Relative Contributions of Mixed Pathologies to Cognitive and Functional Symptoms in Brain Donors Exposed to Repetitive Head Impacts.

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI) is associated with later-life cognitive symptoms and neuropathologies, including chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Cognitive decline in community cohorts is often due to multiple pathologies; however, the frequency and contributions of these pathologies to cognitive impairment in people exposed to RHI are unknown. Here, we examined the relative contributions of 13 neuropathologies to cognitive symptoms and dementia in RHI-exposed brain donors. METHODS: Neuropathologists examined brain tissue from 571 RHI-exposed donors and assessed for the presence of 13 neuropathologies, including CTE, Alzheimer disease (AD), Lewy body disease (LBD), and transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) inclusions. Cognitive status was assessed by presence of dementia, Functional Activities Questionnaire, and Cognitive Difficulties Scale. Spearman rho was calculated to assess intercorrelation of pathologies. Additionally, frequencies of pathological co-occurrence were compared to a simulated distribution assuming no intercorrelation. Logistic and linear regressions tested associations between neuropathologies and dementia status and cognitive scale scores. RESULTS: The sample age range was 18-97 years (median = 65.0, interquartile range = 46.0-76.0). Of the donors, 77.2% had at least one moderate-severe neurodegenerative or cerebrovascular pathology. Stage III-IV CTE was the most common neurodegenerative disease (43.1%), followed by TDP-43 pathology, AD, and hippocampal sclerosis. Neuropathologies were intercorrelated, and there were fewer unique combinations than expected if pathologies were independent (p < 0.001). The greatest contributors to dementia were AD, neocortical LBD, hippocampal sclerosis, cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and CTE. INTERPRETATION: In this sample of RHI-exposed brain donors with wide-ranging ages, multiple neuropathologies were common and correlated. Mixed neuropathologies, including CTE, underlie cognitive impairment in contact sport athletes. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:314-324.

Inflammatory biomarkers for neurobehavioral dysregulation in former American football players: findings from the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project.

BACKGROUND: Traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES) is defined as the clinical manifestation of the neuropathological entity chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). A core feature of TES is neurobehavioral dysregulation (NBD), a neuropsychiatric syndrome in repetitive head impact (RHI)-exposed individuals, characterized by a poor regulation of emotions/behavior. To discover biological correlates for NBD, we investigated the association between biomarkers of inflammation (interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and NBD symptoms in former American football players and unexposed individuals. METHODS: Our cohort consisted of former American football players, with (n = 104) or without (n = 76) NBD diagnosis, as well as asymptomatic unexposed individuals (n = 55) from the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project. Specific measures for NBD were derived (i.e., explosivity, emotional dyscontrol, impulsivity, affective lability, and a total NBD score) from a factor analysis of multiple self-report neuropsychiatric measures. Analyses of covariance tested differences in biomarker concentrations between the three groups. Within former football players, multivariable linear regression models assessed relationships among log-transformed inflammatory biomarkers, proxies for RHI exposure (total years of football, cumulative head impact index), and NBD factor scores, adjusted for relevant confounding variables. Sensitivity analyses tested (1) differences in age subgroups (< 60, ≥ 60 years); (2) whether associations could be identified with plasma inflammatory biomarkers; (3) associations between neurodegeneration and NBD, using plasma neurofilament light (NfL) chain protein; and (4) associations between biomarkers and cognitive performance to explore broader clinical symptoms related to TES. RESULTS: CSF IL-6 was higher in former American football players with NBD diagnosis compared to players without NBD. Furthermore, elevated levels of CSF IL-6 were significantly associated with higher emotional dyscontrol, affective lability, impulsivity, and total NBD scores. In older football players, plasma NfL was associated with higher emotional dyscontrol and impulsivity, but also with worse executive function and processing speed. Proxies for RHI exposure were not significantly associated with biomarker concentrations. CONCLUSION: Specific NBD symptoms in former American football players may result from multiple factors, including neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Future studies need to unravel the exact link between NBD and RHI exposure, including the role of other pathophysiological pathways.

Feasibility and Validity of the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised for Accelerated Standardized Testing: A Practical Assessment Tool for Detecting Consciousness in the Intensive Care Unit.

