Diagnostic and Therapeutic Approach to Autoimmune Neurologic Disorders

2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (03) ◽  
pp. 392-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eoin Flanagan ◽  
A. López-Chiriboga
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Laboratory Testing ◽  
Treatment Approach ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Careful Monitoring ◽  
Neurologic Disorders ◽  
Clinical Syndromes ◽  
Neurologic Function

AbstractThe field of autoimmune neurology is evolving rapidly. The discovery of autoantibodies that target neural antigens has expanded swiftly in the last decade. Recognition of the clinical syndromes associated with autoimmune neurologic disorders, and our understanding of the pathophysiology, has progressed significantly. Radiographic, electrophysiological, and laboratory testing (particularly neural autoantibody testing) are fundamental in the diagnosis of autoimmune neurological disorders and in the exclusion of mimics. Furthermore, investigations may serve as a baseline from which objective assessment of improvement or detection of relapse can be made. These disorders can be associated with underlying neoplasms, and screening for malignancy is an essential component of the investigations. Early diagnosis and prompt initiation of immunotherapy can improve neurologic function. The use of immunotherapy, however, can be associated with diverse side effects, and careful monitoring is crucial to prevent complications. Herein the authors address the diagnostic and treatment approach of autoimmune neurologic disorders, with particular focus on antibody-mediated neurologic autoimmunity.

Red Flags: Barriers to Listening and Spoken Language in Children with Hearing Loss

2014 ◽  
Vol 24 (1) ◽  
pp. 11-18
Author(s):  
Andrea Bell ◽  
K. Todd Houston
Keyword(s):  
Hearing Loss ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Skill Acquisition ◽  
Dynamic Process ◽  
Spoken Language ◽  
Red Flags ◽  
Careful Monitoring ◽  
Auditory Development ◽  
Children With Hearing Loss ◽  
Family Centered

To ensure optimal auditory development for the acquisition of spoken language, children with hearing loss require early diagnosis, effective ongoing audiological management, well fit and maintained hearing technology, and appropriate family-centered early intervention. When these elements are in place, children with hearing loss can achieve developmental and communicative outcomes that are comparable to their hearing peers. However, for these outcomes to occur, clinicians—early interventionists, speech-language pathologists, and pediatric audiologists—must participate in a dynamic process that requires careful monitoring of countless variables that could impact the child's skill acquisition. This paper addresses some of these variables or “red flags,” which often are indicators of both minor and major issues that clinicians may encounter when delivering services to young children with hearing loss and their families.

Neurological Disorders

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margit L. Bleecker
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Monoxide ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Occupational Exposures ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Dose Effect ◽  
Temporal Association ◽  
Biological Plausibility ◽  
Cognitive Domains ◽  
The Past ◽  
Neurologic Disorders

This chapter describes neurologic disorders related primarily to occupational exposures along with presenting signs and symptoms. Acute or subacute occupational exposure to high levels of neurotoxic compounds, which occurred in the past and resulted in unique presentations of neurological disorders, occur infrequently today. Sections include the evaluation of toxic neuropathies and the approach to neurobehavioral impairment along with the cognitive domains commonly affected with exposure to neurointoxicants. A section describes the approach to a patient with exposure to neurointoxicants that includes the need for a temporal association between exposure and effect, a dose-effect relationship, biological plausibility, and other causes eliminated Effects of selected neurotoxins are described, including carbon monoxide, lead, organic solvents, and manganese.

scholarly journals Applications of Ketogenic Diets in Patients with Headache: Clinical Recommendations

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2307
Author(s):  
Cherubino Di Lorenzo ◽  
Giovanna Ballerini ◽  
Piero Barbanti ◽  
Andrea Bernardini ◽  
Giacomo D’Arrigo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Unmet Needs ◽  
Therapeutic Option ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Pharmacological Treatments ◽  
Ketogenic Diets ◽  
Neurologic Disorders ◽  
Clinical Recommendation ◽  
Potential Benefits ◽  
Drug Resistant Epilepsy

