Two studies suggest that rituximab, a therapeutic antibody targeting B-cells, reduces brain lesions and relapses in multiple sclerosis patients. The treatment was generally safe and well-tolerated.
Research suggests that elderly people exposed to secondhand smoke are at a higher risk of developing dementia. The study found that those with high lifetime exposure were approximately 30% more likely to develop dementia than those with no exposure. High exposure was defined as more than 30 years of exposure to secondhand smoke.
A study of 34 children with autism compared to 34 without autism found no connection between the two conditions. Researchers looked for specific antibodies associated with celiac disease, but none were found in autistic children.
Women with migraines during pregnancy are at higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart disease. Migraines have been linked to preeclampsia and a connection to the mother's age also exists.
A study of Gulf War veterans with multiple health symptom complaints found significant differences in brain structures compared to those without high numbers of symptoms. The researchers discovered smaller brain volumes in areas involved in thinking and memory, which correlated with poorer performance on learning and memory tests.
A study by the American Academy of Neurology found that teens with migraine headaches are at a higher risk of suicide and more likely to experience other psychiatric disorders such as depression and panic disorder. The research highlights the importance of screening for psychiatric disorders in teens with chronic daily headaches.
Researchers found people taking antidepressant medications were nearly twice as likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those not taking the medication. Depression was identified as an early symptom of Parkinson's, appearing in the year before diagnosis.
Research presented at the American Academy of Neurology's meeting found that more women are developing MS than men, with a nearly 50% increase in the female-to-male ratio over the past few decades. The study suggests that various changes in lifestyle and environmental factors may be contributing to this trend.
Researchers found people taking levodopa were 95% more likely to choose symbols associated with higher monetary gains than those on haloperidol. Dopamine depletion may lead to lack of motivation in Parkinson's disease patients.
A clinical trial involving over 2,100 participants found that commonly used pain medications such as naproxen and celecoxib did not reduce the incidence of Alzheimer's disease. The study suggests that these medications should not be taken primarily to prevent Alzheimer's disease.
Researchers have created a mouse model of infantile spasms, which closely resembles human cases and responds to current treatments. This model could lead to new treatments for thousands of young children suffering from these catastrophic seizures.
Research found telephone-guided treatment with clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) to be safe and effective for rural stroke patients. The study, the largest of its kind, showed improved outcomes compared to a large national study published in 1995.
Research found that sleep strengthens memory by protecting and consolidating information, leading to improved recall rates compared to wakefulness without interference. Sleep also helped individuals handle competing information more effectively.
Research found that individuals with moderate to vigorous exercise levels were 40% less likely to develop Parkinson's disease than those with low activity levels. The study of over 143,000 people suggested a potential benefit of regular physical activity in reducing the risk of this debilitating condition.
A community-based study found that women with a lifetime history of migraine performed worse on cognitive tests initially but showed a 17% less decline in performance over time compared to those without migraines. Lifestyle factors such as diet and behavior may play a role in protecting memory.
Researchers have localized two new genes associated with febrile seizures in infancy and childhood, which could improve the understanding, treatment, and prevention of this disorder. The study found that chromosome 3 was shared by all family members who had febrile seizures, while a modifier gene on chromosome 18 may also be involved.
Research finds people with inflammatory bowel disease are at risk for developing nerve damage, including carpal tunnel syndrome and small fiber neuropathy. Women with bowel disease are more likely to develop neurological problems than men.
Researchers found brain structure changes in people who developed dementia or Alzheimer's disease up to four years before memory loss began. Those destined for MCI had lower cognitive test scores at the start of the study, even within normal ranges.
Researchers found that natalizumab significantly reduces vision loss and likelihood of sustained vision loss in patients with relapsing MS. The drug's potential benefits must be weighed against its risks, including progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy.
A study published in Neurology found that blood pressure rates during periodic leg movements rose significantly in people with untreated RLS, increasing cardiovascular risk. The study also showed that age and disease history are key factors contributing to these increased blood pressure changes.
A study published in Neurology found that retigabine, a new epilepsy drug with a unique mechanism of action, is both safe and effective. In the study, participants who received the highest dose of retigabine experienced an average reduction of 35% in seizure frequency compared to those receiving a placebo.
Researchers found that taking the prolonged release version of ropinirole with levodopa significantly reduced daily 'off' time by 2.1 hours compared to the placebo group. Additionally, those taking ropinirole showed improvements in troublesome Parkinson symptoms, quality of life, and motor function.
Researchers found that up to 36% of people with mild traumatic brain injury suffer from circadian rhythm sleep disorder, which can worsen other symptoms. The study highlights the need for improved diagnosis and treatment of sleep disorders in these patients.
A study of 9,178 people in Denmark found that those with two copies of the H63D genetic defect were twice to three times more likely to develop stroke than those without the gene. The study suggests a link between the H63D gene and increased risk of stroke, but the exact mechanism is unclear.
A study published in Neurology found that family caregivers of people with ALS experienced significant increases in depression and feeling burdened over nine months, while those with the disease showed little change. This highlights the need for interventions to enhance communication between patients and caregivers.
