Usage of Genetic Panels in an Adult Epilepsy Clinic.

BACKGROUND: There is limited data on the utility, yield, and cost efficiency of genetic testing in adults with epilepsy. We aimed to describe the yield and utility of genetic panels in our adult epilepsy clinic. METHODS: We performed a retrospective, cross-sectional study of all patients followed by an epileptologist at a Canadian tertiary care centre's epilepsy clinic between January 2016 and August 2021 for whom a genetic panel was ordered. A panel was generally ordered when the etiology was unknown or in the presence of a malformation of cortical development. We determined the yield of panel positivity and of confirmed genetic diagnoses. We also estimated the proportion of these diagnoses that were clinically actionable. RESULTS: In total, 164 panels were ordered in 164 patients. Most had refractory epilepsy (80%), and few had comorbid intellectual disability (10%) or a positive family history of epilepsy (11%). The yield of panel positivity was 11%. Panel results were uncertain 49% of the time and negative 40% of the time. Genetic diagnoses were confirmed in 7 (4.3%) patients. These genetic conditions involved the following genes: SCARB2, DEPDC5, PCDH19, LGI1, SCN1A, MT-TL1, and CHRNA7. Of the seven genetic diagnoses, 5 (71%) were evaluated to be clinically actionable. CONCLUSION: We report a lower diagnostic yield for genetic panels in adults with epilepsy than what has so far been reported. Although the field of the genetics of epilepsy is a fast-moving one and more data is required, our findings suggest that guidelines for genetic testing in adults are warranted.

Effect of the interaction between atrial fibrillation and rt-PA dose on the prognosis of acute ischaemic stroke with intravenous thrombolysis.

BACKGROUND: The association between atrial fibrillation (AF) and the prognosis of acute ischaemic stroke (AIS) remains controversial; whether the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator dose influences this association remains poorly understood. METHODS: Patients who had an AIS were enrolled from eight stroke centres in China. According to the recombinant tissue plasminogen activator dose, patients treated with intravenous recombinant tissue plasminogen activator within 4.5 hours after symptom onset were divided into a low-dose group (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator <0.85 mg/kg) and a standard-dose group (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator ≥0.85 mg/kg). Patients who had an AIS in the low-dose group and the standard dose group were divided into whether or not they had AF. The main outcomes were major disability (modified Rankin scale (mRS) score 3-5), mortality and vascular events occurring within 3 months. RESULTS: The study included 630 patients who received recombinant tissue plasminogen activator after AIS, including 391 males and 239 females, with a mean age of 65.8 years. Of these patients, 305 (48.4%) received low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator and 325 (51.6%) received standard dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. The recombinant tissue plasminogen activator dose significantly influenced the association between AF and death or major disability (p-interaction=0.036). After multivariate adjustment, AF was associated with an increased risk of death or major disability (OR 2.90, 95% CI 1.47 to 5.72, p=0.002), major disability (OR 1.93, 95% CI 1.04 to 3.59, p=0.038) and vascular events (HR 5.01, 95% CI 2.25 to 11.14, p<0.001) within 3 months in patients with standard-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator. No significant association was found between AF and any clinical outcome in patients with low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (all p>0.05). With AF, the mRS score distribution showed a significantly worse shift in patients with standard-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (p=0.016) than in those with low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (p=0.874). CONCLUSIONS: AF may be a strong predictor of poor prognosis in patients who had an AIS receiving standard-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator, suggesting that low-dose recombinant tissue plasminogen activator should be administered to patients who had a stroke with AF to improve their prognosis.

Paraneoplastic encephalitis: clinically based approach on diagnosis and management.

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNSs) comprise a subset of immune-mediated nervous system diseases triggered by an underlying malignancy. Each syndrome usually shows a distinct clinical presentation and outcome according to the associated neural antibodies. PNSs generally have a subacute onset with rapid progression and severe neurological disability. However, some patients may have hyperacute onset or even show chronic progression mimicking neurodegenerative diseases. Updated diagnostic criteria for PNS have been recently established in order to increase diagnostic specificity and to encourage standardisation of research initiatives related to PNS. Treatment for PNS includes oncological therapy and immunomodulation to halt neurological deterioration although current treatment options are seldom effective in reversing disability. Nevertheless, growing knowledge and better understanding of PNS pathogenesis promise better recognition, earlier diagnosis and novel treatment strategies. Considering that PNSs provide a model of effective anticancer immunity, the impact of these studies will extend far beyond the field of neurology.

