Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Neurology for May 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.
Higher LDL-C Levels Linked to Early-Onset Alzheimer Disease
FRIDAY, May 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is associated with the probability of developing early-onset Alzheimer disease (EOAD), according to a study published online May 28 in JAMA Neurology.
Lupus Manifestations Appear to Differ by Race, Ethnicity
FRIDAY, May 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Clinical manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) vary by racial and ethnic groups, according to a study published online May 22 in Arthritis Care & Research.
Recommendations Developed for Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Trials
FRIDAY, May 31, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The International Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis Study Group has updated standards for future clinical trials in pediatric multiple sclerosis (MS); the new recommendations were published in the May 28 issue of Neurology.
FDA Approves First Test for Zika in Human Blood
THURSDAY, May 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The first test to detect the Zika virus in human blood has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
CBS News Article
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Shortage Looming
THURSDAY, May 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There is a looming critical shortage of pediatric nurse practitioners (PNPs), according to a white paper published in the May-June issue of the Journal of Pediatric Health Care.
High Costs Associated With Physician Burnout in U.S.
THURSDAY, May 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — High costs are associated with physician turnover and reduced clinical hours attributed to burnout, according to a study published online May 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Ultra-Processed Food Intake Linked to Increased CVD Risk
THURSDAY, May 30, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Ultra-processed food consumption is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality, according to two studies published online May 29 in The BMJ.
Remote Ischemic Preconditioning May Have Neuroprotective Effects
WEDNESDAY, May 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In healthy adults, there is an increase in dynamic cerebral autoregulation (dCA) six hours after remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) that lasts for at least 24 hours, according to a study published online May 29 in Neurology.
Global Burden of Serious Health-Related Suffering to Double by 2060
WEDNESDAY, May 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The global burden of serious health-related suffering is set to increase 47 percent by 2060, according to a study published online May 22 in The Lancet Global Health.
Reading Visit Notes May Improve Medication Management
WEDNESDAY, May 29, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Reading clinical notes can help patients to understand why medications are prescribed and improves medication adherence for some patients, according to a brief research report published online May 28 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Antiplatelets Do Not Up Recurrence in Intracerebral Hemorrhage
TUESDAY, May 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, those who start antiplatelet therapy do not have an increased risk for recurrence, including those with cerebral microbleeds, according to two studies published online May 22 in The Lancet and The Lancet Neurology.
FDA Approves First Gene Therapy for Spinal Muscular Atrophy
TUESDAY, May 28, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The first gene therapy has been approved to treat children younger than 2 years with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Friday.
Vision Loss May Up Cognitive Decline-Related Functional Limitations
FRIDAY, May 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Vision impairment is associated with increased subjective cognitive decline (SCD)-related functional limitations for adults aged 45 years and older, according to research published in the May 24 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Intracranial Hemorrhage Risk Up With Low-Dose Aspirin
FRIDAY, May 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For individuals without symptomatic cardiovascular disease, the use of low-dose aspirin for primary prevention of cardiovascular events is associated with an increased risk for intracranial hemorrhage, according to a review and meta-analysis published online May 13 in JAMA Neurology.
Migraines in Pregnancy Tied to Worse Outcomes for Mother, Baby
FRIDAY, May 24, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Migraines in pregnant women are associated with an increased risk for pregnancy-associated hypertension disorders as well as an increased risk for a variety of adverse outcomes in the newborn, according to a study published online May 8 in Headache.
Pediatricians Should Encourage Fish Consumption for Children
THURSDAY, May 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Fish and shellfish consumption should be encouraged for children, according to a technical report published online May 20 in Pediatrics.
Most At-Risk Opt Out of Genetic Testing for Huntington Disease
THURSDAY, May 23, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The vast majority of people at risk for Huntington disease (HD) choose not to be tested preemptively, mainly because there is no cure for the disease, according to a study published online May 15 in Clinical Genetics.
Incidence of Parkinson Disease Increased in Bipolar Disorder
WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients with bipolar disorder (BD) have an increased incidence of Parkinson disease (PD), according to a study published online May 22 in Neurology.
