ENFORCER Study’s Post

🧠 Silent Brain Strokes: What Are They and Why Do They Happen? Silent brain strokes, also known as silent cerebral infarctions, occur without the typical symptoms of a stroke, such as sudden weakness or speech difficulties. These strokes often go undetected for years, but they can still cause significant damage to brain tissue and may increase the risk of future strokes. According to Dr. Raghvendra Ramdasi, a neurosurgeon at Jaslok Hospital in Mumbai, silent strokes can happen when blood flow to a part of the brain is temporarily blocked. This could be due to small blood clots, narrowed blood vessels, or plaque buildup in the arteries. Although the brain may compensate for these small injuries, the cumulative damage over time can be severe, leading to cognitive decline and an increased risk of more serious strokes. Who Is at Risk of Silent Brain Strokes? Elderly Individuals: Age is a significant risk factor. People with High Blood Pressure: Hypertension is a leading cause. Diabetics: Poorly controlled blood sugar can damage blood vessels. Individuals with Cardiovascular Disease: Those with heart conditions or previous strokes are more vulnerable. People with Sedentary Lifestyles: Lack of physical activity increases the risk. Subtle Signs Not to Miss Although silent strokes often have no noticeable symptoms, they can manifest as mild memory loss, cognitive decline, mood shifts, and problems with balance and coordination. Are Silent Brain Strokes Dangerous? While silent strokes may not be immediately fatal, they serve as a warning sign. They raise the risk of more severe strokes and contribute to the gradual loss of brain function, emphasizing the need for awareness and preventive care. Have you ever considered the subtle warning signs of a silent brain stroke?

While many glaucoma patients experience disease progression during their lifetimes, clinicians are most concerned about their patients developing subsequent visual impairment, given its devastating impact on patients' lives. In this paper recently published in American Journal of Ophthalmology, we demonstrated that after adjusting for covariates such as initial disease severity and intraocular pressure control, social vulnerability index (a neighborhood-level composite social risk factor) was associated with the development of severe visual impairment or blindness due to glaucoma. These findings suggest that geocoded data in electronic health records may be valuable in risk-stratifying our glaucoma patients. Check out the paper here: https://lnkd.in/ev4pVS3m Bascom Palmer Eye Institute Felipe Medeiros Epic #glaucoma #ehr #blindness #svi #sdoh #geocoding

Early onset Dementia: new evidence In most cases, Alzheimer's disease begins after the age of 65 and is considered the result of the interaction of various risk factors, which over time cause brain damage that manifests with memory deficits. This form is also called “sporadic” or “late onset” Alzheimer's. A second, but much less frequent, form of Alzheimer's starts before 65, for this reason also called “early onset”, and in most cases is secondary to a DNA mutation. In recent years, we are witnessing a significant increase in cases of early onset dementia in individuals without any DNA mutation. These new data are undoubtedly interesting but also disturbing as these cases involve people who are still an active part of our society's workforce. If you are interested in learning more, here is an article I recently wrote for Fortune Italia magazine. https://lnkd.in/eUZ6Y4RV www.drdomenicopratico.com www.thepraticolab.com https://lnkd.in/ePYMYRWn https://lnkd.in/eJjn_Shz https://lnkd.in/e-NvsgBK https://lnkd.in/ecVzXE8D #Alzheimersdisease #alzheimersawareness #alzheimersresearch #dementia #dementiacare #dementiaawareness #earlyonsetalzheimers #earlyonsetdementia #brainhealth #braindisorders #brainaging #brainresearch #drdomenicopratico #thepraticolab

CV Prevention & Intervention: Prof. Marta Kaluzna for Medonet: we see more #heartattacks and other #CVDs in young people. For #youngadults, the #diagnosis is often a shock. #cardiology #kardiologia #kardiologiaprewencyjna #kardiologiainterwencyjna #profilaktyka #młodzidorośli

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a disruption in the normal function of the brain caused by a bump, blow, jolt to the head, or penetrating injury. The severity ranges from mild (commonly referred to as a concussion) to severe, which can lead to long-term impairment or even death. Types of TBI: Concussion: Often the result of a mild blow, causing temporary disruption in brain function Contusion: A localized bruise or bleeding in the brain. Diffuse Axonal Injury (DAI): Widespread damage to nerve cells, usually from severe rotation or shaking. Penetrating Injury: When an object pierces the skull and damages brain tissue. Symptoms can vary depending on the severity and area of the injury and may include: Physical issues like headaches, nausea, or balance problems. Cognitive difficulties such as confusion or trouble concentrating. Emotional changes, including irritability or depression. Diagnosis typically involves neurological exams, imaging (like CT or MRI scans), and cognitive assessments. Treatment may include rest, medication, rehabilitation therapy, and in severe cases, surgery to relieve pressure. Recovery varies greatly, with some individuals recovering fully and others experiencing long-term effects. Preventive measures like wearing helmets and seatbelts can reduce the risk of TBIs.

