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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory condition that causes demyelination of the central nervous system accompanied by a wide range of symptoms. The high prevalence of falls among patients diagnosed with MS within the initial six months highlights the importance of this issue. The objective of this study is to identify factors associated with falls in MS patients in order to increase awareness and reduce the risk of falls. This scoping review used specific Mesh terms to formulate the literature search around falls and MS using Medline, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Embase search engines. English papers published between 2012 and 2022, studies with a clear definition of falls, McDonald's diagnostic criteria for MS, and those with Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) or Patient Determined Disease Steps (PDDS) scores were included. Critical data from the selected articles were extracted and classified according to the different factors associated with falls in MS patients. Eighteen articles were included in this review. The most important factors associated with falls in MS patients identified were the severity and progression of the disease, mobility and balance problems, bladder dysfunction, fear of falling, fatigue, and cognitive dysfunction. In conclusion, this scoping review yielded the most common factors associated with falls in patients with MS. Study findings can be used to develop future interventions focusing on improving mobility, proprioception, and balance to decrease fall risk and injury amongst MS patients.

Background/Objectives The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is a rapidly developing country. With the increase in average life-expectancy, high rates of consanguinity, and the adoption of a Western lifestyle, the burden of neurological disorders is expected to increase over the next few decades. Despite the importance of neurological disorders, there has not been a systematic review of published studies on the epidemiology of neurological disorders in the UAE. Methods We searched for studies of incidence and/or prevalence of neurological disorders in the UAE published in English in MEDLINE, Google Scholar, Embase, and Scopus databases with no date restrictions up until 01 October 2023. Two authors independently assessed abstracts and full texts of possibly relevant papers, followed by data extraction from studies satisfying the eligibility criteria. Results Eight articles ( N  = 2067 patients) were included, half reported incidence and prevalence of multiple sclerosis, with an average crude prevalence 56/100,000 and related demyelinating disorders. Others were related to headache, meningitis, cerebral venous thrombosis, and brain tumours. Conclusion There is a distinct lack of data on the epidemiology of different neurological diseases in the UAE. Large population-based studies, ideally longitudinal, are required to provide accurate and reliable estimates of the incidence and prevalence of neurological disorders to help inform healthcare capacity planning.

The human brain, a pinnacle of biological complexity, comprises a diverse array of cell types that regulate cognition and maintain neural homeostasis. Advances in single-cell transcriptomics have revolutionized neuroscience by enabling high-resolution molecular profiling, revealing unprecedented insights into cellular heterogeneity, lineage dynamics, and disease-associated states. Large-scale brain-mapping initiatives have identified numerous novel cell types, yet their functional roles in health and disease remain poorly understood. This review synthesizes current knowledge of brain cell diversity, from neurogenesis to pathological states, and highlights key gene markers that define cellular identity and function. By integrating insights from single-cell transcriptomics, we explore how cellular diversity shapes brain function and contributes to disease mechanisms, providing a foundation for future research and translational applications.

