All articles tagged: Neurology & Neurosurgery

Adults with nonarteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy have an increased risk for stroke over 10 years follow-up and could benefit from regular monitoring.

Sleep-related daytime dysfunction was linked to increased risk for motoric cognitive risk syndrome in older adults.

The FDA has granted fast-track approval for a groundbreaking gene therapy indicated for a rare genetic disorder called aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency.

The European Medicines Agency re-examined clinical data of a subset of patients with one or no copies of the APOE4 gene variant.

Frailty is associated with an increased risk for dementia, new findings showed, with an acceleration of frailty observed 4-9 years prior to dementia onset.

Frailty is associated with an increased risk for dementia, new findings showed, with an acceleration of frailty observed 4-9 years prior to dementia onset.

Assessing when to initiate anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation is not improved by including gender, says the ESC in their latest guidelines, and can end up penalizing women.

Persistent prenatal distress is associated with a significantly increased risk for epilepsy in offspring, new research showed.

Modafinil and cognitive behavioral therapy, either alone or in combination, were associated with significantly less fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Long-term imaging and biomarker data showed type 2 diabetes and abnormal amyloid profiles to be associated with accelerated atrophy and progression to cognitive impairment.

For the second time, a multicenter trial of a cerebral embolic protection device failed to significantly reduce acute stroke risk following transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

A series of botulism cases in Italy and France have raised concerns about food safety. What can people do to avoid the deadly bacteria?

An expert panel defined smoldering-associated worsening in MS, proposing a unique pathology and optimal clinical and research strategies. But one expert questioned the smoldering concept’s validity.

A group of experts is challenging revised diagnostic criteria for Alzheimer’s disease as laid out by the Alzheimer’s Association earlier this year.

Women with a history of concussion were 25% more likely to have a serious mental illness in the years after childbirth than those without a history of concussion.

How does regular consumption of coffee, tea, alcohol, and soda affect stroke risk? Here’s the latest data to help guide discussions with your patients.

Europe is grappling with a workforce shortage that could have serious consequences for patient care.

Experimentation with cannabis during adolescence may reduce the brain’s capacity for new information.

Mutations are a crucial factor, neurologist says, and steroids still play a role.

Neurologists debate the data on familiar immunosuppressive agents.

The European Commission fined Teva for abusing its dominant position to delay competition for its multiple sclerosis drug Copaxone.

A recent study suggested the hormone therapy may increase the risk for dementia, but other data suggest that there may be a critical window of time in early menopause where it could lower risk.

Sleep issues in early midlife are associated with accelerated brain aging among middle-aged adults, a new study shows.

The largest and the latest controlled multicenter trial to test edaravone plus dexborneol for acute stroke has confirmed improved recovery with no safety issues relative to placebo.

Hearing loss was associated with an increased risk for Parkinson’s disease over 10 years, but early use of hearing aids reduced this risk, a new study shows.

Recombinant human pro-urokinase was non-inferior to alteplase in achieving an excellent functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke but had a lower ICH rate.

Despite long-standing warnings, older patients with stroke continue to receive excessive prescriptions for benzodiazepine after discharge in the United States, a new study found.

An already cleared nasogastric tube that delivers electrical stimulation for treatment of stroke-related dysphagia is finally being tested in a large multicenter trial.

European hemorrhagic stroke guidelines planned for release in early 2024 are on hold to accommodate newly published data, some of which will alter recommendations.

Extending the simple CT scan administered to all acute stroke patients to include the upper part of the heart increased cardioaortic thrombus detection by almost sixfold.

New evidence supports the use of direct oral anticoagulants in the treatment of cerebral venous thrombosis.

Adding to sizeable RCT evidence that DOACs should be administered early following AF-related stroke, a weighted-risk analysis appeared to eliminate all doubt.

A drug long used in Eastern Europe for neurodegenerative disorders but never approved in the United States was better than speech therapy alone for stroke-related aphasia.

The long-standing debate as to when to start anticoagulation in patients with an acute ischemic stroke and atrial fibrillation looks as though it is settled.

