Neurology

Two novel biomarkers, lysosome-associated membrane glycoprotein 2 and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 7, are effective in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder, the latter being associated with superior diagnostic potential. Currently, no tests can establish a definitive diagnosis or differentiate between neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and multiple sclerosis (MS). The...

This study found that the neck disability index is higher in patients with neuropathic pain. A positive correlation was observed between neuropathic pain screening score and functional deterioration of study participants with cervical radicular pain. Cervical radicular pain is frequently caused by herniation of a disc or degenerative spondylosis. This type of pain is perceived...

26.6 percent of adults reported pharmacologic therapy use alone, with most reporting nonopioid use only For adults with chronic pain, the most prevalent pain management therapies were over-the-counter pain relievers and exercise in 2020, according to a research letter published online Nov. 21 in the Annals of Internal Medicine. S. Michaela Rikard, Ph.D., from the U.S....

Trend exists for both self-reported and definitively confirmed stroke incidence   Black women reporting having experienced interpersonal racism may have higher risk for having a stroke, according to a study published online Nov. 10 in JAMA Network Open. Shanshan Sheehy, Sc.D., from the Slone Epidemiology Center at Boston University, and colleagues examined the association of...

Rates of autism diagnosis also higher for children of mothers from racial minority groups Children residing in more disadvantaged neighborhoods at birth have a higher likelihood of an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) diagnosis, according to a brief report published online Nov. 15 in JAMA Psychiatry. Xin Yu, from the Spatial Sciences Institute at the University of...

Early anticoagulation can be safely initiated for stroke with atrial fibrillation, according to the findings of a new study. The effects of early versus later initiation of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients after an acute ischemic stroke are unclear. Early initiation may increase the risk of bleeding, whereas later initiation may...

Injection of botulinum toxin more effective than placebo for reducing severity of tremor at week 18 For patients with isolated or essential head tremor, injection of botulinum toxin into each splenius capitis muscle on day 0 and during week 12 is more effective than placebo for reducing tremor severity, according to a study published in...

Bilateral erector spinae plane blocks combined with multimodal analgesia also reduces pain scores, need for antiemetic therapy For patients undergoing open lumbar laminectomy, ultrasound-guided bilateral erector spinae plane blocks (ESPBs) combined with multimodal analgesia reduce opioid consumption, according to a study recently published in the European Spine Journal. Jesse W. Stewart, M.D., from UT Southwestern...

An early and more aggressive therapeutic strategy may be useful in controlling disease activity in pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis, according to a new study. The presence of anti-EBV antibodies was associated with a less favorable prognosis for multiple sclerosis in children. Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating and inflammatory condition of the central nervous system. Between...