William Alexander

Members of the Duke Neurology Department contributed to 12 new peer-reviewed journal articles published this September. Among other findings, this study answers important questions about the use of telemedicine to manage chronic neurological disorders, explores the potential benefits of alternative therapies to combat ALS, and contributes to the development of Alzheimer’s disease. We have integrated the latest findings on the role of the immune system and infection in disease. Read the paragraphs below for summaries of these and other journal articles written or co-authored by members of our department this month, along with links to the original research.
clinical neurophysiology, epilepsy, sleep
- Aatif Husain, MD, and Zaman Wehab were the authors of a new article examining the use of intraoperative electromyography in minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion during awake. Their case report demonstrates neural activation of the technique at thresholds comparable to those seen under general anesthesia, demonstrating the robust potential for triggered EMG monitoring in awake spine surgery. increase. Read the full survey here.
General and Regional Neurology
- Leonard White, PhD was part of the editorial team that created the new issue. The forefront of integrated neuroscience It focuses on the intersection of neuroscience and humanities. Articles in this collection, including editorials for which White is senior author, address the topic of “Representation in Neuroscience and the Humanities.” Read those articles here.
Hospital Neurology
- Matthew Luedke, MD contributed to a systematic review investigating telemedicine for the long-term management of chronic diseases. Their analysis provides strong evidence that virtual care modalities can improve health outcomes by complementing face-to-face management of certain chronic diseases, despite insufficient and methodologically inconsistent research in this area. I found. Read the full study at Journal of Medical Internet Research.
neurocritical care
- Daniel Laskowitz, MD, MHS, and Haichen Wang, MD, contributed to a new literature review examining the effects of physical interventions on pathophysiology and recovery after spinal cord injury. Among other findings, the team found that low-intensity or voluntary rehabilitation in the hyperacute phase appears to be the more appropriate treatment until at least 4 days after injury.Read the full article at neurospine.
neuro-ophthalmology
neuromuscular disease
- Senior authors Vern Juel, MD and Yohei Harada, and Shi-Hsiu “Jerry” Wang, MD wrote a new Clinical Reasoning article. neurology This describes the case of a 36-year-old male with asymmetric weakness. Read the details of that case and the key clinical findings here.
- Lisa Hobson-Webb, MD, used US-EMG after peripheral nerve stimulation (NC-US-EMG) and ultrasound-guided electromyography (US-EMG) alone to better identify active muscle regions. contributed to a new study comparing the sensitivity of Their prospective study of 32 patients found that the combination of peripheral nerve stimulation and her US increased the sensitivity of her EMG for motor unit potential detection.Read the full article at muscles and nerves.
- Xiaoyan Li (MD) and Rick Bedlack (MD, PhD) were senior authors of the 67th entry in the ALSUntangled series on possible therapeutic benefits of alternative therapies for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A recent study investigated rituximab, a drug that depletes B lymphocytes. The team found a lack of current evidence that rituximab is a potentially effective treatment. Read the full survey here.
memory impairment
- At the recent Duke/UNC ADRC “Infection and Inflammation: New Perspectives on Alzheimer’s Disease” symposium, Alzheimer’s disease experts gathered to share current theories and evidence regarding whether Alzheimer’s disease may be caused or exacerbated by infectious or commensal microorganisms. Considered and discussed. The findings of that symposium were recently published in a new article. Brain, Behavior, Immunity – HealthDr. Carol Colton contributed to this article. This article is available here.
- James Burke, MD, PhD and Brenda Plassman, PhD contributed to a study examining whether the presence of elevated amyloid is associated with changes in the health status of care partners. We examined longitudinal data from approximately 1,000 Medicare beneficiaries and found that elevated amyloid was not associated with significant differences in outcome, depression, loneliness, or burden over time.Read the full study at Alzheimer’s Disease Journal.
Stroke and Vascular Neurology
- A new commentary article in the Journal of the American Heart Association highlights the importance of a recent study examining the potential benefits and safety of low-dose alteplase for patients taking direct oral anticoagulants 24 hours before stroke are discussing. Wayneho Kam, MD, was the original author of that study and is available here.
- Brian Mac Grory, MB BCh, MRCP, and resident Dylan Ryan, MD contributed a new article examining predictors of recurrent venous thrombosis (VTE) in patients with cerebral venous thrombosis. The team’s analysis found that black race, a history of VTE, and the presence of one or more antiphospholipid antibodies were associated with recurrent venous thrombosis in patients with CVT.Read the full survey Neurology.