Latest Research
Olive Oil May Lower Stroke Risk
June 20, 2011 at 3:07 pm
Another aspect of the Mediterranean diet seems to be beneficial, with a study published in the journal Neurology showing that regular use of olive oil confers a lower risk for ischaemic stroke.
Over seven and a half thousand subjects were followed for a median of 5 years in the study and compared with non-users, there was a 41% lower risk for stroke amongst people who used olive oil in dressings as well as for cooking.
Samieri C, et al. Neurology June 15 2011
A Herbal Remedy for Alzheimer’s Disease?
May 26, 2011 at 1:53 pm
The journal Neurology reports on the improvement in both the ADAS-Cog and MMSE scores in patients with mild-moderate dementia using a supplement called Huperzine A – which is a natural acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitor derived from the herb Huperzia serrata.
No significant improvement was seen on the 200ug dose, but improvement compared with placebo was seen using the 400ug dose.
Most of the patients who had previously discontinued other AChE inhibitors due to side effects tolerated Huperzine A, suggesting this maybe a useful alternative for patients requiring treatment.
Rafii MS, et al. Neurology 2011; 76: 1389
Separating Psychogenic from Epileptic Seizures
May 26, 2011 at 1:33 pm
Distinguishing epileptic seizures (ES) from psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) can be difficult. Researchers have published a paper in the Annals of Neurology which lists 6 signs that could help distinguish the two, based on confirmation by video electroencephalography.
The 3 signs for PNES were “preserved awareness”, “eye flutter”, and the ability of bystanders to intensify or alleviate the seizure. The 3 signs associated with ES were “eye opening or widening at onset”, abrupt onset and post seizure confusion or sleep.
Editorialists reinforced the need for prompt monitoring in all patients with seizures regardless of the type suspected.
Syed TU, et al. Ann Neurol 2011
Good News for Coffee Drinkers
April 1, 2011 at 2:40 pm
The debate rages on about coffee – antioxidant properties that improve endothelial function versus possible detrimental effects of caffeine.
A large study in Sweden (over 34,000 women) has shown that daily consumption of one or more cups of coffee was associated with 25% lower risk of total stroke, cerebral infarction and subarachnoid haemorrhage.
One are of confusion with this study was the lack of dose-response effect.
Larsson SC, et al. Stroke 2011 Mar10
ADHD - A Genetic Disorder?
January 7, 2011 at 12:04 pm
A Lancet study has suggested that ADHD may be a genetic disorder after it was found that subtle abnormalities in chromosomal structure are significantly more frequent in people with the disorder than controls.
The abnormalities were found on a location in chromosome 16 that is linked to autism and schizophrenia.
Williams NM, et al. Lancet 2010
Increased Risk For Infertility In Women With Epilepsy
November 8, 2010 at 11:43 am
As if later marriage the neuroendocrine effects of seizures weren’t enough of an impact on fertility rates in women with epilepsy, it appears that some anti-epileptic drugs may add to the risk of infertility.
A study has shown that use of any anti-epileptic drug raised the risk for infertility and that polytherapy was associated with a higher risk than monotherpay.
A limitation of the study was that few women were taking the newer anti-epileptic drugs such as lamotrigine or topiramate.
Sukumaran SC. Neurology 2010 Oct 12; 75: 1351
Prediction of Alzheimer’s Via CSF
August 18, 2010 at 10:19 am
A recent Archives of Neurology study has shown a high degree of accuracy in diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) based on findings of high levels of phosphorylated tau protein and low levels of beta-amyloid protein in patients’ CSF.
The pattern was found in 90% of AD patients, 72% of those with mild cognitive impairment and 36% of those with normal cognition.
These tests may help diagnose AD earlier to allow counselling and institution of medications to slow cognitive decline.
Meyer GD, et al. Arch Neurol 2010; 67(8): 949-956
Does Exercise Assist Neurocognitive Performance?
July 15, 2010 at 1:26 pm
This recent review of randomized controlled trials looked at 29 studies to help answer this question.
The result – overall, aerobic exercise such as brisk walking or jogging resulted in modest improvements in attention, processing speed, executive function and memory, but not working memory.
Smith PJ. Psychosomatic Med 2010 Apr; 72:239
Validation of the ABCD2 Score Which Predicts Stroke Risk After TIA
May 25, 2010 at 8:34 am
A multicentre case series study has shown that patients with an ABCD 2 score of >2 after a TIA were 5 times more likely to suffer a stroke at 90 days than those with lower scores. The 7-point ABCD2 score is based on Age >/= 60 = 1 point, Blood pressure at presentation >/= 140/90 = 1 point, Clinical features: unilateral weakness = 2 points, speech disturbance without weakness = 1 point, Duration of symptoms: >/= 60 minutes = 2 points, 10-59 minutes = 1 point, Diabetes = 1 point.
The study showed that patients with higher ABCD2 scores had significantly higher incidences of stroke at 7 days and 90 days.
Tsivgoulis G, et al. Neurology 2010, Apr 27; 74: 1351
An Unusual Complication of Intensive Diabetic Glycaemic Control
May 25, 2010 at 8:25 am
Researchers have described an unusual severe painful neuropathy that occurred in 16 patients during intensive treatment of poorly controlled diabetes. Average HbA1C was around 14% before and 7% after intensive therapy. The pain was in a stocking-glove distribution in most of the patients. Autonomic symptoms were common and retinopathy worsened during the first 6 months of sustained glycaemic control.
The pain subsided in most patients after 1-2 years of combination drug therapies. The pathophysiology and incidence of this condition are not clear.
Gibbons CH, Freeman R. Ann Neurol 2010 Apr; 67: 534
