Slovo úvodem

prof. MUDr. Ivan Rektor, CSc., FCMA, FANA, FEAN

Neurol. praxi. 2024;25(2):83  

Markery demence

prof. MUDr. Irena Rektorová, Ph.D., editorka hlavního tématu

Neurol. praxi. 2024;25(2):88-89  

Diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases using cerebrospinal fluid and blood-based biomarkers

doc. MUDr. Martin Vyhnálek, Ph.D., RNDr. Kateřina Veverová, Ph.D.

Neurol. praxi. 2024;25(2):90-95 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2023.065  

Cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers have become a standard part of diagnostic process in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The recent development of ultrasensitive technologies has enabled the development of blood-based biomarkers to be used for identifying individuals in the preclinical and clinical stages of the disease, recruitment for clinical trials, disease prognosis, and, in the future, as an AD population screening tool. In addition to the standard biomarkers of AD, amyloid, and tau pathology, biomarkers of non-specific processes accompanying neurodegenerative diseases, such as the degree of neurodegeneration, synaptic dysfunction, or inflammation, are...

The growing importance of genetics and the concept of genetic testing in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Experience from one center

prof. MUDr. Stanislav Šutovský, PhD., MUDr. Patrik Karapin, PhD., RNDr. Róbert Petrovič,PhD., RNDr. Katarína Kolejáková, PhD., prof. MUDr. Peter Turčáni, PhD.

Neurol. praxi. 2024;25(2):97-106 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2024.014  

The scientific community is gradually unraveling the etiological factors and pathogenetic mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases. From year to year there is the robust evidence of the increasing power of the genetic background as an etiological factor. In our paper, we integrate two levels of insight into the genetics of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. In the first part of the article, we summarize current knowledge about the genetic background of neurodegenerative dementias, with the main focus on Alzheimer's disease. In addition to "classic" causal genes and susceptibility genes, we provide an overview of selected "new" genes whose polymorphisms...

Markers of neurodegenerative dementias: the contribution of neuroimaging and neurophysiological methods

David Ondráček, Mgr. Žaneta Železníková, MUDr. Zuzana Balážová, Ph.D., Ing. Martin Lamoš, Ph.D., prof. MUDr. Irena Rektorová, Ph.D.

Neurol. praxi. 2024;25(2):108-115 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2023.084  

There has been a great development in imaging methods and their use for early diagnosis of neurodegenerative disorders. The aim is to discover more sensitive biomarkers that would enable early stratification of dementia subtypes and disease prognosis. There are various types of imaging methods such as nuclear medicine (SPECT, PET), MRI and electrophysiology (EEG), which provide complementary picture about degenerative diseases. The main purpose of this work is to review the most typical findings in neurodegenerative dementia and their most common variants and subtypes. Although some of them are suitable only for scientific purposes, many have been...

The benefit of cognitive assessment in neurodegenerative diseases

Mgr. Nela Němcová Elfmarková, Ph.D., Mgr. Kristína Mitterová, Ph.D., Mgr. Luboš Brabenec, Ph.D., Mgr. Jan Farkaš, doc. Mgr. et Mgr. Tomáš Nikolai, Ph.D., prof. MUDr. Irena Rektorová, Ph.D.

Neurol. praxi. 2024;25(2):116-122 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2023.070  

The article focuses on the diagnosis of cognitive decline in neurodegenerative diseases, with an emphasis on mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The diagnosis of MCI is crucial for early intervention and symptomatic treatment, and therefore the selection of appropriate screening and neuropsychological tests is important. We focus on tests that are recommended for patients with Alzheimer's disease, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson's disease, and dementia with Lewy bodies. A sensitive neuropsychological assessment is also crucial for the prediction of progression to dementia. It is however necessary to take into account the demographic characte­ristics...

B­‑lymphocyte­‑targeted MS therapy: from theory to a decade of ocrelizumab in practice

MUDr. Dominika Šťastná, Ph.D., MUDr. Jana Seňavová, prof. MUDr. Dana Horáková, Ph.D.