Researchers have identified a new potential sign of concussion in athletes, particularly football players, that is easily spotted on the field, signaling the need for immediate evaluation.

Postinjury barriers may indicate areas for economic investigation and social service resource allocation, the authors wrote.

A new trial failed to show benefit of using a balloon guide catheter in stroke thrombectomy, but the study was stopped early so the treatment effect is uncertain.

A digital tool used to assess steroid toxicity in myasthenia gravis demonstrated sensitivity in distinguishing between different doses and durations of steroid exposure.

Teamwork and interdisciplinary collaboration create an effective system of ALS care ensuring improved health both for patients and clinicians alike, said one expert.

The GLP-1 RA semaglutide was associated with a 40%-70% reduced risk for first-time diagnosis of AD in patients with type 2 diabetes, real-world data show.

Blood biomarker tests for Alzheimer’s disease are increasingly making the jump from research to clinical practice, new recommendations offered advice on implementation.

The MHRA has approved the drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, but NICE said the relatively small benefit it provided to patients did not represent value for money.

There is a lack of understanding among neurologists on how to balance the risks for and benefits of corticosteroids in patients with myasthenia gravis and CIDP, a new survey showed.

Remote monitoring of respiratory scores in patients with ALS helps predict the best timing for the introduction of bilevel positive airway pressure, results of a retrospective study showed.

Easy-to-use scale helped clinicians identify which patients with medial temporal lobe epilepsy would achieve seizure freedom after stereotactic laser amygdalohippocampotomy.

Tenecteplase was shown to be superior to alteplase for acute ischemic stroke, with a greater chance of excellent recovery and reduced disability in an updated meta-analysis.

Clinicians can take more than a year to figure out what’s wrong.

The disease is the same regardless of age, but children still need unique care.

But patients often still want treatment even if survival impact is limited.

The ASA has published the first updated guideline for primary stroke prevention in 10 years. Its recommendations align with the AHA’s Life’s Essential 8.

Heart dysfunction is common, and maternal carriers may be affected too.

Vyalev (AbbVie) is the first and only subcutaneous 24-hour continuous infusion of levodopa-based therapy to address motor fluctuations in advanced Parkinson’s disease.

EMA re-evaluated data for Masitinib for the treatment of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Translarna for Duchenne, confirming its initial refusals.

It’s still not clear how much heredity plays a role in the neuromuscular disease.

The AHA has issued a new scientific statement on the link between three common cardiovascular diseases and the risk for cognitive impairment and dementia.

In the first randomized controlled trial in patients with vestibular migraine, galcanezumab outperformed placebo in reducing dizziness.

Lumryz is the only FDA-approved once-at-bedtime oxybate treatment for cataplexy or excessive daytime sleepiness in children as young as 7 years with narcolepsy.

Experimental genetic therapies may soon move forward from preclinical phases.

A first-in-class anti-CD19 B-cell depleting agent was safe and demonstrated superior efficacy vs placebo in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis.

Among patients with ischemic stroke, women were found less likely than men to receive and adhere to guideline-directed management therapies, a real-world study found.

The investigational monoclonal antibody nipocalimab is associated with significant improvement in patients with generalized myasthenia gravis phase 3 results suggest.

A unique single-participant precision brain mapping study offered rare insight into how sleep, mood, physical activity, and heart rate affect brain connectivity weeks later.

A new study highlights the potential of using smartphone data collected in real-world situations for the early detection of cognitive decline in older adults.

New phase 3 results should reopen discussion about the off-label use of COMT inhibitors in early Parkinson's disease, experts said.

An experimental immunotherapy candidate targets toxic species of alpha-synuclein and was well tolerated in an ongoing, two-dose phase 1b study.

New data showed stroke is associated with accelerated long-term cognitive decline, emphasizing the need for ongoing cognitive monitoring.

Almost one third of an observed association between epilepsy and new-onset cardiovascular events is attributable to the use of antiseizure medications, data suggest.

