[In Context] Andrew Maas (and the bird on his shoulder)
“I am probably not an easy person to work with. By nature I am critical. I set the bar high for myself and others, and I have a knack for identifying errors. Give me a page of text and I will pinpoint the single typo within a glance—a most infuriating trait for everyone I work with”, says Andr ew Maas, Emeritus Professor of Neurosurgery at the Antwerp University Hospital and University of Antwerp (Belgium). It's the kind of opener that simultaneously enthuses (help with mistakes) and terrifies (make no mistakes!) profiling journalists. (Source: Lancet Neurology)
Source: Lancet Neurology - October 11, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Adrian Burton Tags: In Context Source Type: research
[In Context] Trying to change the stroke landscape in Nigeria
The dearth of stroke awareness and specialised medical services in Nigeria leaves plenty for new NGOs to do. But the problems they face, including their own capacity building, are many. Can their efforts turn the tide? Adrian Burton investigates. (Source: Lancet Neurology)
Source: Lancet Neurology - October 11, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Adrian Burton Tags: In Context Source Type: research
[Correspondence] Palliative care in neurology
We congratulate the editors of The Lancet Neurology for highlighting the topic of palliative care in neurology in their Editorial,1 which was prompted by the European Association for Neuro-Oncology guideline2 on palliative care in glioblastoma. As the coordinators of the earlier consensus review3 on the development of palliative care for patients with chronic and progressive neurological disease, developed by the European Academy of Neurology and the European Association for Palliative Care, we would like to suggest that there is a need for further development of disease-specific guidelines, in neurology and other fields, ...
Source: Lancet Neurology - October 11, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: David Oliver, Marianne de Visser, Raymond Voltz Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
[Correspondence] Palliative care in neurology
A recent Editorial in The Lancet Neurology1 highlighted the importance of palliative care for patients with progressive neurological diseases and the requirement for increased funding and research. Because data on prevalence, incidence, and stage of disease in many low-income and middle-income countries is scarce, proxy data is used to estimate palliative care needs. One method of estimation proposed by WHO and the World Palliative Care Alliance relies on mortality data.2 The number of patients with a progressive neurological disease who require palliative care is estimated by the number of deaths attributable to a particu...
Source: Lancet Neurology - October 11, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Wing Loong Cheong, Daniel D Reidpath Tags: Correspondence Source Type: research
[Comment] Challenges and unfulfilled promises in Parkinson's disease
Neurodegenerative disorders take a heavy toll on individuals who have a diagnosis and their family and loved ones, and place an enormous economic burden on the health-care system. Parkinson's disease is amenable to reasonably, albeit incompletely, effective therapies to manage symptoms, but to date, no treatment has been found to slow its progression. Therefore, any potentially disease-modifying treatment is met with great enthusiasm. (Source: Lancet Neurology)
Source: Lancet Neurology - October 11, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: A Jon Stoessl Tags: Comment Source Type: research
[Comment] Pathology and hippocampal atrophy in Alzheimer's disease
Over time, reduced hippocampal volume results in an amnestic syndrome, a core feature of Alzheimer's disease.1 Damage to the hippocampus is incorporated into the pathological criteria for Alzheimer's disease, with two regionally separable pathological features required: at least some neurofibrillary tangles in the hippocampus, and β-amyloid deposition and moderate neuritic infiltrate in association cortices.2 The severity of hippocampal tangle formation at clinical onset can be very variable (from some neurons to nearly all neurons involved). (Source: Lancet Neurology)
Source: Lancet Neurology - October 11, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Glenda Halliday Tags: Comment Source Type: research
[Comment] Restless legs syndrome: is it all in the genes?
Restless legs syndrome is a common movement disorder that presents with unpleasant sensations in the lower extremities and results in an irresistible urge to move the legs, particularly at night-time and during quiet wakefulness. Although not fatal, restless legs syndrome can cause disabling fragmentation of sleep, leading to cognitive and mood symptoms and decreased quality of life.1 –3 Despite a prevalence of about 10% in the elderly population, the pathophysiology is not well understood. (Source: Lancet Neurology)
Source: Lancet Neurology - October 11, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Sonja W Scholz Tags: Comment Source Type: research
[Editorial] Global analysis of neurological disease: burden and benefit
Neurological diseases take a large toll on both individuals and health-care systems, and new analyses from The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors (GBD) Study indicate that the burden from neurological disorders is even greater than previously thought. The GBD Study describes mortality and morbidity at global, national, and regional levels, and provides tools to quantify health loss, enabling better understanding of changing health challenges. With the publication of a large set of analyses using data collected between 1990 and 2016, now is an appropriate time to reflect on the past successes and future c...
