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Seizures from solving sudoku puzzles

A young adult developed clonic seizures while trying to solve Sudoku puzzles after being exposed to oxygen deficiency during an avalanche. The patient stopped solving the puzzle and has been seizure-free for over five years.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateOct 19, 2015

Risk of stroke at time of carotid occlusion

A study published in JAMA Neurology found that patients with asymptomatic carotid stenosis are not significantly harmed by medical therapy and may even benefit from more intensive treatment. The study's findings suggest that preventing carotid occlusion may not be a valid indication for stenting or endarterectomy.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateSep 21, 2015

Increased risk of neuropathy in patients with celiac disease

A nationwide sample of patients in Sweden with biopsy-certified celiac disease were examined to identify the risk of developing neuropathy. The study found a significant association between celiac disease and an increased risk of neuropathy, with absolute risks of 64 per 100,000 person-years for those with celiac disease.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateMay 11, 2015

Study on simulated stroke wins major neurology award

A study by Loyola University Medical Center resident neurologists found that simulation-based education significantly improved the knowledge, skills, and confidence of first-year neurology residents treating stroke patients in the emergency department. The study resulted in a 16.1% improvement on a multiple-choice test about treating s...

Telemedicine allows UTHealth to enroll patients remotely into acute stroke trial

Researchers at UTHealth successfully enrolled patients from other hospitals into an acute stroke clinical trial using telemedicine. This breakthrough enables the study of stroke treatment on a larger scale, as it was previously limited to large centers with expertise in treating strokes quickly.

SourceUniversity of Texas Health Science Center at Houston·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateMar 10, 2015

Traffic light food labels strengthen self-control

Researchers at the University of Bonn found that traffic light labels are more effective in helping consumers resist high-calorie foods than traditional nutrition labels. The study participants were willing to pay significantly more for healthy products with green labels and less for unhealthy products with red labels.

SourceUniversity of Bonn·JournalObesity·DateMar 9, 2015

Relief for diabetics with painful condition

A new Northwestern Medicine study found that low-dose VM202 gene therapy significantly improves pain symptoms and perception of light touch in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. The treatment has virtually no side effects, offering hope for a potential new treatment for this debilitating condition.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalAnnals of Clinical and Translational Neurology·DateMar 5, 2015

Roller coaster rides trigger pediatric stroke

A 4-year-old boy experienced a stroke after riding roller coasters, likely caused by a tear in his carotid artery. The incident highlights the risk of carotid artery dissection in children due to sudden movements. Previous reports have mostly focused on adult riders, making this case one of the youngest reported.

SourceLoyola Medicine·JournalPediatric Neurology·DateDec 11, 2014

Think the system for paying US doctors is rigged to favor surgeons? Study may surprise you

A new study reveals that the US physician payment system is not inherently biased towards surgeons and procedure-performing doctors. The difference in pay between specialties arises mostly from differences in the number of minutes allocated to each service by Medicare's formula, which takes into account estimated times for work.

SourceMichigan Medicine - University of Michigan·JournalAnnals of Surgery·DateSep 22, 2014

Natural light in office boosts health

A new study by Northwestern University finds that office workers with natural light exposure have longer sleep duration, better sleep quality, more physical activity, and improved quality of life. The study suggests that architects should prioritize natural daylight exposure in office environments to boost employee health.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalJournal of Clinical Sleep Medicine·DateAug 8, 2014

Survival increases with clinical team debriefing after in-hospital cardiac arrest

A new study found that staff members who joined structured team debriefings after emergency care for children suffering in-hospital cardiac arrests improved their CPR performance. The study also showed substantial increases in patients surviving with favorable neurological outcomes, up to 50 percent among the intervention group.

SourceChildren's Hospital of Philadelphia·JournalCritical Care Medicine·DateAug 4, 2014