Introduction: The validation of the neurological disorders depression inventory (NDDI-E) has been carried out in several countries; however, this process has not been carried out in Cuba. Therefore, the objective was to determine the reliability, construct validity, and convergent validity of the NDDI-E in a Cuban sample with epilepsy and a healthy control group. Methods: Technology development work research development innovation (I+D+i). Non probabilistic purposive sampling of 148 people (102 with epilepsies and 46 healthy control subjects). The NDDI-E and scale of the Zung and Conde pressure scale were applied. Cronbach alpha and items elimination analysis were evaluated. Exploratory factor analysis and Spearman Rho correlation between the scales was calculates, statistical significance p≤0.05. Results: Cronbach alpha was α = 0.73. The total-items correlation were > 0.300. The Kaiser Meyer Olhin (KMO = 0.70. The sphericity of Bartlett = 0.000. The exploratory factor analysis identified a bifactorial structure. A positive correlation was obtained between the NDDI-E and the Zung and Conde scale (Spearman Rho = 0.902, p < 0.001). Conclusions: It is proved that the NDDI-E adapted to a Cuban samples with epilepsy and a healthy control group has appropriate reliability and construct validity and convergence. It is recommended to validate the NDDI-E in a representative samples of the Cuban population with epilepsy, healthy and other neurological pathologies.
Background Current Alzheimer’s disease (AD) therapies focused on amyloid-β (Aβ) clearance have yielded limited memory improvement, while deep brain stimulation (DBS) of memory-related nodes has produced inconsistent clinical outcomes. These shortcomings highlight an urgent need for interventions that target the breakdown of neural plasticity with circuit and temporal specificity. Methods Here, we validate the Tag-Guided Circuit Rewiring (TGCR) paradigm, a translational application of the synaptic tagging and capture (STC) hypothesis, in aged 5XFAD mice. We hypothesized that a spatial learning task tags hippocampal-cortical circuits via activity-dependent mechanisms, while precisely timed post-training basolateral amygdala (BLA) stimulation (15 min after each session) acts as a global trigger for the synthesis and synaptic capture of plasticity-related proteins (PRPs) to drive memory consolidation. Results This "Tag-and-Trigger" paradigm rescued spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze, restored performance in novel object recognition and object location tasks, and reinstated hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in a transgenic AD mouse model. Molecularly, BLA stimulation normalized the expression of the synaptic tag Arc, the plasticity-related protein BDNF, and the immediate-early gene c-Fos. Furthermore, it drove a robust, region-specific upregulation of the structural plasticity proteins: MAP-2 in the hippocampus and GAP-43 in the prefrontal cortex. Remarkably, this plasticity-focused intervention also reduced amyloid plaque burden and protected against neuronal loss in both regions, a disease-modifying effect likely mediated by the restoration of a pro-survival, pro-plasticity milieu. Conclusions These findings demonstrate that the "Tag-and-Trigger" paradigm reconstitutes the molecular, synaptic, and structural foundations of memory by leveraging intrinsic, activity-dependent rules of neural self-organization. This work identifies targeted amygdala stimulation as a potent, disease-modifying strategy that overcomes the limitations of current, non-contingent neuromodulation, offering a promising avenue for functional restoration in Alzheimer's disease.
The use of transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) to enhance motor learning is a topic of great interest in physical rehabilitation and the context of sports performance. The objetive was evaluate the effect of applying two different transcranial electrical stimulation protocols on motor learning in healthy adults. Materials and methods. The investigation consisted of two experiments; the first included 15 randomized control subjects assigned to three groups, each receiving different initial interventions. The first group started with transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS), the second group started with transcranial random noise stimulation (tRNS), and the third group received a placebo stimulation. All subjects were evaluated using a Lafayette board, performing the four standardized tasks established by its authors. The total number of errors in each task was analyzed based on the experimental intervention. In the second experiment, 11 subjects were evaluated to determine the influence of timing (before or during the test) of the application of the modality that proved most effective in Experiment 1, using the Minnesota board. Results. In the first experiment, subjects who received tDCS and tRNS demonstrated better motor performance, making fewer errors compared to the placebo group (repeated measures ANOVA; p = 0.006). A large average effect size was found for tRNS (Hedge’s g = -0.8) and a moderate effect size for tDCS (Hedge’s g = -0.6). tRNS was more effective when applied during task execution (Hedge’s g = -0.64 vs. -0.33), but both modalities significantly reduced execution time (ANOVA, p = 0.0191). Conclusions. The application of tDCS and tRNS improved motor learning, particularly the application of tRNS during the execution of the experimental paradigm.
