Current Opinion In Neurology[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
The role of brain MRI in autoimmune encephalitis.
Hartung TJ, Kuchling J, Finke C
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Jun · PMID 41947644 · Full text
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Brain MRI is central to the diagnostic work-up of autoimmune encephalitis (AE). This review summarizes established patterns on routine MRI sequences across antibody-defined AE types and highlights emer...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Brain MRI is central to the diagnostic work-up of autoimmune encephalitis (AE). This review summarizes established patterns on routine MRI sequences across antibody-defined AE types and highlights emerging quantitative and network-based approaches aimed at improving sensitivity, phenotypic stratification, and prognostication. RECENT FINDINGS: Conventional MRI reveals syndrome-associated patterns that can support diagnosis in several AE types, including medial temporal involvement in LGI1, CASPR2, and GABA(B) receptor encephalitis; multifocal cortico-subcortical lesions in GABA(A) receptor encephalitis, and radial perivascular enhancement in GFAP astrocytopathy. Longitudinal studies show that regional and global atrophy better reflect cumulative injury and clinical outcome than acute lesions in entities such as NMDA receptor encephalitis or IgLON5 antibody-mediated disease. Basic quantitative measures derived from routine sequences can detect microstructural abnormalities in normal-appearing tissue. Advanced techniques including quantitative MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, and resting-state functional MRI demonstrate widespread structural and functional network disruption beyond visible lesions. Translational animal studies further link imaging changes to antibody-mediated synaptic dysfunction. SUMMARY: Conventional MRI remains indispensable for differential diagnosis and pattern recognition in AE. Pragmatic approaches such as volumetry and basic quantitative metrics are closest to clinical implementation, whereas advanced techniques require further standardization and validation. Together, these developments position MRI to evolve from a primarily diagnostic tool toward precision phenotyping, prognosis, and longitudinal monitoring in AE.
Cellular immunophenotyping in multiple sclerosis: advances and clinical implications.
Möllenkamp TM, Müller-Miny L, Meyer Zu Hörste G
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Jun · PMID 41944353 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Multiple sclerosis is a clinically heterogeneous disease that is driven by complex immune mechanisms. This review summarizes recent methodological advances in immunophenotyping and discusses clinical i...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Multiple sclerosis is a clinically heterogeneous disease that is driven by complex immune mechanisms. This review summarizes recent methodological advances in immunophenotyping and discusses clinical implications for diagnosis, prognosis, therapy selection, and monitoring. RECENT FINDINGS: Methodological advances like high-dimensional flow cytometry and single-cell technologies aim to define Multiple sclerosis immunological endophenotypes associated with different disease trajectories. Novel spectral flow and mass cytometry panels reveal distinct immune cell subsets. Myeloid cell populations have been identified in aggressive disease variants and tissue-resident T cells in cerebrospinal fluid. Clinically, baseline immune signatures aim to predict disease progression and treatment response. Patients with a highly inflammatory immune profile have been found to exhibit more rapid progression and to be prone to treatment failure. Immunophenotyping may therefore guide treatment, from identifying those at risk of Alemtuzumab-induced autoimmunity to monitoring B-cell repopulation for personalized dosing schedules. SUMMARY: Immunophenotyping enables increasingly precise characterization of Multiple sclerosis immuno-pathogenesis. While not yet routine, these tools show promise for improving differential diagnosis, individualizing therapy initiation and monitoring. Ongoing research and standardization are paving the way towards precision immunology-approaches in clinical practice.
Paroxysmal movement disorders: an update on genetics, mechanisms, and emerging therapeutic strategies.
Makrygianni M, Erro R, Stamelou M
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Aug · PMID 41944352 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will discuss the latest genetic and pathophysiological spectrum of paroxysmal movement disorders and emerging therapeutic strategies. RECENT FINDINGS: Paroxysmal movement disorders comprise...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review will discuss the latest genetic and pathophysiological spectrum of paroxysmal movement disorders and emerging therapeutic strategies. RECENT FINDINGS: Paroxysmal movement disorders comprise a heterogenous group of rare movement disorders characterized by intermittent episodes of spontaneous or triggered attacks of hyperkinetic movement disorders. Genetic spectrum has evolved offering new insights in the pathophysiological mechanisms of known genes as PRRT2 and new ones as TMEM151A . Also, SCA 27B -related adult-onset cerebellar ataxia has emerged as a new treatable cause of episodic ataxia. SUMMARY: Exploring new pathophysiological associations can offer diagnostic precision and development of new therapeutic directions.
