Neurology Alert – October 1, 2003
October 1, 2003
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A New Genetic Cause of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis
Genetic investigations have made considerable progress in identifying mutations associated with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The identification of genetic alterations in patients with sporadic ALS, however, has lagged behind. The present study is a major advance in investigating the etiology of ALS. -
Predictive Accuracy of MRI Prognosticators in the Early Detection of Malignant MCA Infarcts
In the present article, Thomalla and colleagues report on the predictive value of early perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging within 6 hours of stroke onset in 37 patients with MCA stroke and a proximal vessel occlusion, either the carotid-T or MCA stem. -
Stroke Risk of Inherited Thrombophilia is Low
This study suggests that the risk conferred by an inherited thrombophilia for ischemic stroke is likely to be low overall and almost nonexistent in some ethnic groups such as individuals of African or African-Caribbean descent. -
Unraveling Cryptogenic Stroke
Stroke with no determined cause, or cryptogenic stroke (CS), accounts for nearly 40% of all ischemic strokes. Traditionally, it has been held that CS carries a more benign prognosis than other stroke subtypes. However, until this recent study, the long-term risk of recurrent stroke in this large segment of the stroke population had never been prospectively studied. -
When Can People With Epilepsy Drive?
When is it safe to sit behind the wheel if youve just had a seizure? In this time-trend study, an analysis was undertaken to determine if lowering the interval from 12 months to 3, as was done in Arizona, increased motor vehicle accident frequency. -
Eletriptan vs Sumatriptan: Let’s Get Ready to Rumble?
The triptan wars are heating up with 7 competitors now on the market all backed by the heaviest of the pharma heavyweights, and clinicians wonder, Which is the best triptan? This study looked at eletriptan response rates in a cohort of migraine patients previously unresponsive or intolerant to sumatriptan. -
Will Sage Oil Make You Wiser?
In 1597, the herbalist John Gerard reported that an extract of the sage plant, is singularly good for the head and brain and quickeneth the nerves and memory. More than 400 years later, British investigators have put Gerards observation to the test by examining the effects of an essential oil derived from Spanish sage on memory in normal volunteers and patients with Alzheimers disease. -
Free Audio Conference - Seasonale: A Revolutionary Contraceptive
Thomson American Health Consultants offers "Extended-use Contraception: What You Should Know About Seasonale and Other Options," a free audio conference on October 9 from 2-3 p.m. ET. -
Clinical Briefs in Primary Care Supplement
A Strategy to Reduce Cardiovascular Disease by More Than 80 Percent; Pearly Penile Papules: Still No Reason for Uneasiness; The Epidemiology of Major Depressive Disorder; Urinary Tetrahydroaldosterone as a Screen for Aldosteronism; Finasteride and Prostate Cancer; Impermeable Bed Covers in Patients with Allergic Rhinitis -
IVIG Pre-Thymectomy
Thymectomy, though widely recommended for the treatment of autoimmune myasthenia gravis, remains a treatment without controlled prospective studies to support its role. Such a trial has been recommended by the American Academy of Neurology and is being developed. -
Pharmacology Watch: Vardenafil Will Compete for Share of ED Market
The FDA has approved vardenafil (LevitraBayer and GlaxoSmithKline) for the treatment of erectile dysfunction in men. Vardenafil joins sildenafil (Viagra) as the only 2 drugs approved for this indication in this country.