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The geometry of carotid arteries, both normal and narrowed, produces flow characteristics that predict the location of atherosclerosis and the site of plaque rupture. A recent study has shown that the upstream carotid plaque undergoes profound biochemical and apoptotic changes that are closely linked to the development of stroke symptoms.
Understanding the genetic mutations that cause hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathies (HSANs) is crucial to identify new therapeutic targets for patients with these neurodegenerative diseases. Rotthier et al. review the currently known genetics of the HSANs, discussing the new findings that provide insights into the mechanisms of disease and highlighting how these discoveries could improve treatment for patients with these diseases.
Vaccination represents a mainstay in preventing infection but, in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), this therapeutic approach can carry the risk of triggering a relapse. Hartung and colleagues review the safety of vaccines against various infections in patients with MS, and discuss the issue of vaccine efficacy in the context of disease-modifying MS drugs.
Positive muscle phenomena arise from spontaneous activity originating in motor neurons or in the muscle itself. Gea Drost and colleagues discuss the pathophysiology and the electromyographic and clinical features of this group of disorders. They also provide an algorithm to aid the differential diagnosis of these muscle phenomena.
The genetic ion channelopathies comprise a new and expanding field of neurological diseases. This Review focuses on the voltage-gated P/Q-type calcium channel, and specifically on inherited mutations in the gene encoding the α1 subunit. The authors consider various conditions arising from channel dysfunction, including episodic ataxia type 2, familial hemiplegic migraine-1 and spinocerebellar ataxia type 6.