Browse Internal Medicine Articles by Topic

Pain in Anti-MAG Neuropathy

Most patients with anti-MAG neuropathy complain of painful paresthesias or dysesthesias, but unlike diabetic neuropathy, these symptoms are not severe and do not affect quality of life as much as motor weakness.

Myasthenia Gravis, MuSK, and Pregnancy

Myasthenia gravis increases both maternal and fetal complications and mortality during pregnancy, but the MuSK-antibody variant appears less morbid, based on this small retrospective series of 17 patients.

Functional Imaging Studies in Parkinson’s Disease

A meta-analysis of 142 studies demonstrated that functional imaging studies in Parkinson’s disease using tracers for aromatic acid decarboxylase showed smaller defects compared to those using tracers targeting dopamine transport and VMAT2. Symptom severity correlated linearly with dopamine neuron loss as determined by these imaging studies.

Targeting Hypersensitive Corticostriatal Terminals to Treat Restless Legs Syndrome

SYNOPSIS: Based on this innovative study using optogenetic microdialysis, the mechanisms underlying restless legs syndrome include dopamine-mediated hypersensitivity of corticostriatal neurons to glutamate release.

Neuroimmunology and Movement Disorders: When Should We Test for Autoantibodies?

Autoantibody-associated neurological disorders can mimic neurodegenerative and other movement disorders, but are likely under-diagnosed, resulting in missed treatment opportunities. This review is a “must read” for all neurologists.

Lifestyle Approaches to Prevent and Manage Cognitive Impairment

Despite billions of dollars in research and nearly 200 medications tested for dementia, pharmacologic treatment for Alzheimer’s disease is severely limited in effectiveness and safety. With the disappointing benefits of drug treatment, the promise of lifestyle changes to prevent and delay cognitive decline appears hopeful.

Rehabilitation From Neurological Insults: The Role of Music-based Interventions

This large-scale review study brings promising direction to the field; understanding the effect of specific musical interventions on specified outcomes could and should lead to a more targeted and efficacious approach.

Thrombectomy Is Effective Up to 24 Hours After Stroke – the DAWN Trial

Among a group of ischemic stroke patients last known to be well six to 24 hours earlier and who had a mismatch between clinical deficit and infarct size, outcomes regarding disability and functional independence were better if treated with mechanical thrombectomy, rather than standard care alone.

Implementing Noninvasive Ventilation: If You Build It, They Will Come

This study affirmed that giving allied health professions autonomy to execute care within well-structured, supervised protocols/guidelines is an efficient solution to many of the current obstacles in providing patient care in an increasingly fractured environment.

More ICU Care Does Not Equal Better Survival for Elderly Patients

With an aging population and growing numbers of ICU beds, the question arises as to whether the ICU truly is beneficial for this vulnerable population. To explore this question, a cluster-randomized, clinical trial was designed to determine whether a method of systematic ICU admission in critically ill elderly patients reduced six-month mortality.