Targeted Laser Surgery Treats Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
WEDNESDAY, May 22, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Laser interstitial thermal therapy (LITT) targeting greater amygdala volume is more likely to be associated with Engel I outcomes for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (mTLE), according to a study published online May 21 in Epilepsia.
Weight Gain, Loss in Seniors May Increase Risk for Dementia
TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Weight gain and weight loss in older adults are both associated with an increased risk for dementia, according to a study published online May 20 in BMJ Open.
Clinical Drug Diversion Costly to Health Care Organizations
TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — U.S. health care organizations lost nearly $454 million due to clinical drug diversion in 2018, according to the 2019 Drug Diversion Digest, released by Protenus Inc.
Report (subscription and payment may be required)
Regular Puzzle Use May Improve Cognition in Older Adults
TUESDAY, May 21, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Older adults who regularly perform word and number puzzles have higher cognitive functioning than those who do not engage in such activities, according to two studies recently published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
Abstract/Full Text 1 (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text 2 (subscription or payment may be required)
Statin Use Reduces Dementia Risk After Concussion in Seniors
MONDAY, May 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Older adults have an increased risk for dementia after concussion, which is modestly reduced among patients using a statin, according to a study published online May 20 in JAMA Neurology.
Guidance Issued for Systems of Care for Stroke Patients
MONDAY, May 20, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Improvements in systems of care are necessary to implement advances in treatment and care of stroke patients, according to a policy statement issued by the American Stroke Association and published online May 20 in Stroke.
Many Lives Could Be Saved if All Hospitals Had Grade A Rating
FRIDAY, May 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — More than 50,000 lives could be saved if all hospitals had an avoidable death rate equivalent to “A” grade hospitals, according to an updated report prepared for The Leapfrog Institute.
Private Insurers Pay 241 Percent of What Medicare Would Pay
FRIDAY, May 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Prices paid to hospitals for privately insured patients in 2017 averaged 241 percent of what Medicare would have paid, with wide variation in prices among states, according to a report published by the RAND Corporation.
Sleep Duration Tied to Adverse Measures of Glycemia
FRIDAY, May 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Self-reported short and long sleep are both associated with adverse measures of glycemia among adults with prediabetes, according to a study published online May 10 in Diabetes Care.
Thresholds Found for Unilateral Optic Nerve Lesions in MS
FRIDAY, May 17, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A new anatomic threshold may be useful for identifying unilateral optic nerve lesions in patients with multiple sclerosis, according to a study published in the May issue of the Annals of Neurology.
Study Describes TBI Caregiver QOL Measurement System
THURSDAY, May 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A new tool, the Traumatic Brain Injury Caregiver Quality of Life (TBI-CareQOL), combines five new measures and 10 existing measures and can identify health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among caregivers of individuals with TBI, according to a study published in the April issue of the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Goggles That Record Nystagmus Could Help Diagnose Vertigo
THURSDAY, May 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Teaching patients to wear goggles when symptomatic to videorecord nystagmus can assist with the diagnosis of episodic vestibular disorders, according to a proof-of-concept study published online May 15 in Neurology.
Recs Updated for TB Screening, Treatment in Health Care Workers
THURSDAY, May 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines have been updated for screening and treatment for tuberculosis (TB) infection among health care personnel, according to research published in the May 17 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Dabigatran Does Not Beat Aspirin for Preventing Recurrent Stroke
THURSDAY, May 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Dabigatran is not superior to aspirin for preventing recurrent stroke in patients with recent history of embolic stroke of undetermined source, according to a study published in the May 16 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Poll: Many Adults Worried About Developing Dementia
THURSDAY, May 16, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Many adults are worried about developing dementia and about half report taking steps to maintain or improve memory, according to a report published by the National Poll on Healthy Aging.
Habitual Glucosamine Use Linked to Reduced Risk for CVD Events
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Habitual use of glucosamine supplements is associated with a reduced risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) events, according to a study published online May 14 in The BMJ.
