Neurology updates

Neurology Update: Epilepsy

Neurology Update: Coordinating Panel on Rare Neurological Diseases

Neurology Update: Rare Diseases

Patients using angiotensin-II-stimulating antihypertensives have 45% lower risk to develop demenia compared to those that use angiotensin-II-inhibiting antihypertensives.

Diagnostic Performance of RO948 F 18 Tau Positron Emission Tomography in the Differentiation of Alzheimer Disease From Other Neurodegenerative Disorders

Blood phosphorylated tau 181 as a biomarker for Alzheimer’s disease: a diagnostic performance and prediction modelling study using data from four prospective cohorts

Longitudinal neuroimaging biomarkers differacross Alzheimer’s disease phenotypes

Auditory localization should be considered as a sign of consciousness, as unresponsive patients who demonstrate this behaviour show increased brain activity and better outcomes, comparable to patients in minimally conscious state.

The process of end-of-life decision-making for patients with disorders of consciousness should include caregivers in bedside assessments and integrate advanced diagnostic brain imaging techniques when available.

An international study showed that younger age, shorter time since injury, higher level of responsiveness and EEG reactivity to eye opening are all factors that can predict 6-month improvement among severely brain-injured patients.

Habituation of auditory startle reflex should be considered as a sign of the minimally conscious state, as unresponsive patients who demonstrate this behaviour show increased brain activity and better outcomes compared to patients with inextinguishable startle reflexes.

A Dutch nationwide prospective cohort study has been launched to monitor the outcomes of patients included in the Early Intensive Rehabilitation program, with a follow-up period of two years.

Neurology Update: Coma and Chronic Disorders of Consciousness

The COVID 19 pandemic has affected people with neurological disease and reduced the care provided, with possible adverse sequelae, including frailty.

A new study has shown that a short-term palliative care intervention was seen positively by the patients and families and reduced costs, but did not alter symptom burden.