Usefulness and yield of routine electroencephalogram: a retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a common diagnostic tool used to investigate patients for various indications including seizure disorders. AIMS: To investigate factors that predict the presence of epileptiform abnormalities on EEG and review the common indications for ordering an EEG. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all routine adult EEG performed in a hospital over a 6-month period. Data collated included patient demographics, clinical indication for EEG, setting in which EEG was performed, activation procedures utilised, history of epilepsy, and whether the patient was on antiepileptic medication. Our primary objective was to evaluate the factors that were predictive of an EEG with epileptiform abnormalities. RESULTS: Two hundred and thirty-nine routine EEG were included with indications, including first seizure (25.9%), known epilepsy (25.1%), cognitive change (15.9%), syncope (15.0%), movement disorder (6.7%), psychogenic non-epileptic events (5.4%), unresponsiveness/intensive care unit (4.6%) and psychiatric presentation (1.3%). Most (48.1%) EEG were normal; 8.9% of the EEG demonstrated epileptiform abnormalities. Using multivariate logistic regression, three variables proved significant in predicting an EEG with epileptiform abnormalities. Any seizure as an indication (first seizure or seizure in known epileptic), increasing patient age, and EEG conducted in an inpatient setting and within 48 h of seizure event were all statistically more likely to yield epileptiform abnormalities on EEG. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that careful selection of patients based on appropriate indications for EEG referral would likely improve the yield of an EEG. Depending on the indication, a normal EEG result can be of similar usefulness to an abnormal EEG demonstrating epileptiform abnormalities.

Diagnostic and Prognostic Value of Left Atrial Function in Identification of Cardioembolism and Prediction of Outcomes in Patients with Cryptogenic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: Stroke of undetermined source, commonly termed cryptogenic stroke (CS), accounts for a significant proportion of ischemic stroke etiology and have high rates of stroke recurrence. The heterogeneous etiology of CS makes decisions regarding treatment for such patients challenging. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of left atrial (LA) function in the identification of cardioembolism and prediction of outcomes in patients with CS. METHODS: Consecutive patients admitted to a tertiary institution with ischemic stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) who underwent transthoracic echocardiography were recruited, with comprehensive evaluation of LA metrics including LA strain. Ischemic strokes and TIAs were classified as noncardioembolic, cryptogenic, or cardioembolic. A total of 709 patients (mean age, 66.0 ± 15.1 years; 55% men) were recruited. Two hundred ninety-one patients had CS, 189 had noncardioembolic stroke, and 229 had cardioembolic stroke. Patients with CS were followed for 20.0 ± 13.8 months for recurrent ischemic stroke or TIA. RESULTS: Receiver operating characteristic curves showed LA reservoir and contractile strain to be strong discriminators of cardioembolic strokes, and log-rank tests showed both measures to be significantly associated with the distribution of time to recurrent ischemic stroke or TIA in patients with CS. Multivariable hazard models showed LA reservoir and contractile strain to be independent predictors of recurrent ischemic stroke or TIA in patients with CS, in addition to estimated glomerular filtration rate and active smoking. CONCLUSIONS: LA reservoir and contractile strain were strong discriminators of cardioembolic stroke and independently predicted recurrent ischemic stroke or TIA in patients with CS. Use of LA strain may improve risk stratification and decision-making in patients with CS, with particular regard to prolonged ambulatory heart rhythm monitoring and/or empiric anticoagulation.

Coexistent anti-GFAP and anti-MOG antibodies presenting with isolated meningitis and papillitis: more support for overlapping pathophysiology.

Background: Anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG)-associated disorders are heterogeneous and associated predominantly with central nervous system demyelination. Anti-glial fibrillar acidic protein (GFAP) conditions are much rarer and involve meningoencephalomyelitis with papillitis in addition to characteristic imaging findings and are generally a severe condition. Multiple autoantibodies can exist in patients and may support overlapping pathophysiological mechanisms. The co-occurrence of MOG and GFAP antibodies, however, is rare, with only two cases previously reported. Case: A 53-year-old man presented with headache and fevers, with quick resolution, though with the later development of asymptomatic papillitis. He had a full recovery without the need for immunotherapy. He underwent extensive investigations and was found to have both anti-GFAP and anti-MOG antibodies in the cerebrospinal fluid. Extensive other immunological and infectious investigations were negative. Imaging was largely unremarkable. Conclusions: This is the third case of overlapping anti-GFAP and anti-MOG antibody-associated syndrome of self-limited lymphocytic meningitis, serving to expand the phenotype. Clinicians should consider testing for GFAP and MOG antibodies in otherwise unexplained meningitis, particularly with associated papillitis. This case may also help provide future insights into the pathophysiology of each condition.

