Feature Channels: Neuro

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According to the AANS, Chiari malformation can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms mimic several other conditions, and as a result, patients are often told that there is no physical problem. Chiari malformation is indeed a physical condition and getting a proper diagnosis is the first step on the path to finding treatment that may provide hope and relief.

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In a collaborative study at the University of California, San Diego, investigators from neurosciences, chemistry and medicine, as well as the San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC) have investigated how proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease interact to form unique complexes.

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A new guideline developed by the American Academy of Neurology finds surgery may be considered for people who suffer from extreme, electric shock-like pain in their face and do not respond well to drugs. The guideline on treating trigeminal neuralgia is published in the August 20, 2008, online issue of Neurology.

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New guidelines developed by the American Academy of Neurology confirm that the drug botulinum toxin is safe and effective for treating cervical dystonia, a condition of involuntary head tilt or neck movement, spasticity and other forms of muscle overactivity that interfere with movement in adults and children with an upper motor neuron syndrome, and excessive sweating of the armpits and hands.

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An estimated 2 million people in the United States are affected by carpal tunnel syndrome, according to the AANS. About half of all cases are work-related, and in fact, carpal tunnel syndrome accounts for the highest average number of days missed at work, when compared to all other work-related injuries or illnesses.

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People with larger stomachs in their 40s are more likely to have dementia when they reach their 70s, according to a study published in the March 26, 2008, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

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A small rat study reported in the journal Behavioral Neuroscience alleging a link between low-calorie sweeteners and weight gain, needs to be considered in the proper scientific context, especially in relation to other previously published research that has reached the opposite conclusion. Previous studies in humans have shown that low-calorie sweeteners are indeed beneficial for weight control.

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Daylight saving time can wreak havoc on the millions of people already affected by sleep problems, but a few simple sleep habits can make all the difference this March 9.

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Ever wonder why you are fatigued during the day when you thought you slept throughout the night? Why your spouse snores so much? Whether your sleep problems might be related to other health issues? Dr. Aparajitha Verma, neurologist with the Sleep Disorders Center at the Methodist Neurological Institute in Houston, Texas, is here to answer those questions and help you get a good night's rest.

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The evidence is accumulating on how bad stress is for health. Chronic stress can intensify inflammation and increase a person's risk for developing central nervous system infections, neurodegenerative diseases, like multiple sclerosis (MS), and other inflammatory diseases, say researchers presenting at the 115th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association (APA).

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Caffeine may help older women protect their thinking skills, according to a study published in the August 7, 2007, issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

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Two proteins that are implicated in autism have been found to control the strength and balance of nerve-cell connections, researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center have found.

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A guideline developed by the American Academy of Neurology finds conventionally recommended courses of antibiotics are highly effective for treating nervous system Lyme disease. However, there is no compelling evidence that prolonged treatment with antibiotics has any benefit in treating symptoms that persist following standard therapy.

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The following research from Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is being presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), April 28"“May 5, in Boston.

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An estimated 1.5 million people in the United States incur a traumatic brain injury (TBI) every year and 60,000 people die annually from these injuries. More than half of the patients brought to the hospital with TBI are intoxicated and many have cardiovascular disease requiring them to be on blood-thinners such as aspirin. Yet no prior studies have examined the potential effects of alcohol and aspirin consumption on worsening hemorrhage in patients with TBI.

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Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most significant forms of neurotrauma with major economic and social impact. Every year, nearly 12,000 individuals in the United States and Canada, mostly young adults, sustain a SCI. Research utilizing a novel protein shows promise for partially restoring neurological function in acute SCI cases treated quickly after the incident.

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Depression may be an early symptom of Parkinson's disease, according to research that will be presented at the American Academy of Neurology's 59th Annual Meeting in Boston, April 28 "“ May 5, 2007.

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A new study helps explain why psychedelic or hallucinogenic drugs like LSD produce unique and different effects in mood and behavior than their chemical cousins, such as lisuride, a treatment for Parkinson's disease.

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A new guideline developed by the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society aims to help physicians diagnose the causes of status epilepticus, a state of continuous seizures, in children, many of whom have epilepsy. The guideline is published in the November 14, 2006, issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology.

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Certain tests can predict with great accuracy whether a person in a coma after CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) will have a poor outcome, according to new guideline developed by the American Academy of Neurology. The guideline is published in the July 25, 2006, issue of Neurology.

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An estimated 9.5 percent of the population, or about 18.8 million American adults, suffer from a depressive disorder annually, costing as much as $40 billion in the American workplace. Preliminary research indicates that DBS holds promise for the treatment of intractable major depression, as well as obsessive compulsive disorder.

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New guidelines developed by the American Academy of Neurology aim to educate physicians on the diagnosis and treatment of Parkinson disease to improve quality of life.

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It is estimated that between 75 and 85 percent of all Americans will suffer from low back pain at some point in their lives, according to the American Association of Neurological Surgeons. Lumbar interbody fusion is an option when conservative methods fail.

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A synchronized response of brainstem neurons to sounds seems to play a critical role in the brain's ability to "hear" speech, suggests a report.

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A new study shows that the prognosis is good for people who have epilepsy surgery, even 30 years after the surgery.

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Three new studies show mixed results on the effects of epilepsy drugs taken during pregnancy.

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While it's well-known that drinking and driving don't mix, new research sheds light on another reason drunk drivers are likely to be dangerous on the road. A particular type of depth perception, called motion parallax, is disrupted by ethanol intoxication.