Faculty Bibliography
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342
What is the best method to diagnose a vasovagal syncope? [Editorial]
PMID: 33961160
ISSN: 1619-1560
CID: 4874132
Expanding the Genotypic Spectrum of Congenital Sensory and Autonomic Neuropathies Using Whole-Exome Sequencing
Objective/UNASSIGNED:To test the hypothesis that many patients presenting with congenital insensitivity to pain have lesser known or unidentified mutations not captured by conventional genetic panels, we performed whole-exome sequencing in a cohort of well-characterized patients with a clinical diagnosis of congenital hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy with unrevealing conventional genetic testing. Methods/UNASSIGNED:We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) in 13 patients with congenital impaired or absent sensation to pain and temperature with no identified molecular diagnosis from a conventional genetic panel. Patients underwent a comprehensive phenotypic assessment including autonomic function testing, and neurologic and ophthalmologic examinations. Results/UNASSIGNED:). Conclusions/UNASSIGNED:Our results expand the genetic landscape of congenital sensory and autonomic neuropathies. Further validation of some identified variants should confirm their pathogenicity. WES should be clinically considered to expedite diagnosis, reduce laboratory investigations, and guide enrollment in future gene therapy trials.
PMCID:8054964
PMID: 33884296
ISSN: 2376-7839
CID: 4847922
Dysphagia in multiple system atrophy consensus statement on diagnosis, prognosis and treatment
Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a combination of autonomic failure plus cerebellar syndrome and/or parkinsonism. Dysphagia is a frequent and disabling symptom in MSA and its occurrence within 5 years of motor onset is an additional diagnostic feature. Dysphagia can lead to aspiration pneumonia, a recognized cause of death in MSA. Guidelines for diagnosis and management of dysphagia in MSA are lacking. An International Consensus Conference among experts with methodological support was convened in Bologna to reach consensus statements for the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of dysphagia in MSA. Abnormalities of the oral and pharyngeal phases of swallowing, esophageal dysfunction and aspiration occur in MSA and worsen as the disease progresses. According to the consensus, dysphagia should be investigated through available screening questionnaires and clinical and instrumental assessment (videofluoroscopic study or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing and manometry) at the time of MSA diagnosis and periodically thereafter. There is evidence that dysphagia is associated with poor survival in MSA, however effective treatments for dysphagia are lacking. Compensatory strategies like diet modification, swallowing maneuvers and head postures should be applied and botulinum toxin injection may be effective in specific conditions. Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy may be performed when there is a severe risk of malnutrition and pulmonary complications, but its impact on survival is undetermined. Several research gaps and unmet needs for research involving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment were identified.
PMID: 33839029
ISSN: 1873-5126
CID: 4845492
Genome sequencing analysis identifies new loci associated with Lewy body dementia and provides insights into its genetic architecture
The genetic basis of Lewy body dementia (LBD) is not well understood. Here, we performed whole-genome sequencing in large cohorts of LBD cases and neurologically healthy controls to study the genetic architecture of this understudied form of dementia, and to generate a resource for the scientific community. Genome-wide association analysis identified five independent risk loci, whereas genome-wide gene-aggregation tests implicated mutations in the gene GBA. Genetic risk scores demonstrate that LBD shares risk profiles and pathways with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, providing a deeper molecular understanding of the complex genetic architecture of this age-related neurodegenerative condition.
PMCID:7946812
PMID: 33589841
ISSN: 1546-1718
CID: 4808032
Limitations of the Unified Multiple System Atrophy Rating Scale as outcome measure for clinical trials and a roadmap for improvement
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:The unified multiple system atrophy (MSA) rating scale (UMSARS) was developed almost 20Â years ago as a clinical rating scale to capture multiple aspects of the disease. With its widespread use, the shortcomings of the UMSARS as a clinical outcome assessment (COA) have become increasingly apparent. We here summarize the shortcomings of the scale, confirm some of its limitations with data from the Natural History Study of the Synucleinopathies (NHSS), and suggest a framework to develop and validate an improved COA to be used in future clinical trials of disease-modifying drugs in patients with MSA. METHODS:Expert consensus assessment of the limitations of the UMSARS and recommendations for the development and validation of a novel COA for MSA. We used UMSARS data from the ongoing NHSS (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01799915) to showcase some of these limitations. RESULTS:The UMSARS in general, and specific items in particular, have limitations to detect change resulting in a ceiling effect. Some items have specific limitations including unclear anchoring descriptions, lack of correlation with disease severity, susceptibility to improve with symptomatic therapies (e.g., orthostatic hypotension, constipation, and bladder dysfunction), and redundancy, among others. CONCLUSIONS:Because of the limitations of the UMSARS, developing and validating an improved COA is a priority. The time is right for academic MSA clinicians together with industry, professional societies, and patient advocacy groups to develop and validate a new COA.
