UC San Diego Health has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery by meeting or exceeding the highest level of national performance standards.
Tag: Neurology
Career development profile: Dr. Meriem Bensalem-Owen
From medical training during a civil war to starting Kentucky’s first epilepsy fellowship program, Dr. Meriem Bensalem-Owen talks with Sharp Waves about her career journey.
How Do You Measure Success in Autism Clinical Trials?
Shafali Spurling Jeste, MD, shares early findings—and a critical challenge—from the Autism Biomarkers Consortium for Clinical Trials. How do you know if a treatment for autism is effective? That’s a question that has no easy answer—due in large part to the heterogeneous nature of autism spectrum disorder.
Dr. Antonio Iavarone Is Committed to Changing How We Treat Brain Tumors
Antonio Iavarone, M.D., has made a decades-long commitment to finding better treatments for glioblastoma and other aggressive brain tumors. As the new deputy director of Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, he will have opportunities to do even more.
Certain Type of Stroke on the Rise, with Higher Rates Among Black People
Rates of one type of stroke called subarachnoid hemorrhage have increased in older people and men in recent years, and such strokes occur in Black people at a disproportionately higher rate compared to people of other races and ethnicities, according to a study published in the October 26, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Does Traffic-Related Air Pollution Increase Risk of Dementia?
Higher exposure to a certain type of traffic-related air pollution called particulate matter may be linked to an increased risk of dementia, according to a meta-analysis published in the October 26, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Researchers specifically looked at fine particulate matter, PM2.5, which consists of pollutant particles of less than 2.5 microns in diameter suspended in air. The meta-analysis included all available studies on air pollution and risk of dementia.
McCullough honored with 2022 American Heart Association Basic Research Prize
In acknowledgment of her research advancing the field of cardiovascular science, UTHealth Houston’s Louise McCullough, MD, PhD, has been honored with the 2022 American Heart Association Basic Research Prize.
UCLA researchers identify model for studying treatments targeting MS progression
This model can be used by researchers to discover targets for treatments that improve walking, cognitive, coordination and visual disabilities in MS.
Today: ANA2022 Media Roundtable to Spotlight Latest in Neuro Research
As the American Neurological Association’s 147th Annual Meeting wraps up today, October 25, the ANA is holding a Media Roundtable at 11 a.m. U.S. Central for reporters to access the latest developments in neurology and neuroscience.
American Neurological Association Announces New Leadership
The American Neurological Association (ANA), the professional organization representing the world’s leading academic neurologists and neuroscientists, has appointed Brenda Orffer, CAE, as its new Chief Executive Officer and Nadine Goldberg, PhD, MS, as Chief Program Officer.
Weight Change in Early Parkinson’s May Be Tied to Changes in Thinking Skills
People who gain or lose weight soon after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease may be more likely to have changes in their thinking skills than people who maintain their weight, according to a study published in the October 19, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
An Environmental Wake-Up Call for Neurology
The Presidential Symposium at the American Neurological Association’s 2022 Annual Meeting (ANA2022) in Chicago will shine a spotlight on the role of environmental exposures — air pollution, pesticides, microplastics, and more — in diseases like dementias and developmental disorders.
American Neurological Association Publishes Research Abstracts for ANA2022, Oct. 22–25 in Chicago
Abstracts of breaking research in neurology and neuroscience, to be presented at the 2022 American Neurological Association Annual Meeting Oct. 22-25, are now available in Annals of Neurology and on the ANA2022 website.
Ochsner Health experts available to comment on FDA approval for new treatment of ALS
Earlier this week, the FDA approved a new drug to treat ALS (or Lou Gehrig’s disease). This was a tremendous achievement for the effort to combat this devastating disease, and inspiringly, the ALS Association credited this victory in part to…
Sports Medicine Physician Available to Comment on Concussion Following Tua Tagovailoa’s Injury
Following last night’s concussion of Miami Dolphins football star Tua Tagovailoa, one sports medicine physician is reminding sports fans and athletes alike about the dangers of head injuries. “Watching the frightening moment when Tua Tagovailoa was violently tackled and landed…
CHOP Study Explores the Use of Telemedicine in Child Neurology in Largest Study to Date
Researchers found that across nearly 50,000 visits, patients continued to use telemedicine effectively even with the reopening of outpatient clinics a year after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, prominent barriers for socially vulnerable families and racial and ethnic minorities persist, suggesting more work is required to reach a wider population with telemedicine.
RUSH, Franciscan to Partner on Clinical Services for Cancer, Neurosciences
Chicago-based Rush University System for Health and Franciscan Alliance, Inc., are partnering to jointly develop and provide clinical services to improve the availability of health care to patients in Northwest Indiana, giving patients streamlined access to subspecialty care in their own communities.
Can the Flu Shot Reduce Your Risk of Stroke?
