No Increase in Symptoms Toward the End of the Ocrelizumab Infusion Cycle in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis: Symptom Burden on Ocrelizumab: A Longitudinal Study (SymBOLS)
The objective of our study was to comprehensively assess changes in symptom burden across 2 consecutive OCR infusion cycles.
Methods
SYMptom Burden on Ocrelizumab, a Longitudinal Study (SymBOLS; NCT04855617) was an investigator-initiated, 2-center study of patients with MS starting or receiving OCR. Patients' symptoms were assessed with NeuroQoL short forms, SymptoMScreen, and Work Productivity and Activity Impairment Questionnaire at the start-cycle, mid-cycle, and end-cycle time points in each of the 2 infusion cycles. Symptom scores at the 3 time points within each cycle were compared with repeated-measures ANOVA or th...
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - September 5, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Kister, I., Oh, C., Douglas, E. A., Bacon, T. E., O'Shea, I. L., Parrotta, E. H., Bouley, A., Lathi, E., Katz, J. Tags: Clinical trials Observational study (Cohort, Case control), Multiple sclerosis Research Article Source Type: research
Death and ADL Dependency After Scoring Zero on the NIHSS: A Swedish Retrospective Registry-Based Study
Discussion
One of 17 patients has either died or become ADL-dependent 3 months after a 0-NIHSS stroke, stressing that these strokes are not always benign. Older and physically inactive patients are at greater risk of an adverse outcome. (Source: Neurology Clinical Practice)
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - September 1, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Darehed, D., Reinholdsson, M., Viktorisson, A., Abzhandadze, T., Sunnerhagen, K. S. Tags: Outcome research, All Cerebrovascular disease/Stroke, Cohort studies Research Article Source Type: research
The Muddle of Myoclonus: Many Guises, 2 Disciplines, Consensus Needed
Myoclonus is often approached in different ways by epileptologists and movement disorder specialists, leading to confusion in the literature. Multiplicity and inconsistency over the past 2 centuries resulted in a lack of precision and ambiguity of the terminology. We show that this is a current problem in which one phenomenon has been described with many terms and vice versa. Of more importance, we discuss the conceptualization of myoclonus from perspectives of both fields and focus on the borderland that exists, especially in the spectrum of cortical and epileptic myoclonus. By giving 2 examples, we illustrate the conundr...
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - August 31, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Van Der Veen, S., Tijssen, M. A. J., Berkovic, S. F. Tags: Myoclonus, Myoclonus; see Movement Disorders/myoclonus Commentary Source Type: research
Reversibility of Tumor-like Lesions: Meticulous Diagnosis for Treatable Brain Diseases
This study demonstrates and highlights the importance of integrating brain biopsy and pathologic examination to reach a correct diagnosis leading to appropriate treatment. (Source: Neurology Clinical Practice)
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - August 30, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Hsieh, S.-T. Tags: MRI, Autoimmune diseases, All Infections, All Demyelinating disease (CNS) Editorial Source Type: research
Differential Diagnosis of Tumor-like Brain Lesions
Purpose of Review
Tumor-like brain lesions are rare and commonly suggest a neoplastic etiology. Failure to rapidly identify non-neoplastic causes can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. In this review, we describe 10 patients who presented with atypical, non-neoplastic tumor-like brain lesions in which brain biopsy was essential for a correct diagnosis and treatment.
Recent Findings
There has been increasing recognition of autoimmune conditions affecting the nervous system, and many of those diseases can cause tumor-like brain lesions. Currently available reports of non-neoplastic tumor-like brain lesions are scarc...
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - August 30, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Perez Giraldo, G. S., Singer, L., Cao, T., Jamshidi, P., Dixit, K., Kontzialis, M., Castellani, R., Pytel, P., Anadani, N., Bevan, C. J., Grebenciucova, E., Balabanov, R., Cohen, B. A., Graham, E. L. Tags: All Imaging, Autoimmune diseases, Vasculitis, Fungal infections, All Demyelinating disease (CNS) Review Source Type: research
Friedreich's Ataxia-Health Index: Development and Validation of a Novel Disease-Specific Patient-Reported Outcome Measure
Discussion
Initial evaluation of the FA-HI supports its validity and reliability as a PRO for assessing how individuals with FA feel and function. (Source: Neurology Clinical Practice)
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - August 28, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Seabury, J., Rosero, S., Varma, A., Weinstein, J., Engebrecht, C., Dilek, N., Heatwole, J., Alexandrou, D., Cohen, B., Larkindale, J., Lynch, D. R., Park, C., Subramony, S. H., Wagner, E., Walther, S., Wells, M., Zizzi, C., Heatwole, C. Tags: Outcome research, Quality of life, Gait disorders/ataxia Research Article Source Type: research
Prevalence of Horizontal Canal Variant in 3,975 Patients With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: A Cross-sectional Study
This study found that hc-BPPV is far more common than previously reported. It is important to perform the supine roll test in addition to the Dix-Hallpike in all patients suspected with BPPV. Better training to diagnose patients with BPPV and to accurately recognize the nystagmus pattern of hc-BPPV should be a priority. (Source: Neurology Clinical Practice)
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - August 23, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Bhandari, R., Bhandari, A., Hsieh, Y.-H., Edlow, J., Omron, R. Tags: Diagnostic test assessment, Quality of life, Clinical neurology examination, Vertigo Research Article Source Type: research
Characterization of Migraine in Children and Adolescents With Generalized Joint Hypermobility: A Case-Control Study
Discussion
Youths with GJH and migraine were noted to have more severe migraine characteristics. (Source: Neurology Clinical Practice)
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - August 17, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Ghosh, A., Horn, P. S., Kabbouche Samaha, M., Kacperski, J., LeCates, S. L., White, S., Powers, S. W., Hershey, A. D. Tags: Migraine, Pediatric headache, Adolescence Research Article Source Type: research
Work, Parenting, and Well-being: An International Survey of Neurologists During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Discussion
The disruption from the COVID-19 pandemic affected academic productivity and decreased the well-being of neurologists in general and of neurologists with children more drastically. This could potentially hinder the promotion and retention of junior neurologists who were juggling life and work during the pandemic outbreak and its recurrent surges. (Source: Neurology Clinical Practice)
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - August 15, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Abdennadher, M., Patel, S., Dembny, K., Edalatpour, R., Weinberg, J., Bartolini, L., Ganesh, A., Singhal, D. Tags: Practice Current, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Anti-racism, and Social Justice (IDEAS), Gender, Workforce diversity Research Article Source Type: research
Measurement Properties of 2 Novel PROs, the Pompe Disease Symptom Scale and Pompe Disease Impact Scale, in the COMET Study
The objectives of this analysis were to establish a scoring algorithm and to examine the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the measures using data from the COMET clinical trial.