Encephalitis: diagnosis, management and recent advances in the field of encephalitides.

Encephalitis describes inflammation of the brain parenchyma, typically caused by either an infectious agent or through an autoimmune process which may be postinfectious, paraneoplastic or idiopathic. Patients can present with a combination of fever, alterations in behaviour, personality, cognition and consciousness. They may also exhibit focal neurological deficits, seizures, movement disorders and/or autonomic instability. However, it can sometimes present non-specifically, and this combined with its many causes make it a difficult to manage neurological syndrome. Despite improved treatments in some forms of encephalitides, encephalitis remains a global concern due to its high mortality and morbidity. Prompt diagnosis and administration of specific and supportive management options can lead to better outcomes. Over the last decade, research in encephalitis has led to marked developments in the understanding, diagnosis and management of encephalitis. In parallel, the number of autoimmune encephalitis syndromes has rapidly expanded and clinically characteristic syndromes in association with pathogenic autoantibodies have been defined. By focusing on findings presented at the Encephalitis Society's conference in December 2021, this article reviews the causes, clinical manifestations and management of encephalitis and integrate recent advances and challenges of research into encephalitis.

Paraneoplastic encephalitis: clinically based approach on diagnosis and management.

Paraneoplastic neurological syndromes (PNSs) comprise a subset of immune-mediated nervous system diseases triggered by an underlying malignancy. Each syndrome usually shows a distinct clinical presentation and outcome according to the associated neural antibodies. PNSs generally have a subacute onset with rapid progression and severe neurological disability. However, some patients may have hyperacute onset or even show chronic progression mimicking neurodegenerative diseases. Updated diagnostic criteria for PNS have been recently established in order to increase diagnostic specificity and to encourage standardisation of research initiatives related to PNS. Treatment for PNS includes oncological therapy and immunomodulation to halt neurological deterioration although current treatment options are seldom effective in reversing disability. Nevertheless, growing knowledge and better understanding of PNS pathogenesis promise better recognition, earlier diagnosis and novel treatment strategies. Considering that PNSs provide a model of effective anticancer immunity, the impact of these studies will extend far beyond the field of neurology.

Encephalitis: diagnosis, management and recent advances in the field of encephalitides.

Encephalitis describes inflammation of the brain parenchyma, typically caused by either an infectious agent or through an autoimmune process which may be postinfectious, paraneoplastic or idiopathic. Patients can present with a combination of fever, alterations in behaviour, personality, cognition and consciousness. They may also exhibit focal neurological deficits, seizures, movement disorders and/or autonomic instability. However, it can sometimes present non-specifically, and this combined with its many causes make it a difficult to manage neurological syndrome. Despite improved treatments in some forms of encephalitides, encephalitis remains a global concern due to its high mortality and morbidity. Prompt diagnosis and administration of specific and supportive management options can lead to better outcomes. Over the last decade, research in encephalitis has led to marked developments in the understanding, diagnosis and management of encephalitis. In parallel, the number of autoimmune encephalitis syndromes has rapidly expanded and clinically characteristic syndromes in association with pathogenic autoantibodies have been defined. By focusing on findings presented at the Encephalitis Society's conference in December 2021, this article reviews the causes, clinical manifestations and management of encephalitis and integrate recent advances and challenges of research into encephalitis.

