News Express

Science News: Myopathy as a Cause of Long COVID Fatigue: Evidence From Quantitative and Single Fiber EMG and Muscle Histopathology

October 13, 2023

The authors of this study previously reported myopathic changes in quantitative EMG (qEMG) and pathological changes in muscle biopsies of a small group of long COVID patients with fatigue. Therefore, the authors aimed in this study to investigate the clinical and electrodiagnostic features in a larger Cohort of long COVID patients to explore whether myopathy and neuromuscular transmission failure are common causes of post-COVID fatigue.

Trainee Talk: 7 Tips for Trainees Attending the 2023 AANEM Annual Meeting

October 10, 2023

Hear from AANEM Young Leadership Council Co-chair, Michael Skolka, MD, on tips for trainees on how to navigate the AANEM Annual Meeting.

MIPS Target Review Deadline is October 9

October 04, 2023

On August 10, 2023, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) made available 2022 performance feedback which determines whether physicians will receive a positive, neutral, or negative payment adjustment on Medicare services furnished in 2024. There has been alarming reports of physicians facing MIPS penalties in 2024 for the first time since the program started. AANEM strongly encourages you to view this information as soon as possible.

AANEM Partnering With Gulfcoast Ultrasound Institute on Ultrasound Education

October 04, 2023

The AANEM is excited to announce a collaboration with Gulfcoast to be an authorized reseller of US educational activities authored by Jeffrey Strakowski, MD. Dr. Strakowski is a frequent speaker at the annual meeting, a long-time member of AANEM, and an expert on NMUS.

AANEM Hosted its 10th Annual Day on Capitol Hill

October 02, 2023

AANEM hosted its 10th Annual Day on Capitol Hill on September 18, 2023. AANEM State Liaisons from around the country returned to Washington, D.C. for the first in person Hill Day since 2020. AANEM State Liaisons met key legislative offices to educate Senators and Representatives about electrodiagnostic (EDX) medicine and the current challenges facing the patient and professional community.

Science News: Denervation Impacts Muscle Quality and Knee Bone Mineral Density After Spinal Cord Injury

October 02, 2023

Conducted at a single center, this cross-sectional study aimed to compare muscle size, body composition, bone mineral density (BMD), and metabolic profiles between two groups: individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) characterized by denervation lower motor neuron (LMN) and those with innervation upper motor neuron (UMN).

Susan E. Mackinnon, MD, Receives 2023 Honorary Member Award

October 02, 2023

Susan E. Mackinnon, MD, is recognized for her achievements in the area of nerve transfer procedures and outstanding achievements in clinical care, community service, research and teaching.

Trainee Talk: A Comprehensive Review of the EMG Interactive Training Tool Bundle

September 18, 2023

The EMG Interactive Training Tool Bundle, created by Dr. Devon I. Rubin, is an innovative training program for electrodiagnostic medicine offered by AANEM. This comprehensive review highlights the outstanding benefits of utilizing this cutting-edge training bundle, particularly when purchased through a Training Program Partnership (TPP) account.

AANEM Comments on 2024 Proposed Update to Physician Fee Schedule & QPP

September 15, 2023

On August 7, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its annual proposed rule that includes updates to payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule effective on or after January 1, 2024. AANEM staff drafted and submitted a 7-page comment letter that addressed all pertinent aspects of the 2,000+ page proposed rule, including calling on CMS to do everything in its power to avert drastic cuts to physician payments.

Deadline for Contesting 2022 MIPS Scores and Payment Adjustments Quickly Approaching

September 15, 2023

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently unveiled the Merit-based Incentive Payment Systems (MIPS) performance feedback and final scores for the 2022 performance year. These scores play a crucial role in determining whether a physician will receive a positive, neutral, or negative payment adjustment on Medicare services provided in 2024. The deadline for contesting the 2022 MIPS scores and payment adjustments is October 9, 2023.

Patient Safety: Assessing Fall Risk

September 15, 2023

Falls are a major cause of injury-related morbidity and disability leading to significant healthcare cost and impaired health. Learn how to assess fall risk in EDX laboratory.

Science News: Image Analysis Can Reliably Quantify Median Nerve Echogenicity and Texture Changes in Patients With Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

September 15, 2023

The authors in this study aimed to assess the reliability and diagnostic accuracy of two quantitative methods as objective methods to assess median nerve echotexture changes in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) compared to controls.

National Study to Document Changes in Physician Practice Expense

September 06, 2023

The American Medical Association (AMA) is undertaking a new national study, supported by 173 healthcare organizations including AANEM, to collect representative data on physician practice expenses.

Science News: Preservation of Functional Descending Input to Paralyzed Upper Extremity Muscles in Motor Complete Cervical Spinal Cord Injury

August 31, 2023

In this study, the authors investigated neurophysiological evidence of motor involvement in clinically paralyzed muscles in patients with complete cervical spinal cord injury (SCI) using surface EMG.

Science News: Current and Emerging Prostheses for Partial Hand Amputation: A Narrative Review

August 21, 2023

This review article explored and compared several prosthetic options that have been investigated and marketed by researchers and companies. Some of these options include passive, body powered, activity-specific, and externally powered prostheses.

Brooke Eby Receives AANEM's 2023 Public Recognition Award

August 18, 2023

Brooke Eby has been awarded the 2023 Public Recognition Award for her remarkable commitment to raising awareness about muscle and nerve disorders. This award is given to public figures, celebrities, or entities that have made extraordinary contributions toward increasing public awareness.

Science News: Impaired B Cell Expression of the Inhibitory Fcγ Receptor IIB in Myasthenia Gravis

August 03, 2023

In this study, the authors report that FcγRIIB expression levels are substantially reduced in B lineage cells derived from immunotherapy-naïve patients with acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody-positive (Ab+) early-onset MG. In contrast, genetic variants associated with impaired FcγRIIB expression are not enriched in MG, indicating posttranscriptional dysregulation. The authors suggest that FcγRIIB-targeting therapies could have therapeutic benefits in AChR-Ab+ MG.

Teresa Spiegelberg, CNCT, R.NCS.T., R.EEG.T, BS, Receives Inaugural Outstanding Service Award

August 02, 2023

The AANEM Outstanding Service Award recognizes non physicians for their contributions to the fields of NM and EDX medicine. Teresa Spiegelberg, CNCT, R.NCS.T., R.EEG.T, BS, has been awarded the inaugural Outstanding Service Award for her dedicated service to patients, medical education, and AANEM.

Colin K. Franz, MD, PhD, Receives One of AANEM’s 2023 Scientific Impact Awards

August 02, 2023

Colin K. Franz, MD, PhD, has been awarded one of AANEM’s 2023 Scientific Impact Awards for his significant contribution as senior author of The Distribution of Acquired Peripheral Nerve Injuries Associated With Severe COVID-19 Implicate a Mechanism of Entrapment Neuropathy: A Multicenter Case Series and Clinical Feasibility Study of a Wearable, Wireless Pressure Sensor, published in the October 2022 issue of Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation.

Elie Naddaf, MD, Receives One of AANEM’s 2023 Scientific Impact Awards

August 02, 2023

Elie Naddaf, MD, has been awarded one of AANEM’s 2023 Scientific Impact Awards for his significant contribution as senior author of Survival and Associated Comorbidities in Inclusion Body Myositis, which appeared in the September 2021 issue of Rheumatology. Co-authors include Shahar Shelly, Jay Mandrekar, Alanna M. Chamberlain, E. Matthew Hoffman, Floranne C. Ernst, and Teerin Liewluck.