A new study published in Neurology found that people with migraines are twice as likely to develop Bell's palsy, a condition that causes facial paralysis. The study suggests that these two conditions may share a common underlying link.
A new study published in Neurology found that people with sleep apnea or reduced deep sleep are more likely to have brain abnormalities associated with dementia. The study also discovered that those who spent less time in slow wave sleep had loss of brain cells, a risk factor for Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have discovered that blocking blood-brain barrier proteins increases riluzole's effectiveness in treating ALS. The study found improved muscle function and prolonged survival in mice with blocked barriers.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that approximately 1.8 million Americans over the age of 70 with dementia have never had an evaluation of their cognitive abilities. Early evaluation and identification can help families make plans for care, improve quality of life.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that taking vitamin B12 and folic acid supplements may not reduce the risk of memory and thinking problems. The study involved 2,919 people with high blood levels of homocysteine and found no significant difference between those who took supplements and those who did not.
A study published in Neurology found that people taking certain COX-2 inhibitors were 19% more likely to die after a stroke. New users of older COX-2 drugs, such as etodolac, were 42% more likely to die from stroke.
A review of research published by the American Academy of Neurology found that low-carb diets, such as the ketogenic diet, may reduce seizures in adults with tough-to-treat epilepsy. The diets were moderately to very effective, with a 50% or better reduction in seizures experienced by 32% of participants.
The new guideline offers direction in evaluating symptoms, family history, ethnicity, physical exams, and lab test results to determine the most suitable genetic tests. It also provides recommendations on treating and managing complications such as muscle wasting, heart problems, and breathing difficulties.
A study published in Neurology found that women with a healthy diet and lifestyle had a 54-percent lower risk of stroke compared to those with none of the five healthy factors. The study looked at factors such as diet, physical activity, and body mass index.
The American Academy of Neurology states that the risk of death, overdose, addiction, or serious side effects from prescription opioids exceeds their benefits in treating chronic, non-cancerous conditions. The AAN recommends safer prescribing practices to minimize risks.
A new study finds that people with middle-age migraines are more likely to develop Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders. Those with migraine with aura face a higher risk, with women also being more prone to a family history of the condition.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found a link between sleep difficulties and rapid brain volume decline in adults. The research, which included 147 participants aged 20-84, revealed that poor sleep quality was associated with faster declines in brain regions including frontal, temporal, and parietal areas.
A new treatment, anti-LINGO-1, has been found to be safe and tolerable in phase I clinical trials for multiple sclerosis. The treatment blocks a protein that prevents myelination, potentially repairing damaged nerves.
A study published in Neurology found that low vitamin D levels double the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease in older people. Researchers analyzed blood levels of vitamin D and found a significant association between low vitamin D levels and increased dementia risk.
A new test diagnoses motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), which combines gait speed measurement with cognitive questions. People who test positive for MCR are twice as likely to develop dementia within 12 years, emphasizing the importance of early diagnosis and potential underlying cause identification.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that regularly monitoring pulse after a stroke can detect irregular heartbeats and prevent a second stroke. The study found that healthcare professionals had a high sensitivity rate of nearly 97% in detecting irregular heartbeats.
A study published in Neurology found that even mild traumatic brain injury can cause brain damage and disrupt nerve axons in white matter. Cognitive tests showed a 25% decline in verbal letter fluency task scores for patients with injuries, strongly related to imaging measures of white matter damage.
The Lancet Neurology calls for sports authorities to consider long-term neurological problems caused by repeated concussions in footballers. Many sporting organisations have drawn up new protocols to protect athletes who sustain a head injury, but the decision on return-to-play should be made solely by healthcare professionals.
Montefiore and Einstein researchers present data at the 2014 Alzheimer's Association International Conference, focusing on triggers for mild cognitive impairment and dementia. The research aims to identify potential strategies to preserve cognitive function and delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease onset.
The American Academy of Neurology has released a new position paper emphasizing the importance of educating and protecting athletes from concussion. The statement calls for doctors to safeguard athletes' mental and physical health and recommends wider use of baseline cognitive testing and mandatory concussion reporting.
Researchers will analyze whole exome and whole genome sequence data from 6,000 volunteers with Alzheimer disease and 5,000 older individuals without the disease to identify rare genetic variants. The goal is to search for therapeutic targets that might reduce the economic and human burden of this devastating disease.
