Neurology

“Lower is better” regardless of the lipid-lowering agent used, publication confirms.

The patient denies vertigo, hearing change, headache or ear pain. Physical exam and past medical history are benign. What does the brain MRI tell you?

Signs and symptoms may raise suspicion for a posterior circulation stroke.

New research suggests that depression and stroke share common cumulative etiologic mechanisms.

It’s time to rethink aspirin; there’s optimism about the PCSK9 inhibitors; and new help for people with valvular heart disease. What else is new in cardiology?

No monitoring necessary; don't use them before electrical cardioversion; and count them out for periprocedural use during AF ablation. Really?

Heart scans to ID stroke risk, insomnia reduces quality of life, air pollution may be a cause, women think of stroke as a man’s disease-see these and other developments in stroke science and patient care.

What brings patients to your office-and not the specialty office down the street? Insights in this slideshow.

Underweight means highest risk, say researchers.

Stroke and TIA rates are down and fewer patients arrive by ambulance in national emergency department survey.

Triptan and ergotamine drugs are staples of acute migraine treatment. But questions about their cardiovascular safety linger in the absence of clear evidence. A short slide show looks at what we do know.

Here’s a look at what’s new and interesting on the Web for health care professionals.

The FDA will require labels on prescription testosterone products that disclose a possible increased risk of heart attacks and strokes. A “black box” warning won’t be added.

Health expectations and standards of safety in this part of the world are clearly different from what most of us are used to. But it is my impression that “laying on of hands” offers encouragement and hope.

Better understanding of migraine causes and related issues could result in enhanced patient care and prevention, but clinicians face some serious challenges-here are 5.

This adult beverage may actually provide health benefits, specifically for Alzheimer, Parkinson, and other neurological conditions.

Patients with Afib whose CHA2DS2-VASc score is 1 have a lower risk for ischemic stroke than previously thought and are not likely to benefit from anticoagulation therapy.

There is room to improve evidence-based aspirin use for primary prevention of stroke and other cardiovascular risks. Details here.

Cancer may be an under-appreciated, but common risk factor for stroke, which is most common the first month after cancer diagnosis.

The merging of primary psychiatric care with primary medical care is urgently needed. Here’s why.

The risk for major bleeding and GI hemorrhage in patients taking dabigatran was greater than in those taking warfarin; warfarin, however, was associated with a greater risk of intracranial hemorrhage.

In analysis of this randomized controlled trial of apixaban vs warfarin for nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, there was an increased risk of stroke and systemic embolism among patients taking amiodarone and warfarin.

New drugs that treat stubborn illness seen often in primary care lead this group of Top 5 Papers for 2014. Type 2 diabetes, cryptogenic stroke, and hep-C are key targets.

Thyroglossal duct cyst; HCV-HIV coinfection; slurred speech and trouble swallowing and chewing . . . see how well you do on the quiz questions this week.

Results of a recent study suggest the presence or absence of CMBs may help refine risk prognostication in patients with AF.

The cost vs the benefit of community screening for disease is often hotly debated. A new study suggests that detection and treatment of asymptomatic AF may be worth that effort.

A 50-year-old man comes to the ED after 2 episodes of loss of consciousness and vomiting. Jaw clenching with a short period of unresponsiveness is observed in the ED. ECG is significant for bradycardia and sinus bradycardia. He had sprayed his home for termites 10 hours earlier. What is the problem here?

Chronic pain and psychological interventions, complex regional pain syndrome, spinal fractures and low back pain, acute gouty arthritis, Chiari I malformation, Dengue fever, erythema nodosum-a look at pain in its many shapes, sizes, and locations.

Hypertension and diabetes, hypertension and stroke/dementia, renal artery stenosis and hypertension in children, pulmonary arterial hypertension, portal hypertensive gastropathy, central retinal vein occlusion-a close look at some common hypertension-related conditions.

Growing evidence suggests a link between obesity and dementia, but risk may be heightened or lowered, depending on age. In this study, early to mid-life obesity was linked with increased risk of later dementia.