Autoimmune encephalitis and paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome: clinical diagnosis.
Lee ST
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Jun · PMID 41934148 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) and paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PNS) are increasingly identified as causes of rapidly progressive immune-mediated neurologic syndromes. This review outlines diagno...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Autoimmune encephalitis (AE) and paraneoplastic neurologic syndromes (PNS) are increasingly identified as causes of rapidly progressive immune-mediated neurologic syndromes. This review outlines diagnostic strategies and identifies key clinical and laboratory features for the accurate differential diagnosis. RECENT FINDINGS: The diagnostic flow includes taking a detailed history for autoimmune progression, recognizing pattern of antibody-associated symptoms, performing neuroanatomical localization, and application of diagnostic work-up consisting of MRI, CSF analysis, and antibody testing. Specific antibodies correlate with distinct syndromes, while seronegative AE remains a diagnostical challenge. Given the broad differential diagnosis, accurate symptom interpretation and the recognition of red flags are critical to preventing misdiagnosis. Ultimately, the correct application and interpretation of antibody assays are crucial. SUMMARY: AE and PNS represent a heterogeneous group of immune-mediated CNS disorders requiring early diagnosis and timely immunotherapy. Multimodal diagnostic strategies integrating well-balanced clinical, radiological, and serological data are essential to minimize misdiagnosis.
MRI in multiple sclerosis: progress in in-vivo pathobiology.
Cortese R, Bianchi A, De Stefano N
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Jun · PMID 41934147 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have substantially expanded the ability to investigate multiple sclerosis (MS) pathobiology in-vivo. Beyond its diagnostic role, MRI now captures blo...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have substantially expanded the ability to investigate multiple sclerosis (MS) pathobiology in-vivo. Beyond its diagnostic role, MRI now captures blood-brain barrier dysfunction, demyelination, neuroaxonal loss, glial activation, and network disruption across disease stages. This review is timely as accumulating evidence challenges a purely inflammation-driven ("outside-in") model of MS and supports interacting central nervous system-intrinsic ("inside-out") mechanisms that contribute to progression and disability. RECENT FINDINGS: Conventional MRI markers, such as gadolinium-enhancing lesions and T2 lesion burden, primarily reflect focal inflammatory activity. Advanced imaging techniques reveal diffuse tissue vulnerability, chronic active lesions, meningeal inflammation, metabolic dysfunction, and network failure, often independent of acute inflammation. These biomarkers bridge focal lesion pathology with smoldering, compartmentalized, and neurodegenerative processes. SUMMARY: MRI supports a unified model of MS in which inflammatory, metabolic, and neurodegenerative mechanisms interact rather than follow a single linear cascade. Mechanistic MRI biomarkers enable biological stratification of patients, inform prognosis, and provide sensitive outcome measures for neuroprotective and remyelinating therapies, moving the field beyond lesion counting toward precision medicine.
New insights in multiple sclerosis pathology.
Menuchin-Lasowski Y, Kuhlmann T
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Jun · PMID 41934145 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Current concepts suggest that relapse associated worsening as well as progression independent of relapse activity contributes to the long-term disability outcome of people with multiple sclerosis (MS)....
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Current concepts suggest that relapse associated worsening as well as progression independent of relapse activity contributes to the long-term disability outcome of people with multiple sclerosis (MS). In this review, we summarize recent studies aiming at the identification of the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving disease progression with a strong focus on studies analyzing human tissue samples. RECENT FINDINGS: Tissue resident memory cells and microglia emerge as important drivers of persisting inflammation within the central nervous system (CNS) and disease progression in MS. Furthermore, the detrimental role of soluble factors for neurons, synapses and remyelination becomes more evident. Combined experimental and human tissue studies revealed detrimental neuronal injury mechanisms triggered by interferon γ. The analysis of MS tissue samples by modern -omic approaches added to the disentangling of the complex interactions between invading and resident immune cells as well as neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. SUMMARY: Knowledge of the cellular and molecular mechanisms driving MS progression has substantially advanced in recent years and modern -omics analyses of well-characterized MS tissues provide unprecedented insight into disease mechanisms and potentially open avenues for novel therapeutic approaches targeting CNS intrinsic inflammation, neurodegeneration and promotion of remyelination.
Big data in multiple sclerosis.
