News Express

Science News: MRI Clustering Reveals Three ALS Subtypes With Unique Neurodegeneration Patterns

May 14, 2023

The purpose of this study was to identify subtypes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by comparing patterns of neurodegeneration using brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and explore their phenotypes.

AANEM Introduces PM&R Initiative With Muscle & Nerve

May 11, 2023

Muscle & Nerve, the official journal of AANEM, has announced an initiative to increase the number of articles written by and appealing to PM&R physicians.

Coding and Billing With the New Neuromuscular Ultrasound CPT Code

April 26, 2023

This article takes a deep dive into the new NMUS code, 76883, discussing when it is appropriate to bill and when it is more appropriate to use the previously existing extremity US codes, the clinical documentation required, and specific clinical scenarios.

2023 ABEM Certification Examination Results

April 24, 2023

Congratulations to the physicians who successfully passed the 2023 American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (ABEM) Certification Examination! Read more...

Science News: Detecting Motor Unit Abnormalities in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Using High-Density Surface EMG

April 16, 2023

In this study, the authors evaluated motor unit (MU) abnormalities in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) using quantitative non-invasive high density-surface EMG.

Science News: Natural Course of Muscular Strength, Physical Performance, and Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19

April 02, 2023

The study's authors investigated the long-term effects of COVID-19 in 76 adult patients (aged >18 years) including the natural course of muscular strength, physical performance, and musculoskeletal symptoms in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

Remembering Dr. Laura D. Nist

April 02, 2023

Remembering Dr. Laura D. Nist, a much loved and respected neuromuscular specialist at Loma Linda University and long-standing AANEM member.

Mathula Thangarajh, MD, PhD Receives 2023 Surinderjit Singh Young Lectureship Award

March 23, 2023

AANEM is excited to announce Mathula Thangarajh, MD, PhD, as the 2023 Surinderjit Singh Young Lectureship Award recipient.
 

Science News: Anti-LGI4 Antibody Is a Novel Juxtaparanodal Autoantibody for Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

March 20, 2023

In this single-centered study, 113 anti-NF155 and anti-CNTN1 antibody–negative chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) patients were enrolled and the reactivity of sera from these patients against mouse (dorsal root ganglion) DRG and sciatic nerves was surveyed. The objective of this was to identify novel nodal autoantibodies in CIDP.

Patient Safety: Percutaneous Sharp Injuries: Post-Exposure Procedures

March 19, 2023

From the AANEM Quality and Patient Safety Committee: Many healthcare workers, including some of 64% of electrodiagnostic (EDX) physicians who may have experienced a needlestick injury, are unfamiliar with proper post-exposure procedures following percutaneous sharp injury, leading to a greater risk of blood-borne pathogen seroconversion. Read more to learn about the proper post-exposure process.

Science News: Anti-titin Antibody Is Associated With More Frequent Hospitalization to Manage Thymoma-Associated Myasthenia Gravis

March 02, 2023

Anti-titin antibodies are anti-striational antibodies associated with thymoma-associated myasthenia gravis (MG). Anti-titin antibodies have been previously linked to severity of MG, but its relation to clinical worsening is not clear. Thus, the authors in this study aimed to evaluate whether the patients with anti-titin antibody are more frequently hospitalized to manage thymoma-associated MG than those patients without anti-titin antibody.

Science News: Virtual Charcot-Marie-Tooth Examination Score: A Validated Virtual Evaluation for People with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease.

February 19, 2023

The Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Examination Score Version 2 (CMTESv2) is used in clinical practice to measure impairment in patients with CMT. However, the CMTES requires an in-person visit, which may not be possible for all CMT patients. This study evaluated a virtual form of CMTES (vCMTES) as a remote clinical outcome assessment tool to measure impairment in CMT patients.

AANEM Endorsement of the 2023 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for Cardiac Amyloidosis

February 05, 2023

AANEM has recently endorsed the 2023 American College of Cardiology (ACC) Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for Cardiac Amyloidosis which became available online Monday, January 23, 2023 with the print copy published in the JACC print issue on March 21.

The Other Side of the Fence: Tips on Conducting Peer Reviews for Biomedical Journals

February 05, 2023

Join Muscle & Nerve Editor-in-Chief Zachary Simmons and Associate Editor Peter Kang for a live webinar and Q&A, The Other Side of the Fence: Tips on Conducting Peer Reviews for Biomedical Journals.

Science News: Ultrasonographic Prevalence of Ulnar Nerve Displacement at the Elbow in Young Baseball Players

February 05, 2023

Studies regarding ulnar nerve damage/displacement have been performed primarily in adults. The authors of this study assessed the ulnar nerve displacement in young baseball players.

Test your Knowledge: Question from Lessons from the Lab Episode 1

January 22, 2023

Test your Knowledge: Question from Lessons from the Lab Episode 1

AANEM Seeks Young Physician Alternate Delegate to AMA House of Delegates

January 18, 2023

Are you interested in policy-making, legislation, and scope of practice issues? AANEM is seeking a young physician to represent the association as both an Alternate Delegate and a Young Physician Section Delegate in the AMA House of Delegates. Apply by March 1, 2023.

Science News: Clinical Value of Cell-Based Assays in the Characterisation of Seronegative Myasthenia Gravis

January 18, 2023

Although autoantibody testing is critical for the diagnosis of myasthenia gravis (MG) in current clinical practice, the test can be negative in up to 10% of cases of generalized MG and up to 50% of cases of ocular MG.

Latest Anthology of Articles from the News Science Editorial Board Now Available

January 10, 2023

Each year, AANEM's News Science Editorial Board (NSEB) scours 40+ journals and write summaries of articles they find of value to them and other AANEM members. At the end of the year, they are compiled into a downloadable PDF for your convenience.

Science News: Relative Sit-to-Stand Muscle Power Predicts an Older Adult's Physical Independence at Age of 90 Yrs Beyond That of Relative Handgrip Strength, Physical Activity, and Sedentary Time: A Cross-sectional Analysis

January 05, 2023

Functional decline associated with advanced age results in significant morbidity and mortality, in addition to increased demand on healthcare systems. Models and testing to predict functional decline help healthcare systems direct resources to vulnerable individuals that are at risk of future loss of independence.