Neurosciences - September 2015 Archives

ROCHESTER, Minn. — While autoimmune cerebellar ataxia (a loss of muscle control coordination) can lead to severe disability with some patients becoming wheelchair-bound, there are factors that may help predict better immunotherapy response, according to the Mayo Clinic study published by JAMA Neurology. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tsriW0BD638 Autoimmune cerebellar ataxia in adults, which usually comes on rapidly and progresses quickly, can be divided into disorders that are paraneoplastic (triggered by cancer in the body) or nonparaneoplastic (autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system unrelated to cancer). The disabling neurological effects, which can include speech, eye movement and balance, can cause unsteady walk and difficulties when swallowing. Little has been published regarding treatment responses and neurologic outcomes among patients with autoimmune cerebellar ataxia. However, at least 17 autoantibodies have been reported as causally linked to autoimmune cerebellar ataxia. “Historically, we found cerebellar ataxia to be a hopeless disease,” says Andrew McKeon, M.B., B.Ch., M.D., a neurologist on Mayo Clinic’s Rochester campus and lead author of the study. “Although usually severe, treatment responses can be gratifying, particularly in patients with nonparaneoplastic disorders.” Journalists: Sound bites with Dr. McKeon are available in the downloads. MEDIA CONTACT: Duska Anastasijevic, Mayo Clinic Public Affairs, 507-284-5005, newsbureau@mayo.edu

People with sleep apnea need not suffer anymore. Long gone are the days of only one or two mask options and loud, noisy and bulky CPAP machines. You can find relief if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea — or think you may have sleep apnea — but do not want to be strapped to a mask that reminds you of Darth Vader. Sleep apnea is a potentially serious sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts. You may have sleep apnea if you snore loudly and you feel tired even after a full night's sleep. "I have been helping patients with sleep apnea for 20 years and have seen many changes in continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machines that deliver air pressure through a mask placed over your nose while you sleep," says Kara Grottke, Mayo Clinic Health System respiratory therapist. "The air pressure is somewhat greater than that of the surrounding air and is just enough to keep your upper airway passages open, preventing apnea and snoring."

Neuromuscular diseases ... including muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) ... are often debilitating and sometimes fatal. On this week's program, we'll ...

Neuromuscular diseases ... including muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) ... are often debilitating and sometimes fatal. On this week's program, ...

Neuromuscular diseases ... including muscular dystrophy and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease) ... are often debilitating and sometimes fatal. On this week's program, we'll ...