Author: David Zagzag

The most complex yet vital organ in the body remains at the forefront of cutting-edge research and new treatment aims. From the young to the old, maintaining, preserving, and improving neurological function in patients depends on groundbreaking discoveries.

Dr. David Zagzag says scientists remain committed to pushing the boundaries of neurological medicine, as the following stories from the world of neurology detail.

Resilience to Alzheimer’s Linked to Proteins

The origins of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia remain unknown; while it’s true that certain lifestyle and genetic factors certainly play a part, research has long been focused on why certain ‘resilient’ members of the older population live well into old age with no cognitive impairment.

However, recent studies suggest that certain peptides (strings of amino acids that make up proteins) may be more adept at warding off cognitive impairment. While the studies require further research and a wider range of patient samples, early results are promising, and could provide a signpost for future drug and treatment discoveries to stave off the onset of degenerative neurological disorders.

Prestigious Scientific Award Received by Stephen Hauser, MD

Thanks to a career committed to understanding the cause of, and treatments for, multiple sclerosis (MS), Dr. Stephen Hauser MD, Professor of Neurology at the Weill Institute for Neurosciences, has been awarded the Scientific Breakthrough Award.

The award is given to those in the fields of research whose findings have contributed meaningful breakthroughs in neurological research. It is being presented to Dr. Hauser for an illustrious 40-year career, in which he has dedicated his time to developing therapies to tackle MS and improve life expectancy.

…but Work in the Field of MS is Still Required

While scientists continue to make medical advances, as in the case of Dr. Hauser, the increasing number of people being diagnosed with MS is wreaking havoc on the American economy, according to ScienceDaily.

An estimate of $85.4 billion dollars has been given as the cost not only for treating the disease, but for the support of those unable to work due to its effects. With over 1 million people suffering from varying levels of MS, focus must remain on treatment and management, as there is no current cure.

Population growth and a lack of cure in the future will mean the figures for both patients and financial impact of the disease will swell by a further 20% by 2039, compounding a fiscal burden to a need for a cure.

Celebrity Aphasia Diagnosis Raising Awareness of the Disease

When veteran actor Bruce Willis announced at the beginning of April that he was retiring from acting due to aphasia, millions around the world searched online for more information on this brain disorder.

Characterized by language disturbance (reading, writing, speaking, and comprehension) aphasia is often more of a symptom rather than a condition. It can be caused by a variety of pathological conditions including an infection in the brain, a stroke, a brain tumor or be part of the symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

It is not known whether Bruce Willis is suffering from any of the above in connection with his aphasia, but despite his concerning diagnosis, his open acknowledgement of its impact on his life is doing much to raise awareness.

Hope for Migraine Sufferers

In the knowledge that 12% of the planet suffers at some point with migraines, it makes sense that work continues in the hope of finding treatment for this debilitating neurological disorder.

And now, scientists in Iran have conducted a study in which they treated 80 patients with the drugs Venlafaxine (VLF) and Amitriptyline (AMT). Both drugs are usually used to treat severe depression: Venlafaxine is an SNRI (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor), and Amitriptyline a tricyclic.

However, both medications can also be used in the treatment of severe pain, and the study, carried out with a selection of patients who regularly suffer from migraines, has shown some positive results.

Despite being in its early stages, symptoms monitored both before and after the administration of one of the drugs resulted in definite clinical benefits from both AMT and VLF.

Interestingly, while 57%, therefore a larger share, of the group involved in the study were female, it was found that male patients responded better to treatment, resulting in fewer instances of migraine, with less intensity in symptoms and shorter duration times of attacks.

While the two drugs showed impressive results, it is thought that VLF may be a preferable drug to most physicians given that they prompted fewer side effects; AMT-treated participants reported more instances of insomnia and drowsiness.

Remember:

Always consult with a qualified and licensed physician. The content and information on this website is not intended to be a substitute or to replace professional medical advice for accurate diagnosis or appropriate treatment. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained herein with other sources, not to rely on this website for emergency medical treatment and to carefully review the information provided with their professional health care provider. In short, this website is not an attempt to or should not be used to make a diagnosis, to replace or to overrule a qualified health care provider’s judgment.