Factors associated with symptomatic intracranial haemorrhage after intravenous thrombolysis in severe white matter lesions: a retrospective analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: White matter lesions (WMLs) are thought to cause damage to the blood-brain barrier, thereby aggravating bleeding after intravenous thrombolysis. However, the risk factors for symptomatic cerebral haemorrhage after thrombolysis are still unclear. This study explored the risk factors for bleeding in patients with severe WMLs after intravenous thrombolysis to prevent bleeding as soon as possible. METHODS: A large single-centre observational study conducted a retrospective analysis of intravenous thrombolysis in patients with severe WMLs from January 2018 to March 2021. According to whether symptomatic cerebral haemorrhage occurred, the patients were divided into two groups, and then statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: After a retrospective analysis of the data of nearly 1000 patients with intravenous thrombolysis and excluding invalid information, 146 patients were included, of which 23 (15.8%) patients had symptomatic cerebral haemorrhage. Univariate analysis showed that a history of hypertension (20% vs 4.9%, p=0.024), hyperlipidaemia (38.7% vs 9.6%, p<0.001), the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score before thrombolysis (median 17 vs 6, p<0.001), low-density lipoprotein levels (median 2.98 vs 2.44, p=0.011), cholesterol levels (mean 4.74 vs 4.22, p=0.033), platelet count (median 161 vs 191, p=0.031), platelet distribution width (median 15.2 vs 12.1, p=0.001) and sodium ion levels (median 139.81 vs 138.67, p=0.043) were significantly associated with symptomatic cerebral haemorrhage. Further multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that hyperlipidaemia (OR=9.069; 95% CI 2.57 to 32.07; p=0.001) and the NIHSS score before thrombolysis (OR=1.33; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.52; p<0.001) were comprehensive risk factors for symptomatic cerebral haemorrhage. CONCLUSION: Hyperlipidaemia and the NIHSS score before thrombolysis are independent risk factors for bleeding after intravenous thrombolysis in patients with severe WMLs. Delaying the onset of white matter and preventing risk factors for bleeding will help improve the prognosis of cerebral infarction and reduce mortality. These risk factors need to be further evaluated in future studies.

Clinician and patient experience of neurology telephone consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: Telephone consultations are already employed in specific neurological settings. At Cambridge University Hospitals, the COVID-19 pandemic initially prompted almost all face-to-face appointments to be delivered by telephone, providing a uniquely unselected population to assess. OBJECTIVES: We explored patient and clinician experience of telephone consultations; and whether telephone consultations might be preferable for preidentifiable subgroups of patients after the pandemic. METHODS: Clinicians delivering neurological consultations converted to telephone between April and July 2020 were invited to complete a questionnaire following each consult (430 respondents) and the corresponding patients were subsequently surveyed (290 respondents). The questionnaires assessed clinician and patient goal achievement (and the reasons for any dissatisfaction). Clinicians also described consultation duration (in comparison to face to face) while patients detailed comparative convenience and preference. RESULTS: The majority of clinicians (335/430, 78%) and patients (227/290, 78%) achieved their consultation goals by telephone, particularly during follow-up consultations (clinicians 272/329, 83%, patients 176/216, 81%) and in some disease subgroups (eg, seizures/epilepsy (clinicians 114/122 (93%), patients 71/81 (88%)). 95% of telephone consultations were estimated to take the same or less time than an equivalent face-to-face consultation. Most patients found telephone consultations convenient (69%) with 149/211 (71%) indicating they would like telephone or video consultations to play some role in their future follow-up. CONCLUSION: Telephone consultations appear effective, convenient and popular in prespecified subgroups of neurological outpatients. Further work comparing telephone, video and face-to-face consultations across multiple centres is now needed.

Role of routine use of ultrasonographic guidance for performing lumbar punctures.

PURPOSE OF STUDY: Ultrasound (US) for lumbar puncture has seen the most success in obese patients and in patients with difficult to palpate landmarks. We aimed to elucidate the advantage of the use of routine US for performing lumbar punctures over the traditional landmark method. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective study with consecutive sampling with a sample size of convenience. Three residents were chosen to perform the lumbar punctures after a training session. Patients were assigned to either the US group or the landmark group. The outcomes studied were number of attempts at needle insertion, patient and physician anxiety, pain experienced, time to procedure, number of traumatic attempts and the difficulties faced during the procedure. RESULTS: A total of 77 patients were included in this study, of which 36 patients (46.8%) underwent landmark-based lumbar puncture and 41 (53.2%) underwent US-guided lumbar puncture. There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups among the following characteristics: number of attempts to a successful procedure, number of traumatic punctures, procedure time, preprocedure anxiety of the participants and physicians and pain score rating of the procedure. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference between the landmark method and US-guided method for performing lumbar puncture in the number of successful attempts, number of traumatic punctures, procedure time and pain during the procedure. Further studies are required to elucidate the advantage of the use of ultrasonography in subsets of the population such as the low body mass index population.

Prevalence and factors associated with advanced care directives in a motor neuron disease multidisciplinary clinic in Australia.

