Scientific Program

Conference Series Ltd invites all the participants across the globe to attend 11th International Conference on Vascular Dementia Moscow, Russia.

Day 2 :

Keynote Forum

Harry S Goldsmith

University of California, USA

Keynote: Omental transposition to the brain for Alzheimer’s disease

Time : 9:30-10:15

Conference Series Vascular Dementia Congress 2018 International Conference Keynote Speaker Harry S Goldsmith photo
Biography:

Harry S Goldsmith has been a Professor of Surgery for more than 40 years and a student of medical history throughout his life. He wrote the book A Conspiracy of Silence: Franklin D Roosevelt—Impact on History. He also invented several surgical procedures including an operation to control Alzheimer’s disease, a procedure to treat acute and chronic spinal cord injuries, as well as an operation to eliminate the need for a permanent colostomy. He is an author of 265 papers or book chapters; he has edited four surgical texts, and has received honorary degrees from two Chinese universities. He is a Surgeon, worldwide Lecturer, and an Advisor on the application of his surgical procedures.

 

Abstract:

It has been commonly believed that a decrease in cerebral blood flow (CBF) which routinely occurs in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) results from the death of critical intra-cerebral neurons that no longer require the maintenance of an adequate blood supply. This belief is presently being challenged by the idea that it is not neuronal death that causes a decrease in CBF, but it is actually a decrease in the CBF which leads to the death of neurons seen in AD. In association with dead neurons located within the AD brain are varying numbers of deteriorating neurons. Increasing the CBF to still viable but deteriorating neurons in AD is believed to delay and even improve the clinical manifestations of AD. This increase in CBF has proven effective in treating a group of patients with AD. The increase in CBF was accomplished surgically by placing an intact, vascularized pedicled omentum directly on the AD brain. This surgical procedure should be evaluated by a carefully controlled study since finding a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease is presently of extreme importance.

 

 

Keynote Forum

Muhammad Mahajnah

Hillel-Yaffe Medical Center, Israel

Keynote: The clinical phenotype and heterogeneity of homozygous mutation in PTRH2 gene

Time : 10:15-11:00

Conference Series Vascular Dementia Congress 2018 International Conference Keynote Speaker Muhammad Mahajnah photo
Biography:

Muhammad Mahajnah is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology at the Technion Faculty of Medicine, Israel. He completed his Medical degree in 1992 at Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel and his PhD degree in 1998. He was trained in Pediatrics at Carmel Medical Center and completed fellowship in Pediatric Neurology at Schneider Children Medical Center, Tel Aviv. He has worked with children neurological disorder for about 20 years and has special interest in neurodevelopmental disorders and neuro genetic disorders and devotes his time to both clinical work and research.

 

 

Abstract:

PTRH2 is an evolutionarily highly conserved mitochondrial protein that belongs to a family of peptidyl-tRNA hydrolases. Recently, patients from two consanguineous families with mutations in the PTRH2 gene were reported. Global developmental delay associated with microcephaly, growth retardation, progressive ataxia, distal muscle weakness with ankle contractures, demyelinating sensorimotor neuropathy, and sensorineural hearing loss were present in all patients, while facial dysmorphism with widely spaced eyes, exotropia, thin upper lip, proximally placed thumbs, and deformities of the fingers and toes were present in some individuals. Here, we report a new family with three siblings affected by sensorineural hearing loss and peripheral neuropathy. Autozygosity mapping followed by exome sequencing identified a previously reported homozygous missense mutation in PTRH2 (c.254A>C; p. (Gln85Pro)). Sanger sequencing confirmed that the variant segregated with the phenotype. In contrast to the previously reported patient, the affected siblings had normal intelligence, milder microcephaly, delayed puberty, myopia, and moderate insensitivity to pain. Our findings expand the clinical phenotype and further demonstrate the clinical heterogeneity related to PTRH2 variants.

