Articles tagged with Neurology
A nationwide study found that frovatriptan succinate prevented menstrually associated migraines (MAM) in as many as half the women evaluated. The drug significantly reduced MAM severity and duration, as well as patients' functional impairment and use of rescue medications.
A new approach to brain angioplasty using local anesthesia with mild sedation safely performed on 10 patients, showing promising results in minimizing complications. The study found that the procedure was technically successful but resulted in three minor complications related to stenting and bleeding.
A study of Canadian children with shaken baby syndrome found nearly 20% died, 55% suffered lasting neurologic injuries, and 65% experienced visual impairment. The authors estimate at least 40 cases occur annually, calling for further research on prevention strategies.
Researchers found that active brain lesions are key predictors of seizure recurrence in patients with neurocysticercosis. The study suggests that anti-epileptic drugs should be continued until lesions are resolved, and further research on antihelminthic drug therapy is recommended.
A recent UK study published in Neurology found no association between Gulf War exposure and specific impairments of peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junction, or skeletal muscles. The study used robust neurophysiologic tests and included representative comparison groups to rule out objective dysfunction.
Researchers from Johns Hopkins University and National Institutes of Health found opioids to be highly effective in reducing pain in PHN patients, while causing no appreciable cognitive decline. The study's results provide convincing evidence for the use of opioids as an alternative treatment option for neuropathic pain.
A new study by Penn scientists has found that women's brains have a larger volume of orbital frontal cortex, a region involved in modulating aggression, compared to men. This difference may contribute to the perception of women being less aggressive than men.
A study of 52 patients found no clinically significant cognitive decline after CABG surgery, contrary to previous reports. The researchers attributed the lack of decline to general medical care and reduced vascular risk factors.
Researchers have developed a new technique to record visual evoked brain activity in human fetuses, using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Four out of ten fetuses showed brain responses to visual stimuli, paving the way for further studies on neurological development.
Researchers studying Mediterranean fruit flies found that nearly all flies went upside-down before death, suggesting a biomarker for studying human morbidity. The 'supine behavior' phase may help understand the onset of progressive neurological illnesses and dementia in humans.
Researchers found that low potassium intake increases stroke risk, while increasing potassium in the diet may help prevent strokes. Diuretics used to treat high blood pressure and other conditions were also linked to an increased risk of stroke in people with low potassium levels.
A recent study found that antiretroviral therapy targeting the central nervous system can improve neurological symptoms in HIV-infected children. The treatment was shown to reduce the amount of virus in their brains and improve developmental milestones.
Research by Mayo Clinic found neurological symptoms account for 31% of in-flight medical complaints, with dizziness/vertigo and seizures being the most common reasons for diversion. The study recommends airlines carry anti-epileptic drugs to improve in-flight care
LY333531 improves nerve function and sensory symptoms, including tingling and numbness, of diabetic neuropathy. The treatment is being studied for multiple diabetic microvascular complications, including diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy.
The American Academy of Neurology endorses electrodiagnostic tests for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). These tests offer a high degree of sensitivity and specificity. The guideline recommends laboratory studies for confirming the clinical diagnosis of CTS due to its importance in treating patients who frequently require surgery.
People taking statins were 14 times more likely to develop peripheral neuropathy than those not taking statins, according to a Danish study. The risk increased with longer statin use and higher doses.
Researchers conducted a case-control study of 90 acoustic neuroma patients, but found no association with cellular telephone use. A slightly elevated risk was observed for infrequent users with 3+ years of cell phone use.
A study of 729 teenagers aged 12-17 found they slept an average of 8.5 hours during the week and 9.5 hours on weekends, with nearly half reporting daytime sleepiness. The later wake times among older teens suggest starting school later may improve attendance and academic performance.
A study by the American Academy of Neurology found that bright light pulses lasting just two to three hours can delay human circadian rhythms. Additionally, disruptions in sleep timing also produce small rhythm delays, affecting the timing of the circadian clock.
A population-based study found that waist-to-hip ratio was a stronger predictor of stroke risk than body mass index (BMI), especially among normal and overweight individuals. The study recommends incorporating education about waist-to-hip ratio into stroke prevention programs.
Researchers found different weather patterns linked to specific stroke sub-types, with warmer seasons reducing ischemic strokes from large arteries. Additionally, temperature drops five days prior and higher air pressure and humidity increased overall strokes and those caused by blockage of large arteries in the brain or heart.
