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Background: A deep knowledge of the healthcare system and the organization of neurology departments is important for planning and optimizing changes to facilitate the successful implementation of anti-amyloid antibodies treatments. Objective: We aimed to assess the necessary changes prior to introducing these therapies in our setting. Methods: We conducted a key informant survey among heads of departments of neurology from 16 hospitals in Spain. The questionnaire comprised questions about changes in the organization and functioning of the departments of neurology with the introduction of anti-amyloid drugs, changes in diagnosis and patient care, use of diagnostic techniques, patients, families and public information, resources allocation, and research. Results: Sixteen key informants completed the survey. They strongly agreed that the introduction of anti-amyloid drugs will impact the functioning of neurology services, especially in hospitals with dementia units. Consensus was reached regarding referring all Alzheimer's disease patients eligible for therapy to dementia units. There was also agreement on the need to expand the neurology services, day hospital units, extend visit durations, and hire more professionals, especially neurologists, neuropsychologists, and nuclear medicine physicians. Furthermore, consensus was achieved on increasing the use of MRI, amyloid PET, cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, APOE genotyping, and the necessity of advancing blood biomarkers and tau tracers. Conclusions: Our study highlights the need for extensive changes within Spanish neurological departments to effectively integrate anti-amyloid antibodies. Implementing these changes is essential for the timely and equitable adoption of novel therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Migraine has been considered a vascular risk factor especially in young women. Factors predisposing to endothelial damage in migraine are still being debated. The insufficiency of circulating endothelial precursor circulating cells (EPCs) suggested a link between migraine and cardiovascular risk. This research aimed to study a subtype of EPCs, those expressing e-selectin, to assess endothelial activation and, therefore, endothelial dysfunction in migraine. Methods: Consecutive headache patients (n=99) and 35 adjusted controls were recruited. Total EPCs, defined as CD34+/KDR+ cells, and EPC colony-forming units (CFUs) were assayed. We identified as "early" EPCs those CD62E- EPCs, and "late" EPCs, CD62E+, a surrogate marker for endothelial damage. Plasmatic calcitonin-gene related protein (CGRP) and vascular-endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were analyzed. Results: We did not find differences in the total number of CFUs among clinical groups. Means of total CD34+/KDR+ and "early" EPCs were not significant among clinical groups. Nevertheless, the mean of "late" EPCs was lower (log10-transformed mean=1.715; SD=0.393) in the control group than in the migraine patients (log10-transformed mean=2.167;SD=0.685), even after adjustment by VEGF plasma level and other confounding factors. Linear regression analyses disclosed significant predictors for "late" EPCs for controls vs migraine (β=0.452 SE±0.13; p=0.001).We did not observe differences between migraine with or without aura. Conclusion: We observed higher number of activated EPCs in migraine patients than in controls. CD62E+ EPCs might be considered a marker for vascular damage in migraine patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]