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Showing posts from September, 2019

Teaching NeuroImages: Collet-Sicard syndrome and hearing loss with glomus jugulotympanicum

A 56-year-old woman presented with headache, vomiting for 3 days, and right hearing loss, tinnitus, and dysphagia over 3 months. Examination showed decreased right palate elevation and atrophy of right sternocleidomastoid, trapezius, and tongue with rightward tongue deviation, indicating Collet-Sicard syndrome (involving cranial nerves IX–XII in jugular foramen and hypoglossal canal). 1 Hearing loss suggested auditory canal extension. Imaging showed a right skull base mass in keeping with glomus tumor (figures 1 and 2). Given surgical risks, radical radiotherapy was performed, arresting tumor growth. Glomus jugulare tumors, hypervascular paragangliomas, are the most common tumors in the jugular foramen and can extend into the middle ear (jugulotympanicum). 2 from Neurology recent issues https://ift.tt/2n1Tqig
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Teaching Video NeuroImages: Slow periodic myoclonus in subacute sclerosing panencephalitis and fulminant Wilson disease

Slow periodic myoclonus is a well-recognized phenotype of fulminant subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (video 1). 1 This distinctive phenotype has not been previously recognized in another rapidly progressive disorder, fulminant Wilson disease. We documented slow periodic myoclonus in a 34-year-old Peruvian man who developed paranoid schizophrenia and, 6 months later, levodopa-unresponsive parkinsonism and falls, progressing into akinetic mutism (video 2). Prior to death, the diagnosis of Wilson disease was supported by ocular and neuroimaging features (figure), low ceruloplasmin (5.3 U/L), high urinary copper, and diffuse hepatopathy on echography. Slow periodic flexor myoclonus reflects cortical excitability and bears a poor prognosis. 2 The EEG correlates are generalized, high-amplitude, quasiperiodic complexes. from Neurology recent issues https://ift.tt/2nXtMv7
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Fish fathers exhibit signatures of ‘baby brain’ that may facilitate parental care behavior

Genomic analysis reveals some of the neurogenomic dynamics closely resemble changes associated with pregnancy and reproduction in mammalian mothers. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2nbYdxt
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Countdown to a major upgrade …and a massive discount!!!

Neurochecklists is continuously evolving At heart, it is a neurology checklist database Comprehensive, handy, and practical *** Then we moved up a grade Downloadable powerpoint presentations And we are now about to go even better With our next big upgrade… Personal notes!!! *** This is your own exclusive space… Right next to each checklist. A private zone […] via Countdown to a major upgrade …and a massive discount!!! — Neurochecklists Blog from The Neurology Lounge https://ift.tt/2oEVsoI
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AAN Adds Annual Cognitive Screening Quality Metric for Adults 65 and Older

With a growing emphasis on early detection and intervention, the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has published a new set of quality measurements that recommend that physicians screen adults 65 and older on an annual basis for thinking and memory problems.1 The metric, intended to help improve quality care, will track how often physicians screen older adults for cognitive impairment, share information about the condition with patients, and involve and educate partners and caregivers. from Front page feed https://ift.tt/2nbxYHw
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Cannabis study reveals how CBD offsets the psychiatric side-effects of THC

CBD blocks the ability of THC to overstimulate the ERK pathway in the hippocampus, preventing negative side effects associated with cannabis use. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2n1RF4C
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People with anxiety may strategically choose worrying over relaxing

Those with anxiety and depressive disorders may actively resist relaxation, especially if they are more sensitive to shifts in negative emotions. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2moDFS7
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Sleeping pills reduce suicidal thoughts in patients with severe insomnia

People who suffer from severe insomnia often report having suicidal thoughts. A new study reveals prescribing controlled sleeping medications can help to reduce depression and suicidality in those with chronic sleep problems. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2mmmznT
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Study identifies psychology of attraction to religious deities and super-heroes

A new 'god' template distinguishes between religious and secular supernatural beings by exploring the attributes people associate with them. Religious figures were considered to be more helpful and more ambiguous in their abilities. Superheroes were considered to be less ambivalent. The findings suggest religious figures are psychologically attractive because people are more motivated to believe in them. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2oGVT1X
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Finding the root of consciousness: Is this brain cell your ‘mind’s eye’?

Researchers believe they have identified specific neurons that are responsible for conscious awareness. Previous studies have implicated both thalamocortical circuits and cortico-cortico circuits in consciousness. The new study reports these networks intersect via L5p neurons. Directly activating L5p neurons made mice react to weaker sensory stimuli. The researchers say if consciousness requires L5p neurons, all brain activity without them must be unconscious. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2nSM14I
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Technique can image individual proteins within synapses

A new rapid imaging technique allows researchers to view synaptic proteins at high resolution. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2mIgt1o
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Why do older people hate new music?