Trojano M, Iaffaldano P
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Jun · PMID 41925198 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes recent key advancements in multiple sclerosis (MS) achieved through the utilization of big data from diverse sources and advanced analytical techniques. RECENT FINDINGS: Real-wor...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes recent key advancements in multiple sclerosis (MS) achieved through the utilization of big data from diverse sources and advanced analytical techniques. RECENT FINDINGS: Real-world evidence (RWE) derived from MS big data has significantly enhanced treatment strategies, redefined the concept of disease progression, refined prognostic models, and facilitated personalized medicine. RWE has highlighted the long-term benefits of early intensive treatment compared to escalation strategies, the unfavorable risk profile associated with treatment de-escalation and the importance of managing treatments during pregnancy. Additionally, it has revealed similarities and differences in the effectiveness and safety of specific high-efficacy therapies, as well as key predictors for switching treatments. RWE has also emphasized the central role of progression independent of relapse activity as a significant driver of disability and predictor of unfavorable long-term outcomes in both adult and pediatric onset MS. A data-driven approach utilizing artificial intelligence and big data has established a comprehensive framework for understanding the disease's evolution. Multimodal big data frameworks - encompassing clinical data, MRI, genomics, biomarkers, and app-based metrics - have demonstrated their ability to enhance diagnostic performance and risk stratification in MS. SUMMARY: Big data approaches are transforming MS research and clinical practice by providing stronger RWE to guide therapeutic decision-making, refining models of disease progression, and developing more precise prognostic tools.
The genetics of multiple sclerosis: an updated perspective.
Bellucci G, Baranzini SE
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Jun · PMID 41873214 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review highlights the latest advances in the genetics of multiple sclerosis (MS). While earlier research defined the polygenic architecture of disease susceptibility, recent efforts have focused o...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review highlights the latest advances in the genetics of multiple sclerosis (MS). While earlier research defined the polygenic architecture of disease susceptibility, recent efforts have focused on unraveling the genetics of disease progression and dissecting the interplay between host genetics and environmental triggers. RECENT FINDINGS: The discovery of the first locus associated with MS severity ( DYSF-ZNF638 ) revealed central nervous system (CNS)-intrinsic mechanisms of progression distinct from immune-mediated susceptibility. Recently, a multi-ancestry genome-wide association studies confirmed most of the previously identified susceptibility loci (most of which are involved in immune biology) and identified 4 additional associations. Mounting evidence on EBV-host genetic convergence highlights critical gene-environment interactions in disease etiopathogenesis. SUMMARY: Advances in genetics are broadening the conceptual framework of MS pathogenesis, separating the immunological triggers of disease susceptibility from distinct, CNS-specific drivers of disease progression. Future efforts leveraging longitudinal, deeply phenotyped cohorts and functional validations will empower translational applications for prevention, prognostication, and treatment.
Cognitive neurodegenerative diseases at a crossroads: implementing recent advances while continuing the search for effective therapeutic strategies.
Lagarde J
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Apr · PMID 41784947 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Epilepsy advances in 2025.
Ryvlin P, Friedman D
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Apr · PMID 41736251 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
SUDEP update 2026: recent advances in experimental and clinical research.
Ryvlin P, Rheims S
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Apr · PMID 41735792 · Full text
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes experimental and clinical research advances in the field of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) over the past 3 years. RECENT FINDINGS: Novel animal models of SUDEP have...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review summarizes experimental and clinical research advances in the field of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) over the past 3 years. RECENT FINDINGS: Novel animal models of SUDEP have been developed, highlighting the prevalence of peri-ictal respiratory dysfunction.The circumstances of SUDEP in genetic developmental and epileptic encephalopathies were found similar to those reported in more common epilepsies. Accordingly, most caregivers of patients with Dravet syndrome report using nocturnal monitoring devices and having averted critical incidents through such monitoring.Several prospective studies have identified novel SUDEP risk factors, including peri-ictal apnea, disrupted sleep homoeostasis, extratemporal epilepsies and elevated BMI. Retrospective analyses have additionally demonstrated associations between SUDEP and reduced polygenic risk scores for intelligence and longevityMultiple surveys highlight substantial gaps in SUDEP communication, with many people with epilepsy (PWE) and caregivers remaining insufficiently informed. This calls for action, given the accumulating evidence that optimizing seizure control is likely to reduce SUDEP risk. SUMMARY: Recent advances in SUDEP research further support a central role for seizure-related respiratory dysfunction. Greater efforts are needed to improve communication with PWE and caregivers regarding SUDEP risk factors, and to promote optimized monitoring and therapeutic strategies.
