Neurology

Neurology is a medical specialty dealing with disorders of the nervous system. Specifically, it deals with the diagnosis and treatment of all categories of disease involving the central, peripheral, and autonomic nervous systems, including their coverings, blood vessels, and all effector tissue, such as muscle. Biomedical scientists and physicians who specialize in neurology are called neurologists, and are trained to investigate, or diagnose and treat, neurological disorders.

Testing gene therapy for Alzheimer’s disease

University Hospitals Case Medical Center testing gene therapy for Alzheimer’s disease — Phase 2 study will examine effectiveness, safety of nerve growth factor in slowing AD – University Hospitals Case Medical Center is one of 12 sites conducting the first Phase 2 clinical trial of a gene therapy for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The study uses a viral-based gene transfer system called CERE-110, which is designed to deliver nerve growth factor (NGF) into the brain.

H1N1 influenza severity linked to Streptococcus pneumoniae

Severity of H1N1 influenza linked to presence of Streptococcus pneumoniae – The presence of the Streptococcus pneumoniae in samples that can be easily obtained in clinics and emergency rooms may predict risk of severe disease in H1N1 pandemic influenza.

TENS device for pain not recommended for chronic low back pain

Guideline: Widely used device for pain therapy not recommended for chronic low back pain – The transcutaneous electric nerve stimulation (TENS), a widely used pain therapy involving a portable device, is not recommended to treat chronic low-back pain — pain that has persisted for three months or longer — because research shows it is not effective.

High leptin levels may protect against Alzheimer’s disease, dementia

Researchers find high leptin levels may protect against Alzheimer’s disease and dementia – Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that higher leptin (a protein that controls weight and appetite) levels were associated with a lower incidence of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and dementia.

Oxygen appears effective in treating cluster headache

Treatment of patients with cluster headache at symptom onset using inhaled high-flow oxygen compared with placebo was more likely to result in being pain-free at 15 minutes. – Patients with a cluster headache, which is characterized by bouts of excruciating pain usually near the eye or temple, were more likely to report being pain-free within 15 minutes of treatment with high-flow oxygen than patients who received a placebo treatment.

Cannabis is beneficial for multiple sclerosis

Study confirms that cannabis is beneficial for multiple sclerosis – Cannabis can reduce spasticity (involuntary muscle tension or contraction) in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, revealed by researchers in a new study.

South Americans may have a higher stroke risk

Americans born in the South may have a higher risk of dying from stroke as adults – US people born in the Southern stroke belt have a higher risk of dying from stroke as adults, even if they later move away, compared to people who were born in other parts of the country.

Ecstasy use may lead to sleep apnea

Ecstasy may be linked to sleep apnea – Recreational users of the drug known as ecstasy may be at a higher risk for sleep apnea, revealed by researchers.

Fat around the middle increases dementia risk in women

Fat around the middle increases the risk of dementia – Women who store fat on their waist in middle age are more than twice as likely to develop dementia when they get older, reveals a new study from the Sahlgrenska Academy.

Mechanism for cell death after stroke revealed

New understanding about mechanism for cell death after stroke leads to possible therapy – New understanding about mechanism for cell death after stroke leads to possible therapy, revealed by scientists at the Brain Research Centre, Canada.

Pregnancy is safe for multiple sclerosis patients

There is good news for women with multiple sclerosis (MS) who are pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant. – Pregnant women with multiple sclerosis are only slightly more likely to have cesarean deliveries and babies with a poor prenatal growth rate than women who do not have multiple sclerosis (MS), revealed by US researchers.

Reduced muscle strength increases Alzheimer’s disease risk

Reduced muscle strength associated with risk for Alzheimer’s disease – Individuals with weaker muscles appear to have a higher risk for Alzheimer’s disease and declines in cognitive function over time, revealed by the researchers.