Researchers explore the psychology behind why older adults seem more averse to new popular music. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2om82sR
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Cellular aging is linked to structural changes in the brain

Telomere lengthening resulted in structural changes in the brain, including cortical thickening. By contrast, telomere shortening is associated with gray matter reduction, specifically in the precuneus. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2ntVFuw
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Musical tastes can predict personality traits and political leaning

Your musical preference may reveal a lot about your personality traits and political orientation, and vice versa. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2mEhnMe
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New baby smell: How newborn babies’ head odor facilitates bonding

Study sheds light on the olfactory importance of the smell of a newborn baby's head and mother-child bonding. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2nqEkTh
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Engineering a Less Artificial Intelligence

Artificial neural networks still lag behind brains in their ability to generalize beyond their training conditions. In this review, Sinz et al. discuss several ideas for how neuroscience can guide the search for better inductive biases by providing useful constraints on representations and network architecture. from journals https://ift.tt/2l7ZXa7
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What are the pitfalls and perils of intracranial pressure?

Crudely speaking, the nervous system is made up of two parts. The peripheral nervous system , composed of nerves and muscles , is rather robust and roams free, exposed to the elements. On the other hand, the central nervous system , consisting of the brain and spinal cord , is delicate and fragile. It is therefore protectively cocooned in a rigid skull and a hardy vertebral skeleton . But even this tough fortress isn’t secure enough for these dainty neurones ; they are, after all, the command and control system for the whole body. Therefore, to further insulate them from the physical and physiological perturbations that continuously threaten them, nature has further sequestered them within a very exquisitely regulated irrigation system, the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) . Internet Archive book Images on Flickr. https://www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages/14769907251/ The CSF is actually a fine filtrate of the blood that flows in the arteries. The sieve is the very for
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First large-scale study of universal screening for autism raises questions about accuracy

Study urges doctors to continue screening all toddlers for ASD, but recommends changing to M-CHAT screening methods to improve accuracy and address current disparities. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2lIbmgX
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Study finds age hinders cancer development

Alterations associated with aging and cellular senescence may be linked to a decrease in cell proliferation, while cancer shifts towards increased cell division. The study challenges the traditional view that cancer risks increase as we age, finding the aging process may suppress the development of cancer. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2mr87uC
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Common nutrient supplement choline may hold the answers to combating Alzheimer’s

Taking dietary choline supplements may help to protect the brain from Alzheimer's disease. Choline reduces the activation of microglia which, when overactivated, contribute to neuroinflammation and apoptosis associated with Alzheimer's. Choline also helps block the production of amyloid plaques. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2nlg98o
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Abused or neglected children are four times more likely to develop serious mental illness

Adults who were maltreated as children have an increased risk of being diagnosed with schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar disorder, and anxiety than their peers who were not abused. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2lGCGfz
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Teenagers less likely to respond to mothers with controlling tone of voice

Mothers who address their teens with a neutral tone of voice elicit more positive and less negative emotions in their children, increasing closeness. Those who speak with a controlling tone evoke negative emotions and have a less close bond with their teenage child. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2nlO0Oz
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The secret of motivation

Researchers have identified a neural circuit in the brain of fruit flies that help them perform to their best ability while searching for food. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2mYqaIE
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Link between stress and circadian clock health revealed

Stress makes the circadian clock tick faster and better. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2lv1irI
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Is thrombolysis effective 9 hours after stroke?

Thrombolysis guided by perfusion imaging up to 9 hours after onset of stroke. Ma H, Campbell BCV, Parsons MW, et al; EXTEND Investigators. N Engl J Med 2019; 380:1795-1803. Abstract BACKGROUND: The time to initiate intravenous thrombolysis for acute ischemic stroke is generally limited to within 4.5 hours after the onset of symptoms. Some trials […] via Is thrombolysis effective 9 hours after stroke? — Neurochecklists Blog from The Neurology Lounge https://ift.tt/2noRfVF
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New research analyzes video game player engagement

Study examines how video game players engage in their chosen game and how they respond to different motivations. For games with in-game purchasing features, the more rounds or levels a person plays, the more likely they are to spend on purchases. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2nkdSdU
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Enhanced Actin Dynamics: A Therapeutic Strategy for Axonal Regeneration?