Implicit bias in stroke care: A recurring old problem in the rising incidence of young stroke.

Stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although the majority of strokes affect the elderly, the incidence of stroke in young patients is on the rise. Prompt recognition of stroke symptoms and time critical therapies play a key role in management and prognosis of this condition. This is especially critical in young stroke patients, for whom delays in early recognition and treatment can result in many years of disability with associated social and financial burden. Misdiagnosis and unwarranted variation in treatment of stroke in young patients is problematic. Clinician implicit bias, the unconscious and unintentional process of judgement in healthcare decision-making, is a contributor to the short-falls in outcomes in this population. Interventions in this process have been shown to improve clinical outcomes in young stroke patients and represent an active area of study.

Characterisation of recent trends in cardiovascular risk factors in young and middle-aged patients with ischaemic stroke and/or transient ischaemic attack.

BACKGROUND: Strokes in the young and middle-aged are associated with a disproportionately large economic and social impact in addition to their clinical effects. Standard Modifiable Cardiovascular Risk Factors (SMuRFs; hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, diabetes mellitus and smoking) are key drivers of cardiovascular disease including strokes, however recent temporal trends in the younger stroke population have not been well characterised. We aimed to evaluate recent trends of SMuRFs in a cohort of younger patients with ischaemic stroke. METHODS: Consecutive patients aged <65 years with clinical and/or radiological diagnosis of ischaemic stroke or transient ischaemic attack in a tertiary referral centre (2013-2017) were retrospectively appraised. The demographic and clinical comorbidities of these patients were assessed including their SMuRF profile. The prevalence over time and clinical associations of patients with no SMuRFs were studied and compared to patients with SMuRFs. RESULTS: Of 487 patients (53.49 ± 9.13 yrs., 60% men) analysed, 23% did not have SMuRFs. The proportion of "non-SMuRF" patients increased over time (p < 0.01) and this trend was not influenced by age (p = 0.48) or gender (p = 0.68). The presence of SMuRFs was not associated with in-hospital outcomes, however patients without SMuRFs were significantly less likely to be discharged on blood pressure (p < 0.01) and lipid-lowering therapies (p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of younger stroke patients without SMuRFs is substantial and has increased over time. Our findings highlight the need for further research to better understand the mechanisms underlying stroke development in this population and whether less risk factor treatment in this population could impact longer term outcomes.

24-hour levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel may reduce troublesome dyskinesia in advanced Parkinson's disease.

Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) is effective for the control of motor fluctuations in Parkinson's disease (PD). The objective of this study is to report the reduction of dyskinesias after transitioning from 16 to 24-h/day LCIG infusion. From a cohort of 74 PD patients treated with LCIG for motor fluctuations, we identified 12 patients that were treated with 24-h per day infusion with the aim to control troublesome daytime dyskinesia. Clinical, demographic, dyskinesia rating scales were evaluated. Daytime dyskinesia was reduced in 75% (9/12) patients following treatment with 24-h therapy, including 7 who were compared with 16-h therapy and 2 that were transitioned from oral dopaminergic therapy to 24-h LCIG. Combining the data from all 12 subjects, troublesome dyskinesias were reduced during 24-h LCIG; UPDRS 4.1 (time spent with dyskinesias) mean change was -1.5 ± 0.75, p = 0.010 (Wilcoxon signed-rank test) and UPDRS 4.2 (functional impact of dyskinesias) mean change was -1.7 ± 0.90, p = 0.016, without changing their UPDRS part 3 "ON" scores (p = 0.138) or H&Y (p = 0.157). In 5 patients, improvement in dyskinesia occurred despite an overall increase in the total daily levodopa dose. None of the patients had worsening of dyskinesia after a median follow-up of 28 months. 24-h per day infusion of LCIG may be a useful strategy in the management of troublesome dyskinesias in PD patients with disabling dyskinesias resistant to attempts to optimise 16-hours per day therapy. We postulate that this may be due to a pharmacodynamic as opposed to pharmacokinetic mechanism.

