Brain-derived tau, a protein that is exclusive to the brain and detectable in the blood, could serve as an indicator of brain damage after an ischemic stroke. The analysis of this special form of tau has revealed a relationship between high levels of the protein and extensive brain injury, a higher risk of complications, and poorer outcomes.
Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) disease is a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous sensorimotor peripheral neuropathies. It is the most frequent inherited neuromuscular disorder affecting 9.7-82.3 patients per 100,000 individuals. Over 100 genes with all patterns of inheritance have been linked to CMT. These genes encode proteins involved in nerve-specific processes, such as axonal transport, myelination and synaptic transmission, and in general housekeeping pathways. However, the reason underlying why defects in such ubiquitous proteins predominantly affect peripheral nerves remains unclear.
Neurotrimin (NTM) is a member of the IgLON family, the disruption of which has been tied to emotional learning deficits and anxiety-like behavior in animal models. A mutation in the NTM gene was found to disrupt NTM protein heterodimerization with other IgLON family members, suggesting a potential link between NTM dysfunction and neurodevelopmental and behavioral disorders.