by Collin J. Anderson  , Amanda C. Guidon  , Farrah B. Khan  , Alissa A. Thomas  , Carolyne Riehle  , Michael K. Hehir  and Noah A. Kolb

Received: 28 October 2020;  Published: 31 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2101086

Lambert Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is a rare autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorder involving loss of functional pre-synaptic P/Q-type voltage-gated calcium channels. Many cases occur as a paraneoplastic disorder, often in small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Recently, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have emerged as treatment of choice for various malignancies. While generally well tolerated, certain ICI-treated patients experience neurologic immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Here, we explore therapeuti [...]

by Joep P.M. Geraedts

Received: 15 December 2020;  Published: 28 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2101085

Huntington’s disease (HD) is an autosomal dominant disease that immensely impacts the affected families. However, the transmission of the disease from carriers to their offspring could be prevented. Prenatal diagnosis (PND) and preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) are the only two available reproductive options for the carriers at risk to have disease-free children. PND for HD could be done through two kinds of genetic testing: direct and indirect. The same approaches are available for preimplantation genetic te [...]

by Dmitriy Melkonian

Received: 17 July 2020;  Published: 27 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2101084

The probabilistic formalism of quantum mechanics is used to quantitatively link the electroencephalogram (EEG) with the underlying microscale activity of cortical neurons. Previous approaches applied methods of classic physics to reconstruct the EEG in terms of explicit physical models of cortical neurons and the volume conductor. However, the multiplicity of cellular processes with extremely intricate mixtures of deterministic and random factors prevented the creation of consistent biophysical parameter sets. To a [...]

by Maxwell Blazon  , Brianna LaCarubba  , Alexandra Bunda  , Natalie Czepiel  , Shayna Mallat  , Laura Londrigan  and Arturo Andrade

Received: 13 September 2020;  Published: 12 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2101083

N-type (Cav2.2) calcium channels are key for action potential-evoked transmitter release in the peripheral and central nervous system. Previous studies have highlighted the functional relevance of N-type calcium channels at both the peripheral and central level. In the periphery, N-type calcium channels regulate nociceptive and sympathetic responses. At the central level, N-type calcium channels have been linked to aggression, hyperlocomotion, and anxiety. Among the areas of the brain that are involved in anxiety a [...]

by Parisa Gazerani  and Brian E Cairns

Received: 26 October 2020;  Published: 05 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2101082

Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) has been introduced as an innovative treatment for several neurological disorders, including Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, and dystonia and it has been proven effective in helping individuals affected by these disorders; hence, enhancing their quality of life. DBS has also been investigated for the treatment of cluster and other primary headaches. Electrodes are surgically implanted into brain structures, for example the posterior hypothalamus in case of cluster headache. Hypot [...]

by OBM Neurobiology Editorial Office

Received: 04 January 2021;  Published: 05 January 2021;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2101081

The editors of OBM Neurobiology would like to express their sincere gratitude to the following reviewers for assessing manuscripts in 2020. We greatly appreciate the contribution of expert reviewers, which is crucial to the journal's editorial process. We aim to recognize reviewer contributions through several mechanisms, of which the annual publication of reviewer names is one. Reviewers receive a voucher entitling them to a discount on their next LIDSEN publication and can download a certificate of recognition di [...]

by Catriona J Cunningham  , Marc Vives Enrich  , Molly M Pickford  , William MacIntosh-Smith  and Wenlong Huang

Received: 26 October 2020;  Published: 14 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2004080

There is currently no effective treatment for spinal cord injury leaving around 90% of patients with permanent disabilities. Stem cell therapies are showing promise in preclinical studies of central nervous system injury and there is increasing evidence suggesting the improvements in functional recovery are mediated by paracrine actions. In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to determine the overall efficacy of stem cell secretome therapies in promoting recovery in preclinical models of spinal cord [...]

by Vincenzo Prisco  , Bernadette Donnarumma  and Lorenzo Prisco

Received: 27 March 2020;  Published: 03 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2004079

Anecdotal evidence suggests the possible association of psychiatric disorders with Mӧbius sequence, although the evidence is not conclusive. Intermittent presentation of auto-aggressive outbursts, in particular, could be related to Mӧbius sequence, different from the common psychotic symptoms. The present report describes the clinical case of a young man with Mӧbius syndrome who exhibited a complex representation of severe mental retardation and concomitant psychiatric disorders. Extremely rare psychiatric disorder [...]

by Prasanna N. de Silva

Received: 10 September 2020;  Published: 26 November 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2004078

This study looked at secondary care utilization metrics as an effectiveness indicator of Clozapine initiation in 77 patients over the following year compared to the year prior to initiation. It was found that there was a marginal drop in psychiatric bed utilization, alongside reduced crisis team use. Medical and psychiatric outpatient use increased, as did physical health interventions. Overall, compared with costs over the year preceding Clozapine initiation, an estimated saving per patient of £3,867 (5,065) was a [...]

by Enrico Capobianco

Received: 15 June 2020;  Published: 30 December 2020;  doi: 10.21926/obm.neurobiol.2004077

Marks of brain disorders may be visible through abnormal networks characterized by states with distinct signatures or connectivity patterns. Apart from neurodegenerations, drug abuse or eventually addiction may exert complex perturbative effects over human health, including damage to various organs and especially brain inflammation, volume shrinkage and functional deficits. These can also be regarded as signs of accelerated ageing, which involve multiple comorbidities associated with long-lasting cognitive impairme [...]