Neurology Alert articles from January 2004

Neurology Alert archives from January 2004

Diffusion tensor MRI in the diagnosis of ALS.(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis)(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Sources: Toosy AT, et al. Diffusion tensor imaging detects corticospinal tract involvement at multiple levels in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003;74:1250-1257; Jacob S, et al. Diffusion tensor imaging for...

Cervical artery dissection: another economy class syndrome.( )(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Sources: Lewis MJ, et al. Economy class stroke syndromes: Vertebral artery dissection revisited. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2003;74:1594-1595; Touze E, et al. Risk of stroke and recurrent dissection after a cervical artery dissection: A...

Ximelagatran vs warfarin: is there a more convenient option for anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation?( )(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Source: Olsson SB; Executive Steering Committee on behalf of the SPORTIF III Investigators. Stroke prevention with the oral direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran compared with warfarin in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (SPORTIF...

Smoking increases risk for multiple sclerosis.( )(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Source: Riise T, et al. Smoking is a risk factor for multiple sclerosis. Neurology. 2003;61:1122-1124. IN THIS EPIDEMIOLOGIC ANALYSIS OF 22,312 INDIVIDUALS living in Norway, a total of 87 reported having developed multiple sclerosis...

Going to pot with MS?(using marijuana to treat multiple sclerosis complications)(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Source: Zajicek J, et al. Cannabinoids for treatment of spasticity and other symptoms related to multiple sclerosis (CAMS study): Multicenter randomized placebo-controlled trial. Lancet. 2003;362:1517-1526. IN THIS RANDOMIZED,...

Prions and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy: not the usual suspects.( )(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Sources: Walz R, et al. Surgical outcome in mesial temporal sclerosis correlates with prion protein gene variant. Neurology. 2003;61(9):1204-1210; Mastrianni JA, Roos RP. Wrinkles and folds of the prion protein. Neurology. 2003;61(9):...

Sjogren syndrome and neuropathy.( )(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Source: Gorson KC, Ropper AH. Positive salivary gland biopsy, Sjogren syndrome, and neuropathy: Clinical implications. Muscle Nerve. 2003;28:553-560. WHAT CHARACTERISTICS OF A NEUROPATHY MAKE Sjogren syndrome the likely diagnosis? Sjogren...

Best office test for quadriceps weakness.( )(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Source: Rainville J, et al. Comparison of four tests of quadriceps strength in L3 or L4 radiculopathies. Spine. 2003;28: 2466-2471. THIRTY-THREE CONSECUTIVE PATIENTS WITH L3 0R L4 radiculopathy were compared to 19 controls of comparable age...

Once upon a (medium-firm) mattress.(effect of a firm mattress on low-back pain)(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Source: Kovacs FM, et al. Effect of firmness of mattress on chronic non-specific low-back pain: Randomised, double-blind, controlled, multicentre trial. Lancet. 2003;362: 1599-1604. RIGHT UP THERE ALONGSIDE "EATING AN APPLE A day" and "not...

CME questions.(continuing medical education)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... 1. Which of the following statements is correct? a. Diffusion tensor MRI images grey matter damage in the spinal cord. b. Diffusion tensor MRI is useful in the diagnosis of primary lateral sclerosis but not ALS. c. Diffusion...

St John's Wort and drug interactions.(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Source: Markowitz JS, et al. JAMA. 2003;290:1500-1504. THE CYTOCHROME P450 SYSTEM IS responsible for the metabolism of the majority of currently prescribed medications. The 2 most common P450 pathways involved in drug metabolism are CYP 3A4...

Serum potassium and stroke risk among hypertensive adults.(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Source: Smith, NL, et al. Am J Hypertens. 2003;16:806-813. OBSERVATIONAL DATA INDICATE THAT persons who consume greater levels of dietary potassium have both lowered blood pressure and reduced risk of stroke. This protective effect of...

Skin cancer prevention and detection practices among siblings of patients with melanoma.(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Source: Geller AC, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2003;49:631-638. MORE THAN ONE-HALF MILLION Americans have invasive malignant melanoma (MEL), and the incidence of this disorder has risen an alarming 15-fold since World War II. Family members...

TZDs and HF in people with type 2 diabetes.(thiazolidinediones; heart failure)(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Source: Delea TE, et al. Diabetes Care. 2003;26:2983-2989. THIAZOLIDINEDIONES (TZDS) OFFER numerous potential benefits in diabetic patients, including improved insulin-stimulated glucose disposal, decreased insulin resistance, and favorable...

Exercise plus behavioral management in patients with AD.(Alzheimer's disease)(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Source: Teri L, et al. JAMA. 2003; 290:2015-2022. ALTHOUGH ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE (AD) prompts clinicians to immediately address cognitive function, there is much less awareness of AD effect upon physical conditioning. AD patients have been...

Spironolactone in resistant HBP.(high blood pressure)(Author Abstract)
January 1, 2004... Source: Nishizaka MK, et al. Am J Hypertens. 2003;16:925-930. A COMMONLY ACCEPTED DEFINITION of resistant hypertension (r-HTN) is failure to obtain blood pressure control (ie, In the past, use of aldosterone antagonists like...

Vioxx might control postoperative knee pain.(rofecoxib)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Oral rofecoxib (Vioxx) may have a role in controlling postoperative pain patients undergoing knee surgery. Researchers in Chicago enrolled 70 patients who were undergoing total knee arthroplasty and randomized them to rofecoxib 50 mg the day...

Echinacea has no value for URIs.(upper respiratory tract infections)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Just in time for winter, another study showed that Echinacea has no value for reducing the duration or severity of upper respiratory tract infections (URIs). The herbal remedy is commonly used worldwide for this indication. In this study of...

Valsartan, captopril have similar benefits.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... Valsartan and captopril have similar benefits in patients with myocardial infarction complicated by left ventricular systolic dysfunction, heart failure, or both, according to a new study. Previous studies have shown that ACE inhibitors reduce...

In-patients likely to continue lipid use.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... In-patients who are started on lipid-lowering therapy following coronary intervention are 3 times more likely to continue on the drugs compared to patients who are started on the same therapy as outpatients. Using data from the EPILOG trial in...

More on metformin/lactic acidosis.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... When it comes to the relationship between metformin and lactic acidosis, the emperor may have no cloths. The drug, which has been used to treat type 2 diabetes for more than 40 years, has always carried with it the stigma that it may cause...

FDA notes.(Brief Article)
January 1, 2004... The FDA has approved tadalafil (Cialis), Eli Lilly and Icos Corp's entry into the lucrative phosphodiesterase inhibitor market. With the success of sildenafil (Viagra), and newcomer vardenafil (Levitra) already generating huge profits, Cialis...