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Aktualności Neurologiczne (Current Neurology) gets an IF!

We are proud and pleased to announce that “Aktualności Neurologiczne” (Current Neurology) has joined the elite group of periodicals with an Impact Factor (IF). Our IF for 2022 is <0.1.

March 1, 2023 – change in the method of sending papers to the editorial office

On March 1, 2023, a new submission system has been launched. The manuscripts with all their attachments should be submitted via publishing platform Journals System.

Role of selected nutritional factors in the prevention and treatment of Parkinson’s disease – a review

Parkinson’s disease is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, characterised by progressive death of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. The prevalence of Parkinson’s disease is increasing and becoming a major health problem nowadays due to the aging of society. The aim of this study was to conduct a comprehensive review of the literature exploring the association between Parkinson’s disease and specific dietary components such as vitamin B12, omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin D, vitamin E, and probiotics.

Joanna Smalira, Angelina Lęgas, Bartosz Przybysz, Agata Mormul, Julia Zawistowska, Weronika Rogala, Jakub Kawalec, Weronika Rutkowska-Kawalec, Katarzyna Pochodowicz, Karolina Rogowska
Aktualn Neurol 2024; 24 (2): 51–58
Analysis of potentially modifiable risk factors of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis, also known as sclerosis multiplex, is a chronic autoimmune disease of the central nervous system that occurs in over 2.9 millions individuals worldwide, most commonly in young to middle-aged adults, with a greater prevalence in females than males and in higher latitudes. There are different types of multiple sclerosis, varying in the presence and frequency of relapses and remissions. Various risk factors for the disorder have been identified as well – both modifiable and unmodifiable. 

Julia Lipska
Aktualn Neurol 2024; 24 (2): 59–63
The diabetic parkinsonian – the association of diabetes mellitus omorbidity and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease

Many studies have investigated the interplay between Parkinson’s disease and diabetes mellitus, suggesting that glucose metabolism impairment may worsen the clinical course of Parkinson’s disease. This study aimed to explore the association between diabetes mellitus and the course of Parkinson’s disease. A retrospective study was performed by analysing the clinical data of patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease who were hospitalised in University Clinical Centre of the Medical University of Silesia from 2019 to 2021. The study group comprised 241 patients selected according to the study’s inclusion and exclusion criteria. Their clinical conditions were assessed using body mass index, the Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), the Hoehn–Yahr scale, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clock Drawing Test (CDT) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Data were collected on current anti-parkinsonian treatment, fasting glycaemia, lipid panel, and thyroid stimulating hormone, homocysteine and vitamin D3 levels. 

Tomasz Chmiela, Julia Węgrzynek-Gallina, Dawid Wilczek, Damian Waksmundski, Amadeusz Kasprzyk, Aleksandra Cieśla-Fuławka, Agnieszka Gorzkowska
Aktualn Neurol 2024; 24 (1): 1–7
Effect of segmentation dimension on radiomics analysis for MGMT promoter methylation status in gliomas

We investigated the impact of 2D (2D_seg) and 3D (3D_seg) segmentation on the accuracy of prediction models in the radiomics analysis to determine the presence or absence of methylation in the O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) gene promoter region of gliomas. Magnetic resonance imaging images of gliomas were obtained from the Cancer Imaging Archive for 50 methylated and 50 unmethylated cases respectively. For each case, 2D_seg and 3D_seg were performed, and 788 radiomics features, including wavelet transform, were obtained. Ten features were selected by LASSO regression. The coefficients of determination (R2) and root mean squared error (RMSE) were calculated by multiple regression analysis. Discriminant boundaries to discriminate methylation were created by linear discriminant analysis, and the sensitivity and specificity of each method were calculated. The discriminant accuracy of both methods was evaluated by receiver operating characteristics (ROC) analysis.