Spinal cord injury causes permanent paralysis due to the inability of neurons in the central nervous system to regenerate transected axons. In this issue of Neuron, Tedeschi et al. (2019) report that axonal regrowth can be stimulated by actin-depolymerizing proteins, at least in mice. from journals https://ift.tt/2n6pIYP
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Simplicity, Flexibility, and Interpretability in a Model of Dendritic Protein Distributions

In this issue of Neuron, Fonkeu et al. (2019) present a mathematical model of mRNA and protein synthesis, degradation, diffusion, and trafficking in neuronal dendrites. The model can predict the spatial distribution and temporal dynamics of proteins along dendrites. The authors use the model to account for in situ imaging data of CaMKII⍺ mRNA and protein in hippocampal neurons. from journals https://ift.tt/2ndttvJ
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Why Are Sequence Representations in Primary Motor Cortex So Elusive?

In this issue of Neuron, Yokoi and Diedrichsen (2019) use a finger keyboard task to show that sequences are widely represented across cortex but that only single elements are represented in primary motor cortex. These results suggest that sequence tasks primarily probe the ability to order discreet actions rather than to execute a skilled continuous sequential action. from journals https://ift.tt/2mBRFYv
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Engineering a Less Artificial Intelligence

Artificial neural networks still lag behind brains in their ability to generalize beyond their training conditions. In this review, Sinz et al. discuss several ideas for how neuroscience can guide the search for better inductive biases by providing useful constraints on representations and network architecture. from journals https://ift.tt/2l7ZXa7
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Epilepsy: Seizures not forecastable as expected

A new study challenges the belief that epileptic seizures can be predicted by brain wave patterns. Researchers report they have found no evidence that specific brain wave patterns can be a predictive indicator of seizure onset. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2mNsL8o
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True lies: How letter patterns color perceptions of truth

The sequence of letters influences whether people believe a message to be true or fake. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2mITFOy
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Does migraine leave your head spinning? Noninvasive treatment shows early promise

Noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) helps improve symptoms of pain and vertigo in patients with vestibular migraines. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2lMm71K
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Brain anatomy changes with maturation to adolescence

White matter tracts show increasing maturation with age from the back to the front of the brain. The maturations begin as a child reaches 9-12 years of age. The maturity correlates with a critical and formative period of development. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2lb2JLL
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How and why does Parkinson’s disease effect women and men differently?

Study highlights the role estrogen plays in the differences in the progression of Parkinson's disease between men and women. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2ndPFFW
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AI helps scientists predict depression outcomes

Artificial intelligence technology was able to identify specific brain regions which were most important for predicting whether a person with depression would respond to SSRI antidepressants. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2nhW5E8
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Stressed out: Americans making themselves sick over politics

Exposure to political news may be having a detrimental effect on the public health of the American people, researchers say. A new study reveals 40% of Americans surveyed say politics increases their stress levels, with 1 in 5 people actively losing sleep as a result of political exposure. 20% of those surveyed say politics has damaged interpersonal relationships, and 4% of the sample reported suicidal thoughts because of the current political climate. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2mMp02F
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Differential Diagnosis in Neurology and Neurosurgery: A Clinician’s Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition

Tsementzis, SA. Differential Diagnosis in Neurology and Neurosurgery: A Clinician’s Pocket Guide, 2nd Edition ;Thieme 2019; 714 pp; 417 ill; $64.99. A 714-page, pocket-sized, softcover book entitled Differential Diagnosis in Neurology and Neurosurgery encompasses major topics in neurology and neurosurgery. Written solely by Dr. Tsementzis, imaging, as would be expected, finds its way into many of the sections and chapters. A welcome addition to the book is a 76-page section on neuroradiology, but strangely, this covers only the brain. While there is spine imaging within chapters devoted to clinical spine problems, it would have seemed logical to have included spinal MR and CT examples in the neuroradiology area. The effect of this omission, both in that section, and in the remainder of the book, is that important subjects for neurosurgeons and neurologists such as scoliosis, spine instability, or various syndromes related to degenerative disease of the spine, are either not covered
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Benefits of MRI for Patients With Low-risk Transient or Persistent Minor Neurologic Deficits

More than 1 million patients receive a diagnosis of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) in the United States each year. These patients are at increased risk of stroke during the first few weeks after the initial event, with the greatest risk during the first 2 days. Evidence-based secondary preventive measures are available to lower the risk of recurrent ischemic events, but for these measures to be effectively implemented, patients with stroke or TIA must be rapidly and correctly identified. Accurate diagnosis is important because some secondary preventive strategies carry risks of their own and are usually not appropriate for patients who did not have a TIA or stroke. Patients presenting with motor weakness, aphasia, or prolonged symptoms are at highest risk for recurrent stroke and are typically more comprehensively evaluated. Therefore, these patients are more likely to receive a more conclusive diagnosis and are likely to receive secondary prevention strategies promptly. f
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Teaching NeuroImages: Thermal imaging in Horner syndrome