Sexual dysfunction (SD) is a common non-motor symptom in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD) yet underreported and undertreated specifically in many ethnic PD groups because of religious, social and personal perceptions. We conducted the first single-centre cross-sectional study in the United Arab Emirates of SD in 513 consecutive patients who agreed to complete the survey questionnaires. Data was collected on SD using the Nonmotor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), Index of Erectile Function, and Female Sexual Function Index. Our results show that the non-Emirati group had higher NMSS-SD scores than the Emirati group. SD was reported independent of ethnicity, race and disease stage (p < 0.001). SD correlated with worsening quality of life (p < 0.001) and anxiety domain, especially in young PD patients (p < 0.001). Our data concludes that there is no significant difference in SD between different ethnicity groups, contrary to common perception. SD appears to be underreported in this population and needs addressing using culturally sensitive bespoke counselling.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, and the condition is complicated by the emergence of wearing off/motor fluctuations with levodopa treatment after a variable period. COMT inhibitors when used as adjunct therapy to levodopa tend to smoothen out these wearing off fluctuations by enhancing delivery of levodopa and increasing its bioavailability to the brain. The study was conducted to investigate the motor and nonmotor effect, safety and tolerability of the third generation once-daily COMT inhibitor (opicapone), as add-on, adjuvant therapy to levodopa and at 6 and 12 months follow-up in a real-life cohort of consecutive Emirati and non-White PD patients. A real-life observational analysis using tolerability parameters as used previously by Rizos et al. and Shulman et al. based on clinical database of cases rat Kings College Hospital Dubai Parkinson care database. This was a prospective, single-arm follow-up clinical evaluation study that evaluated the effectiveness of opicapone 50 mg once-daily regime in 50 patients diagnosed with idiopathic neurodegenerative disorder. All patients were assessed with scales used in clinical pathway and include motor Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), nonmotor symptom scale (NMSS), quality of life (PDQ8) Parkinson’s fatigue scale (PFS16) and King’s Parkinson’s Pain Scale (KIPS). Out of 50 patients treated with opicapone (72% male, mean age 66.9 years (SD 9.9, range 41–82 years) and mean duration of disease 5.7 years (SD 2.5 range (2–11), there was significant statistical improvements shown in motor function-UPDRS part 3: baseline 40.64 ± 2.7, at 6 months 32.12 ± 3.14 and after 12 months 33.72 ± 3.76. Nonmotor burden NMSS: 107.00 ± 21.86, at 6 months 100.78 ± 17.28 and 12 months 96.88 ± 16.11. Reduction in dyskinesias (UPDRS part 4): baseline 8.78 ± 1.07, at 6 months 7.4 ± 0.81 and 12 months 6.82 ± 0.75. Opicapone provides beneficial motor and nonmotor effects in Emirati and other non-White Parkinson’s patients, resident in UAE, proving its efficacy across different racial groups as COMT activity may vary between races.

The role of genetic factors in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by heterogeneity in specific genetic variations and their prevalence across different populations and geographic locations. To investigate the frequency of the Leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 ( ) mutation, a well-known genetic risk factor for PD, within Emirati patients. Emirati PD patients were recruited from the United Arab Emirates between September 2022 and May 2024. Blood samples were systematically screened for mutations across all 52 exons of the gene. The mutation was not detected in any of the 50 Emirati PD patients (mean age 64.2 ± 14.1 years, of whom 56% are male) examined. The absence of the and specifically the G2019S mutation in Emirati PD patients corroborates findings from Saudi Arabia and indicates a distinct genetic pattern compared to other Arab regions like Egypt and Maghreb (North African) countries, where the G2019S mutation prevalence ranges from 10 to 40%. This underscores the need for further research to unveil alternative genetic determinants specific to the Emirati PD population.

Background Analysis of biomedical research and publications in a country or group of countries is used to monitor research progress and trends. This study aims to assess the performance of biomedical research in the Arab world during 2001–2005 and to compare it with other Middle Eastern non-Arab countries. Methods PubMed and Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-expanded) were searched systematically for the original biomedical research publications and their citation frequencies of 16 Arab nations and three non-Arab Middle Eastern countries (Iran, Israel and Turkey), all of which are classified as middle or high income countries. Results The 16 Arab countries together have 5775 and 14,374 original research articles listed by PubMed and SCI-expanded, respectively, significantly less (p < 0.001) than the other three Middle Eastern countries (25,643 and 49,110). The Arab countries also scored less when the data were normalized to population, gross domestic product (GDP), and GDP/capita. The publications from the Arab countries also have a significantly lower (p < 0.001) citation frequency. Conclusion The Arab world is producing fewer biomedical publications of lower quality than other Middle Eastern countries. Studies are needed to clarify the causes and to propose strategies to improve the biomedical research status in Arab countries.