 

Keynote Forum

Stanislav Svetlov

University of Florida, USA

Keynote: Genomic biomarkers of military blast brain injury compared to mechanical impact TBI

Time : 11:20-12:05

Conference Series Vascular Dementia Congress 2018 International Conference Keynote Speaker Stanislav Svetlov  photo
Biography:

Stanislav Svetlov has expertise and international recognition for studies in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), especially combat-related blast TBI proven by a number of publications and awards from Department of Defense on molecular signatures and biomarkers of blast brain injury and US patents. His goal is to determine and characterize biomarkers reflecting chronic encephalopathy, including neuroinflammation and impaired neurogenesis and repair. He is a Chief Scientific Officer at Immunova LLC, a biopharmaceutical company and Adjunct Researcher and Associate Professor at University of Florida, USA in Medicine and Psychiatry.

 

Abstract:

Despite progress in understanding traumatic brain injury (TBI), the mechanisms and biomarkers of neurorepair during combat blast-induced TBI remain to be elucidated. Important question to be addressed is whether blast-induced TBI signatures are similar to those after mechanical brain injury, e.g. concussion, and what may be the differences pertinent to differential diagnostics and therapeutic enhancement of brain recovery. This includes gene expression (mRNA) and its regulation (miRNA), proteomics and its associated area of metabolomics. In this study, we compared side-by-side genomic signatures of neuro injury and neuro repair in head-directed blast overpressure exposure (OBI) vs. mechanical cortical impact (CCI) and analyzed using neurosystems biology approach presenting graphic interaction map. There was a significant difference in expression of 994 genes within blast exposure groups and in 1532 genes within CCI vs. control with an overall overlap of 579 genes. Parametric and nonparametric analyses revealed significant differences in genes of neural development and repair, between blast exposures and CCI. Specifically, brain achaete-scute complex-like 1 (ASCL1/Mash1) was up-regulated, while ROBO-1/Slit and NEDD4 were down-regulated after blast exposure and changed in opposite direction after mechanical CCI. Results show disparities as well as overlaps in the expression of genes between military and civilian type of brain injury. This will help to reveal specific biomarkers of each brain insult and assist in developing diagnostics of chronic posttraumatic encephalopathy. Novel approaches in the development of neurorepair diagnostics and enhance brain recovery will be discussed.

 

  • Neurology | Dementia | Child Neurology | Central Nervous System | Neurophysiology | Neuromuscular Disorders
Speaker

Chair

Gjumrakch Aliev

University of Atlanta, USA

Speaker

Co-Chair

Natasa Radojkovic Gligic

University of Belgrade, Serbia

Session Introduction

Zena Vexler

University California San Francisco, USA

Title: Neurovascular interface in stroke: effects of age
Speaker
Biography:

Zena Vexle has served as Director of Research at Neonatal Brain Disorders Center, since 2003. She has served on the NIH study sections and chaired Brain 2 and Brain 3 Committees for American Heart Association.She has multi-disciplinary training in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacology and physiology. For more than 25 years, her research has been centered on the mechanisms of experimental stroke, including cerebrovascular injury and neuro-inflammation.

 

Abstract:

The major barriers of the brain, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and the blood-CSF barrier, tightly regulate the transport of molecules, cells and ions between the peripheral circulation and parenchyma. Barrier properties change during brain maturation and aging, affecting susceptibility to and the pathophysiology of various neurodegenerative diseases in age-related manner. Data are emerging that the phenotypic endothelial cell heterogeneity, the more elaborate capillary network in the adult, differences in regional responsiveness of the vessels, pericyte and astrocyte phenotypes and coverage, distinctly modify hemodynamic regulation and BBB integrity after arterial stroke in newborns, children and adults. We will discuss the role of leukocyte-microglial communications in modifying BBB integrity in experimental stroke in three age groups. In particular, we will demonstrate that BBB is strikingly more integrant after perinatal stroke than after adult stroke, in part due to age-dependent expression of extracellular matrix proteins and tight junction proteins. We will then discuss our findings that at least a subpopulation of microglial cells protects both BBB integrity and the neonatal brain based on adverse effects of depletion of microglial cells or inhibition of microglial TGFbeta1 signaling on neurovascular integrity in injured brain. We will also discuss how disruption of monocyte and neutrophil signaling affects BBB structure-functional responses in stroke induced in different age groups.