A 50-year-old woman with a history of fibromuscular dysplasia presented to the emergency department with 1 day of right ear pain. Examination demonstrated 2 mm anisocoria, left pupil larger than right, with brisk pupillary light reactions bilaterally; 2.5 mm right ptosis; and anhidrosis of the right forehead, as determined by the spoon test. Thermal imaging was consistent with this finding (figure). She was diagnosed with acute, painful Horner syndrome. MRI/magnetic resonance angiography demonstrated right internal carotid artery dissection. Due to the risk of stroke immediately following internal carotid dissection, 1 she was treated with heparin drip, then later transitioned to aspirin and clopidogrel therapy. 2 from Neurology recent issues https://ift.tt/2mTrInj
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Teaching NeuroImages: Frontal lobe involvement in adult-onset cerebral X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy

A 42-year-old man presented with 1 year of progressive behavioral and personality changes. His antenatal, birth, and neurodevelopment were unremarkable. Examination showed hyperactive behavior, lower limbs paralysis (Medical Research Council grading 3) with pyramidal signs, and no skin hyperpigmentation or visual disturbance. Brain MRI revealed diffuse lesions in both frontal lobes, with peripheral rim restricted diffusion and enhancement (figure 1). Elevated plasma very-long-chain fatty acid level, p.Ser98Ter mutation in ABCD1 gene, and his pedigree (figure 2) confirmed the diagnosis of adult-onset cerebral X-linked adrenoleukodystrophy (X-ALD). X-ALD is an inborn error of metabolism predominantly within posterior involvement including parieto-occipital lobes and splenium of the corpus callosum; about 15% of patients have an anterior pattern of atypical involvement. 1,2 Frontal involvement can be seen in X-ALD, and this imaging feature can expedite the diagnosis of this atypical X-A
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Seizure-Alert Dogs Helping Children with Epilepsy

Dylan and his service dog Coffee. Image courtesy of 4 Paws for Ability. Is there a universal seizure odor? Karen Shirk, Executive Director of 4 Paws for Ability , is counting on it, and so are the kids and families her seizure-alert dogs match with. “We train our dogs with scent so they know the difference between what a person smells like that is going to have a seizure and what they smell like when they’re not. It’s a universal scent. We know this because we work our dogs with the scent from more than one person.” A very small study published earlier this year (2019) appears to back Shirk’s claim. The authors say they have found the first proof of a discernible odor signature associated with seizures. The study is small, just five trained dogs were studied. Nonetheless, the authors concluded, “This possibility was previously set aside because of the belief that epilepsy and seizure types were too individual-specific for a general cue to be found.” While not scent specific, ano
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100 Years of JAMA Neurology and the Journey Back to the Beginning

We would like to take a moment to recognize the 100th anniversary of JAMA Neurology, which was first launched by the American Medical Association in 1919 as the Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry. In the immediate aftermath of World War I, the table of contents of the first issue (Figure) reflected a medical community dealing with the realities of acute neurologic and psychiatric injuries, as well as lingering conditions, in those who returned from the battlefront. Articles advancing treatments of “so-called ‘shell shock’” and “war neuroses” sit comfortably next to a piece on the histogenesis of multiple sclerosis. In the issues that followed over the next few months, observations ranged from the neurological manifestations of and new therapies for syphilis to attempts to treat what was likely schizophrenia using injections of sodium chloride, as well as detailed descriptions of wartime spinal cord and peripheral nerve injuries. The first volume’s issues were groundbreaking and robus
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New study on sharing shows social norms play a role in decision making

Influence of social norms shapes a child's desire to share by the age of eight. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2myaR9g
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Walking patterns can identify dementia type

People with two common types of dementia, Lewy body dementia, and Alzheimer's disease, have unique walking patterns. The gait type signals subtle differences between the two disorders. Those with Lew body dementia change their steps more, varying the step time and length. They also display more asymmetry in movement compared to those with Alzheimer's disease. Researchers say gait could be a clinical biomarker for dementia subtypes. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2layYuj
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Context may explain why dads are happier and less stressed than moms

The differences between each parents' stress and happiness may boil down to how, and when, childcare activities are split between the parties. Fathers tend to be less stressed and happier, especially if their childcare activities are more recreational. Maternal stress is higher, and happiness is lower, as they tend to provide more of the hands-on parenting. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2l7LXNt
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Perturbed genes regulating white blood cells linked to autism genetics and severity

Blood gene expression analysis uncovered a critical gene network that is disrupted in Autism. The disrupted gene network is related to fetal brain development and is also dysregulated in ASD cellular models. The findings provide further evidence that genetic factors influencing brain development during pregnancy are a primary cause of autism spectrum disorder. from Neuroscience News https://ift.tt/2mctob5
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