In the past year, patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) have gotten three new treatment options. Mavenclad (cladribine) is the most groundbreaking of the new drugs, in my opinion, due to its unique mechanism of action. Another drug, Mayzent (siponimod) became the first drug approved for active secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS). Active…
A new study published in Epilepsy Research found 64.3% of patients with various forms of drug-resistant epilepsy in the LAANTERN (Laser Ablation of Abnormal Neurological Tissue Using Robotic NeuroBlate System) registry were free of disabling seizures, reaching Engel I, after one year. Sixty patients were enrolled in the study specifically for epilepsy treatment. Forty-two reached…
When a suspected stroke patient comes into the hospital, everyone on the team has assigned roles so care is delivered quickly and efficiently — picture a race car pit crew jumping over the railing to change tires, add fuel, make repairs. They all have a rehearsed job to do with speed and safety the top…
Children with neurological disorders such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), muscular dystrophy and Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease can be at risk for hip dislocation. Varus derotation osteotomy (VDRO) surgery places the ball back into the socket of the hip. The procedure helps prevent a partial or full hip dislocation. Hip subluxation can result…
A drug used to relieve a cluster headache cycle also can help with subsequent cycles if patients continue the therapy, according to a new study by Norton Neuroscience Institute neurologist Brian M. Plato, D.O. Episodic cluster headaches are severe headaches during periods of a week to several months. The headache cycles are separated by pain-free…
Join us Tuesday, Sept. 15, for a lunchtime series providing the latest updates in neuroscience. This program will be livestreamed from noon to 1 p.m. Mandy Whitt, M.D., headache specialist with Norton Neuroscience Institute, will discuss management and treatment options for migraines. Dr. Whitt will discuss the diagnostic criteria for migraine, the prevalence of migraine…
The expansion of Norton Brownsboro Hospital is complete, with 70 new patient beds — a 55% increase — advancements in stroke and aneurysm care capabilities and a larger emergency department. The new emergency department has 42 patient care areas, including two triage rooms, 33 exam rooms and a dedicated space for performing rapid electrocardiograms (EKGs)….
The 18th annual Pediatric Neurology Update will be livestreamed (via BlueSky) Friday, Aug. 7, 2020, from 8 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. The continuing medical education opportunity will cover developments in identification of neurological disorders and evidence-based care. Register today to receive the agenda, conference link and continuing education credits upon completion. To register, visit NortonCME.com…
Headache disorders, by nature, can be difficult to diagnose and treat. When providers are uncomfortable with the diagnosis or feel the patient may need additional treatments with which they aren’t as familiar, it’s best to make a referral, according to Brian M. Plato, D.O., FAHS, neurologist and headache/migraine specialist with Norton Neuroscience Institute. “There’s not…
The number of patients seeking stroke treatment at Norton Healthcare has been falling sharply since the COVID-19 outbreak began its sweep across the United States in March. In May, 36% fewer patients sought stroke care at Norton Healthcare than in the same month a year earlier. “People may be sitting at home with minor strokes…
By Sydney Badon Seven years ago, my younger sister, Samantha, was diagnosed with epilepsy. Who would have thought that fluttering her eyes was actually a seizure? Sam didn’t seem herself, and so our pediatrician ordered a sleep-deprived electroencephalogram (EEG). This is a test that looks at how the brain works when it’s tired. At first,…
In a study of adults, researchers found that those with epilepsy were twice as likely as adults without epilepsy to report feelings of depression in the previous year. Depressive thoughts or feelings can result from the many challenges that come with epilepsy, including stigma, fear of disclosure, unpredictable seizures, bullying, financial troubles and relationship changes….