Getting an annual flu shot may be associated with a lower risk of stroke, according to a study published in the September 7, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
UM School of Medicine Brain and Tissue Bank to Receive $800,000 to Expand Research Initiatives and Outreach on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)
The University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) will receive an $800,000 donation to be used by the University of Maryland Brain and Tissue Bank to advance research into the treatment and cure of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s Disease.
Mayo Clinic expert provides tips for reducing dementia risk
More than 55 million people worldwide are believed to be living with dementia, according to the World Health Organization. Ronald Petersen, M.D., a neurologist and director of Mayo Clinic’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, says you can’t prevent dementia, but you can reduce your risk.
Health Care Spending May Help Explain Link Between MS and Latitude
Researchers have known people who live farther from the equator are more likely to develop multiple sclerosis (MS) and have often attributed that to vitamin D exposure. But countries farther from the equator are also more likely to be wealthier than countries nearer to the equator. A new analysis shows that the amount a country spends on health care may help explain the link between MS and latitude. This new research is published in the August 24, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Screening and treatment bring hope for children with spinal muscular atrophy
Before available treatments existed, children with the most common form of spinal muscular atrophy would would need a ventilator to breathe or die by the age of two. Now, several advancements have made SMA a treatable condition. While many states screen for it at birth, physicians and advocates say even more can be done to improve outcomes for SMA.
Mayo Clinic Healthcare expert explains when swallowing issues are more than an accident
Many people have experienced the discomfort of food or a beverage accidentally going to the wrong place when swallowing. But swallowing issues sometimes become chronic and may be a sign of a health condition that should be treated.
Pregnant Women with Epilepsy Have More Depression, Anxiety Symptoms
Pregnant women with epilepsy have more symptoms of depression and anxiety during pregnancy and postpartum than pregnant women who do not have epilepsy or women with epilepsy who are not pregnant, according to a study published in the August 17, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
2022 AANEM Distinguished Researcher Award Winner Announced
American Association of Neuromuscular &
Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), is excited to announce Anthony A. Amato, MD, as the
recipient of the 2022 Distinguished Researcher Award. This award honors members who have
made continuous significant contributions to clinical neurophysiological, NM, or MSK research.
Which Leisure Activities Are Linked to Lower Risk of Dementia?
Leisure activities, such as reading a book, doing yoga and spending time with family and friends, may help lower the risk of dementia, according to a new meta-analysis published in the August 10, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Quality of Life with Multiple Sclerosis May Depend on Several Factors
Quality of life is a measure of a person’s level of comfort, health and happiness. For people with multiple sclerosis (MS), a new study has found there are specific factors that may affect a person’s physical and mental quality of life. The study is published in the August 10, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Gene Therapy Approach Shows Promise in Treating ALS
Researchers report that a gene therapy approach, developed at UC San Diego measurably delayed disease onset in humanized mouse and rat models of familial ALS, an inherited form of the disease that runs in families.
Iron Buildup in Brain Linked to Higher Risk for Movement Disorders
UC San Diego researchers report that individuals with two copies of a gene mutation show evidence of substantial iron buildup in regions of the brain, raising risk for movement disorders like Parkinson’s disease.
Eating More Ultra-processed Foods Associated with Increased Risk of Dementia
People who eat the highest amounts of ultra-processed foods like soft drinks, chips and cookies may have a higher risk of developing dementia than those who eat the lowest amounts, according to a new study published in the July 27, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Researchers also found that replacing ultra-processed foods in a person’s diet with unprocessed or minimally processed foods was associated with a lower risk. The study does not prove that ultra-processed foods cause dementia. It only shows an association.
Study: Chores, Exercise, and Social Visits Linked to Lower Risk of Dementia
Physical and mental activities, such as household chores, exercise, and visiting with family and friends, may help lower the risk of dementia, according to a new study published in the July 27, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The study looked at the effects of these activities, as well as mental activities and use of electronic devices in people both with and without higher genetic risk for dementia.
Artificial Intelligence in Personalized Medicine, Genomic Sequencing Advances, Human Brain Organogenesis, Building Trust with Patients, Guiding Patient Decisions with Mass Spectrometry, and Much More to Be Explored at 2022 AACC
At the 2022 AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo, laboratory medicine experts will present the cutting-edge research and technology that is revolutionizing clinical testing and patient care.
Several Hospitals in University Hospitals System Recognized by American Heart Association for Quality Stroke Care
Several hospitals in the University Hospitals health system have been recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) for their quality stroke care. The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Quality Achievement Awards, achieved by UH medical centers, recognizes their commitment to ensuring stroke patients receive the most appropriate treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines based on the latest scientific evidence.
Do Benefits of Physical, Mental Activity on Thinking Differ for Men and Women?
Studies have shown that physical and mental activity help preserve thinking skills and delay dementia. A new study suggests that these benefits may vary for men and women. The study is published in the July 20, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Seizures may increase dementia risk for young stroke survivors
Young stroke patients who have a seizure following their diagnosis are at greater risk of developing dementia than patients who don’t experience seizures, according to a College of Medicine study.