OBJECTIVES: Motor neuron disease (MND) is a neurodegenerative disorder leading to functional decline and death. Multidisciplinary MND clinics provide an integrated approach to management and facilitate discussion on advanced care directives (ACDs). The study objectives are to analyse (1) the prevalence of ACD in our MND clinic, (2) the relationship between ACD and patient demographics and (3) the relationship between ACD decision-making and variables such as NIV, PEG, hospital admissions and location of death. METHODS: Using clinic records, all patients who attended the MND clinic in Liverpool Hospital between November 2014 and November 2019 were analysed. Data include MND subtypes, symptom onset to time of diagnosis, time of diagnosis to death, location and reason of death. ACD prevalence, non-invasive ventilation (NIV) and percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) requirements were analysed. RESULTS: There were 78 patients; M:F=1:1. 44 (56%) patients were limb onset, 28 (36%) bulbar onset, 4 primary lateral sclerosis and 2 flail limb syndrome presentations. 27% patients completed ACDs, while 32% patients declined ACDs. Patients born in Australia or in a majority English-speaking country were more likely to complete ACDs compared to those born in a non-English-speaking country. There was no significant correlation between ACD completion and age, gender, MND subtype, symptom duration, NIV, PEG feeding, location of death. CONCLUSION: One-quarter of patients completed ACDs. ACDs did not correlate with patient age, gender, MND subtype and symptom duration or decision-making regarding NIV, PEG feeding or location of death. Further studies are needed to address factors influencing patients' decisions regarding ACDs.

Efficacy of ultrasound guidance for lumbar punctures: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Ultrasound guidance has been reported to facilitate the performance of lumbar punctures (LPs). However, the use of ultrasound guidance has not yet received consistent conclusions. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the efficacy of ultrasound-guided LPs. PubMed, Embase and the Cochrane Library were searched for randomised controlled trials comparing ultrasound guidance with traditional palpation for LPs in adults. The primary outcome was risk of failed procedures. A random-effects Mantel-Haenzsel model or random-effects inverse variance model was used to calculate relative risks (RRs) or standardised mean differences (SMDs) with 95% CIs. Twenty-eight trials (N=2813) met the inclusion criteria. Ultrasound-guided LPs were associated with a reduced risk of failed procedures (RR=0.58, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.85, p=0.005). No significant heterogeneity was detected (I2=27%) among these trials. It further decreased first attempt to failure (RR=0.43, 95% CI 0.30 to 0.62, p<0.00001), mean attempts to success (SMD=-0.61, 95% CI -0.80 to -0.43, p=0.00001) and incidences of complications of headache and backache (RR=0.63, 95% CI 0.46 to 0.85, p=0.003). Ultrasound guidance is an effective technique for LPs in adults.

Atypical neurological manifestations of dengue fever: a case series and mini review.

BACKGROUND: In this mini review, we discuss some of the atypical neurological manifestations of dengue virus and attempt to bring them to attention to highlight the neurotropic property of the dengue virus. METHODS: Cases were chosen from retrospective hospital and outpatient records of all patients seropositive for dengue who attended the neurology referral. Seven patients have been chosen as illustrative examples of dengue-associated neurological involvement. We discuss the various central and peripheral nervous system involvement of patients and discuss the relevant findings in them. CONCLUSION: Through this case series, we wish to highlight that the dengue virus can affect the nervous system at various targets, using multiple mechanisms of pathogenesis to generate a plethora of presentations. Hence, it is vital to be aware of its presentations to be able to diagnose dengue and treat it accordingly.

Contribution of a synchronic teleneurology program to decrease the patient number waiting for a first consultation and their waiting time in Chile.

Backround There is a shortage of medical specialists in Chile, including neurologists; currently, there are 56,614 patients waiting for a first adult Neurology appointment in the country. The Teleneurology Program at the Hospital Las Higueras de Talcahuano (HHT) was implemented in 2015 to help reduce both the number of patients waiting for a first consultation and their waiting times. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed a cohort of 8269 patients referred to the HHT Neurology clinic between 2013 and 2018, from primary, secondary, and tertiary health centers. Cox regression analyses were performed to determine the factors influencing each outcome (number of patients waiting for a consultation and waiting time), such as age, gender, referral health establishment and the type of consultation (whether in situ at the HHT or by synchronic telepresence through the Teleneurology Program). RESULTS: Out of the 8269 patients included in the study, 1743 consulted the neurologist through the Teleneurology Program, while 6526 received a consultation in situ at the HHT. Since its implementation (2015) until the end of 2018, the Teleneurology program contributed to decrease the number of patients waiting for their first appointment from 3084 to 298. Waiting time for the first consultation was 60% shorter for patients enrolled in the Teleneurology program than those with consultation in situ at HHT (6.23 ± 6.82 and 10.47 ± 8.70 months, respectively). Similar differences were observed when sorting patient data according to the referral health center. Cox regression analysis showed that patients waiting for a traditional in situ first adult Neurology consultation at the HHT had a higher risk (OR = 6.74) of waiting 90% longer than patients enrolled in the Teleneurology Program, without significant differences due to gender or age. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this study show a significant contribution of the Teleneurology Program at the HHT to decrease the number of patients waiting for a first consultation with a neurologist, as well as shorter waiting times, when derived from primary and secondary health centers.

