Home Neurology September 2020 Briefing – Neurology

September 2020 Briefing – Neurology

Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Neurology for September 2020. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.

AI Model Shows Deep Learning Can Detect Large Vessel Occlusion

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A deep learning model can detect large vessel occlusion (LVO) using multiphase computed tomography (CT) angiography, according to a study published online Sept. 29 in Radiology.

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Disparities in CVD Burden Increasing Between Richest, Poorer

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There are substantial and increasing disparities in the prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) among the highest-resource group and the remainder of the U.S. population, according to a study published online Sept. 25 in JAMA Network Open.

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Hospital Admissions Not Related to COVID-19 Fell in Early 2020

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Non-COVID-19 hospital admissions decreased considerably with the onset of COVID-19, with declines generally similar across patient demographic subgroups from February to April 2020, according to a report published online Sept. 24 in Health Affairs.

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Generalized Epilepsy Tied to Higher Sleep Apnea Risk

TUESDAY, Sept. 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Patients with generalized epilepsy have a higher risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a study published in the October issue of Epilepsy & Behavior.

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Higher Odds of Migraines Seen Among Sexual Minorities

TUESDAY, Sept. 29, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Migraine is more common among sexual-minority groups than individuals identifying as exclusively heterosexual, according to a research letter published online Sept. 28 in JAMA Neurology.

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Brain-Eating Amoeba Found in Tap Water of Lake Jackson, Texas

MONDAY, Sept. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The presence of a brain-eating amoeba in its drinking water has led the city of Lake Jackson, Texas, to issue a “do not use water order” and request an emergency declaration from the state.

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Private Health Plans Pay Hospitals 247 Percent of Medicare

MONDAY, Sept. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — During 2018, prices paid to hospitals by privately insured patients averaged 247 percent of what Medicare would have paid, according to a study from the RAND Corporation.

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Metabolic Surgery May Cut Risk for Cardiovascular Events, Death

MONDAY, Sept. 28, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Metabolic surgery for patients with morbid obesity and pharmacologically treated hypertension is associated with a lower risk for major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) and all-cause mortality versus individuals with hypertension from the general population, according to a study published online Sept. 15 in PLOS Medicine.

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FDA: Mercury Risk Means Certain People Should Not Get Amalgam Dental Fillings

FRIDAY, Sept. 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Certain people are at higher risk for health problems from mercury-containing amalgam dental fillings and should avoid them if possible, a new U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommendation says.

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Pupillary Light Reflex Metrics May ID Sports Concussion in Teens

FRIDAY, Sept. 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Several pupillary light reflex (PLR) metrics are increased for adolescents with concussion versus healthy controls, according to a study published online Sept. 24 in JAMA Ophthalmology.

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ACIP Provides Recommendations on Meningococcal Vaccination

FRIDAY, Sept. 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Routine vaccination with a quadrivalent meningococcal conjugate vaccine (MenACWY) is recommended for adolescents aged 11 to 12 years with a booster at age 16 years, according to a report published in the Sept. 24 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Stroke ‘Alarm Clock’ Improves Acute Stroke Management Metrics

THURSDAY, Sept. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Use of a stroke alarm clock demanding active feedback significantly improves management metrics for acute stroke, according to a study published online Sept. 24 in Stroke.

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FDA Requiring Labeling Changes to Benzodiazepine Prescribing Information

THURSDAY, Sept. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In response to reports of misuse and abuse of benzodiazepines, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is now requiring class-wide labeling changes to the prescribing information, the agency announced yesterday.

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Guidelines Updated for Managing Dyslipidemia to Cut CVD Risk

THURSDAY, Sept. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a synopsis of the 2020 updated clinical practice guideline from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and the U.S. Department of Defense, published online Sept. 22 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, recommendations are presented for the management of dyslipidemia to reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

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Cognition-Enhancing Supplements May Contain Unapproved Drugs

THURSDAY, Sept. 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Supplements marketed to improve memory and cognitive function frequently contain unapproved drugs, often at supratherapeutic dosages, according to a study published online Sept. 23 in Neurology: Clinical Practice.

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Risk for Autism Increased With Preterm, Postterm Birth

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Preterm and postterm birth are associated with an increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a study published online Sept. 22 in PLOS Medicine.

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Metformin May Slow Cognitive Decline in Seniors With T2DM

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For older adults with type 2 diabetes, cognitive decline is slower and dementia risk reduced for those receiving metformin, according to a study published online Sept. 23 in Diabetes Care.

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Air Pollution May Raise Stroke Risk With Atrial Fibrillation

TUESDAY, Sept. 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Exposure to air pollution may increase the risk for ischemic stroke in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF), according to a study published online Sept. 15 in JAMA Network Open.