"Maybe you can walk again, but forget about the arm". This phrase echoes the experience of many stroke patients when their doctors deliver discouraging news about arm and hand rehabilitation post-stroke. The challenges in rehabilitating the upper limbs surpass those of lower limb recovery, encompassing a range of neurophysiological and behavioral factors. The cortico-spinal tract emerges as a key player in arm and hand motor function post-stroke, increasingly studied for its pivotal role. Unlike the lower limbs, the upper limbs bear the burden of intricate motor behaviors that have evolved over time, demanding anatomical and physiological support from the central nervous system. As a result, the motor cortex becomes crucial for arm and hand control, presenting a significant hurdle in rehabilitation post-stroke. In contrast, lower control centers tied to the spinal cord have taken on a more prominent role in walking throughout evolution. Unlike the upper limbs, injuries affecting the motor cortex in walking may not yield as severe functional consequences due to the distributed nature of control centers. However, damage to the cortico-spinal tract significantly hampers the recovery prospects for arm and hand mobility post-stroke. Understanding these nuances sheds light on the complexities of post-stroke rehabilitation, emphasizing the critical role of neurophysiological and behavioral factors in the recovery journey. The journey towards regaining arm and hand mobility post-stroke requires a comprehensive approach that considers these intricate dynamics for optimal outcomes.   We often encounter patients with lesions that affect the cortico-spinal tract partially, allowing part of it to remain functional. This is where behavioral aspects play a crucial role. Here's what we observe: - Therapy is sometimes limited due to doubts about its effectiveness. - Patients may receive misguided advice, like avoiding strength exercises to prevent spasticity. - Some interventions prioritize managing spasticity over enhancing motor control and synergies. - Evidence-based techniques are underutilized, limiting recovery outcomes. - Lack of patient engagement and family support hinders progress. Rehabilitation post-stroke is intricate but can lead to significant functional improvements. Specialized units and trained professionals are vital for optimal outcomes. Settling for minimal progress is unwarranted, as thorough neurophysiological assessments and tailored neurorehabilitation programs offer hope for recovery. https://lnkd.in/dwqS2h3W

🧠🚨 A Threat to Neurological Care | Silke Biethahn, Martina Goeldlin, Urs Fischer, on behalf of the SNS Board 🚨🧠 Switzerland is facing a growing shortage of neurologists, while the demand for their services is increasing. This is driven by various neurological conditions that affect a significant proportion of the population. Long waiting times for appointments are also causing many patients to turn to emergency care, putting additional strain on healthcare facilities. The possible introduction of admission restrictions could further exacerbate the shortage of neurologists and have a negative impact on patient care. The SNS strongly opposes such measures and calls for alternative solutions to ensure that all patients have access to high-quality neurological care. Link to the article: https://lnkd.in/eGp7n3Mz #NeurologySwitzerland #SNS #STRONGNEUROLOGY

Abstract Introduction Mobility limitation of the cervical spine compromises the adequate execution of the canalith repositioning maneuver (CRM) in cases of posterior semicircular canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (PSC-BPPV-GEO). Thus, novel therapeutic options are required for such individuals. Objectives This study describes the effects of a change in the biomechanical position for the execution of the CRM on symptoms of dizziness and mobility limitation regarding flexion-extension of the cervical spine in older people with unilateral PSC-BPPV-GEO. Methods A quasi-experimental viability study was conducted with 15 older adults (11 women; mean age: 72.2 ± 8.1 years). Treatment consisted of a hybrid CRM. The participants were evaluated before and after the intervention using the modified Dix & Hallpike test, Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) and a visual analog scale (VAS) for vertigo. Results The modified Dix & Hallpike test was negative in all cases after the execution of the hybrid CRM. A significant reduction was found for dizziness measured using the DHI (mean difference: -39.3 ± 9.4, p < 0.001) and VAS (mean difference: -2.9 ± 0.8, p = 0.04) after the intervention. Conclusion The hybrid CRM proved executable and satisfactory for resolving symptoms of dizziness in older adults with PSC-BPPV. The present findings are promising and randomized controlled clinical trials should be conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of the hybrid CRM in this population.

It often starts with confusion — mood changes, disorientation, lethargy, and sometimes terrifying hallucinations. This is delirium, a serious condition triggered by illness, injury or adverse reactions to medication or surgery. Every year, millions of people experience delirium, which comes at an estimated annual cost of $8.8 billion in Australia alone. It has a disproportionate impact on the elderly and those with advanced illness — for people receiving palliative care, the condition has been called a ‘harbinger of impending death’. Globally, antipsychotics have long been the go-to treatment for delirium for these vulnerable populations. But now, revolutionary UTS research from the IMPACCT centre has shown for the first time that these drugs can cause more harm than good. Not only were antipsychotics shown to be ineffective at relieving delirium symptoms, but they were also likely to result in more distressing symptoms and death. You can read more on the staggering research here: https://ow.ly/uXwJ50QGuln #UTSHealth #PalliativeCare Meera Agar

Nerve Damage 🟣🟣🟣 1. Nerve damage, also known as neuropathy, occurs when there is damage or dysfunction to the nerves in the body. 2. Nerve damage can affect any part of the nervous system, including the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and the peripheral nervous system (nerves outside of the brain and spinal cord). 3. The most common causes of nerve damage include physical injury, diseases (such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis), infections, and exposure to toxins. 4. Symptoms of nerve damage can vary depending on the location and severity of the damage, but may include pain, numbness, tingling, weakness, and loss of sensation or function in the affected area. 5. In some cases, nerve damage can be temporary and resolve on its own, while in other cases it may be permanent. 6. Nerve damage can lead to various complications, such as muscle atrophy, impaired coordination and balance, difficulty with digestion and bowel/bladder control, and changes in blood pressure and heart rate. 7. Treatment for nerve damage may include medication to manage symptoms, physical therapy to improve strength and function, and in severe cases, surgery to repair or remove the damaged nerve. 8. Prevention of nerve damage involves maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding toxins and injuries, and managing any underlying health conditions that may increase the risk of nerve damage. 9. If left untreated, nerve damage can significantly impact a person's quality of life and may lead to permanent disability. 10. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience symptoms of nerve damage, as early diagnosis and treatment can improve outcomes and prevent further damage.