Headaches are among the most prevalent and disabling neurologic disorders and there are several unmet needs as current pharmacological options are inadequate in treating patients with chronic headache, and a growing interest focuses on nutritional approaches as non-pharmacological treatments. Among these, the largest body of evidence supports the use of the ketogenic diet (KD). Exactly 100 years ago, KD was first used to treat drug-resistant epilepsy, but subsequent applications of this diet also involved other neurological disorders. Evidence of KD effectiveness in migraine emerged in 1928, but in the last several year’s different groups of researchers and clinicians began utilizing this therapeutic option to treat patients with drug-resistant migraine, cluster headache, and/or headache comorbid with metabolic syndrome. Here we describe the existing evidence supporting the potential benefits of KDs in the management of headaches, explore the potential mechanisms of action involved in the efficacy in-depth, and synthesize results of working meetings of an Italian panel of experts on this topic. The aim of the working group was to create a clinical recommendation on indications and optimal clinical practice to treat patients with headaches using KDs. The results we present here are designed to advance the knowledge and application of KDs in the treatment of headaches.

scholarly journals Efficacy and Safety of Carbon Dioxide Ablative Fractional Resurfacing (CO2-AFR) Device in Moderate to Severe Atrophic Acne Scars

2017 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wajieha Saeed ◽  
Zahida Rani ◽  
Shazia Aslam
Keyword(s):  
Side Effects ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Side Effect Profile ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Social Psychological ◽  
Interventional Study ◽  
Dermatology Department ◽  
Acne Scars ◽  
Fractional Resurfacing ◽  
Pretreatment Assessment

<p>Acne having a prevalence of &gt; 90% in adolescents persisting in adulthood, causes inflammation and scaring. Acne scars cause severe social, psychological and cosmetic problems. There are many remedies available for acne scars with variable results. CO2-AFR laser is a new modality with more effectiveness and low side effect profile.</p><p><strong>Objective:</strong><strong>  </strong>To determine the effectiveness and safety of CO2-AFR device in the treatment of moderate to severe atrophic acne scars.</p><p><strong>Study Design:</strong><strong>  </strong>Interventional study.</p><p><strong>Place and Duration of Study:</strong><strong>  </strong>This study was conducted at Dermatology Department Unit-I, Mayo Hospital Lahore and duration was 1 year, from April 2015 to March 2016.</p><p><strong>Material and Methods:</strong><strong>  </strong>The 30 patients of either sex, having moderate to severe atrophic acne scars were enrolled in the study. Pretreatment assessment of acne scars was done by using Goodman &amp; Baron qualitative scarring grading system. Patients were treated at 4 – 5 weeks interval with maximum 5 sessions. Objective assessment for efficacy and side effects was done at each session. Data was collected on a specially designed proforma and statistical analysis carried out by using SPSS version 17.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong><strong>  </strong>Significant improvement in acne scars was observed. 14 (46.7%) patients showed good efficacy (50 – 75% reduction), 1 (3.3%) patient came out with excellent efficacy (&gt; 75%) and 14 (46.7%) patients showed fair efficacy (25 – 50% reduction in acne scars). 13.3% patients showed few delayed side effects which resolved with treatment.</p><p><strong>Conclusion:</strong><strong>  </strong>CO2-AFR device was proved to be effective and safe in the treatment of moderate to severe atrophic acne scars.</p>

Neurological disorders

2013 ◽  
pp. 102-131
Author(s):  
Richard J. Hardie ◽  
Jon Poole
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Sclerosis ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Work Capacity ◽  
Job Applicants ◽  
Functional Abilities ◽  
Comorbid Illness ◽  
Precise Diagnosis ◽  
Job Title ◽  
Manual Handling

This chapter deals mainly with common acute and chronic neurological problems, particularly as they affect employees and job applicants. The complications of occupational exposure to neurotoxins and putative neurotoxins will also be covered in so far as they relate to the fitness of an exposed employee to continue working. In addition to a few well-known and common conditions, many uncommon but distinct neurological disorders may present at work or affect work capacity. Fitness for work in these disorders will be determined by the person’s functional abilities, any comorbid illness, the efficacy or side effects of the treatment, and psychological and social factors, rather than by the precise diagnosis. This will also need to be put into the context of the job in question, as the basic requirements for a manual labouring job may be completely different from something more intellectually demanding. Indeed, even an apparently precise diagnostic label such as multiple sclerosis (MS) can encompass a complete spectrum of disability, from someone who is entirely asymptomatic to another who is totally incapacitated. Similarly, the job title ‘production operative’ may be applied to someone who is sedentary or who undertakes heavy manual handling. Furthermore, reports by general practitioners, neurologists, or neurosurgeons may describe the symptoms, signs, and investigations in detail, but without analysing functional abilities. These colleagues may also fail to appreciate the workplace hazards, the responsibilities of the employer, or what scope exists for adaptations to the job or workplace.

