Vitamin D Boosts, Smoking Clouds Cognition in MS
Medscape Medical News
Neurology & Neurosurgery
FDA Panel Delivers Mixed Views for Two New Opioids
An FDA advisory committee gives the nod to a sublingual opioid, but amid loud criticism around safety, while narrowly recommending against approval for an intravenous preparation. Medscape Medical News
Stem Cell Transplant Effective as First Line in Aggressive MS
Stem cell treatment for MS is now becoming safe and highly effective for certain patients with very active disease, latest data suggest. Medscape Medical News
iPad 9-Hole Peg Test Correlates With MS Imaging
Testing manual dexterity over time using tablet-based technology could streamline the clinical monitoring of people with multiple sclerosis. Medscape Medical News
‘Burning Debate’ on McDonald Diagnostic Criteria in MS
New McDonald diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis were the focus of a debate here at the ECTRIMS 2018 congress that spilled over onto Twitter. Medscape Medical News
Nonopioid Approaches to Pain: The Hunt Is On
As the US opioid epidemic continues to grow, the need to find safe, effective, nonaddictive, nonopioid strategies for managing pain is increasingly urgent, say experts. Medscape Medical News
New Tool Aids CT Decision-Making in Kids With Mild TBI
A new shared decision-making tool decreases head CT decisional conflict in parents of kids at intermediate risk for traumatic brain injuries — and increases their trust in clinicians, research suggests. Medscape Medical News
Anticoagulants Linked to Reduced Dementia Risk in AF
A new study suggests that dementia risk is increased and accelerated in seniors with atrial fibrillation, but treatment of AF with oral anticoagulants may reduce that risk. Medscape Medical News
Pregnancy Rates Increasing in Women With Multiple Sclerosis
Pregnancy rates in women with MS are increasing, confirming the well-established ‘down-up trend’ for reduced relapse risk during pregnancy and the abrupt increase in relapse risk after delivery, new research shows. Medscape Medical News
Natalizumab or Fingolimod After First-Line Drugs in MS?
A new propensity score analysis suggests natalizumab may have the edge over fingolimod for patients who experience relapse on first-line drugs, especially patients with more active disease. Medscape Medical News
Treadmill Walking Speeds Up Cognition in MS
A new study found that treadmill walking produced a statistically and clinically significant improvement in cognition in patients with multiple sclerosis. Medscape Medical News
Familial MS May Have a More Aggressive Course
Familial multiple sclerosis, defined as having a first-, second-, or third-degree relative with the disease, may have a more aggressive course than sporadic cases, new data suggest. Medscape Medical News
Ivy League Football Concussions Drop With New Kickoff Rule
Adjusting the line for Ivy League football kickoffs is one of the latest moves tackling the high number of player concussions. A new study reports dramatic results after the new rule was put into play. Medscape Medical News
Severe Constipation Tied to Faster Progression in Parkinson’s
About one third of patients with Parkinson’s have constipation at diagnosis. For those who do, constipation severity at baseline predicts faster disease progression, a study Medscape Medical News
Epidural Stimulation Boosts CV Function in Spinal Cord Injury
Orthostatic hypotension is common in cervical spinal cord injury. In this study, customized epidural stimulation targeting cardiovascular function raised blood pressure, improving quality of life. Medscape Medical News
Ketogenic Diet Helps Nonmotor Symptoms in Parkinson’s
Both a low fat, high carbohydrate diet and a ketogenic diet improve Parkinson’s symptoms, but the ketogenic approach benefited patients’ nonmotor symptoms significantly better, a randomized trial shows. Medscape Medical News
‘Accordion’ Pill May Reduce Levodopa Fluctuations in PD
A pill that releases an accordion-folded sheet in the stomach prolongs gastroretention of the device and thus, prolonged delivery of drugs to the upper GI tract, where some drugs are absorbed. Medscape Medical News
Gel-Injection Laryngoplasty Improves Voice in Parkinson’s
Injection of short- or long-acting gels into the vocal folds helps improve voice strength and quality for patients with Parkinson’s disease, a trial shows. Medscape Medical News
Inappropriate Coprescribing Common in Parkinson’s Dementia
Almost half of Parkinson’s disease patients taking medications for dementia were also being ‘inappropriately’ prescribed anticholinergic drugs that could have interfered with their action, a new study shows. Medscape Medical News
New Diagnostic Criteria for Spontaneous Spinal Cord Infarction
Patients with spontaneous spinal cord infarction are often diagnosed with other myelopathies, leading to inappropriate therapies. This analysis identifies key features of SCI and proposes diagnostic criteria. Medscape Medical News