Neurology Alert – February 1, 2021
February 1, 2021
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Focused Ultrasound in Parkinson’s Disease: Going Beyond Tremor
In this randomized controlled trial, patients with asymmetric Parkinson’s disease were assigned to noninvasive, focused ultrasound-mediated subthalamotomy or sham procedure. The authors reported improved motor function in the focused ultrasound group, with adverse events including weakness, dyskinesia, and gait disturbances.
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Deficits in Neurotransmitters and Behavioral Disturbances in Frontotemporal Lobar Degeneration
In subjects with a syndrome associated with frontotemporal lobar degeneration, gamma aminobutyric acid and glutamate deficiency in the right inferior frontal gyrus was associated with greater degrees of impulsivity.
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Cognitive Benefit of Rivastigmine in Parkinson’s Disease Dementia with Orthostatic Hypotension
Individuals with Parkinson’s disease dementia and orthostatic hypotension (OH) have more robust cognitive improvement from rivastigmine compared to those without OH. This greater response possibly is mediated by the anti-OH effect of rivastigmine.
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Prednisone vs. Placebo in Short-Term Prevention of Episodic Cluster Headaches
Prednisone, given at 100 mg for five days and then tapering by 20 mg every three days, is a safe and effective short-term prevention for episodic cluster headaches while waiting for longer-acting preventive agents to be initiated.
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Clinical and Genetic Characterizations to Diagnose Sarcoglycanopathies
Sarcoglycanopathies, caused by various genetic mutations, may cause limb-girdle forms of muscular dystrophy early in life. Although there are no specific treatments for these disorders at this time, the clinical and genetic characterizations will assist in more precise diagnosis that will be critical to develop new molecular-based therapies.