{"title":"Gene therapies for CMT neuropathies: from the bench to the clinic.","authors":"Marina Stavrou, Kleopas A Kleopa","doi":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001289","DOIUrl":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001289","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) neuropathies are rare, genetically heterogeneous and progressive diseases for which there are no approved treatments and their management remains mostly supportive and symptomatic. This review is intended to provide an update on recent developments in gene therapies for different CMT neuropathies.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Increasing knowledge of disease pathomechanisms underlying several CMT types has facilitated the development of promising viral and nonviral gene therapy approaches. Some of these therapies are currently approaching the crucial step of moving from the bench to the clinic, having passed the proof-of-concept stage in rodent models and some also in larger animals. However, questions of optimal delivery route and dose, off-target effects, and possible payload toxicity remain to be clarified for several of these approaches. Furthermore, limited resources, the rarity of most CMT subtypes, and issues of safety and regulatory requirements, create the need for consensus guidelines and optimal clinical trial design.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Promising gene therapies have been developed for several CMT neuropathies, with proof-of-principle demonstrated in relevant disease models. Advantages and drawbacks of each approach are discussed and remaining challenges are highlighted. Furthermore, we suggest important parameters that should be considered in order to successfully translate them into the clinic.</p>","PeriodicalId":11059,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Neurology","volume":" ","pages":"445-454"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141317102","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aicee D Calma, Nathan Pavey, Parvathi Menon, Steve Vucic
{"title":"Neuroinflammation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: pathogenic insights and therapeutic implications.","authors":"Aicee D Calma, Nathan Pavey, Parvathi Menon, Steve Vucic","doi":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001279","DOIUrl":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001279","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Neuroinflammation appears to be an important pathogenic process in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Dysfunction of central immune pathways, including activation of microglia and astrocytes, and peripherally derived immune cells, initiate noncell autonomous inflammatory mechanisms leading to degeneration. Cell autonomous pathways linked to ALS genetic mutations have been recently identified as contributing mechanism for neurodegeneration. The current review provides insights into the pathogenic importance of central and peripheral inflammatory processes in ALS pathogenesis and appraises their potential as therapeutic targets.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>ALS is a multistep process mediated by a complex interaction of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Noncell autonomous inflammatory pathways contribute to neurodegeneration in ALS. Activation of microglia and astrocytes, along with central nervous system infiltration of peripherally derived pro-inflammatory innate (NK-cells/monocytes) and adaptive (cell-mediated/humoral) immune cells, are characteristic of ALS. Dysfunction of regulatory T-cells, elevation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and dysbiosis of gut microbiome towards a pro-inflammatory phenotype, have been reported as pathogenic mechanisms in ALS.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Dysregulation of adaptive and innate immunity is pathogenic in ALS, being associated with greater disease burden, more rapid disease course and reduced survival. Strategies aimed at modulating the pro-inflammatory immune components could be of therapeutic utility.</p>","PeriodicalId":11059,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Neurology","volume":" ","pages":"585-592"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141075590","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Recent insights into haematology and peripheral nerve disease.","authors":"Oliver Tomkins, Michael P Lunn","doi":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001291","DOIUrl":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001291","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>The association between clonal haematological disorders and peripheral nerve disease is recognized. Paraproteinaemic phenomena are the most common mechanism, but direct neural lymphomatous infiltration is seen and can be challenging to diagnose. Traditional and novel anticancer therapies have neuropathic side effects.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Novel studies using sensitive techniques are refining the incidence of peripheral neuropathy in patients with a monoclonal gammopathy, and the pathogenesis of IgM Peripheral neuropathy (PN) and POEMS syndrome. Recent series give insight into the characteristics and diagnostic challenges of patients with neurolymphomatosis and amyloid light chain amyloidosis. There is an increasing repertoire of effective anticancer drugs in haematological oncology, but chemotherapy-related neuropathy remains a common side effect.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>This review of the current literature focuses on recent updates and developments for the paraproteinaemic neuropathies, and the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of peripheral nerve disease due to high-grade and low-grade lymphomas and lymphoproliferative disorders.