Papers by Wael Mohamed, MD, PhD
Parkinson's disease (PD), the most common motoric neurodegenerative illness, has been extensively... more Parkinson's disease (PD), the most common motoric neurodegenerative illness, has been extensively researched to better understand its complex pathophysiology. Nearly 80% of genome-wide association studies have been conducted on persons of European ancestry, indicating a lack of diversity in human genetics. Disparate representation may result in disparities that impede the equitable adoption of personalized medicine and may also limit our knowledge of illness etiology. Even though Parkinson's disease (PD) is a global affliction, the AfrAbia population remains understudied. We conducted a dynamic and longitudinal bibliometric analysis to investigate existing studies on Parkinson's disease genetics in the AfrAbia area and identify data gaps and possible new research avenues. All PD papers concentrating on PD genetics were found using the search terms "Parkinson's Disease", "Genetics", and "Africa" in the PubMed/MEDLINE database. Only English publications published between 1992 and 2023 were chosen using filters. Original English-language research publications disclosing genetic results on Parkinson's disease in non-European Africans were examined for inclusion. Two sets of independent reviewers discovered and extracted pertinent data. The bibliometric study was carried out using the R software packages Bibliometrix and Biblioshiny. The narrowed search yielded 43 publications, all published between 2006 and 2022. Yet, after applying filters and considering the inclusion requirements, the search results comprise just 16 original articles out of 43 articles. There were 27 articles eliminated. This study puts emphasis on the critical need for more diverse participant demographics in Parkinson's disease investigations. AfrAbia-PD-Genetic Consortium (AAPDGC) is GP2 initiative that helps to represent AfrAbia PD genetics.
Over 80% of genetic studies in the Parkinson's disease (PD) field have been conducted on individu... more Over 80% of genetic studies in the Parkinson's disease (PD) field have been conducted on individuals of European descent. There is a social and scientific imperative to understand the genetic basis of PD across global populations for therapeutic development and deployment. PD etiology is impacted by genetic and environmental factors that are variable by ancestry and region, emphasising the need for worldwide programs to gather large numbers of patients to identify novel candidate genes and risk loci involved in disease. Only a handful of documented genetic assessments have investigated families with PD in AfrAbia, which comprises the member nations of the Arab League and the African Union, with very limited cohort and case-control studies reported. This review article summarises prior research on PD genetics in AfrAbia, highlighting gaps and challenges. We discuss the etiological risk spectrum in the context of historical interactions, highlighting allele frequencies, penetrance, and the clinical manifestations of known genetic variants in the AfrAbian PD patient community.
Academia Biology, Dec 19, 2024
Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a global disease. However, there is a lack of research specifically f... more Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a global disease. However, there is a lack of research specifically focused on the AfrAbian population. Climate change, driven mainly by global warming, is linked to detrimental health impacts, including an increased frequency and intensity of heat waves. Neurological diseases, including neurodegenerative syndromes like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and motor neuron illnesses, have been increasingly seen and recorded in the scientific literature. Although there is much research demonstrating the growth of neurodegenerative disorders, the relationship between environmental variables such as global warming, air pollution, heavy metals, and pesticides and the higher occurrence of these illnesses is still unknown. The current article primarily aims to examine the relationship between climatic changes, air pollution, pesticides, and heavy metals and the occurrence of PD. Initially, we evaluate the influence of exposure to these variables on the cause or origin of Parkinson’s disease. In addition, we will investigate how these variables disrupt processes such as excitotoxicity, oxidative stress, and neuroinflammation, all of which are strongly linked to Parkinson’s disease (PD). This study presents a plausible rationale for the adverse effects of environmental influences on the brain, which are pivotal in the progression or onset of Parkinson’s disease from an AfrAbian standpoint.