 

Marina Zueva

Moscow Helmholtz Research Institute of Eye Diseases, Russia

Title: Fractal optical stimulation to support the cognitive ability in aging and TBI
Speaker
Biography:

Marina Zueva is a Professor of Pathophysiology. She has completed her Graduation at the Lomonosov Moscow State University; PhD, at Moscow Helmholtz Research Institute of Eye Diseases. Currently, she is the Head of the Division of Clinical Physiology of Vision at the Moscow Helmholtz Research Institute of Eye Diseases. She has published over 15 peer-reviewed full-length papers in English and presented near 70 topics at international conferences. Her research topics include “Clinical physiology and electrophysiology of vision, neurophysiology, age-related and neurodegenerative disorders of the visual system and the brain, neurocognitive technologies of the restoration, maintenance and improvement of the brain activity and cognitive functions”.

 

Abstract:

Cognitive decline is characteristic of various pathological conditions including traumatic brain injury (TBI) and can accompany normal aging. Technologies of neurorehabilitation exploiting the structural-functional plasticity of the brain could promote the forming of new connections to compensate the cognitive deficit. Methods of cognitive rehabilitation include techniques of mental and physical training and different regimens of stimulation therapy such as transcranial magnetic and electrical stimulation, and low-intensity stimulation by sensory stimuli, positive effects of which were shown in many studies. However, taking into account that in aging and pathology potential of neuroplasticity is reduced, the efficacy of any methods of neurorehabilitation can be objectively restricted. Besides, in the stimulation therapy, optical, audio and other signals with a regular, periodic temporal structure are usually applied. The periodic rhythms can provide some improvement of the cortical activity in the particular range of EEG. But they cannot restore complex fractal dynamics of the brain's activity typical of a healthy person and improve the cognitive ability of the patient. We suppose that the fractal stimulation by complex-structured optical signals and sound tones will promote activating the structural-functional plasticity and improve cognitive functions in pathological conditions associated with the cognitive decline. Evoked changes in the cortical activity can ensure the impact of stimulation on cognitive functions. Because the fractal stimulation is supposed to increase the potential of neuroplasticity, during the period of enhanced plasticity (against the backdrop of a course of stimulation therapy) an increase in the efficiency of different others neurorehabilitation measures should be expected.

 

Josef Finsterer

University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Austria

Title: Brain imaging in adult mitochondrial disorders
Speaker
Biography:

Finsterer J. received his M.D. and Prof. of Neurology from the University of Vienna, Austria. Since his training as a clinical neurologist and electrophysiologist at the Neurological Krankenhaus Rosenhuegel and the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Epilepsy and Neuromuscular Disorders he is involved in the management of neuromuscular disorders, particularly muscular dystrophies and metabolic myopathies. In addition to neuromuscular disorders, research interests focus on genetics, orphan diseases, and cardiac involvement in genetic conditions.

 

Abstract:

Since the central-nervous-system (CNS) is the second most frequently affected organ in mitochondrial disorders (MIDs) and since MIDs are increasingly recognised, it is important to know about the morphological CNS abnormalities on imaging in these patients. The study aims at summarising and discussing current knowledge and recent advances concerning CNS imaging abnormalities in adult MIDs. The most relevant CNS abnormalities in adult MIDs on imaging include white and grey matter lesions, stroke-like lesions as the morphological equivalent of stroke-like episodes, cerebral atrophy, calcifications, optic atrophy, and lactacidosis. Since these CNS lesions may go along with or without clinical manifestations, it is important to screen all MID patients for cerebral involvement. Some of these lesions may remain unchanged for years whereas others may be dynamic, either in the sense of progression or regress. Typical dynamic lesions are stroke-like lesions and grey matter lesions. Clinically relevant imaging techniques for visualization of CNS abnormalities in MIDs are the computed tomography, magnetic-resonance-imaging, MR-spectroscopy, SPECT, PET, and angiography. CNS imaging in adult MIDs is important for diagnosing and monitoring CNS involvement. It also contributes to the understanding of the underlying pathomechanisms that lead to CNS involvement in MIDs.