A new study suggests that testosterone may play a protective role against stroke in men, while estrogen levels are not linked to stroke risk. The study followed 6,732 individuals over five to eight years and compared serum levels of testosterone and estrogen between men who experienced strokes and those who remained healthy.
During adolescence, the brain undergoes significant changes, gaining scope and depth of knowledge and comprehension but losing ability to acquire new sounds and speech patterns. Research on post-mortem cerebral cortexes reveals that nerve cells undergo pruning or streamlining during this period.
A study of 145 stroke patients found that those with lesions in the frontal, lenticulocapsular, and pontine base areas were more likely to experience uncontrolled anger and aggression. Emotional incontinence, sudden outbursts of emotion, was also commonly observed.
A University of Michigan study found that brains detect wins and losses within a third of a second, triggering subsequent decision-making. The research suggests that losses loom larger than gains in the brain's neural activity, influencing future choices.
Researchers have found that treating inflammation in the trochlea tendon can relieve headache pain associated with migraines. In a study of five women with trochleitis, steroid injections produced relief from ocular pain and associated migraine symptoms within 48 to 72 hours.
A study published in Neurology found a link between blood doping and cerebral blood clots in cyclists. The combination of erythropoietin, growth hormone, and high-dose vitamin A use likely contributed to the condition.
Researchers discovered increased brain activity involving the superior temporal gyrus and inferior parietal cortex when subjects imitated others or were imitated. This suggests that imitation may be linked to empathy and play a crucial role in learning and cultural transmission.
Researchers found that single neurons in a brain region reacted to specific features, conveying detailed information about the diagnostic features of categories. The monkeys' brains used these learned features to recognize matching faces, demonstrating how neural training sharpens perception and enables the brain to encode and interpre...
A comprehensive survey of brain death diagnosis in adults worldwide reveals significant variations in procedures, including differences in required physicians, observation time, and confirmatory tests. These discrepancies may be due to collective decisions by task forces or cultural attitudes, highlighting the need for standardization.
Researchers identify potential link between serotonin-enhancing drugs and increased risk of cerebrovascular syndrome (stroke). The study suggests that caution should be exercised when combining medications that contain serotonin enhancers, particularly in patients presenting with sudden-onset headaches.
A recent study found a significant association between low systolic blood pressure levels (below 130) and cognitive impairment in older patients with heart failure. The researchers suggest that routine management of heart failure should include assessment of cognitive performance to detect early signs of cognitive dysfunction.
A recent study published by the American Academy of Neurology found bupropion SR to be clinically effective for treating neuropathic pain. Approximately three-quarters of patients experienced a 30% reduction in pain symptoms with bupropion SR, while those on placebo saw little improvement.
A recent study by Carnegie Mellon scientists discovered that reading and listening to identical sentences produce systematically different brain activation patterns. The right hemisphere was less active during reading, while the left-hemisphere's pars triangularis region showed increased activation in listening comprehension. This sugg...
A study found that adults with persistent developmental stuttering (PDS) have significantly larger right and left temporal lobes, and more irregularities in brain shape compared to controls. Sex and writing hand preference were also linked to anatomic features.
Researchers compared whole genome activity in trisomy mice brains to normal mice detecting 25,000 genes active, with altered protein manufacturing found in trisomy mice. This study provides a preliminary look at how the whole genome operates in the brain and suggests protein manufacturing could be altered in Down syndrome patients.
Scientists analyzed the magnetic field of the ALH84001 Martian meteorite using a new microscope, revealing that its interior remained cool enough to support life. The findings suggest that microbial life may have traveled from Mars to Earth via the meteorite, but do not prove it.
Research measures health-related quality of life among 'typical' migraine sufferers, showing a strong link between migraine and depression. Forty-seven percent of migraine sufferers experience depression, compared to 17% without migraine.
Elaine M. Hull receives a $602,759 Independent Scientist Award to expand her research on hormone and neurotransmitter interactions in the brain. She aims to clarify how gonadal hormones influence neurotransmitter release in the medial preoptic area, essential for male copulation in all vertebrate species.
A team of six Brown University professors will explore the human brain's function using tiny electronic structures, potentially enabling computers to mimic human capabilities. The five-year grant aims to develop nanotechnology that can stimulate and record brain cells.
