Parkinson's and Protein Kinase Pathway

NIH researchers have found a pathway that regulates production of kinase-C. By modifying p300, researchers can possibly reduce the expression of kinase-C and the associated destructive effects on dopamine-producing cells. Next.... to find the chemicals to control the mechanism.....

Jrnl of Neuroscience 2/9/11

Stroke, Atrial Fib And Dementia

Patients with atrial fibrillation that have had stroke are 2.4 times more likely to develop dementia.

Neurology March 8 2011

Diet soda and Stroke risk

Researchers observe an increased risk of vascular disease , including heart attack and stroke, in those who drink diet soda daily.

Am J Clin Nutr. 2009;89(4):1037-1042

Tobacco Use and ALS

The risk of developing ALS increases 44% for former smokers and 42% for current smokers, compared with those who have never smoked.

Arch Neurol.2011;68(2)207-213

Hearing Loss and Dementia

Hearing loss is linked to dementia in individuals older than 60. Hearing loss may be causally related to dementia, maybe through exhaustion of cognitive reserve, social isolation, environmental differentiation, or a combo of these.

One wonders if the use of digital hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other rehabilitative strategies to treat hearing loss would result in a decreased risk for dementing illness.

Arch Neurol. 2011 ; 68(2):207-213

Cell Phones Increase Brain Metabolism

Cell phone use increases brain glucose metabolism in the region closest to the antennae as per a JAMA article of February 23rd.Whether these changes are due to heat generated by the phone or RF-EMF exposure is unclear. The significance of this finding is also unclear. Researchers are divided about the risk of brain cancer and cell phone use. Some researchers have also suggested a neuro-protective effect that exposure to electromagnetic waves in mice decreases the accumulation of amyloid in mice (the protein found in excess in the brains of those with Alzheimer's) J Alzheimer's Dis 2010;19(1):191-210

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Dysphasia : TIA vs Complicated Migraine

Serene Branson while reporting live at the Grammy Awards suddenly began having difficulty speaking.She was hospitalized at UCLA Medical Center in LA and after a neurologic workup was diagnosed with migraine.She had no prior history of migraine and recovered completely.

Another TIA mimic may be related to seizures. For example, following a seizure , some patients may experience sided paralysis called Todd's paralysis which resolves without sequelae.

To aid the physician in diagnosis the ABCD2 algorithm score based on age, blood pressure, clinical features, a history of diabetes and TIA duration can predict stroke risk.

A prior history of unexplained transient neurologic attacks, the presence of non- specific symptoms, and gradual symptom onset can help differentiate between TIA and TIA mimics such as migraine.

With migraine, symptoms occur over minutes. In TIA's over seconds.

With TIA mimics, patients often report other non-focal symptoms such as lightheadedness, GI complaints and tightness of the chest.

In 2010, the American Stroke Association revised diagnostic criteria for TIA.

All of the aforementioned can assist the physician in making a correct diagnosis and most importantly identify those at risk for stroke.

AHA/ASA Guidelines for the prevention of stroke in patients with TIA's ( Stroke 2011; 42: 227-276)