Your search for: 'author:("Pilotto, Andrea")' has returned 12 results. (0.027s) Save search

Authors: Maetzler, Walter | Mirelman, Anat | Pilotto, Andrea | Bhidayasiri, Roongroj

Article Type: Review Article

Abstract: Motor deficits typical of Parkinson’s disease (PD), such as gait and balance disturbances, tremor, reduced arm swing and finger movement, and voice and breathing changes, are believed to manifest several years prior to clinical diagnosis. Here we describe the evidence for the presence and progression of motor deficits in this pre-diagnostic phase in order to provide suggestions for the design of future observational studies for an effective, quantitatively oriented investigation. On the one hand, these future studies must detect these motor deficits in as large (potentially, population-based) cohorts as possible with high sensitivity and specificity. On the other hand, they …must describe the progression of these motor deficits in the pre-diagnostic phase as accurately as possible, to support the testing of the effect of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions. Digital technologies and artificial intelligence can substantially accelerate this process. Show more

Keywords: Artificial intelligence, digital technology, identification, motor markers, prodromal Parkinson’s disease, progression

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-230350

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. Pre-press, no. Pre-press, pp. 1-10, 2024

Authors: Benussi, Alberto | Pilotto, Andrea | Cantoni, Valentina | Ferrari, Elisabetta | Borroni, Barbara | Padovani, Alessandro

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: The neurophysiological correlates of cognitive and motor symptoms in prodromal and overt dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) are still to be elucidated. Objective: To evaluate if cognitive and motor features of patients with prodromal and overt DLB are associated with the impairment of specific neurotransmitter circuits, evaluated in vivo with transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). Methods: Fifty-one patients with DLB (twenty-five prodromal; twenty-six with dementia) underwent neuropsychological and clinical evaluation, with twenty-five patients having at least one follow-up evaluation. All patients were assessed with TMS at baseline, with protocols assessing cholinergic circuits (short latency afferent inhibition, SAI), GABAergic circuits (short …interval intracortical inhibition, SICI), and glutamatergic circuits (intracortical facilitation, ICF). Results: Compared to HC, SICI, ICF, and SAI resulted significantly impaired in both prodromal and overt DLB, with the latter showing a reduced SICI and SAI also compared to prodromal DLB. There was a significant correlation between motor deficits, evaluated with the UPDRS-III, and the impairment of GABAergic (SICI) (r  = 0.729, p  < 0.001) and glutamatergic (ICF) (r –0.608, p  < 0.001) circuits; global cognition, evaluated with the Mini-Mental State Examination, correlated with the impairment of cholinergic (SAI) circuits (r =–0.738, p  < 0.001). Worsening of cognitive functions at follow-up was associated with reduced cholinergic functions at baseline (R2  = 0.53, p  < 0.001). Conclusion: These results suggest that motor and cognitive dysfunctions in prodromal and overt DLB depend on specific and independent neurotransmitter circuits. Show more

Keywords: Cognition, dementia with Lewy bodies, motor, prodromal, short interval intracortical inhibition, transcranial magnetic stimulation

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-215531

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 86, no. 2, pp. 579-588, 2022

Authors: Rozzini, Luca | Lanfranchi, Francesco | Pilotto, Andrea | Catalani, Simona | Gilberti, Maria Enrica | Paganelli, Matteo | Apostoli, Pietro | Padovani, Alessandro

Article Type: Short Communication

Abstract: Several studies showed high serum copper levels in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The present study applied a newly developed method to detect serum copper free from proteins (free-Cu). Forty-four patients affected by dementia due to AD, thirty-six patients affected by mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to AD, and twenty-eight healthy controls underwent clinical, cognitive, and MRI assessment. The new method showed higher free-Cu concentrations in MCI and dementia due to AD compared to controls (p  < 0.0001). No correlation between copper levels, cognitive or MRI measures were found.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, amyloid beta-protein, copper, dementia, medial temporal lobe atrophy, mild cognitive impairment

