Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Neurology for February 2020. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Age of Onset May Affect Clinical Outcomes for MS Patients on DMT
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Age of onset for disease is an important factor affecting clinical outcomes across the life span in patients receiving disease-modifying therapy (DMT) for multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study published online Feb. 25 in the European Journal of Neurology.
Patients Report Cannabis Eases Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Cannabis use is common among multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with spasticity, according to a research letter published online Feb. 11 in Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders.
Eye Movement Training Efficacious for Hemianopic Patients
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — An eye movement training approach is efficacious for improving visual performance in hemianopic patients, according to a study published in the April issue of Cortex.
Vegetarian Diet Linked to Reduced Ischemic Stroke Risk in Taiwan
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a population from Taiwan, vegetarian diet was associated with a reduced risk for overall, ischemic, and hemorrhagic stroke, according to a study published online Feb. 26 in Neurology.
Varenicline Seems Safe for Adults Without Depression
FRIDAY, Feb. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For adults without a recent history of depression, use of varenicline for smoking cessation does not appear to be associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular (CV) or neuropsychiatric hospitalizations when compared with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), according to a study published online Feb. 19 in Addiction.
Fewer Women in Cardiovascular Trials, but Representation Improving
THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Men still dominate participation in cardiovascular clinical trials, according to a study published online Feb. 17 in Circulation.
Video Game-Like Intervention May Aid Children With ADHD
THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), performance in attentional functioning was significantly improved at four weeks in those receiving a digital intervention versus control sessions, according to a study published online Feb. 24 in The Lancet Digital Health.
NIH Toolbox Cognitive Battery Valid in Intellectual Disability
THURSDAY, Feb. 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The NIH-Toolbox Cognitive Battery (NIHTB-CB) is reliable and valid for children and young adults with intellectual disability (ID), according to a study published online Feb. 24 in Neurology.
Influence of Politics Has Not Waned in Opinions About ACA
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Public opinion about the Affordable Care Act (ACA) remains divided 10 years after its passage, according to a study published online Feb. 19 in Health Affairs.
USPSTF: Evidence Lacking for Cognitive Impairment Screening
TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) concludes that the evidence is lacking and that the balance of benefits and harms of cognitive impairment screening for older adults cannot be established. These findings form the basis of a final recommendation statement published in the Feb. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Evidence Report
Final Recommendation Statement
Editorial 1
Editorial 2 (subscription or payment may be required)
Mistreatment, Discrimination Still Common for Medical Students
TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Mistreatment of medical students remains common for women, racial/ethnic minorities, and sexual minorities, according to a study published online Feb. 24 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Different Foods Linked to Risk for Ischemic, Hemorrhagic Stroke
TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Different foods are associated with the risk for ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke, according to a study published online Feb. 24 in the European Heart Journal.
Dementia May Lower Odds of ‘Good Death’ Among Cancer Patients
TUESDAY, Feb. 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Cancer patients with dementia are less likely to achieve a “good death” than those without, according to a study published online Feb. 4 in Geriatrics & Gerontology International.
Alzheimer Disease Gene Mapping Project Proposed in New York State
FRIDAY, Feb. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A proposed project to map the genes of 1 million people in New York living with or at risk for Alzheimer disease was announced Friday by Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
AP News Article
Image Reading on Mobile Devices Feasible for Stroke Decisions
FRIDAY, Feb. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Mobile devices may be reliable and accurate for interpreting images needed in making the clinical decision to administer intravenous (IV) thrombolysis in patients with acute stroke, according to a study published online Feb. 12 in the American Journal of Roentgenology.
Out-of-Pocket Costs Impact Neurologic Medication Adherence
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For patients with certain neurological conditions, increasing out-of-pocket medical costs is associated with lower medication adherence, according to a study published online Feb. 19 in Neurology.
Many Transgender Youth Intentionally Avoid Disclosure
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Most transgender youth voluntarily disclose their gender identity to health care providers (HCPs) outside of a gender clinic; however, almost half report having intentionally avoided disclosure, according to a study published online Feb. 20 in the Journal of Adolescent Health.
