Neurology
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Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Adjunctive pregabalin vs gabapentin for focal seizures: Interpretation of comparative outcomes.
To evaluate the comparative safety and adjunctive efficacy of pregabalin and gabapentin in reducing seizure frequency in patients with partial-onset seizures based on prestudy modeling showing superior efficacy for pregabalin. ⋯ This study provides Class II evidence that for patients with partial seizures enrolled in this study, pregabalin is not superior to gabapentin in reducing seizure frequency. Because of the atypical response rates, the results of this study are poorly generalizable to other epilepsy populations.
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We prospectively investigated the role of depressive symptoms (DS) on all-cause dementia in a population with small vessel disease (SVD), considering onset age of DS and cognitive performance. ⋯ Late-onset DS increases dementia risk, independent of SVD. Especially in those with relatively high cognitive performance, DS indicate a higher risk. In contrast to current practice, clinicians should monitor those with DS who also show relatively good cognitive test scores.
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To survey amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) health care providers to determine attitudes regarding physician-assisted death (PAD) after the Supreme Court of Canada (SCC) invalidated the Criminal Code provisions that prohibit PAD in February 2015. ⋯ ALS health care providers support the SCC decision and the majority believe PAD should be available to patients with moderate to severe ALS with physical or emotional suffering. However, few clinicians are willing to directly provide PAD and additional training and guidelines are required before implementation in Canada.
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To evaluate the sensitivity of quantitative EEG (QEEG) for electrographic seizure identification in the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ This study provides Class II evidence that QEEG + raw interpreted by experts identifies seizures in patients in the ICU with a sensitivity of 63%-68% and FPR of 0.5 seizures per hour.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Mind-body therapy via videoconferencing in patients with neurofibromatosis: An RCT.
To test, within a single-blind randomized controlled trial, the feasibility, acceptability, efficacy, and durability of a mind-body program (the Relaxation Response Resiliency Program for neurofibromatosis [3RP-NF]) vs an attention placebo control (Health Enhancement Program for NF [HEP-NF]), both delivered via group videoconferencing. ⋯ This study provides Class II evidence that for patients with NF, a mind-body program is superior to an attention placebo control in improving QoL.