Neurology: Archives

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

CT Scanning for Cardiac Sources of Embolism

• September 29, 2009
• Richard T. Lee, MD

In patients with recent strokes, cardiac CT using 64-slice technology can detect most of the high-risk cardiac sources of embolism identified by transesophageal echocardiography.

• Reviewing:
• Hur J et al., Stroke 2009 Jun; 40:2073

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Plasmapheresis for Managing Natalizumab-Associated PML: A Risky Proposition

• September 29, 2009
• Igor J. Koralnik, MD

A severe inflammatory reaction of the brain occurred in two natalizumab-treated MS patients after removal of the drug by plasmapheresis with or without immunoadsorption.

• Reviewing:
• Wenning W et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 10; 361:1075 Lindå H et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 10; 361:1081 Major EO., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 10; 361:1041

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Memantine in MS-Related Cognitive Dysfunction: An Unexpected Outcome

• September 29, 2009
• Istvan Pirko, MD

Memantine might trigger pseudoattacks in patients with MS without a clear improvement in cognition.

• Reviewing:
• Villoslada P et al., Neurology 2009 May 12; 72:1630

CASE HISTORY

A Case of Pars Planitis with Neurological Symptoms

• September 29, 2009
• Don C. Bienfang, MD

A reader's case and an expert's discussion

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Transient Rebound of Cataplexy After Anticataplectic Medication Withdrawal

• September 29, 2009
• Mark W. Mahowald, MD

In patients with narcolepsy, withdrawal of antidepressants used to treat cataplexy may induce transient rebound of cataplexy.

• Reviewing:
• Ristanovic RK et al., Sleep Med 2009 Apr; 10:416

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

JC Virus Reactivation with Natalizumab

• September 22, 2009
• Joseph R. Berger, MD

A preliminary study shows that JC virus reactivation is common during natalizumab therapy.

• Reviewing:
• Chen Y et al., N Engl J Med 2009 Sep 10; 361:1067

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Inhibition of APP Secretases as a Therapy for Traumatic Brain Injury

• September 22, 2009
• Milos D. Ikonomovic, MD, and Steven T. DeKosky, MD

APP secretase inhibitors, currently in AD clinical trials, may prove effective in treating TBI, as may other interventions that reduce amyloid-beta levels.

• Reviewing:
• Loane DJ et al., Nat Med 2009 Apr; 15:377

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

A Step Toward Sensing Prosthetic Limbs

• September 15, 2009
• Leigh R. Hochberg, MD, PhD

Reinnervated skin may allow prosthetic limb users to "feel" with a prosthetic limb.

• Reviewing:
• Marasco PD et al., Brain 2009 Jun; 132:1441

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

CSF Biomarkers and AD Prediction

• September 15, 2009
• David Knopman, MD

In patients with mild cognitive impairment, CSF biomarkers helped predict who would develop Alzheimer disease.

• Reviewing:
• Mattsson N et al., JAMA 2009 Jul 22/29; 302:385 Petersen RC and Trojanowski JQ., JAMA 2009 Jul 22/29; 302:436

SUMMARY AND COMMENT

Reduced Occipital Gray Matter in Macular Degeneration and Glaucoma

• September 15, 2009
• Jason J. S. Barton, MD, PhD, FRCPC

Visual field deficits correlated with reduced gray-matter volume in the corresponding regions of the visual cortex, raising questions about the efficacy of emerging therapies for these two conditions.

• Reviewing:
• Boucard CC et al., Brain 2009 Jul; 132:1898