Validation of the Seizure-Related Impact Assessment Scale (SERIAS): a study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: This study aims to validate the Seizure-Related Impact Assessment Scale (SERIAS). This novel patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) compares the 'trade-off' between seizures and treatment-related adverse effects, and measures epilepsy disability qualitatively and quantitively. It fills an important gap in PROMs for epilepsy clinical trials and practice. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: Adults with epileptologist-confirmed epilepsy from two Australian Epilepsy Centres are being recruited. People with functional seizures, or who are unable to self-complete English-language validated instruments are excluded. Participants providing informed consent are invited to complete questionnaires at baseline, 3 and 6 months later. SERIAS includes five questions that ask about the number of days per month that seizures or treatment-related adverse effects partially or fully impact work/home/school and family/social/non-work activities, as well as a visual analogue scale regarding epilepsy-related disability. SERIAS is completed alongside seven internationally validated instruments measuring treatment-related adverse effects, mood disorders and quality of life. Target recruitment is n=100, ensuring>50 people complete all questionnaires at all timepoints. Comprehensive psychometric analysis will be performed. Convergent validity will be investigated using bivariate correlations with relevant measures. Reliability will be investigated using Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega and test-retest correlation coefficients. SERIAS will be a novel PROM for epilepsy clinical trials and practice. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Multisite ethics approval was granted by the Alfred Health Ethics Committee (HREC 17/23). Results of this study will be disseminated through publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ACTRN12623000599673.

Prospective study examining the impact of cerebral angiography on quantitative pupillometer values in the interventional radiology suite.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this pilot study was to obtain baseline quantitative pupillometry (QP) measurements before and after catheter-directed cerebral angiography (DCA) to explore the hypothesis that cerebral angiography is an independent predictor of change in pupillary light reflex (PLR) metrics. DESIGN: This was a prospective, observational pilot study of PLR assessments obtained using QP 30 min before and after DCA. All patients had QP measurements performed with the NPi-300 (Neuroptics) pupillometer. SETTING: Recruitment was done at a single-centre, tertiary-care academic hospital and comprehensive stroke centre in Dallas, Texas. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty participants were recruited undergoing elective or emergent angiography. Inclusion criteria were a physician-ordered interventional neuroradiological procedure, at least 18 years of age, no contraindications to PLR assessment with QP, and nursing transport to and from DCA. Patients with a history of eye surgery were excluded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Difference in PLR metric obtained from QP 30 min before and after DCA. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was noted in the pre and post left eye readings for the minimum pupil size (a.k.a., pupil diameter on maximum constriction). The mean maximum constriction diameter prior to angiogram of 3.2 (1.1) mm was statistically larger than after angiogram (2.9 (1.0) mm; p<0.05); however, this was not considered clinically significant. Comparisons for all other PLR metrics pre and post angiogram demonstrated no significant difference. Using change in NPi pre and post angiogram (Δpre=0.05 (0.77) vs Δpost=0.08 (0.67); p=0.62), we calculated the effect size as 0.042. Hence, detecting a statistically significant difference in NPi, if a difference exists, would require a sample size of ~6000 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our study provides supportive data that in an uncomplicated angiogram, even with intervention, there is no effect on the PLR.

Clinical outcome of rural in-hospital-stroke patients after interhospital transfer for endovascular therapy within a telemedical stroke network in Germany: a registry-based observational study.