An experimental first-in-class oral selective partial D1/D5 dopamine receptor agonist for Parkinson's significantly reduce disease burden in two phase 3 trials.

Researchers created a noninvasive method to deliver drugs to the hippocampus, showing potential for new Alzheimer's treatment.

A phase 3 study provides the first prospective comparison of the two antipsychotics in patients with Parkinson's disease experiencing psychosis, investigators said.

Increased exposure to nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter in the air was associated with an increased risk for Parkinson's disease and dyskinesia.

The experimental oral partial dopamine receptor agonist racked up positive results without a new safety signal in two phase 3 trials.

A new intervention improves sleep and reduces the burden on healthcare providers who treat patients with insomnia.

Sage Therapeutics said on Tuesday it would stop developing its experimental drug, dalzanemdor, for Alzheimer's disease after it failed to meet the main goal of a late-stage...

Serum glial fibrillary acidic protein (sGFAP) is quickly maturing as a biomarker to predict disability in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS).

Monthly erenumab induced remission of nonopioid medication overuse headache safely and effectively in patients with chronic migraine, a phase 4 trial found.

New expert recommendations for diagnosing MS in atypical populations have been published. Here's what they are and what they mean for clinical practice.

"Implementing cognitive screening after injurious falls in older adults may aid in the timely diagnosis of dementia."

Higher levels of the heavy metal cadmium were associated with an increased risk for global cognitive impairment among White, but not Black, adults.

Continuous intracerebroventricular administration of a novel dopamine formulation appears safe in Parkinson's disease and may avoid complications associated with levodopa.

Positive findings on co-occurring psychiatric conditions build on an investigational drug's success in tamping down Tourette syndrome tics.

Despite the war, they are innovating, reforming, and carving out space in the global community.

Evidence is rising in favor of using highly effective DMTs to treat pediatric MS, but with few licensed for pediatric use, it may be time to rethink the standard treatment approach.

Eliezer Masliah, MD, director of the neuroscience division at the National Institute on Aging, has been relieved of his duties after an investigation found evidence of research misconduct.

Unjustified fears about harm in pregnancy is preventing the use of highly effective medications in women with MS, new research suggested.

The likelihood of long-term accumulation of disability in patients with multiple sclerosis is significantly lower if the more potent drug is started first.

A higher cumulative genetic burden for depression is linked to an increased risk for relapse and worsening disability in people with MS, early results of a new study showed.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved IntraBio's drug for a rare and fatal genetic disorder, the health regulator said on Tuesday, just days after the agency...

These data rule out the study hypothesis that a BTKi offers greater protection against relapse than a commonly used immunomodulator.

The strong association in this meta-analysis, presented at the 2024 ECTRIMS annual meeting, were drawn from 15 multicenter phase 3 treatment trials with 16,794 participants.

As a rescue intervention for multiple sclerosis (MS), hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) is being offered with greater frequency.

The Bruton's tyrosine kinase inhibitor tolebrutinib is reportedly the first agent to show benefit in patients with nonrelapsing secondary progressive MS.

Air pollution, high temperatures, and metabolic risk factors are driving large global increases in stroke cases and deaths, new data showed.

Instead of narrowing down the field of suspects in ESUS, new research is adding more.

Early administration of ubrogepant was associated with a significant improvement in migraine symptoms compared with placebo.

Vitamin D is linked to a 34% reduction in the relative risk for disease activity in patients with clinically isolated syndrome, new research suggested.

The comparative efficacy and tolerability of oral migraine medications suggest four triptans are superior to the newer, more expensive migraine medications, new research showed.

Untreated unruptured intracranial aneurysms were linked to a 10% higher risk for mental illness, especially among younger people and those requiring psychotherapy.

A blood test has been shown to accurately identify patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at early stages, which could speed diagnosis and treatment.

Subcutaneous administration of ocrelizumab was noninferior to intravenous infusion in the phase 3 OCARINA II trial.

Patients with MS showed half the rate of amyloid pathology compared with people without MS, suggesting a possible protective effect against Alzheimer's disease.

