REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY (AAN) ANNUAL MEETING, PHILADELPHIA PA, APRIL 26-MAY 3, 2014 – Conversion disorder, or the development of neurological symptoms originating in psychological factors, has undergone a shift in recent years, with neurologists playing a larger role in what was once the exclusive domain of psychiatrists.

When characterized as hysterical neurosis, the emphasis was on the psychogenic basis of symptoms. However, in the current iteration of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-5), the importance of changes in the functioning of the nervous system has been underlined. Thus, Conversion Disorder may also be considered as a Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder in DSM-V, and a critical component of diagnosis is a neurological exam that excludes organic signs and identifies positive signs of a functional disorder. One challenge, however, is that there are numerous clinical signs for functional neurological symptoms, but few of these have been validated (for a systematic review see Daum et al. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2014;85:180-190). Read More

REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY (AAN) ANNUAL MEETING, PHILADELPHIA PA, APRIL 26-MAY 3, 2014 – A new phase II study reports that a novel dry-powder formulation of inhaled levodopa, CVT-301, may be useful for rapid improvement in motor function during Off periods (Freed et al. AAN 2014; abstract S7.007). Read More

REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY (AAN) ANNUAL MEETING, PHILADELPHIA PA, APRIL 26-MAY 3, 2014 – Preliminary results are available for two novel MS therapies that are currently in development. Read More

REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY (AAN) ANNUAL MEETING, PHILADELPHIA PA, APRIL 26-MAY 3, 2014 – There is an increasing body of evidence suggesting that neurofilament (NFL) protein is a useful biomarker of axonal injury. The latest study examined the prognostic value of NFL in survivors of cardiac arrest (Rosen et al. AAN 2014; abstract P1.101). Read More