Is Stroke Linked to Depression Before it Occurs?
While depression is a common problem for people who have had a stroke, some people may have symptoms of depression years before their stroke, according to a study published in the July 13, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Researchers found that, in people who developed a stroke, symptoms of depression preceded the onset of stroke and further worsened after the stroke.
Study: Liver Disease Linked to Higher Risk of Dementia
People who have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, a buildup of fat cells in the liver, may have a higher risk of dementia, according to a new study published in the July 13, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. Researchers also found that people with this form of liver disease who also have heart disease or who have had a stroke may have an even higher risk of dementia.
Even in sleep, your brain’s neurons are humming along to Mozart
A unique study of brain activity in the cerebral cortex of epilepsy patients found there was a robust response to sound during sleep that largely mirrored the brain’s response during wakefulness. However, there was one key difference from wakefulness.
American Neurological Association Announces Winners of 2022 Awards for Outstanding Accomplishments in Academic Neurology and Neuroscience
The American Neurological Association (ANA) has announced the recipients of its 2022 scientific awards, to be presented during the 147th ANA Annual Meeting, which will be held October 22–25, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois.
Doctors with Texas Comprehensive Epilepsy Program lead 22-year-old Tyler resident to seizure freedom
Elisabeth Gentry had experienced auras ever since she was a toddler, but she didn’t learn that the occasional strange tastes in her mouth and feelings of impending doom were epilepsy until 2015, when she was 15 years old and suffered a grand mal seizure.
Preliminary Study: Blood Treatment is Safe, May Help Treat Stiff Person Syndrome
Stiff person syndrome spectrum disorders are rare autoimmune and neurological disorders that most often cause muscle stiffness and spasms in the torso and limbs. According to a small, preliminary study released today, a blood treatment called plasmapheresis, also known as therapeutic plasma exchange, may be a safe way to treat stiff person syndrome spectrum disorders. The research will be presented at the new American Academy of Neurology Summer Conference: Autoimmune Neurology and Neurology Year in Review in San Francisco, July 15 to 16, 2022. Researchers also found that many study participants also experienced an improvement in symptoms or function, or both, while being treated with this therapy.
Thyroid Problems Linked to Increased Risk of Dementia
Older people with hypothyroidism, also called underactive thyroid, may be at increased risk of developing dementia, according to a study published in the July 6, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The risk of developing dementia was even higher for people whose thyroid condition required thyroid hormone replacement medication.
Bike Helmets: Finding the Right Fit For Your Child
Follow these tips to make sure your child’s helmet is safe. A bike helmet can literally be a lifesaver for a child—dramatically reducing the chances of a head or brain injury from a bike, scooter or skateboard accident. But did you know that a helmet has to fit right to do its job? If it’s too small, too loose, or not positioned correctly, it may not protect your child.
Study Finds Women Have More Brain Changes After Menopause
Women who have gone through menopause may have more of a brain biomarker called white matter hyperintensities than premenopausal women or men of the same age, according to a new study published in the June 29, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Hackensack Meridian Children’s Health Pediatric Neurologist Studying Concussion Recovery in Children
Pediatric neurologist Felicia Gliksman, D.O., MPH, FAAN, director of the Pediatric and Adult Concussion Center at Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital at Hackensack University Medical Center, and vice chair of the Department of Neurology at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, is serving as principal investigator and investigator for two studies related to recovery from brain injury.
UCSF Nancy Friend Pritzker Psychiatry Building Opens to Patients
UCSF is welcoming its first patients to the Nancy Friend Pritzker Psychiatry Building, a one-of-a-kind treatment center that aims to redefine mental health services and make a bold statement against stigma.
Alzheimer’s Disease Affects Most Known Biological Pathways in the Brain, Researchers Find
Researchers conducted a systematic assessment of more than 200,000 scientific publications to understand the breadth and diversity of biological pathways that contribute to Alzheimer’s disease by research over the last 30 years.
All Five Henry Ford Health Hospitals Earn Highest Quality Recognition for Stroke Care from American Heart Association and American Stroke Association
All five hospitals of Henry Ford Health, which are equipped to treat stroke, earned Get with the Guidelines® – Stroke Gold Plus and Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite status for stroke care excellence from the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. This top-quality achievement recognizes Henry Ford’s commitment to ensuring patients with stroke receive the most appropriate and timely treatment according to nationally recognized, research-based guidelines grounded in the latest scientific evidence.
Can Acupuncture Reduce Headaches?
Acupuncture may reduce headaches for people who have chronic tension-type headaches, according to a study published in the June 22, 2022, online issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.
Podcast: Life as a medical student with epilepsy
We talk with a third-year medical student, a neurology researcher, an avid rock climber, and a young man with epilepsy who had a responsive neurostimulator (RNS) implanted last year. The catch: They’re all the same person.