Neurol. praxi. 2024;25(2):124-129 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2024.011  

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune disease in which B-lymphocytes, alongside T-lymphocytes and resident CNS cells, play a crucial role in etiopathogenesis. A pivotal demonstration of B-lymphocytes' significance is the remarkable efficacy of CD20-targeted therapies. Ocrelizumab, the first such drug approved in our conditions, has a decade-long history of excellent adherence, persistence and high efficacy in both patients with relapsing-remitting and and primary-progressive MS. Its widespread use and numerous benefits are confirmed also by data from the Czech ReMuS registry. However, its mechanism of sustained immunosuppression, potentially impairing...

Tapentadol hydrochloride in treating acute and chronic pain

MUDr. Marek Hakl, Ph.D.

Neurol. praxi. 2024;25(2):130-134 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2024.009  

Tapentadol hydrochloride is a novel, potent opioid analgesic that is classified as an atypical opioid. The principle of action consists not only in binding to opioid receptors, but also in affecting noradrenaline reuptake. This lends the drug unique properties. It has a very good effect in neuropathic pain, with an outstandingly low rate of adverse effects. Due to its low binding to plasma proteins and bypassing the CYP450 system, tapentadol hydrochloride is only minimally involved in drug interactions. Tapentadol hydrochloride is available both in retarded release formulation and in formulations with a rapid onset of action.

Serotonin syndrome and pain therapy

MUDr. Jan Procházka

Neurol. praxi. 2024;25(2):135-145 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2023.052  

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening drug-induced toxidrome associated with increased serotonergic activity in both the peripheral and central nervous systems. It is characterized by a broad spectrum of clinical findings, which include mental state changes, autonomic instability, and hyperexcitability of CNS with neuromuscular abnormalities. Serotonin syndrome can arise usually by simultaneous administrations of 2 or more serotoninergic drugs, the combination including monoamine oxidase inhibitors is especially dangerous, but occurrence in monotherapy is also possible. This review describes pathophysiology and clinical manifestation...

Central post-stroke pain

MUDr. Pavlína Nosková, Ph.D.

Neurol. praxi. 2024;25(2):146-150 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2023.039  

Central Post-Stroke Pain (CPSP) is defined as a painful condition after a central stroke with a proven lesion in the central nervous system (CNS). Clinical signs appear as early as 1-3 months after the stroke, but in most affected patients it is up to 6 months. Major clinical manifestations include tension headache, pain associated with muscle spasticity and pain shoulder syndrome with possible development of complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The treatment combines the use of analgesics (amitriptyline, carbamazepine, gabapentinoids), physiotherapy and psychotherapeutic procedures.

Ataxia telangiectasia or life in imbalance

MUDr. Sandra Vorlíčková

Neurol. praxi. 2024;25(2):151-154 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2024.023  

Ataxia-telangiectasia (AT) is an autosomal recessively disorder characterized by slowly progressive cerebellar ataxia, telangiectasia and heightended sensitivity to ionizing radiation. The condition often leads to immunodeficiency, presenting as recurrent respiratory infections. Other clinical manifestations may include oculomotor apraxia or extrapyramidal symptoms. Furthermore, patients are predisposed to hematological malignancies and solid tumors. In children under the age of 10, AT represents the most prevalent cause of progressive ataxia. This article aims to raise awareness of AT, providing an overview of its diagnosis and available options for...

History-changing trephination

doc. MUDr. Marek Baláž, Ph.D., prof. MUDr. Jan Chrastina, Ph.D., MUDr. Tomáš Zeman, Ph.D.

Neurol. praxi. 2024;25(2):155-157 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2024.024  

The death of Emperor Montezuma, apparently from craniocerebral injury, undoubtedly marked the end of the Aztec Empire. However, another craniocerebral injury affected the Aztec empire's downfall in a more fundamental way, and, above all, its successful treatment - the open, apparently contaminated, impresive calvarial fracture of Spanish conquistador Hernando Cortés, of which, surprisingly, there are only limited literary sources. After successful surgical treatment, Hernando Cortés resumed command of the army with which he captured the Aztec capital, ending the existence of the Aztec Empire. His other conquests then brought not only much of Central...

Den povědomí o cluster headache 2024

MUDr. Pavel Řehulka, Ph.D., MUDr. Barbora Sklenárová, MUDr. Kateřina Bočková

Neurol. praxi. 2024;25(2):158-161 | DOI: 10.36290/neu.2024.017