{"title":"Therapeutics Development for Spinal Muscular Atrophy","authors":"Charlotte J. Sumner","doi":"10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.010","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Summary</h3><p>Spinal muscular atrophy is an autosomal recessive motor neuron disease that is the leading inherited cause of infant and early childhood mortality. Spinal muscular atrophy is caused by mutation of the telomeric copy of the survival motor neuron gene (<em>SMN1</em>), but all patients retain a centromeric copy of the gene, <em>SMN2</em>. <em>SMN2</em> produces reduced amounts of full-length SMN mRNA, and spinal muscular atrophy likely results from insufficient levels of SMN protein in motor neurons. The SMN protein plays a well-established role in assembly of the spliceosome and may also mediate mRNA trafficking in the axon and nerve terminus of neurons. In patients, spinal muscular atrophy disease severity correlates inversely with increased <em>SMN2</em> gene copy number and, in transgenic mice lacking endogenous SMN, increasing <em>SMN2</em> gene copy number from two to eight prevents the SMA disease phenotype. These observations suggest that increasing SMN expression levels may be beneficial to SMA patients. Currently pursued therapeutic strategies for SMA include induction of <em>SMN2</em> gene expression, modulation of splicing of <em>SMN2-</em>derived transcripts, stabilization of SMN protein, neuroprotection of SMN deficit neurons, and <em>SMN1</em> gene replacement. Early clinical trials of candidate therapeutics are now ongoing in SMA patients. Clinical trials in this disease present a unique set of challenges, including the development of meaningful outcome measures and disease biomarkers.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":87195,"journal":{"name":"NeuroRx : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics","volume":"3 2","pages":"Pages 235-245"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.010","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25919538","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lawrence Scahill, Gerald Erenberg, Cheston M. Berlin Jr, Cathy Budman, Barbara J. Coffey, Joseph Jankovic, Louise Kiessling, Robert A. King, Roger Kurlan, Anthony Lang, Jonathan Mink, Tanya Murphy, Samual Zinner, John Walkup
{"title":"Contemporary Assessment and Pharmacotherapy of Tourette Syndrome","authors":"Lawrence Scahill, Gerald Erenberg, Cheston M. Berlin Jr, Cathy Budman, Barbara J. Coffey, Joseph Jankovic, Louise Kiessling, Robert A. King, Roger Kurlan, Anthony Lang, Jonathan Mink, Tanya Murphy, Samual Zinner, John Walkup","doi":"10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Summary</h3><p>To develop a guide to clinical assessment and pharmacotherapy for children and adults with Tourette syndrome (TS), we reviewed published literature over the past 25 years to identify original articles and reviews on the assessment and pharmacological treatment of Tourette syndrome, attention–deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). The literature search also included a survey of reviews published in book chapters. The assessment section was compiled from several reviews. Pharmacological treatments were classified into those with strong empirical support (as evidenced by two positive placebo-controlled studies for tics, OCD, or ADHD in TS samples); modest empirical support (one positive placebo-controlled study), or minimal support (open-label data only). We conclude that accurate diagnosis, including identification of comorbid conditions, is an essential step toward appropriate treatment for patients with TS. In many patients with TS, symptom management requires pharmacotherapy for tics or coexisting conditions. The evidence supporting efficacy and safety for medications used in patients with TS varies. But this evidence offers the best guide to clinical practice.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":87195,"journal":{"name":"NeuroRx : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics","volume":"3 2","pages":"Pages 192-206"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.009","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25920169","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Therapeutic Interventions for Tone Abnormalities in Cerebral Palsy","authors":"Ann H. Tilton","doi":"10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.008","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.008","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Summary</h3><p>Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common cause of movement disorders in children. The upper motor neuron syndrome of CP leads to several types of muscle overactivity, including spasticity. Reduction of muscle overactivity may be an important treatment goal, to improve comfort, care, and active function and to prevent future musculoskeletal complications. After a comprehensive team evaluation, a treatment plan is generated. Treatments may include physical and occupational therapy, oral medications, botulinum toxin and/or phenol injections, intrathecal baclofen, selective dorsal rhizotomy, and orthopedic surgery. Successful and early prevention of contracture may reduce the need for later corrective surgery.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":87195,"journal":{"name":"NeuroRx : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics","volume":"3 2","pages":"Pages 217-224"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.008","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25919536","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Leon S. Dure IV M.D. (Guest Editor), Faye Silverstein M.D. (Guest Editor)
