Interpreting the clinical importance of the relationship between subjective fatigue and cognitive impairment in multiple sclerosis (MS): How BICAMS performance is affected by MS-related fatigue.

Background: There is evidence that subjective fatigue can influence cognitive functioning in multiple sclerosis (MS). DeLuca et al.'s (2004) Relative Consequence Model proposes that impairments to other high-level cognitive functions, such as memory, result from the disease's effect on information processing speed.

Association between speech rate measures and cognitive function in people with relapsing and progressive multiple sclerosis.

Background: Cognitive impairments are well-documented in multiple sclerosis (MS), while speech impairments are often overlooked despite their significant effect on quality of life. For effective clinical management of multisystem conditions such as MS, consideration should be given to the interaction between deficits in multiple domains, such as speech and cognition. To evaluate speech rate measures of spontaneous and read speech, in people with MS and to examine the link between speech and cognition.

Five-year follow up of the original Irish BICAMS validation cohort.

Introduction: Cognitive impairment is common in multiple sclerosis at all stages of the condition. The natural history of cognition in multiple sclerosis has been considered to be deterioration of cognitive functioning over time. The development of the Brief International Cognitive Assessment for Multiple Sclerosis(BICAMS) has allowed standardization of a screening tool for cognitive impairment which can be easily performed in the neurology clinic.

Postural stability is a valid and meaningful disability metric in progressive MS with potential for use in neuroprotective therapy trials.

Background: Balance impairment is observed in up to 70% of people with MS (pwMS) and worsens with disease progression. Posturography using a force platform is the current gold standard in the measurement of balance. However, posturography has not been adequately studied or widely accepted for use as a disability outcome measure for pwMS.

Multiscale entropy derived complexity index analysis demonstrates significant mediolateral sway in persons with multiple sclerosis compared to healthy controls.

Clinical assessment of Multiple Sclerosis relies heavily on the Expanded Disability Status Scale, a non-linear rating system based on physician assessment of disease progression and walking ability. This inherently makes this method both subjective and limited in repeatability. This study developed a technically derived outcome measure of posture to compare a cohort of Multiple Sclerosis and Control subjects during an Eyes-Open and Eyes-closed task.

Alemtuzumab-related thyroid disease in people with multiple sclerosis is associated with age and brainstem phenotype at disease onset.

Background: Autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) occurs in 40%-50% of alemtuzumab-treated persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS), most of whom will develop Graves' Disease (GD).

Objective: To explore contributory factors for alemtuzumab-related AITD in pwMS.

Methods: A retrospective patient chart review was performed.

Bartonella neuroretinitis (cat-scratch disease).

We report a patient with cat-scratch disease presenting with meningitis and neuroretinitis. This condition, caused by has a worldwide distribution and is among the most common infective causes of neuroretinitis. Bartonella neuroretinitis is a rare but under-recognised mimic of optic neuritis; it should be suspected in a patient with an infective prodrome whose fundus shows optic disc oedema and a macular star.

Ryanodine receptor 2 (RYR2) mutation: A potentially novel neurocardiac calcium channelopathy manifesting as primary generalised epilepsy.

Purpose: Ryanodine receptor 2 (RYR2) mutation is well-established in the aetiology of an inherited cardiac disorder known as catecholaminergic polymorphic ventricular tachycardia (CPVT). The RYR2 receptor is expressed in cardiomyocytes, and also in the hippocampus. The RYR2 mutation has not been reported as a potential cause of adult-onset genetic generalised epilepsy (GGE).

Alternating hemiparesis and orolingual apraxia as manifestations of methotrexate neurotoxicity in a paediatric case of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

A 15-year-old girl with a recent diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia was admitted to hospital with pancytopaenia after having received high-dose intrathecal methotrexate 1 day prior. During the next week she had intermittent episodes of alternating hemiparesis associated with speech arrest lasting minutes to hours at a time. The episodes were not associated with altered level of consciousness or headache.

Auditory hallucination in basilar occlusion: I heard it was the basilar.

Acute basilar artery occlusion is a neurological emergency. Unlike anterior circulation stroke presenting with hemiparesis, the symptoms of basilar artery occlusion are challenging to recognise in the emergency setting. Basilar artery occlusion can rarely lead to ischaemia of the auditory pathways, resulting in bizarre, positive auditory hallucinations.