Detection of virus-specific T cells via ELISpot corroborates early diagnosis in human Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) encephalitis.

Background: Within endemic regions in southern and eastern Germany, Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) causes rare zoonotic spill-over infections in humans, leading to encephalitis with a high case-fatality risk. So far, intra-vitam diagnosis has mainly been based on RT-qPCR from cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serology, both being associated with diagnostic challenges. Whilst low RNA copy numbers in CSF limit the sensitivity of RT-qPCR from this material, seroconversion often occurs late during the course of the disease.

Forest Therapy as a Nature-Based Intervention: An Option for Neurological Rehabilitation?

Background: Forest therapy demonstrates positive effects on mood, immune system, stress levels, and general well-being. Studies on depression, stress-related illnesses, sleep disorders, and arterial hypertension have provided evidence-based proof of this.

Summary: The aim of this review was to examine the possible effects of forest therapy with regard to its evidence in the treatment of chronic neurological diseases such as stroke in the rehabilitation phase, Parkinson's disease, dementia, and multiple sclerosis.

Corticosteroids in patients with vestibular neuritis: An updated meta-analysis.

Vestibular neuritis is a common neuro-otological entity. Therapeutically, corticosteroids are advised, although the evidence is limited. The objective of this review is to update meta-analyses of clinical trials that address the question of whether patients with vestibular neuritis treated with corticosteroids show better recovery than control patients.

LGI-1 encephalopathy following ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination.

A 71-year-old male patient was diagnosed with LGI1 encephalopathy 4 weeks following a first ChAdOx1 nCov-19 vaccination. Extensive work-up including analysis of CSF and PET examination did not reveal a tangible cause so that a vaccine-associated encephalopathy was considered as differential diagnosis. Under steroid treatment, the faciobrachial dystonic seizures subsided.

My oldest stroke patient.

We report the benign clinical course of a 'hand knob' stroke syndrome in a 106-year-old man and discuss some issues that arise when caring for the very oldest of the old.

Dexamethasone in Patients with Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage: An Updated Meta-Analysis.

Background: Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a frequent cerebrovascular disorder and still associated with high mortality and poor clinical outcomes. The purpose of this review was to update a 15-year-old former meta-analysis on randomized clinical trials (RCTs) addressing the question of whether ICH patients treated with dexamethasone have better outcomes than controls.

Methods: The electronic databases PubMed, SCOPUS, and Cochrane as well as web platforms on current clinical trials were searched for the years 1970-2020 without constriction on language.

Dressing Apraxia as Initial Manifestation of Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease.

Background: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a rare prion disease characterized by rapidly progressive dementia.

Case Report: A 76-year-old woman exhibited pronounced signs and symptoms of dressing apraxia for about seven weeks before the disease progressed and probable CJD was diagnosed supported by imaging and CSF findings.

Discussion: Dressing apraxia as the initial manifestation of CJD has been sparsely reported.

The Diagnosis and Treatment of Idiopathic Facial Paresis (Bell's Palsy).

Background: Peripheral facial nerve palsy is the most com- mon functional disturbance of a cranial nerve. 60-75% of cases are idiopathic.

Methods: This review is based on a selective literature search proceeding from the current, updated German-language guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of idiopathic facial nerve palsy.

The neuropathology of fatal encephalomyelitis in human Borna virus infection.

After many years of controversy, there is now recent and solid evidence that classical Borna disease virus 1 (BoDV-1) can infect humans. On the basis of six brain autopsies, we provide the first systematic overview on BoDV-1 tissue distribution and the lesion pattern in fatal BoDV-1-induced encephalitis. All brains revealed a non-purulent, lymphocytic sclerosing panencephalomyelitis with detection of BoDV-1-typical eosinophilic, spherical intranuclear Joest-Degen inclusion bodies.

Distinctive FDG-PET/CT Findings in Acute Neurological Hospital Care.

A compilation of 6 distinctive F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) combined with computed tomography (CT) findings in the acute setting of neurohospital care is presented. In case 1, PET/CT allowed the final diagnosis of circumscribed ischemic infarction by demonstrating a clear pattern of luxury perfusion. In case 2, diagnosis of thalamic abscess was made, whereby PET/CT demonstrated an empty zone.

Neuro-Ophthalmology at the Bedside: A Clinical Guide.

Neuro-ophthalmological signs and symptoms are common in the emergency department but are a frequent source of diagnostic uncertainties. However, neuro-ophthalmological signs often allow a precise neuro-topographical localization of the clinical problem. A practical concept is presented how to perform a neuro-ophthalmological examination at the bedside and to interpret key findings under the aspect of emergency medicine with limited resources.

Geriatric Basics for the Neurohospitalist.

Due to the increasing age of the population, neurohospitalists are more frequently caring for old and very old people. Fundamental definitions and topics related to geriatric medicine are therefore of particular importance. In this review, common issues encountered in geriatric patients hospitalized on the neurology service are discussed.