Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Neurology for August 2019. 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.
Massachusetts Communities at ‘Critical Risk’ for Mosquito-Borne Virus
FRIDAY, Aug. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There is a “critical risk” for a dangerous mosquito-transmitted virus in 28 Massachusetts communities, the state health department warns.
eScooter-Related Injuries Have Increased Over Time
FRIDAY, Aug. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Electric motorized scooter (eScooter)-related injuries have increased over time and are frequently associated with alcohol and illicit substance use, according to research published online Aug. 29 in Trauma Surgery & Acute Care Open.
NFL Seasons of Play, Playing Position Affect Mental Health
FRIDAY, Aug. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For football players in the National Football League, seasons of play and playing position are associated with lasting neuropsychiatric health deficits, according to a study published online Aug. 30 in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
Cerebrovascular Risk Factors May Up Risk for Parkinson Disease
FRIDAY, Aug. 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Most cerebrovascular risk factors are associated with an increased risk for subsequent diagnosis of Parkinson disease, according to a study published online Aug. 29 in the Annals of Neurology.
Plasma Marker May Help Detect Traumatic Brain Injury
THURSDAY, Aug. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Plasma concentration of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) can aid in detecting traumatic brain injury (TBI) by identifying patients with negative findings on computed tomography (CT) scan who might need magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and additional follow-up, according to a study published online Aug. 23 in The Lancet Neurology.
High-Intensity Training Improves Walking in Stroke Survivors
THURSDAY, Aug. 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — High-intensity stepping training that mimics real-world conditions may better improve walking ability in stroke survivors, according to a study published in the September issue of Stroke.
Guidelines Updated for Vaccination in Multiple Sclerosis
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines have been updated on vaccinations in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS); a practice guideline update summary was published online Aug. 28 in Neurology.
Low Nurse and Support Staffing Tied to Higher Inpatient Mortality
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Low levels of nurse and nursing support staffing are associated with increased inpatient mortality, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in BMJ Quality & Safety.
Concussion Symptom History Tied to Low Testosterone Levels
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There is an association between the number of concussion symptoms at the time of injury and the odds of reporting indicators of low testosterone level and erectile dysfunction among former football players, according to a study published online Aug. 26 in JAMA Neurology.
Long-Term Night-Shift Work May Up Risk for Multiple Sclerosis
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A history of 20+ years of rotating night-shift work is associated with an increased risk for definite diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a study published online Aug. 12 in Occupational & Environmental Medicine.
DEA to Approve Dozens More Growers for Marijuana Research
TUESDAY, Aug. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The number of marijuana growers allowed to produce the drug for U.S. government-approved research will be expanded from one to 34, officials say.
AP News Article
Decline in Mortality Rates for Cardiometabolic Disease Slowing
TUESDAY, Aug. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Age-adjusted mortality rates (AAMRs) for cardiometabolic diseases are continuing to decline but at a slower rate, according to a research letter published online Aug. 27 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Prices Spike for Drugs Used to Treat Multiple Sclerosis
TUESDAY, Aug. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2006 to 2016, the prices of self-administered disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis increased, according to a study published online Aug. 26 in JAMA Neurology.
Psoriasis Independently Linked to Increased Mortality Risk
TUESDAY, Aug. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Psoriasis is significantly associated with an increased mortality risk, according to a study published online Aug. 12 in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Smaller + Larger Infarctions May Escalate Later Cognitive Decline
TUESDAY, Aug. 27, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The combination of smaller and larger infarctions detected in stroke-free individuals in middle age is associated with substantial cognitive decline later in life, according to a study published online Aug. 27 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Aerobic Exercise Programs Benefit Stroke Survivors
MONDAY, Aug. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Group-based aerobic exercise programs, like cardiac rehabilitation, provide benefits to stroke survivors, according to a review published online Aug. 14 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
Restless Legs Syndrome Linked to Suicide, Self-Harm
MONDAY, Aug. 26, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Individuals with restless legs syndrome (RLS) have an increased risk for suicide and self-harm, according to a study published online Aug. 23 in JAMA Network Open.
