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Neurology
Non-drug care the 'first choice' in dementia
Non-drug approaches should be the first choice for treating dementia patients' common symptoms such as irritability, agitation, depression, anxiety, sleep problems, aggression, apathy and delusions. The researchers, from the University of Michigan and Johns Hopkins University, reviewed two decades' worth of studies.
Findings will help in management of cerebral haemorrhage
A study has found that among patients with oral anti-coagulation-associated intra-cerebral haemorrhage (bleeding within the brain), reversal of international normalised ratio below a certain level within 4 hours and systolic blood pressure less than 160 mm Hg at 4 hours were associated with lower rates of haematoma enlargement, and resumption of anticoagulant therapy was associated with a lower risk of ischaemic events without increased bleeding complications.
Diabetes and depression increase dementia risk
People with mild cognitive impairment are at higher risk of developing dementia if they have diabetes or psychiatric symptoms such as depression, finds a review led by University College London researchers.
Creatine does not slow Parkinson's disease
Treatment with creatine monohydrate for at least 5 years for patients with early and treated Parkinson's disease failed to slow clinical progression of the disease, a University of Rochester study found.
Parents' PTSD compromising child stroke outcomes
Parents of children who have suffered a stroke can experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and the children show signs of clinical anxiety, factors that could interfere with treatment and outcomes, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's International Stroke Conference 2015.
Better recovery for hydrated stroke victims
People who are well hydrated at the time of their stroke have a greater chance of better recovery compared to people who are dehydrated, according to research presented at the American Stroke Association's 2015 conference
Alzheimer’s therapy prevents neuronal decay
An evaluation of a new Alzheimer's therapy at Denmark's Karolinska Institute suggest that the introduction of a nerve growth factor can prevent neuronal degradation in Alzheimer's patients.
Opoid medication could lead to depression
Patients who increased doses of opioid medicines to manage chronic pain were more likely to experience an increase in depression, according to St Louis University research.
Low blood flow increases stroke recurrence risk
Risk of recurrent stroke is higher in patients who have low blood flow to the back of the brain, a six-year, multi-centre trial at the University of Illinois has found.
Eye tracker improves concussion detection
A New York University proof of concept study utilised a novel eye-tracking device to effectively measure the severity of concussion or brain injury in patients presenting to emergency departments following head trauma.
A 'central switch' in epilepsy found
An international team of scientists have discovered the molecule sestrin-3 is a central switch in epilepsy and in animal models were able to demonstrate that its inhibition leads to a reduction in seizures.
Coma patients do respond to loved ones
Family members are desperate to know when a loved one with a traumatic brain injury is in a coma and a new Northwestern Medicine and Hines VA Hospital study shows the voices of loved ones telling the patient familiar stories stored in his long-term memory can help awaken the unconscious brain and speed recovery from the coma.
Spike timing and spike rate are complementary
The brain's alphabet is a mix of rate and precise timing of electrical pulses, contrary to what was previously thought, according to a new Italian study.
Excessive salt intake re-programmes the brain
An international research team has found that excessive salt intake 're-programmes' the brain, interfering with a natural safety mechanism that normally prevents the body’s arterial blood pressure from rising.
Less rest advised for mild concussion
Contrary to expectations, new research shows that strict rest for a prolonged period in adolescents who suffer a concussion isn't helpful and may be harmful.
Insulin spray may ease mild cognitive impairment
A man-made form of insulin delivered by nasal spray may improve working memory and other mental capabilities in adults with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease dementia, according to a US pilot study.
Little benefit found in common back pain treatment method
A study has found that the widely used method of treating a common cause of back and leg pain – steroid injections for spinal...
Simple test to measure pre-dementia
A study involving nearly 27,000 older adults on five continents found that nearly 1 in 10 met criteria for pre-dementia based on a simple...
Regular pulse checking may help prevent another stroke
Regularly checking the pulse of a stroke survivor may help prevent another stroke. Medicinenet quotes study author Dr Bernd Kallmunzer, of Erlangen University in...
Origin of 40 Afrikaner families’ Parkinson’s disease traced
SA scientists have traced the origin of Parkinson’s disease in 40 Afrikaner families back through the generations to a Dutch-German couple who married in...
Link between higher levels of hormones in womb and autism
Research on children in Denmark has found that boys with autism were more likely to have been exposed to higher levels of hormones in...
Study will help in understanding Huntington’s disease
Healthy human tissue grafted to the brains of patients with Huntington's disease in the hopes of treating the neurological disorder, also developed signs of...
Findings show sleep improves memory
The mechanism by which a good night’s sleep improves learning and memory has been discovered by scientists. BBC News report that the team in...
Switch-like mechanism between resilience and defeat found
Scientists continue to search for the underlying genes and neurobiology that dictate our reactions to stress. Now, says a report in The Washington Post,...
Older drugs still best for treating Parkinson’s disease
When it comes to which drug works best for patients with newly diagnosed Parkinson’s disease, older may still be better. Health24 reports that new...
Research shows aneurysms can develop recently
Cerebral aneurysms are commonly believed to exist for decades and undergo only sporadic changes but new research suggests that cerebral aneurysms seem to change...
Stem cells from teeth could be used in stroke therapy
Researchers have discovered that stem cells taken from teeth can grow to resemble brain cells, suggesting they could one day be used in the...
Education may help in traumatic brain injury recovery
People with more years of education may be better able to recover from a traumatic brain injury. HealthCanal reports that a study examined people...
Brain scans could predict coma recovery
A new study suggests that brain scans could help identify comatose patients who have the potential to wake up, reports Health24. Bedside tests are...
Study examines inverse association of dementia with cancer
Existing research has shown older people who experience memory and thinking problems have a lower risk of cancer than older people who do not...
Potential cause of Parkinson’s disease discovered
Researchers have discovered a process that appears to explain how a well known enzyme mutation triggers the neural deterioration seen in Parkinson’s disease. According...
Exercise protects brain and immunity
Aerobic exercise in your 20s may protect the brain in middle age, with activities that maintain cardio fitness - such as running, swimming and...
New study further explains Alzheimer’s disease mysteries
A series of studies by Harvard scientists, published in Nature, suggests a possible answer to one of the big scientific mysteries of Alzheimer’s disease:...
Statins could be used to treat MS
Statins may be useful in treating advanced multiple sclerosis (MS), say UK researchers. BBC News reports that early trial results in The Lancet show...
Muscle stem cells could repair nerve damage
Stem cells derived from human muscle tissue are able to repair nerve damage and restore function in an animal model of sciatic nerve injury....
JNS supplement reviews oral anticoagulation therapies
The Journal of Neurosurgery has announced a supplement, co-authored by Perleman School of Medicine’s Dr Peter le Roux – a University of Cape Town...
Blood and saliva tests can predict oropharynx cancer recurrence
New research indicates that recurrence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-induced cancers affecting the oropharynx can be predicted by blood and saliva tests that screen for...
Alzheimer's can be prevented
Three in 10 cases of Alzheimer’s disease could be prevented if people led healthier lifestyles, exercising more and not smoking, research suggests, reports The...
Negative emotions raise risk of stroke
Stress, hostility and depression may increase the risk for stroke. Medicinenet reports that this is according to a study that found that depression seemed...
Blood test for sports-related concussion
Swedish researchers say they have devised a blood test that could better diagnose sports-related brain injuries and prevent American football, rugby and ice hockey...