Neurology
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To evaluate the association between long-term exposure to ambient air pollution and cognitive decline in older adults residing in an urban area. ⋯ WHICAP participants living in areas with higher levels of ambient air pollutants have lower cognitive scores at enrollment and more rapid rates of cognitive decline over time. In NOMAS, a smaller cohort with fewer repeat measurements, we found no statistically significant associations. These results add to the evidence regarding the adverse effect of air pollution on cognitive aging and brain health.
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After cardiac arrest (CA), epileptiform EEG, occurring in about 1/3 of patients, often but not invariably heralds poor prognosis. We tested the hypothesis that a combination of specific EEG features identifies patients who may regain consciousness despite early epileptiform patterns. ⋯ Prognostic value of early epileptiform EEG after CA can be estimated combining timing, continuity, reactivity, and amplitude features in a score that correlates with neuronal damage.
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To investigate the clinicopathologic features of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA)-associated neuropathy with a focus on the presence or absence of anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs). ⋯ This study suggests that the pathogenesis of EGPA comprises at least 2 distinct mechanisms: ANCA-associated vasculitis resulting in ischemic effects and inflammation, which is prominent in MPO-ANCA-positive patients, and eosinophil-associated vascular occlusion leading to ischemia and eosinophil-associated tissue damage, which is conspicuous in MPO-ANCA-negative patients.
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Multicenter Study Observational Study
Fetal loss and malformations in the MONEAD study of pregnant women with epilepsy.
To examine occurrence of severe adverse fetal outcomes (SAO), including fetal loss and major congenital malformations (MCMs), in pregnant women with epilepsy (PWWE) vs healthy pregnant women (HPW). ⋯ The findings provide additional information on risks of SAOs in PWWE, assessing effects of both AED levels and periconceptional folate. Group differences in average enrollment gestational age could have affected fetal loss results. Analyses are limited by small sample sizes as the MONEAD study was not powered for these secondary outcomes. The large majority of pregnancies in women with epilepsy do not have SOAs.