Women who breastfed for 15 months or more have a reduced risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) compared to those with no breastfeeding. The study, published in Neurology, found that this association held true even when considering factors like age and ovulation.
A new study reveals that high school principals have a significant impact on creating academic policies for students recovering from concussion. While many protocols exist for returning to sports, principals can help ease students back into their normal routine with accommodations such as frequent breaks and quiet testing environments.
Research reveals a key physical difference in the brains of military-trained individuals with PTSD, specifically a larger right amygdala volume. This finding has potential implications for diagnosis and treatment of PTSD.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests that people with normal thinking and memory skills but poor sleep quality may be at higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. Researchers found a link between sleep disturbances and biological markers for Alzheimer's disease in spinal fluid, including amyloid plaques and tau tangles.
A Swedish study published in Neurology found that teenage weight gain is associated with a higher risk of stroke in adulthood. The study followed 37,669 men and found that those who experienced a significant increase in BMI from childhood to age 20 were more likely to develop high blood pressure and stroke.
A study published in Neurology found that approximately 17% of ALS cases are caused by gene mutations, with rare and likely harmful variants being more common in those with the disease. The research highlights the importance of genetic factors in ALS development and suggests a larger percentage of sporadic cases may be linked to genetics.
A study found that telemedicine treatment was not inferior to traditional office visits for non-acute headaches. The researchers also assessed the safety of using telemedicine and found only one missed diagnosis in each group, estimating a 20,200 consultations-to-diagnosis ratio.
A large study published in Neurology found that consuming at least three servings of low-fat dairy per day is associated with a greater risk of developing Parkinson's disease compared to less than one serving. The study also found an increased risk for those drinking more than one serving of low-fat or skim milk per day.
A study found that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) have impaired ability to understand others' feelings and intentions, linked to subtle brain changes, particularly in the white matter of the brain. The results suggest a disconnect in the social brain network, affecting quality of life and daily interactions.
A study published in Neurology found that hospitals transitioned people with strokes to early comfort care at varying rates, ranging from 0.6% to 37.6%. Factors such as age, sex, and stroke type influenced these decisions. The study highlights the need for better understanding of how these transitions are made.
A study found significant racial disparities in neurologic healthcare access and utilization in the US. Black and Hispanic individuals had lower rates of outpatient neurologist visits and more hospital emergency department visits compared to white individuals.
A new guideline developed by the American Academy of Neurology recommends that families ask if their loved one qualifies for body cooling to reduce brain injury. The guideline found strong evidence that therapeutic hypothermia is effective in improving brain function.
Researchers have found a link between elevated beta-2 microglobulin levels and an increased risk of ischemic stroke in women. The study, conducted on over 900 participants, suggests that this protein may serve as a marker for inflammation and could potentially help identify people at higher risk of stroke.
A gene mutation called the Met allele may accelerate memory and thinking skills decline in people at risk for Alzheimer's disease, according to a study published in Neurology. Researchers found that individuals with the mutation lost cognitive skills more rapidly than those without it.
A recent study found that people who had a truncal vagotomy at least five years earlier were 40% less likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those who did not have the surgery. The study suggests that the gut may play a role in the development of Parkinson's disease, which often involves gastrointestinal problems.
The American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society have developed a new guideline to address Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), which is rare but can occur in people with epilepsy. The guideline suggests that controlling seizures, especially tonic-clonic seizures, may reduce SUDEP risk.
A preliminary study suggests that removing Epstein-Barr virus-infected B cells and boosting the immune system may improve symptoms of multiple sclerosis. Three participants showed significant improvements, including one person with secondary progressive MS who was able to walk without assistance for the first time in 20 years.
A new study found that the old drug apomorphine can significantly reduce 'off' times in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease, improving their quality of life. The treatment was effective even after just one week and was well-tolerated.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that individuals with severe brain injuries whose body temperature patterns closely align with a healthy 24-hour rhythm score better on tests of recovery from coma and arousal. Researchers tested bright light stimulation on participants, revealing positive effects in two cases.
A new study found that cannabidiol may reduce seizures by half in people with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, a severe form of epilepsy. The treatment showed great promise in reducing drop seizures and improving overall condition, but also had side effects such as decreased appetite and sleepiness.
A meta-analysis of 288,981 participants found that obesity and being underweight are associated with a higher risk of migraine. Obese individuals were 27% more likely to have migraine than those of normal weight, while underweight individuals were 13% more likely.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that regular exercise, not body mass index, predicts a person's level of disability after a stroke. Exercise was defined as vigorous physical activity three times a week or more, and participants who exercised regularly were more likely to be independent before and after stroke.
A recent study published in Neurology found that people with hepatitis B are 76% more likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those without the virus. Those with hepatitis C have a 51% increased risk. The research linked both viruses to an increased risk of Parkinson's disease, contradicting previous findings on hepatitis B.
A systematic review found moderate evidence that duloxetine and venlaxine were effective in reducing neuropathy-related pain, while pregabalin and oxcarbazepine showed weak evidence. However, gabapentin was not more effective than placebo.
Researchers Claudia Kawas and Kristine Yaffe received the 2017 Potamkin Prize for their work on Alzheimer's disease epidemiology in the oldest-old population. Their studies highlight the critical role of modifiable risk factors in dementia prevention.