We developed and validated an abbreviated version of the Coma Recovery Scale-Revised (CRS-R), the CRS-R For Accelerated Standardized Testing (CRSR-FAST), to detect conscious awareness in patients with severe traumatic brain injury in the intensive care unit. In 45 consecutively enrolled patients, CRSR-FAST administration time was approximately one-third of the full-length CRS-R (mean [SD] 6.5 [3.3] vs 20.1 [7.2] minutes, p < 0.0001). Concurrent validity (simple kappa 0.68), test-retest (Mak's ρ = 0.76), and interrater (Mak's ρ = 0.91) reliability were substantial. Sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for detecting consciousness were 81%, 89%, and 84%, respectively. The CRSR-FAST facilitates serial assessment of consciousness, which is essential for diagnostic and prognostic accuracy. ANN NEUROL 2023;94:919-924.

Cortical-sparing chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CSCTE): a distinct subtype of CTE.

Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by repetitive head impacts (RHI) and pathologically defined as neuronal phosphorylated tau aggregates around small blood vessels and concentrated at sulcal depths. Cross-sectional studies suggest that tau inclusions follow a stereotyped pattern that begins in the neocortex in low stage disease, followed by involvement of the medial temporal lobe and subcortical regions with significant neocortical burden in high stage CTE. Here, we define a subset of brain donors with high stage CTE and with a low overall cortical burden of tau inclusions (mean semiquantitative value ≤1) and classify them as cortical-sparing CTE (CSCTE). Of 620 brain donors with pathologically diagnosed CTE, 66 (11%) met criteria for CSCTE. Compared to typical high stage CTE, those with CSCTE had a similar age at death and years of contact sports participation and were less likely to carry apolipoprotein ε4 (p < 0.05). CSCTE had less overall tau pathology severity, but a proportional increase of disease burden in medial temporal lobe and brainstem regions compared to the neocortex (p's < 0.001). CSCTE also had lower prevalence of comorbid neurodegenerative disease. Clinically, CSCTE participants were less likely to have dementia (p =  0.023) and had less severe cognitive difficulties (as reported by informants using the Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ); p < 0.001, meta-cognitional index T score; p = 0.002 and Cognitive Difficulties Scale (CDS); p < 0.001,) but had an earlier onset age of behavioral (p = 0.006) and Parkinsonian motor (p = 0.013) symptoms when compared to typical high stage CTE. Other comorbid tauopathies likely contributed in part to these differences: when cases with concurrent Alzheimer dementia or frontal temporal lobar degeneration with tau pathology were excluded, differences were largely retained, but only remained significant for FAQ (p = 0.042), meta-cognition index T score (p = 0.014) and age of Parkinsonian motor symptom onset (p = 0.046). Overall, CSCTE appears to be a distinct subtype of high stage CTE with relatively greater involvement of subcortical and brainstem regions and less severe cognitive symptoms.

Flortaucipir tau PET findings from former professional and college American football players in the DIAGNOSE CTE research project.

INTRODUCTION: Tau is a key pathology in chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Here, we report our findings in tau positron emission tomography (PET) measurements from the DIAGNOSE CTE Research Project. METHOD: We compare flortaucipir PET measures from 104 former professional players (PRO), 58 former college football players (COL), and 56 same-age men without exposure to repetitive head impacts (RHI) or traumatic brain injury (unexposed [UE]); characterize their associations with RHI exposure; and compare players who did or did not meet diagnostic criteria for traumatic encephalopathy syndrome (TES). RESULTS: Significantly elevated flortaucipir uptake was observed in former football players (PRO+COL) in prespecified regions (p < 0.05). Association between regional flortaucipir uptake and estimated cumulative head impact exposure was only observed in the superior frontal region in former players over 60 years old. Flortaucipir PET was not able to differentiate TES groups. DISCUSSION: Additional studies are needed to further understand tau pathology in CTE and other individuals with a history of RHI.