Ryohei Fukui, Masataka Onishi, Koshi Hasegawa, Miyu Ohata, Katsuhiro Kida, Sachiko Goto
Aktualn Neurol 2024; 24 (1): 8–14
Assessment of the degree of disability of the Polish NBIA-MPAN population based on a patient survey

Neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation (NBIA) describes a group of extremely rare hereditary disorders with an estimated prevalence of 1–3/1,000,000. Mitochondrial membrane protein associated neurodegeneration (MPAN) is the third most common form of NBIA, accounting for 10% of NBIA cases globally and up to 50% of cases in Poland. This survey was conducted by the Association NBIA Poland to collect data on the functioning of patients with NBIA/MPAN based on selfreported EQ-5D-5L (EuroQoL 5-Dimension 5-Level) scores. A total of 50 patients living in Poland, including 26 patients with NBIA/MPAN, participated in the study. The mean age of NBIA/MPAN patients was 22 years; the mean age at symptom onset is 10 years.

Marta Skowrońska, Iwona Kurkowska-Jastrzębska, Agnieszka Cudna, Agnieszka Antos, Marcel Rydzewski, Justyna Janikiewicz, Aneta M. Dobosz, Agata Wydrych, Magdalena Lebiedzińska-Arciszewska, Barbara Pakuła, Patrycja Jakubek, Mariola Popielarz, Agnieszka Dobrzyń, Maciej Cwyl, Mariusz R. Więckowski
Aktualn Neurol 2024; 24 (1): 15–19
Human herpesvirus 6 as the underestimated causative agent of seizure disorders in febrile children

The aim of the study was to analyse the clinical symptoms and laboratory abnormalities of seizure disorders in febrile children infected with pathogens from the Herpesviridae family – human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV). A total of 75 children were included in the study, including 64 patients after a febrile seizure and 11 patients after an epileptic seizure triggered by infection. The control group consisted of 36 children with developmental delay. Routine inflammatory markers were analysed including C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and white blood count (WBC). Pathogens were detected using standard diagnostic methods.

Grażyna Bugaj, Anna Mania, Karol Lubarski, Mateusz Tomaszewski, Katarzyna Mazur-Melewska, Paweł Małecki, Magdalena Figlerowicz
Aktualn Neurol 2024; 24 (1): 20–34
Current diagnostic pathway for Alzheimer’s disease

The article outlines the diagnostic pathway for patients with dementia, and specifically with Alzheimer’ s disease. The proper diagnostic approach for suspected dementia includes history, cognitive testing, physical and neurological examinations, and neuroimaging and laboratory analysis to fully clarify the patient’s condition. The consecutive stages of the diagnostic process and the current approaches to the importance of various tests are discussed.

Agnieszka Gorzkowska, Aleksandra Klimkowicz-Mrowiec
Aktualn Neurol 2023; 23 (4): 125–130
Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common, irreversible, progressive neurodegenerative disease of the central nervous system leading to dementia. Despite very intensive and multidirectional research efforts toward finding an effective form of therapy, the current approach remains primarily focused on symptomatic treatment. The effectiveness of procognitive drugs (acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine) is limited to a minor contribution to improving cognitive abilities, but the drugs do not stop or slow the progression of the disease. 

Aleksandra Klimkowicz-Mrowiec
Aktualn Neurol 2023; 23 (4): 145–150
Caring for patients in the terminal phase of Alzheimer’s disease

Regardless of the aetiology of dementia, its terminal phase has a similar clinical picture. This is when progressive multi-organ dysfunction and, ultimately, death occur. At this stage, the therapy of cognitive dysfunction loses its dominant role in favour of treatment that reduces the severity of behavioural disorders and, above all, efforts to intensify the care and ensure the comfort of the patient. Dementia usually coexists with other conditions, presenting a difficult and complex medical and care problem.

Alicja Klich-Rączka
Aktualn Neurol 2023; 23 (4): 151–157
Amyloid PET imaging

Extracellular amyloid deposition in brain tissue is a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. Despite being the most common neurodegenerative disorder, it poses a major diagnostic challenge due to the lack of disease-specific biomarkers. Additionally, plaque-forming amyloid deposits are not unique to Alzheimer’s disease, but are also present in a high proportion of the elderly, as well as in patients with other neurodegenerative conditions such as dementia with Lewy bodies.

Anna Błach
Aktualn Neurol 2023; 23 (4): 158–163
The mechanism of action of anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies used in the treatment of multiple sclerosis

CD20 is a transmembrane molecule located on the surface of a major population of cells belonging to the B lymphocyte lineage. Although the significance of this protein remains unknown, the presence of CD20 is a marker for mature circulating B cells. Monoclonal antibodies against CD20 are able to quickly and effectively eliminate circulating B lymphocytes. Four different anti-CD20 antibodies have been studied in the treatment of multiple sclerosis: rituximab, ocrelizumab, ofatumumab and ublituximab. 