Developmental Disability Diagnosis More Likely in Rural Children
THURSDAY, Feb. 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Children living in rural areas are more likely to be diagnosed with a developmental disability compared with those living in urban areas, according to a study published online Feb. 19 in National Health Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Prenatal Exposure to Phthalates Tied to Autistic Traits in Children
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Gestational exposure to phthalates is associated with higher scores on the Social Responsiveness Scale II (SRS-2), as a measure of autistic traits and social impairment, according to a study published online Feb. 19 in Environmental Health Perspectives.
Most Youth With Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Undiagnosed
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) remains largely undiagnosed in youth, according to a study published online Jan. 23 in the Child & Youth Care Forum.
Risk of Major Heart Complications Up Shortly Following Stroke
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Ischemic stroke is independently associated with an increased risk for incident poststroke major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in both men and women, according to a study published in the February issue of Stroke.
Certain Factors May Increase Risk for Cognitive Decline in Elderly
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In older adults with abdominal obesity, sustained levels of higher blood glucose are tied to a higher likelihood of experiencing cognitive decline, whereas in older adults without abdominal obesity, the hormone adiponectin appears to up the risk for cognitive decline, according to a study published online Feb. 4 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Guidelines Issued for Insomnia, Sleep Apnea in Current, Former Soldiers
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a new practice guideline, published online Feb. 18 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, recommendations are presented for the screening, evaluation, and treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and chronic insomnia disorder in military personnel and veterans.
Maximal Resection of Glioblastomas May Up Survival
TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Maximal resection of a contrast-enhanced (CE) tumor is associated with improved overall survival in patients with isocitrate dehydrogenase gene 1 or 2 (IDH)-wild-type and IDH-mutant subtype glioblastomas, according to a study published online Feb. 6 in JAMA Oncology.
U.S. Life Expectancy to Reach 85 by 2060
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Nearly a quarter of all U.S. residents will be older than 65 by 2060, and life expectancy will reach an all-time high of 85 by that year, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
AP News Article
Telemarketer Access to Medicare Information to Be Investigated
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — An investigation into how telemarketers may be obtaining seniors’ personal Medicare information will be launched by the U.S. Health and Human Services inspector general office.
AP News Article
More Information: HHS
Teens With ADHD Less Likely Than Preteens to Have Doctor Visit
FRIDAY, Feb. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are less likely to have a primary care visit during adolescence than preadolescence, according to a study published in the February/March issue of the Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics.
Subconcussive Head Impacts May Affect Neuro-Ophthalmologic Function
THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Repetitive subconcussive head impacts may cause short-term impairment of neuro-ophthalmologic function, according to a study published online Feb. 13 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Smartphone, Web App May Help Predict Prognosis for Meningioma
THURSDAY, Feb. 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — An open-source smartphone and web application has been developed to help predict clinical malignancy and survival outcomes for meningioma, according to a study published online Jan. 30 in npj Digital Medicine.
Recommendations Issued for Sleep Disturbance in Pediatric Autism
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In an American Academy of Neurology practice guideline, published online Feb. 12 in Neurology, recommendations are presented for addressing sleep disturbances in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
2011 to 2018 Saw Decline in Problems Paying Medical Bills
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2011 to 2018, there was a decrease in the percentage of families having problems paying medical bills in the past 12 months, according to a February data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
Nonpharmaceutical Interventions Aid Low Back Pain
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Movement-based mind-body interventions (MMBIs), particularly yoga, are effective for reducing low back pain, according to a review published in the January/February issue of Holistic Nursing Practice.
Brain MRIs ID Racial Differences in Pain Response
TUESDAY, Feb. 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Racial differences in pain may be rooted in life experience, rather than intrinsic biology, according to a study published online Feb. 3 in Nature Human Behaviour.
Prophylactic Migraine Treatment Has No Effect in Children
TUESDAY, Feb. 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is little evidence supporting the efficacy of prophylactic pharmacologic treatments for pediatric migraine, according to a review published online Feb. 10 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Broad Clinical Spectrum Linked to Pediatric MOG Antibodies
TUESDAY, Feb. 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The spectrum of pediatric syndromes associated with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies is wider than previously thought, according to a study published online Feb. 10 in The Lancet Neurology.