Neuroimmunology and Neuroinflammation
Aim: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is marked by insufficient blood supply to the brain, leading to pro... more Aim: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is marked by insufficient blood supply to the brain, leading to progressive loss of memory and cognitive skills. The continuous reduction of cerebral blood flow resulting from chronic cerebral hypoperfusion leads to the overproduction of reactive oxygen species that triggers inflammation, causing cognitive decline. Till now, there is no cure for AD and the only option is symptomatic treatment. The current study evaluates the effect of edible bird's nest (EBN) on hippocampal neurons, specifically in the CA1 hippocampal region, by using a rat model of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion-induced neuroinflammation. Methods: Chronic cerebral hypoperfusion (CCH) was induced by permanent bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (2VO) in rats to trigger the neuroinflammatory process. Rats were divided into 4 groups: sham, 2VO, and two 2VO groups treated with two different doses (60 mg/kg, 120 mg/kg) of EBN, which was administered daily by oral gavage. After 8 consecutive weeks, rats were euthanized and the hippocampi were examined histopathologically by counting viable neuronal cells and the levels of F2-Isoprostane in hippocampal tissue was measured by ELISA. observed in rats treated with EBN. Conclusion: This is the first study to associate the neuroprotective effect of EBN in the prevention of dementia related to AD. EBN could be used as a complementary treatment to delay or treat dementia in AD patients.
Frontiers in Pharmacology
Globally, millions of people suffer from various substance use disorders (SUD), including mono-an... more Globally, millions of people suffer from various substance use disorders (SUD), including mono-and polydrug use of opioids and methamphetamine. Brain regions such as the cingulate cortex, infralimbic cortex, dorsal striatum, nucleus accumbens, basolateral and central amygdala have been shown to play important roles in addiction-related behavioral changes. Clinical and pre-clinical studies have characterized these brain regions and their corresponding neurochemical changes in numerous phases of drug dependence such as acute drug use, intoxication, craving, withdrawal, and relapse. At present, many studies have reported the individual effects of opioids and methamphetamine. However, little is known about their combined effects. Co-use of these drugs produces effects greater than either drug alone, where one decreases the side effects of the other, and the combination produces a prolonged intoxication period or a more desirable intoxication effect. An increasing number of studies have ...
Telemedicine is the term used to describe the use of technology to provide medical care over a di... more Telemedicine is the term used to describe the use of technology to provide medical care over a distance. Telephone, email, and real-time videoconferencing are the most frequently used telepsychiatry technology. Telemedicine has been used to provide simple and efficient healthcare solutions in the treatment of illness. Despite it is relatively new, mobile health (mHealth) has grown significantly in popularity as a means of assisting persons living with a chronic condition. The current study reviewed existing mobile health dementia applications from different perspectives. These applications could include a variety of strategies and resources to assist the community especially in caring for individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2020
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is recognized as a major health hazard that mostly affects people older ... more Alzheimer's disease (AD) is recognized as a major health hazard that mostly affects people older than 60 years. AD is one of the biggest medical, economic, and social concerns to patients and their caregivers. AD was ranked as the 5 th leading cause of global deaths in 2016 by the World Health Organization (WHO). Many drugs targeting the production, aggregation, and clearance of Ab plaques failed to give any conclusive clinical outcomes. This mainly stems from the fact that AD is not a disease attributed to a single-gene mutation. Two hallmarks of AD, Ab plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), can simultaneously induce other AD etiologies where every pathway is a loop of consequential events. Therefore, the focus of recent AD research has shifted to exploring other etiologies, such as neuroinflammation and central hyperexcitability. Neuroinflammation results from the hyperactivation of microglia and astrocytes that release pro-inflammatory cytokines due to the neurological insults caused by Ab plaques and NFTs, eventually leading to synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death. This review will report the failures and side effects of many anti-Ab drugs. In addition, emerging treatments targeting neuroinflammation in AD, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and receptor-interacting serine/threonine protein kinase 1 (RIPK1), that restore calcium dyshomeostasis and microglia physiological function in clearing Ab plaques, respectively, will be deliberately discussed. Other novel pharmacotherapy strategies in treating AD, including disease-modifying agents (DMTs), repurposing of medications used to treat non-AD illnesses, and multi target-directed ligands (MTDLs) are also reviewed. These approaches open new doors to the development of AD therapy, especially combination therapy that can cater for several targets simultaneously, hence effectively slowing or stopping AD.
Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behavior, 2011
Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is one of the most widely abused illegal drugs. Som... more Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, ecstasy) is one of the most widely abused illegal drugs. Some users self-report euphoria and an increased perception and feeling of closeness to others. When taken in warm environments, MDMA users may develop acute complications with potential fatal consequences. In rodents, MDMA increases locomotor activity and, depending on ambient temperature, may produce a dosedependent, potentially lethal hyperthermia. Like most other recreational drugs, MDMA is frequently taken in combination with other substances including tobacco, EtOH, marijuana, amphetamines, cocaine and, caffeine. Although polydrug use is very common, the understanding of the effects of this multiple substance use, as well as the analysis of consequences of different drug-drug associations, received rather little attention. The purpose of this review is to summarize our current knowledge about the changes on MDMA-related behavior, pharmacology, and neurotoxicity associated with co-consumption of other drugs of abuse and psychoactive agents.
Behavioural Brain Research, 2011
In humans, iron deficiency early in life produces persistent, impaired cognition. Dietary iron re... more In humans, iron deficiency early in life produces persistent, impaired cognition. Dietary iron replacement does not ameliorate these problems and to date, no attempt to treat these individuals pharmacologically has been reported. The aim of this work was to test the hypothesis that rats made iron deficient in early infancy exhibit cognitive deficits similar to those seen in humans at adolescence. A second aim was to investigate whether the deficit could be treated pharmacologically. Sprague-Dawley rats were made iron deficient (ID) starting at postnatal day 4 by being placed with iron-deficient dams (vs. control). At weaning, all pups were placed on an iron-sufficient diet for the remainder of the study. At 45 days of age, the animals were tested for attention set shifting. After testing, the animals were assigned to one of three methylphenidate (MePh) dose groups, 1, 5 or 10 mg/kg, p.o., vs. vehicle control and treated daily for 15 days prior to a second round of attention set shift testing and continued throughout testing. The results showed that ID rats performed more poorly than controls overall on attentional set-shift testing. MePh improved ID rats' performance and lower doses were more effective than higher doses. This is the first demonstration that MePh can improve cognitive deficits produced by early ID in animals. These findings may open the possibility of pharmacotherapy to treat the persistent cognitive difficulties in children who were severely iron deficient in early infancy.
There is no doubt that iron is vital for proper neuronal functioning and development. Nonetheless... more There is no doubt that iron is vital for proper neuronal functioning and development. Nonetheless, the effects of iron deficiency on neurological systems have not yet been thoroughly studied. A number of investigators have shown that in humans, the most salient deleterious effect of iron deficiency (ID) early in life is persistent cognitive impairment. Others have shown that early ID may cause impairment of dopamine (DA) metabolism including DA clearance, transporter density, and dopamine receptor (D1 and D2) ...
International Psychology Bulletin, Jul 20, 2012
Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences, 2016
The objectives of this study were to assess the general public views and familiarity toward elect... more The objectives of this study were to assess the general public views and familiarity toward electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) in Kuantan, Malaysia. A total of 277 Kuantan people were involved in this study. The questionnaire was distributed at random in shops, businesses, and public places in Kuantan. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS (version 17.0). From 400 participants, a total number of 277 (160, 57.7% men and 117, 42.4% women) respondents completed the questionnaire. The mean age was 26.89 ± 9.8 years old. The majority of the study participants were male (57.7%), Malay (83.8%), Muslims (83.8%), singles (69%), and employed (75.8%), with about 83 (29.9%) of the respondents were smokers. The prevalence of e-cigarettes smokers was found to be only 1.4% (n = 4). About one-third of the respondents (n = 72, 26%) have tried e-cigarette before. Job status was significantly associated with smoking e-cigarette among the population (P = 0.02). Main factors for a person to start e-cigarette smoking were curiosity (37.5%) and cheaper price (40.8%). Majority of respondents agreed that e-cigarette would not affect health as normal cigarette, and that variety of flavors contribute to better enjoyment (51.6% and 66.7%, respectively). The results of the current study demonstrate that the prevalence of e-cigarettes smoking and its popularity, familiarity, and knowledge are still insufficient among Kuantan population. Further studies should be done to tackle this problem before it getting worse.
