News Express

Trainee Talk: Self-Assessment Examination - Purpose, Preparation, and Performance Results

January 30, 2024

Hear from Michael Skolka, MD, NM Fellow at Mayo Clinic, as he reviews the purpose of the Self-Assessment Examination, discusses how to prepare for the exam, and describes what to do with the results when returned.

Science News: Nutritional and Metabolic Factors in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis

January 08, 2024

Weight loss and metabolic abnormalities are common in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), often preceding symptom onset and predicting poorer outcomes. Clinical studies show premorbid weight loss, low body mass index, and loss of fat mass are associated with increased ALS risk and faster progression. Metabolic alterations such as reduced adiposity and cholesterol can be detected years before symptoms arise, indicating a causal role in disease pathogenesis rather than just a consequence of impairment.

Trainee Talk: The Benefits of Serving on an AANEM Committee

December 26, 2023

Hear Nakul Katyal, MD, share his experience participating in an AANEM committee and the benefits his volunteering brings to his practice.

Science News: High and Persistent Anti-GM1 Antibody Titers Are Associated With Poor Clinical Recovery in Guillain-Barré Syndrome

December 22, 2023

This study investigated the relationship between the serum antibody titers of ganglioside GM1 and outcomes in patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS). Patients who met the criteria for GBS were included if hospitalized within two weeks from the onset of weakness and unable to walk 10 meters independently. Serum anti-GM1 antibody titers were collected at study enrollment and during a six-month follow-up appointment.

2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule - Physicians Urged to Act

December 11, 2023

On November 2, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued its annual 2024 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) that announces finalized policy changes for Medicare payments under the PFS effective on or after January 1, 2024. One of the biggest areas of concern is the 3.37% reduction in the Medicare conversion factor. The AMA urges physicians to take action now by contacting lawmakers and advocating they cancel the 2024 cut and fix the unsustainable Medicare physician payment system.

Science News: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Oncology Trainees on Function and Cancer Rehabilitation Medicine

December 06, 2023

Enhancing functionality is linked to decreased morbidity and mortality among individuals living with cancer. Cancer rehabilitation medicine (CRM) emphasizes elevating functionality in this patient population. However, a notable impediment to patients availing themselves of CRM services lies in the insufficient number of referrals originating from oncology providers. Addressing this challenge necessitates an exploration of the perspectives held by oncology trainees. Unraveling their knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs concerning the significance of function and the role played by CRM is imperative. This understanding is pivotal in mitigating educational gaps and improving patients' access to rehabilitation services.

AANEM Attends AMA House of Delegates Meeting

December 05, 2023

AANEM cosponsored a resolution at the AMA’s House of Delegates (HOD) interim meeting, advocating for the crucial inclusion of the disability community and stakeholder input in discussing a significant change to the disability questions in the U.S. Census. AANEM and cosponsor American Academy of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (AAPM&R) emphasized the necessity of the disability community and stakeholder involvement before implementing the proposed changes.

Trainee Talk: The Neuromuscular Physiatrist - How PM&R Fits Into the Neuromuscular Field

November 28, 2023

With the blossoming increase of interest in neuromuscular (NM) and electrodiagnostic (EDX) medicine among PM&R residents, understanding the potential role of PM&R within these subspecialties and what PM&R can uniquely add to this field is vital. Read Drs. James Meiling, and Nassim Rad's discussion about the the NM physiatrist: How PM&R fits into the neuromuscular field.

Science News: Management Of Spastic Equinovarus Foot in Children With Cerebral Palsy: An Evaluation of Anatomical Landmarks for Selective Nerve Blocks of the Tibial Nerve Motor Branches

November 28, 2023

This is small observational study of 24 children aged 6-16 with cerebral palsy (CP), to define landmarks of tibial motor nerve branches for selective motor nerve blocks of the gastrocnemii, soleus and tibialis posterior muscles to manage spastic equinovarus foot.

CMS Finalizes Updates to the Physician Fee Schedule

November 13, 2023

The AANEM policy staff is diligently reviewing the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS's) final rule that includes updates to payment policies, payment rates, and more...

Science News: Serum Neurofilament Light Chain as a Reliable Biomarker of Hereditary Transthyretin-Related Amyloidosis - A Swiss Reference Center Experience

November 10, 2023

In this prospective study, the authors aimed to determine if serum neurofilament light chain (sNfL) is a reliable and early biomarker of peripheral neuropathy in hereditary transthyretin-related (hATTR) amyloidosis.

Science News: VCP-Related Myopathy: A Case Series and a Review of Literature

October 26, 2023

Valosin containing protein (VCP) controls the ubiquitin proteasome system, endolysosomal sorting, and autophagy. Frontotemporal dementia, inclusion body myopathy, and Paget’s disease of bone all have been related to dominant missense mutations in the VCP gene causing a multisystem proteinopathy. In this study, the authors describe a series of 5 patients with VCP mutations, majority with lower limb weakness with distal predominance.

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.