Cognitive functioning in patients with neuro-PASC: the role of fatigue, mood, and hospitalization status.

This study sought to characterize cognitive functioning in patients with neurological post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (Neuro-PASC) and investigate the association of subjective and objective functioning along with other relevant factors with prior hospitalization for COVID-19. Participants were 106 adult outpatients with Neuro-PASC referred for abbreviated neuropsychological assessment after scoring worse than one standard deviation below the mean on cognitive screening. Of these patients, 23 had been hospitalized and 83 had not been hospitalized for COVID-19.

Depression symptoms and cognition in multiple sclerosis: Longitudinal evidence of a specific link to executive control.

Background: Depression symptoms are prevalent in multiple sclerosis (MS) and associated with poorer cognition in cross-sectional studies; it is unknown whether changes in depression symptoms track with cognitive changes longitudinally.

Objective: Investigate whether changes in depression symptoms correspond with cognitive changes over time in MS, and identify specific cognitive functions related to depression symptoms.

Method: Persons with early relapse-onset MS ( = 165) completed a depression questionnaire (Beck Depression Inventory FastScreen) and tests of cognitive speed, executive control, and memory at baseline and 3-year follow-up.

Mediterranean diet is linked to less objective disability in multiple sclerosis.

Background: The multiple sclerosis (MS) community is highly interested in diet as a potential protective factor against disability, but empirical evidence remains limited.

Objective: Evaluate associations between patient-reported Mediterranean diet alignment and objective disability in a real-world MS cohort.

Methods: Data were analyzed from persons with MS, aged 18-65, who completed the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS), MS Functional Composite (MSFC; primary disability metric), and patient-reported outcomes (PROs; disability, gait disturbance, fatigue, anxiety, and depression) as part of our Comprehensive Annual Assessment Program.

Differential antibody response to COVID-19 vaccines across immunomodulatory therapies for multiple sclerosis.

Background: Prior studies suggest reduced humoral response to COVID-19 vaccination in immunosuppressed populations. Disease modifying therapies (DMTs) for multiple sclerosis (MS) have variable immunomodulatory effects, and limited data are available for all DMTs. We aimed to determine the impact of DMTs on antibody response to COVID-19 vaccination among MS patients.

Validation of a smartphone-based EEG among people with epilepsy: A prospective study.

Our objective was to assess the ability of a smartphone-based electroencephalography (EEG) application, the Smartphone Brain Scanner-2 (SBS2), to detect epileptiform abnormalities compared to standard clinical EEG. The SBS2 system consists of an Android tablet wirelessly connected to a 14-electrode EasyCap headset (cost ~ 300 USD). SBS2 and standard EEG were performed in people with suspected epilepsy in Bhutan (2014-2015), and recordings were interpreted by neurologists.

Quality of life in epilepsy in Bhutan.

Purpose: To assess the quality of life in epilepsy (QOLIE) among adults in the lower middle-income country of Bhutan and assess the potential demographic and clinical associations with better QOLIE.

Methods: People with clinically diagnosed epilepsy were prospectively enrolled at the Jigme Dorji Wangchuck National Referral Hospital in Thimphu (2014-2015). Regression models were constructed to assess the potential impact of age, sex, residence in the capital city, wealth quintile, educational attainment, seizure in the prior year, seizures with loss of consciousness, self-reported stigma score, and need for multiple antiepileptic drugs.