Concussion or Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Increases Risk of Suicide

  From a review of the literature from 1963 to 2017, researchers in Toronto found that experiencing a concussion or mild traumatic brain injury was associated with a twofold higher risk of suicide as well as suicide attempts and suicidal ideation.
JAMA Neurol. 2018 Nov 12

Appendectomy to Decrease Risk of Parkinson's Disease ? Maybe...Stay Tuned

  The vermiform appendix was once considered to be a vestigial (left over, no longer used) organ. There is now evidence that the appendix plays a major role in the regulation of the immune system especially regulation of gut bacteria.
  From the largest of these epidemiologic related studies that reviewed the health records of 1.6 million Swedes that the incidence of PD was 19.3% lower in those that had their appendix removed.
  This data suggests that the appendix may be a reservoir of alpha-synuclein (the protein that accumulates in excess in the brain's of Parkinson's and related conditions (DLB).
  Since only 1% of the population gets PD it has been postulated that some, as yet unknown, confluence of events (such as an environmental trigger) that alters the gut microbiome decades before the disease is evident that mediates the risk of Parkinson's.
Sci Transl Med. 2018;10(465)

Cause Found for Polio-like Acute Flacid Myelitis in Children

  Sporadic outbreaks of Enterovirus (EV) type A71 cause several syndromes, mostly affecting children less than 5 years of age and occur in spring to fall months in North America.
  Syndromes include : pharyngitis, gastroenteritis, exanthems such as the so-called hand/foot/and mouth disease and the severe neurologic syndromes including meningitis, encephalitis, and AFM with flaccid paralysis.
  EV-A71 was identified in nasopharyngeal or rectal specimens BUT very Rarely from spinal fluid.
MMWR Morb Wkly Rep 2018 Sep 14;67:107

Prevalence of Low Back Pain has Increased 100% in the Last Decade

  Low back pain is a major cause of disability and is a major public health issue.
  Occupational exposure that includes hard work, frequent standing, sitting, bending, twisting and concentration demands are risk factors for low back pain (Occup Environ Med 1997;54:742). 
The prevalence of low back pain has increased 100% in the last decade (F1000Research 2016;5:1530)
  The finding of this study provides significant evidence Lumbosacral Radiculopathy can be considered a work related disease especially those jobs that depend on exposure to bending of the trunk, carrying and lifting.
  Of note, there was NOT an association between professional driving or sitting and LRS.
Neurology 2018 Sep 18;91:558

TAI CHI Most Effective For Fall Prevention

  Researchers in Oregon studied elders at high risk for falls. Tai ji quan (better known as Tai Chi) was found to be superior at decreasing risk of falls in this population compared to previously emphasized mutimodal exercise : (strengthening, aerobic training, balance training and flexibility exercises) and stretching.
JAMA INT MED 2018 Sep 10

Areas in Brain Actually Identified that are Associated with Analgesia In Nerve Pain with CANNABIS. WOW.

  The anterior cingulate gyrus (ACC) and dorsolateral pre-frontal cortex (DLPC) are functionally involved in THC-induced analgesia in chronic neuropathic pain.
 Neurology. 2018;91:e1285-e1294

Light Exposure may Improve Agitation, Mood and Sleep in Dementia

  LED table lights and individual room lights were placed where patients spent most of their waking hours. The lights were turned on when folks woke up and remained on until 6 PM.
  Exposure to light stimulates the circadian system early in the day significantly decreasing scores for sleep disturbances, agitation and depression compared with placebo.
Sleep Health. 2017;3(3):204-215