 

Drini Dobi

Service of Neurovascular Disorders, University Hospital Center “Mother Teresa”, Tirana, ALBANIA

Title: ISCHEMIC CEREBROVASCULAR ACCIDENTS IN VERY OLD PERSONS
Speaker
Biography:

Dr. Drini DOBI was born in January 27th, 1969, and graduated as PhD in University of Tirana, Albania in 1992, and has done the specialization course in Neurology from 1994-1998 in University Hospital Centre "Mother Teresa", Tirana Albania. After his specialization, he has done some other minispecialization course for neurorehabilitation in Instituto Carlo Besta, Milano, Italy, San Carlo , Milan, Italy and Don Carlo Gnocchi Milano, Italy and minispecialization course for neurosonology in UHC "Sestre Milosrdnice" Zagreb, Croatia. He has a lot of publications in some medical periodics and has participated in some of AAN Annual Meetings with his works, EFNS and EAN conferences, with his works too, and some other Neurological Conferences abroad. His Masters is in Rehabilitation in Parkinson Disease, in 2005 and PhD in Physical Rehabilitation after stroke in 2015. He is also the Member of EAN Scientific Pannel of Neurorehabilitation ,Scientific Pannel of neurotoxicology, and General Neurology

 

 

Abstract:

Statement of the Problem: Presently, there is limited information on stroke care in the very old (80 years and older). Population aging is a summary term to describe shifts in the age distribution of a population toward older ages, most marked in highly developed countries.The number of people aged 80 and above is growing faster than any other age group. In 2006, people aged 80 and over were approximately 19% of the population in developed countries and around 10% in developing countries. The purpose of this study is To evaluate vascular risk factors, stroke subtypes and clinical outcomes in very old patients admitted at our hospital with acute stroke.Methodology & Theoretical Orientation: We included in this study 252 stroke patients admitted to Service of Neurovascular Disorders in University Hospital Centre “Mother Teresa”, Tirana, Albania from February 2015 to December 2016.  We assess if there were any significant differences between patients under 80 years old compared with older patients (80 years or older), with regard to vascular risk factors, stroke type and clinical outcome.Findings: Of 252 patients, 189 patients were less than 80 years, 63 were 80 years old and older.Younger patients were more likely to have diabetes (30, 6% versus 16, 2%, p<0,001).Older patients were more likely to have ischemic heart disease (38% versus 30, 1% p=0, 02), or atrial fibrillation (34, 5% versus 15, 2%, p<0,001).Older patients were more likely to have Total Anterior Circulation Infarcts (TACI) strokes (17, 6% versus 11, 1%, p<0,009) or Partial Anterior Circulation Infarct strokes (PACI) (30, 1% versus 23, 5%, p=0, 04)Outcome data, which was available for 91% patients, showed that older patients stayed longer in hospital (median length of stay 23 days versus 18 days, (p=0,008) and had a higher inpatient mortality 14% versus 3, 7%, (p<0,001).Conclusion & Significance: Very elderly patients have a different risk factor profile, have more anterior circulation infarcts and have a worse prognosis-with increased mortality and increased length of stay in hospital.

 

Speaker
Biography:

Muhammad Mahajnah is an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Pediatric Neurology at the Technion Faculty of Medicine, Israel. He completed his Medical degree at Bruce and Ruth Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, 31096 Haifa, Israel in 1992 and his PhD degree in 1998. He trained in Pediatrics at Carmel Medical Center and completed fellowship in Pediatric Neurology at Schneider Children Medical Center, Tel Aviv. He has worked with children neurological disorder for about 20 years and has special interest in neurodevelopmental disorders and neuro genetic disorders and devotes his time to both clinical work and research.

 

Abstract:

About half of patients with rare movement disorders such as hereditary spastic paraplegias and cerebellar ataxias remain genetically unexplained, implicating novel genes and unrecognized mutations in known genes. Non-coding DNA variants are suspected to account for a substantial part of undiscovered causes of rare diseases. Whole-exome sequencing findings in a recessive spastic ataxia family turned our attention to intronic variants in POLR3A, a gene previously associated with hypomyelinating leukodystrophy type 7. We screened a cohort of hereditary spastic paraplegia and cerebellar ataxia cases (n=618) for mutations in POLR3A and identified compound heterozygous POLR3A mutations in ∼3.1% of index cases. Interestingly, >80% of POLR3A mutation carriers presented the same deep-intronic mutation (c.1909+22G>A), which activates a cryptic splice site in a tissue and stage of development-specific manner and leads to a novel distinct phenotype. The phenotype is characterized by adolescent-onset progressive spastic ataxia with frequent occurrence of tremor, involvement of the central sensory tracts and dental problems (hypodontia, early onset of severe and aggressive periodontal disease). Instead of the typical hypomyelination magnetic resonance imaging pattern associated with classical POLR3A mutations, cases carrying c.1909+22G>A demonstrated hyperintensities along the superior cerebellar peduncles. These hyperintensities may represent the structural correlate to the cerebellar symptoms observed in these patients. We demonstrate that autosomal-recessive mutations in POLR3A are a frequent cause of hereditary spastic ataxias, accounting for about 3% of hitherto genetically unclassified autosomal recessive and sporadic cases; hypomyelination is frequently absent in POLR3A-related syndromes, especially when intronic mutations are present, and thus can no longer be considered as the unifying feature of POLR3A disease. Our results demonstrate that substantial progress in revealing the causes of Mendelian diseases can be made by exploring the non-coding sequences of the human genome.

  • Neuroradiology and Neuro Imaging | Clinical Neurology and Neuropsychiatry | Neuropharmacology | Neurotherapeutics, Diagnostics and Case Studies | Spine Disorders | Neuro Marketing Strategies
Speaker

Chair

Harry S Goldsmith

University of California, USA

Speaker

Co-Chair

Muhammad Mahajnah,

Hillel-Yaffe Medical Center, Israel

Session Introduction

Ling Li

Xinhua Hospital - Shanghai Jiaotong University, China

Title: Neurotrophic factor reduces inflammation and improve brain neuronal regeneration in inflammatory brain injury
Speaker
Biography:

Ling Li has completed her PhD and MD in 2003 at Zhejiang University School of Medicine. She is a Neurologist, Chief Physician, Professor, Supervisor for Doctor, Director of Pediatric Neurology at Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. She has published more than16 papers in reputed journals. Her main research is about strategies to prevent neuronal damage in pediatric bacterial meningitis.

 

Abstract:

The risk of serious sequelae caused by central nerve system (CNS) infection is 30-60%. Among them, inflammation is one of the critical mechanisms. But how inflammation alters brain function remains unclear. Here, we provide solid evidence about meningitis caused by brain damage reduced host inflammatory response. Neurotrophic factor family plays an important role in neuron development, differentiation and survival. BDNF expression increased in acute S. pneumoniae meningitis, while obviously alleviated after antibiotic treatment. Neonatal meningitis caused long-term BDNF decreases were correlated to adult animal behavioral deficits. Exogenous BDNF can increase neuron survival both in cortex and hippocampus, and reversed brain damage. Meanwhile, it can increase hippocampus neuron stem cells neurogenesis. These findings indicate that BDNF regulatory expression may be parts of host inflammatory response in S. pneumoniae meningitis, and innate immune response could be a double-edged blade. Although the mechanism is still unknown. According to in vivo pneumococcal meningitis experimental models, we investigated BDNF-related signaling effects inflammatory response and hippocampal apoptosis. Before S. pneumoniae intracisternal infection, pretreatment with exogenous BDNF or TrkB inhibitor k252a and assess BDNF/TrkB-signaling axis activation or inhibition. Administered BDNF in rats reduced clinical impairment, pathological severity, and hippocampal apoptosis. Furthermore, BDNF pretreatment suppressed inflammatory factors (TNFα, IL-1β and IL-6) expression while increased anti-inflammatory factor IL-10. It also increased TrkB expression, activated downstream PI3K/protein kinase B (AKT) signaling, and inhibited MyD88/NF-κB-signaling pathway. These results indicated that exogenous BDNF treatment might be a potential therapeutic strategy for inflammatory brain injury. Here is a two-year-old boy with acute necrotizing encephalopathy by infection. After timely treatments with high-dose methylprednisolone and, immunoglobulin therapy, multiple vitamins and nerve growth factor; he had relatively good prognosis and could see neuroregeneration in follow-up brain MRI 

Sergei Y Funikov

Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology-RAS, Russia

Title: FUS-mediated proteinopathy in mice as a model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Speaker
Biography:

