Presumed acquired neuromyotonia of unknown cause in a cat with hyperthyroidism.

Case Summary: A 16-year-old spayed female domestic shorthair cat with methimazole-treated hyperthyroidism presented with a chronic progressive history of a stiff gait progressing to recumbency. A neurological examination revealed continuous excessive muscle tone with myokymia, which exacerbated with exercise and persisted during general anaesthesia. An electromyographic study revealed myokymic discharges in all tested muscles, as well as complex repetitive discharges, fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves.

Contribution of neurophysiology to the diagnosis and monitoring of ALS.

This chapter describes the role of neurophysiological techniques in diagnosing and monitoring amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Despite many advances, electromyography (EMG) remains a keystone investigation from which to build support for a diagnosis of ALS, demonstrating the pathophysiological processes of motor unit hyperexcitability, denervation and reinnervation. We consider development of the different diagnostic criteria and the role of EMG therein.

Whole-body fasciculation detection in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using motor unit MRI.

Objective: Compare fasciculation rates between amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and healthy controls in body regions relevant for diagnosing ALS using motor unit MRI (MUMRI) at baseline and 6 months follow-up, and relate this to single-channel surface EMG (SEMG).

Methods: Tongue, biceps brachii, paraspinals and lower legs were assessed with MUMRI and biceps brachii and soleus with SEMG in 10 healthy controls and 10 patients (9 typical ALS, 1 primary lateral sclerosis [PLS]).

Results: MUMRI-detected fasciculation rates in typical ALS patients were higher compared to healthy controls for biceps brachii (2.

Multicohort cross-sectional study of cognitive and behavioural digital biomarkers in neurodegeneration: the Living Lab Study protocol.

Introduction And Aims: Digital biomarkers can provide a cost-effective, objective and robust measure for neurological disease progression, changes in care needs and the effect of interventions. Motor function, physiology and behaviour can provide informative measures of neurological conditions and neurodegenerative decline. New digital technologies present an opportunity to provide remote, high-frequency monitoring of patients from within their homes.

The safety, feasibility, and efficacy of an 18-week exercise intervention for adults with primary brain cancer - the BRACE study.

Purpose: To determine the safety, feasibility, and potential effect of an 18-week exercise intervention for adults with primary brain cancer.

Materials And Methods: Eligible patients were 12-26-weeks post-radiotherapy for brain cancer. The individually-prescribed weekly exercise was ≥150-minutes of moderate-intensity exercise, including two resistance-training sessions.

Fasciculation electromechanical latency is prolonged in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Objective: In amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), motor neurons become hyperexcitable and spontaneously discharge electrical impulses causing fasciculations. These can be detected by two noninvasive methods: high-density surface electromyography (HDSEMG) and muscle ultrasonography (MUS). We combined these methods simultaneously to explore the electromechanical properties of fasciculations, seeking a novel biomarker of disease.

A shortened surface electromyography recording is sufficient to facilitate home fasciculation assessment.

Introduction/aims: Fasciculations are an early clinical hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), amenable to detection by high-density surface electromyography (HDSEMG). In conjunction with the Surface Potential Quantification Engine (SPiQE), HDSEMG offers improved spatial resolution for the analysis of fasciculations. This study aims to establish an optimal recording duration to enable longitudinal remote monitoring in the home.

Activity and outcomes of autologous stem cell transplantation in the private sector in Australia.

Background: Few Australasian autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) programmes perform ASCT in the private sector. Relatively little is known about ASCT outcomes in the private sector, which varies in care delivery models to the public system.

Aims: To investigate transplantation activity and survival outcomes at Icon Cancer Centre's Brisbane-based private clinical and laboratory ASCT programme over a 23-year period.

The landscape of neurophysiological outcome measures in ALS interventional trials: A systematic review.

Objective: We collated all interventional clinical trials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which utilised at least one neurophysiological technique as a primary or secondary outcome measure. By identifying the strengths and limitations of these studies, we aim to guide study design in future trials.

Methods: We conducted and reported this systematic review according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.

First-recruited motor units adopt a faster phenotype in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Key Points: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is an incurable neurodegenerative disorder of motor neurons, carrying a short survival. High-density motor unit recordings permit analysis of motor unit size (amplitude) and firing behaviour (afterhyperpolarization duration and muscle fibre conduction velocity). Serial recordings from biceps brachii indicated that motor units fired faster and with greater amplitude as disease progressed.

Demystifying the spontaneous phenomena of motor hyperexcitability.

Possessing a discrete functional repertoire, the anterior horn cell can be in one of two electrophysiological states: on or off. Usually under tight regulatory control by the central nervous system, a hierarchical network of these specialist neurons ensures muscular strength is coordinated, gradated and adaptable. However, spontaneous activation of these cells and their axons can result in abnormal muscular twitching.

Developing clinical indicators for oncology: the inaugural cancer care indicator set for the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards.

Introduction: The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards (ACHS) sponsored an expert-led, consensus-driven, four-stage process, based on a modified Delphi methodology, to determine a set of clinical indicators as quality measures of cancer service provision in Australia. This was done in response to requests from institutional health care providers seeking accreditation, which were additional and complementary to the existing radiation oncology set. The steering group members comprised multidisciplinary key opinion leaders and a consumer representative.

Physical activity and exercise in adults diagnosed with primary brain cancer: a systematic review.

Purpose: The aims of this systematic review were to: (1) describe physical activity (PA) levels following diagnosis of primary brain cancer, (2) determine the relationship between PA levels and health outcomes, and (3) assess the effect of participating in an exercise intervention on health outcomes following a diagnosis of brain cancer.

Methods: PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus and CINAHL were searched for relevant articles published prior to May 1, 2020. Studies reporting levels of PA, the relationship between PA and health outcomes, and exercise interventions conducted in adults with brain cancer were eligible.

The Magnet Is Sometimes "Off"-Practical Strategies for Optimizing Challenging Musculoskeletal MR Imaging.

To describe practical solutions to the unique technical challenges of musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging, including off-isocenter imaging, artifacts from motion and metal prostheses, small field-of-view imaging, and non-conventional scan angles and slice positioning. Unique challenges of musculoskeletal magnetic resonance imaging require a collaborative approach involving radiologists, physicists, and technologists utilizing optimized magnetic resonance protocols, specialized coils, and unique patient positioning, in order to reliably diagnose critical musculoskeletal MR image findings.

Non-invasive measurement of fasciculation frequency demonstrates diagnostic accuracy in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Delayed diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis prevents early entry into clinical trials at a time when neuroprotective therapies would be most effective. Fasciculations are an early hallmark of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, preceding muscle weakness and atrophy. To assess the potential diagnostic utility of fasciculations measured by high-density surface electromyography, we carried out 30-min biceps brachii recordings in 39 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, 7 patients with benign fasciculation syndrome, 1 patient with multifocal motor neuropathy and 17 healthy individuals.

Fasciculation analysis reveals a novel parameter that correlates with predicted survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Introduction: Prognostic uncertainty in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) confounds clinical management planning, patient counseling, and trial stratification. Fasciculations are an early clinical hallmark of disease and can be quantified noninvasively. Using an innovative analytical method, we correlated novel fasciculation parameters with a predictive survival model.

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis from a Randomized Controlled Trial of Tailored Exercise Prescription for Women with Breast Cancer with 8-Year Follow-Up.

Studies show conflicting results on whether exercise interventions to improve outcomes for women with breast cancer are cost-effective. We modelled the long-term cost-effectiveness of the intervention compared with usual care. A lifetime Markov cohort model for women with early breast cancer was constructed taking a societal perspective.