Our Sept. list of top news & research includes a therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy and promising medications for Parkinson and Alzheimer.
We present a selection of interesting Neurology articles for the month of September in the following slides. See the slide legends for links to the article summaries.
Interesting Neurology. September 2015
ALZHEIMER DISEASE: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial of Resveratrol for Alzheimer Disease. Abstract link. In a study of Alzheimer patients taking resveratrol, the drug was found to be safe and effective and alter some biomarker trajectories. **** Vitamin D Status and Rates of Cognitive Decline in a Multiethnic Cohort of Older Adults. Abstract link.Vitamin D deficiency was found to be related to decreasing cognitive function and may correspond to Alzheimer disease dementia.
EPILEPSY/SEIZURE: Seizure reporting technologies for epilepsy treatment: A review of clinical information needs and supporting technologies. Abstract link.This article summarizes seizure detection and classification technologies that help neurologists make treatment decisions for their patients. **** Mindfulness-based therapy for drug-resistant epilepsy. Abstract link.Mindfulness-based therapy was related to better quality of life and reduced seizure frequency in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy.
HEADACHE/MIGRAINE: Interictal, circulating sphingolipids in women with episodic migraine. Abstract link.A lipid panel may be able to identify episodic migraines. ****Correlation between Migraine Severity and Cholesterol Levels. Abstract link.More research is needed, but this study suggests a strong link between migraine frequency and severity with high total and LDL cholesterol.
MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS: Dysbiosis in the Gut Microbiota of Patients with Multiple Sclerosis, with a Striking Depletion of Species Belonging to Clostridia XIVa and IV Clusters. Abstract link.A microbial imbalance in gut microbiota could be linked to MS pathogenesis. ****Effect of Smoking Cessation on Multiple Sclerosis Prognosis. Abstract link.Patients with MS who smoke will likely experience an acceleration of disease progression.
PARKINSON DISEASE: Rapamycin Activates Autophagy and Improves Myelination in Explant Cultures from Neuropathic Mice. Abstract link.Rapamycin prevented the development of Parkinson symptoms in mice with a human mutation of a neurodegenerative disorder. **** Pimavanserin for Patients with Parkinson's Disease Psychosis: a Randomised, Placebo-controlled Phase 3 Trial. Abstract link.In a phase III trial funded by ACADIA Pharmaceuticals, pimavanserin significantly reduced pyschosis related to Parkinson.
STROKE: Post-stroke Fatigue and its Association with Poor Functional Outcome after Stroke in Young Adults. Abstract link.Fatigue is common in young stroke survivors and is associated with poor functional outcome. ****Increased High-Sensitivity Troponin-T Levels Are Associated with Mortality After Ischemic Stroke. Abstract link.Researchers found elevated troponin to be an independent marker for mortality in stroke.
