A default mode network of brain regions is known to demonstrate coordinated activity during the resting state. While the default mode network is well characterized in adults, few investigations have focused upon its development. We scanned 9-13 year old children with diffusion tensor imaging and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. We identified resting state networks using Independent Component Analysis and tested whether the functional connectivity between the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC) depends upon the maturation of the underlying cingulum white matter tract. To determine the generalizability of this relationship, we also tested whether functional connectivity depends on white matter maturity between bilateral lateral prefrontal cortex (lateral PFC) within the executive control network. We found a positive relationship between mPFC-PCC connectivity and fractional anisotropy of the cingulum bundle; this positive relationship was moderated by the age of the subjects such that it was stronger in older children. By contrast, no such structure-function relationship emerged between right and left lateral PFC. However, functional and structural connectivity of this tract related positively with cognitive speed, fluency, and set-switching neuropsychological measures.

Seizures are a common presentation in the prehospital and emergency department setting and status epilepticus represents an emergency neurologic condition. The classification and various types of seizures are numerous. The objectives of this narrative literature review focuses on adult patients with a presentation of status epilepticus in the prehospital and emergency department setting. In summary, benzodiazepines remain the primary first line therapeutic agent in the management of status epilepticus, however, there are new agents that may be appropriate for the management of status epilepticus as second- and third-line pharmacological agents.

Bedside, or point-of-care, ultrasound (US) has increasingly been used in various clinical settings to provide clinicians with rapid clinical information without the use of ionizing radiation. Lung US has been demonstrated as a valuable tool in the diagnosis and evaluation of pulmonary edema, pleural effusions, and pulmonary thromboembolism. Lung US enables the clinician to more quickly identify and initiate treatment for these potentially life-threatening conditions without the need for patient transportation to the radiology suite. Additionally, lung US can repeatedly be implemented to assess clinical changes without concern for repeated radiation exposure and is cost-effective given its ability to decrease the need for additional radiological and laboratory testing to confirm a suspected diagnosis. This review focuses on the application of lung US in the evaluation and management of pulmonary edema, pleural effusions, and pulmonary thromboembolism.

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