Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Prevention of Poststroke Epilepsy: Clinical and Research Implications.

Poststroke epilepsy (PSE) is associated with higher mortality and poor functional and cognitive outcomes in patients with stroke. With the remarkable development of acute stroke treatment, there is a growing number of survivors with PSE. Although approximately 10% of patients with stroke develop PSE, given the significant burden of stroke worldwide, PSE is a significant problem in stroke survivors. Therefore, the attention of health policymakers and significant funding are required to promote PSE prevention research. The current PSE definition includes unprovoked seizures occurring more than 7 days after stroke onset, given the high recurrence risks of seizures. However, the pathologic cascade of stroke is not uniform, indicating the need for a tissue-based approach rather than a time-based one to distinguish early seizures from late seizures. EEG is a commonly used tool in the diagnostic work-up of PSE. EEG findings during the acute phase of stroke can potentially stratify the risk of subsequent seizures and predict the development of poststroke epileptogenesis. Recent reports suggest that cortical superficial siderosis, which may be involved in epileptogenesis, is a promising marker for PSE. By incorporating such markers, future risk-scoring models could guide treatment strategies, particularly for the primary prophylaxis of PSE. To date, drugs that prevent poststroke epileptogenesis are lacking. The primary challenge involves the substantial cost burden due to the difficulty of reliably enrolling patients who develop PSE. There is, therefore, a critical need to determine reliable biomarkers for PSE. The goal is to be able to use them for trial enrichment and as a surrogate outcome measure for epileptogenesis. Moreover, seizure prophylaxis is essential to prevent functional and cognitive decline in stroke survivors. Further elucidation of factors that contribute to poststroke epileptogenesis is eagerly awaited. Meanwhile, the regimen of antiseizure medications should be based on individual cardiovascular risk, psychosomatic comorbidities, and concomitant medications. This review summarizes the current understanding of poststroke epileptogenesis, its risks, prognostic models, prophylaxis, and strategies for secondary prevention of seizures and suggests strategies to advance research on PSE.

The AHA/ASA and DSM-V diagnostic criteria for vascular cognitive impairment identify cases with predominant vascular pathology.

BACKGROUND: There are major challenges in determining the etiology of vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) clinically, especially in the presence of mixed pathologies, such as vascular and amyloid. Most recently, two criteria (American Heart Association/American Stroke Association (AHA/ASA) and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-V)) have been proposed for the clinical diagnosis of VCI but have not as yet been validated using neuroimaging. AIMS: This study aims to determine whether the AHA/ASA and DSM-V criteria for VCI can distinguish between cases with predominantly vascular pathology and cases with mixed pathology. METHODS: A total of 186 subjects were recruited from a cross-sectional memory clinic-based study at the National University Hospital, Singapore. All subjects underwent clinical and neuropsychological assessment, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and carbon 11-labeled Pittsburgh Compound B ([11C] PiB) positron emission tomography (PET) scans. Diagnosis of the etiological subtypes of VCI (probable vascular mild cognitive impairment (VaMCI), possible VaMCI, non-VaMCI, probable vascular dementia (VaD), possible VaD, non-VaD) were performed following AHA/ASA and DSM-V criteria. Brain amyloid burden was determined for each subject with standardized uptake value ratio (SUVR) values ⩾1.5 classified as amyloid positive. RESULTS: Using κ statistics, both criteria had excellent agreement for probable VaMCI, probable VaD, and possible VaD (κ = 1.00), and good for possible VaMCI (κ = 0.71). Using the AHA/ASA criteria, the amyloid positivity of probable VaMCI (3.8%) and probable VaD (15%) was significantly lower compared to possible VaMCI (26.7%), non-VaMCI (33.3%), possible VaD (73.3%), and non-VaD (76.2%) (p < 0.001). Similarly, using the DSM-V criteria, the amyloid positivity of probable VaMCI (3.8%) and probable VaD (15%) was significantly lower compared to possible VaMCI (26.3%), non-VaMCI (32.1%), possible VaD (73.3%), and non-VaD (76.2%) (p < 0.001). In both criteria, there was good agreement in differentiating individuals with non-VaD and possible VaD, with significantly higher (p < 0.001) global [11C]-PiB SUVR, from individuals with probable VaMCI and probable VaD, who had predominant vascular pathology. CONCLUSION: The AHA/ASA and DSM-V criteria for VCI can identify VCI cases with little to no concomitant amyloid pathology, hence supporting the utility of AHA/ASA and DSM-V criteria in diagnosing patients with predominant vascular pathology. DATA ACCESS STATEMENT: Data supporting this study are available from the Memory Aging and Cognition Center, National University of Singapore. Access to the data is subject to approval and a data sharing agreement due to University policy.

