertures, pumping rates and hydraulic conductivity of the filter/gravel pack providing a new empirical formulation to quantify screen head loss.

In Situ Determination of Speciation and Local Structure of NaCl-SrCl2 and LiF-ZrF4 Molten Salts.

Understanding the local environment of the metal atoms in salt melts is important for modeling the properties of melts and predicting their behavior and thus helping enable the development of technologies such as molten salt reactors and solar-thermal power systems and new approaches to recycling rare-earth metals. Toward that end, we have developed an in situ approach for measuring the coordination of metals in molten salt coupling X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and Raman spectroscopy. Our approach was demonstrated for two salt mixtures (1.9 and 5 mol % SrCl2 in NaCl, 0.8 and 5 mol % ZrF4 in LiF) at up to 1100 °C. Near-edge (X-ray absorption near-edge structure, XANES) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectra were measured. The EXAFS response was modeled using ab initio FEFF calculations. Strontium's first shell is observed to be coordinated with chlorine (Sr2+-Cl-) and zirconium's first shell is coordinated by fluorine (Zr4+-F-), both having coordination numbers that decrease with increasing temperature. Multiple zirconium complexes are believed to be present in the melt, which may interfere and distort the EXAFS spectra and result in an anomalously low zirconium first shell coordination number. The use of boron nitride (BN) powder as a salt diluent for XAFS measurements was found to not interfere with measurements and thus can be used for investigations of such systems.

Increasing trust in health care.

Trust in American health care and in the people running medical institutions is in decline, which poses a threat to the physician-patient relationship. In response, the ABIM Foundation has established the Building Trust initiative, which includes the Trust Practices Network, advancing research in trust, leadership convening, and various communications vehicles. The Trust Practices Network includes hospitals and health systems, specialty societies, health plans, consumer organizations, employers, and others who are working to reaffirm and strengthen trust as a pillar in their own missions. Participants offer examples of how they have built trust, and their contributions have illuminated 4 dimensions of trust: competency, caring, communication, and comfort. This commentary discusses an exemplary practice for each of these dimensions and describes the "positive deviance" strategy that underlies the Trust Practices Network. It also offers an overview of the other elements of Building Trust, such as a grant program to promote trust as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion in internal medicine education, and an effort to spur additional research on trust.

Braak's Unfinished Hypothesis: A Clinicopathological Case Report of α-Synuclein Peripheral Neuropathy Preceding Parkinsonism by 20 Years.

BACKGROUND: α-synuclein aggregates in the form of Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites are the pathological hallmark of Parkinson disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). Autopsy studies suggest that α-synuclein aggregates appear in localized areas of the central nervous system before spreading in a sequential pattern from the brainstem to the cerebral cortex, known as the Braak hypothesis. Increased prevalence of peripheral neuropathy in PD is recognized, with multiple hypothesized mechanisms including α-synuclein deposition. METHOD: We describe a patient who developed a peripheral sensory neuropathy at age 60, which progressed insidiously over the following decade. RESULTS: During the patient's eighth decade, the patient developed a fluctuant cognitive disturbance with hallucinations before becoming overtly parkinsonian at age 78 years leading to a diagnosis of DLB. At this point, histology slides from a sural nerve biopsy taken at age 72 were re-evaluated and immunohistochemistry demonstrated α-synuclein deposition. CONCLUSION: This case provides important in vivo clinical correlation for the Braak hypothesis, extending its scope beyond idiopathic PD. A growing body of evidence supports the α-synuclein spreading hypothesis that posits the pathologic process begins in the peripheral nerves and spreads trans-synaptically to the CNS in an ascending pattern.

Testing Decision Level (DL) and Minimum Detectable Amount (MDA) for Hanford In Vivo Counting Systems.

