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Neurology

News, opinions and meeting coverage in neurology.

New Guideline on Transverse Myelitis Released

Certain clinical, imaging, and laboratory findings can help determine the etiology and prognosis in patients presenting with transverse myelitis, according to a new guideline from the American Academy of Neurology.

ADHD Drug Helpful in Adult Depression

Phase II trial results suggested that a stimulant drug approved to treat attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder may improve cognitive function in adults with major depression, its manufacturer said.

Low-Dose Zolpidem Gets FDA Okay for Wee-Hours Awakening

A new formulation of the insomnia drug zolpidem tartrate (Ambien) has been approved to treat middle-of-the-night awakenings followed by difficulty returning to sleep, the FDA said.

Acetaminophen OD More Deadly if Taken in Stages

Acetaminophen overdoses were more likely to be fatal if patients consumed a series of high doses spread over the course of a day rather than downing, say, a bottle of pills at one time, outcomes among patients admitted to a specialized liver center showed.

ACR: Savella Brings Relief Long-Term in Fibromyalgia

CHICAGO -- Milnacipran (Savella), a selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, brought long-term relief to fibromyalgia patients who remained on therapy, researchers said here.

Systolic BP That's Too Low After Stroke Not Good Either

Systolic blood pressure that is too low -- as well as too high -- may put patients who have had a noncardioembolic ischemic stroke at risk for another one, researchers found.

Life Expectancy Shorter After TIA

Nine years after discharge, the survival of patients hospitalized with a transient ischemic attack was 20% lower than expected, with older patients more likely to be affected, according to an Australian study.

Jumpy Legs in Parkinson's Likely Not RLS

Patients with early Parkinson's disease were more likely to have a movement disorder called leg motor restlessness than true restless legs syndrome, a study found.

High Blood Pressure May Spark Facial Nerve Pain

Patients with hypertension appear to carry a higher risk for developing trigeminal neuralgia, a Taiwanese study showed.

Fast Brain Growth in Preemie Predicts Smarter Kid

The rate of brain growth in the weeks before premature babies reach their predicted birth date is related to their cognitive abilities as children, researchers reported.

Parkinson's Drug Doesn't Slow Disease Progress, FDA Staff Says

WASHINGTON -- Azilect (rasagiline), which is already approved to treat symptoms of Parkinson's disease, does not appear effective at slowing progression of the neurodegenerative disease, according to an FDA review.

Brain Takes Multiple Hits from Low B12 Levels

Low levels of vitamin B12 may contribute to cognitive problems for older adults in more than one way, according to a cross-sectional study.

FDA Blocks Sale of Supplements for Parkinson's and Alzheimer's

WASHINGTON -- The FDA filed a permanent injunction against two Minnesota companies that distributed amino acid products marketed as treatments for Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, and a number of other neurological disorders.

Medtronic Infusion Pump Recalled

Battery problems with two of Medtronic's SynchroMed II implantable infusion pumps have forced the company to recall them, according to the FDA, although the recall only affects products not yet implanted.

Nurture Tops Nature for Autism Risk

Autism only moderately follows genetic lines, with environmental influences weighing heavily in development of the disorder, researchers found in a twin study.

New Warning on Valproate Drugs in Pregnancy

Labels for valproate sodium and related drugs for epilepsy will carry new language warning that children exposed to these agents during gestation may suffer cognitive deficits, the FDA said.

No More Infant Dose of OTC Acetaminophen

Over-the-counter drug makers have announced that they will no longer produce acetaminophen in concentrated infant drops; liquid acetaminophen products for children under 12 will be sold only in a 160 mg/5 mL concentration.

More Vets Approved for Agent Orange Claims

WASHINGTON -- Veterans who served in Korea from 1968 through 1971 were probably exposed to Agent Orange, which makes them eligible for treatment at VA medical centers, according to a ruling from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

AHA: Rivaroxaban Scores Win While Omega-3 Flops

CHICAGO -- Good news and not so good news about investigational treatments for atrial fibrillation are featured in this exclusive InFocus video report from the American Heart Association meeting.