Prurigo Nodularis Associated With Mental Health Disorders
FRIDAY, Aug. 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Prurigo nodularis (PN) is associated with mental health disorders, systemic illnesses, and HIV infection, according to a study published online Aug. 15 in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
Coverage With HPV Vaccine Continuing to Increase in Boys
THURSDAY, Aug. 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Coverage with the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine increased among boys from 2017 to 2018, according to research published in the Aug. 23 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Facial Involvement in Primary Headaches Occurs Infrequently
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Facial involvement in primary headaches occurs infrequently, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in Neurology.
Taking Buprenorphine for Opioid Use Disorder May Up Other Med Compliance
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Using buprenorphine to treat opioid use disorder (OUD) may increase adherence to treatments for other chronic conditions, according to a study published in the September issue of Medical Care.
High, Increasing BP in Midlife Tied to Brain Changes in Late Life
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There appears to be a correlation for high and increasing blood pressure (BP) from early adulthood and into midlife with white matter hyperintensity volume (WMHV) and smaller brain volumes at age 69 to 71 years, according to a study published online Aug. 21 in The Lancet Neurology.
Mobile Stroke Unit Speeds Access to Intraarterial Thrombectomy
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Pre-emergency department evaluation on a mobile stroke unit (MSU) can speed access to intraarterial thrombectomy (IAT) compared with standard management by emergency medical services (EMS), according to a study published in the July issue of Stroke.
Exposure to Pollution May Up Risk for Psychiatric Disorders
TUESDAY, Aug. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Environmental pollution appears to be associated with an increased risk for psychiatric disorders, especially bipolar disorder and major depression, according to a report published online Aug. 20 in PLOS Biology.
Association for Diabetes, Stroke Risk Varies by Age, Race, Sex
TUESDAY, Aug. 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The magnitude of the association of diabetes with stroke risk varies by age, race, and sex, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in Diabetes Care.
Maternal Exposure to Fluoride Linked to Lower Offspring IQ
MONDAY, Aug. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Maternal exposure to higher levels of fluoride during pregnancy may be associated with lower IQ scores in young children, according to a study published online Aug. 19 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Genetic Liability to Insomnia Linked to Increased Odds of CVDs
MONDAY, Aug. 19, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Genetic liability to insomnia is associated with increased odds of major cardiovascular diseases, according to a research letter published online Aug. 19 in Circulation.
Recommendations Developed for Management of Lyme Disease
FRIDAY, Aug. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The Infectious Diseases Society of America, the American Academy of Neurology, and the American College of Rheumatology have released a draft of their joint clinical practice guidelines for the management of Lyme disease.
Draft Guidelines
Draft Supplemental Materials
Comment on Guidelines
Periop Covert Stroke ID’d in 7 Percent of Older Surgery Patients
FRIDAY, Aug. 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Seven percent of older patients undergoing inpatient, noncardiac surgery have perioperative covert stroke, which is associated with an increased risk for cognitive decline, according to a study published online Aug. 15 in The Lancet.
Advertising Can Promote Interest in Health-Related Research
THURSDAY, Aug. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Advertising current local health-related research using large TV monitors in emergency department waiting rooms can increase the short-term interest in health-related research, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in BMJ Open.
Antipsychotic Rx Patterns in Children With ADHD Concerning
THURSDAY, Aug. 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Although the number of young people with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who are treated with antipsychotic drugs is low, many antipsychotic prescriptions do not appear to be clinically warranted, according to a study published online July 26 in JAMA Network Open.
Radial Artery Access Used for Neuroendovascular Procedures
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Radial artery catheterization is an alternative approach to performing a wide range of neuroendovascular procedures and has a low rate of complications, according to a study published online July 17 in Stroke.
Evidence Supports Meds Used for Pain Relief in Pediatric Migraine
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Evidence-based therapies are available for the acute symptomatic treatment of migraine in children and adolescents, but evidence is lacking for the impact of many treatments for migraine prevention, according to two updated guidelines published online Aug. 14 in Neurology.
Abstract/Full Text 1 (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text 2 (subscription or payment may be required)
Traumatic Brain Injury May Up Risk for Suicide in Veterans
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Veterans diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) are at a higher risk for suicide in comparison with those without a TBI diagnosis, especially when the severity is moderate to severe, according to a study published online July 30 in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.