The American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine Diagnostic Criteria for Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVE: To develop new diagnostic criteria for mild traumatic brain injury (TBI) that are appropriate for use across the lifespan and in sports, civilian trauma, and military settings. DESIGN: Rapid evidence reviews on 12 clinical questions and Delphi method for expert consensus. PARTICIPANTS: The Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Task Force of the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine Brain Injury Special Interest Group convened a Working Group of 17 members and an external interdisciplinary expert panel of 32 clinician-scientists. Public stakeholder feedback was analyzed from 68 individuals and 23 organizations. RESULTS: The first 2 Delphi votes asked the expert panel to rate their agreement with both the diagnostic criteria for mild TBI and the supporting evidence statements. In the first round, 10 of 12 evidence statements reached consensus agreement. Revised evidence statements underwent a second round of expert panel voting, where consensus was achieved for all. For the diagnostic criteria, the final agreement rate, after the third vote, was 90.7%. Public stakeholder feedback was incorporated into the diagnostic criteria revision prior to the third expert panel vote. A terminology question was added to the third round of Delphi voting, where 30 of 32 (93.8%) expert panel members agreed that 'the diagnostic label 'concussion' may be used interchangeably with 'mild TBI' when neuroimaging is normal or not clinically indicated.' CONCLUSIONS: New diagnostic criteria for mild TBI were developed through an evidence review and expert consensus process. Having unified diagnostic criteria for mild TBI can improve the quality and consistency of mild TBI research and clinical care.

Proportion of Malignancy and Evaluation of Sonographic Features of Thyroid Nodules Classified as Highly Suspicious Using ACR TI-RADS Criteria.

OBJECTIVES: The reported malignancy rate of highly suspicious thyroid nodules based on the ACR TI-RADS criteria (TI-RADS category 5 [TR5]) varies widely. The objective of our study was to determine the rate of malignancy of TR5 nodules at our institution. We also aimed to determine the predictive values of individual sonographic features, as well as the correlation of total points assigned to a nodule and rate of malignancy. METHODS: Our single-institution retrospective study evaluated 450 TR5 nodules that had cytology results available, in 399 patients over a 1-year period. Sonographic features and total TI-RADS points were determined by the interpreting radiologist. Statistical analyses included logistic regression models to find factors associated with increased odds of malignancy, and computing sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values of various individual sonographic features. RESULTS: Of the 450 nodules, 95 (21.1%, 95% exact confidence interval 17.4-25.2%) were malignant. Each additional TI-RADS point increased the odds of malignancy (adjusted odds ratio 1.35, 95% confidence interval 1.13-1.60, P < .001). "Very hypoechoic" was the sonographic feature with the highest specificity and positive predictive value for malignancy (95.5 and 44.8%, respectively), while "punctate echogenic foci" had the lowest positive predictive value (20.0%). CONCLUSIONS: The rate of malignancy of TR5 nodules at our institution was 21.1%, which is lower than other malignancy rates reported in the literature. The total number of points assigned on the basis of the TI-RADS criteria was positively associated with malignancy, which indicates that TR5 should be viewed as a spectrum of risk.

Common Data Elements for Disorders of Consciousness: Recommendations from the Working Group on Behavioral Phenotyping.

BACKGROUND: The recent publication of practice guidelines for management of patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) in the United States and Europe was a major step forward in improving the accuracy and consistency of terminology, diagnostic criteria, and prognostication in this population. There remains a pressing need for a more precise brain injury classification system that combines clinical semiology with neuroimaging, electrophysiologic, and other biomarker data. To address this need, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke launched the Common Data Elements (CDEs) initiative to facilitate systematic collection of high-quality research data in studies involving patients with neurological disease. The Neurocritical Care Society's Curing Coma Campaign expanded this effort in 2018 to develop CDEs for DoC. Herein, we present CDE recommendations for behavioral phenotyping of patients with DoC. METHODS: The Behavioral Phenotyping Workgroup used a preestablished, five-step process to identify and select candidate CDEs that included review of existing National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke CDEs, nomination and systematic vetting of new CDEs, CDE classification, iterative review, and approval of panel recommendations and development of corresponding case review forms. RESULTS: We identified a slate of existing and newly proposed basic, supplemental, and exploratory CDEs that can be used for behavioral phenotyping of adult and pediatric patients with DoC. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed behavioral phenotyping CDEs will assist with international harmonization of DoC studies and allow for more precise characterization of study cohorts, favorably impacting observational studies and clinical trials aimed at improving outcome in this population.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Bipolar Disorder: A Review.

