Neurology Minute

In the first installment of this two-part series, Dr. Jeff Ratliff and Dr. Daniel Weintraub discuss the risks associated with the development of dementia in patients diagnosed with Parkinson disease. Show reference: https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000209699

Dr. Jeff Ratliff, a clinical expert in dopaminergic imaging, joins Dr. Eduardo De Pablo-Fernández, a specialist in clinical interpretations, to discuss critical insights into the limitations of DAT imaging in diagnosing Parkinsonism. They caution against over-reliance on imaging, highlighting potential pitfalls in cases like corticobasal syndrome and progressive supranuclear palsy. The conversation emphasizes the need for careful consideration in differential diagnosis to avoid misleading interpretations.

Dr. Tesha Monteith, an expert on long COVID, delves into its defining characteristics and impact on neurology. She explains that symptoms can arise after any COVID-19 infection, even asymptomatic cases. The discussion highlights the profound effects on emotional health and daily functionality, underscoring the urgency for neurologists to stay abreast of evolving research. Monteith's insights illuminate the ongoing challenges faced by many individuals grappling with long COVID.

Dr. Tesha Monteith, a prominent voice in the discourse on long COVID, breaks down the new 2024 definition established by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. She delves into the complexities of long COVID and its far-reaching impacts on health and society. The conversation highlights the necessity of a standardized definition to better address this emerging concern. Tune in to learn how this definition might shape future understanding and treatment of long COVID.

Dr. Jeff Ratliff, a specialist in dopaminergic imaging techniques, teams up with Dr. Eduardo De Pablo-Fernández, an expert in Parkinsonian disorder diagnostics. They delve into the vital role of dopamine transporter imaging in diagnosing Parkinsonism, highlighting its impressive negative predictive value. The conversation also touches on the limitations of this imaging method, providing a balanced view of its efficacy in clinical settings. Listeners gain key insights into how imaging impacts the diagnosis and management of these complex disorders.

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Dan Ackerman, a cardiac monitoring and anticoagulation expert, joins Dr. Luciano A. Sposato, a specialist in embolic stroke of undetermined sources. They explore the challenges in treating embolic stroke of undetermined source (ESUS) and the ongoing controversies regarding monitoring strategies. The conversation highlights the need for improved preventive measures and questions current treatment approaches, making it a vital listen for those in the medical field.

Dr. Tesha Monteith provides an overview of the updated position statement on migraine prevention by the American Headache Society.

Dr. Dan Ackerman, a leader in stroke care, teams up with Dr. Gaspard Gerschenfeld, a specialist in international stroke practices, to unveil fascinating contrasts in stroke treatment. They dive into how American and French centers differ in their imaging protocols, particularly the use of MRI in emergencies. Expect insights into the benefits and challenges of these approaches, highlighting how they can impact patient outcomes. The duo’s expertise sheds light on why these variances matter in critical stroke management.

Dr. Meagan Seay discusses a relatively recently described but very interesting phenomenon called transient smartphone blindness. This is a phenomenon causing acute, painless, transient, monocular vision loss associated with smartphone use while lying down in the dark. Show reference: Transient Smartphone Blindness - EyeWiki

Dr. Dan Ackerman and Dr. Gaspard Gerschenfeld discuss the efficacy and safety of both thrombolytics in patients with large ischemic core. Show reference: https://www.neurology.org/doi/10.1212/WNL.0000000000209398