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Epilepsy in Frontotemporal Dementia

This Finnish case-control study explores the relationship between frontotemporal dementia (FTD) and epilepsy, revealing that individuals with FTD have a higher prevalence of epilepsy compared to those with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and healthy controls. The findings suggest that epilepsy may precede FTD diagnosis and is more common in FTD than previously recognized, highlighting the need for broader research and clinical awareness of this comorbidity.

Use of IV Tenecteplase Prior to Thrombectomy in Stroke

In patients with acute ischemic stroke arriving at a thrombectomy-ready hospital within 4.5 hours of stroke onset, the combination of treatment with intravenous tenecteplase followed by mechanical thrombectomy resulted in superior outcomes compared to thrombectomy alone.

Rituximab to Prevent Relapse in Anti-NMDAR Antibody-Mediated Encephalitis

This long-term follow-up study of 67 patients with anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis demonstrated that initial treatment with rituximab was associated with a longer time before a relapse occurred.

Treating Small Vessel PCNSV with Cyclophosphamide

In this single-center study, 26 adults with biopsy-confirmed small vessel primary central nervous system vasculitis (PCNSV) were followed for a median of 49 months. Patients receiving early treatment with cyclophosphamide within three months of immunosuppression initiation achieved remission faster than those receiving conservative initial treatment with corticosteroids, either as monotherapy or with azathioprine, mycophenolate, or methotrexate. Retrospective design, treatment selection bias, small sample size, and clinicopathologic heterogeneity limit therapeutic inferences and highlight the need for prospective trials.

Epigenetic Changes in Perilesional Brain Tissue After Radiotherapy

Epigenetic and transcriptomic studies of irradiated perilesional brain tissue identified clear changes in deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation patterns and neuropeptide upregulation that contributed to neuroinflammation, which may underly radiation-related neurotoxicity.

24-Hour Activity Rhythms and Amyloid-β Deposition in the Brain

This study of dementia-free adults found that greater variability of the 24-hour activity rhythm (greater during the daytime as well as during sleep time) with fragmentation of sleep predicted increased deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ), especially in apolipoprotein E 4 (APOE4) carriers.

Quantitative Pupillometry in Patients with Large Middle Cerebral Artery Strokes

Secondary neurologic decline after large middle cerebral artery (MCA) stroke is common and is associated with worse outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the utility of quantitative pupillometry to predict neurologic decline before it occurs. Although no model was found to predict decline, stable Neurological Pupil index (NPi) and dilation velocities may provide some reassurance that an imminent decline is unlikely.

TIA Is Associated with Accelerated Cognitive Decline

The study investigators looked at data from a prospective study of 30,239 Black and white community-dwelling persons aged 45 years or older with cognitive evaluations over the phone every other year until 2022. The researchers documented patients who had transient ischemic attack (TIA) or stroke, and demonstrated that persons who had TIA had a cognitive decline trajectory similar to those patients who had a definite diagnosis of stroke.

Clinical Features of Biopsy-Proven Large-Arteriole and Microvasculitis in Peripheral Nerves

In this retrospective, an observational cohort study undertaken to characterize the clinical features of nerve vasculitis based on vessel size, large-arterial vasculitis (≥ 75 microns) in comparison to microvasculitis (< 75 microns) was demonstrated. Large arteriole vasculitis usually was a distal symmetrical polyneuropathy and associated with a systemic vasculitis illness. Microvasculitis most often presented with radiculopathy and/or plexopathy and was not associated with systemic illness.

Telemedicine for Managing Patients with Epilepsy

This retrospective study found telemedicine (TM) visits to be noninferior to in-person (IP) visits for key outpatient epilepsy care outcomes, including medication adjustment, surgery discussions, and avoiding emergency visits. TM was less effective for assessing the neurologic exam, and seizure freedom rates were inconclusive with respect to noninferiority. Although not a full replacement for IP care, TM remains an effective option since its future in healthcare delivery is being reassessed in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.