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Pregnancy May Delay Onset of Multiple Sclerosis Symptoms

TUESDAY, Sept. 22, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Pregnancy is associated with a delay in the onset of multiple sclerosis by more than three years, according to a study published online Sept. 14 in JAMA Neurology.

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Individuals With Autism at Risk for Other Health Conditions

MONDAY, Sept. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Individuals with autism have increased health risks even when considering lifestyle factors, according to a study published online Sept. 9 in Autism.

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Inverted U-Shaped Link Seen for Sleep Duration, Cognitive Decline

MONDAY, Sept. 21, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is an inverted U-shaped association between sleep duration and global cognitive decline, according to a study published online Sept. 21 in JAMA Network Open.

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Botox for TMJ Disorder Does Not Affect Jaw Bone Density

FRIDAY, Sept. 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Jaw bone density and volume are similar between women who had botulinum toxin (BTX) injections to treat temporomandibular muscle and joint disorders (TMJDs) and those who did not, according to a small study published online Sept. 3 in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation.

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Details Emerge on Unexplained Illness in AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine Trial

FRIDAY, Sept. 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — New details surfaced on Thursday on an unexplained neurological condition that struck a volunteer who was participating in AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine trial.

CNN Article

Lifestyle Changes May Aid Cognitive Abilities

FRIDAY, Sept. 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Improvements in lifestyle risk factors for dementia can lead to short-term improvements in cognition among community-dwelling adults experiencing cognitive decline, according to a study published online Sept. 9 in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.

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Study Suggests Smoking Causes Fatal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

THURSDAY, Sept. 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Smoking seems to have a causal role in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), according to a study published online Sept. 17 in Stroke.

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Transient Orthostatic Hypotension Common in Parkinson Disease

THURSDAY, Sept. 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Transient orthostatic hypotension (tOH) is common in Parkinson disease (PD), according to a study published online Sept. 16 in Neurology.

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Meta-Analysis Links PTSD to Increased Dementia Risk

THURSDAY, Sept. 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is associated with the risk for dementia, according to a meta-analysis published online Sept. 15 in the British Journal of Psychiatry.

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Obstructive Sleep Apnea Tied to Worse Bone Health

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — History of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is independently associated with a higher risk for confirmed vertebral fracture, according to a study published online Sept. 9 in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.

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Low-to-Moderate Drinking May Protect Cognition During Aging

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Low-to-moderate alcohol consumption may be associated with better global cognition scores among middle-aged and older adults, according to a study recently published in JAMA Network Open.

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Financial Toxicity Common in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), financial toxicity is common and is associated with lifestyle-altering behaviors or care nonadherence, according to a study published online Aug. 18 in the Multiple Sclerosis Journal.

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Portable Low-Field MRI Allows Brain Imaging in ICU Patients

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Portable, low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is feasible for obtaining neuroimaging in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, according to a study published online Sept. 8 in JAMA Neurology.

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About 20 Percent of Women Avoid Pregnancy Due to Migraine

TUESDAY, Sept. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Migraine has a considerable impact on women’s pregnancy plans, with about 20 percent avoiding pregnancy due to migraine, according to a study published online Sept. 15 in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings.

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Clinical Score Predicts Poor Pain Control After Spine Surgery

TUESDAY, Sept. 15, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A score based on seven variables can accurately predict the probability of poorly controlled pain after elective spine surgery, according to a study published online Sept. 15 in the Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine.

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Coronary Artery Calcium Score IDs Coronary Heart Disease Risk

MONDAY, Sept. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Coronary artery calcium (CAC) risk score is a better predictor of coronary heart disease (CHD) than stroke, according to a study published online Aug. 18 in Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging.

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Depression Worsens Over Time in Caregivers of Partners With Dementia

MONDAY, Sept. 14, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Depressive symptoms worsen over time for older caregivers of partners or spouses who are newly diagnosed with dementia, according to a study published online Aug. 29 in the Journal of Applied Gerontology.

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Modafinil in Early Pregnancy Not Tied to Congenital Malformations

FRIDAY, Sept. 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Modafinil use during early pregnancy is not associated with significantly increased risk for major malformations in exposed infants, according to a research letter published online Sept. 1 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

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Florida Teen Dies From Brain-Eating Amoeba

FRIDAY, Sept. 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The parents of a 13-year-old boy in Florida who died from brain-eating amoeba want to warn others about the risk of the waterborne infection.

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Future Cardiovascular Event Risk Up With High BP in Young Adults

FRIDAY, Sept. 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Young adults with elevated blood pressure have increased risk of subsequent cardiovascular events, according to a meta-analysis published online Sept. 9 in The BMJ.