Sergei Y Funikov has completed his PhD at Engelhardt Institute of Molecular Biology-Russian Academy of Sciences. His main research focuses on studying the regulation of small non-coding RNAs (in particular, microRNAs and Piwi-interacting RNAs) in stress response as well as investigation of the immune and neuroprotective properties of human recombinant heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70). His last study concerns the molecular aspects underlying the progression of motor neurons failure on the model recapitulating the clinical symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

 

Abstract:

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disorder leading to the eventual death of motor neurons. Described cases of familial ALS have emphasized the significance of protein misfolding and aggregation of two functionally related proteins, FUS and TDP-43, implicated in RNA metabolism. Here in, using the in vivo model of FUS-mediated proteinopathy (∆FUS1-359 mice) we performed the comprehensive analysis encompassing the onset of the first clinical symptoms inclusions formations as well as changes in gene expression profile in motor neurons and surrounding microglia. The obtained data enable to conclude that FUS-mediated proteinopathy is virtually asymptomatic in terms of both the clinical symptoms and molecular aspects of neurodegeneration until it reaches the terminal stage of disease progression (120 days age). From this time point the pathological process develops very rapidly resulting in massive FUS-positive inclusions formation accompanying the transcriptional burst in the spinal cord cells. Specifically, it manifests in activation of pro-inflammatory phenotype of microglial cells and malfunction of acetylcholine synapse transmission in motor neurons. Overall, we assume that a highly reproducible course of the pathological process, as well as described accompanying features, make ∆FUS1-359 mice a convenient model for testing potential therapeutics against proteinopathy-induced decay of motor neurons. 

Speaker
Biography:

Xiao-Juan Zhu has completed her PhD in Cell Biology from Northeast Normal University, Changchun, China and; Post-doctorate degree from Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA. Her research interest includes “Understanding genetic, molecular and cellular basis of brain development”. She is also interested in how the dendritic spines stabilize mature, and how changes in their activities may lead to rapid remodeling of dendritic spines, as well as the defective regulation in dendritic spines that associated with human neuropsychiatric disorders, including autism spectrum. She is using primary culture neuron and genetic modified mice models to study these questions.

Abstract:

Newborn neurons undergo inside-out migration to their final destinations during neocortical development. Reelin-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of disabled 1 (Dab1) is a critical mechanism controlling cortical neuron migration. However, in reelin null mice, Dab1 tyrosine phosphorylation decreased, but not eliminated, suggesting that Reelin-independent tyrosine phosphorylation of Dab1 may occur. The roles remain unclear. Here, we report that deleted in colorectal carcinoma (DCC) interacts with disavled1 (Dab1) specifically. Based on the endogenous DCC and Dab1 expression in the developing neocortex, we demonstrate that DCC physically interacts with Dab1 both in vitro and in cortical neurons, and this interaction depends on the P3 domain of DCC and the PTB domain of Dab1. Netrin 1, a DCC ligand, binding to the DCC induces Dab1 phosphorylation at Y220 and Y232 through it has no detectably enhancing the DCC-Dab1 interaction. Interestingly, knockdown of DCC or truncation of its P3 domain dramatically delays neuronal migration and impairs the multipolar-to-bipolar transition of migrating neurons, as well as migration of newborn neurons toward to the CP, indicating that DCC is required for the proper neuronal migration, particularly for the multipolar-to-bipolar transition. Furthermore, the presence and proper phosphorylation of DCC at tyrosine 1420 is critical for neuronal migration. Notably, the migration delay and morphological transition defects are rescued by the expression of a phospho-mimetic Dab1 or a constitutively active form of Fyn proto-oncogene (Fyn), a member of the Src-family tyrosine kinases that effectively induces Dab1 phosphorylation, suggesting that Dab1 is the downstream effector of DCC during neuronal migration. Collectively, these findings illustrate a DCC-Dab1 interaction that ensures proper neuronal migration during neocortical development. Thus, our finding reveals a cross - talk between reelin and netrin 1 signaling pathways via DCC-Dab1 interaction to illustrate a previously undefined DCC-Dab1 signaling pathway that regulates neuronal migration during neocortical development.

Speaker
Biography:

Elena Ponomareva is currently working at Mental Health Research Center of Russian Academy of Medical Sciences, Russia

 

Abstract:

Aim: The aim of the study was to identify biomarkers for monitoring the effectiveness of Cerebrolysin treatment and to study the long-term prognosis of the therapy in patients with amnestic type mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).   

