Browse Neurology Alert Articles by Topic

REM Behavior Disorder, Dementia, and Parkinson’s Disease

In this well-designed prospective cohort study of patients with REM behavior disorder, the investigators reported that 73.5% of patients developed a neurodegenerative disorder after a 12-year follow-up.

MRI Investigation of Brain Abnormalities in Friedreich’s Ataxia

Friedreich’s ataxia (FRDA) is characterized by progressive weakness, sensory loss, ataxia, and dysarthria starting in childhood. The authors of this MRI-based study demonstrated that structural damage is limited to the spinal cord, red nucleus, and cerebellar peduncles in young FRDA patients, but progresses to widespread cerebral damage in adult FRDA patients.

Vasculitic Neuropathy: Improving Diagnostic Accuracy

SYNOPSIS: Vasculitic neuropathy is characterized by stepwise progression of sensorimotor neuropathy, usually with axonal features on electrodiagnostic studies, and often the presence of antimyeloperoxidase and rheumatoid factor antibodies and cryoglobulins. However, peripheral nerve biopsy is necessary for a definitive diagnosis.

Witness Observations in Diagnosing Transient Loss of Consciousness

These investigators found that adding witness-reported observations to patient demographics and patient-reported symptoms improved the diagnostic accuracy between epilepsy, syncope, and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.

Cholecystokinin as a Biomarker Linking Metabolic Function to Alzheimer’s Disease

In a study cohort from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, cerebrospinal fluid levels of cholecystokinin were associated with better outcomes that may reflect compensatory protection as Alzheimer’s disease pathology progresses. However, because of significant study limitations, these findings need to be validated in additional studies.

Lacosamide for Painful Small Fiber Neuropathy Due to Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Mutations

The results of this randomized trial showed significant neuropathic pain score reduction with the use of lacosamide in patients with Nav1.7 mutations.

Measurement of Brain Vital Signs in Concussed Athletes

These investigators prospectively studied auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) in junior competitive male ice hockey players and identified a pattern of ERPs that distinguishes acutely concussed from non-concussed players, establishing this noninvasive, easy-to-administer test as a biomarker to assist trainers, coaches, and clinicians with making the diagnosis of concussion.

Precise Localization of Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy Determines Clinical Benefit

Lesioning of the posterior portion of the VIM thalamus is most efficacious. Lesions extending beyond this portion can lead to adverse side effects in those with essential tremor treated with MRI-guided focused ultrasound.

Miller Fisher Syndrome: Atypical Features

Other than the classic triad of neurological signs that define Miller Fisher syndrome, it also is common to see delayed facial palsy, loss of taste, and weakness of pharyngeal and cervical muscles.

Treatment of Acute Migraine With Ginger

Ginger extract has a long anecdotal history as a treatment for migraine headaches in traditional Chinese medicine. This well-designed study provides evidence that adding ginger to a standard nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication improves outcomes of migraine treatment by all measured parameters.