A new biomarker may help predict which children will take longer to recover from traumatic brain injury (TBI). Half of the children with moderate to severe TBI had slow transfer times, indicating progressive decline in white matter.
A new study found that telemedicine-equipped ambulances can deliver faster stroke care, with average treatment times reduced by 33 minutes for CT scans and 40 minutes for clot-busting drugs. This technology enables neurologists to evaluate and treat patients on the way to the hospital.
A preliminary study found that individuals with relapsing-remitting MS who experience fatigue and limited leg function are at higher risk of progressing to secondary progressive MS. The study suggests that tailored treatments may be more effective for these patients, providing valuable insights into predicting MS progression.
A new wireless patch has shown significant results in reducing migraine pain, with 64% of participants experiencing a 50% or greater reduction in pain after using the device. The study found that starting stimulation within 20 minutes of a migraine's onset was more effective in reducing pain.
A new study found that women athletes are 50% more likely to suffer a sports-related concussion than their male counterparts. The research, which analyzed data from 1,203 college athletes over a four-year period, also revealed that women take longer to recover from the injury, with an average return-to-play time of 10 days.
A preliminary meta-analysis of studies on adults and children with primary generalized tonic-clonic seizures found positive results in both groups, suggesting a similar effectiveness of medicines.
A study found that living with children affects women's sleep patterns, but not men's. Women with kids report feeling tired for more days than those without children.
A preliminary study found that people with epilepsy are unaware of the rare but fatal complication known as Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), which affects 1 in 1,000 adults. The study suggests that providing information about SUDEP can motivate patients to take better care of themselves and adhere to their medication.
A new study using an Apple Watch app found that seizures in people with epilepsy are often triggered by stress and missed sleep. The app, called EpiWatch, recorded participants' heart rate and movements for 10 minutes after a seizure to help researchers better understand the condition.
A new study suggests that consuming fish and seafood with higher levels of mercury may increase the risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study found that individuals who ate fish and seafood regularly were at double the risk for ALS compared to those with lower mercury intake.
A study found that former NFL players had motor functions within normal range and no significant relationship between head impacts and movement disorders. While they didn't have severe problems with motor skills, those with worse scores on thinking tests were more likely to experience issues.
A recent study published in Neurology found no association between hormone therapy and the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. However, women who used hormone therapy for over 10 years showed a reduced risk of Alzheimer's disease compared to non-users.
A new study suggests a simple blood test can differentiate between Parkinson's disease and atypical parkinsonism disorders as accurately as a spinal fluid test. Researchers found that concentrations of neurofilament light chain protein in the blood can discriminate between these diseases.
A new study published in Neurology found that soccer players with more headers are more likely to have concussion symptoms. Players who experienced two or more unintentional head impacts in a two-week period were six times more likely to have symptoms than those with no such impacts.
Researchers mapped premature infant brains using MRI scans to predict future disabilities. A greater volume of white matter injury was linked to movement and thinking problems at 18 months.
The American Academy of Neurology published a guideline suggesting the use of brain imaging to locate language and memory functions before epilepsy surgery. The guideline found weak evidence for the effectiveness of functional MRI (fMRI) in evaluating language abilities, but moderate evidence for its potential in predicting verbal memo...
A recent study published in Neurology found that adhering to a Mediterranean diet can help maintain brain volume in older adults. The study, which followed 967 Scottish people aged 70 for three years, revealed that those who followed the diet more closely retained more brain volume than those who did not.
A study published in Neurology found that welders who work with manganese fumes are more likely to develop Parkinson's-like symptoms. The researchers analyzed data from 886 workers and found that cumulative exposure to manganese was associated with a yearly increase in movement problems.
A new study shows that recovering from traumatic brain injury (TBI) and improving sleep quality occur in parallel. As patients regained consciousness, their sleep-wake cycles also improved.
A meta-analysis published in Neurology found that people with protein in their urine are 35% more likely to develop cognitive impairment or dementia. Chronic kidney disease shares many risk factors with dementia, including high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
A study published in Neurology found that higher levels of brain activity in the prefrontal cortex were associated with a higher risk of falls in healthy older adults. The association remained even after accounting for other factors, such as slow walking speed and frailty.
A recent study found that newborns with low vitamin D levels were more likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS) later in life. The study analyzed data from over 500 Danish children born between 1981 and 2012, comparing their vitamin D levels to those of similar children without MS.
A study published in Neurology shows a link between mothers with rheumatoid arthritis and children with epilepsy. Children born to mothers with rheumatoid arthritis were up to 90% more likely to develop epilepsy than those without RA. The study suggests changes in the environment for the fetus may play a role in developing epilepsy.
A new study by Mark J. Bolland and his team analyzed 33 randomized controlled trials, finding reported results that differed markedly from what could be expected statistically. The trials reported large reductions in hip fractures, but the findings are not consistent with results found in similar studies by other researchers.
A new study published in Neurology found that people with thinking and memory problems who lack shrinkage in the hippocampus area of the brain are more likely to develop dementia with Lewy bodies. This finding could help doctors identify patients at risk for the disease and provide early treatment.