Screening of toxic-metabolic encephalopathy with and without epileptic seizure with density spectral array.

Objective: Although toxic metabolic encephalopathy (TME) is clinically common, distinguishing between TME with/without epileptic findings remains challenging. We examined the efficacy of density spectral array (DSA), a form of power-spectrum electroencephalography (EEG) screening tool, for clinicians not specializing in EEG interpretation to make this distinction.

Methods: Among 346 patients with suspected TME who underwent EEG for acute impaired consciousness (2012-2023), 149 were ultimately diagnosed with TME (mean age 68.

Investigation of the improvement of swallowing function with low-frequency pulse waves or interference waves delivered via cervical electrical stimulation in patients with Parkinson's disease: A randomized controlled study protocol.

Unlabelled: Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with a high rate of swallowing dysfunction, which may lead to aspiration pneumonia. This randomized controlled trial aims to investigate the effects of cervical electrical stimulation interventions (interferential current or low-frequency pulse wave stimulation) on swallowing dysfunction in patients with PD. The study will include patients with PD with Hoehn-Yahr stages 2-4 and will assess the swallowing function in a multifaceted manner using tools such as the 1 % citric acid cough test, videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS), Functional Oral Intake Scale score, and Eating Assessment Tool-10 score.

Alpha-band activity in density spectral array predictive for neurological outcome in patients with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy.

Background: In patients with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE), EEG is used to predict outcomes. However, a clear threshold for EEG findings associated with favorable outcomes remains unestablished. This study evaluates the predictive value of density spectral array (DSA)-based background activity in HIE patients.

Time-course assessment of oral intake function and its impact on end-of-life in older individuals over 90 years with frailty.

Aim: The study investigates end-of-life trajectories, focusing on the degree of oral intake function in older individuals with frailty aged over 90 years.

Methods: This retrospective observational study examined individuals aged 90 years and older who passed away at a long-term chronic care hospital and related facilities in Japan. We assessed their Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) and Function Oral Intake Scale (FOIS), categorizing them into two groups-"preserved CFS" (CFS score ≤7) and "poor CFS" (CFS score ≥8)-considering evaluations conducted 6 months before death.

Clinical manifestations and outcomes associated with a high 2HELPS2B score in patients with acute impaired consciousness.

Purpose: The 2HELPS2B score is an invaluable tool for assessing seizure risk in critically ill patients with unconsciousness. However, this can be challenging for non-epileptologists to use owing to its reliance on electroencephalogram (EEG) analysis. Thus, identifying clinical manifestations associated with high 2HELPS2B scores is crucial.

Cervical percutaneous interferential current stimulation improves citric acid cough tests in patients with Parkinson's disease on medication.

Aspiration pneumonia is the leading cause of death in patients with Parkinson's disease. The incidence of silent aspiration is high in such patients owing to decreased pharyngeal and laryngeal sensation; thus, interventions for this condition may help prevent pneumonia. In this single-arm, open-label study, we used a cervical percutaneous interferential current stimulation device to activate pharyngeal and laryngeal sensory nerves.

Analysis of the suprahyoid muscles during tongue elevation: High-density surface electromyography as a novel tool for swallowing-related muscle assessment.

Background: High-density surface electromyography (HD-sEMG) has enabled non-invasive analysis of motor unit (MU) activity and recruitment, but its application to swallowing-related muscles is limited.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the utility of HD-sEMG for quantitatively evaluating the MU recruitment characteristics of the suprahyoid muscles during tongue elevation.

Methods: We measured the sEMG activity of the suprahyoid muscles of healthy participants during tongue elevation using HD-sEMG.

Emergency medical service response for cases of stroke-suspected seizure: A population-based study.

Objectives: We evaluated the on-scene time of emergency medical services (EMS) for cases where discrimination between acute stroke and epileptic seizures at the initial examination was difficult and identified factors linked to delays in such scenarios.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review of cases with suspected seizure using the EMS database of fire departments across six Japanese cities between 2016 and 2021 was conducted. Patient classification was based on transport codes.

The long-term effects of heated tobacco product exposure on the central nervous system in a mouse model of prodromal Alzheimer's disease.

Heated tobacco products (HTPs) have emerged as novel alternatives to conventional cigarettes (CCs), marketed by the tobacco industry as having a reduced potential for harm. Nevertheless, a significant dearth of information remains regarding the long-term effects of HTPs on the central nervous system (CNS). Here, we sought to shed light on the repercussions of prolonged exposure to HTPs on the CNS, employing a mouse model mimicking prodromal Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Association between motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease and swallowing disorders.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) presents with motor symptoms that hinder physical activity. This study aimed to thoroughly investigate swallowing dysfunction in patients with PD using videofluoroscopy (VF) and the Movement Disorder Society (MDS)-Unified PD Rating Scale (UPDRS) sub-scores.