A recent study revealed that dementia in Parkinson's disease may occur less frequently or develop over a longer period than previously reported.

Age, type of surgery, type of anesthesia, and postoperative pain are risk factors for this form of cognitive decline.

Dementia risk in older adults varied significantly by region across the country, particularly among Black or Hispanic individuals and those aged 66-74 years.

Balloon angioplasty plus medical management offered better outcomes in patients with symptomatic intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis than medical management alone.

Early data support the concept that targeting pituitary adenylate cyclase–activating polypeptide signaling could be an effective new approach for migraine prevention.

A new national study showed the association between AD risk and nighttime light pollution was seen across subgroups, with younger people particularly vulnerable.

General practitioners found use of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment to be easy and fast, and the test had a high yield.

A new cohort study found no association between a history of migraine and increased risk for Parkinson's disease in women.

Athira Pharma said on Tuesday its drug failed to meet the main goal in a mid-to-late stage trial in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease.

A recent study has built on emerging evidence that intense training can be safe and beneficial for patients recovering from stroke.

Patient voices have been welcomed at federal agencies and on Capitol Hill, but some question whether better-funded organizations have an outsize influence.

COVID-19 vaccination was not associated with increased risk for multiple sclerosis relapse, except in those with high MS activity.

Managing hypertension in older adults may reduce the risk for Alzheimer's disease, a meta-analysis suggested.

Alzheimer's patients in Britain's state-run health service are unlikely to get access to Eisai and Biogen's new Leqembi drug, after it was approved on Thursday by the...

Genetic variants associated with Parkinson's disease are far more common than previously thought, occurring in 13% of those with the disease.

Personalized, adaptive deep brain stimulation can offer better control of motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease than standard DBS, a new pilot study showed.

A recent Lancet report claims nearly half of dementia cases could be prevented by addressing 14 risk factors, including vision loss. But is this recommendation backed by evidence? Let's explore

A man with severely impaired speech due to ALS was able to communicate with loved ones with 97% word accuracy using a new brain-computer interface.

Women's parity and genetic susceptibility to the disease modified the association between pill use and risk.

At least 25% of unresponsive patients with a disorder of consciousness may retain some awareness, an estimate that is higher than previous research suggests.

Patients with chronic pain receiving opioid analgesics more likely develop opioid dependence, opioid use disorder, and aberrant behaviour, a new study showed.

The CONVINCE trial of the anti-inflammatory drug colchicine missed its primary endpoint, but secondary analyses suggested benefit.

A new consensus statement outlines best practices for assessing and managing spasticity across a range of conditions.

Tenecteplase improved functional outcome in patients with LVO presenting beyond 4.5 hours who had salvageable brain tissue but no access to endovascular therapy.

Estimating the risk for unprovoked seizures in the year following an ischemic stroke using a novel prognostic model may help guide decisions about driving, new research suggested.

Although the prevalence of migraine has remained largely unchanged for the past 30 years, migraine-associated disability nearly doubled during that time.

Personalized repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation targeting the hippocampal network improves cognitive and functional performance in early Alzheimer's.

Consuming highly processed foods may be harmful to the aging brain, independent of risk factors for adverse neurologic outcomes and adherence to recommended dietary patterns.

Decompressive craniectomy appears to benefit patients with severe deep intracerebral hemorrhage, new research showed.

Antiplatelet therapies increased the risk for intracranial hemorrhage in patients with stroke receiving thrombolysis, but the absolute increased risk was small.

Physicians are more than twice as likely to die by suicide, and surgeons are at particularly high risk due at least in part to the US neurosurgeon shortage.

A new study challenges guideline recommendations to rapidly reduce BP in acute ischemic stroke patients to allow for swift thrombolysis.

Minor ischemic stroke patients with intracranial occlusion should not be treated with IV thrombolysis, a new trial has concluded.

A novel 'drip and ship' program that significantly increased thrombectomy access in stroke patients at rural hospitals in Australia can be easily applied to other countries.

