Neurology

Einar August Høgestøl | Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Norway; Doctor-in-Training, Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital, Norway; 2022. Author of the Best Presentation in Basic Neurology at the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) Tournament for Neurologists in Training.

Non-dystrophic myotonias (NDM) are a group of rare muscle disorders with a reported prevalence of 0.75−1.7 per 100,000 population (Figure 1).

Seizure unpredictability is consistently reported as one of the most disabling aspects of living with chronic epilepsy. Reliable forecasting systems could have far-reaching consequences for patients, from allowing protection at times of high seizure risk to improving confidence during everyday life at times of low seizure risk.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) applied over the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex has shown to transiently improve the level of consciousness of severely brain-injured patients in disorders of consciousness, and seems to be effective especially for patients in minimally conscious state (MCS) compared with patients in unresponsive wakefulness syndrome.

Recognising acute stroke symptoms is crucial in providing timely treatment. However, evidence suggests that females often experience unique symptoms compared with males, resulting in delays to seeking medical attention and treatment.

Dysfunction of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDAR) have been proposed as the aetiology for multiple neuropsychiatric diseases. While overactivity of NMDA receptors causing excitotoxicity has been implicated in epilepsy, dementia, and stroke, low activity may produce symptoms resembling those of schizophrenia.

Patients with classic orthostatic hypotension (cOH) suffer from an abnormally large blood pressure (BP) fall upon standing due to baroreflex dysfunction. cOH, particularly in the absence of BP-lowering drugs, often has a neurogenic cause (neurogenic orthostatic hypotension [nOH]).