{"title":"Pediatric Neurotherapy","authors":"Leon S. Dure IV M.D. (Guest Editor), Faye Silverstein M.D. (Guest Editor)","doi":"10.1016/j.nurx.2006.02.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurx.2006.02.001","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":87195,"journal":{"name":"NeuroRx : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics","volume":"3 2","pages":"Pages 131-132"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.nurx.2006.02.001","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"31300441","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"New Generation Anticonvulsants for the Treatment of Epilepsy in Children","authors":"Elizabeth J. Donner, O. Carter Snead III","doi":"10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.013","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.013","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Summary</h3><p>In the last 12 years, 10 new anticonvulsants have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and, as a result, the treatment options for children and adults with epilepsy have been expanded considerably. These new generation antiepileptic drugs offer equal efficacy with improved tolerability, pharmacokinetic properties, and side effect profiles compared with the traditional drugs. With many new medications available, the clinician treating children with epilepsy must be well versed in the application of these drugs to their patient population. This manuscript will review the indications, mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, adverse effects, and dosing of the new generation of anticonvulsant medications.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":87195,"journal":{"name":"NeuroRx : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics","volume":"3 2","pages":"Pages 170-180"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.013","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25920165","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation: A Multifaceted Group of Syndromes","authors":"Erik A. Eklund , Hudson H. Freeze","doi":"10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.012","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":87195,"journal":{"name":"NeuroRx : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics","volume":"3 2","pages":"254-263"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.012","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25919540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Adam Kirton MD, MSc (FRCPC), Gabrielle deVeber MD, MHSc (FRCPC)
{"title":"Therapeutic Approaches and Advances in Pediatric Stroke","authors":"Adam Kirton MD, MSc (FRCPC), Gabrielle deVeber MD, MHSc (FRCPC)","doi":"10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.003","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Evidence-based therapeutic interventions for pediatric ischemic cerebrovascular disease are beginning to emerge. The primary therapeutic target is usually the pathological prothrombotic disturbance that underlies the majority of pediatric stroke. A battle between anticoagulation and anti-platelet therapies continues to provide controversy and is the inspiration for upcoming randomized trials. Supportive care and neuroprotective strategies are an important consideration in children with stroke. Attempts to determine the safety of acute thrombolytic interventions are also underway. Finally, unique medical and surgical treatments for specific diseases leading to stroke in children continue to evolve. After briefly summarizing the epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and outcomes of ischemic strokes in children, treatment approaches and alternatives will be reviewed in detail with emphasis placed on current areas of controversy and future directions for clinical research.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":87195,"journal":{"name":"NeuroRx : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics","volume":"3 2","pages":"Pages 133-142"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.nurx.2006.01.003","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25920163","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Advances in the Treatment of Anxiety: Targeting Glutamate","authors":"Asher B. Simon, Jack M. Gorman","doi":"10.1016/j.nurx.2005.12.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurx.2005.12.005","url":null,"abstract":"<div><p>Our current psychopharmacological treatments for anxiety disorders evince a number of shortcomings, including troublesome side effects and lack of primary effects. Whereas many new drugs have been developed in the past few decades, most are based on outmoded theories of the pathogenesis of these disorders (i.e., monoamine hypotheses), thus frustrating our ability to create more specific and effective interventions. Recently, however, the neurobiological literature has shown a convergence of findings focusing on the glutamatergic system in anxiety disorders, and the growth of pharmacological tools targeting these receptors has led to the development of novel treatments having anxiolytic effects in humans and animals alike. Additionally, as this system is showing promise as a final common pathway in the pathogenesis of anxiety disorders, we may be able to employ glutamate-specific neuroimaging techniques (e.g., N-acetyl-aspartate, GLX) to both guide treatment decisions and present reliable objective biomarkers for treatment efficacy.