References

1. https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/topics/general-neurology/cognitive-resilience-proteins-brain-health-older-adults/
2. https://journals.lww.com/neurotodayonline/blog/breakingnews/pages/post.aspx?PostID=1231
3. https://www.neurologyadvisor.com/topics/migraine-and-headache/amitriptyline-venlafaxine-migraine-attacks-severity-frequency/
4. https://www.ucsf.edu/news/2022/04/422561/ucsf-neurologist-receive-prestigious-scientific-award
5. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2022/04/220413161815.htm
6. https://news.miami.edu/stories/2022/03/neurology-specialist-addresses-aphasia,-the-illness-affecting-bruce-willis.html
7. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30909217/#:~:text=We%20defined%20cognitive%20resilience%20as,or%20other%20causes%20before%20death.

Disclaimer: Always consult with a qualified and licensed physician. The content and information on this website is not intended to be a substitute or to replace professional medical advice for accurate diagnosis or appropriate treatment. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained herein with other sources, not to rely on this website for emergency medical treatment and to carefully review the information provided with their professional health care provider. In short this website is not an attempt to or should not be used to make a diagnosis, to replace or to overrule a qualified health care provider’s judgment.

Your primary care doctor can treat many things, but sometimes they will recommend that you see a neurologist for specialized treatment. A neurologist is trained to identify potential neurological conditions and prescribe treatment plans for you.

Here Dr. David Zagzag offers a few reasons why your doctor may tell you to meet with a neurologist.

1. Headaches

Experiencing a headache from time to time is nothing out of the ordinary, and can be caused by any number of things like a sinus infection, toothache, or stress. They tend to subside within a few minutes or hours, but more serious headaches have severe symptoms that you should keep an eye on.

If you experience migraines multiple times a week that is accompanied by vomiting, continuous pain that worsens over time, changes in vision, or even seizures, alert your doctor immediately. Headaches that occur while waking up can be especially significant and warrant calling your physician. You could be at risk of an aneurysm or stroke in extreme cases, which can cause severe damage to the brain.

2. Chronic Pain and Weakness

Aches and pains are part of life, but what do you do when they don’t go away? Over time, the body will mend itself naturally, but there are circumstances when dull, or even throbbing, pains remain for months or years.

While initially the result of an injury or illness that should fade over time, it should be brought to the attention of your doctor when recovery exceeds the anticipated time frame.

If you experience new or worsened pain accompanied by weakness, numbness, and bowel movement difficulties, make an appointment with your doctor.

3. Movement and Vision Problems

New or worsened difficulty moving or seeing is cause for concern and one of the main symptoms neurologists treat. This can happen when cells in the brain become impaired or die off. Tremors, stiffness, and failing coordination can signal that your brain isn’t producing enough dopamine to control your movements, leading to Parkinson’s disease.

You may suffer from blurred vision or bouts of vision loss in part or in full.

A neurologist will be able to assess you for Parkinson’s disease and rule out any other conditions that may be harming your overall health.

4. Seizures

A seizure is a physical response to the electrical impulses in the brain when they burst, creating an uncontrolled spread of electrical activity.

Brain maps have shown that seizures affect the area of the brain responsible for memory formation, meaning that a sudden increase in confusion or memory loss is a reason to consult your doctor as soon as possible.

Experiencing seizures can go unnoticed, or it can cause major trauma to the brain. A neurologist can diagnose the cause of the issue and begin treatment afterward.

5. Sleep Problems

There are many causes for sleep problems, but neurological concerns are the most threatening. Conditions like sleep apnea and anxiety can lead to further issues if left untreated. While some symptoms are not related to a neurological disorder, such as excessive nightmares, it’s imperative to consult your doctor to rule out any potential conditions you are unaware of.

If your symptoms are severe, your doctor may recommend that you see a neurologist for proper treatment. You may need to be treated for narcolepsy or insomnia, or prescribed other sleep-aiding medicines to reduce the strain on your brain and body.

Consult Your Doctor

These are all potential signs of neurological concerns that need to be addressed quickly to assess the state of your health. While these conditions may sound concerning, a neurologist will determine the cause of the problem and begin treatment to eradicate the issue as soon as possible.

Disclaimer

Always consult with a qualified and licensed physician. The content and information on this website is not intended to be a substitute or to replace professional medical advice for accurate diagnosis or appropriate treatment. Readers are encouraged to confirm the information contained herein with other sources, not to rely on this website for emergency medical treatment and to carefully review the information provided with their professional health care provider. In short this website is not an attempt to or should not be used to make a diagnosis, to replace or to overrule a qualified health care provider’s judgment.