Source: Lancet Neurology - October 11, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: The Lancet Neurology Tags: Editorial Source Type: research
[In Context] Journey in an unknown country
In a garden, an old woman who has experienced a stroke approaches tentatively some snow on the ground. When prompted to define what she sees, at first she is unable to give it a name. Yet, when she takes some in her hand, the word “snow” suddenly materialises in her mind. The woman then tries to explain what is happening in her mind: “If I pick this…stuff up in my hand, then…I know its name. I didn't have to pick it up to know…what it was.” (Source: Lancet Neurology)
Source: Lancet Neurology - October 10, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Marco De Ambrogi Tags: In Context Source Type: research
[In Context] Facing up to brain injury
The Making Faces exhibition at the Royal Festival Hall is an art installation from Submit to Love Studios. This collective of self-taught artists is based at Headway East London, a charity that opened this studio as a rehabilitation programme for survivors of brain injuries over a decade ago. Since then, the programme has developed into a unique collective with a very distinct vocational and creative outlook. In conjunction with Headway East London, they have developed the Making Faces exhibition to depict and confront the physical and emotional aspects of constructing identity for survivors of brain injury. (Source: Lancet Neurology)
Source: Lancet Neurology - October 9, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Anna Kennedy Tags: In Context Source Type: research
[Articles] Risk of natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in patients with multiple sclerosis: a retrospective analysis of data from four clinical studies
Our risk estimates calculated from patient-level clinical data allow individualised annual prediction of risk of PML in patients receiving natalizumab for multiple sclerosis, supporting yearly benefit –risk re-evaluation in clinical practice. Further, our estimates are generally consistent with previously calculated estimates. Incorporating anti-JCV antibody index allows further risk stratification for anti-JCV antibody-positive patients who have not previously taken immunosuppressants. (Source: Lancet Neurology)
Source: Lancet Neurology - September 29, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Pei-Ran Ho, Harold Koendgen, Nolan Campbell, Bill Haddock, Sandra Richman, Ih Chang Tags: Articles Source Type: research
[Comment] PML risk and natalizumab: the elephant in the room
Natalizumab is one of the most effective therapies currently available for relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis.1 With the exception of rare hypersensitivity reactions, monthly intravenous infusions are well tolerated and, for most patients, treatment is not associated with an increase in infections.2 But, for unknown reasons, progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), an opportunistic, disabling, and life-threatening disease caused by the John Cunningham virus (JCV), is associated with natalizumab treatment. (Source: Lancet Neurology)
Source: Lancet Neurology - September 29, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Tobias Derfuss, Ludwig Kappos Tags: Comment Source Type: research
[Articles] Large-scale identification of clinical and genetic predictors of motor progression in patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson's disease: a longitudinal cohort study and validation
Our model ensemble confirmed established and identified novel predictors of Parkinson's disease motor progression. Improvement of existing prognostic models through machine-learning approaches should benefit trial design and evaluation, as well as clinical disease monitoring and treatment. (Source: Lancet Neurology)
Source: Lancet Neurology - September 25, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Jeanne C Latourelle, Michael T Beste, Tiffany C Hadzi, Robert E Miller, Jacob N Oppenheim, Matthew P Valko, Diane M Wuest, Bruce W Church, Iya G Khalil, Boris Hayete, Charles S Venuto Tags: Articles Source Type: research
[Comment] Predicting progression in patients with Parkinson's disease
A major challenge to patients, clinicians, family members, and scientists is the unpredictable future that accompanies a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease. When met with the question “what does my future hold?” it is difficult to give predictions that are likely to be useful to the patient. Some individuals will face features that rapidly and adversely affect their quality of life; others will experience a prolonged and fairly benign course, initially well managed by drugs a nd lifestyle changes. Variability between patients in core features of this multisystem disease—eg, motor decline, neuropsychiatric changes, mood...
Source: Lancet Neurology - September 25, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Cornelis Blauwendraat, Sara Bandr és-Ciga, Andrew B Singleton Tags: Comment Source Type: research
[Global Health Metrics] Global, regional, and national burden of neurological disorders during 1990 –2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015
Neurological disorders are an important cause of disability and death worldwide. Globally, the burden of neurological disorders has increased substantially over the past 25 years because of expanding population numbers and ageing, despite substantial decreases in mortality rates from stroke and communicable neurological disorders. The number of patients who will need care by clinicians with expertise in neurological conditions will continue to grow in coming decades. Policy makers and health-care providers should be aware of these trends to provide adequate services. (Source: Lancet Neurology)
Source: Lancet Neurology - September 17, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: GBD 2015 Neurological Disorders Collaborator Group Tags: Global Health Metrics Source Type: research