BACKGROUND:In recent years, significant progress has been made in immune demyelinating disorders, particularly regarding early diagnosis and disease-modifying drugs (DMDs). Despite advancements, socioeconomic factors in many Latin American countries present unique challenges that impede the proper identification and management of these disorders. OBJECTIVES:The updated consensus from the Central American and Caribbean working group strives to enhance the management of Multiple Sclerosis (MS), Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder (NMOSD), and Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Antibody-Associated Disease (MOGAD) by offering a framework for incorporating available treatment into clinical practice. METHODS:The authors conducted an extensive bibliographic search and followed a consensus process that included input from forum members to present a new, revised, and finalized report. RESULTS:The consensus, endorsed by over 70% of members, covers the application of DMDs, biologic agents, glucocorticoids, definitions of therapeutic failure, patient monitoring, cessation of treatment, prognosis, therapy use during pregnancy and lactation, and vaccination in patients initiating or on DMDs or biologic treatments. CONCLUSION:The revised consensus and guidelines aim to enhance long-term outcomes in these regions by assisting patients, regulatory bodies, healthcare providers, and policymakers.
Introducción La cirugía funcional constituye una alternativa terapéutica para los pacientes con enfermedad de Parkinson (EP). Es conocido que tanto la subtalamotomía como la palidotomía bilaterales provocan complicaciones neurológicas, por lo que en las técnicas ablativas no resulta recomendable el abordaje bilateral del GPi en la EP y se sugiere tener precaución con la indicación de la subtalamotomía bilateral. Nuestro grupo ha perfeccionado la técnica quirúrgica para la ablación del núcleo subtalámico buscando disminuir la aparición de las discinesias inducidas por la cirugía y obtener mejor efecto terapéutico, por lo que el abordaje del NST en un segundo tiempo quirúrgico en el hemisferio opuesto al que se realizó previamente la palidotomía, evitaría las complicaciones derivadas de la palidotomía bilateral y puede ser una alternativa segura para los pacientes aun cuando estos presenten cuadros de discinesias. Nos propusimos evaluar el efecto y la seguridad de la combinación de la lesión del GPi y del NST en hemisferios cerebrales opuestos en pacientes con EP. Método Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo que incluyó a todos los pacientes operados en el CIREN en un periodo de 22 años, a los que se les realizó una palidotomía contralateral al hemicuerpo más afectado; seguida de una subtalamotomía del hemisferio opuesto en un segundo tiempo quirúrgico. El efecto sobre la condición neurológica fue evaluado mediante la sección III de la escala de MDS-UPDRS. Se evaluó la seguridad según escala de efectos adversos y escala de Clavien y Dindo. Resultados Ambas intervenciones quirúrgicas tuvieron un impacto positivo en el tratamiento farmacológico de los pacientes reduciéndose significativamente las dosis de L-dopa. Se observó una mejoría significativa en la condición motora de los pacientes con relación a las discinesias, así como a la rigidez, la bradicinesia y el temblor. Conclusiones La combinación palidotomía/subtalamotomía mostró ser una alternativa efectiva para el tratamiento de la EP complicada, capaz de permitir un mejor control motor y una reducción de la dosis de L-dopa con una baja tasa de complicaciones; permitiendo además evitar las complicaciones derivadas de la palidotomía y de la subtalamotomía bilaterales, demostrando ser una alternativa segura para los pacientes aun cuando estos presenten cuadros de discinesias.
