Research suggests that people with HIV are up to three times more likely to experience a stroke than those without the condition. The study found a 67% increase in stroke hospitalizations among people with HIV, despite a decline in overall stroke rates.
The American Academy of Neurology recommends using plasma exchange to treat people with severe relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS) and related diseases, as well as those with certain kinds of nerve disorders known as neuropathies. Plasma exchange has been found effective for treating severe flares in relapsing forms of MS.
A study of over 2,100 individuals with multiple sclerosis found that women were 1.4 times more likely to carry the HLA gene variant associated with MS than men. The researchers also discovered that women with this gene variant were more likely to pass it on to other women in their families.
A study found that at least one in 26 people will develop epilepsy in their lifetime, with higher risks for the elderly. This highlights the need for more research using epilepsy surveillance data to inform healthcare planning and improve patient care.
A study found that people in 'stroke belt' states, particularly African-Americans, eat more fried fish than others, contributing to a higher risk of death from stroke. The American Academy of Neurology attributes this to the loss of natural fatty acids when frying fish.
A new study suggests that requiring a second brain death exam may be unnecessary and can lead to prolonged family suffering while waiting for the exam. The study found that no one declared brain dead in the first exam was found to have restored brain stem function in the second exam.
A study published in Neurology found that nearly 40% of brain tumor patients use alternative therapies, including homeopathic remedies and vitamin supplements. Younger people, women, and those with more education were more likely to use these treatments, which they often sought to add benefits to conventional care.
Research published by the American Academy of Neurology found that women who experience RLS during pregnancy are four times more likely to develop the condition again and three times more likely to have a chronic form. Symptoms may reappear later on in life or in future pregnancies.
The American Academy of Neurology has developed a new quality measures tool to help doctors gauge how well they are caring for people with Parkinson's disease, focusing on non-motor symptoms such as depression and falls. The measures aim to improve the quality of care for individuals with neurologic disorders like Parkinson's disease.
A study found that breastfeeding does not harm a child's IQ when taking seizure medication, according to the American Academy of Neurology. The research followed 194 pregnant women and their 199 babies, with no significant difference in IQ scores between breastfed and non-breastfed children.
A new study published in Neurology suggests that children with autism are likely to continue experiencing handwriting problems into their teenage years. The research found that teenagers with autism scored significantly lower than those without autism on a handwriting assessment test.
A new study suggests that mid-life cholesterol levels may not be linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease, but large decreases in cholesterol in old age could be a better predictor. After 32 years, women with the greatest decline in cholesterol were more than twice as likely to develop dementia.
Researchers analyzed 20,657 patients with acute stroke from 11 stroke centers in Ontario and found that people admitted on weekends had an 8.1% risk of dying, compared to a 7.0% risk for those admitted on weekdays. The study controlled for factors like age, gender, and stroke severity.
The American Academy of Neurology calls for athletes suspected of having a concussion to be removed from play until evaluation by a trained physician. This recommendation aims to prevent catastrophic results and promote high-quality, safe care for athletes in contact sports.
A study found that individuals with a specific gene variant respond differently to sleep deprivation, experiencing more fatigue and fragmented sleep. The findings have implications for understanding individual responses to sleep loss and may help inform strategies for mitigating its effects.
A seven-year study found that higher levels of vitamin B12 reduced the risk of Alzheimer's disease by two percent, while low homocysteine levels were associated with a 16% increased risk. The study suggests that vitamin B12 may be used as a supplement to help protect memory.
A study published in Neurology found that walking at least 72 blocks per week can increase gray matter volume and reduce cognitive impairment. Regular exercise in midlife may improve brain health and thinking abilities in later life.
A recent study found that women with epilepsy are more likely to experience infertility compared to the general population, particularly those taking multiple epilepsy drugs. The study also revealed that older women and those with less than 10 years of education were more likely to experience infertility.
Researchers found that people with Parkinson's disease who developed symptoms earlier in life had a shorter survival time, averaging 16 years from symptom onset. Those with psychotic symptoms or dementia were also at higher risk of early death.
A recent study published in Neurology found that intravenous treatment with dexamethasone can significantly reduce the mortality rate of patients with bacterial meningitis. The study revealed a 10% lower death rate among those treated with dexamethasone, highlighting its potential as an effective therapeutic option.
A study found that mindfulness meditation training reduced fatigue and depression in people with mild to moderate multiple sclerosis, improving overall quality of life. The positive effects continued for at least six months.
A new study found that intravenous aspirin was associated with a 25% reduction in pain scores and moderate effectiveness in treating severe headaches. The treatment had six percent side effects, mostly nausea and vomiting.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that brain lesions associated with dementia contribute to mild memory loss in older adults. The study of 350 Catholic nuns and priests revealed a gradual decline in memory until the last four to five years of life.
A new study published in Neurology shows that white men and boys are living longer with muscular dystrophy than their African-American counterparts. The research analyzed death records from 1986-2005 and found a significant racial disparity in life expectancy for those with the disease.
A new study published in Neurology shows that mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is 1.5 times higher in men compared to women. MCI often leads to Alzheimer's disease and the study found nearly 14% of participants had MCI, with men being more likely to experience it.
