Efficacy of Repositioning Therapy in Patients With Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and Preexisting Central Neurologic Disorders.

With the exception of migraines, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in patients with preexisting central neurologic disorders (CND) is rarely discussed in the literature. Demographic features of this patient group and the efficacy of repositioning therapy are still unknown. We hypothesized that a CND may alter the function of the central vestibular pathway, thus changing the pattern of BPPV and outcomes of repositioning. In this study, we enrolled 93 consecutive idiopathic BPPV patients and categorized them into two groups according to the presence or absence of a CND. In our series, 31.2% of BPPV cases had a CND. The most common associated CNDs were cerebrovascular disease and migraines. The two groups showed similar age distributions, canal involvement, success rates of repositioning, and cycles of treatment used to achieve complete resolution. The major differences were the proportion of females (89.7%) and a right-side predominance (75.9%) in the CND group. There was a trend of more residual dizziness (RD) after successful repositioning in the CND group, but the difference was not significant. The reason for the female and right-side predominance in the CND group is unclear. We concluded that the efficacy of repositioning therapy was excellent (with a success rate of 80.6% with one cycle and 93.5% within two cycles of treatment) for BPPV with or without a preexisting CND. Clinicians are encouraged to diagnose and treat BPPV in patients with a preexisting CND as early as possible to improve patients' quality of life, avoid complications, and reduce medical costs.

Suboptimal Baseline Serum Vitamin B12 Is Associated With Cognitive Decline in People With Alzheimer's Disease Undergoing Cholinesterase Inhibitor Treatment.

OBJECTIVES: Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) are the mainstream treatment for delaying cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Low vitamin B12 is associated with cognitive dysfunction, and its supplementation has been applied as the treatment for certain types of reversible dementia. The present study hypothesized that baseline serum vitamin B12 is associated with the deterioration of cognitive function in people with AD undergoing ChEI treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2009 and 2016, medical records from 165 Taiwanese with mild to moderate AD who underwent ChEI treatment for at least 2 years were reviewed. Their baseline serum vitamin B12 levels were measured before treatment initiation. Their cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI). Student's t test and multivariable logistic regression were used to analyze the association between cognitive decline and vitamin B12 level. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 19.0. RESULTS: Overall, 122 participants were women. Their median age was 76 years (ranging from 54 to 91). For people with optimal baseline vitamin B12 (above the median level of 436 ng/L), the rates of MMSE and CASI decline were 0.78 ± 1.28 and 2.84 ± 4.21 per year, respectively, which were significantly slower than those with suboptimal vitamin B12 (1.42 ± 1.67 and 4.94 ± 5.88 per year; p = 0.007 and 0.009, respectively). After adjustment for age, sex, education level, hypertension, diabetes, history of stroke, and baseline cognitive function, the baseline serum vitamin B12 level was negatively associated with MMSE and CASI decline. CONCLUSION: Suboptimal baseline serum vitamin B12 level is associated with cognitive decline in people with AD undergoing ChEI treatment.

Hemichorea after hyperglycemia correction: A case report and a short review of hyperglycemia-related hemichorea at the euglycemic state.

RATIONALE: Hyperglycemic hemichorea tends to affect elderly patients with type 2 diabetes, women, and the Asian population. The onset of involuntary movement typically occurs at the hyperglycemic state and subsides at the euglycemic state. In this report, we present an unusual case that developed delayed-onset hemichorea after hyperglycemia correction. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 70-year-old man was admitted to neurology ward with symptoms of subacute dizziness. Hyperglycemia and high level ketone body was incidentally noted. Hemichorea occurred in his left limbs 2 days after hyperglycemia correction. DIAGNOSES: Patient remained conscious, and no other focal neurological deficits were noted while hemichorea occurred. Blood test revealed no contributory cause. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed no lesions in the putamen or subthalamus. A diagnosis of probable hyperglycemia-related hemichorea was made. INTERVENTIONS: Haloperidol (2 mg, 3 times per day) was prescribed. OUTCOMES: Hemichorea improved gradually before discharge and resolved 4 months later. LESSONS: Differential diagnosis of hemichorea should include delayed-onset hemichorea after hyperglycemia correction.