Cluster headache and galcanezumab: the first real-world Brazilian study and an expert consensus on its use among other treatments.

Objective: To present the first Brazilian real-world results with galcanezumab and provide a consensus expert opinion on the prophylactic treatment of cluster headache (CH) in Brazil.

Methods: The first part of the study (real-world results) was observational, prospective, uncontrolled, and descriptive. A sample of 44 consecutive patients with episodic or chronic CH were evaluated and treated in a traditional tertiary clinic from March 2020 to June 2024.

The history and rationale of the development of new drugs for migraine treatment.

Migraine is one of the most prevalent and disabling diseases in the world. Migraine attack treatments and prophylactic treatments of this disease are essential to lessen its individual, social, and economic impact. This is a narrative review of the main drugs used for treating migraine, as well as the experimental models and the theoretical frameworks that led to their development.

Brazilian autoimmune encephalitis network (BrAIN): antibody profile and clinical characteristics from a multicenter study.

Background: The frequency of antibodies in autoimmune encephalitis (AIE) may vary in different populations, however, data from developing countries are lacking. To describe the clinical profile of AIE in Brazil, and to evaluate seasonality and predictors of AIE in adult and pediatric patients.

Methods: We evaluated patients with possible AIE from 17 centers of the Brazilian Autoimmune Encephalitis Network (BrAIN) between 2018 and 2022.

Case report: Successful autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in a patient with GAD antibody-spectrum disorder with rapidly progressive dementia.

The prevalence of neurological syndromes associated with antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase is increasing. While cognitive impairment is a common feature of this condition, it seldom emerges as the primary symptom. In this study, we discuss a case of refractory dementia associated with the glutamic acid decarboxylase spectrum disorder.

Executive functions in migraine patients: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Migraine, a common neurological disease, is known to impact the quality of life of individuals with this condition. We performed a systematic review with meta-analysis to investigate the abnormalities associated with executive functions of migraineurs as compared with healthy controls. In addition, we investigated the differences between patients with and without aura.

Consensus of the Brazilian Headache Society (SBCe) for prophylactic treatment of episodic migraine: part II.

Background: Migraine affects 1 billion people worldwide and > 30 million Brazilians; besides, it is an underdiagnosed and undertreated disorder.

Objective: The need to disseminate knowledge about the prophylactic treatment of migraine is known, so the Brazilian Headache Society (SBCe, in the Portuguese acronym) appointed a committee of authors with the objective of establishing a consensus with recommendations on the prophylactic treatment of episodic migraine based on articles from the world literature as well as from personal experience.

Methods: Meetings were held entirely online, with the participation of 12 groups that reviewed and wrote about the pharmacological categories of drugs and, at the end, met to read and finish the document.

Consensus of the Brazilian Headache Society (SBCe) for the Prophylactic Treatment of Episodic Migraine: part I.

The Brazilian Headache Society (Sociedade Brasileira de Cefaleia, SBCe, in Portuguese) nominated a Committee of Authors with the aim of establishing a consensus with recommendations regarding prophylactic treatment for episodic migraine based on articles published in the worldwide literature, as well as personal experience. Migraine affects 1 billion people around the world and more than 30 million Brazilians. In addition, it is an underdiagnosed and undertreated disorder.

Prevalence of trigeminocervical convergence mechanisms in episodic and chronic migraine.

Background: Migraine pain location and trigeminocervical convergence have limited diagnostic value and have usually been assessed using non-standard verbal descriptors in a small number of centers.

Objective: To use non-verbal descriptors of migraine pain location to determine the prevalence of trigeminocervical convergence mechanisms in patients with episodic and chronic migraine. In addition, we explored the factors associated with the presence of convergence.

Use of Buspirone in the Treatment of Nonpharmacological Bruxism: About 4 Cases.

Objective: The aim of the study was to describe the efficacy of buspirone in controlling nonpharmacological awake and sleep bruxism.

Methods: Four cases of nonpharmacological awake and sleep bruxism, one of them with a 20-year-long history, in which buspirone succeeded to control bruxism, are described and discussed.

Results: Two of the 4 cases had sleep bruxism, and the other 2 cases had sleep and awake bruxism.

EEG education in Brazil: a national survey of adult neurology residents.

Background: In light of the established challenges of resident EEG education worldwide, we sought to better understand the current state of neurology resident EEG education in Brazil.

Objective: To define Brazilian EEG practices including in-residency requirements for EEG training and competency.