ABSTRACT: Testing the decision level (DL) and minimum detectable amount (MDA) of a radionuclide for a direct bioassay (in vivo) counting system is a requirement for in vivo monitoring programs across the DOE complex. Bottle manikin absorption (BOMAB) and torso phantoms are used in conjunction with point sources to facilitate the testing. This paper describes a method of testing the DL and MDA values of in vivo counting systems with equipment commonly used by in vivo programs. This method is cost effective and minimizes waste since the radiological sources used can have broad ranges for decay activities. The results from the testing indicated that the current DL and MDA values are valid for the equipment and methods used at the Hanford in vivo counting facility.

Genomewide Association Studies of LRRK2 Modifiers of Parkinson's Disease.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to search for genes/variants that modify the effect of LRRK2 mutations in terms of penetrance and age-at-onset of Parkinson's disease. METHODS: We performed the first genomewide association study of penetrance and age-at-onset of Parkinson's disease in LRRK2 mutation carriers (776 cases and 1,103 non-cases at their last evaluation). Cox proportional hazard models and linear mixed models were used to identify modifiers of penetrance and age-at-onset of LRRK2 mutations, respectively. We also investigated whether a polygenic risk score derived from a published genomewide association study of Parkinson's disease was able to explain variability in penetrance and age-at-onset in LRRK2 mutation carriers. RESULTS: A variant located in the intronic region of CORO1C on chromosome 12 (rs77395454; p value = 2.5E-08, beta = 1.27, SE = 0.23, risk allele: C) met genomewide significance for the penetrance model. Co-immunoprecipitation analyses of LRRK2 and CORO1C supported an interaction between these 2 proteins. A region on chromosome 3, within a previously reported linkage peak for Parkinson's disease susceptibility, showed suggestive associations in both models (penetrance top variant: p value = 1.1E-07; age-at-onset top variant: p value = 9.3E-07). A polygenic risk score derived from publicly available Parkinson's disease summary statistics was a significant predictor of penetrance, but not of age-at-onset. INTERPRETATION: This study suggests that variants within or near CORO1C may modify the penetrance of LRRK2 mutations. In addition, common Parkinson's disease associated variants collectively increase the penetrance of LRRK2 mutations. ANN NEUROL 2021;90:82-94.

Sleep disturbance in movement disorders: insights, treatments and challenges.

Sleep and circadian rhythm disturbances are central features of many movement disorders, exacerbating motor and non-motor symptoms and impairing quality of life. Understanding these disturbances to sleep is clinically important and may further our understanding of the underlying movement disorder. This review evaluates the current anatomical and neurochemical understanding of normal sleep and the recognised primary sleep disorders. In addition, we undertook a systematic review of the evidence for disruption to sleep across multiple movement disorders. Rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder has emerged as the most reliable prodromal biomarker for the alpha synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease and multiple system atrophy, often preceding motor symptom onset by several years. Abnormal sleep has also been described for many other movement disorders, but further evidence is needed to determine whether this is a primary or secondary phenotypic component of the underlying condition. Medication used in the treatment of motor symptoms also affects sleep and can aggravate or cause certain sleep disorders. Within the context of movement disorders, there is also some suggestion of a shared underlying mechanism for motor and sleep pathophysiology, with evidence implicating thalamic and brainstem structures and monoaminergic neurotransmission. This review highlights the need for an understanding of normal and abnormal sleep within the movement disorder clinic, an ability to screen for specific causes of poor sleep and to treat sleep disturbance to improve quality of life. Key sleep disorders also act as important biomarkers and have implications in diagnosis, prognosis and the development of future therapies.

Neurophysiological and ophthalmological findings of SPG7-related spastic ataxia: a phenotype study in an Irish cohort.

