Recent Submissions

  • Real-world annualized relapse rates from contemporary multiple sclerosis clinics in the UK: a retrospective multicentre cohort study.

    Papathanasiou, Athanasios; Hibbert, Aimee; Tallantyre, Emma; Harding, Katharine; Selvam, Adithya Panneer; Morgan, Matthew; Quainton, Charlotte; Talaei, Maryam; Ingram, Gillian; Law, Graham R; et al. (Springer, 2023-05-20)
    Background: Annualized relapse rate (ARR) is used as an outcome measure in multiple sclerosis (MS) clinical trials. Previous studies demonstrated that ARR has reduced in placebo groups between 1990 and 2012. This study aimed to estimate real-world ARRs from contemporary MS clinics in the UK, in order to improve the feasibility estimations for clinical trials and facilitate MS service planning.
  • Monotherapy treatment of epilepsy in pregnancy: congenital malformation outcomes in the child.

    Bromley, Rebecca; Adab, Naghme; Bluett-Duncan, Matt; Clayton-Smith, Jill; Christensen, Jakob; Edwards, Katherine; Greenhalgh, Janette; Hill, Ruaraidh A; Jackson, Cerian F; Khanom, Sonia; et al. (Wiley, 2023-08-29)
    Background: Prenatal exposure to certain anti-seizure medications (ASMs) is associated with an increased risk of major congenital malformations (MCM). The majority of women with epilepsy continue taking ASMs throughout pregnancy and, therefore, information on the potential risks associated with ASM treatment is required. Objectives: To assess the effects of prenatal exposure to ASMs on the prevalence of MCM in the child.
  • A systematic review of screening diagnostic tools for trigeminal neuralgia.

    Teshima, Thn; Zakrzewska, J M; Potter, R; Potter, R; Trauma and Neuro Services; Medical and Dental (SAGE Publications, 2023-01-02)
    Background and objective Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a rare chronic neuropathic pain condition of sudden and severe pain, often described as an electric shock. Diagnosis is challenging for non-expert clinicians, particularly in primary care settings. We wanted to identify and assess the diagnostic accuracy of existing screening tools for TN and orofacial pain that could be used to support the diagnosis of TN in primary care.
  • Progressive cognitive impairment and gait difficulty in a patient with schizophrenia.

    Herath, Tharuka; Arun, Tarunya; Lutchman, Nadiene; Saleh, May; Naidu, Leena; Wimalaratna, Sunil; Arun, Tarunya; Trauma and Neuro Services; Medical and Dental (BMJ Publishing Group, 2023-06-12)
    No abstract available
  • Clinical features and outcomes of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 and Parkinsonian disorders: A multicentre UK-based study.

    Sorrell, Lexy; Leta, Valentina; Barnett, Anton; Stevens, Kara; King, Angela; Inches, Jemma; Kobylecki, Christopher; Walker, Richard; Chaudhuri, K Ray; Martin, Hannah; et al. (Public Library of Science, 2023-07-31)
    Parkinson's disease has been identified as a risk factor for severe Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outcomes. However, whether the significant high risk of death from COVID-19 in people with Parkinson's disease is specific to the disease itself or driven by other concomitant and known risk factors such as comorbidities, age, and frailty remains unclear.
  • Influence of physicians' risk perception on switching treatments between high- efficacy and non-high-efficacy disease‑modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis

    Seifer, Gustavo; Arun, Tarunya; Capela, Carlos; Laureys, Guy; Jones, Eddie; Dominguez-Castro, Patricia; Sanchez-de la Rosa, Rainel; Hiltl, Simone; Iaffaldano, Pietro; Arun, Tarunya; et al. (Elsevier, 2023-05-26)
    The decision of initiating treatment for multiple sclerosis (MS) with a high-efficacy DMT (HE DMT) or non-high-efficacy DMT (non-HE DMT) is influenced by several factors, including risk perception of patients and physicians.
  • Nitrous oxide-induced myeloneuropathy: a case series.

    Mair, Devan; Paris, Alvar; Zaloum, Safiya A; White, Laura M; Dodd, Katherine C; Englezou, Christina; Patel, Farhin; Abualnaja, Siraj; Lilleker, James B; Gosal, David; et al. (BMJ Publishing Group, 2023-05-30)
    Background: Nitrous oxide (N2O) is the second most common recreational drug used by 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK. Neurological symptoms can occur in some people that use N2O recreationally, but most information comes from small case series. Methods: We describe 119 patients with N2O-myeloneuropathy seen at NHS teaching hospitals in three of the UK's largest cities: London, Birmingham and Manchester. This work summarises the clinical and investigative findings in the largest case series to date. Results: Paraesthesia was the presenting complaint in 85% of cases, with the lower limbs more commonly affected than the upper limbs. Gait ataxia was common, and bladder and bowel disturbance were frequent additional symptoms. The mid-cervical region of the spinal cord (C3-C5) was most often affected on MRI T2-weighted imaging. The number of N2O canisters consumed per week correlated with methylmalonic acid levels in the blood as a measure of functional B12 deficiency (rho (ρ)=0.44, p=0.04). Conclusions: Preventable neurological harm from N2O abuse is increasingly seen worldwide. Ease of access to canisters and larger cylinders of N2O has led to an apparent rise in cases of N2O-myeloneuropathy in several areas of the UK. Our results highlight the range of clinical manifestations in a large group of patients to improve awareness of risk, aid early recognition, and promote timely treatment.