Cardiovascular and bone health comorbidities in epilepsy.
Subota A, Josephson CB
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Apr · PMID 41732843 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Epilepsy increases risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and growing evidence suggests broader systemic effects, including on bone health. This review examines the evolving concepts of the "e...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Epilepsy increases risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and growing evidence suggests broader systemic effects, including on bone health. This review examines the evolving concepts of the "epilepsy-heart syndrome' and the impact that both epilepsy and antiseizure medications (ASMs) have on cardiovascular and both health, highlighting why timely recognition is clinically and scientifically imperative. RECENT FINDINGS: Epilepsy promotes myocardial injury through catecholamine surges, hypoxemia, and ischemia, resulting in arrhythmias, diastolic dysfunction, and accelerated atherosclerosis. Conversely, cardiovascular disorders and metabolic dysregulation predispose to epilepsy, reinforcing a bidirectional relationship. Enzyme-inducing ASMs increase lipid levels, attenuate statin efficacy, and increase risks of long-term cardiovascular disease. Both enzyme-inducing and noninducing ASMs contribute to reduced bone mineral density and potentially to increased fracture risk via altered vitamin D metabolism and hormonal effects. SUMMARY: Epilepsy is a multisystem disorder that encompasses cardiovascular disease and skeletal fragility. Although formal guidelines are currently lacking, clinicians should consider integrating cardiovascular screening, rational ASM selection, and proactive bone-health surveillance into routine epilepsy management. Research should focus on longitudinal, mechanistic, and interventional studies to improve cardiovascular and bone health and to validate emerging screening and management guidelines to improve overall health in epilepsy.
Cerebellar involvement and stimulation in epilepsy.
Mocker H, Pellinen J, Elder C
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Apr · PMID 41732836 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review discusses the current state of the evidence related to the relationship between the cerebellum and epilepsy, highlighting evidence on neurostimulation of the cerebellum for treatment of epi...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: This review discusses the current state of the evidence related to the relationship between the cerebellum and epilepsy, highlighting evidence on neurostimulation of the cerebellum for treatment of epilepsy, and placing current knowledge into historical context. RECENT FINDINGS: The cerebellum plays an important role in certain epilepsy types, both as a key part of epileptic networks and an area that can give rise to seizures. Cerebellar stimulation as a potential treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy is a recurring, albeit niche, topic of interest. Over decades of intermittent, often highly limited investigations into this area of research, there are still more questions than answers. However, more recent preclinical insights point the way towards leveraging modern surgical techniques and technology in investigating cerebellar stimulation as a potential viable treatment approach to select types of epilepsy. SUMMARY: Cerebellar stimulation holds promise for improving seizure control in people with specific types of drug-resistant epilepsy. Future studies should leverage new preclinical data, along with modern technology, neurosurgical techniques, and clinical trial design, to help determine the optimal stimulation parameters, optimal stimulation targets, and optimal patient-selection for this promising area of investigation.
Update on pediatric autoimmune encephalitis-associated epilepsy.
Greenlaw C, Stredny CM
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Apr · PMID 41732834 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Autoimmune encephalitis-associated epilepsy (AEAE) is initially caused by an aberrant innate and/or adaptive immune system, and then the seizure nidus persists from the ensuing structural damage result...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Autoimmune encephalitis-associated epilepsy (AEAE) is initially caused by an aberrant innate and/or adaptive immune system, and then the seizure nidus persists from the ensuing structural damage resulting in chronic, often drug-resistant epilepsy. Early identification and targeted immunomodulation may help improve long-term outcomes in some cases. This review summarizes current advances in understanding the diagnosis, treatment, and long-term outcomes for pediatric patients with AEAE. RECENT FINDINGS: Enhanced recognition of the role of immune dysfunction in seizures has led to diagnostic and treatment advances. Predictive scores may help identify appropriate patients faster, allowing for earlier initiation of immunotherapy. Biomarkers are emerging to aide in diagnosis and prognostication, including EEG features and biochemical markers, such as neurofilament light chain and cytokines. Novel intrathecal and cytokine-targeted therapies may improve outcomes. Children are at a higher risk for developing AEAE after some types of autoimmune encephalitis compared to adults, but predicting those at risk for epilepsy remains a challenge. Long-term outcomes in children with AEAE are often poor, with refractory seizures and cognitive decline. SUMMARY: Pediatric AEAE is associated with significant morbidity, and research is underway to improve outcomes for these patients by determining risk factors, identifying biomarkers, and developing targeted therapeutic approaches.