Researchers discovered a new receptor site in the brain that causes mice to become obese by storing fat and expending less energy. The study sheds light on genetic determinants of obesity, metabolism, and regulation of fat mass.
Dr. David Suzuki will speak at the Ecological Society of America's annual meeting, discussing his efforts to prevent ecological crises and find ways for humans to live in balance with nature. He focuses on Climate Change and Pacific Salmon Forests, aiming to educate the public about urgent strategies for reducing global warming.
A study of retired football players found that over half had experienced concussions, leading to increased risk of neurological complaints such as memory problems and numbness in extremities. The survey suggests that repeated blows to the head may cause lasting damage, prompting calls for regular testing to monitor player health.
Patients with serious neurological conditions have a better chance of survival in Neurological/Neurosurgical Intensive Care Units (Neuro-ICU) compared to general ICUs. The study, presented at the American Academy of Neurology's Annual Meeting, found a 3.3-fold increase in hospital mortality among patients not in a Neuro-ICU.
Researchers create a new test method that detects nanometer-scale holes, free radicals, and cross-linking in paints, allowing for early detection of damage and more efficient development of durable paints. This breakthrough could lead to cost-effective solutions for bridge coatings and other applications.
Researchers found that brain steroid allopregnanolone mediates many of alcohol's effects, including anti-anxiety and anticonvulsant actions. The study suggests that blocking this compound may inhibit alcohol's sedative-hypnotic effects.
Researchers at Harvard Medical School have coaxed high-level neurons in adult zebra finches to be replaced by their own endogenous precursor cells, demonstrating the potential for brain repair and regeneration.
Researchers used harmonic radar to track honey bees during orientation flights, revealing they learn to navigate by flying faster and visiting more areas. The study suggests that orientation flights allow bees to adapt to new environments, but the scientists still want to know why some bees take more or fewer flights.
Scientists discover that people prefer certain smells when sniffed through one nostril over the other. The left nostril is more accurate for identifying odours, while the right nostril enhances pleasantness perception. This finding fits with brain processing theories and may lead to further research on smell perception.
Researchers found that rats born by Caesarean section showed marked differences in brain development compared to naturally born controls. They had altered dopamine systems and responses to stress tests. The findings hint at a potential link between Caesarean births and schizophrenia risk.
Researchers found that brain areas active during eye movements also control visual attention, shifting focus to peripheral areas. This discovery suggests a shared neural basis for these functions, with potential implications for understanding early mammalian cognition and primate social behavior.
Researchers have found that stunted brain regions may cause severe autism symptoms, while smaller regions may lead to milder symptoms in close relatives. The study used magnetic resonance imaging to compare the brains of identical twins with and without autism.
Scientists successfully used gene therapy to correct deafness in shaker-2 mice by identifying a recessive mutated gene responsible for the condition. The study's findings also revealed that the mutation affects a myosin enzyme involved in inner ear development, which is crucial for hearing.
The symposium brings together experts to present on recent findings in the science of emotion, including how environment impacts brain development and can affect emotional health. Researchers will also share insights into the effects of early nurturing and experiences on emotional memory and trauma.
A team of researchers from Duke University found that the hypoglossal canal, which controls tongue movement, is larger in humans and Neanderthals than in apes and proto-humans. This discovery challenges the theory that human speech may not have arisen until around 40,000 years ago.
A recent study has found a link between methylmercury exposure in pregnant mothers and neurological delays in 7-year-old children. The research, conducted in the Faroe Islands, used sophisticated neuropsychological and neurophysiological techniques to examine the effects of prenatal mercury exposure on brain development.
A study using brain scans found that structures on the right side of the brain are involved in anxious thoughts and processing new inputs. The right frontal lobe, basal ganglia, cerebellum, and pontine nuclei were identified as key areas.
A new study by German neurologists found that transcranial color-coded duplex sonography (TCDS) is 90% effective in distinguishing between ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes under emergency treatment conditions. TCDS can accurately diagnose stroke type in most cases, making it a fast and reliable option for acute stroke treatment.
A recent study by American Heart Association found that risk of stroke after heart attack is highest within five days. The research highlights atrial fibrillation and ST elevation as key factors increasing likelihood of a heart attack-related stroke.