Applied & translational genomics, 2015
Applied & translational genomics, 2015
Applied & Translational Genomics, 2016
Asphyxial death has been a problem for forensic investigations due to the absence of a validated ... more Asphyxial death has been a problem for forensic investigations due to the absence of a validated biomarker for the diagnosis of this event. Recently, research on brain affection by asphyxia raised hopes on the possible use of CNS markers for asphyxia. The cytoskeletal proteins seem to be attractive targets as they are vulnerable to hypoxia and can be affected in asphyxial deaths. Tau, an important cytoskeletal protein, showed affection in many neurodegenerative disorders and recently in some acute incidences like trauma and brain ischemia. In this report we show the affection of the normal pattern of tau and pathological aggregates of tau in the case of brain hypoxia. This may give new clues to asphyxial death investigations.
Applied & Translational Genomics, 2015
Research in bioinformatics has a central role in helping to advance biomedical research. However,... more Research in bioinformatics has a central role in helping to advance biomedical research. However, its introduction to Africa has been met with some challenges (such as inadequate infrastructure, training opportunities, research funding, human resources, biorepositories and databases) that have contributed to the slow pace of development in this field across the continent. Fortunately, recent improvements in areas such as research funding, infrastructural support and capacity building are helping to develop bioinformatics into an important discipline in Africa. These contributions are leading to the establishment of world-class research facilities, biorepositories, training programmes, scientific networks and funding schemes to improve studies into disease and health in Africa. With increased contribution from all stakeholders, these developments could be further enhanced. Here, we discuss how the recent developments are contributing to the advancement of bioinformatics in Africa.
Applied & Translational Genomics, 2015
Bioinformatics and genome science (BGS) are gradually gaining roots in Africa, contributing to st... more Bioinformatics and genome science (BGS) are gradually gaining roots in Africa, contributing to studies that are leading to improved understanding of health, disease, agriculture and food security. While a few African countries have established foundations for research and training in these areas, BGS appear to be limited to only a few institutions in specific African countries. However, improving the disciplines in Africa will require pragmatic efforts to expand training and research partnerships to scientists in yet-unreached institutions. Here, we discuss the need to expand BGS programmes in Africa, and propose mechanisms to do so.
Applied & Translational Genomics, 2015
Aging related reduction in cerebral blood flow (CBF) has been linked with neurodegenerative disor... more Aging related reduction in cerebral blood flow (CBF) has been linked with neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease and dementia. Experimentally, a condition of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion due to reduced CBF can be induced by permanent bilateral occlusion of common carotid arteries (2-vessel occlusion, 2VO) in rats. Since oxidative stress, leading to neuronal apoptosis and death, is one of the mechanisms, which is thought to play a significant role in chronic degenerative neurological disorders, the present study was planned to assess the ROS status by measuring the levels of anti-oxidant enzymes that might occur during chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. Antioxidant enzymes namely glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase were measured in the brain tissue at eight weeks of 2VO induction in rats. Results show significantly elevated levels of GPx, SOD, and catalase enzymes as compared with the control group. It is possible that compensatory rise in antioxidant enzymes occurs in response to increased oxidative stress following ischemic insult.
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Papers by Wael Mohamed, MD, PhD