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Alzheimer's could raise the risk of epilepsy
Patients with Alzheimer's disease were found to be at a higher risk of focal epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis and generalized epilepsy, as per a study. This association was consistent and replicated in a genome-wide association study. These findings have clinical implications and highlight that amyloid pathology and Alzheimer's disease could give rise to seizures.
Drugs.com
New treatment for REM sleep behaviour disorder
This disorder is caused due to neurodegeneration from the accumulation of tau protein in the brain. A recent study found that dual orexin receptor antagonists can benefit patients with this condition. These drugs reduced the time to fall asleep and improved the duration and quality of sleep in mouse models, raising hopes for testing these FDA-approved drugs in humans.
Sciencenews.net
Brain stimulation can improve cognition, says another biggest study
Transcranial alternating current stimulation caused the strongest improvements in a person's ability to adapt to new, conflicting or surprising information. It also caused improvements in memory and attention. These findings together indicate improvements in mental function. Further developments in brain stimulation can help enhance brain function non-invasively and safely.
Science Alert
Researchers find the biological cause behind SIDS
They identified differences in the way serotonin binds to their 5-GT1A/C receptors in the lower brain stem in deceased infants from sudden infant death syndrome. These receptors demonstrated protective functions like responding to low oxygen levels during sleep by waking or gasping in rodents. These issues and environmental and biological factors raise the risk of SIDS.
New Scientist
Internet use in older adults may lower dementia risk
Regular internet use could help dementia-free older adults aged 50 years and above lower their risk of dementia in the long term by almost 50% compared to no internet use or non-regular use, as per a study. It identifies internet use as a potentially modifiable factor. But prior research showed that excessive internet use could adversely affect dementia risk in older adults.
UPI
New guidance for managing neurological symptoms of long Covid
The guidance laid out some neurological red flags to differentiate long Covid symptoms from medical emergencies. Though it did not offer new research findings, it called for careful screening of patients with serious neurological signs. Damage to cranial nerves, headaches, neuropathy, sleep disturbances, tremors, and muscular weakness are neurological symptoms of long Covid.
CNET
FDA approves spinal cord stimulation device for chronic back pain
Abbott's proprietary BurstDR™ SCS technology can help people with non-surgical back pain who are not eligible for corrective back surgery and have limited treatment options. It produces bursts of low-intensity electrical energy to modify pain signals from the spinal cord to the brain. It does not provide a tingling sensation or paresthesia, making it comfortable for patients.
Abbott
FDA approves the first treatment for agitation in patients with memory loss
Rexulti (brexpiprazole) is an oral pill that can be used at a recommended initial dose of 0.5 mg once daily to a maximum of 3 mg once daily in adults with agitation symptoms like verbal and physical aggression from dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. It comes with a boxed warning of increased risk of death. This treatment was granted Fast Track designation.
FDA
Deep sleep can work against memory loss in older people
The non-REM sleep can become a cognitive reserve factor in older people at risk of developing Alzheimer's by increasing resilience against the beta-amyloid proteins linked to memory loss, as per a study. Researchers believe sleep could be the missing piece of the puzzle in managing Alzheimer's, as sleep is a modifiable factor and improves memory function.
Futurity
How to self-care for sciatica at home?
Experts suggest using an ice pack for a week to reduce inflammation in the nerve while being careful to avoid frostbite. It should be followed by a heat pack for the next week to increase the blood flow in the affected area to accelerate healing. Moving around can help strengthen muscles that support the spine, improve flexibility or range of motion and reduce pain perception.
Harvard Health
