Neurology Alert – June 1, 2012

June 1, 2012

• Does a Lower Vitamin D Level Increase the Risk of Relapse in Inflammatory Spinal Cord Disease?

  Based on a retrospective analysis of 77 patients with monophasic and recurrent inflammatory spinal cord disease, the authors report significantly lower vitamin D levels in patients with recurrent disease.

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• Clinicopathological Features of Pure Autonomic Neuropathy

  The clinicopathological features of nine patients with pure autonomic neuropathy, with or without antiganglionic acetylcholine antibody, were assessed. There was considerable variability in the clinical manifestations, course, unmyelinated nerve fiber loss, and response to therapy.

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• Inhaled Anesthetics Have Differential Experimental Effect on Memory Mechanisms

  Isoflurane causes mitochondrial disruption and apoptosis in neuronal and hippocampal cells, and decreases memory consolidation in mice. Such effects are not seen with desflurane. This may impact selection of anesthetic agents for patients with Alzheimer's disease undergoing surgical procedures.

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• Variable 'Faces' of Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy

  With the advent of specific genetic tests, atypical forms of facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy can be reliably diagnosed.

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• Clinical and Radiological Features Associated with Rhombencephalosynapsis

  This study presents a large group of new cases of rhombencephalosynapsis and carefully describes correlations to other associated morphological abnormalities as well as to outcomes.

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• Stroke Alert: A Review of Current Clinical Stroke Literature

  Vorapaxar is a potent antiplatelet medication with a novel action that works by inhibiting thrombin activation of platelets through the protease-activated receptor PAR-1.

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• Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement

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• Pharmacology Watch

  Drug shortages; metformin and cancer prevention; migraine prevention guidelines; and FDA actions.

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