Importance: Bipolar disorder affects approximately 8 million adults in the US and approximately 40 million individuals worldwide. Observations: Bipolar disorder is characterized by recurrent episodes of depression and mania or hypomania. Bipolar depressive episodes are similar to major depressive episodes. Manic and hypomanic episodes are characterized by a distinct change in mood and behavior during discrete time periods. The age of onset is usually between 15 and 25 years, and depression is the most frequent initial presentation. Approximately 75% of symptomatic time consists of depressive episodes or symptoms. Early diagnosis and treatment are associated with a more favorable prognosis. Diagnosis and optimal treatment are often delayed by a mean of approximately 9 years following an initial depressive episode. Long-term treatment consists of mood stabilizers, such as lithium, valproate, and lamotrigine. Antipsychotic agents, such as quetiapine, aripiprazole, asenapine, lurasidone, and cariprazine, are recommended, but some are associated with weight gain. Antidepressants are not recommended as monotherapy. More than 50% of patients with bipolar disorder are not adherent to treatment. Life expectancy is reduced by approximately 12 to 14 years in people with bipolar disorder, with a 1.6-fold to 2-fold increase in cardiovascular mortality occurring a mean of 17 years earlier compared with the general population. Prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome (37%), obesity (21%), cigarette smoking (45%), and type 2 diabetes (14%) are higher among people with bipolar disorder, contributing to the risk of early mortality. The annual suicide rate is approximately 0.9% among individuals with bipolar disorder, compared with 0.014% in the general population. Approximately 15% to 20% of people with bipolar disorder die by suicide. Conclusions and Relevance: Bipolar disorder affects approximately 8 million adults in the US. First-line therapy includes mood stabilizers, such as lithium, anticonvulsants, such as valproate and lamotrigine, and atypical antipsychotic drugs, such as quetiapine, aripiprazole, asenapine, lurasidone, and cariprazine.

Behavioral Assessment of Patients with Disorders of Consciousness.

Severe brain injury is associated with a period of impaired level of consciousness that can last from days to months and results in chronic impairment. Systematic assessment of level of function in patients with disorders of consciousness (DoC) is critical for diagnosis, prognostication, and evaluation of treatment efficacy. Approximately 40% of patients who are thought to be unconscious based on clinical bedside behavioral assessment demonstrate some signs of consciousness on standardized behavioral assessment. This finding, in addition to a growing body of literature demonstrating the advantages of standardized behavioral assessment of DoC, has led multiple professional societies and clinical guidelines to recommend standardized assessment over routine clinical evaluation of consciousness. Nevertheless, even standardized assessment is susceptible to biases and misdiagnosis, and examiners should consider factors, such as fluctuating arousal and aphasia, that may confound evaluation. We review approaches to behavioral assessment of consciousness, recent clinical guideline recommendations for use of specific measures to evaluate patients with DoC, and strategies for mitigating common biases that may confound the examination.

Pathologic Conditions at Imaging of the Spermatic Cord.

A wide range of benign and malignant processes can affect the spermatic cord (SC). Familiarity with and recognition of the characteristic imaging features of these entities are imperative for accurate diagnosis and optimal clinical care. While some SC diseases are self-limiting, others can result in infertility and potentially life-threatening infection or bleeding if they are left untreated. Therefore, correct diagnosis is important for life-saving treatment and preservation of fertility. Disorders including anomalies of the vas deferens and the processus vaginalis, arterial and venous diseases (torsion of the SC and varicoceles), infection, trauma, and neoplasms are the most pertinent entities with which radiologists should be familiar when assessing the SC. Knowing what to expect in a patient who has undergone SC interventions is imperative. US has a fundamental role in the initial examination of patients who present with symptoms that indicate abnormalities of the SC, such as suspected posttraumatic testicular retraction or SC torsion. Other imaging techniques including abdominal and pelvic MRI and CT have their own importance. For correct interpretation of the findings and to establish an accurate diagnosis, it is crucial to have a thorough knowledge of the anatomy, the utility and limitations of various imaging modalities, optimal imaging and scanning techniques, and the imaging features of various benign and malignant pathologic conditions that can involve the SC. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2022.

Manifestations of Sickle Cell Disorder at Abdominal and Pelvic Imaging.

