Association of metabolic syndrome and change in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale scores
Conclusions:
Persons with Parkinson disease meeting modified criteria for metabolic syndrome experienced a greater increase in total UPDRS scores over time, mainly as a result of increases in motor scores, compared to those who did not. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding.
ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:
NCT00449865. (Source: Neurology)
Source: Neurology - October 23, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Leehey, M., Luo, S., Sharma, S., Wills, A.-M. A., Bainbridge, J. L., Wong, P. S., Simon, D. K., Schneider, J., Zhang, Y., Perez, A., Dhall, R., Christine, C. W., Singer, C., Cambi, F., Boyd, J. T. Tags: All Medical/Systemic disease, Endocrine, Parkinson's disease/Parkinsonism ARTICLE Source Type: research
Neurogranin, a synaptic protein, is associated with memory independent of Alzheimer biomarkers
Conclusions:
Synaptic dysfunction (assessed via neurogranin) may be an early pathologic process in age-related neurodegeneration, and a sensitive marker of age-related cognitive abilities, potentially preceding or even acting independently from AD pathogenesis. Synaptic functioning may be a useful early marker of cognitive aging and possibly a target for future brain aging interventions. (Source: Neurology)
Source: Neurology - October 23, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Casaletto, K. B., Elahi, F. M., Bettcher, B. M., Neuhaus, J., Bendlin, B. B., Asthana, S., Johnson, S. C., Yaffe, K., Carlsson, C., Blennow, K., Zetterberg, H., Kramer, J. H. Tags: Alzheimer's disease, Cognitive aging ARTICLE Source Type: research
Mixed neuropathologies and associations with domain-specific cognitive decline
Conclusions:
ADNC + LBD (but not ADNC + VBI) was associated with poorer executive function and attention compared to other pathology groupings. However, the effect of co-occurring pathologies on cognitive trajectories may depend on the severity of ADNC. Future studies using antemortem biomarkers should seek to replicate these neuropathologic observations. (Source: Neurology)
Source: Neurology - October 23, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Brenowitz, W. D., Hubbard, R. A., Keene, C. D., Hawes, S. E., Longstreth, W. T., Woltjer, R. L., Kukull, W. A. Tags: Prognosis, Alzheimer's disease, Dementia with Lewy bodies, Vascular dementia, Cognitive neuropsychology in dementia ARTICLE Source Type: research
Brain network connectivity differs in early-onset neurodegenerative dementia
Conclusions:
Disease-specific patterns of functional network topology and connectivity alterations were observed in patients with EOAD and bvFTD. Graph analysis and connectomics may aid clinical diagnosis and help elucidate pathophysiologic differences between neurodegenerative dementias. (Source: Neurology)
Source: Neurology - October 23, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Filippi, M., Basaia, S., Canu, E., Imperiale, F., Meani, A., Caso, F., Magnani, G., Falautano, M., Comi, G., Falini, A., Agosta, F. Tags: MRI, Alzheimer's disease, Frontotemporal dementia ARTICLE Source Type: research
Virtually reducing fall risk in Parkinson disease
Falls are common and often represent devastating events for patients with advanced Parkinson disease (PD). Prospective studies report that 70% of people with PD have at least one fall in a year, and that 39% fall recurrently. Falls have serious consequences (fractures and other injury, hospital admission, fear of falls, and an increase in caregiver burden).1,2 The few available treatment options are not highly effective. (Source: Neurology)
Source: Neurology - October 23, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Moreau, C., Barton, B. R., Devos, D. Tags: Parkinson's disease/Parkinsonism, All Rehabilitation, Assessment of cognitive disorders/dementia EDITORIALS Source Type: research
Can lifestyle modification slow progression of Parkinson disease?
Parkinson disease (PD), similar to other neurodegenerative conditions, is characterized by relentless clinical progression with gradual worsening of both motor and nonmotor features. Potential neuroprotective therapies focusing on aspects of neurodegeneration in PD such as impaired mitochondrial function with abnormalities of oxidative phosphorylation, increased oxidative stress, and suppressed neuroinflammation, have failed to alter the clinical course of PD.1,2 New insights into PD pathophysiology have identified potential molecular targets, including accumulation and potential prion-like spreading of aggregates containi...
