Welcome to the latest edition of US Neurology. This journal aims to review topical subjects in the field of neurology and invites discussion focused on these issues. Articles have been chosen for their evaluation of current practices and research and their discussion of future directions and innovations that directly affect neurologists and other practitioners involved in the care of patients with neurological illness.
This issue includes two articles on migraine and headache disorders. The intranasal route provides a rapid, convenient means of drug administration. Friedman presents a review of AVP-825, an intranasal medication delivery system that contains low dose sumatriptan powder, and has shown rapid and sustained drug action. Neuromodulation, comprising peripheral nerve neurostimulation and central neurostimulation, is also proving useful in the treatment of headache disorders. Siberstein presents an editorial describing this exciting new approach.
Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains an important field in the neurology world, and in this issue Pahwa et al. present a review of pimavanserin, a highly selective serotonin receptor inverse agonist, which has shown significant efficacy in patients with in moderate to severe PD psychosis, with good tolerability and without worsening of PD motor symptoms. By contrast, multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurodegenerative disease whose pathophysiology is poorly understood. Sklerov and Waters present an insightful review of recent advances in the understanding of the role of genetics in MSA.
This issue contains two articles on pain control. The first, an editorial by Gazerani, describes the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the use of virtual reality technology in acute and chronic pain conditions. In the second, Bevers et al. review the history of interdisciplinary pain management strategies as well as presenting a comprehensive overview of the biopsychosocial model for the assessment, prevention, and management of chronic pain.
The optimal treatment of ischemic stroke during hospitalization is controversial because of conflicting published data. Hextrum and Bar present a timely review of the literature regarding temperature management, optimal timing of different blood pressure goals and glycemic control. Finally, Kalb discusses the need for integrated neurologic and primary care, psychosocial support and wellness strategies in multiple sclerosis (MS), from the point of diagnosis, as well as introducing the National MS Society’s new Wellness Discussion Guide, which should serve as a valuable resource in facilitating communication with patients.
US Neurology would like to thank everyone who contributed towards this edition. We would like to thank our contributors and reviewers for providing us with insightful and informative review articles. We are also grateful to the members of our editorial board for their continued involvement and advice. We trust that you will find this edition of US Neurology an enjoyable and informative read.