Sickle cell disorder (SCD) refers to a spectrum of hematologic disorders that cause a characteristic clinical syndrome affecting the entire body. It is the most prevalent monogenetic hemoglobinopathy worldwide, with a wide range of focal and systemic expressions. Hemoglobin gene mutation leads to the formation of abnormal sickle-shaped red blood cells, which cause vascular occlusion and result in tissue and organ ischemia and infarction. Recurrent episodes of acute illness lead to progressive multisystem organ damage and dysfunction. Vaso-occlusion, hemolysis, and infection as a result of functional asplenia are at the core of the disease manifestations. Imaging plays an essential role in the diagnosis and management of SCD-related complications in the abdomen and pelvis. A thorough understanding of the key imaging findings of SCD complications involving hepatobiliary, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal systems is crucial to timely recognition and accurate diagnosis. The authors aim to familiarize the radiologist with the SCD spectrum, focusing on the detection and evaluation of manifestations that may appear at imaging of the abdomen and pelvis. The topics the authors address include (a) the pathophysiology of the disease, (b) the placement of SCD among hemoglobinopathies, (c) the clinical presentation of SCD, (d) the role of imaging in the evaluation and diagnosis of patients with SCD who present with abdominal and pelvic manifestations in addition to extraperitoneal manifestations detectable at abdominal or pelvic imaging, (e) imaging features associated with common and uncommon sequelae of SCD in abdominal and pelvic imaging studies, and (f) a brief overview of management and treatment of patients with SCD. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2022.

Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma Imaging Spectrum in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults.

In children, adolescents, and young adults (CAYA), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is characterized by various age-related dissimilarities in tumor aggressiveness, prevailing pathologic subtypes, and imaging features, as well as potentially different treatment outcomes. Understanding the imaging spectrum of NHL in CAYA with particular attention to children and adolescents is critical for radiologists to support the clinical decision making by the treating physicians and other health care practitioners. The authors discuss the currently performed imaging modalities including radiography, US, CT, MRI, and PET in the diagnosis, staging, and assessment of the treatment response. Familiarity with diagnostic imaging challenges during image acquisition, processing, and interpretation is required when managing patients with NHL. The authors describe potentially problematic and life-threatening scenarios that require prompt management. Moreover, the authors address the unprecedented urge to understand the imaging patterns of possible treatment-related complications of the therapeutic agents used in NHL clinical trials and in practice. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2022.

Imaging Review of Obstetric Sequelae of Maternal Diabetes Mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus, whether preexisting or gestational, poses significant risk to both the mother and the developing fetus. A myriad of potential fetal complications in the setting of diabetic pregnancies include, among others, congenital anomalies, delayed fetal lung maturity, macrosomia, and increased perinatal morbidity and mortality. Congenital anomalies most commonly involve the nervous, cardiovascular, genitourinary, and musculoskeletal systems. Delayed fetal lung maturity, probably secondary to hyperglycemia suppressing surfactant secretion, is a major determinant of perinatal morbidity and mortality. Besides the potential complications encountered during cesarean delivery in macrosomic fetuses, vaginal delivery is also associated with increased risks of shoulder dystocia, clavicular and humeral fractures, and brachial plexus palsy. Maternal complications are related to the increased risk of hypertensive diseases of pregnancy and associated preeclampsia and hemolysis, elevated liver function, and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, as well as complications encountered at the time of delivery secondary to fetal macrosomia and cesarean delivery. Additional conditions encountered in the setting of maternal diabetes include polyhydramnios, placental thickening, and two-vessel umbilical cord, each of which is associated with adverse fetal and maternal outcomes including fetal growth restriction, preterm labor, placental abruption, and premature rupture of membranes. Imaging plays a vital role in the evaluation of the mother and the fetus and can provide invaluable information that can be used by maternal fetal medicine to manage this patient population effectively. The authors review the pathophysiologic alterations induced by diabetes in pregnancy, discuss the imaging spectrum of diabetic embryopathy, and provide a detailed review of potential associated maternal complications. Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2021.

Sequelae of Eating Disorders at Imaging.