A study published in Neurology found that brisk walking improved motor function, mood, and tiredness by up to 15%, as well as increased aerobic fitness and gait speed. Participants who walked for 45 minutes, three times a week, over six months showed significant improvements in their symptoms.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests that veterans with a history of traumatic brain injury (TBI) are 60% more likely to develop dementia than those without TBI. The study found that veterans with TBI developed dementia about two years earlier, highlighting the potential long-term consequences of TBI on cognitive health.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that group doctor visits can benefit individuals with muscle diseases, improving their quality of life. Participants who received group visits scored higher on a quality of life test compared to those who had individual appointments.
Research suggests that high blood pressure in middle age is associated with increased risk of brain lesions and tiny brain bleeds, particularly in those without a history of high blood pressure. In contrast, individuals with a history of high blood pressure may experience smaller brain volumes and lower memory scores.
The American Academy of Neurology review found that medical marijuana can help treat spasticity, pain, and overactive bladder in multiple sclerosis patients. However, its effectiveness in other neurologic diseases such as Parkinson's, Huntington's, Tourette syndrome, cervical dystonia, and epilepsy remains uncertain.
A study published in the American Academy of Neurology found that individuals with higher levels of education tend to recover better from traumatic brain injuries. This is attributed to the cognitive reserve theory, which suggests that educated individuals have a greater ability to maintain brain function despite damage.
Two new studies release promising results for migraine prevention, with one study showing a 66% decrease in migraine days and another demonstrating a 63% reduction. The new treatments target calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a protein thought to be involved in migraine, and are considered safe and well-tolerated.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with apathy symptoms have smaller brain volumes than those without apathy. Apathy is a lack of interest or emotion, and the findings suggest it may be an indicator of accelerated brain aging.
A study published in Neurology found that older adults with rapid memory and thinking skills decline may be less likely to die from cancer. The research followed over 2,600 participants aged 65 and above for nearly 13 years and found a significant difference in cancer mortality rates between those with fast versus slow cognitive decline.
Researchers at Montefiore Headache Center and Albert Einstein College of Medicine found that relaxation following heightened stress triggers more migraine attacks. The study suggests that stress management and healthy lifestyle habits are crucial for people with migraines.
The guideline states that certain forms of medical marijuana in pill or oral spray form may help reduce patients' reported spasticity symptoms, pain due to spasticity, and frequent urination. However, long-term safety of medical marijuana use is not known, and potential side effects include seizures, dizziness, and psychological problems.
A clinical study led by Heidelberg University Hospital's Neurology and Neurosurgery found that hemicraniectomy significantly improves survival rates in elderly patients after a major stroke. The procedure reduces mortality from 70% to 33% but also results in nearly 30% of patients being very severely disabled.
A study published in Neurology found that developing diabetes and high blood pressure in middle age is associated with brain cell loss and cognitive problems later in life. Middle-aged individuals with these conditions had smaller brain volume and increased risk of thinking and memory issues compared to those without the conditions.
A study published in Neurology found that patients with restless legs syndrome had a higher mortality rate than similar men, and were more likely to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and hypertension. RLS screening may become more common as a tool for primary care providers to identify patients at risk of serious disease.
The updated guideline recommends oral anticoagulants for people with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation to prevent stroke. The new drugs are at least as effective as established treatment and have a lower risk of bleeding, making them suitable for many previously undertreated patients.
A new study by the American Academy of Neurology found that football helmets on average reduce the risk of traumatic brain injury by only 20 percent compared to not wearing a helmet. The study also showed that some helmet brands, such as the Adams a2000, provide better protection against concussion and closed head injury than others.
Researchers found that pesticides inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase enzyme increase Parkinson's disease risk, especially in people with ALDH2 gene variant. Exposure to multiple pesticides at work and home also increases risk.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests that fish oil consumption may help preserve brain cells by increasing total brain volume and hippocampus area size. The study found that higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids were associated with larger brain volumes, equivalent to a delay of one to two years of brain health.
A recent study published in Neurology found that heavy drinking in middle age is associated with faster decline in all areas of cognitive function in men. Moderate drinking, on the other hand, may not harm memory and executive function.
