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October 2018 Briefing – Neurology

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Neurology for October 2018. 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.

Link Between Statins, Non-CVD Outcomes Lacks Evidence

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — There is a lack of convincing evidence for an association between statin use and non-cardiovascular disease (CVD) outcomes, according to a review published in the Oct. 16 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine.

Sub-Concussive Hits May Not Be Tied to Neurocognitive Changes

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 31, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Sub-concussive head impacts suffered over the course of a single season of youth tackle football may not be associated with neurocognitive functional outcomes, according to a study published Oct. 12 in the Journal of Head Trauma Rehabilitation.

AMA Announces Initiative to Reinvent Physician Training

TUESDAY, Oct. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The American Medical Association (AMA) today announced a new $15 million competitive grant initiative, the “Reimagining Residency” initiative, aimed at improving residency training.

Guidelines Presented for Lumbar Puncture in Alzheimer’s Dx

TUESDAY, Oct. 30, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Alzheimer’s Association has released appropriate-use criteria for lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) testing in Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis, according to a review article published online Oct. 10 in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

Many Hospitals Noncompliant With Record Request Regulations

MONDAY, Oct. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Among top-ranked U.S. hospitals, data reveal discrepancies in information provided to patients regarding medical records release processes as well as noncompliance with state and federal regulations, according to a study published online Oct. 5 in JAMA Network Open.

Odds of Overweight/Obesity Up for Children With Autism

MONDAY, Oct. 29, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have increased odds of overweight/obesity compared with general population controls after adjustment for child co-occurring conditions, according to a study published online Oct. 9 in The Journal of Pediatrics.

Trump Administration Announces Plan to Cut Drug Prices

FRIDAY, Oct. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In an effort to cut high drug costs, the prices paid by Medicare for certain prescription drugs would be based on those in other advanced industrial nations, according to a proposal announced Oct. 25 by the Trump administration.

HHS Study
New York Times Article

No Drop Seen in CT Use for Pediatric Head Trauma

FRIDAY, Oct. 26, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Computed tomography (CT) neuroimaging did not decrease from 2007 to 2015 among pediatric patients evaluated in the emergency department for head injury, according to a study published in the October issue of Pediatrics.

Independent Links for Genetics, Lifestyle With Incident Stroke

THURSDAY, Oct. 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Genetic and lifestyle factors are independently associated with incident stroke among men and women aged 40 to 73 years, according to a study published online Oct. 24 in the BMJ.

Oxygen Saturation Should Not Top 96 Percent in Acutely Ill

THURSDAY, Oct. 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For acutely ill patients, an oxygen saturation of no more than 96 percent should be maintained, according to a clinical practice guideline published online Oct. 24 in the BMJ.

Neither Haloperidol, Ziprasidone Shortens Delirium in ICU

THURSDAY, Oct. 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with acute respiratory failure or shock and hypoactive or hyperactive delirium in the intensive care unit, neither haloperidol nor ziprasidone alters the duration of delirium compared with placebo, according to a study published online Oct. 22 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Half of Women to Develop Stroke, Dementia, or Parkinsonism

THURSDAY, Oct. 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — One in two women and one in three men will develop dementia, stroke, or parkinsonism during their lifetime, according to a study published online Oct. 1 in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry.

Pace of Change Has Accelerated in Alternative Payment Models

THURSDAY, Oct. 25, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The impact of alternative payment models (APMs) on physician practices has been described in a study published by the RAND Corp. and the American Medical Association.

Most Supplements Contain Prohibited Stimulants

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 24, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Many supplements contain one or more stimulants that have been the subject of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-issued public notices, according to a research letter published online Oct. 22 in JAMA Internal Medicine.

Preeclampsia Tied to Increased Risk for Vascular Dementia

TUESDAY, Oct. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Preeclampsia seems to be associated with an increased risk for dementia, especially vascular dementia, with a stronger correlation for late-onset disease, according to a study published online Oct. 17 in The BMJ.

White House Unveils New Insurance Option for Small Firms

TUESDAY, Oct. 23, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A plan to allow small businesses to use tax-free accounts to provide health coverage for employees was announced today by the Trump administration.

Short Respiratory Event Duration Ups Mortality Risk in OSA

MONDAY, Oct. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For individuals with obstructive sleep apnea, those with short respiratory event duration have an increased risk for mortality, according to a study published online Oct. 19 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.

Changes in Nomenclature for Perioperative Cognitive Disorders

MONDAY, Oct. 22, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Recommendations have been developed for nomenclature of cognitive changes associated with anesthesia and surgery; the recommendations were published in the November issue of Anesthesiology.

Montreal Cognitive Assessment Predicts Outcomes After Stroke

FRIDAY, Oct. 19, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) administered within seven days after stroke can predict long-term cognitive and functional outcome and mortality, according to a study published online Oct. 17 in Neurology.

