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Hypoxia-induced Migraine

Hypoxia-induced migraine attacks with and without aura, in an experimental paradigm, were accompanied by dilation of cranial arteries in individuals who have migraine with aura, as well as in healthy control subjects.

Predicting Seizure Recurrence with Routine EEG after First Unprovoked Seizure

The authors systematically reviewed prospective and retrospective studies of adults and children undergoing routine electroencephalography (EEG) after a first unprovoked seizure who were followed for at least 1 year. Using positive likelihood ratios, an adult and child with epileptiform discharges on EEG were estimated to have a 77% and 66% probability, respectively, of recurrent seizures.

Pick Disease: Picking Away at the Pathology

The neuropathologic changes of Pick disease may sequentially progress through the brain in specified phases over time and may correlate with the progression of clinical symptoms.

Thalamic Pain: Who Is Likely to Develop This Disorder?

In a careful anatomic and physiologic study of patients with thalamic stroke, the authors demonstrated that the combination of anterior pulvinar nucleus involvement with spinothalamic dysfunction predicts a “thalamic pain syndrome” with > 90% sensitivity.

Peripheral Nerve Disorders After Cardiac Surgery

Following cardiac surgery, about 6% of patients will suffer a peripheral nerve injury, mostly due to compression, traction, or nerve ischemia. Proper patient positioning can prevent most of these injuries.

Intracerebral Hemorrhages Associated with Non-vitamin K Oral Anticoagulants Appear to Be Smaller than Those Associated with Warfarin

This small prospective observational study suggests that warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhages may be larger and have worse clinical outcomes then hemorrhages associated with the newer anticoagulant agents.

Symptomatic Carotid Artery Stenosis Requires Urgent Revascularization

Johansson et al identified a significant early risk of recurrent stroke in patients with symptomatic carotid artery stenosis, and advise a prospective randomized trial to determine when the optimal time for revascularization should take place.

Overdiagnosis of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is over-diagnosed because of a lack of physician expertise in performing accurate ophthalmoscopy. When considering the diagnosis, referral to a neuro-ophthalmologist is strongly recommended.

Isolated Dizziness and Vertigo Are Rarely Caused by Stroke

The rate of stroke in patients discharged from the ED with a diagnosis of peripheral vestibular disorder is extremely low, and unless there are associated neurological symptoms and signs, there is no need for extensive ED evaluation.

Tranexamic Acid-associated Seizures: Features, Mechanisms, and Treatment

Tranexamic acid is a commonly used antifibrinolytic drug that has been associated with increased risk of postoperative seizures. The authors reviewed the incidence, risk factors, and clinical features of these seizures, as well as potential mechanisms. They also proposed treatments and interventions for preventing Tranexamic acid-related seizures.