Neurology Alert articles from November 2004

Neurology Alert archives from November 2004

Vestibular neuritis and Bell's palsy: same cause? same treatment?(Abstracts & Commentary)
November 1, 2004... Synopsis: Methylprednisolone significantly improves the recovery of peripheral vestibular function in patients with vestibular neuritis, whereas valacyclovir does not. Sources: Strupp M, et al. Methylprednisolone, Valacyclovir, or the...

Carotid endarterectomy vs stenting: when randomized becomes a dirty word.(Abstract & Commentary)
November 1, 2004... Synopsis: Among patients with severe carotid-artery stenosis and coexisting conditions, carotid stenting with the use of an emboli-protection device is not inferior to carotid endarterectomy. Source: Yadav JS, et al. The SAPPHIRE...

Functional MRI (fMRI) as a replacement for the Wada test in evaluating memory function?(Abstract & Commentary)
November 1, 2004... Synopsis: Although further technical improvements and prospective clinical validation are required, these results suggest that mesial temporal memory activation, detected by fMRI during complex visual scene encoding, correlates with...

A major advance in CT angiography, Volumetric Computed Tomography (VCT).(Abstract & Commentary)
November 1, 2004... Synopsis: VCT substantially improves imaging of vascularization in tumors and offers a promising tool for preclinical studies of tumor angiogenesis and antiangiogenic therapies. Source: Kiessling F, et al. Volumetric Computed Tomography...

Possible role of retroviral gene expression in multiple sclerosis.(Abstract & Commentary)
November 1, 2004... Synopsis: Syncytin's proinflammatory properties in the nervous system demonstrate a novel role for an endogenous retrovirus protein, which may be a target for therapeutic intervention. Source: Anthony JM, et al. Human Endogenous Retrovirus...

Neuropathy in Neurofibromatosis.(Abstract & Commentary)
November 1, 2004... Synopsis: Peripheral neuropathy in NF-1 patients is a marker for poorer prognosis and mandates heightened vigilance for malignancy and spinal cord complications. Source: Drouet A, et al. Neurofibromatosis-Associated Neuropathies: A...

How do mutations in DJ-1 cause Parkinson's Disease?(Abstracts & Commentary)
November 1, 2004... Synopsis: Dopamine neurons derived from in vitro differentiated DJ-1 deficient embryonic stem cells showed decreased survival and increased sensitivity to oxidative stress. Sources: Shendelman, et al. DJ-1 Is a Redox-Dependent Molecular...

Does deep brain stimulation improve sexual well-being in Parkinson's Disease?(Abstract & Commentary)
November 1, 2004... Synopsis: Deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus appears to affect sexual functioning in a small but positive way. Male patients with Parkinson's Disease, especially when younger than 60, appeared more satisfied with their sexual...

CME questions.
November 1, 2004... 15. Complications of neurofibromatosis type-1 (NF-1) include: a. Optic nerve gliomas b. Sensory neuropathy c. Cerebellar gliomas d. Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors e. All the above 16. The study by Strupp et...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
November 1, 2004... The CME Questions in the October 2004 issue of Neurology Alert should have been numbered 12, 13, and 14 instead of 6, 7, and 8.

Functional decline in Peripheral Arterial Disease.(Clinical Briefs in Primary Care)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Source: McDermott MM, et al. JAMA. 2004;292:453-461. PERIPHERAL ARTERIAL DISEASE (PAD) may be stratified in severity by the ankle-brachial index (ABI), measured by dividing the ankle systolic BP by the brachial systolic BP. Normally, this...

Topical Capsaicin for chronic pain.(Clinical Briefs in Primary Care)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Source: Mason L, et al. BMJ USA. 2004;4:349-358. TOPICAL ANALGESICS, SUCH AS CAPsaicin (CAP), methylsalicylate, and transdermal lidocaine, are agents which are applied topically for a local effect, as opposed to agents applied topically for...

Topical Tacrolimus therapy for Vitiligo.(Clinical Briefs in Primary Care)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Source: Grimes PE, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;51:52-61. VITILIGO (VIT) IS A DISORDER CHARacterized clinically by one or more skin sites of depigmentation caused by loss of melanocyte activity. Demonstrated etiologies include genetic...

US prevalence and impact on Axillary Hyperhidrosis.(Clinical Briefs in Primary Care)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Source: Strutton DR, et al. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2004;51:241-248. THE DIAGNOSIS OF HYPERHIDROSIS, OR excessive sweating, is achieved by clinical inquiry rather than laboratory testing, though quantitative metrics are available for clinical...

Mortality and incidence of cancer during follow-up of the scandinavian simvastatin survival study (4S).(Clinical Briefs in Primary Care)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Source: Strandberg TE, et al. Lancet. 2004;364:771-777. ALTHOUGH THE VALUE OF STATINS for both primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular events is widely accepted, inconsistent background signals of disproportionate cancer risk...

Effects of extended outpatient rehabilitation after hip fracture.(Clinical Briefs in Primary Care)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2004... Source: Binder EF, et al JAMA. 2004;292:837-846. FOR SENIOR CITIZENS WHO DO NOT SUCcumb to the sequelae of hip fracture (HFX), the long-term consequences remain daunting for most. Insurers may provide coverage sufficient only to sustain a...

The FDA and Merck fielding concerns about Vioxx.(Pharmacology Watch)
November 1, 2004... Merck announced on September 30th that it is voluntarily withdrawing rofecoxib (Vioxx) from the worldwide market. The decision was based on data from the APPROVe (Addenomatous Polyp Prevention on Vioxx) trial, a company sponsored perspective...