Benign Lymphoid Polyp of the Rectum Diagnosed and Treated With Endoscopic Submucosal Resection With a Ligation Device.

Benign lymphoid polyps of the rectum, also termed "Rectal tonsil" or "Pseudolymphoma," are submucosal tumor-like growths with localized hyperplasia of the lymphoid follicles and are often discovered incidentally during colonoscopy. Its diagnosis and differentiation from other submucosal tumors pose challenges owing to their similar endoscopic features. A 72-year-old woman presented with a positive fecal occult blood test, which led to the discovery of a 10-mm lower rectal tumor resembling a neuroendocrine tumor during colonoscopy. Upon closer examination, the lesion had a yellow submucosal appearance with dilated capillaries. Endoscopic submucosal resection with a ligation device (ESMR-L) was performed because the patient preferred immediate removal. Histopathological examination revealed lymphocytic infiltration with germinal center-containing lymphoid follicles, confirming the diagnosis of benign lymphoid polyp. Benign lymphoid polyps are often difficult to differentiate from carcinoid tumors and malignant lymphomas because the endoscopic findings are similar. Although preoperative endoscopic ultrasonography aids localization and characterization, definitive differentiation remains elusive and necessitates complete lesion resection. ESMR-L is a viable approach for diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic intervention, offering advantages in terms of procedural efficiency and patient care, particularly in cases involving submucosal rectal lesions.

Pro-Hemorrhagic Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy Associated with NOTCH3 p.R75P Mutation with Low Vascular NOTCH3 Aggregation Property.

OBJECTIVES: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and cerebral microbleeds (CMB) in cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy are more common in East Asian populations than in people of white European ancestry. We hypothesized that the ethnic difference is explained by the East Asian-specific NOTCH3 p.R75P mutation. METHODS: This retrospective observational study included 118 patients with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy in Japanese and Korean cohorts. We investigated whether the p.R75P mutation is associated with symptomatic ICH and multiple CMB (>5) using quasi-Poisson regression models. We predicted the NOTCH3 extracellular domain protein structures in silico and graded NOTCH3 extracellular domain immunostaining in skin vessels of some patients, with subsequent comparisons between p.R75P and other conventional mutations. RESULTS: Among 63 Japanese patients (median age 55 years; 56% men), 15 had a p.R75P mutation, significantly associated with symptomatic ICH (adjusted relative risk 9.56, 95% CI 2.45-37.31), multiple CMB (3.00, 1.34-6.71), and absence of temporopolar lesions (4.91, 2.29-10.52) after adjustment for age, sex, hypertension, and antithrombotics. In the Korean cohort (n = 55; median age 55 years; 51% men), the p.R75P mutation (n = 13) was also associated with symptomatic ICH (8.11, 1.83-35.89), multiple CMB (1.90, 1.01-3.56), and absence of temporopolar lesions (2.32, 1.08-4.97). Structural analysis revealed solvent-exposed free cysteine thiols in conventional mutations, directly causing aggregation, whereas a stereochemically incompatible proline residue structure in p.R75P lowers correct disulfide bond formation probability, indirectly causing aggregation. Pathologically, the p.R75P mutation resulted in less vascular NOTCH3 extracellular domain accumulation than the other conventional mutations. INTERPRETATION: NOTCH3 p.R75P mutation is associated with hemorrhagic presentations, milder temporopolar lesions, and distinct mutant protein structure properties. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:1040-1054.

A multicenter, single-arm, phase II clinical trial of adrenomedullin in patients with cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy.