Methods: We assessed the perspectives of adult residents (PGY1-3) on EEG education and their level of confidence interpreting EEG with a 24-question online survey.

Efficacy and safety of levetiracetam as adjunctive therapy for refractory focal epilepsy.

Background: Epilepsy affects about 50 million people worldwide and around 30% of these patients have refractory epilepsy, with potential consequences regarding quality of life, morbidity and premature mortality.

Objective: The aim of treatment with antiseizure medications (ASMs) is to allow patients to remain without seizures, with good tolerability. Levetiracetam is a broad-spectrum ASM with a unique mechanism of action that differs it from other ASMs.

Serial Tap Test of patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: impact on cognitive function and its meaning.

Background: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) is characterized by gait disturbance, urinary incontinence and cognitive decline. Symptoms are potentially reversible and treatment is based on cerebrospinal fluid shunting. The tap test (TT) is used to identify patients that will benefit from surgery.

Wake-Up Headache Is Associated With Sleep Bruxism.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between the frequency of sleep bruxism and report of morning headaches, and associations with depression and/or anxiety.

Background: The association between sleep bruxism and headaches in the morning, and between these factors and affective disorders, has been examined in several investigations. Although headache is cited by the International Classification of Sleep Disorders as a symptom associated with sleep bruxism, only a small number of studies have investigated the association between the frequencies of headaches in the morning and bruxism.

Post-dural puncture headache incidence after cerebrospinal fluid aspiration. A prospective observational study.

Background: Post-dural puncture headache (PDPH) is an iatrogenic condition following lumbar puncture (LP). Incidence is variable and often associated with young females. Technical features of the procedure (i.

Consensus of the Brazilian Headache Society on the treatment of chronic migraine.

Chronic migraine poses a significant personal, social and economic burden and is characterized by headache present on 15 or more days per month for at least three months, with at least eight days of migrainous headache per month. It is frequently associated with analgesic or acute migraine medication overuse and this should not be overlooked. The present consensus was elaborated upon by a group of members of the Brazilian Headache Society in order to describe current evidence and to provide recommendations related to chronic migraine pharmacological and nonpharmacological treatment.

Stroke and transient ischemic attacks related to antiplatelet or warfarin interruption.

Objective: Patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet therapy are often required to discontinue these medications before and during surgical or invasive procedures. In some cases, the patient stops the treatment without medical supervision. These situations may increase stroke risk.

Gait in normal pressure hydrocephalus: characteristics and effects of the CSF tap test.

Introduction: Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), described by Hakim and Adams in 1965, is characterized by gait apraxia, urinary incontinence, and dementia. It is associated with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure and ventricular dilation that cannot be attributed to cerebral atrophy.

Objectives: To evaluate gait characteristics in patients with idiopathic NPH and investigate the effect of the CSF tap test (CSF-TT) on gait.

Efficacy and safety of eslicarbazepine acetate versus controlled-release carbamazepine monotherapy in newly diagnosed epilepsy: A phase III double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, multicenter study.

Objective: We assessed the efficacy and safety of once-daily eslicarbazepine acetate in comparison with twice-daily (BID) controlled-release carbamazepine (carbamazepine-CR) monotherapy in newly diagnosed focal epilepsy patients.

Methods: This randomized, double-blind, noninferiority trial (NCT01162460) utilized a stepwise design with 3 dose levels. Patients who remained seizure-free for the 26-week evaluation period (level A: eslicarbazepine acetate 800 mg/carbamazepine-CR 200 mg BID) entered a 6-month maintenance period.

Pooled efficacy and safety of eslicarbazepine acetate as add-on treatment in patients with focal-onset seizures: Data from four double-blind placebo-controlled pivotal phase III clinical studies.

Purpose: Pooled evaluation of the key efficacy and safety profile of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) added-on to stable antiepileptic therapy in adults with focal-onset seizures.

Methods: Data from 1703 patients enrolled in four phase III double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled studies were pooled and analyzed. Following a 2 week titration period, ESL was administered at 400 mg, 800 mg, and 1200 mg once-daily doses for 12 weeks (maintenance period).

The semiology of benign focal epilepsy with affective symptoms.

Benign focal epilepsy with affective symptoms (BFEAS) is a rare childhood epilepsy syndrome essentially characterized by "epileptic attacks with affective symptoms of a terrifying type". Since the original description, approximately 50 cases have been reported. To our knowledge, however, none of the studies included video-EEG data.