Marcin P. Mycko
Aktualn Neurol 2023; 23 (3): 72–78
OPERA and ORATORIO – how the world has been changed by “music”

Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease that progresses over time, leading to disability. The condition is still incurable, but available therapies are increasingly effective. Ocrelizumab is the first anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of relapsing-remitting and primary progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. In the article, based on the results of the OPERA and ORATORIO clinical trials, their extensions, and post-hoc and meta-analyses, the evidence for long-term high effectiveness of the molecule is presented.

Ewa Krzystanek, Robert Bonek
Aktualn Neurol 2023; 23 (3): 84–92
Long-term efficacy of ocrelizumab in the treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis – case reports

Treatment of patients with multiple sclerosis, despite the availability of many therapies, remains a challenge. The introduction of ocrelizumab, a highly effective therapy, has significantly improved the control of disease activity. The article discusses four different cases of patients treated with ocrelizumab, including one patient with newly diagnosed relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis, one case of treatment modification after ineffective first-line therapy, and two cases of long-term follow-up of patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis. 

Ewa Krzystanek, Waldemar Brola, Marcin Wnuk
Aktualn Neurol 2023; 23 (3): 93–104
New directions in ocrelizumab therapy in multiple sclerosis: higher doses and subcutaneous therapy

Ocrelizumab is the first anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody approved for the treatment of relapsing and primary progressive multiple sclerosis. Ocrelizumab is administered intravenously (i.v.) at a dose of 600 mg every six months. It is a highly effective drug strongly inhibiting inflammatory changes in the central nervous system, which nearly completely prevents the development of new active magnetic resonance imaging lesions and clinical relapses. Pharmacokinetic studies and data from post hoc analyses of ocrelizumab pivotal studies suggest that a higher dose than the current dose level might have a stronger therapeutic impact. 

Krzysztof Selmaj, Igor Selmaj
Aktualn Neurol 2023; 23 (3): 118–124
Management of burning mouth syndrome

In this review, we discuss some practical strategies that can be useful for clinicians in the interdisciplinary and individualised management of patients with burning mouth syndrome. Burning mouth syndrome (stomatodynia, glossodynia) is a chronic, idiopathic pain syndrome accompanied by a sensation of pain or burning, scalding, pinching, numbness or stinging without clinical changes in oral cavity mucosa in the absence of abnormalities in additional tests. In addition to the above symptoms, burning mouth syndrome is characterised by a sensation of oral dryness (xerostomia), distortion of the sense of taste (dysgeusia), and food hypersensitivity. 

Hanna Hüpsch-Marzec, Paweł Cieślik, Agnieszka Gorzkowska
Aktualn Neurol 2023, 23 (2), p. 36–40
Differential diagnosis of conversion disorders and dysarthria. Case report

The differential diagnosis of conversion speech disorders and dysarthria is difficult, and publications on the topic are scarce. This study describes the case of a 47-year-old woman with conversion disorders mimicking post-stroke dysarthria. A speechlanguage pathologist analysed the record of the woman’s speech. 

Anna Lis-Skowrońska, Olga Jauer-Niworowska, Przemysław Ireneusz Skowroński
Aktualn Neurol 2023, 23 (2), p. 52–59
Complicated intracranial hypotension as a consequence of electric scooter accident. Case report

The article presents the case of a 41-year-old man who was hospitalised because of neck and occipital pain with nausea. The patient had previously suffered an injury while riding an electric scooter. Computed tomography showed subdural haematomas and cerebral venous sinuses thrombosis, while magnetic resonance imaging confirmed intracranial hypotension.

Beata Łabuz-Roszak, Aleksandra Morajko, Alicja Sierakowska, Krzysztof Kandziora
Aktualn Neurol 2023, 23 (2), p. 60–66

Oświadczam, że posiadam prawo wykonywania zawodu lekarza i jestem uprawniony do otrzymywania specjalistycznych informacji medycznych. Chcę zapoznać się z informacją z serwisu.