Browse All Articles by Topic

Consumption of Artificially Sweetened Beverages Increases Stroke Risk

Higher recent and higher cumulative intake of artificially sweetened soft drinks was associated with an increased risk of ischemic stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. However, sugar-sweetened beverage consumption was not associated with stroke or dementia.

Excellent Outcome 2 Years After Endovascular Mechanical Thrombectomy

The beneficial effects of endovascular treatments on functional outcome at two years in patients with acute ischemic stroke was similar to those reported at 90 days in the original trial.

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation for Adult Cerebral X-linked ALD

Based on review of data from 14 patients with adult cerebral X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy who were treated with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, the authors suggested that this might be an intervention that potentially could have long-term benefits and recommended further studies to evaluate this therapy.

Spinal Manipulative Therapy for Acute Low Back Pain

Spinal manipulative therapy for acute low back pain may provide some benefit, but carries a significant risk of treatment-associated pain.

Vascular Risk Factors and Their Role in the Development of Alzheimer’s Disease

This study has found an association between mid-life, but not late-life, vascular risk factors and brain amyloid deposition as imaged on amyloid-labeled PET.

Serotonin Transporter Increases in Premotor Parkinson’s Disease

In a small cross-sectional study, increased serotonin transporter was detected using ¹¹C-DASB PET in striatum, hypothalamus, and brainstem in LRRK2 carriers who did not have clinical Parkinson’s disease. This contrasts with later decreases previously described and implies a likely early compensatory mechanism.

Autoimmune Antibodies in Patients with Epilepsy of Unknown Etiology

In this prospective study of patients with epilepsy of unknown origin (including new-onset and established epilepsy), more than 20% of patients were found to have neurological autoantibodies strongly suggesting autoimmune origin of their epilepsy.

Non-Traumatic Ocular Emergencies

Evaluating eye-related complaints in the ED requires a good understanding of the anatomy and potential implications of failure to treat. Although most ED presentations are nonemergent, it is important that the emergency physician identify the emergent presentations and manage them promptly to prevent potential vision loss.

First Case of Hepatitis A Transmission by Transplant

Though hepatitis A virus (HAV) has spread via blood transfusion, the virus had never transmitted from a transplant patient. Now, through a circuitous chain of events, it has. Indeed, HAV spread from an organ donor to the transplant recipient, and then to three nurses providing post-transplant care, the CDC reports.¹

Drugs, Death, and Infectious Diseases

The intersection of the national opioid epidemic and infection control has reached some strange and critical crossroads, from drug-diverting healthcare workers infecting patients to addicted admissions infecting themselves by injecting through their IV lines. Now, we have another twist: the distinct possibility that infectious diseases could be masking some of the national death toll of opioids.