Preliminary findings suggest lateral thalamotomy results in improved outcomes for patients with refractory trigeminal neuralgia.

An external spinal stimulation device improves upper-extremity strength and function in 72% of patients with a spinal cord injury.

Some patients with severe TBI who died because life support was withdrawn may have survived and recovered at least partial independence, new data suggest.

The INTERACT4 trial showed that early reduction of blood pressure is beneficial in patients with hemorrhagic stroke but detrimental in those with ischemic stroke.

The economic cost to individuals with traumatic brain injury continues for years post injury, results of a national cohort study showed.

Early results from a trial of DBS as a potential treatment for chronic low back pain suggest the procedure was effective with no serious adverse events or complications.

The TASTE trial adds to a string of previous trials showing noninferiority of tenecteplase to alteplase. In addition, an updated meta-analysis suggests tenecteplase is superior.

New expert guidance to help clinicians manage the treatment of patients with epilepsy during pregnancy has been released.

Full results of the ANNEXA-I trial, showing better control of hematoma expansion but an increase in thrombotic events with andexanet vs usual care, are now published in NEJM.

Meningitis was among three strong clinical risk factors identified in a nationwide, population-based study.

Two new drugs are headed toward pivotal trials after making their endpoints in phase 2 treatment-resistant epilepsy studies.

The diabetes/weight loss drug semaglutide is associated with a significantly greater risk for repeat operations in patients with diabetes who require lumbar surgery.

A first-in-human trial suggests that neural stem cell transplant is safe, improves motor function, and provides hope for patients with chronic ischemic stroke.

There is no link between the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine and increased risk for new-onset seizure activity, results from a new meta-analysis showed.

New evidence-based practice guidelines related to peripheral neuropathy related to Sjogren disease have been developed by a multidisciplinary panel of physicians from across medicine.

Two copies of APOE4 may be more than just a risk factor for AD; the pair may cause the disease in 15%-20% of cases.

Proton pump inhibitors, which are used to control acid reflux, are associated with an increased risk for migraine and other severe headache types, new research showed.

For Black Americans, racial discrimination in midlife is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life, new findings show.

For Black Americans, racial discrimination in midlife is associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer's disease later in life, new findings show.

A global increase in stroke-related death and disability has been linked to extreme temperatures related to climate change, data from a 30-year global study showed.

Researchers have discovered a genetic variant that reduces the risk for Alzheimer's disease by up to 70%.

Real-world US claims-based data show major gaps in the care and management of three major neurologic diseases – Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, and multiple sclerosis.

A unique autoantibody signature of multiple sclerosis may predict the disease years before individuals become symptomatic.

Some companies claimed that engaging in "brain games" can improve cognition or stave off cognitive decline. What's the evidence and do crosswords and Sudoku count?

After years of disappointing ALS clinical trial results, this year's Sheila Essey Award recipient for significant contributions in ALS research is shifting to prevention.

Studies suggest that lower stroke risk associated with newer antidiabetic therapies is not due to the drugs' tighter glycemic control. So, what is the mechanism?

The lecanemab open-label extension trial for AD showed no new safety signals, but the placebo roll-over group failed to show the gains seen in the experimental arm.

A program that teaches internal medicine residents, medical students, and other trainees how to assess neurologic conditions could help address neurologist shortage.

New evidence suggested that a section of the Latin American population may have increased sensitivity to pain, which heightens the problem of inadequate healthcare access.

Airborne exposure to a common industrial solvent was linked to a 24% increased risk of Parkinson’s disease in urban areas.

Nearly 70% of patients showed improvement after treatment with efgartigimod plus rHuPH20 in phase 2 of the largest randomized controlled trial for CIDP to date.

Many clinicians delay CD20 treatment until vaccine schedules are complete. A study suggests that this precaution may not be necessary.

Alerting neurologists via telemedicine that a patient with suspected acute stroke is en route to the hospital significantly speeds thrombolytic treatment.