PMCID:7868077
PMID: 33554315
ISSN: 1619-1560
CID: 4780452
Correction to: Longitudinal changes in the macula and optic nerve in familial dysautonomia
PMID: 33388930
ISSN: 1432-1459
CID: 4738402
Longitudinal changes in the macula and optic nerve in familial dysautonomia
OBJECTIVE:Familial Dysautonomia (FD) disease, lacks a useful biomarker for clinical monitoring. In this longitudinal study we characterized the structural changes in the macula, peripapillary and the optic nerve head (ONH) regions in subjects with FD. METHODS:Data was consecutively collected from subjects attending the FD clinic between 2012 and 2019. All subjects were imaged with spectral-domain Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT). Global and sectoral measurements of mean retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and macular ganglion cell and inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) thickness, and ONH parameters of rim area, average cup-to-disc (C:D) ratio, and cup volume were used for the analysis. The best fit models (linear, quadratic and broken stick linear model) were used to describe the longitudinal change in each of the parameters. RESULTS:91 subjects (149 eyes) with FD of ages 5-56 years were included in the analysis. The rate of change for average RNFL and average GCIPL thicknesses were significant before reaching a plateau at the age of 26.2 for RNFL and 24.8 for GCIPL (- 0.861 µm/year (95% CI - 1.026, - 0.693) and - 0.553 µm/year (95% CI - 0.645, - 0.461), respectively). Significant linear rate of progression was noted for all ONH parameters, except for a subset of subjects (24%), with no cupping that did not show progression in any of the ONH parameters. CONCLUSIONS:The rapidly declining RNFL and GCIPL can explain the progressive visual impairment previously reported in these subjects. Among all structural parameters, ONH parameters might be most suitable for longitudinal follow-up, in eyes with a measurable cup.
PMID: 33180192
ISSN: 1432-1459
CID: 4663032
Frequency and burden of gastrointestinal symptoms in familial dysautonomia
PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE:Familial dysautonomia (FD) is a rare hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy (HSAN-3) that is clinically characterized by impaired pain and temperature perception and abnormal autonomic function. Patients with FD have gastrointestinal dysmotility and report a range of gastrointestinal symptoms that have yet to be systematically evaluated. The aim of this study was to establish the frequency and severity of gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with FD. METHODS:The validated National Institutes of Health Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) survey questionnaire, together with additional FD-specific questions, were distributed to 202 living patients with genetically confirmed FD who had been identified from the New York University FD Patient Registry or, when relevant, to their respective caretaker. As a comparison group, we used a general US adult population for whom PROMIS scores were available (N = 71,812). RESULTS:Of the 202 questionnaires distributed, 77 (38%) were returned, of which 53% were completed by the patient. Median age of the respondents was 25 years, and 44% were male. Gastrostomy tube was the sole nutrition route for 25% of the patients, while 53% were reliant on the gastrostomy tube only for liquid intake. The prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms was significantly higher in each of the eight domains of PROMIS in patients with FD than in the controls. Gastrointestinal symptoms as measured by raw scores on the PROMIS scale were significantly less severe in the FD patient group than in the control population in all domains with the exception of the abdominal pain domain. The surveys completed by caregivers reported the same burden of symptoms as those completed only by patients. CONCLUSION/CONCLUSIONS:Gastrointestinal symptoms affect nearly all patients with FD. Gastrointestinal symptoms are more prevalent in adult patients with FD than in the average US adult population but are less severe in the former.
PMID: 33025279
ISSN: 1619-1560
CID: 4631552
Clinical Trials for Orthostatic Hypotension in Parkinson's Disease and Other Synucleinopathies
Neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH) is one of the most debilitating nonmotor symptoms in patients with Parkinson disease and other synucleinopathies. Patients with Parkinson disease and nOH suffer from more hospitalizations, emergency room visits, more telephone calls and e-mails to providers, and have a significantly shorter survival compared to patients with Parkinson disease and no nOH. Overall, health-related costs in patients with Parkinson disease and OH are 2.5-fold higher compared to patients with Parkinson disease without OH. Therefore, the development of effective therapies for patients with Parkinson disease and nOH should be a research priority. In recent years, better understanding of the pathophysiology of nOH has resulted in the identification of novel therapeutic targets and the development and approval of effective drug therapies, such as midodrine and droxidopa. We here review the design and endpoint selection for clinical trials of nOH in patients with Parkinson disease and other synucleinopathies, recapitulate the results of completed and ongoing clinical trials for nOH, and discuss common challenges and their potential remedies.