Methods
The COMET trial was a randomized, double-blind study comparing the efficacy and safety of avalglucosidase alfa and alglucosidase alfa in patients with LOPD aged 16–78 years at baseline. Adult participants (18 years or older) completed the PDSS and PDIS daily for 14 days at baseline and for 2 weeks before quarterly clinic visits for 1 year after randomization using an electronic diary. Data were pooled across treatment grou...
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - August 8, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Dimachkie, M. M., Kishnani, P. S., Ivanescu, C., Flore, G., Gwaltney, C., van der Beek, N. A. M. E., Hamed, A., An Haack, K., Pollissard, L., Baranowski, E., Sparks, S. E., DasMahapatra, P., for COMET Study Group Tags: Outcome research, Quality of life, Metabolic disease (inherited), All Neuromuscular Disease Research Article Source Type: research
Functional Seizure Clinics: A Proposed Financially Viable Solution to the Neurologist Supply and Demand Mismatch
This study provides a potential solution to the national mismatch in the supply and demand of neurologists and an initial framework to use for those who wish to establish or integrate FS services in their institution. (Source: Neurology Clinical Practice)
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - July 6, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Watson, M. M., Kerr, W. T., Bean, M., Strom, L. Tags: Cost effectiveness/economic, Conversion, All Practice Management, Access to care, Nonepileptic seizures Research Article Source Type: research
Role of the Speech-Language Therapist/Pathologist in Primary Progressive Aphasia
In recent years, the role of the speech-language therapist/pathologist (SLT/P) has become increasingly established in the assessment, care, and management of primary progressive aphasia (PPA). Throughout the progression of the condition, the role of SLT/P encompasses 5 notable domains: behavioral assessment, impairment-based intervention, compensatory strategy intervention, communication partner training, and informational counseling. The SLT/P brings a unique perspective and clinical arsenal to address the linguistic, functional, and psychosocial effects that PPA can have on a person's life. Ongoing training opportunities...
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - July 6, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Gallee, J., Volkmer, A. Tags: Alzheimer's disease, Frontotemporal dementia, Dementia aphasia, Assessment of cognitive disorders/dementia Commentary Source Type: research
Counseling on the Need for Folic Acid in Adolescents With Epilepsy
Discussion
Providing preconception counseling for women with epilepsy is associated with an increased recommendation and prescription of folic acid. Further evaluation into possible disparities to receiving a folic acid recommendation is needed. (Source: Neurology Clinical Practice)
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - July 6, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Lo, C. B., Conrad, B., Debs, A., Herbst, J., Kulkarni, N., Nelson, D. M., Wentzel, E., Cohen, D. M., Patel, A. D. Tags: Antiepileptic drugs Research Article Source Type: research
Study to Assess Content Validity and Interrater and Intrarater Reliability of the Inclusion Body Myositis Functional Rating Scale
This study consisted of 5 stages including phone interviews (physicians), face-to-face interviews (patients), face-to-face ratings, phone ratings, and ratings of videos using the IBMFRS.
Results
The IBMFRS adequately captures all core functional impacts of IBM, which was corroborated by both patient participants and physicians when debriefing the measure. Physicians and patient participants all thought any change on the measure would be meaningful change for a patient, either improvement or worsening. The quantitative analysis demonstrated good interrater reliability for face-to-face ratings (intraclass correlation coeffi...
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - June 12, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Symonds, T., Randall, J., Lloyd-Price, L., Hudgens, S., Dimachkie, M. M., Guldberg, C., Machado, P. M. Tags: All Neuromuscular Disease, Muscle disease Research Article Source Type: research
Efficacy of IV Valproic Acid and Oral Valproic Acid Tapers for the Treatment of Pediatric Headaches in the Emergency Department
This study evaluated the effectiveness of IV VPA and oral VPA tapers for the treatment of acute pediatric headaches in the ED in preventing return encounters.
Methods
This is a retrospective cohort study of patients aged 5–21 years presenting to a tertiary-care pediatric ED from 2010 to 2016 who received IV VPA for headache or migraine. Primary outcomes were ED disposition, percent pain reduction (initial vs 2-hour patient-reported pain score [10-point scale]), and return for acute headache treatment within 1 month.
Results
A total of 486 ED encounters were included with a median patient age of 15 years; most of th...
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - June 6, 2023 Category: Neurology Authors: Rosenthal, S., Mazzio, E., Wellman Gilbert, H., Guistolisi, S., Marks, J., Jewell, J., Straley, M., Silveira, L., Messer, R., Martin, J., Mistry, R., Yonker, M. E., Press, C. A. Tags: All Headache, Migraine, All Clinical Neurology, All Pain, All Pediatric, Class III, Class IV Research Article Source Type: research