Although eating disorders are common, they tend to be underdiagnosed and undertreated because social stigma tends to make patients less likely to seek medical attention and less compliant with medical treatment. Diagnosis is crucial because these disorders can affect any organ system and are associated with the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric disorder. Because of this, imaging findings, when recognized, can be vital to the diagnosis and management of eating disorders and their related complications. The authors familiarize the radiologist with the pathophysiology and sequelae of eating disorders and provide an overview of the related imaging findings. Some imaging findings associated with eating disorders are nonspecific, and others are subtle. The presence of these findings should alert the radiologist to correlate them with the patient's medical history and laboratory results and the clinical team's findings at the physical examination. The combination of these findings may suggest a diagnosis that might otherwise be missed. Topics addressed include (a) the pathophysiology of eating disorders, (b) the clinical presentation of patients with eating disorders and their medical complications and sequelae, (c) the imaging features associated with common and uncommon sequelae of eating disorders, (d) an overview of management and treatment of eating disorders, and (e) conditions that can mimic eating disorders (eg, substance abuse, medically induced eating disorders, and malnourishment in patients with cancer). Online supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2022.

Diagnostic performance of triple-contrast versus single-contrast multi-detector computed tomography for the evaluation of penetrating bowel injury.

PURPOSE: Selecting groups of low-risk penetrating trauma patients to forego laparotomy can be challenging. The presence of bowel injury may prevent non-operative management. Optimal CT technique to detect bowel injury related to penetrating injury is controversial. Our goal is to compare the diagnostic performance of triple-contrast (oral, rectal, and IV) against IV contrast-only CT, for the detection of bowel injury from penetrating abdominopelvic trauma, using surgical diagnosis as the reference standard. METHODS: Nine hundred ninety-seven patients who underwent CT for penetrating torso trauma at a single institution between 2009 and 2016 in our HIPPA-compliant and institutional review board-approved retrospective cohort study. A total of 143 patients, including 15 females and 123 males underwent a pre-operative CT, followed by exploratory laparotomy. Of these, 56 patients received triple-contrast CT. CT examinations were independently reviewed by two radiologists, blinded to surgical outcome and clinical presentation. Results were stratified by contrast type and injury mechanism and were compared based upon diagnostic performance indicators of sensitivity, specificity, negative predictive value, and positive predictive value. Area under the receiving operating characteristics curves were analyzed for determination of diagnostic accuracy. RESULTS: Bowel injury was present in 45 out of 143 patients (10 on triple-contrast group and 35 on IV contrast-only group). Specificity and accuracy were higher with triple-contrast CT (98% specific, 97-99% accurate) compared to IV contrast-only CT (66% specific, 78-79% accurate). Sensitivity was highest with IV contrast-only CT (91% sensitive) compared with triple-contrast CT (75% sensitive), although this difference was not statistically significant. Triple-contrast technique increased diagnostic accuracy for both radiologists regardless of mechanism of injury. CONCLUSION: In our retrospective single-institution cohort study, triple-contrast MDCT had greater accuracy, specificity, and positive predictive values when compared to IV contrast-only CT in evaluating for bowel injury from penetrating wounds.

Clinical Performance Measures for Stroke Rehabilitation: Performance Measures From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.

The American Heart Association/American Stroke Association released the adult stroke rehabilitation and recovery guidelines in 2016. A working group of stroke rehabilitation experts reviewed these guidelines and identified a subset of recommendations that were deemed suitable for creating performance measures. These 13 performance measures are reported here and contain inclusion and exclusion criteria to allow calculation of rates of compliance in a variety of settings ranging from acute hospital care to postacute care and care in the home and outpatient setting.

Duration of American Football Play and Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.

