Current Treatment Options in Neurology 
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This is an RSS file. You can use it to subscribe to this data in your favourite RSS reader or to display this data on your own website or blog.Therapy for Cataplexy
AbstractPurpose of the reviewCataplexy, an involuntary loss of muscle activity triggered by strong emotions is the most impressive symptom in narcolepsy. This review gives an overview of the current understanding of cataplexy and its available treatment options.Recent findingsWith the discovery of hypocretin/orexin, the understanding of the pathophysiology of cataplexy advanced in the past decades. In the recent years, with the development of new anticataplectic agents (e.g., Pitolisant) symptomatic treatment of cataplexy has further improved. Abrupt cessation of anticataplectic medication especially antidepressants increa...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - March 17, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Iron Replacement Therapy in Restless Legs Syndrome
AbstractPurpose of reviewThe main purpose of this manuscript is to review the existing clinical evidence about when iron replacement therapy should be initiated for RLS/WED, and how it should be administered (oral vs. intravenous).Recent findingsOur knowledge of the pathophysiology of restless legs syndrome/Willis-Ekbom (RLS/WED) continues to grow, revealing the existence of brain iron deficiency as the most well-known biological alteration behind this disorder. Since iron replacement therapy in RLS/WED is one of the first-line available treatments, its indication should be considered periodically, at both the beginning an...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - March 16, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Update on the Treatment of Tics in Tourette Syndrome and Other Chronic Tic Disorders
AbstractPurpose of reviewThis review presents a critical appraisal of current therapeutic strategies for tics in patients with Tourette syndrome (TS) and other chronic tic disorders. We discuss the most recent evidence to support behavioural/psychosocial, pharmacological and surgical interventions in patients with tics and summarize existing recommendations about treatment selection. We also indicate the main knowledge gaps regarding efficacy, safety and prioritization of interventions and provide a summary of the emerging therapeutic approaches.Recent findingsDuring the past few years, high-quality randomized controlled t...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - March 16, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Cerebral Edema in Traumatic Brain Injury: a Historical Framework for Current Therapy
AbstractPurpose of reviewThe purposes of this narrative review are to (1) summarize a contemporary view of cerebral edema pathophysiology, (2) present a synopsis of current management strategies in the context of their historical roots (many of which date back multiple centuries), and (3) discuss contributions of key molecular pathways to overlapping edema endophenotypes. This may facilitate identification of important therapeutic targets.Recent findingsCerebral edema and resultant intracranial hypertension are major contributors to morbidity and mortality following traumatic brain injury. Although Starling forces are phys...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - March 2, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Dizziness and Balance Problems in Children
AbstractPurpose of reviewDizziness and balance problems in children can be multifactorial. Awareness regarding these disorders is limited. This paper reviews the existing literature in this field to raise the awareness of the discipline that can generate significant morbidity in children. It looks in detail into epidemiology, the aetiology, the diagnostic algorithm and the management of dizziness and balance problems in children.Recent findingsAn accurate history followed by the latest diagnostic algorithm with the latest vestibular test battery that are utilised in adults can be used in children that lead to the diagno...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - February 19, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Newer Immunotherapies for the Treatment of Acute Neuromuscular Disease in the Critical Care Unit
Opinion statementPurpose of reviewIn this review, we discuss current treatment options for commonly encountered neuromuscular disorders in intensive care units. We will discuss epidemiology, pathophysiology, and acute and chronic treatment options for myasthenia gravis, Guillain-Barr é syndrome, West Nile virus, Botulism, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.Recent findingsEculizumab is the newest immunomodulator therapy approved by the Food and Drug Administration in treatment of myasthenia gravis, shown to improve long-term functional outcomes. Edaravone is the newest therapy in management of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - February 12, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Epilepsy in brain metastasis: an emerging entity
AbstractPurpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to highlight advances in the management of seizures in brain metastases from solid tumors.Recent findingsThe highest risk for seizures is in patients with melanoma and lung cancer. There is lack of data on the efficacy of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), but interactions between enzyme-inducing AEDs and anticancer agents must be avoided. Levetiracetam and valproic acid are the most appropriate drugs. Prophylaxis with AEDs for patients with brain metastases without a history of seizures is not recommended. Total resection of a brain metastasis allows complete seizure control...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - February 7, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Mobile Stroke Units: Bringing Treatment to the Patient
