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The prototype of transmissible neurodegenerative proteinopathies is prion diseases, characterized by aggregation of abnormally folded conformers of the native prion protein. A wealth of mechanisms has been proposed to explain the conformational conversion from physiological protein into misfolded, pathological form, mode of toxicity, propagation from cell‐to‐cell and regional spread. There is increasing evidence that other neurodegenerative diseases, most notably Alzheimer's disease (Aβ and tau), Parkinson's disease (α‐synuclein), frontotemporal dementia (TDP43, tau or FUS) and motor neurone disease (TDP43), exhibit at least some of the misfolded prion protein properties. In this review, we will discuss to what extent each of the properties of misfolded prion protein is known to occur for Aβ, tau, α‐synuclein and TDP43, with particular focus on self‐propagation through seeding, conformational strains, selective cellular and regional vulnerability, stability and resistance to inactivation, oligomers, toxicity and summarize the most recent literature on transmissibility of neurodegenerative disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article talks about cerebral white matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are lesions in the brain that show up as areas of increased brightness when visualised by T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is mentioned that prevailing view is that these intensities are a marker of small-vessel vascular disease and cerebral amyloid angiopathy, are indicative of cognitive and emotional dysfunction. The article adds most affected by this disorder are elderly populations.

An introduction is presented in which the editors discuss the analysis of IDH-mutant glioblastomas with methods of complementary molecules.

Accurate animal models are essential for detailed analysis of the mechanisms underlying human neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, they can offer useful paradigms for the development and evaluation of new therapeutic strategies. We review the most popular techniques for modification of the mammalian genome in vivo, and provide a critical evaluation of the available transgenic mouse models for several neurological conditions of humans, including prion diseases, human retroviral diseases, Alzheimer's disease, and motor neuron diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Meningeal hemangiopericytoma (MHP) is extremely rare in childhood. Mean age at diagnosis is between 38 and 43 years. We present an 8-year-old boy with MHP of the middle cranial fossa. Imaging findings were indistinguishable from an aggressive bone tumor such as Ewing's sarcoma. Imaging findings are presented and discussed. Our case indicates that MHP should be considered in the differential diagnosis of skull-base tumors despite the fact that MHP is extremely rare in childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-linked Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is the second most common cause of CMT, and is usually caused by mutations in the gap junction protein beta 1 ( GJB1 ) gene. This gene has nerve specific P2 promoter that work synergistically with SOX10 and EGR2 genes to initiate transcription. Mutation in this region is known to cause Schwann cell dysfunction. A single large family of X linked peripheral neuropathy was identified in our practice. Next generation sequencing for targeted panel assay identified an upstream exon-splicing deletion identified extending from nucleotide c.-5413 to approximately – c.-49. This matches the sequence of 32 nucleotides at positions c.*218–*249 in the 3'UTR downstream of the GJB1 gene. The deleted fragment included the entire P2 promoter region. The deletion segregated with the disease. To our knowledge a deletion of the P2 promoter alone as a cause of CMT has not been reported previously. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hereditary transthyretin amyloidosis (ATTR) is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous disease manifesting with predominant peripheral and autonomic neuropathy; cardiomyopathy, or both. ATTR V122I is the most common variant associated with non-neuropathic familial amyloid cardiomyopathy. We present an unusual case of V122I amyloidosis with features of amyloid neuropathy and myopathy, supported by histological confirmation in both sites and diffuse tracer uptake on 99m Tc-3,3-Diphosphono-1,2-Propanodicarboxylic acid (DPD) scintigraphy throughout skeletal and cardiac muscle. A 64 year old Jamaican man presented with cardiac failure. Cardiac MR revealed infiltrative cardiomyopathy; abdominal fat aspirate confirmed the presence of amyloid, and he was homozygous for the V122I variant of transthyretin. He also described general weakness and EMG demonstrated myopathic features. Sural nerve and vastus lateralis biopsy showed TTR amyloid. The patient is being treated with diflunisal, an oral TTR stabilising agent. Symptomatic myopathy and neuropathy with confirmation of tissue amyloid deposition has not previously been described. Extracardiac amyloidosis has implications for diagnosis and treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Question: Modification of synaptic strength by neuronal activity underlies memory formation. Thus, long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic plasticity by electrical stimulation is an efficient model for studying memory at the neurophysiological level. Patients suffering from chronic epilepsy often present with memory deficits. We were therefore interested whether memory impairment was reflected in impacted LTP of synaptic plasticity in the human cortex of epileptic patients. Methods: We prepared acute human temporal cortex slices from resection specimens obtained during surgery for drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. Extracellular field potential recordings were used to assess the induction of long-term potentiation by a standardized theta-burst stimulation protocol. Results: In the human temporal cortex, LTP was impaired and could only be induced sporadically. In some slices, theta-burst stimulation led to paradoxical induction of long-term depression of synaptic plasticity. By contrast, LTP was enhanced in the presence of a glucocorticoid receptor blocker. Conclusions: LTP induction in acute slices presents an opportunity to study the mechanisms underlying memory impairment in the human cortex. This model is a valuable complement to data from non-invasive recording modalities and stereo EEG, as it offers the unique possibility of pharmacological manipulation of synapses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Concerns have been raised that variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (vCJD) might be transmissible by blood transfusion. Two cases of prion infection in a group of known recipients of transfusion from donors who subsequently developed vCJD were identified post-mortem and reported in 2004. Another patient from this at-risk group developed neurological signs and was referred to the National Prion Clinic.Methods: The patient was admitted for investigation and details of blood transfusion history were obtained from the National Blood Service and Health Protection Agency; after diagnosis of vCJD, the patient was enrolled into the MRC PRION-1 trial. When the patient died, brain and tonsil tissue were obtained at autopsy and assessed for the presence of disease-related PrP by immunoblotting and immunohistochemistry.Findings: A clinical diagnosis of probable vCJD was made; tonsil biopsy was not done. The patient received experimental therapy with quinacrine, but deteriorated and died after a clinical course typical of vCJD. Autopsy confirmed the diagnosis and showed prion infection of the tonsils.Interpretation: This case of transfusion-associated vCJD infection, identified ante-mortem, is the third instance from a group of 23 known recipients who survived at least 5 years after receiving a transfusion from donors who subsequently developed vCJD. The risk to the remaining recipients of such transfusions is probably high, and these patients should be offered specialist follow-up and investigation. Tonsil biopsy will allow early and pre-symptomatic diagnosis in other iatrogenically exposed individuals at high risk, as in those with primary infection with bovine spongiform encephalopathy prions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]