Non-Hospital-Based Provider-to-Patient Telehealth Use Growing
TUESDAY, Aug. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Use of non-hospital-based provider-to-patient telehealth grew almost 1,400-fold from 2014 to 2018, according to a FAIR Health White Paper.
BP From Midlife to Late Life Tied to Risk for Subsequent Dementia
TUESDAY, Aug. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The risk for subsequent dementia is significantly increased for blood pressure patterns of midlife and late-life hypertension as well as midlife hypertension and late-life hypotension; and intensive blood pressure treatment is associated with a smaller increase in cerebral white matter lesion volume, according to two studies published in the Aug. 13 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Abstract/Full Text – Walker (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text – Nasrallah (subscription or payment may be required)
Editorial (subscription or payment may be required)
Seniors With Dementia at Home Have More Medical Needs
TUESDAY, Aug. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Older adults with incident moderately severe dementia living at home have more medical needs than those living in residential care or nursing facilities, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
Methylphenidate Tx Tied to Brain Changes in Boys With ADHD
TUESDAY, Aug. 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Treatment with methylphenidate (MPH) affects specific tracts in brain white matter in boys with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), according to a study published online Aug. 13 in Radiology.
One-Third of Physicians Will Take 10+ Years to Pay Off Debt
MONDAY, Aug. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Nearly two-thirds of actively practicing physicians are still carrying medical school debt, according to the Medical School Debt Report 2019, published by the staffing firm Weatherby Healthcare.
Medical School Debt Report 2019
Hearing Loss Increases Risk for Dementia in Taiwanese Individuals
MONDAY, Aug. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Taiwanese individuals between the ages of 45 and 64 years old diagnosed with hearing loss are at a greater risk for developing dementia than those without hearing loss, according to a study published online July 31 in JAMA Network Open.
Flu Vaccine Tied to Better Long-Term Outcomes in Elderly ICU Survivors
MONDAY, Aug. 12, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Among elderly patients, influenza vaccination is associated with a reduced risk for dying in the year following discharge from an intensive care unit (ICU), according to a study published in the July issue of Intensive Care Medicine.
Excess Caffeine May Be a Trigger for Episodic Migraine Headaches
FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Higher levels of caffeinated beverage intake may be a trigger for migraine headache on that day among adults with episodic migraines, according to a study published Aug. 8 in the American Journal of Medicine.
Giant Cell Arteritis Occurs at Similar Rate in Blacks, Whites
FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Biopsy-proven giant cell arteritis (BP-GCA) occurs at a similar rate among white and black patients, according to a study published online Aug. 8 in JAMA Ophthalmology.
Vitamin D Tied to Falls, Nonmotor Symptoms in Parkinson Disease
FRIDAY, Aug. 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In patients with Parkinson disease (PD), vitamin D levels are significantly correlated with falls and some nonmotor symptoms, according to a study published online Aug. 6 in Acta Neurologica Scandinavia.
In 2018, 2,813 Cases of Domestic Arbovirus Reported in U.S.
THURSDAY, Aug. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A total of 2,813 cases of domestic arboviral disease were identified in 2018, of which 94 percent were West Nile Virus, according to research published in the Aug. 9 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
FDA Reports More Seizures Among Vapers
THURSDAY, Aug. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There have been 118 more reports of electronic cigarette users suffering seizures since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration first warned the public about the danger in April. That brings the total number of reported cases to 127 between 2010 and 2019, the agency said Wednesday.
ADHD May Increase Risk of Premature Death
THURSDAY, Aug. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is associated with an elevated risk of premature death, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in JAMA Psychiatry.
Major Surgery Linked to Lasting Change in Cognitive Trajectory
THURSDAY, Aug. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Major surgery is associated with a small, long-term change in the average cognitive trajectory, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in The BMJ.
Better CV Health in Midlife Tied to Reduced Dementia Risk Later
THURSDAY, Aug. 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Adherence to the Life Simple 7 ideal cardiovascular health recommendations in midlife is associated with reduced incidence of dementia later in life, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in The BMJ.
FDA: Approval of Zolgensma Was Based on Manipulated Data
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The maker of Zolgensma (onasemnogene abeparvovec-xioi) gave manipulated data to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration when it approved the drug, the agency said Tuesday.