Two Experimental Drugs for Rare, Inherited Alzheimer Disease Disappoint
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Two experimental drugs do not appear to slow memory loss or mental decline in patients in the early stages of a rare, inherited, early-onset form of Alzheimer disease, according to initial results from a clinical trial.
Empathy Declines as Students Progress Through Medical School
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Students become less empathic toward patients throughout medical school, according to a study published online Jan. 21 in Academic Medicine.
Resting-State EEG Can Predict Sertraline Treatment Outcomes
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A latent-space machine learning algorithm tailored for resting-state electroencephalography (rsEEG) can predict treatment outcomes with sertraline in depression, according to a study published online Feb. 10 in Nature Biotechnology.
Outpatient Palliative Care Improves Parkinson Outcomes
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Compared with standard care alone, outpatient palliative care is associated with benefits among patients with Parkinson disease and related disorders, according to a study published online Feb. 10 in JAMA Neurology.
Seniors Have Concerns About Affording Health Insurance
MONDAY, Feb. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Many adults aged 50 to 64 years are concerned about their ability to afford health insurance, according to a study published online Feb. 7 in JAMA Network Open.
Radiologist Workforce Becoming Increasingly Subspecialized
FRIDAY, Feb. 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The national radiologist workforce is becoming increasingly subspecialized, according to a study recently published in the Journal of the American College of Radiology.
Number of Nurse Practitioners More Than Doubled 2010 to 2017
FRIDAY, Feb. 7, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2010 to 2017, there was a substantial increase in the number of nurse practitioners in the United States, with a corresponding reduction in the size of the registered nurse workforce, according to a report published in the February issue of Health Affairs.
Overweight and Obesity May Up Risk for Several Common Cancers
THURSDAY, Feb. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Hospital-diagnosed overweight and obesity is associated with an increased risk for several common cancers, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Internal Medicine.
Reference Pricing Linked to Lower Prices Paid by Employers
THURSDAY, Feb. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Reference prices are associated with lower prices paid by employers and lower cost sharing by employees, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in JAMA Network Open.
Recommendations Developed for Management of Complex ADHD
THURSDAY, Feb. 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a Society for Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics Clinical Practice Guideline, published online Jan. 30 in the Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, recommendations are presented for the management of complex attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in childhood.
Cluster Headache Ups Sickness Absence, Disability Pension Days
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Patients with cluster headache have more sickness absence and disability pension days than matched references, according to a study published online Feb. 5 in Neurology.
Soldiers With Traumatic Brain Injury at Risk for Mental Illness
WEDNESDAY, Feb. 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) — U.S. combat soldiers who have suffered a moderate or severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) are more likely to experience a range of mental health disorders than soldiers with other serious injuries, according to a study recently published in Military Medicine.
Suicide Rates Higher for Individuals With Neurological Disorders
TUESDAY, Feb. 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Rates of suicide are significantly higher for individuals diagnosed with a neurological disorder versus the general population, according to a study published in the Feb. 4 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Bumetanide Promising for Reducing Autism Symptoms
TUESDAY, Feb. 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Bumetanide seems effective for improving symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in young children, according to a study published online Jan. 27 in Translational Psychiatry.
Five-Year Outcomes Comparable for TAVR, Surgical AVR
TUESDAY, Feb. 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is no significant difference in the incidence of death or disabling stroke at five years among patients with aortic stenosis at intermediate surgical risk who undergo transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) or surgical aortic valve replacement, according to a study published online Jan. 29 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Atypical Sleep Tied to Language Skills in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
TUESDAY, Feb. 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In children with fragile X syndrome (FXS), Down syndrome (DS), and Williams syndrome (WS), disrupted sleep may adversely affect language development, according to a study published in the February issue of Research in Developmental Disabilities.
Mothers With Autism Face Higher Rates of Postpartum Depression
MONDAY, Feb. 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Mothers with autism face unique challenges, and the stigma of being autistic can further exacerbate communication issues, according to a study published online Jan. 6 in Molecular Autism.
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