 

Materials & Methods: 19 patients (15 women and 4 men) aging from 56 to 85 years (mean age 72 years), with a diagnosis of amnestic type MCI were included in the study. All patients had a course 20 daily intravenous infusions of Cerebrolysin therapy (the dose was 30 ml in 100 ml of physiological solution once a day with a gradual increase the dose during four days). The effectiveness of therapy was measured at 0, 4, 10, 26 week of the study on the following scales: CGI, MMSE, MoCA-test, ÐœDRS, FAB, CDT, BNT, test of 10 words Recall, Test of the naming of digits in direct order. Evaluation parameters were measured at the beginning of the study and after 4 and 12 weeks. A fragment 173-193 of the acetylcholine receptor and a fragment of the receptor 155-164 neurotrophins P75 have been used to study the level of autoantibodies in serums. The autoantibodies to neuronal acetylcholine receptor α7-type and neurotrophins receptor P75 in blood serum of all patients were tested by method of solid-phase enzyme immunoassay at 0, 10 and 26 weeks.

 

Results: The autoantibodies only to a fragment of 155-164 receptors of neurotrophins P75 (median 0.369) were found in the serum. The level of autoantibodies to fragment 173-193 of acetylcholine receptor in all samples was low or no changes. Statistically significant improvement of cognitive functioning on all scales was revealed immediately after the end of therapy (four weeks). In 10 weeks, the study revealed the preservation of the achieved therapeutic effect on most of the tests. By the end of the study (26 weeks) the therapeutic effect was maintained for four out of nine tests and a slight decrease in estimates for the remaining cognitive tests, but the estimate for seven out of nine cognitive tests remained significantly higher than before treatment. The long-term therapeutic effect predicting of cerebrolysin treatment was found in the study: the age of patients older than 70 years, a higher initial evaluation for the MoCA test, the best initial indicators for the test memory of the scale of Matisse dementia, a high baseline level of autoantibodies to the neurotrophin receptor P75.

 

Ivanova Natalia Evgenyrvna

Polenov Neurosurgical Institute, Russia

Title: Early Neuro-Rehabilitation in neurosurgery
Biography:

Ivanova Natalia Evgenievna, doctor of medical Sciences, Professor, head of the scientific Department of the "Russian Polenov Neurosurgical Institute ", - branch of “National Medical Research Center after V. A. Almazov ", chief neurologist of the Institute, honored doctor of the Russian Federation, Deputy editor-in-chief Of the Russian neurosurgical journal. prof. A. L. Polenov, member of the Board of the Association of neurosurgeons of Russia. The main directions of scientific and practical activity are neurosurgical pathology of brain vessels, neurotrauma, neurorehabilitation and ultrasound diagnostics. Author of 450 scientific works, including 30 patents and three monographs, supervisor of 30 candidates and 4 doctors of Sciences in "nerve diseases" and "neurosurgery". 

Abstract:

Introduction: The purpose of early rehabilitation is promoting spontaneous recovery of patients and prevention of secondary complications.

Methods: CT, MRT, EEG, ENM, rehabilitation scales.

Results: 2000 neurosurgical patients (neurotrauma, neurooncology, vascular neurosurgery, pediatric neurosurgery, vertebrologie, epilepsy, pain and spastic syndromes) received early rehabilitation. Neuroreanimation department neurosurgical and rehabilitational departments: methods used in the acute period can produce paradoxical responses and lead to a breakdown of compensation: the need to find methods of stabilizing stem dysfunction as early as possible, stem dysfunction correction, body-oriented techniques, treatment of bulbar disorders, breathing exercises, passive gymnastics and position treatment with the gradual expansion of the motion mode, early verticalization prevention of bedsores,polymodal sensory stimulation, kinesitherapy.Consequent cognitive impairment that worsen the prognosis of rehabilitation after neurosurgical pathology, a high degree of disability, makes the problem of diagnosis and treatment of cognitive dysfunction socially significant.

Conclusions: Early rehabilitation improved the outcome and the long-term quality of life.

