The task force of the Parkinson Study Group Cognitive/Psychiatric Working Group has recommended the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as the most suitable tool to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (Chou et al. Mov Disord 2010; 25: 2501-2507). The task force further recommended that the MoCA be employed in clinical trials of PD where the primary outcome is not cognitive performance.
Neurology
The J-curve: is lower BP better?
February 23, 2011The Joint National Committee on Prevention,Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure(JNC-7) recommends aggressive blood pressure lowering to prevent cardiovascular outcomes (Chobanian et al. JAMA 2003; 289: 2560-2572; free full text at http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/reprint/289/19/2560?ijkey=c099fcb433c2980de606feca9dfb451112a828ed). In its classification scheme, JNC-7 regards BP < 120/80 to be normotensive, and systolic BP 120-139 mmHg or diastolic BP 80-89 mmHg to be pre-hypertensive. The increasing risk of cardiovascular events is considered to be continuous above 115/75 mmHg.
Migraine prevalence stable: Canadian survey
February 9, 2011The Canadian Women and Migraine Survey reports that the 26% prevalence of migraine in Canada is stable since its last report in 1994 (Cooke & Becker. Can J Neurol Sci 2010; 37: 580-587).
Parkinson’s disease and melanoma: no genetic link
February 9, 2011While a number of studies have suggested that Parkinson’s disease and melanoma frequently co-occur, a new study has reported that no genetic link could be found between the diseases.
Poor reporting of antiepileptic side effects in children
January 26, 2011A systematic analysis of antiepileptic drug trials has concluded that safety data for pediatric patients is not adequately reported (Anderson & Choonara. Arch Dis Child 2010; 95: 731-738).