Matthew Gavidia

Patients with the GBA mutation of Parkinson disease (PD) were shown to exhibit more severe cognitive decline than patients with idiopathic PD and those with both the GBA and LRRK2 G2019S mutations of PD.

The FDA decision on Xywav in idiopathic hypersomnia is expected in the third quarter of 2021.

An analysis by the Integrated Benefits Institute estimates that the total cost of lost time from work due to the COVID-19 pandemic could reach $50.5 billion, marking a 117% increase from prior projections.

According to a poll conducted by Parkinson’s UK, issues such as walking, speaking, and balance and falls proved most significantly burdensome as the condition progresses, whereas tremor and psychological health becomes less important.

AJMC®TV interviews let you catch up on what’s new and important about changes in healthcare, with insights from key decision makers—from the clinician, to the health plan leader, to the regulator. When every minute in your day matters, AJMC®TV interviews keep you informed. Access the video clips at ajmc.com/interviews. These interviews have been edited lightly for clarity.

Use of positive airway pressure therapy for obstructive sleep apnea was associated with a lower risk of developing Alzheimer disease, dementia, and mild cognitive impairment in older adults.

Researchers discuss the unique fetal and maternal challenges for pregnant women with myeloproliferative neoplasms, with insight and recommendations provided on the potential benefit of aspirin therapy, cytoreductive therapy, and systemic anticoagulation.

A recently published study found that the DCTclock, a test for cognitive assessment, was associated with greater detection of biomarkers related with cognitive decline in patients who had yet to show any symptoms when compared with traditional testing methods.

In comparing the efficacy of deep brain stimulation of the subthalmic nucleus and globus pallidus, both approaches were similarly effective in improving motor function in people with Parkinson disease, with benefits maintained after 10 years.

Music therapy among older adults was associated with significant improvements in sleep quality, with sedative music cited as more effective than rhythm-centered music.

Unconscious wakefulness during nighttime sleep, known as cortical arousal, was significantly associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular-related death and death from any cause, with women especially at notable risk.

Algorithms similar to those used by Amazon and Netflix may help to unravel the biological language of cancer, Parkinson disease, and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Over a 14-year period, active-duty US military members reported a marked 45-fold increase in rates of insomnia and 30-fold increase in rates of obstructive sleep apnea.

Symptoms of sleepwalking and/or REM sleep behavior disorder in men were significantly associated with higher odds of having Parkinson disease (PD), with PD-related neurodegeneration potentially impairing arousal regulation during sleep.

Students attending middle school and high school exhibited significantly improved sleep duration and daytime sleepiness with later school start times, while elementary school students were shown to be minimally affected by earlier start times.

A report by the Harvard Business Review found a significant gap between employee needs and employer benefit offerings for treatment of physical and emotional pain, with a holistic approach associated with savings of 50% on medical claims for back and joint care.

Researchers found that people with Parkinson disease have 53% lower step length synergy while crossing obstacles than those without the condition, potentially providing a target approach to address fall risk in patients.

A 2021 survey on health care trends to monitor finds provider burnout, disengagement, and shortage of health care professionals as the most potentially disruptive issues facing hospitals and health systems in the next 3 years.

Approximately 45% of patients with obstructive sleep apnea were shown to present with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, with age and weight indicated as significant predictors of high fibrosis score risk.

A multidimesional rehabilitation program characterized by cognitive, physical, occupational, and speech therapies was found to improve functional and cognitive abilities in people with mild to moderate Parkinson disease.

A recently launched campaign by Jazz Pharmaceuticals and the Hypersomnia Foundation spotlights a lack of knowledge on idiopathic hypersomnia, as well as how care teams can optimally screen for symptoms and care for patients with the debilitating sleep disorder.

Researchers found a small, yet statistically significant association between sleep disruption and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents.

A survey of employer and purchaser members of the National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions found that over half expect a transition to a more stabilized business environment by the third quarter of this year, as well as increased benefit offerings on mental health access and virtual care delivery.

The number of days with sleep disturbance issues, such as difficulty falling and staying asleep, were greater in 2020 than in 2018, as was prevalence of both shorter and longer-than-recommended sleep durations during the pandemic.

Exercise may reduce vulnerability to cognitive decline among at-risk patients with Parkinson disease who have the gene variant APOE ε4.

Antibody-based treatments designed to target alpha synuclein and amyloid beta, protein clusters associated with the development of Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease, were shown to worsen inflammation in the brain.

Hinge Health’s State of MSK Report 2021 found that although patient outcomes remained stagnant in the past decade, cost for musculoskeletal care doubled with services provided in emergency rooms and outpatient/inpatient facilities associated with significantly increased spend.

How are researchers leveraging what is currently known about the pathogenesis and progression of Parkinson disease into the development of potential novel therapies, and what role should neurologists and patients play in addressing this neurodegenerative condition?

Among health care workers, disrupted sleep and daily burnout were associated with a greater risk of developing COVID-19, as well as having more severe symptoms and a longer recovery period.

Reviewing available literature on the implications of oral health in people with Parkinson disease, researchers found reduced rates of oral hygiene and high prevalence of mostly preventable oral conditions, such as tooth decay and receding gums.