Association Between Duration of Transient Neurological Events and Diffusion-Weighted Brain Lesions.

Background The relationship between duration of transient neurological events and presence of diffusion-weighted lesions by symptom type is unclear. Methods and Results This was a substudy of SpecTRA (Spectrometry for Transient Ischemic Attack Rapid Assessment), a multicenter prospective cohort of patients with minor ischemic cerebrovascular events or stroke mimics at academic emergency departments in Canada. For this study we included patients with resolved symptoms and determined the presence of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesion on magnetic resonance imaging within 7 days.

White Matter Hyperintensity Volume Influences Symptoms in Patients Presenting With Minor Neurological Deficits.

Background and Purpose- Acute minor neurological deficits are a common complaint in the emergency department and differentiation of transient ischemic attack/minor stroke from a stroke mimic is difficult. We sought to assess the ability of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) volume to aid the diagnosis in such patients. Methods- This is a post hoc analysis of the previously published SpecTRA study (Spectrometry in TIA Rapid Assessment) of adult patients that presented to the emergency department with acute minor neurological deficits between December 2013 and March 2017.

Systolic blood pressure as a predictor of transient ischemic attack/minor stroke in emergency department patients under age 80: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Elevated blood pressure (BP) at emergency department (ED) presentation and advancing age have been associated with risk of ischemic stroke; however, the relationship between BP, age, and transient ischemic attack/minor stroke (TIA/MS) is not clear.

Methods: A multi-site, prospective, observational study of 1084 ED patients screened for suspected TIA/MS (symptom onset < 24 h, NIHSS< 4) between December 2013 and April 2016. Systolic and diastolic BP measurements (SBP, DBP) were taken at ED presentation.

Sex Differences in Presentation and Outcome After an Acute Transient or Minor Neurologic Event.

Importance: Sex differences have been described in the presentation, care, and outcomes among people with acute ischemic strokes, but these differences are less understood for minor ischemic cerebrovascular events. The present study hypothesized that, compared with men, women are more likely to report nonfocal symptoms and to receive a stroke mimic diagnosis.

Objective: To evaluate sex differences in the symptoms, diagnoses, and outcomes of patients with acute transient or minor neurologic events.

Validation of a proteomic biomarker panel to diagnose minor-stroke and transient ischaemic attack: phase 2 of SpecTRA, a large scale translational study.

Objective: To validate our previously developed 16 plasma-protein biomarker panel to differentiate between transient ischaemic attack (TIA) and non-cerebrovascular emergency department (ED) patients.

Method: Two consecutive cohorts of ED patients prospectively enrolled at two urban medical centers into the second phase of SpecTRA study (training, cohort 2A, n = 575; test, cohort 2B, n = 528). Plasma samples were analyzed using liquid chromatography/multiple reaction monitoring-mass spectrometry.

Verification of a proteomic biomarker panel to diagnose minor stroke and transient ischaemic attack: phase 1 of SpecTRA, a large scale translational study.

Objective: To derive a plasma biomarker protein panel from a list of 141 candidate proteins which can differentiate transient ischaemic attack (TIA)/minor stroke from non-cerebrovascular (mimic) conditions in emergency department (ED) settings.

Design: Prospective clinical study (#NCT03050099) with up to three timed blood draws no more than 36 h following symptom onset. Plasma samples analysed by multiple reaction monitoring-mass spectrometry (MRM-MS).

Differential Proteomics for Distinguishing Ischemic Stroke from Controls: a Pilot Study of the SpecTRA Project.

A diagnostic blood test for stroke is desirable but will likely require multiple proteins rather than a single "troponin." Validating large protein panels requires large patient numbers. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a cost-effective tool for this task.

Acute necrotizing myopathy of intensive care: electrophysiological studies.

A series of recent reports have identified cases of a quadriplegic myopathy characterized by myofiber necrosis and loss of myosin filaments associated with the use of nondepolarizing muscle blocking agents and glucocorticoids. We report electrophysiological findings in 7 intensive care unit patients who developed evidence of an acute myopathy in association with the use of nondepolarizing muscle blocking agents. Several important features were identified: (i) a neuromuscular transmission deficit was observed in 3 patients up to 7 days following withdrawal of vecuronium; (ii) motor M potentials were of low amplitude, there was mild abnormal spontaneous activity on needle electromyography, and sensory conduction was relatively preserved; (iii) not all patients received glucocorticoids or were asthmatic; (iv) 2 patients given vecuronium had very high creatine kinase levels and developed acute renal failure associated with myoglobinuria; and (v) rises in motor M potentials accompanied clinical recovery.

CA3 neuron excitation and epileptiform discharge are sensitive to osmolality.

1. The clinical signs of rapidly developing overhydration commonly include generalized tonic-clonic seizure, which can be combatted by raising plasma osmolality. How cortical neurons respond to osmotic imbalance has been addressed only recently.