Researchers discovered that mentally stimulating activities like crossword puzzles and reading may slow initial cognitive decline but accelerate dementia progression in older age. People with more active lifestyles tend to experience faster declines once diagnosed with dementia.
A study found that multiple sclerosis lesions appeared two to three times higher in spring and summer months compared to other seasons. Warmer temperatures and solar radiation were linked to increased disease activity.
Research found that people with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of developing brain plaques associated with Alzheimer's disease. The study also discovered a link between abnormal blood sugar control tests and the presence of these plaques.
A recent study has found that teenagers who are overweight, smoke, or get little exercise are more likely to experience frequent headaches. The research suggests that lifestyle factors such as regular physical activity, healthy food choices, and quitting smoking may be key to preventing headaches in teens.
A new study published in Neurology found that lithium is not effective in treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) due to a high dropout rate and serious side effects. The research involved 171 people with ALS, but showed no difference between those receiving therapeutic or subtherapeutic doses of lithium.
A new study found that a gene variant may increase the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS) symptoms, with those having the AA genotype experiencing earlier relapses and increased disease activity. The GG genotype was associated with less disease activity and fewer relapses.
A recent study found that REM sleep behavior disorder can be an early warning sign of dementia or Parkinson's disease, with some patients experiencing symptoms for up to 50 years before diagnosis. The research suggests that the brain may be actively affected by these disorders for an extended period.
A new study found that newer epilepsy drugs with a higher risk of depression, such as levetiracetam and topiramate, were associated with an increased risk of self-harm or suicidal behavior among people with epilepsy. In contrast, older drugs did not show this increased risk.
Researchers found that 44% of veterans with a traumatic brain injury developed post-traumatic epilepsy, and in some cases, seizures didn't appear until over 14 years after the injury. The study strongly suggests that veterans with brain injuries will require long-term neurology care.
A new guideline recommends using diffusion MRI scans instead of CT scans for diagnosing acute ischemic stroke within 12 hours. MRI scans are found to be more accurate in detecting stroke damage and identifying severity, leading to faster diagnosis and treatment.
A recent study published in Neurology found that individuals with larger heads who have Alzheimer's disease tend to exhibit better memory and cognitive skills. The research suggests that brain reserve, or the individual capacity to withstand changes in the brain, plays a crucial role in protecting against Alzheimer's symptoms.
A new study published in Neurology shows that having depression may increase the risk of developing dementia later in life by nearly 70%. The study examined data from over 900 people with an average age of 79 and found that those with depressive symptoms were more likely to develop dementia, particularly Alzheimer's disease.
A new study has identified two tests - episodic memory test and PET brain scan - that can accurately predict the development of Alzheimer's disease. These tests are nearly 12 times more effective than others in predicting disease progression.
A study published in Neurology found that a combination of tests can predict falls in people with Parkinson's disease. The tests evaluated overall symptoms, balance, and mobility, showing a sensitivity of 78% and specificity of 84%. Implementing these tests can help identify those at risk of falling and prevent injuries.
A new study published in Neurology found that mentally active lifestyles may reduce the negative effects of brain damage on learning and memory in people with multiple sclerosis. Participants with enriching lifestyles showed better scores on tests of learning and memory despite higher amounts of brain damage.
A study published in Neurology found that brain injuries disrupt sleep regulation, resulting in lower melatonin levels and decreased sleep efficiency. The study suggests that taking supplemental melatonin may improve sleep in people with brain injuries.
A new study found that altered brain blood flow due to high blood pressure may lead to an increased risk of falls in elderly people. The research, published in Neurology, suggests that daily exercise and treatments for high blood pressure could be a new strategy for preventing falls.
A new study published in Neurology shows that people with a common heart defect called bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) are more likely to develop brain aneurysms. The research found that 9.8% of individuals with BAV had brain aneurysms, compared to 1.1% of those without the condition.
A new tool helps neurologists identify comatose patients who are potential organ donors by analyzing four key factors: corneal reflex, cough reflex, motor response, and oxygenation index. This prediction can be made before a patient is taken off breathing support, benefiting both organ donation rates and medical resource allocation.
A recent study found that a gene variant associated with the COMT gene may help protect against decline in cognitive function among older adults. The Val variant showed a protective effect on thinking skills, outperforming those without the variant by up to 45%.
Researchers have identified a gene, MTHFD1L, that increases the risk of developing late-onset Alzheimer's disease. The study found individuals with a specific variation in this gene are nearly twice as likely to develop Alzheimer's as those without it.
Researchers analyzed vaccination data and found only 35 reports of GBS following 2009 H1N1 vaccination, a rate of 3.5 per 10 million people vaccinated. In contrast, the seasonal flu vaccination in 2009 reported 57 cases, an estimated rate of 7.3 per 10 million vaccinations.
A new investigational treatment, DMQ, has been shown to effectively control pseudobulbar affect (PBA) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The study found a significant improvement in test scores after 12 weeks of treatment.
New research found that smoking can negate the protective effect of moderate drinking on stroke risk in a UK study of 22,524 people. Moderate drinking was defined as up to 21 units of alcohol per week.
A study found that people with no health insurance are twice as likely to receive inadequate treatment for migraines compared to those with private insurance. Migraine patients on Medicaid are 1.5 times more likely to receive substandard care.