Blood-based biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease: potential utility in clinical practice.
Zeng X, Nicholson N, Karikari TK
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Apr · PMID 41732138 · Full text
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Blood-based biomarkers (BBMs) for Alzheimer's disease are beginning to enter clinical practice. As this integration advances, it is essential to critically examine their strengths, limitations, and rea...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Blood-based biomarkers (BBMs) for Alzheimer's disease are beginning to enter clinical practice. As this integration advances, it is essential to critically examine their strengths, limitations, and readiness for broader clinical application. RECENT FINDINGS: Evidence increasingly supports the utility of BBMs for clinical management of Alzheimer's disease, with phosphorylated tau species, Aβ42/40 ratio, GFAP, and NfL among the most studied. Plasma p-tau forms have emerged as the most promising markers, showing strong correlations with amyloid plaque deposition and predictive value for disease progression. The WHO and the Global CEO Initiative have outlined minimum performance criteria for clinical use. While no BBM meets these benchmarks with a single cutpoint, adopting a two-cutpoint approach by introducing an intermediate category has enabled some assays to achieve the required accuracy. Several assays are now commercially available, and two have recently received FDA clearance to assist in confirming or ruling out amyloid-beta pathology. SUMMARY: BBMs could transform Alzheimer's disease diagnostics by enabling scalable, minimally invasive approaches for early detection and monitoring. As implementation advances, assay harmonization, assessment of demographic and physiological influences, and real-world validation across diverse populations remain essential to ensure reliability and equitable access.
Integration over reduction: multimodal PET and fluid biomarkers in Alzheimer's disease and beyond.
Bluma M, Chiotis K, Nordberg A
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Apr · PMID 41725559 · Full text
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Biomarker-based Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis has shifted clinical practice from syndromic, dementia-stage diagnosis to a biologically defined framework anchored in amyloid positron emission tomog...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Biomarker-based Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis has shifted clinical practice from syndromic, dementia-stage diagnosis to a biologically defined framework anchored in amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) assays. However, binary amyloid/tau status does not capture disease complexity, stage, and the impact of co-existing neuropathologies. Here, we review in vivo human PET-fluid biomarker studies in AD and related neurological disorders. RECENT FINDINGS: We highlight how PET readouts of aggregated pathology and fluid biomarkers reflect related yet non-identical processes, and what relevant insights for staging and prognosis can be derived from it. We review recent efforts to infer tau stage from plasma and CSF markers, emphasizing stage-dependent relationships between soluble p-tau, amyloid burden, and tau-PET signal, and associated limitations that are partly driven by the lack of standardized tau PET staging methods. Finally, we examine how co-pathologies and biological modifiers - including age, APOE ε4, sex, and neuroinflammatory states - shape PET-fluid coupling and contribute to disease course. The reviewed evidence supports a complementary, multimodal biomarker approach that integrates PET with CSF and plasma measures. SUMMARY: To maximize insights from multimodal signals, harmonized integration frameworks - supported by neuropathology-anchored and real-world validation and explicitly accounting for modifiers such as age, sex, and APOE ε4 - will be essential.
AI in epilepsy neuroimaging.
Adler S, Wagstyl K
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Apr · PMID 41715296 · Full text
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recent advances in the capabilities and usability of artificial intelligence (AI) architectures coupled with increased availability of neuroimaging datasets has fuelled a rapid expansion in AI applicat...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Recent advances in the capabilities and usability of artificial intelligence (AI) architectures coupled with increased availability of neuroimaging datasets has fuelled a rapid expansion in AI applications to epilepsy neuroimaging. This review summarizes the main applications of AI in epilepsy neuroimaging and suggests future directions for the field. RECENT FINDINGS: A range of different machine learning approaches, from multi-layer perceptrons to volumetric and graph-based convolutional neural networks, have been utilized for prediction of whether people will have epilepsy, detection of structural epilepsy lesions, localization of seizure onset zones, segmentation of resection cavities after epilepsy surgery as well as for image enhancement. SUMMARY: AI in epilepsy neuroimaging research has primarily focussed on lesion detection and localization, with a number of open and validated tools now available for evaluation across diverse settings. Additional applications of AI in epilepsy neuroimaging are either at earlier stages of development or emerging as new challenges. As these tools and their supporting evidence mature, further work addressing the hurdles of clinical integration is required.
