The Natural Course of Unruptured Cerebral Aneurysms in a Japanese Cohort

The natural history of unruptured cerebral aneurysms has not been clearly defined. Methods From January 2001 through April 2004, we enrolled patients with newly identified, unruptured cerebral aneurysms in Japan. Information on the rupture of aneurysms, deaths, and the results of periodic follow-up examinations were recorded. We included 5720 patients 20 years of age or…

FDA OKs Lyrica for Spinal Cord Injury

By Cole Petrochko, Associate Staff Writer, MedPage Today Published: June 21, 2012 The FDA has approved adding use in treatment of spinal cord injury to the indications for the neuropathic pain drug pregabalin (Lyrica). The new indication makes pregabalin the first FDA-approved treatment for neuropathic pain from spinal cord injury, according to a statement from drug…

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Chronic Daily Headache in U.S. Soldiers After Concussion

Objective.— To determine the prevalence and characteristics of, and factors associated with, chronic daily headache (CDH) in U.S. soldiers after a deployment-related concussion. Methods.— A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted with a cohort of 978 U.S. soldiers who screened positive for a deployment-related concussion upon returning from Iraq or Afghanistan. All soldiers underwent a clinical…

Botulinum Toxin A for Chronic Migraine?

In a meta-analysis, benefits were modest. Botulinum toxin A is approved for prophylactic treatment of chronic migraine (≥15 headaches per month). The recommended regimen — 31 injections at specified sites in head and neck muscles — may be repeated at 12-week intervals. In a meta-analysis, researchers examined the effectiveness of botulinum toxin A prophylaxis for…

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CPAP May Ease Depression

By Ed Susman, Contributing Writer, MedPage Today Published: June 14, 2012. Reviewed by Zalman S. Agus, MD; Emeritus Professor, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Dorothy Caputo, MA, BSN, RN, Nurse Planner Obstructive sleep apnea patients who use — or even try to use — continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) devices appear to reduce…

Medtronic Pain Therapies

Medtronic offers a wide range of neurostimulation and Targeted Drug Delivery products to fit the unique needs of each individual patient. Neurostimulation Targeted Drug Delivery MRI Labeling Neurostimulation Neurostimulation therapy consists of an implantable system that delivers small electrical signals via a lead implanted in the epidural space. Pain signals are inhibited before they reach…

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Bold Surgery Needed in Mutant Astrocytomas – Brain Cancer

CHICAGO – Patients diagnosed with a mutant type of astrocytic glioma should have aggressive surgery to resect as much tumor as possible because these individuals may be able to achieve long-term survival, researchers said here. In patients identified with the IDH1-mutation and who had less than 2 cc of residual tumor, survival was greater than…

RLS Drug Gets New Indication – in Public Health & Policy

By Cole Petrochko, Associate Staff Writer, MedPage Today WASHINGTON — The FDA has approved the restless legs syndrome drug gabapentin enacarbil (Horizant) to treat postherpetic neuralgia. The drug is administered in one 600 mg dose for the first 3 days of treatment, followed by 600 mg doses twice daily on day four and onward, a statement…

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More Evidence Dark Chocolate Is Cardioprotective

The blood pressure–lowering and lipid effects of dark chocolate could be an effective — and money-saving — strategy for preventing cardiovascular events in high-risk patients, a new study suggests. “The findings of this study suggest that the blood pressure lowering and lipid effects of plain dark chocolate could represent an effective and cost effective strategy…

Is Coconut Oil Effective for Alzheimer Disease?

Response from Gayle Nicholas Scott, PharmD Assistant Professor, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk, Virginia; Clinical Pharmacist, Chesapeake Regional Medical Center, Chesapeake, Virginia Coconut oil and a related medical food, Axona® (Accera, Inc; Broomfield, Colorado), are being promoted as treatments for Alzheimer disease (AD). Obtained from the kernel of the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera),[1] coconut oil…