Enteroviral rhombencephalitis presenting with ocular flutter.

Ocular flutter is a dramatic clinical sign that poses multiple diagnostic considerations. The case description outlines a well young male that presented with ocular flutter and truncal ataxia. The clinical syndrome was subsequently attributed to enteroviral rhombencephalitis. The mechanism and neuroanatomical correlates are discussed, and potential treatments considered.

Intraduodenal levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel infusion improves both motor performance and quality of life in advanced Parkinson's disease.

We report the efficacy and adverse effect profile of intraduodenal levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) infusion from patients treated in a single Australian movement disorder centre. We conducted an open-label, 12 month prospective study of treatment with LCIG in patients with advanced Parkinson's disease in a single tertiary referral hospital unit specialising in movement disorders. Patients with levodopa-responsive, advanced Parkinson's disease with motor fluctuations despite optimal pharmacological treatment were enrolled and underwent a 16 hour daily infusion of LCIG for 12 months. Fifteen participants completed the trial. The mean (± standard deviation) improvement in Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale part III was 37 ± 11%, mean daily "off" period reduced from 6.3 ± 2 to 1.9 ± 2 hours, total daily "on" time increased from 10.2 ± 3 to 13.7 ± 2 hours, "on" period without dyskinesia increased from 4.5 ± 3 to 7.5 ± 5 hours, and 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire Summary Index score improved by 32.5 ± 35%. The most common adverse event was reversible peripheral neuropathy secondary to vitamin B12 ± B6 deficiency (40%), local tube problems (40%), and impulse control disorder (ICD) (27%). No patient had stoma bleeding or peritonitis. All patients with ICD had a past psychiatric diagnosis of depression with or without anxiety and a higher daily levodopa intake at 6 and 12 months of LCIG infusion. Intraduodenal LCIG improves motor performance, quality of life and daily "on" period. Prior to and during duodenal LCIG infusion, clinicians should monitor for peripheral neuropathy and vitamin B12 and B6 deficiency, as supplementation can reverse peripheral neuropathy. This trial is registered at Clinicaltrials.gov as CT00335153.

24 h Levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel may reduce falls and "unresponsive" freezing of gait in Parkinson's disease.

OBJECTIVE: We report a prospective, open label study of 24 h levodopa-carbidopa intestinal gel (LCIG) as treatment for levodopa "unresponsive" freezing of gait (FOG) associated with Parkinson's disease. METHOD: 5 patients with disabling FOG, documented as being levodopa "unresponsive", were commenced on continuous 24 h infusion LCIG therapy with the night-time rate at 50-80% of the daytime infusion rate. Patients underwent baseline, 3 and 6 month gait assessments, documentation of their falls frequency and completed FOG questionnaires. RESULT: Median 360° turn time improved by 54%, fall frequency score reduced from 3 to 0 at 6 months, FOG questionnaire score improved by 14% and Timed Up- and -Go 8 m walk was unchanged. CONCLUSION: 24 h LCIG therapy may reduce levodopa "unresponsive" FOG and associated falls. A larger prospective study is needed for confirmation.

Increased circulating T cell reactivity to GM3 and GQ1b gangliosides in primary progressive multiple sclerosis.

We have previously shown that patients with primary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) have significantly elevated plasma levels of antibody to GM3 ganglioside compared to patients with relapsing-remitting MS, healthy subjects and patients with other neurological diseases. Anti-GM3 antibody levels were elevated also in patients with secondary progressive MS but to a lesser extent than in primary progressive MS. As gangliosides are particularly enriched in the axonal membrane, these findings suggested that antiganglioside immune responses might contribute to the axonal damage in progressive forms of MS. The present study was performed to determine whether peripheral blood T cell responses to GM3 are also increased in progressive MS. Blood was collected from 98 untreated patients with MS (40 with relapsing-remitting, 27 with secondary progressive and 31 with primary progressive MS), 50 healthy subjects and 24 patients with other disorders of the CNS, and reactivity to GM1, GM3, GD1a, GD1b, GD3, GT1b, GQ1b and sulphatide was assessed by 6-day T cell proliferation assays. Increased T cell reactivity to GM3 and GQ1b occurred significantly more often in patients with primary progressive MS than in healthy subjects and patients with other CNS diseases. These findings suggest that ganglioside-specific T cells may contribute to the axonal damage in primary progressive MS.