Clinical amyloid and tau positron emission tomography imaging in Alzheimer's disease: image interpretation in the era of anti-amyloid therapies.
Mathoux G, Harput E, Peretti DE … +2 more , Boccalini C, Garibotto V
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Apr · PMID 41715292 · Full text
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The introduction of disease-modifying anti-amyloid therapies has shifted the role of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in Alzheimer's disease from confirming diagnosis to actively guiding clin...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The introduction of disease-modifying anti-amyloid therapies has shifted the role of positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in Alzheimer's disease from confirming diagnosis to actively guiding clinical decision-making within the AT(N) framework. RECENT FINDINGS: Amyloid PET has become central for confirming treatment eligibility, quantifying biological response, and supporting PET-guided strategies for treatment duration, particularly through standardized visual interpretation and Centiloid-based quantification. Tau PET provides complementary information by reflecting disease stage and the burden of pathology most closely associated with cognitive impairment, thereby helping to contextualize expected clinical benefit. Recent clinical trials have integrated PET imaging to monitor therapeutic effects and to support translation into routine clinical practice. SUMMARY: This review focuses on practical aspects of visual interpretation and semi-quantitative analysis of amyloid and tau PET, discusses tracer-specific considerations and ongoing harmonization efforts, and summarizes the expanding clinical role of PET imaging. Together, amyloid and tau PET support a more biologically grounded and individualized approach to Alzheimer's disease care in the era of disease-modifying therapies.
Global to individual: key domains of burden in pediatric headache.
Feldman ECH, Gates T, Powers SW
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Jun · PMID 41715289 · Publisher ↗
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pediatric headache not only impacts an individual's psychosocial, physical, and academic functioning, but also imposes a burden on their broader systems (e.g. healthcare, financial systems). Literature...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Pediatric headache not only impacts an individual's psychosocial, physical, and academic functioning, but also imposes a burden on their broader systems (e.g. healthcare, financial systems). Literature regarding the bidirectional nature of the socioecological burden of pediatric headache has yet to be synthesized. This is crucial, given the importance of identifying next steps for health-policy, advocacy, research, and intervention development for pediatric headache. RECENT FINDINGS: Globally, rates of pediatric headache have risen, with incidence and prevalence varying by geographical location and headache type. Healthcare system and family financial burden of headache suggests increases in healthcare utilization and costs, and parental loss of wages due to missed work. Psychosocial and academic impacts of headache on youth include poorer school attendance, higher rates of stress, internalizing symptoms, and externalizing disorders. SUMMARY: The burden of pediatric headache is clear across several domains of functioning and affects the broader systems supporting the impacted individual. Nuanced relationships between psychosocial functioning and pediatric headache have emerged, demonstrating the need for future research to consider specific factors (e.g. headache type, age, and gender) as moderators of disability-related outcomes and psychosocial functioning, and the clinical development of biopsychosocial interventions tailored to address domains of disability.
A critical appraisal of the link between apolipoprotein E and Tau.
Das S, Hyman BT, Serrano-Pozo A
Curr Opin Neurol · 2026 Apr · PMID 41709695 · Full text
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The apolipoprotein E ( APOE ) genotype has traditionally been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and, more specifically, with the severity of cerebral β-amyloidosis in the form of Aβ plaques and...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The apolipoprotein E ( APOE ) genotype has traditionally been associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and, more specifically, with the severity of cerebral β-amyloidosis in the form of Aβ plaques and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). However, a growing body of research has examined its potential impact on Tau pathology. RECENT FINDINGS: Here we critically review the evidence supporting a differential effect of APOE alleles on Tau in the context of AD and non-AD tauopathies, from genetic, neuropathological, and biomarker studies to preclinical studies in mouse models and human inducible pluripotent stem-cells (hiPSCs)-derived brain cells. SUMMARY: Genetic, neuropathological, and preclinical studies in transgenic mice have yielded somewhat conflicting results, whereas most multitracer PET imaging studies on individuals along the normal aging to AD dementia continuum support an Aβ-independent effect of the APOE ε4 allele on the tauopathy of AD. More clinical and preclinical research is needed to elucidate the link between APOE and Tau.
About
- Frequency
- Sun
- Papers found
- 200
- RSS feed
- Subscribe