</p>","PeriodicalId":11059,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Neurology","volume":" ","pages":"461-466"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141300296","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Congenital myasthenic syndromes: increasingly complex.","authors":"Sithara Ramdas, David Beeson, Yin Yao Dong","doi":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001300","DOIUrl":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001300","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Congenital myasthenia syndromes (CMS) are treatable, inherited disorders affecting neuromuscular transmission. We highlight that the involvement of an increasing number of proteins is making the understanding of the disease mechanisms and potential treatments progressively more complex.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Although early studies identified mutations of proteins directly involved in synaptic transmission at the neuromuscular junction, recently, next-generation sequencing has facilitated the identification of many novel mutations in genes that encode proteins that have a far wider expression profile, some even ubiquitously expressed, but whose defective function leads to impaired neuromuscular transmission. Unsurprisingly, mutations in these genes often causes a wider phenotypic disease spectrum where defective neuromuscular transmission forms only one component. This has implications for the management of CMS patients.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Given the widening nonneuromuscular junction phenotypes in the newly identified forms of CMS, new therapies need to include disease-modifying approaches that address not only neuromuscular weakness but also the multisystem involvement. Whilst the current treatments for CMS are highly effective for many subtypes there remains, in a proportion of CMS patients, an unmet need for more efficacious therapies.</p>","PeriodicalId":11059,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Neurology","volume":" ","pages":"493-501"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11377046/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141757702","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Muscle ultrasound in myopathies.","authors":"Alex Vicino, Dimitra Veltsista, Nens van Alfen","doi":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001306","DOIUrl":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001306","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>This review highlights recent developments in the field of muscle ultrasound (MUS) for the diagnosis and follow up of muscle disorders.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The diagnostic screening capacity of quantitative grayscale analysis is still sufficient to assess children suspected of a neuromuscular disorder. A combination of visual and quantitative assessment is advised for optimal interpretation. MUS was more sensitive but less specific than MRI for detecting pathology in limb girdle dystrophies and inflammatory myopathies. New techniques such as shearwave elastography and artificial intelligence algorithms for automated image segmentation show promise but need further development for use in everyday practice.Muscle ultrasound has high correlations with clinical measures of function in skeletal and respiratory muscles and the orofacial region, in most of the myopathies and dystrophies studied. Over time, imaging changes precede changes in clinical status, making them attractive for biomarker use in trials. In Duchenne muscular dystrophy MUS was also responsive to the effects of steroid treatment.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Muscle ultrasound is a sensitive technique to diagnose and follow up of skeletal, facial and respiratory muscles in neuromuscular disorders. Its role is both complementary to and partially overlapping with that of MRI.</p>","PeriodicalId":11059,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Neurology","volume":" ","pages":"549-557"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11377056/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141757704","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Emerging concepts and therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.","authors":"Matthew C Kiernan, Ryuji Kaji","doi":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001308","DOIUrl":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001308","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":11059,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Neurology","volume":"37 5","pages":"558-559"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142119214","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Melissa A Elafros, Evan Lee Reynolds, Brian C Callaghan
{"title":"Obesity-related neuropathy: the new epidemic.","authors":"Melissa A Elafros, Evan Lee Reynolds, Brian C Callaghan","doi":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001292","DOIUrl":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001292","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>To examine the evidence evaluating the association between obesity and neuropathy as well as potential interventions.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Although diabetes has long been associated with neuropathy, additional metabolic syndrome components, including obesity, are increasingly linked to neuropathy development, regardless of glycemic status. Preclinical rodent models as well as clinical studies are shedding light on the mechanisms of obesity-related neuropathy as well as challenges associated with slowing progression. Dietary and surgical weight loss and exercise interventions are promising, but more data is needed.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>High-fat-diet rodent models have shown that obesity-related neuropathy is a product of excess glucose and lipid accumulation leading to inflammation and cell death. Clinical studies consistently demonstrate obesity is independently associated with neuropathy; therefore, likely a causal risk factor. Dietary weight loss improves neuropathy symptoms but not examination scores. Bariatric surgery and exercise are promising interventions, but larger, more rigorous studies are needed. Further research is also needed to determine the utility of weight loss medications and ideal timing for obesity interventions to prevent neuropathy.