Procurement Requirements Drive Interoperability in Health Care IT

THURSDAY, Oct. 18, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Interoperability of health care information technology (IT) must be improved to facilitate creation of a fully integrated health care system that can improve health and health care at lower cost, according to a report published by the National Academy of Medicine.

Hologram-Guided External Ventricular Drain Insertion Feasible

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Hologram-guided external ventricular drain (EVD) insertion yields greater accuracy and no adverse events, according to a study published online Oct. 16 in the Journal of Neurosurgery.

Recreational Marijuana Now Legal in Canada

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Recreational marijuana became legal in Canada today, and while many welcome the move, others have serious concerns.

The New York Times Article
CMAJ Editorial

Compression Collar May Protect Brain of Female Soccer Players

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A jugular vein compression collar can prevent white matter alterations associated with head impact exposure among female high school soccer players, according to a study published online Oct. 15 in the British Journal of Sports Medicine.

Lung Cancer Deaths 28% Lower in California Than Rest of U.S.

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Annual lung cancer mortality was 28 percent lower in California than in the rest of the United States in 2013, according to a study published online Oct. 10 in Cancer Prevention Research.

Gabapentin Beats Pregabalin for Chronic Sciatica

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 17, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with chronic sciatica (CS), gabapentin (GBP) is superior to pregabalin (PGB), with fewer and less severe adverse events (AEs), according to a study published online Oct. 15 in JAMA Neurology.

CDC Warns of Polio-Like Virus Striking More U.S. Children

TUESDAY, Oct. 16, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A rare but devastating polio-like virus appears to have made itself at home in the United States, partially paralyzing hundreds of children.

HealthDay Article
More Information: CDC

Bariatric Sx Cuts Macrovascular Complications in Obesity, T2DM

TUESDAY, Oct. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For patients with severe obesity and type 2 diabetes, bariatric surgery is associated with a lower risk for macrovascular outcomes compared with not undergoing surgery, according to a study published in the Oct. 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Without Medicaid Expansion, Poor Patients Forgo Medical Care

MONDAY, Oct. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Doing without medical care is much more common among low-income residents of states that have not expanded Medicaid than among low-income people in other states, according to a Government Accountability Office report.

AP News Article

Cataract Surgery Tied to Drop in Cognitive Decline in Seniors

MONDAY, Oct. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Cataract surgery is associated with a reduction in the rate of cognitive decline among older adults, according to a study published online Oct. 11 in PLOS ONE.

Hospitalization Tied to Brain Abnormalities in Older Adults

MONDAY, Oct. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Hospitalization is associated with lower white matter integrity among older adults, according to a study published online Sept. 24 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

Active Pharmaceuticals ID’d in >700 Dietary Supplements

MONDAY, Oct. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Dietary supplements often include active pharmaceuticals, even after warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to a study published online Oct. 12 in JAMA Network Open.

Age, Sex Affect Extended Post-Concussion Symptoms in Children

MONDAY, Oct. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Age, sex, and family factors play a role in the persistence of post-concussion symptoms (PCSs) one year after injury, according to a study published online Oct. 15 in Pediatrics.

Cannabinoids Mildly Effective for Treating MS Symptoms in Adults

MONDAY, Oct. 15, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Cannabinoids may be mildly effective at treating spasticity, pain, and bladder dysfunction in adults with multiple sclerosis (MS), according to a review published online Oct. 12 in JAMA Network Open.

Multicomponent Intervention Can Reduce Sitting Time at Work

FRIDAY, Oct. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A multicomponent intervention (Stand More At [SMArT] Work) can reduce sitting time over the short, medium, and long terms, according to a study published online Oct. 10 in The BMJ.

Exercise May Delay Symptoms of Alzheimer’s in Those at Risk

FRIDAY, Oct. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Even among individuals at high genetic risk for Alzheimer’s disease, exercise may delay symptom onset, according to a study published online Sept. 25 in Alzheimer’s & Dementia.

Skills-Based Intervention Did Not Cut Systolic BP After Stroke, TIA

FRIDAY, Oct. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A culturally tailored, skills-based educational intervention did not reduce systolic blood pressure at one year after stroke/transient ischemic attack, according to a study published online Oct. 8 in JAMA Neurology.

Nine Cases of Polio-Like Illness Suspected in Children in Illinois

THURSDAY, Oct. 11, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Nine recent cases of a rare, polio-like disorder in children are being investigated in Illinois, health officials said yesterday.

CNN Article
More Information: CDC

Aetna-CVS Merger Approved

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A $69 billion merger between health insurer Aetna and pharmacy manager CVS Health has been approved, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

The New York Times Article

Atrial Fibrillation Tied to Higher Dementia Risk in Older Adults

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 10, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Atrial fibrillation (AF) is associated with a faster global cognitive decline and an increased risk for dementia in older people, though anticoagulants may reduce dementia risk in AF patients, according to a study published online Oct. 10 in Neurology.

