Neurology Alert
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Treatment of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy With Pembrolizumab
These authors evaluated the effect of pembrolizumab, a monoclonal antibody that functions as a down-regulator of PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1), on patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. In five of eight treated patients, clinical stabilization or improvement was seen in association with reduced cerebrospinal fluid JC viral load. This is the first reported effective treatment for this disease with a therapeutic agent targeting the JC virus.
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Tau PET Is Promising as a Diagnostic Agent in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Former NFL players with symptoms consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy had increased tau tracer uptake that was associated with years of playing football but not with cognitive or neuropsychological measures.
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Late Sunsets, Sleep Deprivation, and Adverse Outcomes
All living organisms have 24-hour circadian rhythms. A body of evidence is accumulating that chronic disruption of this important rhythm may result in poor health outcomes. These negative consequences of disrupted circadian rhythms might be prevented by modifying work and sleep schedules.
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Neuropathy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus may be associated with a variety of neuropsychiatric syndromes, including peripheral neuropathy, mostly sensorimotor types. However, all parts of the peripheral and central nervous system may be affected, and careful and repeated neurological evaluation is important.
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Eculizumab Shows Benefit in a Treatment Trial of NOSD
In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of aquaporin-4 antibody-positive patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, eculizumab demonstrated a decrease in the risk of a relapse. Patients could continue their other stable-dose immune suppressive therapies while enrolled in the trial.
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Transcranial Sonothrombolysis for Acute Ischemic Stroke – Not Yet Ready for Patient Treatment
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Similar Long-term Outcomes for Stenting and Endarterectomy for Carotid Stenosis
Periprocedural risk is higher in patients undergoing carotid artery stenting compared to carotid endarterectomy.
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MRI of the Brachial and Lumbar Plexus Assists in the Diagnosis of CIDP
MRI of the brachial plexus and/or lumbar plexus may be helpful in making a diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculopathy in patients who do not meet the standard criteria. Imaging findings include increased signal intensity, nerve hypertrophy, and nerve contrast enhancement.
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Avoid Surprise Migraine Triggers
The degree of unexpectedness or “surprisal” associated with known migraine triggers is a predictor of headache attacks. Social avoidance behavior is positively correlated with headache disability, pain, and depression, but there is a negative correlation between headache pain endurance and anxiety.
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Alcohol Consumption and Migraine
In this observational, cross-sectional survey performed via an online questionnaire, researchers confirmed that alcohol consumption is a common trigger for migraine, and red wine is the type of alcohol cited as a trigger most frequently.