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A systematic review was conducted to determine the trends in devices and parameters used for brain photobiomodulation (PBM). The revised studies included clinical and cadaveric approaches, in which light stimuli were applied to the head and/or neck. PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar databases were used for the systematic search. A total of 2133 records were screened, from which 97 were included in this review. The parameters that were extracted and analysed in each article were the device design, actuation area, actuation site, wavelength, mode of operation, power density, energy density, power output, energy per session and treatment time. To organize device information, 11 categories of devices were defined, according to their characteristics. The most used category of devices was laser handpieces, which relate to 21% of all devices, while 28% of the devices were not described. Studies for cognitive function and physiological characterisation are the most well defined ones and with more tangible results. There is a lack of consistency when reporting PBM studies, with several articles under defining the stimulation protocol, and a wide variety of parameters used for the same health conditions (e.g., Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease) resulting in positive outcomes. Standardization for the report of these studies is warranted, as well as sham-controlled comparative studies to determine which parameters have the greatest effect on PBM treatments for different neurological conditions.

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As the kynurenine pathway's links to inflammation, the immune system, and neurological disorders became more apparent, it attracted more and more attention. It is the main pathway through which the liver breaks down Tryptophan and the initial step in the creation of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) in mammals. Immune system activation and the buildup of potentially neurotoxic substances can result from the dysregulation or overactivation of this pathway. Therefore, it is not shocking that kynurenines have been linked to neurological conditions (Depression, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, Huntington's Disease, Schizophrenia, and cognitive deficits) in relation to inflammation. Nevertheless, preclinical research has demonstrated that kynurenines are essential components of the behavioral analogs of depression and schizophrenia-like cognitive deficits in addition to mediators associated with neurological pathologies due to their neuromodulatory qualities. Neurodegenerative diseases have been extensively associated with neuroactive metabolites of the kynurenine pathway (KP) of tryptophan breakdown. In addition to being a necessary amino acid for protein synthesis, Tryptophan is also transformed into the important neurotransmitters tryptamine and serotonin in higher eukaryotes. In this article, a summary of the KP, its function in neurodegeneration, and the approaches being used currently to target the route therapeutically are discussed.

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At some institutions, musculoskeletal and general radiologists rather than neuroradiologists are responsible for reading magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the spine. However, neurological findings, especially intrathecal ones, can be challenging. Intrathecal neurological findings in the spine can be classified by location (epidural, intradural extramedullary, and intramedullary) or etiology (tumor, infection, inflammatory, congenital). In this paper, we provide a succinct review of the intrathecal neurological findings that can be seen on MRI of the spine, primarily by location and secondarily by etiology, in order that this may serve as a helpful guide for musculoskeletal and general radiologists when encountering intrathecal neurological pathologies.

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TBS (theta-burst stimulation) is a novel therapeutic approach in a wide range of neurological diseases. The present systematic review aims to identify the various protocols used in the last years, to assess study quality and to offer a general overview of the current state of the literature. The systematic review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Item for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We applied the following inclusion criteria: (1) population over 18 years old with diagnosed neurological disorders, (2) patients treated with sessions of theta-burst stimulation, (3) randomized-controlled clinical trials, (4) articles in the English language, and (5) studies that report response and score reduction on a validated scale of the investigated disorder or remission rates. We included in the final analysis 56 randomized controlled trials focusing on different neurological pathologies (stroke, Parkinson`s disease, multiple sclerosis, tinnitus, dystonia, chronic pain, essential tremor and tic disorder), and we extracted data regarding study design, groups and comparators, sample sizes, type of coil, stimulation parameters (frequency, number of pulses, intensity, stimulation site etc.), number of sessions, follow-up, assessment through functional connectivity and neurological scales used. We observed a great interstudy heterogenicity that leads to a difficulty in drawing plain conclusions. TBS protocols have shown promising results in improving various symptoms in patients with neurological disorders, but larger and more coherent studies, using similar stimulation protocols and evaluation scales, are needed to establish guideline recommendations.

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Sleep disturbances are common in various neurological pathologies, including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), multiple system atrophy (MSA), hereditary ataxias, Huntington's disease (HD), progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). This article reviews the prevalence and characteristics of sleep disorders in these conditions, highlighting their impact on patients' quality of life and disease progression. Sleep-related breathing disorders, insomnia, restless legs syndrome (RLS), periodic limb movement syndrome (PLMS), and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) are among the common sleep disturbances reported. Both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions play crucial roles in managing sleep disturbances and enhancing overall patient care.