Polio-Like Condition in Children on Rise Again in the United States

TUESDAY, Oct. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A rare, polio-like condition in children is on the rise again in the United States, with 38 confirmed cases in 16 states so far this year, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.

NBC News Article
More Information: CDC

Acetaminophen Can Reduce Recurrence of Febrile Seizures

TUESDAY, Oct. 9, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Acetaminophen can reduce the risk for febrile seizure (FS) recurrence during the same fever episode among infants and children, according to a study published online Oct. 8 in Pediatrics.

Minority Residents Experience Burdens Linked to Race/Ethnicity

TUESDAY, Oct. 9 2018 (HealthDay News) — Minority residents describe burdens associated with race/ethnicity, including microaggressions and bias on a daily basis, according to a study published online Sept. 28 in JAMA Network Open.

Industry-Funded Trials Often Involve Employees in Studies

FRIDAY, Oct. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Industry employees are often involved in the design, conduct, and reporting of industry-funded trials in high-impact journals, according to a study published online Oct. 3 in The BMJ.

Models Predict Intracerebral Hemorrhage Growth

FRIDAY, Oct. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Models using four or five predictors have acceptable to good discrimination for determining additional intracerebral hemorrhage growth in patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage, according to a review published in the October issue of The Lancet Neurology.

Daily Drinking Associated With Increased Mortality Risk

FRIDAY, Oct. 5, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Daily drinking, even at low levels, may be detrimental to one’s health, according to a study published online Oct. 3 in Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research.

Three-Quarters of Health Care Workers Got Flu Shot Last Year

THURSDAY, Oct. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Just over three-quarters of health care personnel received a flu vaccine last season, according to research published in the Sept. 28 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Tips Provided for Budgeting in Medical Residency

THURSDAY, Oct. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Medical residents should start budgeting and save for the future, according to an article published in the American Medical Association AMA Wire.

Price Hikes Noted in Small Subset of Generic Drugs

THURSDAY, Oct. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — A small but growing subset of generic drugs experienced sudden large price increases from 2007 to 2013, according to a study published in the October issue of Health Affairs.

Cancer Risk Varies for Hispanics, Including in Puerto Rico

THURSDAY, Oct. 4, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Hispanics have lower incidence and mortality than non-Hispanic whites for all cancers combined, although there is considerable variability in cancer risk within the U.S. Hispanic population, according to a report published online Oct. 4 in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians.

Sleep Duration, Stroke Link Varies With Race, Sex

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The association of sleep duration with incident stroke varies by race and sex, according to a study published online Oct. 3 in Neurology.

Treatment Linked to Cognitive Scores in Breast Cancer Survivors

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — For breast cancer survivors, treatment and age-related phenotypes and genotypes are associated with a longitudinal decrease in cognitive function, according to a study published online Oct. 3 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

Uninsured Rate at 8.8 Percent in First Quarter of 2018

WEDNESDAY, Oct. 3, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In the first quarter of 2018, the uninsured rate was 8.8 percent, not significantly different from a year earlier, according to a report released Aug. 29 by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).

For Employer-Based Plans, Spending Across Services Steady

TUESDAY, Oct. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Despite large health policy changes, the distribution of spending across service areas has remained fairly consistent over the past 10 years for those enrolled in employer-sponsored insurance, according to a study published in the October issue of Health Affairs.

Global Cognition Up for Youth Meeting Movement Guidelines

TUESDAY, Oct. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Meeting recommendations on adequate sleep time and physical activity and limiting recreational screen time are associated with superior global cognition among children, according to a study published online Sept. 26 in The Lancet Child & Adolescent Health.

Interviews Can Help Ensure Physician Candidates Fit Culture

TUESDAY, Oct. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — In preparing to interview to hire a new physician, practices must understand their own cultures, according to an article published in Medical Economics.

Number of Health-Related Data Breaches Increasing

TUESDAY, Oct. 2, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The number of health data breaches has steadily increased since 2010, according to a research letter published in the Sept. 25 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.

Risk of Venous Thromboembolism Recurrence High

MONDAY, Oct. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — The risk of recurrence after incident venous thromboembolism is high, particularly among patients with cancer-related venous thromboembolism, according to a study published in the September issue of The American Journal of Medicine.

Factors Associated With Phantom Odor Identified

MONDAY, Oct. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — Phantom odor perception in middle-aged and older individuals is associated with poor health, persistent dry mouth, and head injury, according to a study published online Aug. 16 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

More Non-Elderly Americans Uninsured in 2017 Versus 2016

MONDAY, Oct. 1, 2018 (HealthDay News) — From 2016 to 2017, there was an increase in the number of uninsured non-elderly Americans, according to a report published by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

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