A study published in Neurology found that children with normal IQs before a first seizure may experience language, memory, learning and other cognitive skills problems. Children who took epilepsy drugs had difficulties in processing speed, verbal memory, and learning.
A study of 679 people aged 65 and older found that white matter hyperintensities were strongly linked to memory loss, while infarcts predicted non-memory cognitive problems. The results suggest that brain damage visible on scans may be a predictor of memory decline in old age.
A study published in Neurology found that engaging in brain-exercising activities such as reading and playing card games can delay the onset of rapid memory loss in people with dementia. Participants who engaged in more activities experienced a slower decline in cognitive function.
A study published in Neurology found that nearly 30% of people with benign MS significantly worsened over five years. Cognitive tests and brain scans revealed that men with more brain lesions were nearly three times more likely to experience MS signs compared to women.
A study published in Neurology found that people over 60 with high blood pressure are more likely to experience silent strokes. High blood pressure increases the risk by 60%, while white matter hyperintensities nearly double the likelihood of silent strokes.
Research published in Neurology suggests that intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatments may reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease by targeting beta-amyloid plaques. The study analyzed data from over 847,000 patients and found a 42% lower risk of developing Alzheimer's among those who received IVIg.
Most children with chronic daily headache can expect to improve their symptoms as they enter young adulthood. By age 8, 75% of affected children were no longer experiencing symptoms, and by 12 years old, 60% had outgrown the condition entirely.
A study found that elderly individuals with growing white matter changes were more likely to develop persistent cognitive impairment and dementia. Researchers followed 49 participants for an average of 9.5 years, tracking brain scans and thinking skills tests.
Researchers found that women with higher language scores had a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, despite having hallmark signs of the disease. The study suggested that mental abilities at age 20 may be indicative of a brain better able to cope with diseases later in life.
A recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that individuals with depression and mild cognitive impairment are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. The study also showed that taking donepezil may delay progression to Alzheimer's for those with memory problems.
A study of 2,500 elderly individuals found that those with moderate exercise habits, high education levels, and social engagement were more likely to retain their cognitive skills. These factors, which can be changed through lifestyle modifications, may help prevent or slow the onset of dementia.
Research found that 35 out of 1247 people experienced recurrent strokes within 24 hours after their initial TIA, highlighting the need for rapid medical attention
People taking cholesterol-lowering statins after a stroke are less likely to have another stroke and die within 10 years. Statin use reduces recurrent stroke risk by 35% and mortality risk by 57%. Anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of statins may contribute to this benefit.
Women experience cognitive decline during the menopause transition, with verbal memory and processing speed affected. However, these declines are temporary and resolve once women enter postmenopause, suggesting that estrogen or progesterone may have a beneficial impact on brain function before menopause.
A new study found that older people with lower BMI scores are 79% more likely to develop dementia than those with higher BMI scores. Those who lost weight rapidly over eight years were nearly three times more likely to develop dementia, especially if they started out overweight or obese.
A new risk index has been developed to predict the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease in people aged 65 and older. The 15-point scale identifies individuals at high risk, who are more likely to develop dementia within six years, and highlights surprising factors such as being underweight or having had coronary bypass surgery.
Research published in Neurology shows that Alzheimer's patients who develop delirium experience rapid cognitive decline, with a rate three times faster than those without. The study suggests that preventing delirium may improve or delay memory problems.
A new study suggests that adding a steroid drug to multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment can significantly reduce disease activity. Researchers found that participants who received both the steroid and interferon beta-1a had 38% fewer relapses than those receiving only the interferon drug.
A retrospective study of 2,854 Italian patients with MS found leukemia occurred in .74% of those treated with mitoxantrone, significantly higher than previously reported rates. The study highlights the need for careful hematological follow-up to check for acute leukemia.
A new treatment has been discovered for restless legs syndrome (RLS) that improves sleep. Pregabalin, a commonly used epilepsy and anxiety medication, was found to be effective in reducing RLS symptoms by nearly two-thirds of participants. The study showed significant improvements in deep sleep stages compared to those taking a placebo.
Researchers found that optimal levels of LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and blood pressure significantly reduce the risk of another stroke. People who reached optimal levels in all four risk factors were 65% less likely to have another stroke.
New American Academy of Neurology and American Epilepsy Society guidelines suggest pregnant women with epilepsy consider avoiding valproate, a drug linked to increased fetal malformations and decreased thinking skills. The guidelines recommend regular blood testing to adjust medication doses.
Researchers found that heavy NSAID use increased the risk of dementia by 66% among study participants. Despite initial findings suggesting a potential preventive effect, this new study indicates that NSAIDs only delay the onset of Alzheimer's disease. The study analyzed data from over 2,700 individuals and followed them for 12 years.
A new study published in Neurology has found that prenatal methamphetamine use is associated with abnormal brain development in children. The research used MRI scans to compare the brains of 29 children exposed to meth in utero with 37 unexposed children, revealing differences in white matter structure and maturation.
Research found that children with sickle cell disease are less likely to receive transcranial Doppler ultrasound screenings due to limited lab access, despite increased overall screening rates.