Background: Cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), the most common form of hereditary cerebral small vessel disease (SVD), currently lacks disease-modifying treatments. Adrenomedullin (AM), a vasoactive peptide with angiogenic, vasodilatory, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidative properties, shows potential effects on the neuro-glial-vascular unit. Objective: The AdrenoMedullin for CADASIL (AMCAD) study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of AM in patients with CADASIL. Sample size: Overall, 60 patients will be recruited. Methods: The AMCAD is a multicenter, investigator-initiated, single-arm phase II trial. Patients with a confirmed CADASIL diagnosis, based on NOTCH3 genetic testing, will receive an 8-h AM treatment (15 ng/kg/min) for 14 days following a baseline assessment (from day 1 to day 14). Follow-up evaluations will be performed on days 15, 28, 90, and 180. Study outcomes: The primary endpoint is the cerebral blood flow change rate in the frontal cortex, evaluated using arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging, from baseline to day 28. Summary statistics, 95% confidence intervals, and a one-sample t-test will be used for analysis. Conclusion: The AMCAD study aims to represent the therapeutic potential of AM in patients with CADASIL, addressing an unmet medical need in this challenging condition. Clinical Trial Registration: jRCT 2,051,210,117 (https://jrct.niph.go.jp/en-latest-detail/jRCT2051210117).

High pillow and spontaneous vertebral artery dissection: A case-control study implicating "Shogun pillow syndrome".

INTRODUCTION: The underlying causes of spontaneous vertebral artery dissection (sVAD) remain insufficiently understood. This study aimed to determine whether high-pillow usage is associated with an increased risk of sVAD and evaluate the frequency of sVAD attributable to high-pillow usage. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This case-control study identified patients with sVAD and age- and sex-matched non-sVAD controls (case-to-control ratio: 1:1) treated at a certified comprehensive stroke center in Japan between 2018 and 2023. The pillow height used at the onset of the index disease was measured and classified into three categories between 12 and 15 cm boundaries. Univariable logistic regression was performed to assess the odds ratio (OR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of high-pillow usage for sVAD development. A subgroup of sVAD attributable to high-pillow usage was defined with the following three conditions: high-pillow usage (⩾12 or ⩾15 cm); no minor preceding trauma; and wake-up onset. RESULTS: Fifty-three patients with sVAD and 53 non-sVAD controls (42% women, median age: 49 years) were identified. High-pillow usage (⩾12 and ⩾15 cm) was more common in the sVAD group than in the non-sVAD group (34 vs 15%; OR = 2.89; 95%CI = 1.13-7.43 and 17 vs 1.9%; OR = 10.6; 95%CI = 1.30-87.3, respectively). The subgroup of sVAD attributed to high-pillow usage (⩾12 and ⩾15 cm) was found in 11.3% (95%CI = 2.7%-19.8%) and 9.4% (95%CI = 1.5%-17.3%), respectively. CONCLUSION: High-pillow usage was associated with an increased risk of sVAD and accounted for approximately 10% of all sVAD cases. This tentative subgroup of sVAD may represent a distinct spectrum of disease-Shogun pillow syndrome.

Ten-year national trends in in-hospital mortality and functional outcomes after intracerebral hemorrhage by age in Japan: J-ASPECT study.

INTRODUCTION: National-level data on trends in the prognosis of age-stratified patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) are lacking. This study aimed to assess time trends in in-hospital mortality and functional outcomes of ICH patients by sex and age, and to explore factors associated with changes in in-hospital mortality trend. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Using the largest nationwide, J-ASPECT stroke database in Japan, this serial cross-sectional study included ICH patients aged ⩾18 years who were hospitalized for non-traumatic ICH from April 2010 to March 2020. We examined trends in in-hospital mortality and functional outcomes using the modified Rankin Scale at discharge, as well as differences in in-hospital mortality change between age groups. RESULTS: Among 262,399 ICH patients from 934 hospitals, crude in-hospital mortality showed a significant decreasing time trend (from 19.5% to 16.7%), and this trend was consistent across sex and age groups. In addition, differences in in-hospital mortality change over the 10-year study period were significant between male patients aged ⩾75 years and those aged ⩽64 years (-3.9% [95% confidence interval, -5.4 to -2.4] for 75-84 years; -4.1% [-6.3 to -1.9] for ⩾85 years). On the other hand, the proportion of dependent patients (mRS 3-5) at discharge increased from 52.0% to 54.9% over the 10-year study period. CONCLUSION: The in-hospital mortality of ICH patients improved, whereas the proportion of patients with dependent functional outcome at discharge increased, over the 10-year study period. Elucidating the mechanism underlying differences in in-hospital mortality reduction in men may provide insights into effective interventions in the future.

