Neurology Alert – June 1, 2019
June 1, 2019
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Eculizumab Shows Benefit in a Treatment Trial of NOSD
In a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of aquaporin-4 antibody-positive patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorders, eculizumab demonstrated a decrease in the risk of a relapse. Patients could continue their other stable-dose immune suppressive therapies while enrolled in the trial.
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Neuropathy in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus may be associated with a variety of neuropsychiatric syndromes, including peripheral neuropathy, mostly sensorimotor types. However, all parts of the peripheral and central nervous system may be affected, and careful and repeated neurological evaluation is important.
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Late Sunsets, Sleep Deprivation, and Adverse Outcomes
All living organisms have 24-hour circadian rhythms. A body of evidence is accumulating that chronic disruption of this important rhythm may result in poor health outcomes. These negative consequences of disrupted circadian rhythms might be prevented by modifying work and sleep schedules.
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Treatment of Progressive Multifocal Leukoencephalopathy With Pembrolizumab
These authors evaluated the effect of pembrolizumab, a monoclonal antibody that functions as a down-regulator of PD-1 (programmed cell death protein 1), on patients with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. In five of eight treated patients, clinical stabilization or improvement was seen in association with reduced cerebrospinal fluid JC viral load. This is the first reported effective treatment for this disease with a therapeutic agent targeting the JC virus.
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Tau PET Is Promising as a Diagnostic Agent in Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
Former NFL players with symptoms consistent with chronic traumatic encephalopathy had increased tau tracer uptake that was associated with years of playing football but not with cognitive or neuropsychological measures.