BACKGROUND: Mutations in SPG7 are increasingly identified as a common cause of spastic ataxia. We describe a cohort of Irish patients with recessive SPG7-associated phenotype. METHODS: Comprehensive phenotyping was performed with documentation of clinical, neurophysiological, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and genetic data from individuals with SPG7 attending two academic neurology units in Dublin, including the National Ataxia Clinic. RESULTS: Thirty-two symptomatic individuals from 25 families were identified. Mean age at onset was 39.1 years (range 12-61), mean disease duration 17.8 years (range 5-45), mean disease severity as quantified with the scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia 9/40 (range 3-29). All individuals displayed variable ataxia and spasticity within a spastic-ataxic phenotype, and additional ocular abnormalities. Two had spasmodic dysphonia and three had colour vision deficiency. Brain imaging consistently revealed cerebellar atrophy (n = 29); neurophysiology demonstrated a length-dependent large-fibre axonal neuropathy in 2/27 studied. The commonest variant was c.1529C > T (p.Ala510Val), present in 21 families. Five novel variants were identified. No significant thinning of average retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) was demonstrated on OCT (p = 0.61), but temporal quadrant reduction was evident compared to controls (p < 0.05), with significant average and temporal RNFL decline over time. Disease duration, severity and visual acuity were not correlated with RNFL thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight that recessive SPG7 mutations may account for spastic ataxia with peripheral neuropathy in only a small proportion of patients. RNFL abnormalities with predominant temporal RNFL reduction are common and OCT should be considered part of the routine assessment in spastic ataxia.

On the Emergence of Tremor in Prodromal Parkinson's Disease.

Clinical, neuropathological and neuroimaging research suggests that pathological changes in Parkinson's disease (PD) start many years before the emergence of motor signs. Since disease-modifying treatments are likely to be most effective when initiated early in the disease process, there has been significant interest in characterizing prodromal PD. Some people with PD describe autonomic symptoms at the time of diagnosis suggesting that autonomic dysfunction is a common feature of prodromal PD. Furthermore, subtle motor signs may be present and emerge prior to the time of diagnosis. We present a series of patients who, in the prodromal phase of PD, experienced the emergence of tremor initially only while yawning or straining at stool and discuss how early involvement of autonomic brainstem nuclei could lead to these previously unreported phenomena. The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) plays a central role in autonomic control including bowel/bladder function, cardiovascular homeostasis and yawning and innervates multiple brainstem nuclei involved in autonomic functions (including brainstem reticular formation, locus ceruleus, dorsal raphe nucleus and motor nucleus of the vagus). The PVN is affected in PD and evidence from related phenomena suggest that the PVN could increase tremor either by increasing downstream cholinergic activity on brainstem nuclei such as the reticular formation or by stimulating the locus ceruleus to activate the cerebellothalamocortical network via the ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus. Aberrant cholinergic/noradrenergic transmission between these brainstem nuclei early in PD couldlead to tremor before the emergence of other parkinsonian signs, representing an early clinical clue to prodromal PD.

Neurophysiological correlates of dual tasking in people with Parkinson's disease and freezing of gait.

Freezing of gait in people with Parkinson's disease (PwP) is associated with executive dysfunction and motor preparation deficits. We have recently shown that electrophysiological markers of motor preparation, rather than decision-making, differentiate PwP with freezing of gait (FOG +) and without (FOG -) while sitting. To examine the effect of locomotion on these results, we measured behavioural and electrophysiological responses in PwP with and without FOG during a target response time task while sitting (single-task) and stepping-in-place (dual-task). Behavioural and electroencephalographic data were acquired from 18 PwP (eight FOG +) and seven young controls performing the task while sitting and stepping-in-place. FOG + had slower response times while stepping compared with sitting. However, response times were significantly faster while stepping compared with sitting for controls. Electrophysiological responses showed no difference in decision-making potentials (centroparietal positivity) between groups or conditions but there were differences in neurophysiological markers of response inhibition (N2) and motor preparation (lateralized readiness potential, LRP) in FOG + while performing a dual-task. This suggests that the addition of a second complex motor task (stepping-in-place) impacts automatic allocation of resources in FOG +, resulting in delayed response times. The impact of locomotion on the generation of the N2 and LRP potentials, particularly in freezers, indirectly implies that these functions compete with locomotion for resources. In the setting of multiple complex tasks or cognitive impairment, severe motor dysfunction may result, leading to freezing of gait.