Publications by authors named "Martin Rakusa"

Cardiac arrest remains one of the leading causes of death. After successful resuscitation of patients in cardiac arrest, post-cardiac arrest syndrome develops, part of it being an impaired cerebral blood flow autoregulation. Monitoring cerebral blood flow autoregulation after cardiac arrest is important for optimizing patient care and prognosticating patients' survival, yet remains a challenge.

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Background And Purpose: In October 2020, the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) consensus statement for management of patients with neurological diseases during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic was published. Due to important changes and developments that have happened since then, the need has arisen to critically reassess the original recommendations and address new challenges.

Methods: In step 1, the original items were critically reviewed by the EAN COVID-19 Task Force.

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Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has made its mark on world history forever causing millions of deaths, and straining health systems, economies, and societies worldwide. The European Academy of Neurology (EAN) reacted promptly. A special NeuroCOVID-19 Task Force was set up at the beginning of the pandemic to promote knowledge, research, international collaborations, and raise awareness about the prevention and treatment of COVID-19-related neurological issues.

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Background And Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted health systems worldwide. Here, we assessed the pandemic's impact on clinical service, curricular training, and financial burden from a neurological viewpoint during the enforced lockdown periods and the assumed recovery by 2023.

Methods: An online 18-item survey was conducted by the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) NeuroCOVID-19 Task Force among the EAN community.

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Background: We assessed the prevalence and risks associated with pain during and after a multiple sclerosis (MS) relapse, and the impact of pain on quality of life (QoL), in MS patients.

Methods: 117 patients suffering an acute MS relapse were evaluated with clinician- and patient-reported outcomes, including the expanded disability status scale (EDSS), Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale (MSIS-29), and MS Walking scale-12 (MSWS-12). Relapse-related pain was assessed via the short-form 36 (SF-36) questionnaire upon first visit (relapse onset) and at 6 weeks after treatment with intravenous methylprednisolone (follow-up visit).

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Introduction: Our trial (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04246619) evaluates the efficacy of two generic medications, pregabalin and duloxetine, for treating pain in PDPN patients.

Methods: The patients were randomised either into the pregabalin (99) or the duloxetine (102) arm.

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Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Neurophysiological markers such as electroencephalography (EEG) and event-related potential (ERP) are emerging as alternatives to traditional molecular and imaging markers. This paper aimed to review the literature on EEG and ERP markers in individuals with SCD.

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Background And Purpose: Neurology residency programmes, which were first established at the beginning of the 20th century, have become mandatory all over Europe in the last 40-50 years. The first European Training Requirements in Neurology (ETRN) were published in 2005 and first updated in 2016. This paper reports the most recent revisions of the ETRN.

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Background And Purpose: In these guidelines, we aimed to develop evidence-based recommendations for the use of screening questionnaires and diagnostic tests in patients with neuropathic pain (NeP).

Methods: We systematically reviewed studies providing information on the sensitivity and specificity of screening questionnaires, and quantitative sensory testing, neurophysiology, skin biopsy, and corneal confocal microscopy. We also analysed how functional neuroimaging, peripheral nerve blocks, and genetic testing might provide useful information in diagnosing NeP.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study compares traumatic brain injury (TBI) patient characteristics and outcomes before and during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, revealing significant differences in patient care and injury impact.
  • Analysis of medical records showed a decrease in mild TBI cases during the pandemic and an increase in high falls, along with changes in serum ethanol levels and discharge outcomes.
  • The findings highlight that the pandemic affected the frequency, causes, and consequences of TBI, indicating a need for improved patient care strategies in future situations.
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Article Synopsis
  • Parkinson's disease guidelines do not provide specific criteria for when genetic testing should be performed.
  • A study involving 149 early-onset and familial PD patients assessed the effectiveness of genetic testing through exome sequencing and gene panel analysis.
  • The findings suggest that genetic testing is beneficial for both early-onset and familial PD patients, with an expected clinical yield of around 10% in Caucasian populations.
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Objective: This study assessed the impact of cancer-related neuropathic pain (CRNP) on patients and the importance of the patient-healthcare professional (HCP) relationship in diagnosis and management.

Methods: A quantitative online survey was conducted involving adult patients from 13 European countries who had been diagnosed with treatable cancer and experienced symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Results: Of 24,733 screened respondents, 549 eligible persons met the inclusion criteria and completed the questionnaire.

