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Journal Watch condenses summaries of key research across specialties from more than 250 medical journals into concise yet comprehensive articles, incorporating clinical commentary from prominent physician-editors in the field.
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Featured Article

SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Late-Onset Alzheimer Disease Susceptibility Genes in Black AmericansFree
- May 14, 2013
- Brandy R. Matthews, MD
Two previously described genes associated with lipid metabolism increase the odds of dementia in this population.
- Reviewing:
- Reitz C et al. JAMA 2013 Apr 10; 309:1483
Recent Neurology Articles
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Is the Incidence of MS Increasing in Black Americans?
- May 14, 2013
- Robert T. Naismith, MD
Black women in the U.S. are newly diagnosed in proportionally higher numbers than white women.
- Reviewing:
- Langer-Gould A et al. Neurology 2013 May 7; 80:1734
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Ultrasound Guidance Significantly Lowers Risk for Failed Lumbar Punctures and Epidural Catheterizations
- April 11, 2013
- Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP
- General Medicine
The failure rate was 1% with ultrasound and 7% with standard palpation of landmarks.
- Reviewing:
- Shaikh F et al. BMJ 2013 Mar 26; 346:f1720
MEDICAL NEWS
FDA: Women Should Not Take Valproate for Migraine While PregnantFree
- May 7, 2013
- Physician's First Watch
Pregnant women should not take drugs containing valproate for migraine prevention, the FDA warned on Monday, citing the potential for decreased IQ in offspring. The...
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Subclinical Atrial Fibrillation Is Common in Patients with Cryptogenic Stroke
- April 30, 2013
- Hooman Kamel, MD
An implantable loop recorder established new diagnoses of atrial fibrillation in 25% of patients with cryptogenic stroke.
- Reviewing:
- Cotter PE et al. Neurology 2013 Apr 23; 80:1546
CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE WATCH
Treatment of Parenchymal Neurocysticercosis: A New Evidence-Based Guideline
- April 30, 2013
- Jaime Toro, MD
Albendazole with steroids is the treatment of choice for parenchymal neurocysticercosis.
- Reviewing:
- Baird RA et al. Neurology 2013 Apr 9; 80:1424
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Dementia Outpaces Cancer in Financial Burden to United States
- April 30, 2013
- Brandy R. Matthews, MD
A model that includes costs of informal care estimates that more than US$150 billion was spent in 2010.
- Reviewing:
- Hurd MD et al. N Engl J Med 2013 Apr 4; 368:1326
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Antigenic Target of Autoantibodies Identified in Inclusion Body Myositis
- April 30, 2013
- Michael Benatar, MD, MS, PhD
Identification of autoantibodies and their antigenic target in IBM should aid diagnosis.
- Reviewing:
- Pluk H et al. Ann Neurol 2013 Mar; 73:397
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Gene-Based Approach to Treating ALS
- April 30, 2013
- Michael Benatar, MD, MS, PhD
A proof-of-concept study demonstrates the feasibility and preliminary safety of a therapeutic approach to treating amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
- Reviewing:
- Miller TM et al. Lancet Neurol 2013 May; 12:435
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Treating Apathy After Aggressive Medication Reduction Following DBS for Parkinson Disease
- April 30, 2013
- Michael S. Okun, MD
A trial of piribedil to treat apathy after deep brain stimulation for PD has implications for post-surgical care.
- Reviewing:
- Thobois S et al. Brain 2013 May; 136:1568
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Guillain-Barré Syndrome and Influenza A (H1N1) 2009 Monovalent Vaccines in the U.S.
- April 30, 2013
- Jaime Toro, MD
More data on the risk for GBS after influenza A (H1N1) vaccination
- Reviewing:
- Salmon DA et al. Lancet 2013 Apr 27; 381:1461
Editor's Picks from across Journal Watch
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Yield of EEG in an Inpatient Setting
- April 9, 2013
- By Allan S. Brett, MD
- General Medicine
Seven percent of general medical inpatients had seizures on electroencephalography. Interview
- Reviewing:
- Mayo Clin Proc 2013 Apr; 88:326
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Sweetening the Brain: Higher Fasting Glucose Levels and Alzheimer-Like Abnormalities
- May 6, 2013
- By Jonathan Silver, MD
- Psychiatry
A study in cognitively healthy, nondiabetic individuals with family histories of dementia
- Reviewing:
- Neurology 2013 Apr 23; 80:1557
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Memory Lagging? Get Some Rest
- May 6, 2013
- By Steven Dubovsky, MD
- Psychiatry
Appropriate cues during slow-wave sleep may improve memory.
- Reviewing:
- J Neurosci 2013 Apr 10; 33:6672
SUMMARY AND COMMENT
Exercise as Treatment for Postconcussive SymptomsFree
- April 8, 2013
- By Jonathan Silver, MD
- Psychiatry
Progressive aerobic exercise results in imaging changes and symptomatic improvement — at least for relatively uncomplicated concussions.
- Reviewing:
- J Head Trauma Rehabil 2012 Dec 15
Journal Watch Neurology summarizes important medical journal articles about a wide variety of neurologic subjects including Alzheimer disease, autoimmune disease, epilepsy, headache, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, neuropathy, Parkinson disease, sleep, and stroke.