Therapeutic Granulomonocytapheresis as a Non-pharmacologic Treatment Option for Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Efficacy Reports on a Wide Age Range and Disease Profile.

The major phenotypes of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) include ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD), which cause debilitating symptoms, including bloody diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, and fever. Patients require life-long immunosuppressive medications, which cause adverse side effects as additional morbidity factors. However, IBD is initiated and perpetuated by inflammatory cytokines, and given that in patients with IBD myeloid lineage leukocytes are elevated with activation behavior and release inflammatory cytokines, selective depletion of elevated granulocytes and monocytes by granulomonocytapheresis is a relevant therapeutic option for IBD patients. Therefore, a column filled with specially designed beads as granulomonocytapheresis carriers for selective adsorption of myeloid lineage leukocytes (Adacolumn) has been applied to treat patients with active IBD. Patients receive up to 10 granulomonocytapheresis sessions at one or two sessions per week. During each session, the carriers adsorb up to 60% of the myeloid leukocytes from the blood that passes through the granulomonocytapheresis column. Efficacy rates in the UC setting have been as high as 85% in steroid-naïve patients, and 100% in drug-naïve, first-episode cases, but patients with a long duration of active IBD and extensive colonic lesions that have become refractory to pharmacological treatment have not responded well. However, granulomonocytapheresis has a favorable safety profile. Given that immunosuppressive medications used to treat IBD potentially may increase the risk of severe viral infection, non-drug granulomonocytapheresis should be a favorable treatment strategy. Further, by targeting granulomonocytapheresis to patients with background features and identifying a patient as a likely responder, futile use of medical resources is avoided.

Clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with post-stroke epilepsy: protocol for an individual patient data meta-analysis from the International Post-stroke Epilepsy Research Repository (IPSERR).

INTRODUCTION: Despite significant advances in managing acute stroke and reducing stroke mortality, preventing complications like post-stroke epilepsy (PSE) has seen limited progress. PSE research has been scattered worldwide with varying methodologies and data reporting. To address this, we established the International Post-stroke Epilepsy Research Consortium (IPSERC) to integrate global PSE research efforts. This protocol outlines an individual patient data meta-analysis (IPD-MA) to determine outcomes in patients with post-stroke seizures (PSS) and develop/validate PSE prediction models, comparing them with existing models. This protocol informs about creating the International Post-stroke Epilepsy Research Repository (IPSERR) to support future collaborative research. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: We utilised a comprehensive search strategy and searched MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases until 30 January 2023. We extracted observational studies of stroke patients aged ≥18 years, presenting early or late PSS with data on patient outcome measures, and conducted the risk of bias assessment. We did not apply any restriction based on the date or language of publication. We will invite these study authors and the IPSERC collaborators to contribute IPD to IPSERR. We will review the IPD lodged within IPSERR to identify patients who developed epileptic seizures and those who did not. We will merge the IPD files of individual data and standardise the variables where possible for consistency. We will conduct an IPD-MA to estimate the prognostic value of clinical characteristics in predicting PSE. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethics approval is not required for this study. The results will be published in peer-reviewed journals. This study will contribute to IPSERR, which will be available to researchers for future PSE research projects. It will also serve as a platform to anchor future clinical trials. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT06108102.

Comorbid amyloid with cerebrovascular disease in domain-specific cognitive and neuropsychiatric disturbances: a cross-sectional memory clinic study.

Dementia is a multifactorial disorder that is likely influenced by both Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular pathologies. We evaluated domain-specific cognitive and neuropsychiatric dysfunction using a two-neuroimaging biomarker construct (beta-amyloid [Aß] and cerebrovascular disease [CeVD]). We analyzed data from 216 memory clinic participants (mean age = 75.9 ± 6.9; 56.5% female) with neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric assessments, 3T-MRI, and Aß-PET imaging. Structural equation modeling showed that the largest Aß (A+) effect was on memory (B = -1.50) and apathy (B = 0.26), whereas CeVD effects were largest on language (B = -1.62) and hyperactivity (B = 0.32). Group comparisons showed that the A+C+ group had greater memory impairment (B = -1.55), hyperactivity (B = 0.79), and apathy (B = 0.74) compared to A-C+; and greater language impairment (B = -1.26) compared to A+C-. These potentially additive effects of Aß and CeVD burden underline the importance of early detection and treatment of Aß alongside optimal control of vascular risk factors as a potential strategy in preventing cognitive and neurobehavioral impairment.