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Objectives: Although cognitive impairment is common in people with epilepsy, it is often neglected in outpatient clinics. MoCA is a simple and reliable test, which was validated for the cognitive screening of Alzheimer's and vascular dementia. The aim of our study was to evaluate MoCA as a tool for a cognitive screening of people with epilepsy.

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Parkinson's disease (PD) is generally associated with abnormally increased beta band oscillations in the cortico-basal ganglia loop during walking. PD patients with freezing of gait (FOG) exhibit a more distinct, prolonged narrow band of beta oscillations that are locked to the initiation of movement at ∼18 Hz. Upon initiation of cycling movements, this oscillation has been reported to be weaker and rather brief in duration.

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Background: Neurological disorders pose a profound unmet medical need for which new solutions are urgently needed. The consideration of both biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences between men and women is necessary to identify more efficacious, safer and tailored treatments. Approaches for putting sex and gender medicine into practice have gathered momentum across Europe, but it is currently unclear to what extent they have been implemented in the field of neurology and neuroscience.

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Background And Purpose: Health risks associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection are undisputed. Moreover, the capability of vaccination to prevent symptomatic, severe, and fatal COVID-19 is recognized. There is also early evidence that vaccination can reduce the chance for long COVID-19.

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Background And Purpose: Rare diseases affect up to 29 million people in the European Union, and almost 50% of them affect the nervous system or muscles. Delays in diagnosis and treatment onset and insufficient treatment choices are common. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) may improve the diagnosis and treatment of patients and optimize care pathways, delivering the best scientific evidence to all clinicians treating these patients.

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Introduction: We examined the association between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-derived biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in older non-demented adults.

Methods: We included 784 persons (699 cognitively unimpaired, 85 with mild cognitive impairment) aged ≥ 50 years who underwent CSF amyloid beta (Aβ42), hyperphosphorylated tau 181 (p-tau), and total tau (t-tau) as well as NPS assessment using Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories (BDI-II, BAI), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q).

Results: Lower CSF Aβ42, and higher t-tau/Aβ42 and p-tau/Aβ42 ratios were associated with BDI-II and BAI total scores, clinical depression (BDI-II ≥ 13), and clinical anxiety (BAI ≥ 10), as well as NPI-Q-assessed anxiety, apathy, and nighttime behavior.

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People with epilepsy frequently have cognitive impairment. The majority of cognitive problems is influenced by a variety of interlinked factors, including the early onset of epilepsy and the frequency, intensity and duration of seizures, along with the anti-epileptic drug treatment. With a systematic review, we investigate significant factors about the cognitive impairment in epilepsy.

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Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of neurodegenerative dementia where the most prominent cognitive impairment is memory loss. Screening tests are valuable tools for detecting cognitive impairment. One such test is the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) which consists of 11 tasks.

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Objectives: Sleep-wake disorders are common in the general population and in most neurological disorders but are often poorly recognized. With the hypothesis that neurologists do not get sufficient training during their residency, the Young European Sleep Neurologist Association (YESNA) of the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) performed a survey on postgraduate sleep education.

Methods: A 16-item questionnaire was developed and distributed among neurologists and residents across European countries.

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Article Synopsis
  • - The ADAMANT trial studied AADvac1, a new vaccine targeting abnormal tau protein in Alzheimer’s disease, administered as 11 doses to patients with mild dementia over 24 months, focusing on safety, tolerability, and effectiveness.
  • - A total of 196 participants were enrolled, with AADvac1 found to be safe and well tolerated, showing some adverse events but lower serious cases compared to placebo.
  • - Although the vaccine stimulated a strong immune response, there were no significant improvements in cognitive function or clinical outcomes across the entire study group, indicating a need for more extensive research in specific subgroups to assess its efficacy.
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Background: Opioid use for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is under debate. In the absence of pan-European guidance on this issue, a position paper was commissioned by the European Pain Federation (EFIC).

Methods: The clinical practice recommendations were developed by eight scientific societies and one patient self-help organization under the coordination of EFIC.

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Background: Opioid use for chronic non-cancer pain (CNCP) is complex. In the absence of pan-European guidance on this issue, a position paper was commissioned by the European Pain Federation (EFIC).

Methods: The clinical practice recommendations were developed by eight scientific societies and one patient self-help organization under the coordination of EFIC.

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