tellurium and Parkinson-Disease

Decreased automaticity is common among individuals with neurodegenerative disease and is often assessed using dual-task (DT) paradigms. However, the best methods for assessing performance changes related to DT demands remain inconclusive.. To investigate the reliability and validity of a novel battery of DT measures (DT Effect-Battery (DTE-B)) encompassing three domains: task-specific interference, task prioritization, and automaticity.. Data for this retrospective cross-sectional study included 125 participants with Parkinson's disease (PD), 127 participants with Alzheimer's disease (AD), and 84 healthy older adults. Reliability analyses were conducted using a subset of each population. DTE-B measures were calculated from single and DT performance on the Timed Up and Go test and a serial subtraction task. Construct validity was evaluated via associations within the DTE-B and with theoretically supported measures as well as known-groups validity analyses.. Good to excellent reliability was found for DTE-B measures of task interference (motor and cognitive DT effects) (ICCs≥.658) and automaticity (combined DT effect (cDTE)) (ICCs≥.938). Evidence for convergent validity was found with associations within the hypothesized constructs. Known-groups validity analyses revealed differences in the DTE-B among the healthy group and PD and AD groups (. This study provides evidence to support the DTE-B as a reliable measure of multiple constructs pertinent to DT performance. The cDTE demonstrated evidence to support its validity as a measure of automaticity. Further investigation of the utility of the DTE-B in both PD and AD, as well as other populations, is warranted.

Topics: Aged; Alzheimer Disease; Cadmium Compounds; Cross-Sectional Studies; Gait; Humans; Neurodegenerative Diseases; Parkinson Disease; Postural Balance; Quantum Dots; Reproducibility of Results; Retrospective Studies; Tellurium; Time and Motion Studies; Walking

This work proposed ratiometric fluorescence capillary sensing system-integrated molecular imprinting with highly sensitive and selective detection for two biological indicators of Parkinson's disease (homovanillic acid (HVA) and Al

Topics: Cadmium Compounds; Environmental Biomarkers; Fluorescent Dyes; Humans; Limit of Detection; Molecular Imprinting; Parkinson Disease; Quantum Dots; Spectrometry, Fluorescence; Tellurium

In Parkinson's disease (PD) dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) become dysfunctional and many ultimately die. We report that the tellurium immunomodulating compound ammonium trichloro(dioxoethylene-O,O'-)tellurate (AS101) protects dopaminergic neurons and improves motor function in animal models of PD. It is effective when administered systemically or by direct infusion into the brain. Multifunctional activities of AS101 were identified in this study. These were mainly due to the peculiar Tellur(IV)-thiol chemistry of the compound, which enabled the compound to interact with cysteine residues on both inflammatory and apoptotic caspases, resulting in their inactivation. Conversely, its interaction with a key cysteine residue on p21(ras), led to its activation, an obligatory activity for AS101-induced neuronal differentiation. Furthermore, AS101 inhibited IL-10, resulting in up-regulation of GDNF in the SN. This was associated with activation of the neuroprotective kinases Akt and mitogen-activated protein kinases, and up-regulation of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2. Inhibition of caspase-1 and caspase-3 activities were associated with decreased neuronal death and inhibition of IL-1beta. We suggest that, because multiple mechanisms are involved in the dysfunction and death of neurons in PD, use of a multifunctional compound, exerting antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and neurotrophic-inducing capabilities may be potentially efficacious for the treatment of PD.

Topics: Adjuvants, Immunologic; Animals; Apoptosis; Cells, Cultured; Disease Models, Animal; Dopamine; Ethylenes; Inflammation; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Motor Activity; Neurons; Parkinson Disease; Protective Agents; Rats; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Tellurium