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Widespread Avoidance of Medical Care Found Due to COVID-19 Concerns

THURSDAY, Sept. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There was widespread reporting of avoidance of medical care due to COVID-19-related concerns in June 2020, according to research published in the Sept. 11 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Time Span of Football Play Not Linked to Concussion Recovery

THURSDAY, Sept. 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Longer exposure to playing football during childhood and adolescence appears to be unrelated to clinical recovery following college football concussion, according to a study published online Sept. 9 in Neurology.

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Guidelines Updated for Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia

TUESDAY, Sept. 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a second edition of international guidelines, published online Sept. 8 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, updated recommendations are presented for the diagnosis and management of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT).

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ATV Accidents in Children Most Often Result in Head, Neck Injuries

TUESDAY, Sept. 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Head and neck injuries as a result of all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accidents remain common among children, according to a study published Aug. 10 in Clinical Pediatrics.

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Maternal Obesity May Alter Fetal Brain Development

TUESDAY, Sept. 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Obesity in pregnant women may impact the development of their offspring’s brains, according to a study published online Aug. 10 in the Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry.

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Seizures During Menstrual Cycle Tied to Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

TUESDAY, Sept. 8, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In women with genetic generalized epilepsy (GGE), having more frequent seizures during the menstrual cycle is associated with drug-resistant epilepsy, according to a study published online Aug. 5 in Neurology.

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Adult ADHD Symptoms May Predict Motor Vehicle Crash Risk

FRIDAY, Sept. 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms that persist into adulthood is associated with a higher risk for being involved in a motor vehicle crash (MVC), according to a study published online Aug. 22 in the Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry.

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Child Cancer Survivors’ Hearing Loss Linked to Cognitive Deficits

FRIDAY, Sept. 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Severe hearing impairment (HI) in childhood cancer survivors is associated with neurocognitive deficits, according to a study recently published in JAMA Oncology.

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Anticholinergic Meds May Raise Risk for Cognitive Decline

FRIDAY, Sept. 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Anticholinergic medications (aCH) are associated with an increased risk for incident mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cognitive decline in older adults, according to a study published online Sept. 2 in Neurology.

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Few U.S. Children Meet Guidelines for Exercise, Screen Time

MONDAY, Aug. 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Few U.S. children meet all three guidelines for physical activity, screen time, and sleep, according to a study published online Aug. 27 in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

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Sodium Phenylbutyrate-Taurursodiol Promising for ALS

THURSDAY, Sept. 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), function declines more slowly through 24 weeks in those receiving sodium phenylbutyrate-taurursodiol versus placebo, according to a study published in the Sept. 3 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

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Moderate/High Risk for ESRD Tied to Worse Cognition Later in Life

THURSDAY, Sept. 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Adults who experience more episodes of moderate/high end-stage renal disease (ESRD) risk have worse performance in cognitive domains in middle age, according to a study published online Sept. 2 in Neurology.

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Brain Scan May Guide Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Brain scans may predict which type of therapy will be most effective for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in teens and adults, according to a study published online Aug. 28 in The American Journal of Psychiatry.

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Dementia May Contribute to More Deaths Than Previously Thought

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. mortality burden associated with dementia may be underestimated by vital statistics, according to a study published online Aug. 24 in JAMA Neurology.

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Emergency Visits for E-Scooter Injuries Up From 2014 to 2019

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of emergency department visits for electric scooter (e-scooter) injuries increased from 2014 to 2019, according to a research letter published online Aug. 31 in JAMA Network Open.

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VA/DoD Issue Guideline for Diagnosis, Management of HTN

WEDNESDAY, Sept. 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a synopsis of the 2020 U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs/U.S. Department of Defense clinical practice guideline, published online Sept. 1 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, recommendations are presented for the diagnosis and management of hypertension.

Clinical Practice Guideline
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Neuropsychiatric Disorders Up in Offspring of Mothers With PCOS

TUESDAY, Sept. 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Exposure to maternal polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with increased risk of a range of neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders in offspring, according to a study published online Aug. 31 in Human Reproduction.

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Maternal H1N1 Flu Vaccination Not Linked to Autism in Offspring

TUESDAY, Sept. 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Maternal influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 vaccination during pregnancy is not associated with risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring, according to a study published online Sept. 1 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.

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ADA Updates Guideline for Pharmacotherapy of T2DM

TUESDAY, Sept. 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a 2020 American Diabetes Association clinical guideline, published online Sept. 1 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, recommendations are presented for the pharmacologic treatment of adults with type 2 diabetes.

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Consensus Statements Issued for Adult Cochlear Implantation

TUESDAY, Sept. 1, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Consensus statements have been developed for cochlear implantation among adults with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL); the systematic review and accompanying consensus statements were published online Aug. 27 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery.

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