AANEM News Express

Science News: Systemic Inflammatory Markers in Neuropathic Pain, Nerve Injury, and Recovery

    5/16/2022
Findings of this article highlight the potential role of systemic immune dysregulation and the role of cytokines in focal nerve injury and chronic neuropathic pain. The study provides important information relevant to neuropathic pain and possible biomarkers for future studies. Findings of this article highlight the potential role of systemic immune dysregulation and the role of cytokines in focal nerve injury and chronic neuropathic pain. The study provides important information relevant to neuropathic pain and possible biomarkers for future studies. 

Science News: Identification of Serum Interleukin 6 Levels as a Disease Severity Biomarker in Facioscapulohumeral Muscular Dystrophy

    5/16/2022
Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is one of the most common inherited myopathies, presenting as slowly progressive, often asymmetric muscle weakness. Although a gain-of-toxic function secondary to aberrant DUX4 expression is the known etiology, exact pathomechanism is not known. Inflammatory reactions are sometimes seen in muscle biopsies, leading to speculation of the role of inflammatory pathway activation in disease pathogenesis. This retrospective study analyzed serum cytokines in 100 FSHD1 patients to identify potential biomarkers. 

Science News: Home-Based Exercise in Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

    4/29/2022
Currently, no evidence-based guideline exists on the amount and type of exercise in the patient with generalized MG and effects on the quality of life. In this study, the authors tried to analyze home-based exercise over a home rowing program over 3 months. Although the exercise was well tolerated, the intention to treat analysis revealed no evidence of improved health-related quality of life.

Science News: Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Upper Extremity Motor Function in Patients with Stroke

    4/29/2022
This study determines the treatment effects of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) combined with neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) on the motor function of upper extremity (UE) in persons with stroke. The study allows for additive tools physicians can utilize to optimize and improve upon conventional rehabilitation.

Science News: Natural History of Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy in Children: A 2-Year Follow-Up

    4/19/2022
This is a small 2-year follow-up study of genetically confirmed facioscapulohumeral dystrophy (FSHD) cases from the Netherlands. On clinical examination, facial weakness was observed as a sign of disease progression. FSHD clinical score 0-15 and muscle ultrasound Z score appeared to be most promising outcome measures of progression. Despite disease progression, children may still notice improvement in functional capacity, including the 6-minute walk test. Pain, fatigue, and decreased quality of life were common symptoms during follow-up. 

Science News: Mitochondrial Disease in Adults: Recent Advances and Future Promise

    4/19/2022
This article provides an up-to-date review of the clinical and biochemical approach to mitochondrial disorders in adults. The clinical approach algorithm is especially useful. The NM neuro-imaging features will also help clinicians.

Science News: Clinical and Genetic Characteristics in Young, Glucocorticoid-Naïve Boys With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy

    4/4/2022
This article reports the genotype-phenotype characteristics of the largest international cohort of Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) boys (participants in the Finding the Optimum Corticosteroid Regime for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (FOR-DMD)) pretreated with glucocorticoids. Out of 196 boys recruited, 193 were found to have a DMD mutation.

Science News: Life Expectancy in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Reproduced Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis

    4/4/2022
This is a systemic review of published literature on mortality in Duchenne muscular dystroph (DMD) up to July 2020 which focused on publications with Kaplan-Meier (KM) survival curves with age as a time scale. Of the 1,177 articles identified, 14 publications met the inclusion criteria providing data on 2,283 patients of whom 1,049 had died. Median life expectancy was 22 years. Analysis stratified by 3 time periods showed increased life expectancy in more recent patient populations born after 1990 had a median life expectancy of 28.1 years.

Submit an Abstract for the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America’s 2022 Scientific Session

    3/31/2022
The abstract submission window has officially opened for the 2022 Scientific Session of the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, Inc. (MGFA). This year’s deadline is June 15, 2022.

Science News: Is There an Association Between Ulnar Nerve Hypermobility and Neuropathy at the Elbow?

    3/21/2022
Authors reviewed literature regarding associations between UNH and UNE. Studies diagnosing UNH both with physical exam (3) and US (17) were included. Studies looking at post op findings, hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy, polyneuropathy, trauma, and pediatric cases were included.

Analysis revealed no association between UNH and UNE. However, post hoc analysis of cross-sectional areas (CSA) of the ulnar nerve in seven studies revealed that the difference in CSA between stable and UNH was doubled in the patients with UNE vs. those without.