A new study found that men and women with a BMI score over 30 were nearly one-and-a-half times more likely to have RLS than those who were not obese. Additionally, people with the top 20% of waist circumference were more than one-and-a-half times more likely to have RLS than those in the bottom 20%
A new study of 20,000 MS patients and 204,000 controls found a 10% lower overall cancer risk for people with MS compared to those without the disease. However, this came at the cost of higher risks for brain tumors and urinary organ cancers, increasing by up to 44%
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with osteoporosis are three times more likely to experience vertigo than those without. Researchers discovered a strong link between low bone density and an increased risk of inner ear disorders, which can cause dizziness.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that brain cell loss in the hippocampus area precedes Alzheimer's disease. People with smaller hippocampal volumes and higher rates of shrinkage were two to four times more likely to develop dementia.
A new study published in Neurology found that higher temperatures and lower barometric air pressure may increase the risk of headaches. Air pollution levels had no effect on headache risk in the study. The study examined 7,054 people diagnosed with headache in a Boston emergency department over seven years.
A new study found that women with a longer fertile lifespan and more years of exposure to their own sex hormones may be protected from Parkinson's disease. Women with four or more pregnancies were at greater risk of developing the disease compared to those with fewer pregnancies.
Researchers found that 16 of 24 affected workers improved with treatment, including 12 with marked improvement, while six who were not exposed to pig brain mist also showed improvements. The disease is identified as a sensory predominant polyradiculoneuropathy with an autoimmune basis.
A new study suggests that genetic risk factors for brain aneurysms do not accumulate earlier in the second generation, contrary to previous research. The study found that aneurysm ruptures occur slightly later in life in the second generation.
A recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that nearly 98% of soldiers who experienced a concussion or head injury while deployed in Iraq had headaches during their last deployment. The headaches often started within one week of the traumatic brain injury, with 60% experiencing migraine-like headaches.
A study by American Academy of Neurology reveals that young smokers are 2.7 times more likely to develop multiple sclerosis than non-smokers. Early smoking is identified as a key environmental factor that can be avoided to reduce the risk of the disease.
A study of pregnant women with MS found that those who breastfed exclusively had lower relapse rates than those who did not or stopped early. Women who delayed starting MS treatments to breastfeed also experienced faster return of menstrual periods.
A recent study found that individuals with parents diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease or dementia may experience low verbal and visual memory performances in middle age. The study suggests that the ApoEe4 gene plays a role in the transmission of Alzheimer's risk between generations.
A study of 197 people with mild cognitive impairment found that engaging in mental activities like reading, crafting, and playing games reduced the risk of memory loss by 30-50% compared to those who didn't participate. Participants who watched TV for less than 7 hours a day were also 50% less likely to develop memory loss.
A study of nearly 157,000 people found that those with a family history of melanoma were nearly twice as likely to develop Parkinson's disease. Researchers suggest that the two diseases may share common genetic components.
A new study has found a potential link between a gene variant and the risk of stroke and heart attacks in women who experience migraines. Women who carried certain genotypes were found to be at double the risk of stroke and heart attacks, while those with other genotypes were not. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Researchers found no increased risk of Guillain-Barré syndrome after HPV vaccination, but cases still warrant careful monitoring. The study analyzed data from the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System and reported 36 cases within six weeks of vaccination.
A study of 22,211 people found that abdominal obesity increased the risk of migraine headaches in those aged 20-55, especially in women. Losing weight around the stomach area may be beneficial for reducing migraine risk in this age group.
A study by American Academy of Neurology found that drivers with Alzheimer's disease commit 27% more safety errors than those without the condition. The research used off-road tests to measure thinking, movement, and visual skills, predicting driving safety.
A new study published in Neurology, a journal of the American Academy of Neurology, found that higher education levels do not slow down the rate of memory loss. Despite initial improvements in memory and thinking skills with more education, these advantages did not translate to slower decline over time.
A gene variant has been linked to an increased risk of developing brain tumors at a younger age, with 20.6% of young people with glioblastoma multiforme having the Pro/Pro variant of the TP53 gene compared to 5.9% of healthy participants.
A study of 506 older adults found that those who were socially active, outgoing, and calm had a 50% lower risk of developing dementia compared to those who were isolated and prone to distress. Lifestyle factors can be modified to reduce dementia risk, offering hopeful news for those nearing retirement age.
New studies have found a link between hormone therapy and brain shrinkage in postmenopausal women, with smaller brain volumes in areas involved in thinking and memory skills. However, hormone therapy was not linked to an increase in small vascular lesions or 'silent strokes' that are often the first sign of cerebrovascular disease.
A new study reveals that smokers with a family history of brain aneurysm are significantly more likely to suffer a stroke. The research found that current smokers were six times more likely to experience a stroke, and quitting smoking could reduce this risk by over half.
A study published in Neurology found that people with REM sleep behavior disorder have an increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases like dementia and Parkinson's. The five-year risk was estimated to be 18%, while the 10-year and 12-year risks were 41% and 52%, respectively.
A recent study found that older antidepressants targeting both serotonin and norepinephrine are more effective in treating depression in people with Parkinson's disease. This is a significant finding, as depression affects up to 50% of individuals with the condition.