Neurology Alert – April 1, 2019
April 1, 2019
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Measurement of Brain Vital Signs in Concussed Athletes
These investigators prospectively studied auditory event-related potentials (ERPs) in junior competitive male ice hockey players and identified a pattern of ERPs that distinguishes acutely concussed from non-concussed players, establishing this noninvasive, easy-to-administer test as a biomarker to assist trainers, coaches, and clinicians with making the diagnosis of concussion.
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Lacosamide for Painful Small Fiber Neuropathy Due to Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Mutations
The results of this randomized trial showed significant neuropathic pain score reduction with the use of lacosamide in patients with Nav1.7 mutations.
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Cholecystokinin as a Biomarker Linking Metabolic Function to Alzheimer’s Disease
In a study cohort from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative, cerebrospinal fluid levels of cholecystokinin were associated with better outcomes that may reflect compensatory protection as Alzheimer’s disease pathology progresses. However, because of significant study limitations, these findings need to be validated in additional studies.
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Witness Observations in Diagnosing Transient Loss of Consciousness
These investigators found that adding witness-reported observations to patient demographics and patient-reported symptoms improved the diagnostic accuracy between epilepsy, syncope, and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures.
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Vasculitic Neuropathy: Improving Diagnostic Accuracy
SYNOPSIS: Vasculitic neuropathy is characterized by stepwise progression of sensorimotor neuropathy, usually with axonal features on electrodiagnostic studies, and often the presence of antimyeloperoxidase and rheumatoid factor antibodies and cryoglobulins. However, peripheral nerve biopsy is necessary for a definitive diagnosis.