A two-year study found that the drug risedronate reduced hip fractures in people with Parkinson disease by three times compared to placebo. Risedronate also increased bone mineral density and decreased biomarkers for bone loss, effectively controlling osteoporosis progression.
A recent study published in Neurology suggests that men are more likely than women to achieve functional independence after receiving clot-busting drug tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) following a stroke. The study found that despite lower survival rates, men had better outcomes at three months post-treatment.
A study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that weight loss surgery can lead to vitamin B1 deficiency, resulting in memory loss, confusion, and other neurological problems. The syndrome, known as Wernicke encephalopathy, affects the brain and nervous system when the body lacks sufficient thiamine.
Epidural steroid injections provide small but temporary pain relief for lower back pain radiating down a leg. Long-term pain relief beyond three months is not guaranteed.
Researchers found that tooth-brushing can induce seizures in individuals with epilepsy, possibly linked to lesions in the somatosensory area of the brain. The study suggests a potential link between rhythmic stimuli and seizure activity.
A study of 1,040 stroke patients found that 27% had cholesterol levels higher than recommended by national guidelines. Despite this, only 7% were at their ideal level for preventing future strokes and heart disease, emphasizing the importance of regular testing and treatment.
A study of 118 pilots aged 40-69 found that experts demonstrated improved performance over time, outperforming younger pilots in traffic avoidance and scanning cockpit instruments. Pilots with advanced FAA ratings showed the least decline in skills, suggesting a 'crystallized intelligence' mechanism.
A study analyzed provider-reported events and errors in stroke patients, finding 12% experienced an adverse event and 86 were preventable. The hospital implemented new procedures to improve patient safety, including check sheets and safer medication delivery.
A large study of over 27,000 women found that those with high cholesterol were more than twice as likely to suffer a stroke compared to healthy women with lower cholesterol levels. The research suggests that avoiding unfavorable cholesterol levels may help prevent stroke.
A new study published by the American Academy of Neurology found that people with 'benign MS' for 10 years are at risk of disease progression after 20 years. After 20 years, nearly half of those with benign MS had progressed to a point where they needed a cane to walk.
A study published in Neurology found that smoking marijuana reduced nerve pain in people with HIV-associated sensory neuropathy by 34%, compared to 17% for those who received a placebo. The study also showed significant relief from chronic pain, with an average reduction of 72%.
A study by Wei-Jian Jiang found that successful stent placement reduces the risk of stroke for individuals with severe artery blockage. The risk was comparable to those with moderate blockage, suggesting that stents may not be beneficial for all patients at high risk.
A clinical trial found that nearly 600 adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy experienced few to no seizures while taking levetiracetam as a single therapy. The study also showed that patients remained seizure-free for at least six months at the lowest dose level.
A review of nearly 500 articles found nearly one in 1,000 people have multiple sclerosis (MS) and 67 out of 1,000 elderly Americans have Alzheimer’s disease. The study also reported a 50% drop in traumatic brain injuries and updated rates for stroke, Parkinson's disease, and childhood disorders like autism and cerebral palsy.
A study of over 2,300 individuals from 1,000 families found that family members with MS tend to have similar ages at disease onset, but not disease severity. The researchers also discovered no correlation between disease progression and severity among siblings or parents and children.
Researchers found that epilepsy patients can reliably predict when they are likely to have a seizure, with 32% accuracy. Accurate predictions also indicate reduced risk of seizures, providing reassurance and improved quality of life for those with epilepsy.
Researchers found that some dogs are responding to seizures caused by psychological conditions, rather than epilepsy. People with psychogenic seizures need psychiatric evaluation and treatment, not specialized training for epileptic seizures.
A recent study published in Neurology found that patients undergoing combined heart bypass surgery and carotid endarterectomy experience a 38% higher chance of death or postoperative stroke compared to those who undergo coronary artery bypass surgery alone. The study suggests that the combined procedure may not provide additional benef...
A new study found a significant drop in patients undergoing carotid endarterectomy for inappropriate reasons. The study, published in Neurology, credits the decline to randomized controlled trials that clarified the surgery's proper use.
A study found that brain hemorrhages associated with warfarin increased by over tenfold in people over age 80, while the rate for all other populations quadrupled between 1988 and 1999. The increase was largely due to greater use of the drug, which is prescribed to prevent blood clots.
A study of 1032 women with chronic headaches found that those with migraines were four times more likely to report major depression symptoms. Chronic headache sufferers also experienced high levels of pain-related symptoms, including low energy and trouble sleeping.
A study published in Neurology found that zonisamide significantly improved tremors and dyskinesias in Parkinson disease patients. The medication was effective at 50mg/day, with a nearly 40% improvement in symptoms.
A study published in Neurology found that a gene variation linked to longevity also protects brain function in individuals over 90. Researchers analyzed 158 centenarians and found they had twice the likelihood of good brain function compared to those without the variant.
A study published in Neurology found that methamphetamine use is associated with an increased risk of major neck artery tears and stroke. The research reviewed two cases of women who experienced sudden speech difficulty and weakness after using the drug, resulting in severe strokes from carotid artery dissection.
Researchers used brain scans to study three women with sensory conversion disorder, also known as hysteria. The study found that stimulation of the numb hand or foot failed to activate the side of the brain that responds to touch, but did so when both limbs were stimulated.