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BACKGROUND: Acute acquired comitant esotropia (AACE) is an uncommon subtype of esotropia characterized by sudden and usually late onset of a relatively large angle of comitant esotropia with diplopia in older children and adults. METHODS: A literature survey regarding neurological pathologies in AACE was conducted using databases (PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, BioMed Central, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) in order to collect data for a narrative review of published reports and available literature. RESULTS: The results of the literature survey were analyzed to provide an overview of the current knowledge of neurological pathologies in AACE. The results revealed that AACE with unclear etiologies can occur in many cases in both children and adults. Functional etiological factors for AACE were found to be due to many reasons, such as functional accommodative spasm, the excessive near work use of mobile phones/smartphones, and other digital screens. In addition, AACE was found to be associated with neurological disorders, such as astrocytoma of the corpus callosum, medulloblastoma, tumors of the brain stem or cerebellum, Arnold-Chiari malformation, cerebellar astrocytoma, Chiari 1 malformation, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, pontine glioma, cerebellar ataxia, thalamic lesions, myasthenia gravis, certain types of seizures, and hydrocephalus. CONCLUSIONS: Previously reported cases of AACE with unknown etiologies have been reported in both children and adults. However, AACE can be associated with neurological disorders that require neuroimaging probes. The author recommends that clinicians should perform comprehensive neurological assessments to rule out neurological pathologies in AACE, especially in the presence of nystagmus or abnormal ocular and neurological indications (e.g., headache, cerebellar imbalance, weakness, nystagmus, papilloedema, clumsiness, and poor motor coordination).

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Previously reported cases of acute acquired comitant esotropia (AACE) with unknown etiologies have been reported in both children and adults. However, AACE can be associated with neurological disorders that require neuroimaging probes. The author recommends that clinicians should perform comprehensive neurological assessments to rule out neurological pathologies in AACE, especially in the presence of A or V pattern esotropia, nystagmus, or abnormal ocular and neurological indications (e.g. headache, cerebellar imbalance, weakness, nystagmus, papilloedema, clumsiness, and poor motor coordination).

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Introduction: Cannabidiol (CBD) is the second most abundant Phytocannabinoid in Cannabis extracts. CBD has a binding affinity for several cannabinoid and cannabinoid-associated receptors. Epidiolex (oral CBD solution) has been lately licensed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of pediatric epileptic seizures. Methods: In this review, we discussed the most promising applications of CBD for chronic inflammatory conditions, namely CBD's anti-inflammatory effects during inflammatory bowel disease, coronavirus disease (antiviral effect), brain pathologies (neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties), as well as CBD immunomodulatory and antitumoral activities in the tumor microenvironment. Special focus was shed on the main therapeutic mechanisms of action of CBD, particularly in the control of the immune system and the endocannabinoid system. Results: Findings suggest that CBD is a potent immunomodulatory drug as it has manifested immunosuppressive properties in the context of sterile inflammation (e.g., inflammatory bowel disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and neurodegenerative diseases), and immunoprotective effects during viral infections (e.g. COVID-19) Similarly, CBD has exhibited a selective response toward cancer types by engaging different targets and signaling pathways. These results are in favor of the primary function of the endocannabinoid system which is homeostatic maintenance. Conclusion: The presented evidence suggests that the endocannabinoid system is a prominent target for the treatment of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, rheumatoid diseases, viral infections, neurological and psychological pathologies, and cancer. Moreover, the antitumoral activities of CBD have been suggested to be potentially used in combination with chemo- or immunotherapy during cancer. However, clinical results are still lacking, which raises a challenge to apply translational cannabis research to the human immune system.

