New Guideline Examines MRI Use for Acute Ischemic Stroke Diagnosis
The AAN published the guideline, "The Role of Diffusion and Perfusion MRI for the Diagnosis of Acute Ischemic Stroke," in the July 13, 2010, issue of Neurology®.
The guideline finds that MRI scans are better than CT scans for diagnosing possible acute ischemic stroke presenting in the first 12 hours of symptom onset. MRI scans can help distinguish acute ischemic stroke from medical conditions with similar symptoms. The study also reports there is insufficient evidence to support or refute the value of perfusion-weighted imaging (PWI) in diagnosing acute ischemic stroke. Baseline diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) volume should be considered useful in predicting baseline clinical stroke severity and final lesion volume in anterior-circulation stroke syndromes.
AAN Guideline Helps Doctors Accurately Diagnose Brain Death
In an effort to create a uniform and accurate method for determining brain death, the American Academy of Neurology has issued an updated guideline that provides doctors with a step-by-step process for determining when a person is brain dead. The guideline is published in the June 8, 2010, issue of Neurology®, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology. The new guideline provides an update to the AAN?s 1995 guideline on brain death.
AAN Issues Guideline on When People with Alzheimer's Disease Should Stop Driving
The American Academy of Neurology has issued a new guideline to help determine when people with Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia should stop driving. Caregivers and family members play a role in identifying warning signs from unsafe drivers with dementia. These include:
- Decreased miles being driven
- Collisions
- Moving violations
- Avoiding certain driving situations, such as driving at night or in the rain
- Aggressive or impulsive personality traits
Read patient summary.
Listen to the radio PSAs.
Teri Garr Hosts Academy's MS Education Video
Silver screen star Teri Garr is the spokesperson for the AAN Foundation's second patient education video and guidebook, Living Well: A Guide to Managing Multiple Sclerosis for Patients and Families. The FREE video and guidebook is designed to help viewers understand the symptoms and treatments of MS and empower them to make decisions about their care.
Editor of Patients' Website Shares His Vision for 2010
Dr. Daniel Hoch became the website editor of AAN's patients & caregivers website in 2009. His 2010 editor's report, published on the AAN.com members' site, reveals his take on the website in its current form, and what he sees for its future.
Read the article.
