Neurology
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Benefit from carotid endarterectomy is greatest when performed within 2 weeks of a presenting TIA or stroke and decreases rapidly thereafter. ⋯ Delays to carotid imaging and endarterectomy after TIA or stroke in the United Kingdom are similar to those reported in several other countries and are associated with very high risks of otherwise preventable early recurrent stroke.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
A single dose of gabapentin reduces acute pain and allodynia in patients with herpes zoster.
This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study measured the effect of a single dose of oral gabapentin (900 mg) on pain and allodynia associated with herpes zoster. Pain severity decreased by 66% with gabapentin compared to 33% with placebo. Reductions in allodynia area and severity, and overall pain relief, were also greater with gabapentin.
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Comparative Study
Medical decision-making in neurodegenerative disease: mild AD and PD with cognitive impairment.
The authors compared medical decision-making capacity in patients with mild Alzheimer disease (AD), Parkinson disease (PD) with cognitive impairment, and older controls. Relative to controls and patients with PD, patients with AD were impaired on the consent ability of understanding the medical treatment situation and choices. Patients with PD were impaired on the consent ability of electing a treatment choice.