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":87195,"journal":{"name":"NeuroRx : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics","volume":"3 1","pages":"Pages 57-68"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.nurx.2005.12.005","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25865797","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paul J. Carlson , Jaskaran B. Singh , Carlos A. Zarate Jr , Wayne C. Drevets , Husseini K. Manji
{"title":"Neural Circuitry and Neuroplasticity in Mood Disorders: Insights for Novel Therapeutic Targets","authors":"Paul J. Carlson , Jaskaran B. Singh , Carlos A. Zarate Jr , Wayne C. Drevets , Husseini K. Manji","doi":"10.1016/j.nurx.2005.12.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurx.2005.12.009","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Summary</h3><p>Major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder are severe mood disorders that affect the lives and functioning of millions each year. The majority of previous neurobiological research and standard pharmacotherapy regimens have approached these illnesses as purely neurochemical disorders, with particular focus on the monoaminergic neurotransmitter systems. Not altogether surprisingly, these treatments are inadequate for many individuals afflicted with these devastating illnesses. Recent advances in functional brain imaging have identified critical neural circuits involving the amygdala and other limbic structures, prefrontal cortical regions, thalamus, and basal ganglia that modulate emotional behavior and are disturbed in primary and secondary mood disorders. Growing evidence suggests that mechanisms of neural plasticity and cellular resilience, including impairments of neurotrophic signaling cascades as well as altered glutamatergic and glucocorticoid signaling, underlie the dysregulation in these circuits. The increasing ability to monitor and modulate activity in these circuits is beginning to yield greater insight into the neurobiological basis of mood disorders. Modulation of dysregulated activity in these affective circuits via pharmacological agents that enhance neuronal resilience and plasticity, and possibly via emerging nonpharmacologic, circuitry-based modalities (for example, deep brain stimulation, magnetic stimulation, or vagus nerve stimulation) offers promising targets for novel experimental therapeutics in the treatment of mood disorders.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":87195,"journal":{"name":"NeuroRx : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics","volume":"3 1","pages":"Pages 22-41"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.nurx.2005.12.009","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25866380","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Advances in the Treatment of Depression","authors":"Paul E. Holtzheimer III, Charles B. Nemeroff","doi":"10.1016/j.nurx.2005.12.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.nurx.2005.12.007","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Summary</h3><p>Depression is a highly prevalent and disabling condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Currently available treatments for depression include tricyclic antidepressants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors, various atypical antidepressants, and electroconvulsive therapy. Although these treatments are effective, a significant number of patients do not respond or achieve sustained remission despite aggressive management. Advances in the neurobiology of depression have suggested a number of novel targets for antidepressant treatment. Based on an improved understanding of the neurobiology of depression, several novel pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions are being developed. Pharmacologic developments include CRF antagonists, glucocorticoid receptor antagonists, substance P receptor antagonists, NMDA glutamate receptor antagonists, transdermal selegiline, so-called “triple” reuptake inhibitors, and augmentation of typical antidepressant medications with atypical antipsychotics. Nonpharmacologic advances have largely involved focal brain stimulation techniques including vagus nerve stimulation, transcranial magnetic stimulation, magnetic seizure therapy, and deep brain stimulation. For the most part, the data on these treatments are preliminary, and more study is needed to clarify their potential clinical benefit. However, it is clear that further study of the neurobiology of depression will continue to provide a rationale for developing innovative targets for antidepressant therapies.</p></div>","PeriodicalId":87195,"journal":{"name":"NeuroRx : the journal of the American Society for Experimental NeuroTherapeutics","volume":"3 1","pages":"Pages 42-56"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2006-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1016/j.nurx.2005.12.007","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"25866381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}