Methods: This study was part of an intervention project to evaluate the effectiveness of cervical percutaneous interferential current stimulation in patients with Hoehn and Yahr stages 2-4 PD.

Detailed findings of videofluoroscopic examination among patients with Parkinson's disease on the effect of cervical percutaneous interferential current stimulation.

Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) leads to various types of swallowing disorders. We investigated the effect of cervical percutaneous interferential current stimulation on dysphagia. By conducting detailed qualitative and quantitative analysis of videofluoroscopic examination, we aimed to understand dysphagia in patients with PD and investigate its effects on swallowing function.

Apolipoprotein E genotype-dependent accumulation of amyloid β in APP-knock-in mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

Apolipoprotein E4 (APOE4), the strongest risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD), has been revealed to cause greater accumulation of extracellular amyloid β (Aβ) aggregates than does APOE3 in traditional transgenic mouse models of AD. However, concerns that the overexpression paradigm might have affected the phenotype remain. Amyloid precursor protein (APP)-knock-in (KI) mice, incorporating APP mutations associated with AD development, offer an alternative approach for overproducing pathogenic Aβ without needing overexpression of APP.

Swallowing sound index analysis using electronic stethoscope and artificial intelligence for patients with Parkinson's disease.

Background And Purpose: Several noninvasive tools assess swallowing disorders, including electronic stethoscope artificial intelligence (AI) analysis for remote diagnosis, with the potential for telemedicine. This study investigated the swallowing sound index in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods: This single-arm, open-label trial assessed the impact of cervical percutaneous interferential current stimulation on swallowing in patients with PD classified as Hoehn-Yahr stages 2-4.

Impact of neck percutaneous interferential current sensory stimulation on swallowing function in patients with Parkinson's disease: A single-arm, open-label study protocol.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) can lead to swallowing dysfunction, resulting in aspiration pneumonia. Among the types of swallowing disorders, a characteristic and serious problem associated with PD is silent aspiration due to pharyngeal and laryngeal hypoesthesia.

Methods: This single-arm, open-label study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of percutaneous neck interferential current sensory stimulation in enhancing swallowing function in patients with PD.

On-scene time delays for epileptic seizures in emergencies during a social pandemic: A population-based study.

Objectives: The on-scene time of Emergency Medical Services (EMS), including time for hospital selection, is critical for people in an emergency. However, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) led to longer delays in providing immediate care for individuals with non-COVID-19-related emergencies, such as epileptic seizures. This study aimed to examine factors associated with on-scene time delays for people with epilepsy (PWE) with seizures needing immediate amelioration.

Immediate and 6-month seizure outcomes following first and second SARS-CoV2 mRNA vaccinations: A multicenter study with a nationwide survey.

Objective: This study aimed to identify seizure outcomes in people with epilepsy (PWE) following severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV2) messenger RNA vaccination.

Methods: We examined PWE (n = 332, age ≥ 14 years) treated in four tertiary hospitals between 2021 and 2022 to assess the incidence of seizure worsening following vaccination using closed questions. We identified the clinical factors associated with worsening and 6-month vaccination outcomes.

Nerve Ultrasonography for the Diagnosis and Evaluation of Neuralgic Amyotrophy.

Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) is a peripheral nervous system disorder involving multifocal distribution. Although nerve ultrasonography has shown potential for detecting NA lesions, no established detection method exists for distal forearm NA. A 59-year-old man presented with weakness of the muscles innervated by the left posterior interosseous nerve (PIN), median nerve (MN), anterior interosseous nerve (AIN), and ulnar nerve (UN), following severe left shoulder pain.

Clinical Factors Predicting Voluntary Driving Cessation among Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

Factors that influence the decision of voluntary driving cessation in patients living with Parkinson's disease (PD) are still unclear. We aimed to reveal the factors affecting the decision of voluntary driving cessation in patients with PD. This hospital-based cross-sectional study recruited consecutive outpatients with PD.

Efficacy of Lacosamide in a Patient with Refractory Generalized Epilepsy Based on Video Electroencephalography.

A 20-year-old man with drug-resistant generalized epilepsy (GE) was admitted for video electroencephalography (vEEG) monitoring under treatment with multiple antiepileptic drugs, including levetiracetam (3,000 mg/day), valproic acid (800 mg/day), and lacosamide (LCM) (100 mg/day). No seizures were noted after the withdrawal of levetiracetam. However, after the withdrawal of LCM, atypical absence seizures with a 2- to 2.