71) = 4.284, p = 0.042; while no such relation was found for the right thalamus. Annual percentage change in FA or MD of the thalamus tracts was not predicted by thalamus volume or any of the demographic parameters. Conclusion Over a short follow-up time, thalamus atrophy could be predicted by decreased integrity of the thalamic tracts, but changes in the integrity of the thalamic tracts could not be predicted by thalamus volume. This is the first study showing directionality in the association between thalamus atrophy and connected WM tract damage. These results need to be verified over longer follow-up periods.Background The Latino population is greatly understudied in biomedical research, including genetics. Very little information is available on presence of known variants originally identified in non-Hispanic white patients or novel variants in the Latino population. The Latino population is admixed, with contributions of European, African, and Amerindian ancestries. Therefore, the ancestry surrounding a gene (local ancestry, LA) can be any of the three contributing ancestries and thus can determine the presence or risk effect of variants detected. Methods We sequenced the major exons and exons of reported Latino-specific variants in GBA and LRRK2 and performed genome-wide genotyping for LA assessments in 79 Latino Parkinson disease (PD) patients, of which ~80% identified as Caribbean Latino. CX-5461 molecular weight Results We observed five carriers of LRRK2 p.G2019S, one GBA p.T408M, and three GBA p.N409S on European as well as three GBA p.L13R on African LA backgrounds. Previous Latino variant GBA p.K237E was not observed in this dataset. A novel highly conserved and predicted damaging variant LRRK2 p.D734N was identified in two unrelated individuals with African LA. Additionally, we identified rare, functional variants LRRK2 p.P1480L and GBA p.S310G in one individual each heterozygous for European/Amerindian LA. Discussion Additional functional analysis will be needed to determine the pathogenicity of the novel variants in PD. However, the identification of novel disease variants in the Latino cohort potentially contributing to PD supports to importance of inclusion of Latinos in genetics research to provide insight in PD genetics in Latinos specifically as well as other populations with the same ancestral contributions.Background/Objective Growing evidence suggests a close relationship between motor and cognitive abilities, but possible common underlying mechanisms are not well-established. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with reduced physical performance and increased risk of cognitive decline. The study aimed to assess in a cohort of elderly AF patients (1) the association between motor and cognitive performances, and (2) the influence and potential mediating role of cerebral lesions burden. Design Strat-AF is a prospective, observational study investigating biological markers for cerebral bleeding risk stratification in AF patients on oral anticoagulants. Baseline cross-sectional data are presented here. Setting Thrombosis outpatient clinic (Careggi University Hospital). Participants One-hundred and seventy patients (mean age 77.7 ± 6.8; females 35%). Measurements Baseline protocol included neuropsychological battery, motor assessment [Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and walking speed], and brain magnet 1 β = 0.223, β = 0.261), and short story (Model 2 β = 0.245, β = 0.273). Conclusions In our cohort of elderly AF patients, a direct association between motor and cognitive functions consistently recurred using different evaluation of the performances, without an evident mediating role of cerebral lesions burden.Background Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive disorder characterized by motor, cognitive and psychiatric features. Cerebellar ataxia is classically considered as uncommon in HD clinical spectrum. Objective To determine the prevalence of cerebellar ataxia in patients with HD, both in the early and in the late stages of HD. Methods Seventy-two individuals considered eligible were assessed by two trained doctors, applying the Scale for Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) and Brief Ataxia Rating Scale (BARS) for ataxia, the Unified Huntington's Disease Rating Scale (UHDRS) and also, Barthel Index (BI), in order to evaluate functional capacity. Results Fifty-one patients (70.8%) presented with clinical ataxia at the time of examination (mean time of disease was 9.1 years). Six (8.33%) patients presented with cerebellar ataxia as first symptom. When stratified according to time of disease, a decline in the presence of chorea (p = 0.032) and an increase in cognitive deficit (p = 0.023) were observed in the patients as the disease progressed. The presence of ataxia was associated with longer duration of illness and severity of illness (UHDRS) (p less then 0.0001), and shorter Barthel (less functionality) (p = 0.001). Conclusions Cerebellar involvement may play an important role in natural history of brain degeneration in HD. The presence of cerebellar ataxia in HD is relevant and it may occur even in early stages, and should be included as part of the motor features of the disease.Functional movement disorders (FMDs) are not uncommon in children. The age at onset may have a bearing on the phenomenological pattern of abnormal movement, risk factors, and response to different treatment modalities in this age group. FMDs in children resemble their adult counterparts in terms of gender preponderance, but risk factors are quite different, and often influenced by cultural and demographic background. FMDs contribute to a significant proportion of acute pediatric movement disorder patients seen in emergency settings, ranging from 4.3 to 23% in different case series. The most common movement phenomenologies observed in pediatric FMDs patients are tremor, dystonia, gait disturbances, and functional tics. Various social, physical, and familial precipitating factors have been described. Common social risk factors include divorce of parents, sexual abuse, bullying at school, examination pressure, or other education-related issues, death of a close friend, relative, or family members. Physical trauma like minor head injury, immunization, tooth extraction, and tonsillectomy are also known to precipitate FMDs.