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- Czell, David, et al.
(författare)
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Further analysis of KIFAP3 gene in ALS patients from Switzerland and Sweden
- 2017
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Ingår i: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Degeneration. - : TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. - 2167-8421 .- 2167-9223. ; 18:3-4, s. 302-304
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A series of studies suggests that susceptibility to ALS may be influenced by variants in multiple genes. While analyses of the 10% of cases of familial origin have identified more than 33 monogenic ALS-causing genetic defects, little is known about genetic factors that influence susceptibility or phenotype in sporadic ALS (SALS). We and others conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) in a cohort of 1014 ALS cases from Western Europe, England and the United States, and identified an intronic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1541160 in the KIFAP3 gene that was statistically associated with improved survival. We have now completed an additional survival analysis examining the impact of the rs1541160 genotype in a cohort of 264 ALS and progressive bulbar palsy (PBP) cases. In the combined cohort of 264 patients, the CC, CT and TT genotypes for rs1541160 were detected, respectively, in 8.3% (22), 41.7% (110) and 50.0% (132). This study does not show an influence of KIFAP3 variants on survival in the studied Swiss and Swedish cohort. There was a difference in survival between the US and English patients and the patients from the Netherlands. The effect of KIFAP3 variants may be population specific, or the rs1541160 association reported previously may have been a false-positive.
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| 2. |
- Neuwirth, Christoph, et al.
(författare)
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Motor Unit Number Index (MUNIX) detects motor neuron loss in pre-symptomatic muscles in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
- 2017
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Ingår i: Clinical Neurophysiology. - : ELSEVIER IRELAND LTD. - 1388-2457 .- 1872-8952. ; 128:3, s. 495-500
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Motor Unit Number Index (MUNIX) is a quantitative neurophysiological measure that provides an index of the number of lower motor neurons supplying a muscle. It reflects the loss of motor neurons in patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). However, it is unclear whether MUNIX also detects motor unit loss in strong, non-wasted muscles. Methods: Three centres measured MUNIX in 49 ALS patients every three months in six different muscles (abductor pollicis brevis, abductor digiti minimi, biceps brachii, tibialis anterior, extensor digitorum brevis, abductor hallucis) on the less affected side. The decline of MUNIX in initially non-wasted, clinically strong muscles (manual muscle testing, MMT grade 5) was analysed before and after onset of weakness. Results: In 49 subjects, 151 clinically strong muscles developed weakness and were included for analysis. The average monthly relative loss of MUNIX was 5.0% before and 5.6% after onset of weakness. This rate of change was significantly higher compared to ALS functional rating scale (ALSFRS-R) and compound muscle action potential (CMAP) change over 12 months prior to the onset of muscle weakness (p = 0.024). Conclusion: MUNIX is an electrophysiological marker that detects lower motor neuron loss in ALS, before clinical weakness becomes apparent by manual muscle testing. Significance: This makes MUNIX a good biomarker candidate for disease progression and possibly pharmacodynamics responds.
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