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BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Home-based care and oral supplemental nutrition may be an efficient way of managing health resources, freeing up hospital resources and improving patient care and quality of life. For some conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases and acute neurological conditions, adequate nutritional control of patients at the time of discharge, with home monitoring by a home hospitalization unit (HHU), coupled with the introduction of necessary and appropriate oral nutritional supplements for each patient, is a good strategy for ensuring the efficiency of health resources. The aim of this paper is to analyse the direct health costs, considering home care and oral nutritional supplement, of patients with newly diagnosed neurological diseases and at risk of nutritional problems. METHODS: A study was designed to measure direct health care costs of patients with neurological related diseases according to their different nutritional needs. The sample for this study consisted of all patients (n = 100) of the Elda University Hospital in Elda, Spain, with newly diagnosed neurological pathology and suspected malnutrition at hospital discharge during a six months period. These patients were included in a home base care program and given oral nutritional supplements afterwards. The nutritional intervention consisted in giving nutritional supplements according to nutritional patients' needs through a home-based care unit. Nutritional needs could comprise from protein-calorie malnutrition to at risk of malnutrition. Descriptive health care costs analysis was carried out accounting for the nutritional status. Costs are expressed in 2018 euros and for a total time horizon of one year, six months of classical inpatient care and six months of home care monitoring with a nutritional intervention. RESULTS: Mean direct health care cost for neurological patients in the six months of classical inpatient care was €8309.30 and, the direct healthcare cost of treating these patients according to their nutritional needs from a home care unit was €2970.18. The subgroup of patients that most benefited from the nutritional intervention and monitoring from the home care unit were those who were in a state of protein-calorie malnutrition or at risk of malnutrition. Under the log transformation of the variables, the Shapiro-Wilk test showed significant differences in mean costs at the 5% level for the two time periods for those suffering from protein-calorie malnutrition or at risk of malnutrition. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to measure and economically quantify the direct health care costs of patients with neurological diseases in order to be able to evaluate different hospital and home-care interventions according to different nutritional needs. Oral nutritional supplements and monitoring by the hospital home care unit could be associated with saving money when patients have protein-calorie malnutrition or at risk of malnutrition. Therefore, direct health costs information is needed to future evaluate these different management interventions.

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The world is experiencing one of the major viral outbreaks of this millennium, caused by a plus sense single-stranded RNA virus belonging to the Coronaviridae family, COVID-19, declared as pandemic by WHO. The clinical manifestations vary from asymptomatic to mild symptoms like fever, dry cough, and diarrhea, with further increase in severity leading to the development of acute respiratory distress syndrome. Though primary manifestations are respiratory and cardiac, various studies have shown the neuroinvasive capability of this virus resulting in neurological complications, which sometimes can precede common typical symptoms like fever and cough. Common neurological symptoms are headache, dizziness, anosmia, dysgeusia, confusion, and muscle weakening, progressing toward severe complications like cerebrovascular disease, seizures, or paralysis. Older adults and critically ill people are in the high risk group and have shown severe neurological symptoms upon infection. COVID-19 also has a profound impact on the mental health of people across the world. In this review, we briefly discuss the neurological pathologies and psychological impact due to COVID-19, which has not only stressed the physical health of people but has also created social and economic problems resulting in mental health issues.

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Microglia are long-living resident immune cells of the brain, which secure a stable chemical and physical microenvironment necessary for the proper functioning of the central nervous system (CNS). These highly dynamic cells continuously scan their environment for pathogens and possess the ability to react to damage-induced signals in order to protect the brain. Microglia, together with endothelial cells (ECs), pericytes and astrocytes, form the functional blood-brain barrier (BBB), a specialized endothelial structure that selectively separates the sensitive brain parenchyma from blood circulation. Microglia are in bidirectional and permanent communication with ECs and their perivascular localization enables them to survey the influx of blood-borne components into the CNS. Furthermore, they may stimulate the opening of the BBB, extravasation of leukocytes and angiogenesis. However, microglia functioning requires tight control as their dysregulation is implicated in the initiation and progression of numerous neurological diseases. Disruption of the BBB, changes in blood flow, introduction of pathogens in the sensitive CNS niche, insufficient nutrient supply, and abnormal secretion of cytokines or expression of endothelial receptors are reported to prime and attract microglia. Such reactive microglia have been reported to even escalate the damage of the brain parenchyma as is the case in ischemic injuries, brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease. In this review, we present the current state of the art of the causes and mechanisms of pathological interactions between microglia and blood vessels and explore the possibilities of targeting those dysfunctional interactions for the development of future therapeutics.

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Leucine-rich repeat and immunoglobulin domain-containing protein (Lingo-1) is a potent negative regulator of neuron and oligodendrocyte survival, neurite extension, axon regeneration, oligodendrocyte differentiation, axonal myelination and functional recovery; all processes highly implicated in numerous brain-related functions. Although playing a major role in developmental brain functions, the potential application of Lingo-1 as a therapeutic target for the treatment of neurological disorders has so far been under-estimated. A number of preclinical studies have shown that various methods of antagonizing Lingo-1 results in neuronal and oligodendroglial survival, axonal growth and remyelination; however to date literature has only detailed applications of Lingo-1 targeted therapeutics with a focus primarily on myelination disorders such as multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury; omitting important information regarding Lingo-1 signaling co-factors. Here, we provide for the first time a complete and thorough review of the implications of Lingo-1 signaling in a wide range of neurological and psychiatric disorders, and critically examine its potential as a novel therapeutic target for these disorders.

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