Outcomes in Patients With Poststroke Seizures: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Importance: Published data about the impact of poststroke seizures (PSSs) on the outcomes of patients with stroke are inconsistent and have not been systematically evaluated, to the authors' knowledge. Objective: To investigate outcomes in people with PSS compared with people without PSS. Data Sources: MEDLINE, Embase, PsycInfo, Cochrane, LILACS, LIPECS, and Web of Science, with years searched from 1951 to January 30, 2023. Study Selection: Observational studies that reported PSS outcomes. Data Extraction and Synthesis: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses checklist was used for abstracting data, and the Joanna Briggs Institute tool was used for risk-of-bias assessment. Data were reported as odds ratio (OR) and standardized mean difference (SMD) with a 95% CI using a random-effects meta-analysis. Publication bias was assessed using funnel plots and the Egger test. Outlier and meta-regression analyses were performed to explore the source of heterogeneity. Data were analyzed from November 2022 to January 2023. Main Outcomes and Measures: Measured outcomes were mortality, poor functional outcome (modified Rankin scale [mRS] score 3-6), disability (mean mRS score), recurrent stroke, and dementia at patient follow-up. Results: The search yielded 71 eligible articles, including 20 110 patients with PSS and 1 166 085 patients without PSS. Of the participants with PSS, 1967 (9.8%) had early seizures, and 10 605 (52.7%) had late seizures. The risk of bias was high in 5 studies (7.0%), moderate in 35 (49.3%), and low in 31 (43.7%). PSSs were associated with mortality risk (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.8-2.4), poor functional outcome (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.8-2.8), greater disability (SMD, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-0.7), and increased dementia risk (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3-7.7) compared with patients without PSS. In subgroup analyses, early seizures but not late seizures were associated with mortality (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.9-2.9 vs OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.8-2.0) and both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke subtypes were associated with mortality (OR, 2.2; 95% CI, 1.8-2.7 vs OR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.0-1.8). In addition, early and late seizures (OR, 2.4; 95% CI, 1.6-3.4 vs OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.8-4.1) and stroke subtypes were associated with poor outcomes (OR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.9-3.7 vs OR, 1.9; 95% CI, 1.0-3.6). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this systematic review and meta-analysis suggest that PSSs were associated with significantly increased mortality and severe disability in patients with history of stroke. Unraveling these associations is a high clinical and research priority. Trials of interventions to prevent seizures may be warranted.

Periodic discharges plus fast activity on electroencephalogram predict worse outcomes in poststroke epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: Postseizure functional decline is a concern in poststroke epilepsy (PSE). However, data on electroencephalogram (EEG) markers associated with functional decline are scarce. Thus, we investigated whether periodic discharges (PDs) and their specific characteristics are associated with functional decline in patients with PSE. METHODS: In this observational study, patients admitted with seizures of PSE and who had scalp EEGs were included. The association between the presence or absence of PDs and postseizure short-term functional decline lasting 7 days after admission was investigated. In patients with PD, EEG markers were explored for risk stratification of short-term functional decline, according to the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society's Standardized Critical Care EEG Terminology. The association between EEG markers and imaging findings and long-term functional decline at discharge and 6 months after discharge, defined as an increase in the modified Rankin Scale score compared with the baseline, was evaluated. RESULTS: In this study, 307 patients with PSE (median age = 75 years, range = 35-97 years, 64% males; hemorrhagic stroke, 47%) were enrolled. Compared with 247 patients without PDs, 60 patients with PDs were more likely to have short-term functional decline (12 [20%] vs. 8 [3.2%], p < .001), with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 4.26 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.44-12.6, p = .009). Patients with superimposed fast-activity PDs (PDs+F) had significantly more localized (rather than widespread) lesions (87% vs. 58%, p = .003), prolonged hyperperfusion (100% vs. 62%, p = .023), and a significantly higher risk of short-term functional decline than those with PDs without fast activity (adjusted OR = 22.0, 95% CI = 1.87-259.4, p = .014). Six months after discharge, PDs+F were significantly associated with long-term functional decline (adjusted OR = 4.21, 95% CI = 1.27-13.88, p = .018). SIGNIFICANCE: In PSE, PDs+F are associated with sustained neuronal excitation and hyperperfusion, which may be a predictor of postseizure short- and long-term functional decline.