Healthy Lifestyle Recommended for Reducing Dementia Risk
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Guidelines emphasizing adoption of a healthy lifestyle for reducing the risk for cognitive decline and dementia have been developed by the World Health Organization.
Thyroid Hormones Not Endorsed for Subclinical Hypothyroidism
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Thyroid hormones are not recommended for adults with subclinical hypothyroidism (SCH), according to an article published online May 14 in The BMJ.
Worldwide Prevalence of Eating Disorders Increased Since 2000
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Eating disorders are highly prevalent worldwide, especially among women, according to research published in the May issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Risk for Repeat Concussion Quantified for Pediatric Patients
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A total of 16.2 percent of children with an index concussion experience at least one repeat concussion within two years, according to a study published online May 14 in The Journal of Pediatrics.
Computer-Based Training Studied in Children With Fragile X Syndrome
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — No significant difference in outcomes was observed in children and adolescents with fragile X syndrome (FXS) receiving adaptive versus nonadaptive in-home cognitive training, according to a study published online April 15 in the Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders.
Use of Rehab After Ischemic Stroke Varies in Acute Care
WEDNESDAY, May 15, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There is considerable variation in the use of rehabilitation services in the acute care setting following ischemic stroke, according to a study published in the May issue of Physical Therapy.
Tool Predicts Seizure Risk During, After Pregnancy
TUESDAY, May 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A prognostic model can predict the risk for seizures in pregnant women with epilepsy on medication, according to a study published online May 13 in PLOS Medicine.
Light, Incremental Physical Activity Can Help Reduce Brain Aging
TUESDAY, May 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Incremental physical activity (PA), even of light intensity, is associated with larger brain volume and healthy brain aging, according to a study published online April 19 in JAMA Network Open.
U.S. Parents Worried About Child’s Communication Skills
TUESDAY, May 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — One-quarter of parents with children younger than age 8 years are concerned about their child’s ability to communicate, according to poll results released by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA).
Mindful Music Listening Aids Cognitive Recovery After Stroke
TUESDAY, May 14, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Music listening interventions appear to be a promising approach to improving cognitive recovery following a stroke, according to a study recently published in the International Journal of Stroke.
Patients Find Note Reading Important for Health Management
MONDAY, May 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Patients find note reading important for their health management and are rarely troubled by what they read, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
Standard Outcome Measures Developed for Pediatric Facial Palsy
MONDAY, May 13, 2019 (HealthDay News) — A standardized set of outcome measures, published online May 9 in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, has been designed to evaluate the quality of care provided to pediatric patients with facial palsy.
Health Professionals Supportive of Medicinal Cannabis
FRIDAY, May 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Health professionals are generally supportive of medicinal cannabis use but report a lack of knowledge about its use, according to a review published online May 6 in PLOS ONE.
Doctors Aware of Patient Difficulties Affording Medical Care
FRIDAY, May 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Physicians are aware of patients’ difficulty with affording medical care and consider out-of-pocket costs in their decision making, according to an article published in a supplement to the May 7 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Prehospital Tx Guidelines May Improve Outcomes in Severe TBI
FRIDAY, May 10, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Implementation of prehospital traumatic brain injury (TBI) guidelines is associated with improvement in survival to hospital discharge for patients with severe TBI, according to a study published online May 8 in JAMA Surgery.
Nut Intake in First Trimester May Benefit Child Neurodevelopment
THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Nut intake during the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with long-term child neuropsychological development, according to a study published online May 7 in the European Journal of Epidemiology.
2018 Saw More Employed Physicians Than Self-Employed
THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2018, employed physicians outnumbered self-employed physicians, according to a report from the American Medical Association (AMA).
CDC: Uninsurance Levels Did Not Change Significantly in 2018
THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2018, the percentage of U.S. individuals who were uninsured was not significantly different from the numbers in 2017, although uninsurance increased among adults aged 45 to 64 years, according to a report published online May 9 by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
Alteplase Seems Beneficial at 4.5 to 9.0 Hours After Stroke
THURSDAY, May 9, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The use of alteplase between 4.5 and 9.0 hours after stroke onset results in a higher number of patients with no or minor neurological deficits, according to a study published in the May 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
Prices Will Soon Be Included in TV Drug Ads
WEDNESDAY, May 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In response to public demands for action to control drug costs, the top U.S. health official says TV advertisements for prescription drugs will soon have to include prices.
