Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is a rapidly evolving procedure with its application in multiple fields of neurology, but it is most prominent in Parkinson's disease (PD). Through electrode implantation in different areas of the brain, it brings a favorable change to the motor symptoms to the magnitude that none of the medications have been able to, but the effect on cognition of the patients is still unknown. We did a comprehensive search through PubMed and Cochrane databases and conducted a systematic review by following the PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were studies conducted only in PD patients, after the year 2008. The studies published in languages other than English were excluded. Thirteen studies, including randomized and non-randomized controlled trials, observational studies, and meta-analysis, were analyzed in detail. The results showed a declining trend in verbal fluency and attention domains of cognition, while other functions remained unchanged. The decline was significant but not enough to impact the quality index in patients. DBS is associated with worse performance in verbal fluency and attention, and there is a further need for studies focusing on these domains with long-term follow-up. The overall cognitive profile was not affected significantly.
Background Hospice care was initially designed for seriously ill individuals with cancer. Thus, the model and clinicians were geared toward caring for this population. Despite the proportion of persons living with dementia (PLWD) receiving hospice care substantially increased over the past 10 years, and their longer lengths of stay, established hospice interventions for this population are scarce. No systematic review has previously evaluated those interventions that do exist. We synthesized hospice intervention studies for PLWD, their families, and hospice professionals by describing the types of interventions, participants, outcomes, and results; assessing study quality; and identifying promising intervention strategies. Methods A systematic review was conducted using a comprehensive search of five databases through March 2021 and follow‐up hand searches. Included studies were peer‐reviewed, available in English, and focused on hospice interventions for persons with dementia, and/or care partners, and clinicians. Using pre‐determined inclusion and exclusion criteria, data was extracted guided by the Cochrane Checklist, and quality was assessed using a 26‐item Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) Checklist. Results The search identified 3235 unique studies in total, of which 10 studies met inclusion criteria. The search revealed three types of interventions: clinical education and training, usual care plus care add‐on services, and “other” delivered to 707 participants (mostly clinicians). Five studies included underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. Outcomes measured knowledge and skills, psychosocial and health outcomes, feasibility, and acceptability, with significant improvements in six studies. Study quality was reflective of early‐stage research with clinical education and training strategies showing deliberate progression towards real‐world efficacy testing. Implications Hospice interventions for PLWD are sparse and in early‐phase research. More research is needed with rigorous designs, diverse samples, and outcomes considering the concordance of care.
Zika virus (ZIKV) has created major outbreaks all over the Americas and has caused severe neurological complications. The main neurological complications linked to ZIKV are Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS), encephalitis, myelitis, and microcephaly. We thoroughly searched for published literature on PubMed and found evidence supporting the relationship between ZIKV and GBS. Through April 1, 2020, 429 publications were available on PubMed using the words "Zika associated GBS." Among these, only four results linked anti-ganglioside antibodies to Zika-associated GBS. So, we expanded our search to other platforms like PubMed Central® (PMC), Google Scholar, and Cochrane, after which we shortlisted 28 studies. These studies include review articles, observational studies, case series, and case reports. The information collected from these articles were mainly based on the outbreaks in Latin America and the results that these patients showed in the course of the disease. It took a lag time of 7-10 days for the patients to develop Zika-associated GBS. We used all the evidence regarding the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, neurological complications, and diagnostic criteria that supported the findings of anti-ganglioside antibodies to ZIKV-associated GBS. Patients were detected with the presence of these antibodies in their urine through the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test. But the mechanism by which the ZIKV causes other complications like myelitis and encephalitis is still unknown and yet to be explored to develop treatment and management strategies.
Central tuberculomas, occurring because of the haematogenous spread of M. tuberculosis, can present variably with the symptoms ranging from headache, decreased level of consciousness, neck stiffness to altered mental status, seizures and focal deficits. Diagnostic investigations include but are not limited to CSF analysis, MRI Brain, CT head, and AFB smear, mycobacterial cultures or CBNAAT of the CSF sample. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy can help distinguishing the tuberculoma from its differentials by showing a peculiar lipid peak. Treatment with the antituberculosis drugs over a prolonged period of time along with dexamethasone usually shows significant clinical improvement. Authors present to you the case report of an 8 year old boy who presented to the pediatric emergency with generalized tonic clonic seizures and was subsequently detected with the tuberculoma with the help of MRI Brain and CBNAAT (cartridge based nucleic acid amplification test) of CSF sample. The objective of this case report is to discuss the symptoms, pathogenesis, detection and management of tuberculomas, which are still quite common in the developing countries and if left untreated are associated with high morbidity and mortality.
Nectrotizing enterocilitis(NEC), a disease predominant in the premature formula fed infants, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in NICU survivors. The symptoms may vary from apnea, fever, lethargy to abdominal distension, bloody stools, poor feeding and vomiting. The mainstay of treatment is the IV feeds, discontinuation of oral feeds, nasogastric (NG) decompression, possible breathing support and surgery. The objective of this case report is to discuss the presentation, treatment, prognosis and proposed preventative measures of NEC, which can help raise awareness and henceforth improve the management and subsequent prognosis of this disease. Authors present to you the case report of a VLBW (Very Low Birth Weight) premature infant with NEC.
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