Antidepressants Not Recommended for Autism

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) can't be recommended for treating autism in children or adults at this point, according to a Cochrane review.

Diagnostic Nerve Blocks Costly -- and Controversial

While some guidelines recommend two diagnostic nerve blocks before radiofrequency treatment for chronic low back pain, a randomized trial showed greater success without use of the prior blocks.

Early Feeding Problems Hint at Autism

Feeding problems are evident among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) from infancy, researchers found.

ASCO: Cancer Survivors Get Benefit from Yoga

CHICAGO -- Gentle stretching, breathing, and other exercises in a regular yoga program may ease sleep and fatigue problems common among cancer survivors, a randomized trial found.

Giving tPA Late: Risk May Outweigh Benefit

Although beneficial within 4.5 hours of stroke onset, administering recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) beyond that window appears to increase the risk of dying, a pooled analysis of eight clinical trials showed.

New Study Looks at Long-Term Effects of Cell Phones

A consortium of five European countries has launched a new cohort study to monitor the health effects of human exposure to radio frequencies emitted by mobile phones.

Parents Often Miss Subtle Autism Signs

The symptoms of autism tend to emerge in children after 6 months of age, with a loss of social and communications skills that is more common and more subtle than previously thought, according to a new study that questions previous assumptions about the progression of the condition.

Handedness Linked to ADHD

Ambidextrous 5-year-olds are more likely to develop attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder symptoms later on as compared with right- and left-handed children, according to a study by a team of Swedish researchers.

MS Walking Drug Gets FDA Nod

WASHINGTON -- The FDA approved the first drug for improved walking in patients with multiple sclerosis, the tablet dalfampridine (Ampyra).

The Top 10 Medical Advances of the Decade

From genome to hormones, doctors pick the top medical advances of the decade.

RSNA: Kids' Lead Exposure Linked to Multiple Adult Problems

CHICAGO -- Lead exposure in childhood leads to permanent brain damage and life-long problems with attention and impulsivity control, researchers said here.

CT Safety Warnings Follow Radiation Overdose Accident

Reports of stroke patients who were accidentally exposed to eight times the normal radiation dose during diagnostic CT scans at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles are prompting safety warnings and soul searching in radiology.

Drop in Oxygen Saturation in Apnea Tied to Obesity

Obese patients may experience more severe blood oxygen desaturation during apnea and hypopnea events, researchers say.

Drug Combo Brings Better Pain Relief

For people with neuropathic pain, a combination of two commonly used drugs works better than either alone, researchers said.

Heavy Daily Drinking Boosts Chances of Lethal Brain Hemorrhage

WHEELING, W.Va. -- Fatal hemorrhagic strokes were more than three times as common in men who had at least six drinks a day, researchers found.

Dizziness Linked to Bone Health

SEONGNAM, South Korea -- Low bone mineral density may increase the risk of benign positional vertigo, researchers found.

Death of Actress Brings Attention to 'Talk and Die' Syndrome

NEW YORK -- Yesterday's death of stage and screen star Natasha Richardson, two days after a seemingly minor spill on a beginners' ski slope, highlighted the difficulties of recognizing and treating head injuries.

FDA Approves Limited Use of Iplex in ALS

ROCKVILLE, Md. -- The FDA has decided to allow a few patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) access to mecasermin rinfabate (Iplex) under "compassionate use" rules.

Compression Devices Ease Restless Legs Symptoms

WASHINGTON -- Restless legs syndrome patients may respond to an hour a day -- five seconds a minute -- of periodic pneumatic compression, researchers here said.

RSNA: Portable CT Scan Saves Time to Save Brain in Stroke Patients

CHICAGO -- Bringing the CT to the stroke patient, rather than the other way round, dramatically reduced door-to-scan time in a community hospital, researchers said here.

Recall of Three Little Words Helps Quick Diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment

ATLANTA -- Mild cognitive impairment can be determined in less than five minutes with a three-word memory test and a clock- drawing task, according to researchers here. The words are apple, penny, and table.

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