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-170552

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 61, no. 3, pp. 907-912, 2018

Authors: Padovani, Alessandro | Premi, Enrico | Pilotto, Andrea | Gazzina, Stefano | Cosseddu, Maura | Archetti, Silvana | Cancelli, Vanessa | Paghera, Barbara | Borroni, Barbara

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Differential diagnosis between frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is often challenging. Autopsy series have identified AD pathology in a consistent percentage of patients clinically diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia (FTD). It has been demonstrated that the levels of tau and Aβ 42 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are a reliable marker for AD. Objective: To evaluate the presence of a CSF AD-like pattern in patients with FTD, and the related brain changes, to assess whether these patients had features resembling an AD pattern of hypoperfusion. Methods: Clinically-diagnosed non-monogenic FTD patients underwent an extensive neuropsychological assessment, 99m Tc-ECD SPECT, and …CSF analysis (tau and Aβ 42 levels). FTD AD-like and FTD non-AD-like patterns were identified, and neuropsychological and neuroimaging features compared. Results: CSF AD-like pattern was reported in 9 cases out of 43 (21%). FTD AD-like and non-AD-like patients did not differ in demographic characteristics, cognitive deficits, or behavioral changes. Both groups had greater hypoperfusion in frontotemporal lobes as compared to age-matched controls. When FTD AD-like patients were compared to the FTD non-AD-like group, the former had greater hypoperfusion in brain areas typically affected by AD, namely precuneus, temporal, and parietal areas. Conclusions: CSF AD-like profile in FTD is associated with brain abnormalities typically found in classical AD, confirming the usefulness of CSF testing. Detecting an ongoing AD pathological process in FTD has several implications for defining distinctive treatment approaches, guiding genetic screening, and helping in patient selection in future clinical trials in both FTLD and AD therapeutics. Show more

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease, amyloid-β, cerebrospinal fluid, frontotemporal dementia, SPECT, tau

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-121969

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 36, no. 1, pp. 49-55, 2013

Authors: Ciliz, Meltem | Sartor, Jennifer | Lindig, Tobias | Pilotto, Andrea | Schäffer, Eva | Weiss, Michael | Scheltens, Philip | Becker, Sara | Hobert, Markus A. | Berg, Daniela | Liepelt-Scarfone, Inga | Maetzler, Walter

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Background: Falls are common among people with idiopathic Parkinson’s disease (IPD) and are suggested to be associated with white matter hyperintensities (WMH) of the brain. Objective: To investigate the contribution of brain area-specific WMH to the risk of falls in IPD. Methods: In fifty participants with IPD, occurrence and severity of WMH in specific brain areas were determined using Scheltens (without lateralization) and Age-related white matter changes (ARWMC) (with lateralization) scores. Falls were evaluated with the fall item of the Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS). Correlations between area-specific WMH and falls were tested with stepwise backward regression and multivariate regression …analyses. Results: In this cohort of participants with IPD, left temporal WMH were associated with occurrence of falls. Frontal WMH of both hemispheres showed tendencies towards significance for the association with falls. Conclusion: According to our study, WMH in the left temporal area are significantly associated with falls in IPD. Potential reasons for this association could be deficits in memory, navigation, orientation, auditory processing, and fear conditioning, which are all associated with pathologies of the left temporal lobe. Show more

Keywords: Accidental falls, leukoencephalopathies, temporal lobe

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-181351

Citation: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. 8, no. 3, pp. 455-462, 2018

Authors: Premi, Enrico | Pilotto, Andrea | Alberici, Antonella | Papetti, Alice | Archetti, Silvana | Seripa, Davide | Daniele, Antonio | Masullo, Carlo | Garibotto, Valentina | Paghera, Barbara | Caobelli, Federico | Padovani, Alessandro | Borroni, Barbara

