AANEM Education News Express

August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month!

    8/1/2018
AANEM is proud to help increase understanding about spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) during SMA Awareness Month! Check out this article for links to resources to help increase your knowledge of this disease.   

Science News: Ultrasonography of the Transverse Movement and Deformation of the Median Nerve and its Relationships with Electrophysiological Severity in the Early Stages of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

    6/20/2018
Submitted by Lisa M. Williams, MD, News Science Editorial Board

To date, conflicting theories behind the initial pathogenic mechanism of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) exist. Recently, researchers have investigated the transverse plane movement of the median nerve as a potential mechanism for CTS. Using ultrasonography, the researchers of this study designed a cross-sectional, case-controlled study measuring deformation and displacement of the median nerve as it related to severity of CTS confirmed by electrophysiological studies. 

Science News: Clustering of Neuropsychiatric Disease in First-degree and Second-degree Relatives of Patients with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

    6/13/2018
Submitted by Niranjan N. Singh, MD, News Science Editorial Board

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative condition primarily involving the motor system. There is increasing epidemiologic evidence of an association between ALS and a wider spectrum of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders among family members, including schizophrenia and psychotic illness and suicidal behavior. In this issue of JAMA Neurology, O’Brien et al present a case-control family aggregation study of genetic pleiotropy within ALS kindreds.

Science News: Effect of Fascia Penetration on Sensory Nerve Conduction in the Superficial Radial Nerve

    6/7/2018
Submitted by Rocio Carolina Garcia Santibanez, MD, News Science Editorial Board

In this study, the investigators sought to determine the effect of the fascia penetration of the radial nerve in its sensory nerve action potential amplitude.

Science News: Motor Performance Deterioration Accelerates After 50 Years of Age in Charcot-Marie-Tooth Type 1A Patients

    5/31/2018
Submitted by Nandita S. Keole, MD, News Science Editorial Board

The aim of this study was to describe, by a case control and cross-sectional design, the correlation between clinical impairment and age in Charcot-Marie-Tooth type 1A (CMT1A) patients.

Science News - Diagnosis and Management of SMA Part 1: Recommendations for Diagnosis, Rehabilitation, Orthopedic, and Nutritional Care

    5/25/2018
Submitted by Leigh Maria K. Ramos-Platt, MD, News Science Editorial Board   
Additional comments by David B. Rosenfield, MD, News Science Editorial Board

In December 2016, the spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) community recognized the need for the SMA Standards of Care (SOC) document to be updated. Part 1 of the updated set of guidelines was recently published and this summary highlights those updates. 

Science News: Nusinersen Versus Sham Control in Later-onset Spinal Muscular Atrophy

    5/15/2018
Submitted by David R. Mayans, MD, News Science Editorial Board  
Additional comments by David B. Rosenfield, MD, News Science Editorial Board

This is another study adding to the growing body of evidence that Nusinersen is effective at not only slowing the progression of SMA, but leading to improvements in strength and gain of function in SMA patients. 

Science News: Associated Conditions in Small Fiber Neuropathy – A Large Cohort Study and Review of the Literature

    5/10/2018
Submitted by Nandita S. Keole, MD, News Science Editorial Board 
Additional comments by David B. Rosenfield, MD, News Science Editorial Board

Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is a common disorder leading to neuropathic pain and autonomic symptoms. The objective of this study was to investigate associated conditions in a large cohort of SFN patients and compare the prevalence to healthy individuals. 

Science News: Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Derived from Sensory Neurons Plays a Critical Role in Chronic Pain

    5/3/2018
Submitted by Francisco E. Gomez, MD, News Science Editorial Board 
Additional comments by David B. Rosenfield, MD, News Science Editorial Board

In this ambitious study, investigators sought to determine the role of sensory neuron – brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) – in the genesis of chronic pain.