American Academy of Neurology's 59th Annual Meeting, April 28 -May 5, 2007

American Academy of Neurology's Annual Meeting

The American Academy of Neurology's (AAN) 59th annual meeting took place in Boston on April 28-May 5, 2007. During the meeting, neurologists and neuroscientists discussed a range of innovations and breakthroughs in the field from advances in imaging techniques to the underlying genetics of neurological diseases, said AAN president Thomas R. Swift, M.D., of the Medical College of Georgia in Augusta. "The revolution in molecular medicine and genetics has transformed our specialty," he said.

"The major trends affecting neurology as a specialty are the advances in neurology imaging of the brain by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography and functional MRI, so we are finally beginning to understand how the brain works," he said. "There were an awful lot of presentations based on this technology."

What's more, "we are seeing progress in understanding the genetic basis of many diseases including amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson disease, multiple sclerosis and muscular dystrophy," he said. "The hope is that this may lead to new therapies," Swift said. "If we could push off the onset of terrible degenerative diseases by even five to 10 years, it could make a huge difference."

Stroke recovery and acute stroke care also garnered attention at the meeting. Randolph Marshall, M.D., of Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center in New York City, gave a talk on the use of valium-like medications to treat spasticity and hypertonia after a stroke. "The novel treatment reduced hypertonia after stroke and allowed normal function to emerge," Marshall said. "It looks very intriguing."

Other data were presented from the secondary analysis of hemorrhagic stroke in the Stroke Prevention by Aggressive Reduction in Cholesterol Levels (SPARCL) study, he said. "The secondary analysis showed that in addition to preventing stroke with a statin, there was a higher risk of hemorrhagic stroke," he said. "Some recommendations will probably come out of this work that will try to identify a subset of stroke patients who are at higher risk of developing hemorrhagic stroke later and that this treatment should be avoided in."

In addition, a plenary lecture by John P. Donoghue, Ph.D., of Brown University in Providence, R.I., on computer-brain interface showed that it is possible to place a computer chip by the motor cortex of the brain and allow someone who is completely paralyzed to move a cursor around on a computer screen. "It represents a whole new frontier in treating patients who are markedly paretic," Marshall said. "It's pretty wild."

Research on amateur boxers found they had neurochemical changes in their cerebrospinal fluid, which may help pave the way for assessing the severity of traumatic brain injury and predicting late outcomes. "This spinal fluid test may be useful in all types of head injury," Marshall noted.

AAN: Migraine in Pregnancy Linked to Stroke

THURSDAY, May 3 (HealthDay News) -- Women who experience migraine headaches during pregnancy are 19 times more likely to experience a stroke compared with women who do not have migraines during their pregnancy, according to research presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Boston.

Abstract

AAN: Secondhand Smoke Linked to Dementia Risk

WEDNESDAY, May 2 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with high lifetime exposure to secondhand smoke may have an increased risk of developing dementia, especially if they have underlying carotid artery disease, according to research presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Boston.

Abstract

AAN: No Link Seen Between Autism and Celiac Disease

TUESDAY, May 1 (HealthDay News) -- Autistic children may have no higher risk of developing celiac disease than non-autistic children, according to research presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Boston. The finding contradicts some previous research that suggests a link between the two conditions.

Abstract

AAN: Depression May Be Early Sign of Parkinson Disease

FRIDAY, April 27 (HealthDay News) -- Current antidepressant use is associated with nearly double the risk of developing Parkinson disease, suggesting that depression may be an early symptom of the disease, according to research presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Boston.

Abstract

AAN: Dopamine Medications Affect Reward Behavior

THURSDAY, April 26 (HealthDay News) -- Medications that increase or decrease dopamine levels, such as levodopa or haloperidol, may strongly influence reward-seeking behavior, according to research presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Boston.

Abstract

AAN: Sleep Protects Memory from Associative Interference

TUESDAY, April 24 (HealthDay News) -- Sleep protects declarative memories from associative interference, according to research presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Boston.

Abstract

AAN: Telephone-Guidance Helps in Rural Stroke Therapy

TUESDAY, April 24 (HealthDay News) -- Expert guidance over the telephone can help physicians at rural hospitals safely and effectively administer tissue plasminogen activator to stroke patients, according to research presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Boston.

Abstract

AAN: Exercise Linked to Lower Parkinson Disease Risk

MONDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- Older people who engage in regular moderate or vigorous physical activity may have a lower risk of developing Parkinson disease, according to research presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Boston.

Abstract

AAN: Inflammatory Bowel Disease May Damage Nerves

MONDAY, April 23 (HealthDay News) -- Patients with inflammatory bowel disease may have an elevated risk of nerve damage and nerve diseases, such as carpal tunnel syndrome and sensorimotor polyneuropathy, according to research presented this week at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology in Boston.

Abstract