 

Speaker
Biography:

Amal Darwish has completed her Master’s degree in Phoniatric Science in Faculty of Medicine, at Ain Shams University, Egypt; worked in neurorehabilitation field serving as a Phoniatrician treating dysphagia, communication and educational disorders patients associated with neurological disorders, in a multidisciplinary team as the Head of Phoniatrics Unit in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Hospital for 17 years. She completed her PhD in Faculty of Medicine at Cairo University. She is a Senior Specialist in Phoniatrics Department in Hearing and Speech Institute, Cairo, Egypt. She has published more than 10 papers in reputed international conferences and more than 12 papers in Middle East reputed conferences.

 

Abstract:

Mitochondrial diseases are caused by defects in mitochondria, which are energy factories found inside almost all the cells in the body. It can cause both prominent muscular and neurological problems called mitochondrial encephalomyopathies. Mitochondrial disease is a multisystem disorder affecting more than one type of cell, tissue, or organ. Mitochondrial diseases are caused by genetic mutations. Genes involved in mitochondrial disease normally make proteins that work inside mitochondria. Within each mitochondrion, these proteins make up part of an assembly line that uses fuel molecules (sugars and fats) derived from food combined with oxygen to manufacture the energy molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP). Mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke-like episodes (MELAS) onset: childhood to early adulthood; inheritance pattern: maternal. The hallmarks of MELAS are encephalomyopathy with seizures and/or dementia, lactic acidosis, and recurrent stroke-like episodes. These episodes are not typical strokes, which are interruptions in the brain’s blood supply that cause sudden neurological symptoms. However, the episodes can produce stroke-like symptoms in the short term such as temporary vision loss, difficulty in speaking, or difficulty in understanding speech and lead to progressive brain injury. The cause of the stroke-like episodes is unclear. Sensorineural hearing loss also is a common symptom of mitochondrial diseases. It is caused by damage to the inner ear (the cochlea) or to the auditory nerve. SNHL is permanent, hearing aids, cochlear implants indicated to stimulate the auditory nerve. The hallmark symptoms are learning disabilities. Early intervention is important to reduce the disabling features, scoping mitochondrial diseases can improve outcome.

 

Sergio Kosac

University of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Title: Neurophysiological monitoring during epilepsy surgeries
Speaker
Biography:

Dr. Kosac Sergio, born on September 04, 1952. He is a Neurologist Physician Neurophysiologist at Austral University Hospital, working intesively in the Intraoperative Monitoring field. He is head of practical works in Neurology at University Universiry of Buenos Aires
 

Abstract:

Epilepsy surgery originates in the early 20th century since the discovery of functional areas, by Broca, Hitzog, and many others. Jackson’s findings who described the irritative cortical foci, and proposed their excision; until the experiencies of W Penfield, who generated a more complete functional cortical map, up to that time, specifying motor and sensitive/sensorial areas allowed surgical techniques to advance significantly. Nowadays, surgeries for reduction or elimination of cortical irritative foci, are carried out in cases of cortical dysplasia, cortical  tumors, vascular malformations, etc. Although more and more accurate and satisfactory surgical techniques were developed, in same cases it is imperative to preserve functional areas, whenever they are near or over the surgical area. To prevent or minimize damages to such functional areas, it is necessary to perform intraoperative neurophysiologic techniques. In cases of epilepsy surgeries, there are two ways : one is the electroencephalogram over the cortex, named electrocorticogram. The other one is the Neurophysiologic Intraoperative Monitoring (IOM). To perform this method, we can decide, depending on the type of pathology or its localion, which technique will be applied. One technique is to locate motor and sensory areas over the dura: it is possible through a technique that applies somatosensory evoked potentials, recorded with a strip of electrodes. Through this technique, we can map out cortex areas, allowing the surgeon to know, before opening the dura, where those functional areas are. Another technique is, once motor and sensory areas are located, to find some functions over and into the motor area more accurately. This is made with a stimulator given to the surgeon, connected to the neurophisiologist’s equipment, through which, we can map out areas, i.e., hand area, leg area, etc, applying the stimulator over some points, and the neurophysiologist delivering stimuli to activate cortical motor neurons, and recording signals in the corresponding muscles. Those techniques will be showed, with case presentations, graphics and videos. The goal  is to show to the audience some techniques that could improve life quality for those patients who undergo epilepsy surgeries with some risk of funcional damage.