OBJECTIVES: Little is known about in-hospital-stroke (IHS) patients with large vessel occlusion and subsequent transfer to referral centres for endovascular therapy (EVT). However, this subgroup is highly relevant given the substantial amount of IHS, the ongoing trend towards greater use of EVT and lack of EVT possibilities in rural hospitals. The study objective is to explore the clinical outcomes of this vulnerable patient group, given that both IHS and interhospital transfer are associated with worse clinical outcomes due to a higher proportion of pre-existing conditions and substantial time delays during transfer. DESIGN AND SETTING: Prospectively collected data of patients receiving EVT after interhospital transfer from 14 rural hospitals of the Telemedical Stroke Network in Southeast Bavaria (TEMPiS) between February 2018 and July 2020 was analysed. PARTICIPANTS: 49 IHS and 274 out-of-hospital-stroke (OHS) patients were included. OUTCOME MEASURES: Baseline characteristics, treatment times and outcomes were compared between IHS and OHS. The primary endpoint was a 3-month modified Rankin Scale (mRS). RESULTS: In IHS patients, atrial fibrillation (55.3% vs 35.9%, p=0.012), diabetes (36.2% vs 21.1%, p=0.024) and use of oral anticoagulants (44.7% vs 20.8%, p<0.001) were more frequent. Stroke severity was similar in both groups. Treatment times from symptom onset to first brain imaging, therapy decision or EVT were shorter for IHS patients. IHS patients displayed worse clinical outcomes: 59.2% of IHS patients died within 3 months compared with 28.5% of OHS patients (p<0.001). They were less likely to achieve moderate outcomes (mRS 0-3) 3 months after stroke (20.4% vs 39.8%, p=0.010). After controlling for possible confounding variables, IHS was associated with worse clinical outcomes (adjusted OR 3.04 (95% CI 1.57 to 6.04), p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The mortality of IHS patients after interhospital transfer and EVT was high and functional outcomes were worse compared with those of OHS patients. Further research is needed to ascertain whether IHS patients benefit from this therapeutic approach. A more careful selection of IHS patients for transfer and means to enable faster treatment should be considered. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04270513; Post-results.

Genetic testing in adults with neurologic disorders: indications, approach, and clinical impacts.

The role of genetic testing in neurologic clinical practice has increased dramatically in recent years, driven by research on genetic causes of neurologic disease and increased availability of genetic sequencing technology. Genetic testing is now indicated for adults with a wide range of common neurologic conditions. The potential clinical impacts of a genetic diagnosis are also rapidly expanding, with a growing list of gene-specific treatments and clinical trials, in addition to important implications for prognosis, surveillance, family planning, and diagnostic closure. The goals of this review are to provide practical guidance for clinicians about the role of genetics in their practice and to provide the neuroscience research community with a broad survey of current progress in this field. We aim to answer three questions for the neurologist in practice: Which of my patients need genetic testing? What testing should I order? And how will genetic testing help my patient? We focus on common neurologic disorders and presentations to the neurology clinic. For each condition, we review the most current guidelines and evidence regarding indications for genetic testing, expected diagnostic yield, and recommended testing approach. We also focus on clinical impacts of genetic diagnoses, highlighting a number of gene-specific therapies recently approved for clinical use, and a rapidly expanding landscape of gene-specific clinical trials, many using novel nucleotide-based therapeutic modalities like antisense oligonucleotides and gene transfer. We anticipate that more widespread use of genetic testing will help advance therapeutic development and improve the care, and outcomes, of patients with neurologic conditions.

Time to resolution of symptoms and recovery after mild traumatic brain injury: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, with approximately 1 out of 200 people each year sustaining an mTBI in Europe. There is a growing awareness that recovery may take months or years. However, the exact time frame of recovery remains ill-defined in the literature. This systematic review aims to record the range of outcome measures used for mTBI and understand the time to recovery for different outcomes. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: This protocol complies with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Protocols guideline. A prespecified literature search for articles in the English language will be conducted from database inception to the date of searches using MEDLINE and EMBASE. A trial search was conducted on 5 October 2023 with refinement of the search criteria following this. For each study, screening of the title, abstract and full text, as well as data extraction, will be done by two reviewers, with an adjudicating third reviewer if required. The risk of bias will be assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool for clinical trials and the Newcastle Ottawa score for cohort studies. The primary outcome is the time to resolution of symptoms in mTBI patients who have a full recovery, using any validated outcome measure. Results will be categorised by symptom groups, including but not limited to post-concussive symptoms, mental health, functional recovery and health-related quality of life. For mTBI patients who do not recover, this review will also explore the time to the plateau of symptoms and the sequelae of these symptoms. Where possible, meta-analysis will be undertaken, with a narrative review undertaken when this is not possible. Subgroup analyses of patients aged over 64 years, and patients with repetitive head injury, are planned. ETHICAL REVIEW AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical review is not required, as no original data will be collected. Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and academic conferences. PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42023462797.