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Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were frequently used as polytherapy until evidence from a series of studies in the late 1970s and early 1980s suggested that patients derive as much benefit from monotherapy as polytherapy.1–3 AED polytherapy is increasingly becoming popular again and as much as 30–40% of prescriptions to children are polytherapy. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Objectives: To systematically review the evidence investigating the effectiveness of resistance training on strength and physical function in people with Parkinson’s disease. Conclusion: This review demonstrates that moderate intensity progressive resistance training, 2-3 times per week over 8-10 weeks can result in significant strength, balance and motor symptoms gains in people with early to moderate Parkinson’s disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
Objective: To enhance participation post stroke through a structured, community-based program. Conclusions: Community-based programs targeting participation are feasible and effective, but stroke survivors require time to achieve meaningful gains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
Public Accounts Committee takes evidence on services to people with neurological conditions and challenges the Department of Health and NHS England on its poor progress in achieving better services and outcomes for people with neurological conditions.
Aims: To describe the relationship between perceived swallowing difficulties in people with Parkinson's disease with disease-specific measures, carers' perceptions of swallowing problems and control participant responses. Method: In total, 119 people with Parkinson's disease, their carers and matched controls answered a specifically prepared functional swallowing changes questionnaire. People with Parkinson's completed a water-swallowing test. Motor status, cognition and mood were also assessed. Results: People with Parkinson's disease scored poorer than controls (p < 0.001) on the questionnaire. Those reporting swallowing problems scored poorer than those who did not (p < 0.01). However, of 74 people with Parkinson's who perceived no swallowing problem, 32 fell below the 50th percentile on the water-swallowing test, while 41 fell below cut-off scores on the questionnaire. There was a weak correlation between drinking speeds and questionnaire totals. Carers' evaluations correlated with their partners' (r = 0.796) but they perceived changes as less severe (p < 0.03). Conclusions: Despite reduced swallowing efficiency, some people with Parkinson's can successfully compensate. A sizeable proportion, however, remain unaware of swallowing problems when asked simply 'Do you have a problem?', but indicate difficulties with more specific questions. The present questionnaire provides a guide for gaining such insights for diagnosis, education and outcomes. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
Epilepsy is a serious medical condition that can have profound psychosocial effects. These effects can be minimised through self-management, but information about epilepsy can be complex and it can be difficult for people, especially those with learning disabilities, to understand and manage their condition.
This group of people already experiences barriers to health literacy and the lack of accessible epilepsy information can further compromise ability to self-manage the condition. This article explores the existing literature relating to how people with learning disabilities are supported to understand their epilepsy, with particular focus on the effect of accessible information and education. Although research in this area is developing, it is limited, which therefore reduces the extent to which services can confidently use resources underpinned by evidence-based research. Login using your SSSFT NHS Athens for full text. SSOTP - request a copy of the article from the library http://www.sssft.nhs.uk/library
Learning Disabilities Elf ld Blog post. The confidential inquiry into premature deaths of people with learning disabilities (CIPOLD) found a greater proportion of people with learning disabilities died as a result of epilepsy than in the general population and that in some cases NICE guidelines relating to the management of epilepsy were not adhered to. These findings highlight the importance of service responses to people with learning disabilities and epilepsy.
Migraine is a highly prevalent and disabling neurological disorder associated with a wide range of psychiatric comorbidities. In this manuscript, we provide an overview of the link between migraine and several comorbid psychiatric disorders, including depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Open access. The field of prediagnostic Parkinson's disease (PD) is fast moving with an expanding range of clinical and laboratory biomarkers, and multiple strategies seeking to discover those in the earliest stages or those ‘at risk’. It is widely believed that the highest likelihood of securing neuroprotective benefit from drugs will be in these subjects, preceding current point of diagnosis of PD
Open access. Epilepsy is a serious condition which can profoundly affect an individual’s life. While there is some evidence to suggest an association between antidepressant use and epilepsy and seizures it is conflicting and not conclusive. Antidepressant prescribing is rising in the UK so it is important to quantify absolute risks with individual antidepressants to enable shared decision making with patients. In this study we assess and quantify the association between antidepressant treatment and the risk of epilepsy and seizures in a large cohort of patients diagnosed with depression aged between 20 and 64 years.
This quality standard covers the diagnosis and management of multiple sclerosis (MS) in adults (18 years and over). For more information see the multiple sclerosis topic overview.
People with the hepatitis C virus have an increased risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, new study results suggest. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
The clock drawing test is a suitable screening instrument for cognitive dysfunction in HD, because it was shown to be accurate, particularly so with respect to executive cognitive functioning, and is easy and quick to use. Login using your SSSFT NHS OpenAthens for full text. SSOTP - request a copy of the article from the library - www.sssft.nhs.uk/library
We investigated long-term (to 25 years) seizure prognosis and survival in people with newly diagnosed epilepsy in the community. We explored whether prognosis is different in those with epilepsy (>2 unprovoked seizures) and those with a single seizure at presentation. To read the full article, log in using your NHS OpenAthens details
Open accessTourette syndrome (TS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by motor and vocal tics. These involuntary movements and vocalizations can have a negative impact in the school environment. The paper presents a mixed methods description of the difficulties experienced by UK students with TS in secondary school, drawing on multiple perspectives.
First-time stroke survivors and family caregivers are more likely to engage with rehabilitation programmes if they are led by nurses, a new study suggests. To read the full article, log in using your NHS Athens
People with Parkinson’s disease have a higher risk of falls that cause injury or hip fracture for many years before their condition is diagnosed, a study shows.1 Reporting in PLOS Medicine, the authors’ findings indicated that clinically relevant neurodegenerative impairment occurs years before a diagnosis of Parkinson’s.
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