AXS-05, a combination of dextromethorphan and bupropion, led to a rapid and sustained improvement in agitation related to Alzheimer's disease in the phase 3 ACCORD trial.

Lidocaine injections into the greater occipital nerve relieve severe, refractory migraine attacks in children, results of a randomized controlled trial showed.

There is no increased relapse risk in patients with multiple sclerosis and comorbid cancer who are taking checkpoint inhibitor therapy, results of a small study suggest.

Lidocaine injections into the greater occipital nerve relieve severe, refractory migraine attacks in children, results of a randomized controlled trial show.

A new test appears to be better than current options for diagnosing pathogens that cause meningitis, encephalitis, and other neurologic infections.

In the first randomized controlled trial, vaporized cannabis containing a THC-CBD mix led to rapid and sustained relief of acute migraine.

Headache, including tension-type, migraine, and posttraumatic, are robustly associated with both attempted and completed suicide, a large study shows.

Infusions of ketamine are an effective, safe, and well tolerated option for severe, refractory headache in children, researchers report.

Interim data from an ongoing open-label extension study support the long-term safety and efficacy of atogepant for prevention of chronic and episodic migraine.

Higher seizure burden, defined by an AI algorithm applied to point-of-care EEG recordings, correlates with poorer functional outcomes, new research shows.

Analyzing temporal changes in people's speech could be a simple way to detect mild cognitive impairment for further assessment of dementia risk.

The benefit in functional outcome is a welcome finding for these deadly strokes but was restricted to a select patient population, one expert suggests.

The consequences of chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) may extend well beyond physical discomfort, potentially leading to more rapid brain aging, new research shows.

Using whole-genome sequencing, Canadian researchers found a high prevalence of genetic abnormalities in children with cerebral palsy.

MS has three distinct subtypes, each based on different blood-based "immune signatures," which may help predict disease course and lead to more personalized treatment decisions.

The prevalence of dementia among homeless people is almost double that in the general, housed population, according to a new comparative analysis from Canadian researchers.

After disappointing phase 3 trial results in ALS, Amylyx will pull Relyvrio from the market but provide it free to patients who want to stay on the medication.

Clinicians need to pay more attention to nontraditional stroke risk factors, especially in adults under 35 years, new research suggests.

Cognitive assessments administered via a smartphone app proved accurate and reliable in detecting frontotemporal dementia in high-risk individuals.

Early initiation of HET in pediatric-onset MS was linked to slower progression to disability compared to treatment with low-efficacy therapy or no treatment.

Research suggested that EBV is the primary cause of MS. What are the clinical implications, and could this transform treatment and prevention of this neurodegenerative condition?

Over time, exercising at least twice a week is associated with significantly fewer insomnia symptoms and better sleep duration, new research showed.

Erenumab was more effective than oral preventive medications in reducing migraine days with better patient adherence and satisfaction.

In older patients with nonactive MS, there is a significant increased risk for relapse after discontinuing natalizumab and fingolimod, new research showed.

There is no increased risk for stroke during the 6 weeks following receipt of either brand of the COVID-19 bivalent vaccine, new research shows.

Absolute stroke rates have increased in recent years, with hemorrhagic stroke showing the most striking increase in mortality, new data show.

A skin biopsy that can detect an abnormal protein in cutaneous nerve fibers holds promise for early detection of Parkinson's and other neurodegenerative disorders.

The new indication in adults with AQP4 Ab+ NMOSD is based on positive results from a phase 3 trial that showed the long-acting C5 complement inhibitor protects against relapse.

Givinostat (Duvyzat), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, is the first nonsteroidal drug approved to treat patients aged 6 years or older with all genetic variants of DMD.

Hospitalization for influenza raises the risk for future neurologic conditions more than hospitalization for COVID-19, the results of a large study showed.

Very low LDL cholesterol levels may increase the risk of bleeding in patients with stroke who are receiving dual antiplatelet therapy.

Statins have historically been discouraged in elderly nursing home residents with dementia, but new findings suggest their use can reduce mortality risk in this population.