Neurology Alert articles from March 2005

Neurology Alert archives from March 2005

Conflicting data on benefit of IVIG treatment in MS.(Abstracts & Commentary)
March 1, 2005... Synopsis: Intravenous immunoglobulin treatment for the first year from onset of the first neurological event suggestive of demyelinative disease significantly lowers the incidence of a second attack and reduces disease activity as measured by...

High homocysteine and stroke: cause or effect?(Abstracts & Commentary)
March 1, 2005... Synopsis: The observed increase in risk of stroke among individuals homozygous for the MTHFR T allele is close to that predicted from the differences in homocysteine concentration conferred by this variant. ********** Sources: Casas...

Do autoantibodies cause narcolepsy?(Abstract & Commentary)
March 1, 2005... Synopsis: IgG from all narcolepsy patients significantly enhanced bladder contractile responses to the muscarinic agonist carbachol and neuronally released acetylcholine, as compared to the control IgG. ********** Source: Smith A, et...

Extraocular muscle susceptibility in neuromuscular disease.(Abstract & Commentary)
March 1, 2005... Synopsis: EOMs have fundamentally distinct structural, functional, biochemical and immunological properties compared to other skeletal muscles. While these properties enable high fatigue resistance and the rapid and precise control of...

Anti-MAG or not?(Abstract & Commentary)
March 1, 2005... Synopsis: Pure sensory clinical phenotype, low median and ulnar terminal latency index, and absence of M responses in the lower limbs were significantly associated with the diagnosis of MAG-PN, and indicate a moderate to large increase in...

Primary generalized dystonia: encouraging results for deep-brain stimulation.(Abstract & Commentary)
March 1, 2005... Synopsis: The findings support the efficacy and safety of the use of bilateral stimulation of the internal globus pallidus in selected patients with primary generalized dystonia. ********** Source: Vidhailet M, et al. Bilateral...

Surgery for epilepsy: stratifying outcome in patients with hippocampal sclerosis.(Abstract & Commentary)
March 1, 2005... Synopsis: Epilepsy duration is the most important predictor for long-term surgical outcome. ********** Source: Jansky Jet al. Temporal lobe Epilepsy With Hippocampal Sclerosis: Predictors For Long-Term Surgical Outcome. Brain....

CME questions.
March 1, 2005... 9. Which of the following are true? IVIG treatment in MS has been beneficial in the following setting(s): a. acute relapses b. secondary progressive MS c. first demyelinating event d. A and C 10. The risk of stroke in...

Treatment of recent-onset AF with the pill-in-the-pocket.(atrial fibrillation)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Source: Alboni P, et al. N Engl J Med. 2004;351:2384-2391. ALTHOUGH CHRONIC ORAL ANTIAR rhythmic prophylaxis and catheter ablation both enjoy great success for preventing recurrences of atrial fibrillation (AF), some patients are not...

Antibody responses after intradermal flu vaccination.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Source: Belshe RB, et al. N Engl J Med. 2004;351:2286-2294. THE YEAR 2004 WAS UNUSUAL IN REFERENCE to problematic shortages of influenza vaccine (FLUVAX), resulting in vaccine rationing. One of the methods that might reduce the actual...

Isosorbide dinitrate and hydralazine in HF.(chronic heart failure)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Source: Taylor AL, et al. N Engl J Med. 2004;351:2049-2057. N'EUROHUMORAL MODULATORS SUCH as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, and aldosterone have all shown meaningful benefit for patients with chronic heart...

Acetyl-L-Carnitine improves pain, nerve regeneration, and vibratory perception.
March 1, 2005... Source: Sima AF, et al. Diabetes Care. 2005;28:96-101. DIABETIC PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY (DPN), with or without diabetic peripheral neuropathic pain (DPNP), is a commonplace and consequential complication of diabetes (DM). Treatment of DPNP...

Levodopa and the progression of Parkinson's disease.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Source: The Parkinson Study Group. N Engl J Med. 2004;351:2498-2508. LEVODOPA (LDPA) HAS PROVEN A very valuable treatment for Parkinson's disease (PAR). Since PAR is characterized by a progressive decline in production of dopamine due to...

Lifestyle, diabetes, and cardiovascular risk factors 10 years after bariatric surgery.(Brief Article)
March 1, 2005... Source: Sjostrom L, et al. N Engl J Med. 2004;351:2683-2693. THE LONG-TERM CONSEQUENCES OF obesity include increased cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes (DM), and dyslipidemia. Although surgical interventions have provided meaningful...

The risk of aspirin withdrawal in ACS patients.(acute coronary syndrome)
March 1, 2005... Stopping aspirin may be hazardous to your health, according to recent research. Patients with heart disease who developed acute coronary syndrome (ACS) were questioned to determine whether their aspirin therapy had recently been interrupted....