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EMBASE:632753859
ISSN: 1940-6045
CID: 4628202
Effects of once-daily ampreloxetine (TD-9855), a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, on blood pressure in subjects with symptomatic neurogenic orthostatic hypotension [Meeting Abstract]
Background: In neurogenic orthostatic hypotension (nOH), blood pressure (BP) falls due to inadequate norepinephrine (NE) release when upright. Ampreloxetine, a novel, long-acting NE reuptake inhibitor, potentiates effects of endogenous NE and has shown durable symptom improvement in subjects with nOH associated with synucleinopathies. The objective of this study was to evaluate measures of BP regulation in subjects with symptomatic nOH treated with open-label ampreloxetine.
Method(s): In a phase 2, multicenter, exploratory study, subjects received ampreloxetine once-daily (3-20 mg) for up to 20 weeks, with 4-week follow-up after ampreloxetine withdrawal and restarting other pressor agents. Assessments included Orthostatic Hypotension Symptom Assessment Item 1 score (OHSA#1; dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling faint); standing, sitting, and supine systolic BP (SBP); standing duration; and plasma NE.
Result(s): Seventeen symptomatic subjects (baseline OHSA#1 score >4) were enrolled (mean age, 65 years). Standing and sitting SBP, standing duration, plasma NE, and symptoms improved from Weeks 1 to 20. Mean increase in 3-minute standing SBP from baseline was 9.0 mmHg at Week 4 and 10.8 mmHg at Week 20; >50% of subjects maintained SBP >80 mmHg. Sitting SBP changes were less, with little change in supine SBP. At Week 4, 67% of subjects could stand for >5 mins, 31% improvement from baseline. NE plasma levels rose from pre-dose to Week 4 (1664.93-2231.67 pmol/l). After ampreloxetine withdrawal and restarting other pressor agents, standing SBP remained increased; however, nOH symptoms deteriorated to baseline. Ampreloxetine was well tolerated.
Conclusion(s): Ampreloxetine has previously demonstrated durable symptom improvement in nOH. Symptom improvement was accompanied by increase in standing and sitting SBP, standing duration, and NE plasma levels, with little effect on supine SBP. These encouraging findings are being evaluated further in ongoing Phase 3, double-blind, confirmatory studies in subjects with nOH and synucleinopathies.
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Method(s): In a phase 2, multicenter, exploratory study, subjects received ampreloxetine once-daily (3-20 mg) for up to 20 weeks, with 4-week follow-up after ampreloxetine withdrawal and restarting other pressor agents. Assessments included Orthostatic Hypotension Symptom Assessment Item 1 score (OHSA#1; dizziness, lightheadedness, feeling faint); standing, sitting, and supine systolic BP (SBP); standing duration; and plasma NE.
Result(s): Seventeen symptomatic subjects (baseline OHSA#1 score >4) were enrolled (mean age, 65 years). Standing and sitting SBP, standing duration, plasma NE, and symptoms improved from Weeks 1 to 20. Mean increase in 3-minute standing SBP from baseline was 9.0 mmHg at Week 4 and 10.8 mmHg at Week 20; >50% of subjects maintained SBP >80 mmHg. Sitting SBP changes were less, with little change in supine SBP. At Week 4, 67% of subjects could stand for >5 mins, 31% improvement from baseline. NE plasma levels rose from pre-dose to Week 4 (1664.93-2231.67 pmol/l). After ampreloxetine withdrawal and restarting other pressor agents, standing SBP remained increased; however, nOH symptoms deteriorated to baseline. Ampreloxetine was well tolerated.
Conclusion(s): Ampreloxetine has previously demonstrated durable symptom improvement in nOH. Symptom improvement was accompanied by increase in standing and sitting SBP, standing duration, and NE plasma levels, with little effect on supine SBP. These encouraging findings are being evaluated further in ongoing Phase 3, double-blind, confirmatory studies in subjects with nOH and synucleinopathies.
Copyright
EMBASE:2010479824
ISSN: 1873-5126
CID: 5184242