AbstractPurpose of reviewMobile stroke units (MSUs) have revolutionized emergency stroke care by delivering pre-hospital thrombolysis faster than conventional ambulance transport and in-hospital treatment. This review discusses the history of MSUs technological development, current operations and research, cost-effectiveness, and future directions.Recent findingsMultiple prospective and retrospective studies have shown that MSUs deliver acute ischemic stroke treatment with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (IV r-tPA) approximately 30 min faster than conventional care. The 90-day modified Rankin Scores ...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - February 5, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Therapy for Insomnia and Circadian Rhythm Disorder in Alzheimer Disease
AbstractPurpose of the reviewThere is strong evidence for a bidirectional association between sleep disorders and Alzheimer ’s disease (AD). In particular, insomnia may be a potentially modifiable risk factor for AD. The present review summarizes recent advances in treatment of sleep disorders in AD.Recent findingsSome studies investigated the efficacy and safety of hypnotic agents as ramelteon and mirtazapine to treat sleep disorders in AD but no significant therapeutic effects have been observed. Benzodiazepines are the most frequently used medication for treatment of insomnia but they may cause significant side effect...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - February 4, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Treatment Considerations in the Radiologically Isolated Syndrome
AbstractPurpose of reviewThis review provides the reader with updated information needed to make an accurate diagnosis of radiologically isolated syndrome (RIS), discusses controversies and considerations related to therapeutic intervention in RIS, and summarizes ongoing clinical intervention trials.Recent findingsIndividuals with RIS lack clinical neurological symptoms but are at risk for the subsequent development of a first clinical neurological event consistent with a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. There are two ongoing clinical intervention trials to determine whether disease-modifying treatments for multiple sclero...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - February 2, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Therapy in Sleep-Related Hypermotor Epilepsy (SHE)
AbstractPurpose of reviewThe purpose of this review is to summarize and discuss current options and new advances in the treatment of sleep-related hypermotor epilepsy (SHE), focusing on pharmacological and surgical treatments.Recent findingsCarbamazepine (CBZ) has traditionally been regarded as the first-line treatment option in SHE patients. In patients showing an unsatisfactory response to monotherapy, topiramate (TPM), lacosamide (LCM) and acetazolamide (ACZ) could be reasonable add-on strategies. The increasing understanding of the role of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in SHE pathophysiology has led...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - January 29, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Immunotherapy in Narcolepsy
AbstractPurpose of reviewNarcolepsy type 1 (NT1) is a chronic and disabling sleep disorder due to the loss of hypocretinergic neurons in the lateral hypothalamus pathophysiologically linked to an autoimmune process. Current treatment is symptomatic, and no cure is available to date. Immunotherapy is considered a promising future therapeutic option, and this review discusses the rationale for immunotherapy in narcolepsy, current evidences of its effects, outcome measures, and future directions.Recent findingsA limited number of case reports and uncontrolled small case series have reported the effect of different immunothera...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - January 29, 2020 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo Treatment: a Practical Update
AbstractPurpose of the reviewTo define the best up-to-date practical approach to treat benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).Recent findingsBoth posterior and horizontal canal BPPV canalith repositioning maneuvers (Semont, Epley, and Gufoni ’s maneuvers) are level 1 evidence treatment for evidence-based medicine. The choice of maneuver (since their efficacy is comparable) is up to the clinician’s preferences, failure of the previous maneuver, or movement restrictions of the patient. Maneuvers for controversial variants, such as ant erior canal and apogeotropic posterior canal BPPV, have weaker evidence of efficac...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - December 4, 2019 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Acute Transverse and Flaccid Myelitis in Children
AbstractPurpose of reviewThe etiologies of myelitis in children are broad, and our understanding of inflammatory myelopathies in the pediatric population continues to evolve. Acute flaccid myelitis (AFM), increasingly linked to enterovirus infections, has risen in incidence over recent years. As with other infectious myelopathies, AFM can be challenging to distinguish from inflammatory causes of acute transverse myelitis (ATM) at initial presentation. This review outlines an approach to the treatment of children presenting with myelopathy of suspected inflammatory etiology, with attention to how management may differ in th...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - December 2, 2019 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
Current Update on Treatment Strategies for Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus
The objective of this review is to present the current diagnostic and treatment approaches for iNPH and to discuss some of the postoperative modalities that complement positive surgical outcomes.Recent findingsAlthough historically reported patient outcomes following iNPH surgery were dismal and highly variable, recent advances in terms of better understanding of the iNPH disease process, better standardization of iNPH diagnostic and treatment processes arising from the adoption of clinical guidelines for diagnosis, treatment and in research methodologies, and availability of long-term follow-up data, have helped reduce th...
Source: Current Treatment Options in Neurology - December 2, 2019 Category: Neurology Source Type: research