Background Cerebrovascular disease is the second commonest cause of death, and over a third of stroke deaths occur in developing countries. To fulfil the current gap on data, this systematic review is focused on the frequency of stroke, risk factors, stroke types and mortality in Iran. Methods Thirteen relevant articles were identified by keyword searching of PubMed, Iranmedex, Iranian University index Libraries and the official national data on burden of diseases. Results The publication dates ranged from 1990 to 2008. The annual stroke incidence of various ages ranged from 23 to 103 per 100,000 population. This is comparable to the figures from Arab Countries, higher than sub-Saharan Africa, but lower than developed countries, India, the Caribbean, Latin America, and China. Similarly to other countries, ischaemic stroke was the commonest subtype. Likewise, the most common related risk factor is hypertension in adults, but cardiac causes in young stroke. The 28-day case fatality rate is reported at 19-31%. Conclusions Data on the epidemiology of stroke, its pattern and risk factors from Iran is scarce, but the available data highlights relatively low incidence of stroke. This may reflect a similarity towards the neighbouring nations, and a contrast with the West.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is not a single condition and has multiple heterogeneous presentations with several endophenotypes as well as collateral factors affecting care and health. However, clinical consultations globally often miss these important aspects in clinic. The Stepped Care pathway of care was developed from PD patients’ opinion and attempts to combine these gaps in care in a simple 3-stage clinical paradigm. We conducted a survey across twenty (20) countries to explore the views of clinicians and PD patients on the process, acceptability and need of the Stepped Care pathway. A structured questionnaire was administered in both affluent and under-resourced clinics, capturing data from a multi-ethnic and diverse patient base. 99% patients (White, Asian and Black) felt Stepped Care toolkit asked relevant questions addressing needs and concerns in PD care that are often missed, and 96% agreed with the importance of using this toolkit during Outpatient Clinic visits. Moreover, a significant majority of PD patients (96%) felt Stepped Care makes them understand their condition better. 92% of clinicians indicated that the Stepped care toolkit could be an effective asset in clinical practice, while 91% of clinicians agreed that the toolkit provides holistic care which is often missed in clinic. This novel global survey of the efficacy and useability of Stepped Care for PD is overwhelmingly endorsed by PD patients and clinicians from a diverse, multi-ethnic background across high- and low- income countries. Stepped Care can be used in clinical practice in order to ensure a holistic and comprehensive care for PD.

Introduction eLearning has become an essential part of medical education. However, there is a lack of published research on student engagement with online pre-recorded mini-lectures and its relation to assessment. The aim of this pilot study is to explore the relationship between newly introduced neurology pre-recorded mini-lectures and undergraduate medical students engagement and assessment. This may encourage the wider use of mini-lectures in undergraduate medical curricula. Methods The engagement of medical students with 48 online pre-recorded neurology mini-lectures was assessed through a Learning Management System. To measure engagement, data was stratified according to the number of watched/downloaded mini-lectures. A point system was used (out of 5): − 1 point = watching/downloading 0–10 mini-lectures, 2 points = watching/downloading 11–20 mini-lectures, 3 points = watching/downloading 21–30 mini-lectures, 4 points = watching/downloading 31–40 mini-lectures and, 5 points = watching/downloading 41–48 mini-lectures. The students’ engagement was correlated with their neurology assessments [Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE), and knowledge-based assessment 10 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and one 10-mark Short Answer Question, (SAQ)], internal medicine grade and annual grade point average (GPA) using the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results The mean engagement of 34, Year 5, medical students is 3.9/5. There is a significant positive correlation between engagement and internal medicine grade ( r  = 0.35, p = 0.044). There is a moderate correlation between engagement and neurology OSCE ( r  = 0.23), annual Year 5 GPA ( r  = 0.23), neurology knowledge-based score ( r  = 0.22) and composite neurology knowledge/OSCE (r = 0.27). The knowledge-based assessment included SAQ and MCQs: there was a moderate correlation with SAQ ( r  = 0.30), but a weak negative correlation with the MCQs ( r =-0.11). Sub-groups analysis comparing the top- and low- or non- engaging students made these weaker correlations stronger. Conclusion This pilot study indicates a high rate of engagement with an online pre-recorded mini-lectures resource and evidence of moderate correlation between engagement and assessment. Online pre-recorded mini-lectures should be used more in delivering the curriculum contents of the clinical clerkships. Further studies are needed to evaluate the relation and the impact of the mini-lectures on assessment.