CBS News Article
More Information: FDA
Strong SSRI May Be Tied to Small Decrease in Ischemic Stroke Risk
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Antidepressants strongly inhibiting serotonin reuptake may be associated with a small reduction in the rate of ischemic stroke compared with weak reuptake inhibitors, according to a study published online Aug. 7 in Neurology.
Recent Stressful Life Events Linked to Later Verbal Memory Decline
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Middle-aged women, but not men, with a greater number of recent stressful life events have memory decline later in life, according to a study published in the July issue of the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Medicare Spending on Essential Medicines Up 116 Percent From 2011 to 2015
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Spending associated with essential medicines grew substantially from 2011 to 2015 for Medicare Part D beneficiaries, according to a study published online July 17 in The BMJ.
At-Home Support Helps Stroke Patients Adjust After Hospitalization
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Stroke patients discharged with a case manager and access to an educational website reported significantly greater improvements in physical health after three months compared with those who had traditional care, according to a study published in the July issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes.
Children With ADHD Have Differences in Part of Brain Controlling Movement
TUESDAY, Aug. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may have differences in the brain that limit appropriate responses to “stop cues,” according to a study published online July 17 in Neurology.
Vaccination Does Not Up Risk for Developing Multiple Sclerosis
TUESDAY, Aug. 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Evidence shows that vaccination is not associated with an increased risk for being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) within the next five years, according to a study published online July 30 in Neurology.
Neuropathology Tied to Dementia ID’d in Football Players Who Had CTE
MONDAY, Aug. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — White matter rarefaction, arteriolosclerosis, and dorsolateral frontal cortex (DLFC) neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs) are independently associated with dementia among older men who played football and had chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), according to a study published online Aug. 5 in JAMA Neurology.
Risk for Mental Health Disorders Up for Adults With Cerebral Palsy
MONDAY, Aug. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Adults with cerebral palsy (CP) have an increased prevalence of mental health disorders, according to a study published online Aug. 6 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
More Social Contact at Age 60 Linked to Lower Dementia Risk
MONDAY, Aug. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More frequent social contact during midlife is associated with a lower dementia risk and better cognitive trajectories, according to a study published online Aug. 2 in PLOS Medicine.
Machine Learning Algorithms Can Classify Surgical Expertise in VR Simulation
MONDAY, Aug. 5, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Machine learning can classify participants into levels of expertise with 90 percent accuracy in a virtual reality neurosurgical tumor resection simulation, according to a study published online Aug. 2 in JAMA Network Open.
Discontinuing Statins Linked to Cardiac Admissions in Elderly
FRIDAY, Aug. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For elderly patients taking statins for primary prevention, statin discontinuation is associated with an increased risk for admission for any cardiovascular event, according to a study published online July 30 in the European Heart Journal.
AI-Enabled ECG During Normal Sinus Rhythm Identifies A-Fib
FRIDAY, Aug. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — An artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled electrocardiograph (ECG) acquired during normal sinus rhythm can identify individuals with atrial fibrillation, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in The Lancet.
Plasma Assay Promising for Diagnosis of Early Alzheimer Disease
FRIDAY, Aug. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Plasma β-amyloid (Aβ)42/Aβ40 corresponds with amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) status, according to a study published online Aug. 1 in Neurology.
Brand-Brand Competition Has Not Cut Prices in Pharma Market
FRIDAY, Aug. 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Brand-brand competition in the U.S. pharmaceutical market has not lowered drug list prices, according to a review published online July 30 in PLOS Medicine.
Trump Admin Announces Plan to Allow Drug Imports From Canada
THURSDAY, Aug. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Americans could import less expensive prescription drugs from Canada under a plan being developed by the Trump administration.
HHS Press Release
PhRMA Statement
Many Hospitals Lack Sufficient Surgery Volumes
THURSDAY, Aug. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients can achieve better outcomes by choosing a hospital and a surgeon with adequate, ongoing experience performing a specific surgery, according to a new report entitled Safety In Numbers: The Leapfrog Group’s Report on High-Risk Surgeries Performed at American Hospitals.
Inpatient Surgery Report 2019
Brain Aneurysm Risk Examined in Polycystic Kidney Disease
THURSDAY, Aug. 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Intracranial aneurysms are detected in 9 percent of patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) undergoing magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) screening, according to a study published online July 30 in the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology.
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