scholarly journals Hyponatremia in the Neurologically Ill Patient: A Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 208-216
Author(s):  
David P. Lerner ◽  
Starane A. Shepherd ◽  
Ayush Batra
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Diagnosis And Treatment ◽  
Systemic Complications ◽  
Acute Presentation

Hyponatremia is a well-known disorder commonly faced by clinicians managing neurologically ill patients. Neurological disorders are often associated with hyponatremia during their acute presentation and can be associated with specific neurologic etiologies and symptoms. Patients may present with hyponatremia with traumatic brain injury, develop hyponatremia subacutely following aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage, or may manifest with seizures due to hyponatremia itself. Clinicians caring for the neurologically ill patient should be well versed in identifying these early signs, symptoms, and etiologies of hyponatremia. Early diagnosis and treatment can potentially avoid neurologic and systemic complications in these patients and improve outcomes. This review focuses on the causes and findings of hyponatremia in the neurologically ill patient and discusses the pathophysiology, diagnoses, and treatment strategies for commonly encountered etiologies.

scholarly journals Natural Compounds for the Management of Parkinson’s Disease and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Carlos Corona
Keyword(s):  
Oxidative Stress ◽  
Parkinson’S Disease ◽  
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Parkinson's Disease ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Attention Deficit ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Natural Compounds ◽  
Hyperactivity Disorder ◽  
Increased Risk

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder with an unknown aetiology. The pathogenic mechanisms include oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, protein dysfunction, inflammation, autophagy, apoptosis, and abnormal deposition of α-synuclein. Currently, the existing pharmacological treatments for PD cannot improve fundamentally the degenerative process of dopaminergic neurons and have numerous side effects. On the other hand, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common neurodevelopmental disorder of childhood and is characterised by hyperactivity, impulsivity, and inattention. The aetiology of ADHD remains unknown, although it has been suggested that its pathophysiology involves abnormalities in several brain regions, disturbances of the catecholaminergic pathway, and oxidative stress. Psychostimulants and nonpsychostimulants are the drugs prescribed for the treatment of ADHD; however, they have been associated with increased risk of substance use and have several side effects. Today, there are very few tools available to prevent or to counteract the progression of such neurological disorders. Thus, therapeutic approaches with high efficiency and fewer side effects are needed. This review presents a brief overview of the two neurological disorders and their current treatments, followed by a discussion of the natural compounds which have been studied as therapeutic agents and the mechanisms underlying the beneficial effects, in particular, the decrease in oxidative stress.

Psychopharmacological Treatment Issues in HIV/AIDS Psychiatry

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kelly L. Cozza ◽  
Gary H. Wynn ◽  
Glenn W. Wortmann ◽  
Scott G. Williams ◽  
Rita Rein
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Drug Interactions ◽  
Antiretroviral Treatment ◽  
Team Member ◽  
Careful Monitoring ◽  
Pharmacokinetics And Pharmacodynamics ◽  
Psychopharmacological Treatment ◽  
Hiv Aids

Attention to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics and an understanding of intended effects, side effects, toxicities, and drug interactions are imperative when treating persons with HIV/AIDS. This chapter includes an essential review of drug interaction principles and an overview of current antiretroviral treatment (ART) and known side effects, toxicities, and drug interactions, in text and table format. The chapter concludes with a presentation of psychotropic-antiretroviral treatment issues. Most psychotropics are effective in the treatment of persons with HIV, but some, particularly the pan-inducing antiepileptics, are best avoided or at least should be very carefully monitored. Recognizing the potential for drug–drug interactions allows for more careful monitoring and for consideration of alternative treatments or precautions. Being a pharmacologically knowledgeable multidisciplinary team member can reduce morbidity and mortality in patients. An understanding of antiretroviral therapy and psychopharmacological treatment issues prevents morbidity, supports adherence to medications, and improves quality of life for persons with HIV.

Early diagnosis of ethambutol side effects on the optic nerve using a special color test

1996 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 211-213
Author(s):  
W. Jaeger ◽  
H. Krastel ◽  
V. Seiberth ◽  
R. Koelb
Keyword(s):  
Optic Nerve ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Early Diagnosis ◽  
Color Test
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document