Neurology Alert – July 1, 2024

Intensive Lifestyle Interventions May Prevent and Ameliorate the Symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease

Recent clinical studies support the benefit of intensive lifestyle interventions, which should include a plant-based diet, exercise, stress management, and avoidance of smoking and alcohol, for the prevention of Alzheimer’s disease.

Usefulness of the Physical Examination in the Concussed Patient

This article suggests that certain specific physical examination findings may be helpful in evaluating and monitoring patients with sports-related concussion using oculovestibular responses and balance tests.

Efgartigimod for Seronegative Myasthenia Gravis

In an uncontrolled, open-label series of patients with myasthenia gravis, double antibody-negative patients responded to immunosuppressive therapies in a similar manner as do those with antibodies to acetylcholine receptors (AChR) or muscle-specific tyrosine kinase. However, when treating myasthenia patients with a specific agent (efgartigimod) that blocks AChR antibodies at the level of endothelial cells, double antibody-negative patients do not respond as well.

Disorders of Immunity Are a Risk Factor for Herpes Simplex Virus Encephalitis

The current study of herpes simplex virus (HSV) encephalitis demonstrated an association of encephalitis with preexisting autoimmune disease and/or exposure to immunosuppressive and immunomodulatory medications. The findings underscore the potential underestimation of antecedent immune-related dysregulation in HSV encephalitis cases to date.