AP News Article
In 2015 to 2016, 45.8 Percent of U.S. Population Used Rx Drugs
WEDNESDAY, May 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In 2015 to 2016, 45.8 percent of the U.S. population used prescription drugs within the past 30 days, according to a May data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
Patent Foramen Ovale Ups Ischemic Stroke in Those With PE
WEDNESDAY, May 8, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For patients with symptomatic pulmonary embolism (PE), the frequency of recent ischemic stroke is higher in those with patent foramen ovale (PFO), according to a study published online May 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
FDA Approves Ruzurgi for Children With Rare Autoimmune Disorder
TUESDAY, May 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Ruzurgi (amifampridine) tablets are now approved to treat Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) in children aged 6 to 17 years, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced yesterday.
Recommendations Issued for Treating Tourette Syndrome
TUESDAY, May 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — In a new American Academy of Neurology guideline published in the May 7 issue of Neurology, recommendations are presented for treating Tourette syndrome and other chronic tic disorders.
Abstract/Full Text – Review
Abstract/Full Text – Guideline
External Reference Pricing Could Cut Drug Costs in U.S.
TUESDAY, May 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — The average price for single-source brand-name drugs is higher in the United States than in other countries, indicating that external reference pricing could reduce costs, according to a study published in the May issue of Health Affairs.
Efforts Needed to Ensure Publication of All Trials
TUESDAY, May 7, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Efforts are needed to ensure all completed large trials are reported, according to a research letter published online May 7 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders Reliable in Toddler Years
MONDAY, May 6, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has high diagnostic stability, with stable diagnosis starting at 14 months of age, according to a study published online April 29 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Prolonged Exposure to Low-Dose Radiation May Increase HTN Risk
FRIDAY, May 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — For Russian Mayak nuclear enterprise workers occupationally exposed to ionizing radiation, hypertension incidence is associated with cumulative liver-absorbed dose from external γ-rays, according to a study published online May 3 in Hypertension.
Lifetime Risk for Brain Mets Up in Elderly With Three Common Cancers
FRIDAY, May 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Elderly patients with lung cancer, breast cancer, or melanoma are at increased risk for brain metastases (BMs) later in life, according to a study published online May 3 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.
Implementing Surgical Safety Checklist Reduces Mortality
FRIDAY, May 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — There has been a significant reduction in surgical mortality during the last decade in Scotland that is partially attributable to the implementation of the World Health Organization Surgical Safety Checklist, according to a study published online April 16 in the British Journal of Surgery.
Abstract/Full Text subscription or payment may be required)
More Than Half of U.S. Adults Have Medical Financial Hardship
FRIDAY, May 3, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Medical financial hardship affects more than half of adults in the United States, according to a study published online May 1 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
New Drugs May Influence Social Behaviors in Those With Autism
THURSDAY, May 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Balovaptan, an orally administered selective vasopressin V1a receptor antagonist, is associated with improved adaptive behaviors for men with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), while arginine vasopressin (AVP), a neuropeptide involved in promoting mammalian social behaviors, may improve social impairments in children with ASD, according to two phase 2 studies published online May 1 in Science Translational Medicine.
Abstract/Full Text – Bolognani (subscription or payment may be required)
Abstract/Full Text – Parker (subscription or payment may be required)
Out-of-Pocket Costs for Neurologic Meds Have Increased
THURSDAY, May 2, 2019 (HealthDay News) — From 2004 to 2016, there was a considerable increase in out-of-pocket costs for neurologic medications, especially for those in high-deductible health plans, according to a study published online May 1 in Neurology.
Diagnostic Criteria Proposed for Advanced-Age Proteinopathy
WEDNESDAY, May 1, 2019 (HealthDay News) — Progress has been made toward developing diagnostic criteria for limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE), although gaps remain in understanding, according to a report published online April 30 in Brain.
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