Source: Neurology - October 23, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Hedera, P., Davis, T. L. Tags: Parkinson's disease/Parkinsonism EDITORIALS Source Type: research
Deciphering neurodegeneration: A paradigm shift from focality to connectivity
"Wet or dry" is the fundamental dichotomy of biomarker research, referring to biofluid vs imaging-based approaches. Biomarker development in neurodegeneration has gained unprecedented momentum in recent years. Despite the substantial diagnostic advantages of molecular PET and biofluid markers, accurate prognostic indicators and sensitive monitoring markers are urgently required both for clinical trial designs and individualized patient care. (Source: Neurology)
Source: Neurology - October 23, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Bede, P. Tags: EDITORIALS Source Type: research
Spotlight on the October 24 issue
(Source: Neurology)
Source: Neurology - October 23, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Gross, R. A. Tags: IN FOCUS Source Type: research
Teaching NeuroImages: New-onset focal epilepsy: The curious case of the camel and the jawbone
A 54-year-old right-handed woman was referred for evaluation of drug-resistant epilepsy. At age 16, while riding in a park in Perth, Western Australia, she had been thrown from her horse, which had been startled by a rogue camel. There was no significant head injury but the patient subsequently noted a "clicky" jaw. At age 37, she developed recurrent episodes involving a sense of disconnection followed by dysphasia. (Source: Neurology)
Source: Neurology - October 23, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Triplett, J. D., Lawn, N., Edis, R. Tags: All Imaging, All Trauma, EEG; see Epilepsy/Seizures, EEG, Partial seizures RESIDENT AND FELLOW SECTION Source Type: research
Teaching NeuroImages: Hypoglossal nerve palsy due to basilar invagination
A woman in her 50s presented to the emergency room with complaints of gait instability. Her examination was notable for tongue deviation to the left. Imaging demonstrated basilar invagination and compression of the preolivary sulci near the cranial nerve 12 nerve root exit zone (figures 1 and 2). Basilar invagination is a rare craniocervical malformation, which can cause neurologic deficits and instability of the craniocervical junction.1,2 Imaging is also notable for platybasia, which is often associated with basilar invagination. The patient underwent a posterior occiput-C3 decompression and fusion without any complicati...
Source: Neurology - October 23, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Bakhsheshian, J., Goshtasbi, K., Acharya, J., Buchanan, I. A., Fredrickson, V., Reid, P. Tags: All Imaging, All Spinal Cord RESIDENT AND FELLOW SECTION Source Type: research
Pearls & Oy-sters: CNS lymphoma in a patient with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis treated with interferon
Early clinical suspicion for CNS lymphoma is important for appropriate diagnosis and treatment in patients with preexisting multiple sclerosis (MS). (Source: Neurology)
Source: Neurology - October 23, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Chiang, S., Kesari, N. K., Bradshaw, A., Chen, W., Samudralwar, R., Alobaidy, A. M., Kass, J. S. Tags: Primary brain tumor, Multiple sclerosis RESIDENT AND FELLOW SECTION Source Type: research
Clinical Reasoning: A common cause for Phelan-McDermid syndrome and neurofibromatosis type 2: One ring to bind them
An 8-year-old girl with mild dysmorphic features presented for evaluation of developmental delay and staring spells. She had been born late preterm and spent 1 month in the neonatal intensive care unit. She was generally healthy other than her developmental delay, which improved somewhat with physical, occupational, and speech therapy. At the first clinic visit, her mother reported loss of previously mastered vocabulary and struggles with fine motor skills such as buttoning. She also noted repetitive movements, obsessive behaviors, and hand flapping. (Source: Neurology)
Source: Neurology - October 23, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Lyons-Warren, A. M., Cheung, S. W., Holder, J. L. Tags: All Pediatric, Developmental disorders, Neurofibromatosis, Chromosomes RESIDENT AND FELLOW SECTION Source Type: research
Senses
Scent of newborn wrapped in a knitted blanket
Watch her grow, first day of school
Track her on the playground, never a moment of rest
Chew on oatmeal raisin cookies baked together
Shut our eyes for hide-and-seek
Hear her cry, she skinned her knees
Cheer as she scores a goal
Carry her when she falls down
Run to catch up, now she's too fast
Clap and celebrate, it's graduation
Point to her suitcase, she is ready to pack
Hug her tight and hope she comes back
She walks to the gate, college here she comes
Reflex to wake her up for school, no longer there
Home feels off-balance, too quiet
Sharp pain from the tough goodbye
Cold sh...
Source: Neurology - October 23, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Aghajan, Y. Tags: Clinical neurology examination REFLECTIONS: NEUROLOGY AND THE HUMANITIES Source Type: research
Letter re: Efficacy and safety of brivaracetam for partial-onset seizures in 3 pooled clinical studies
We thank Dr. French1 for her Epilepsy Currents commentary on our article.2 We agree that time will tell regarding the usefulness of brivaracetam's (BRV's) addition to the antiepileptic drug (AED) armamentarium, as there is no substitute for real-world clinical experience. (Source: Neurology)
Source: Neurology - October 16, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Klein, P., Benbadis, S. R., Diaz, A., Moseley, B. D., Ben-Menachem, E. Tags: WRITECLICK & amp;reg; EDITOR ' S CHOICE Source Type: research
Author response: Ischemic Lesions, blood pressure dysregulation, and poor outcomes in intracerebral hemorrhage
We appreciate the comments by Drs. Lattanzi and Silvestrini on our article,1 and agree that further research is needed to better understand the complex relationship among blood pressure (BP) dysregulation, small vessel disease, and development of remote ischemic lesions in the setting of acute intracerebral hemorrhage.2 (Source: Neurology)
Source: Neurology - October 16, 2017 Category: Neurology Authors: Kidwell, C. S., Rosand, J., Norato, G., Dixon, S., Worrall, B. B., James, M. L., Elkind, M. S. V., Flaherty, M. L., Osborne, J., Vashkevich, A., Langefeld, C. D., Moomaw, C. J., Woo, D. Tags: WRITECLICK & amp;reg; EDITOR ' S CHOICE Source Type: research