Power of neutrality tests for detecting natural selection.

Detection of natural selection is one of the main interests in population genetics. Thus, many tests have been developed for detecting natural selection using genomic data. Although it is recognized that the utility of tests depends on several evolutionary factors, such as the timing of selection, strength of selection, frequency of selected alleles, demographic events, and initial frequency of selected allele when selection started acting (softness of selection), the relationships between such evolutionary factors and the power of tests are not yet entirely clear. In this study, we investigated the power of 4 tests: Tajiama's D, Fay and Wu's H, relative extended haplotype homozygosity (rEHH), and integrated haplotype score (iHS), under ranges of evolutionary parameters and demographic models to quantitatively expand the understanding of approaches for detecting selection. The results show that each test detects selection within a limited parameter range, and there are still wide ranges of parameters for which none of these tests work effectively. In addition, the parameter space in which each test shows the highest power overlaps the empirical results of previous research. These results indicate that our present perspective of adaptation is limited to only a part of actual adaptation.

A robust harmonization approach for cognitive data from multiple aging and dementia cohorts.

INTRODUCTION: Although many cognitive measures have been developed to assess cognitive decline due to Alzheimer's disease (AD), there is little consensus on optimal measures, leading to varied assessments across research cohorts and clinical trials making it difficult to pool cognitive measures across studies. METHODS: We used a two-stage approach to harmonize cognitive data across cohorts and derive a cross-cohort score of cognitive impairment due to AD. First, we pool and harmonize cognitive data from international cohorts of varying size and ethnic diversity. Next, we derived cognitive composites that leverage maximal data from the harmonized dataset. RESULTS: We show that our cognitive composites are robust across cohorts and achieve greater or comparable sensitivity to AD-related cognitive decline compared to the Mini-Mental State Examination and Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite. Finally, we used an independent cohort validating both our harmonization approach and composite measures. DISCUSSION: Our easy to implement and readily available pipeline offers an approach for researchers to harmonize their cognitive data with large publicly available cohorts, providing a simple way to pool data for the development or validation of findings related to cognitive decline due to AD.

Pre-existing sarcopenia and swallowing outcomes in acute stroke patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: This study aimed to investigate the associations of pre-existing sarcopenia with swallowing function, oral intake level, and aspiration pneumonia in patients with acute stroke. METHODS: This observational study included patients (≥60 years of age) with acute ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage within 7 days of onset who were screened for sarcopenia, malnutrition, and swallowing difficulties in a stroke-care unit within 48 h of admission. Sarcopenia was defined by the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia 2019 as having a low calf circumference, handgrip strength, and appendicular muscle mass index. The primary outcome was impaired oral intake (functional oral intake scale <5 points) at 3, 7, and 14 days after admission, and the secondary outcome was aspiration pneumonia during hospitalization. RESULTS: We enrolled 350 patients (median age of 77 years; 63% males) who underwent the aforementioned screening. Sarcopenia was diagnosed in 34% of patients, and malnutrition was found in 66% of patients with sarcopenia. When compared with the comparison group (defined as patients with either or both normal calf circumference and handgrip strength), the sarcopenia group had significantly lower tongue pressure and a higher prevalence of dysphagia. Sarcopenia was associated with functional oral intake scale <5 at 7 days (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 4.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.91-11.71); p = 0.002) and 14 days (adjusted OR, 3.93; 95% CI, 1.47-10.53; p = 0.006) and with aspiration pneumonia during hospitalization (adjusted OR, 6.12; 95% CI, 1.63-22.94; p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: Acute stroke patients with sarcopenia may have weakness of the swallowing-related muscles which may lead to impaired oral intake and aspiration pneumonia.