Medical – Page 21 – Bianca Nogrady

Neurosurgery consult not necessary for mild traumatic brain injury

August 12, 2013No Comments

From Clinical Neurology News, 7 August 2013: Mild traumatic brain injury with intracranial hemorrhage can be safely managed by an acute care surgeon without the need for an inpatient neurosurgical consultation, a retrospective analysis has found. A study of 270 patients with mild traumatic brain injury and positive CT scan findings of intracranial hemorrhage – … Continue reading Neurosurgery consult not necessary for mild traumatic brain injury

Low-dose perioperative steroids effective in IBD patients

August 12, 2013No Comments

From ACS Surgery News, 26 July 2013: Postoperative postural hypotension or adrenal insufficiency in patients with inflammatory bowel disease can be effectively prevented with low-dose rather than high-dose steroids, according to data published in the June 14 online issue of Annals of Surgery [doi: 10.1097/SLA.b013e318297adca]. “Corticosteroid-treated patients undergoing major colorectal surgery are commonly prescribed high-dose steroids … Continue reading Low-dose perioperative steroids effective in IBD patients

Trained brains become more efficient

August 5, 2013No Comments

From ABC News in Science, 5 August 2013: A study on monkeys has called into question the fundamental assumption that an active neuron is a hungry one; an assumption that underlies brain imaging techniques such as fMRI. Researchers compared levels of neuron activity and the amount of glucose uptake in the primary motor cortex of … Continue reading Trained brains become more efficient

COPD may boost risk of cerebral microbleeds

July 23, 2013No Comments

From Clinical Neurology News, 19 July 2013: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was associated with an increased risk of cerebral microbleeds – a marker of cerebral small vessel disease – independent of factors such as age, sex, smoking status, and cholesterol levels, according to a prospective, population-based cohort study. “Depression, postural instability, cognitive and functional impairment … Continue reading COPD may boost risk of cerebral microbleeds

Death: what are your choices?

July 23, 2013No Comments

From ABC Health and Wellbeing, 9 July 2013: Death is a lot like birth. Sometimes it’s a peaceful, even beautiful event that goes according to plan. Sometimes it’s a horrible bloody mess that is utterly beyond all control. Most of the time, it’s a bit of both. We have this idea that death is something … Continue reading Death: what are your choices?

Rasagiline added to dopamine agonist has small benefit in Parkinson’s

June 26, 2013No Comments

From Clinical Neurology News, 25 June 2013: Rasagiline is safe and efficacious as add-on therapy in patients with early Parkinson’s disease whose symptoms are not adequately controlled with dopamine agonist monotherapy, results from a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled study suggest. Data from the ANDANTE study showed that adding rasagiline (1 mg/day) to dopamine agonist therapy led … Continue reading Rasagiline added to dopamine agonist has small benefit in Parkinson’s

Dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome frequency determined prospectively

June 26, 2013No Comments

From Clinical Neurology News, 24 June 2013: Nearly one-quarter of patients decreasing or stopping dopamine agonist therapy experience dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome, and one third of those suffer severe symptoms, according to results from the EuroDaws study. In the prospective, observational study of 51 patients with Parkinson’s disease who were withdrawn from dopamine agonist treatment, … Continue reading Dopamine agonist withdrawal syndrome frequency determined prospectively

Criteria identify mild cognitive impairments in Parkinson’s

June 26, 2013No Comments

From Clinical Neur0logy News, 21 June 2013: Patients with mild cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease often show memory impairment and problems with visuospatial function, attention, and executive function, according to a study attempting to characterize the condition. A cohort study assessed 219 patients newly diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease but without dementia and 99 age-matched controls … Continue reading Criteria identify mild cognitive impairments in Parkinson’s

Improved presurgery impulse control screening needed in Parkinson’s

June 26, 2013No Comments

From Clinical Neurology News, 19 June 2013: Many Parkinson’s disease centers performing deep brain stimulation surgery are not using formal, standardized screening for impulse control disorders in pre- or postsurgical patients, according to a large survey of Parkinson Study Group centers. Deep brain stimulation surgery is known to increase impulsivity, and standard practice is to … Continue reading Improved presurgery impulse control screening needed in Parkinson’s

Osteoporosis, osteopenia appear common in Friedreich’s ataxia

June 26, 2013No Comments

From Clinical Neurology News, 21 June 2013: Friedreich’s ataxia patients may be at greater risk of osteopenia and osteoporotic fractures, according to a study showing significant decreases in bone mineral density at key sites such as the femoral neck. Data presented in a poster at the international congress of Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders also … Continue reading Osteoporosis, osteopenia appear common in Friedreich’s ataxia