Neurology
-
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study
Responsive cortical stimulation for the treatment of medically intractable partial epilepsy.
This multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial assessed the safety and effectiveness of responsive cortical stimulation as an adjunctive therapy for partial onset seizures in adults with medically refractory epilepsy. ⋯ This study provides Class I evidence that responsive cortical stimulation is effective in significantly reducing seizure frequency for 12 weeks in adults who have failed 2 or more antiepileptic medication trials, 3 or more seizures per month, and 1 or 2 seizure foci.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Secondary preventive medication persistence and adherence 1 year after stroke.
Data on long-term use of secondary prevention medications following stroke are limited. The Adherence eValuation After Ischemic stroke-Longitudinal (AVAIL) Registry assessed patient, provider, and system-level factors influencing continuation of prevention medications for 1 year following stroke hospitalization discharge. ⋯ Although up to one-third of stroke patients discontinued one or more secondary prevention medications within 1 year of hospital discharge, self-discontinuation of these medications is uncommon. Several potentially modifiable patient, provider, and system-level factors associated with persistence and adherence may be targets for future interventions.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Differential features of carotid and vertebral artery dissections: the CADISP study.
To examine whether risk factor profile, baseline features, and outcome of cervical artery dissection (CEAD) differ according to the dissection site. ⋯ In the largest published series of patients with CEAD, we observed significant differences between VAD and ICAD in terms of risk factors, baseline features, and functional outcome.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
The natural history of spinocerebellar ataxia type 1, 2, 3, and 6: a 2-year follow-up study.
To obtain quantitative data on the progression of the most common spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) and identify factors that influence their progression, we initiated the EUROSCA natural history study, a multicentric longitudinal cohort study of 526 patients with SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, or SCA6. We report the results of the 1- and 2-year follow-up visits. ⋯ Our study gives a comprehensive quantitative account of disease progression in SCA1, SCA2, SCA3, and SCA6 and identifies factors that specifically affect disease progression.
-
Multicenter Study Comparative Study
Phase II screening trial of lithium carbonate in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: examining a more efficient trial design.
To use a historical placebo control design to determine whether lithium carbonate slows progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ⋯ This study provided Class IV evidence that lithium carbonate does not slow the rate of decline of function in patients with ALS over 13 months.