</p>","PeriodicalId":11059,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Neurology","volume":" ","pages":"467-477"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11371529/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141305647","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Late-onset myopathies.","authors":"Emmanuelle Salort-Campana, Shahram Attarian","doi":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001298","DOIUrl":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001298","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Late-onset myopathies are defined as muscle diseases that begin after the age of 50 years. Some myopathies present classically in the elderly, whereas others may have a variable age of onset, including late-onset presentation. The purpose of this review is to summarize and comment on the most recent evidence regarding the main diagnosis of late-onset myopathies focusing on genetic causes.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Although late-onset myopathies (LOM) are expected to be predominantly acquired myopathies, some common genetic myopathies, such as facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD), can present late in life, usually with an atypical presentation. In addition, metabolic myopathies, which are classically early-onset diseases, are also diagnoses to be considered, particularly as they may be treatable. Late-onset multiple acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MADD) has recently been identified as a cause of subacute LOM with a dramatic response to riboflavin supplementation.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Inclusion body myositis is the most frequent of all LOM. Myotonic dystrophy type 2, FSHD and oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy are the most frequent causes of genetic LOM. We summarize the major differential diagnoses and the clinical features on clinical examination that are suggestive of a genetic diagnosis to provide a diagnostic approach.</p>","PeriodicalId":11059,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Neurology","volume":" ","pages":"523-535"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141626269","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Update on RYR1-related myopathies.","authors":"Masashi Ogasawara, Ichizo Nishino","doi":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001296","DOIUrl":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001296","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>RYR1-related myopathy (RYR1-RM) is a group of myopathies caused by mutations in the RYR1 gene, which encodes the ryanodine receptor 1 (RYR1). This review discusses recent advances in the clinical features, pathology, pathogenesis, and therapeutics of RYR1-RM.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>Although treatments such as salbutamol, pyridostigmine, and N-acetylcysteine have been explored as potential therapies for RYR1-RM, none have been conclusively proven to be effective. However, recent clinical trials of Rycal ARM210 in patients with RYR1-RM have shown promising results, including reduced fatigue and improved proximal muscle strength.Recent advances in three-dimensional structural analysis of RYR1 channels, facilitated by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), have elucidated the distinct molecular mechanisms underlying RYR1 functionality. Additionally, high-throughput screening methods, including FRET-based and endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ -based assays, have been successful in identifying potential candidates for the treatment of RYR1-RM.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Recent advances in clinical and pathological understanding have provided new insights into RYR1-RM. Novel pathomechanisms elucidated by cryo-EM and rapid screening methods have led to the identification of several promising drug candidates. We are hopeful about the potential of Rycal, other new drugs, and gene therapy, offering a promising outlook for the future.</p>","PeriodicalId":11059,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Neurology","volume":" ","pages":"504-508"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141589896","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Ultra-high dose methylcobalamin and other emerging therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.","authors":"Ryuji Kaji, Yuishin Izumi, Ryosuke Oki","doi":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001311","DOIUrl":"10.1097/WCO.0000000000001311","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose of review: </strong>Recent development in understanding the pathophysiology of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) has led to increasing number of promising test drugs in the pipeline along with the existing ones. We will review these agents focusing on ultra-high dose methylcobalamin, which is pending approval in Japan. Clinical trial design best suited for ALS will also be discussed.</p><p><strong>Recent findings: </strong>The most recent phase 3 trial (JETALS) of ultra-high dose methylcobalamin demonstrated significant slowing of ALSFRSR changes (0.5/month), with marked reduction of serum homocysteine levels in the initial double-blind period. The post hoc analysis of the previous phase 2/3 study (E761 trial; Eisai) showed that it prolonged survival of ALS patients, if started within 1 year of onset, but the previous studies suggested its efficacy even in later stages, depending upon the rate of progression. Phase 3 trial of AMX0035 or Relyvrio on the other hand showed negative results despite the promising phase 2 data. The latter did not adjust the disease progression rate before entry.</p><p><strong>Summary: </strong>Ultra-high dose methylcobalamin is not a vitamin supplement but a novel disease-modifying therapy for ALS, and it emphasizes homocysteine as a key factor in the disease process. Clinical trial design must include entering patients early and with similar rates of progression using pretrial observation periods for meaningful results, since ALS is a chronologically heterogenous condition with similar phenotypes.</p>","PeriodicalId":11059,"journal":{"name":"Current Opinion in Neurology","volume":" ","pages":"593-602"},"PeriodicalIF":4.1,"publicationDate":"2024-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141855054","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}