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by progressive language impairment. Polymorphisms within forkhead box P2 gene (FOXP2) gene have been associated with speech and language impairment. Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype and PRNP 129 codon status have been demonstrated to increase the risk of PPA, but with contrasting results. In the present study, we have evaluated the impact of FOXP2, APOE and PRNP genetic variations as risk factors and/or disease-modulators in PPA. 94 PPA patients and 200 age-matched healthy controls were considered and FOXP2 polymorphisms (rs1456031, rs17137124), APOE genotype, and PRNP codon 129 polymorphism analyzed. In 34 PPA …patients, SPECT imaging data were analyzed by Statistical Parametric Mapping (SPM8). Genetic distributions and allele frequencies of FOXP2 and PRNP polymorphisms did not differ between groups while APOE ε4 was more represented in PPA as compared to controls. PPA patients carrying at-risk FOXP2 polymorphisms (rs1456031 and/or rs17137124) showed greater hypoperfusion in the frontal areas, namely the left inferior frontal gyrus and the right cingulated gyrus compared to non-carriers (p < 0.005). PPA patients carrying at least one ε4 allele had greater hypoperfusion in orbitofrontal regions (superior frontal gyrus and orbital gyrus) as compared to non-carriers ε4 (p < 0.005). PRNP codon 129 homozigosity correlated with left frontotemporal hypoperfusion (p < 0.005). Genetic variations within FOXP2, APOE, and PRNP modulate PPA disease, leading to a specific regional hypoperfusion according to different molecular pathways. APOE ε4 is overrepresented in PPA, thus likely acting as genetic risk factor on disease development. Show more

Keywords: Apolipoprotein E ε4, FOXP2, primary progressive aphasia, progressive non-fluent aphasia, PRNP, semantic dementia, SPECT, statistical parametric mapping

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2011-111541

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 28, no. 4, pp. 941-950, 2012

Authors: Seripa, Davide | Bizzarro, Alessandra | Pilotto, Andrea | Palmieri, Orazio | Panza, Francesco | D'Onofrio, Grazia | Gravina, Carolina | Archetti, Silvana | Daniele, Antonio | Borroni, Barbara | Padovani, Alessandro | Masullo, Carlo

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the apolipoprotein E (APOE) chromosomal region in frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD), and in particular in primary progressive aphasia (PPA) and the behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia (bvFTD). To this aim, we selected three single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) rs2075650 and rs157590 (TOMM40), and rs1064725 (APOC1), representative of the linkage disequilibrium (LD) blocks at the 19q13-q13.2 chromosomal region. The SNPs rs429358 and rs7412 forming the APOE polymorphism were also included in the study. The analysis was made in 282 patients with a clinical diagnosis of sporadic FTLD, namely 207 bvFTD and 75 PPA, and 296 cognitively …healthy control subjects. LD (r2 = 0.35) between TOMM40 (rs2075650) and APOC1 (rs1064725) was observed in PPA, but not in controls and in bvFTD. Inside this region of 26.9 kb, LD (r2 ≥ 0.50) between TOMM40 (rs2075650) and APOE (rs429358) was observed in bvFTD and in controls, but not in PPA. Inside this region of 16.3 kb, LD (r2 = 0.14) between TOMM40 (rs157590) and APOE (rs429358) was observed in PPA, but not in bvFTD and in controls. Although the genetics of PPA and bvFTD needs further investigation, our results suggested the presence of a different genetic background underlying PPA and bvFTD at the 19q13-q13.2 chromosomal region. Show more

Keywords: APOC1, APOE E, behavioral variant of frontotemporal dementia, frontotemporal lobar degeneration, primary progressive aphasia, TOMM40

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-2012-120403

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 31, no. 4, pp. 731-740, 2012

Authors: Pilotto, Andrea | Imarisio, Alberto | Carrarini, Claudia | Russo, Mirella | Masciocchi, Stefano | Gipponi, Stefano | Cottini, Elisabetta | Aarsland, Dag | Zetterberg, Henrik | Ashton, Nicholas J. | Hye, Abdul | Bonanni, Laura | Padovani, Alessandro