OBJECTIVE: Chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease associated with exposure to contact and collision sports, including American football. We hypothesized a dose-response relationship between duration of football played and CTE risk and severity. METHODS: In a convenience sample of 266 deceased American football players from the Veterans Affairs-Boston University-Concussion Legacy Foundation and Framingham Heart Study Brain Banks, we estimated the association of years of football played with CTE pathological status and severity. We evaluated the ability of years played to classify CTE status using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. Simulation analyses quantified conditions that might lead to selection bias. RESULTS: In total, 223 of 266 participants met neuropathological diagnostic criteria for CTE. More years of football played were associated with having CTE (odds ratio [OR] = 1.30 per year played, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.19-1.41; p = 3.8 × 10-9 ) and with CTE severity (severe vs mild; OR = 1.14 per year played, 95% CI = 1.07-1.22; p = 3.1 × 10-4 ). Participants with CTE were 1/10th as likely to have played <4.5 years (negative likelihood ratio [LR] = 0.102, 95% CI = 0.100-0.105) and were 10 times as likely to have played >14.5 years (positive LR = 10.2, 95% CI = 9.8-10.7) compared with participants without CTE. Sensitivity and specificity were maximized at 11 years played. Simulation demonstrated that years played remained adversely associated with CTE status when years played and CTE status were both related to brain bank selection across widely ranging scenarios. INTERPRETATION: The odds of CTE double every 2.6 years of football played. After accounting for brain bank selection, the magnitude of the relationship between years played and CTE status remained consistent. ANN NEUROL 2020;87:116-131.

The practice of emergency radiology throughout Europe: a survey from the European Society of Emergency Radiology on volume, staffing, equipment, and scheduling.

OBJECTIVES: To obtain information from radiology departments throughout Europe regarding the practice of emergency radiology METHODS: A survey which comprised of 24 questions was developed and made available online. The questionnaire was sent to 1097 chairs of radiology departments throughout Europe using the ESR database. All data were collected and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics software, version 20 (IBM). RESULTS: A total of 1097 radiologists were asked to participate, 109 responded to our survey. The response rate was 10%. From our survey, 71.6% of the hospitals had more than 500 beds. Ninety-eight percent of hospitals have an active teaching affiliation. In large trauma centers, emergency radiology was considered a dedicated section. Fifty-three percent of institutions have dedicated emergency radiology sections. Less than 30% had all imaging modalities available. Seventy-nine percent of institutions have 24/7 coverage by staff radiologists. Emergency radiologists interpret cross-sectional body imaging, US scans, and basic CT/MRI neuroimaging in more than 50% of responding institutions. Cardiac imaging examinations/procedures are usually performed by cardiologist in 53% of institutions, while non-cardiac vascular procedures are largely performed and interpreted by interventional radiologists. Most people consider the European Diploma in Emergency Radiology an essential tool to advance the education and the dissemination of information within the specialty of emergency radiology. CONCLUSION: Emergency radiologists have an active role in the emergency medical team. Indeed, based upon our survey, they have to interact with emergency physicians and surgeons in the management of critically ill patients. A broad skillset from ultrasonography and basic neuroimaging is required. KEY POINTS: • At most major trauma centers in Europe, emergency imaging is currently performed by all radiologists in specific units who are designated in the emergency department. • Radiologists in the emergency section at present have a broad skillset, which includes cross-sectional body imaging, ultrasonography, and basic neuroimaging of the brain and spine. • A dedicated curriculum that certifies a subspecialty in emergency radiology with a diploma offered by the European Society of Emergency Radiology demonstrates a great interest by the vast majority of the respondents.

Clinical Neurorehabilitation: Using Principles of Neurological Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Neuroplasticity in Assessment and Treatment Planning.

Neurorehabilitation aspires to restore a person to his or her fullest potential after incurring neurological dysfunction. In medical rehabilitation, diagnosis involves assessment of medical conditions and their effects on functioning. It is usually a team effort that involves an amalgam of diagnostic assessments by multiple disciplines, leading to a collection of rehabilitative treatment plans and goals. This article discusses a clinical neurological paradigm, using rigorous clinical assessment of neuropathological and clinical diagnosis, along with prognostication of natural history and recovery. In the context of the role of neuroplasticity in recovery, this paradigm can add significant value to rehabilitation team management and planning. It contributes to enhanced understanding of neurological impairments and syndromes as they relate to functional disability, aiding in targeting deficits and setting treatment goals. Rehabilitation strategies and goals should be informed by natural history and prognosis, and viewed in the framework of the stage of recovery. Prognostic formulations should suggest an emphasis on restorative versus compensatory strategies for functional problems. Treatment planning should be informed by evidence on how interventions modulate brain reorganization in promoting recovery. Strategies that promote adaptive neuroplasticity should be favored, especially with restorative efforts, and evidence supporting optimal techniques, timing, and dosing of rehabilitation should be considered in treatment planning.