News Express

Late-Onset Neuromuscular Disease Consortium Founded to Improve Care for Adults Across Neuromuscular Conditions

November 29, 2022

Recognizing an opportunity to better serve people living with rare neuromuscular conditions diagnosed in adulthood, the American Neuromuscular Foundation (ANF) founded the Late-Onset Neuromuscular Disease Consortium (LONDC) to facilitate collaboration across advocacy organizations, academia, clinical practice, industry, and other stakeholders.

Remembering George Kraft, MD, MS

November 20, 2022

AANEM Past President George Kraft, MD, MS, passed away on Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

Science News: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Noninvasive Positive Pressure Ventilatory Support: "Nasal Noninvasive Ventilation" or "Noninvasive Ventilatory Support"?

November 13, 2022

This article proposes a trial of noninvasive ventilatory support as an alternative to tracheostomy in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Studies have shown brief statistical benefit of nasal noninvasive ventilation; however, this strategy may not be able to normalize carbon dioxide (CO2), leading to hypercapnia and therefore eventually to CO2 narcosis, intubation, and tracheostomy.

CMS Finalizes Updates to Physician Fee Schedule

November 13, 2022

On November 1, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule that includes updates to payment policies, payment rates, and quality provisions for services furnished under the Medicare Physician Payment Schedule effective January 1, 2023. AANEM policy staff is diligently reviewing the 3,000+ page rule. Read on for highlights.

Advocacy in Action: State Liaison Leads the Way for Patient Advocacy in Washington and Beyond

October 31, 2022

Mohammad A. Saeed, MD, MS, is one of AANEM’s longest-standing state liaisons and most active members. He’s gone above and beyond meeting with congressional members on his own and building key relationships to help move AANEM’s advocacy efforts forward. Dr. Saeed invited congresswomen Marilyn Strickland (D-WA) in May 2022 and Dr. Kim Schrier (D-WA) in October 2022 to town hall events at his home in Washington to discuss current issues and focuses of Congress with their supporters and guests.

Science News: Extensor Digitorum Brevis Bulk and Associations With Fibular Motor Nerve Conduction Amplitude

October 30, 2022

Prior studies demonstrate fibular compound motor action potential (CMAP) < 4.0 mV predicts impairment of ankle proprioceptive precision and increased fall risk. The authors posit that evaluation of extensor digitorum brevis (EDB) may present a simple surrogate for CMAP amplitude. This study aims to correlate physician evaluation of EDB muscle bulk with CMAP amplitude on nerve conduction study (NCS).

FREE Webinar - What a PM&R Physician Needs to Know About Considering a Career in NM or EDX Medicine

October 27, 2022

AANEM invites medical students, residents, and early-career physiatrists to join experienced physicians at an interactive webinar to explore career options for physiatrists with a sub-specialty focus on neuromuscular (NM) and/or electrodiagnostic (EDX) medicine.

Patient Safety: Percutaneous Sharp Injuries: Primary Prevention

October 17, 2022

Patient Safety: Percutaneous Sharp Injuries: Primary Prevention

Science News: Eculizumab Versus Rituximab in Generalised Myasthenia Gravis

October 16, 2022

A small sub-group of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients is refractory to first-line immunosuppressive medications. Complement-targeted therapies are relatively new in neurological practice but gaining grounds in the landscape of MG management, particularly acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChR)-Ab positive cases.

Science News: Measurement of Excitation-Contraction Coupling Time in Critical Illness Myopathy

October 02, 2022

This study describes a novel electrophysiological method using an accelerometer to measure the excitation-contraction coupling of the soleus muscle for early diagnosis of critical illness myopathy (CIM).

World Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD) Awareness Day

September 29, 2022

World Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy (LGMD) Awareness Day

AANEM Consensus Statement Collaboration with the Heart Rhythm Society

September 13, 2022

The Heart Rhythm Society (HRS) recently published in their journal an international multidisciplinary document titled 2022 HRS Expert Consensus Statement on Evaluation and Management of Arrhythmic Risk in Neuromuscular Disorders that AANEM is pleased to have collaborated on. This document is intended to guide electrophysiologists, cardiologists, other clinicians, and health care professionals in caring for patients with arrhythmic complications of neuromuscular disorders (NMDs).

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

May 15, 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: Systemic Inflammatory Markers in Neuropathic Pain, Nerve Injury, and Recovery

May 15, 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: Effects of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Combined with Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation on Upper Extremity Motor Function in Patients with Stroke

April 28, 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: Home-Based Exercise in Autoimmune Myasthenia Gravis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

April 28, 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: Natural History of Facioscapulohumeral Dystrophy in Children: A 2-Year Follow-Up

April 18, 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

April 18, 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: Life Expectancy in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Reproduced Individual Patient Data Meta-Analysis

April 03, 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.

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

April 03, 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.