Article Type: Short Communication

Abstract: Plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL) is a marker of neuronal damage in different neurological disorders and might predict disease progression in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The study enrolled 45 controls and 44 DLB patients (including 17 prodromal cases) who underwent an extensive assessment at baseline and at 2 years follow-up. At baseline, plasma NfL levels were higher in both probable DLB and prodromal cases compared to controls. Plasma NfL emerged as the best predictor of cognitive decline compared to age, sex, and baseline severity variables. The study supports the role of plasma NfL as a useful prognostic biomarker from …the early stages of DLB. Show more

Keywords: Biomarkers, cognitive progression, dementia with Lewy bodies, neurofilament light chain

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-210342

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 82, no. 3, pp. 913-919, 2021

Authors: Tremolizzo, Lucio | Bianchi, Elisa | Susani, Emanuela | Pupillo, Elisabetta | Messina, Paolo | Aliprandi, Angelo | Salmaggi, Andrea | Cosseddu, Maura | Pilotto, Andrea | Borroni, Barbara | Padovani, Alessandro | Bonomini, Cristina | Zanetti, Orazio | Appollonio, Ildebrando | Beghi, Ettore | Ferrarese, Carlo

Article Type: Short Communication

Abstract: Alcohol, coffee, and tobacco consumption was assessed on 151 FTD outpatients and 151 matched controls in a multicenter retrospective case-control design. No association was found for smoking and coffee intake. The risk of FTD was decreased by alcohol consumption (adj. OR 0.30, 95% CI 0.14–0.63); risk reduction was significant in current alcohol consumers (adj. OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.10–0.51). The risk of FTD inversely correlated with the duration of exposure (adj. OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.81–0.95, for every 5 years of exposure increase). Retrospective information and the unknown amount of consumed alcohol are limits of the present work.

Keywords: Alcohol, coffee, frontotemporal dementia, risk factor, smoking, voluptuary habits

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-170260

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 60, no. 2, pp. 335-340, 2017

Authors: Pilotto, Andrea | Turrone, Rosanna | Liepelt-Scarfone, Inga | Bianchi, Marta | Poli, Loris | Borroni, Barbara | Alberici, Antonella | Premi, Enrico | Formenti, Anna | Bigni, Barbara | Cosseddu, Maura | Cottini, Elisabetta | Berg, Daniela | Padovani, Alessandro

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Vascular risk factors have been associated with cognitive deficits and incident dementia in the general population, but their role on cognitive dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease (PD) is still unclear. The present study addresses the single and cumulative effect of vascular risk factors on cognition in PD patients, taking clinical confounders into account. Standardized neuropsychological assessment was performed in 238 consecutive PD patients. We evaluated the association of single and cumulative vascular risk factors (smoking, diabetes, hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, and heart disease), with the diagnosis of PD normal cognition (PDNC, n  = 94), mild cognitive impairment (PD-MCI, n  = 111), and dementia (PDD, n … = 33). The association between single neuropsychological tests and vascular risk factors was evaluated with covariance analyses adjusted for age at onset, educational levels, gender, disease duration, and motor performance. Age, educational levels, disease duration, and motor function were significantly different between PDNC, PD-MCI, and PDD. Heart disease was the only vascular factor significantly more prevalent in PDD compared with PDNC in adjusted analyses. Performance of tests assessing executive and attention functions were significantly worse in patients with hypertension, heart disease, and/or diabetes (p  <  0.05). Heart disease is associated with dementia in PD, suggesting a potential window of intervention. Vascular risk factors act especially on attention and executive functions in PD. Vascular risk stratification may be useful in order to identify PD patients with a greater risk of developing dementia. These findings need to be verified in longitudinal studies. Show more

Keywords: Dementia, heart disease, hypertension, Parkinson disease, risk factors

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-150610

Citation: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 51, no. 2, pp. 563-570, 2016