Research published in Neurology suggests that having shingles may increase the risk of having a stroke years later, especially in young adults. People aged 18-40 who had shingles were found to be at a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, or transient ischemic attack compared to those who did not have shingles.
The REiNS Collaboration has established a framework for standardized outcome measures in neurofibromatosis clinical trials. The new guidelines address patient-reported outcomes, functional outcomes affecting vision, hearing and facial function, imaging tumor response, and disease biomarkers.
A study published in Neurology suggests that a vaccine used to prevent tuberculosis may help prevent multiple sclerosis in people showing early signs of the disease. After six months, vaccinated individuals had fewer brain lesions than those who received a placebo, with 58% not developing MS compared to 30%.
A randomized controlled trial found that a modified Story Memory Technique (mSMT) improved learning and memory in people with MS, leading to better daily functioning and increased satisfaction. The effects persisted for six months, providing first Class 1 evidence for cognitive rehabilitation in MS.
Two healthy young siblings experienced acute ischemic strokes soon after smoking synthetic marijuana, highlighting the risks of this illicit drug. The study urges physicians to be aware of the potentially toxic effects of recreational synthetic drugs and to ask about pot and spice use in patients.
Stroke patients treated at hospitals with neurology residency programs are significantly more likely to receive life-saving clot-busting drugs than those seen at other teaching or non-teaching hospitals. The findings suggest that having a neurologist on hand 24/7 increases the chances of better outcomes and improves treatment adherence.
A study published in Neurology found that elderly individuals with hardening of the arteries are more likely to have beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease. The study also showed that increased arterial stiffness was associated with a higher risk of developing dementia.
A new study published in Neurology found that stroke treatments and prevention are not effective enough to improve quality of life for people who experience a stroke. The study suggests that strokes take nearly three out of five quality years off a person's life, depending on the severity of the stroke.
A study published in Neurology found that people with depression are three times more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those without depression. Researchers analyzed 4,634 individuals with depression and 18,544 without depression over a 10-year period.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may not have a protective effect on cognitive decline in older women. Despite initial hopes, the research did not find a difference between high and low levels of omega-3s in thinking skills.
Researchers found that vitamin B supplements lowered stroke risk in all studies, with some benefit even when taking folic acid. However, the severity of strokes and risk of death from stroke were not affected by supplement use.
Research suggests that vigorous exercise as a young adult can lower the risk of developing epilepsy later in life. Men with high cardiovascular fitness were 36% and 79% less likely to develop epilepsy than those with medium and low fitness levels, respectively.
A recent report by the American Academy of Neurology highlights a significant increase in strokes among adolescents and young adults, with approximately 532,000 cases occurring between ages 18-44 in the US. The study emphasizes the need for greater awareness and research into reducing the economic burden of strokes on this age group.
A study published in Neurology found that people with lower incomes are more likely to develop migraines, but the remission rate is the same regardless of income. Migraine sufferers in low-income groups experience more severe pain and disability.
Researchers found that CTE primarily affects behavior and mood, while memory and thinking abilities are also impacted. The study suggests that athletes with CTE experience symptoms at a younger age, with mood/behavior problems appearing at an average age of 35.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that high-altitude flying increases the risk of brain lesions. The research found that pilots had nearly four times the volume and three times the number of brain lesions as non-pilots, with lesions evenly distributed throughout the brain.
Researchers developed a new test to identify early-onset dementia in individuals aged 40-65 using face recognition tests, distinguishing between name and facial recognition. The study found significant differences in brain tissue loss between those with and without dementia, providing valuable insights into cognitive impairment.
A study of 60 older adults found that consuming two cups of hot cocoa per day for 30 days improved blood flow to the brain and enhanced working memory skills. The participants who started with impaired blood flow showed significant improvements in these areas, while those with regular blood flow showed no change.
Researchers found that cilostazol decreases hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and heme oxygenase-1 expression levels, protecting against cognitive impairment induced by chronic cerebral ischemic injury. Cilostazol treatment also exhibits an anti-apoptotic mechanism in the context of chronic cerebral ischemia.
The American Neurological Association has launched a new open access journal, Annals of Clinical and Translational Neurology, to publish original research and scholarly reviews on nervous system diseases. The journal is supported by Annals of Neurology, the most prestigious peer-reviewed clinical neurology journal worldwide.