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Welcome to the latest bulletin from the Primary Care Neurology Society
Common Neurological Conditions - Free GP masterclass
The London Neuroscience Clinical Network are hosting a GP masterclass re: common neurological conditions, focusing on headache, dizzy spells, faints and fits on Wednesday 14th December 2016. This event is a follow up from the masterclass held in April focussing on the opportunity to discuss practical challenges, this event will therefore be based on case study discussion.
Please register your interest using this link and please also share the invitation with GPs in your area; Nurses who specialise in these conditions are also welcome.
If you're not able to attend this event please also remember we have our Neurology Study Day taking place on the 8th of Dec at the Gatwick Holiday Inn. Details can be found below.
Barriers and Facilitators to Self-Management of Epilepsy
An exploratory study with a small number of participants (22), has highlighted how psychological barriers (mental Illness, fatigue and psychological distress) "prominently interfere with health behaviors". The researchers also state that "Community and family barriers included stigma, lack of epilepsy knowledge and poor social support". On a more positive note, 'facilitators included planning for seizures, learning about medication, stress management, socializing with others and talking with other epilepsy patients'. Read more about this research where the authors feel the effort should be placed click here.
Restless Legs and Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Research has found that when treating patients for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, clinicians need to be alert for restless legs syndrome. But now, a study has also found that " Patients with inflammatory bowel disease and clinically relevant restless leg syndrome suffered significantly more frequent from sleep disturbances including sleep latency and duration, more fatigue, and worse health-related quality of life as compared to inflammatory bowel disease patients without restless legs syndrome. To read more about this work click here
Can aerobic exercise improve vascular cognitive impairment?
Although only a 'proof-of-concept single-blind randomised controlled trial, a study in Canada has provided preliminary evidence that the use of progressive aerobic training in the community can improve cognitive function in people with mild subcortical ischaemic vascular cognitive impairment. You can read more about this study from here.
Tackling cognitive impairment with an APP
A small study in 28 patients with MS has found that a customized application software delivering personalized working memory-based exercises, can lead to improvement in cognitive testing, including sustained attention, concentration and information processing speed. Details of this research can be found here.
Neurostimulation in the treatment of primary headaches
Interest in the use of neurostimulation (both non-invasive and invasive) to treat headache continues to grow, with support for the use coming from some open-label and small controlled trial studies. To learn more about the available methods and a review of some of the studies click here.
Migraine in children - premonitory symptoms
In a study of 100 patients, in which clinical letters from the initial consultation of children and adolescents were randomly selected, fatigue, mood change and neck stiffness were the most common premonitory symptoms recorded. Although, only a small study, the authors do suggest that "better documentation of this stage will aid parents and clinicians to better understand the phenotype of attacks, better recognise migraine and thus initiate appropriate management." To learn more the study click here.
Walking with poles improves gait and axial symptoms in Parkinson's
Following 12 weeks of walking with poles (polestriding) 17 patients with mild to moderate Parkinson's (9 females and 8 males) found their step and stride lengths, gait speed, and step-time variability improve significantly. The authors concluded that 'regular practice of polestriding may reduce the risk of falls and improve mobility in people with PD'. Learn more about this study from here.
News from NICE
Suspected Neurological Conditions Guideline - GP Advisors Required!
As part of the development of the NICE guideline on Suspected neurological conditions NICE are looking for GPs ti take part in a targeted engagement in 2017. The targeted consultation will run for 4 weeks from 23 January to 17 February. It is estimated that the time commitment would be limited to 2 to 3 hours and would involve responding to an online survey. To access further details and how to apply click here.
Neurology events
Encephalitis Professional Seminar - New Frontiers - Neurology & Patient Experiences
Monday 5th of December, London
Our annual seminar is an ideal opportunity for health professionals to listen to and network with world leading experts in the study of encephalitis. This year's event is titled: New Frontiers - Neurology & Patient Experiences and features keynote speakers from the U.S.A., France, and Northern Ireland. It will run from 1pm to 6pm and include a cheese and wine reception and book signings by Dr Ava Easton and Professor Tom Solomon. We also have four CPD points pending from the Royal College of Physicians. Cost - Free to Members of the Encephalitis Society, £40 for non members. For further details click here
Primary Care Neurology Study Day, 8th Dec, Gatwick Holiday Inn
The Primary Care Neurology Society along with the SW and SE Thames Faculties of the RCGP are working together to run the second of this year's, Neurology Study Days. The programme will cover a range of neurology topics relevant to General Practice, including an update on 'Parkinson's - focusing on the non motor symptoms' with Dr Neil Munro. Dr Nassif Mansour, Chair of the P-CNS and GPwSI in neurology will lead a practical session on neurology in General Practice. To read more about the day including the speakers, and to book please click here
Mental Capacity Assessment - Getting it Right! Thurs, 26th Jan, Peterborough
Lead by two leading experts in the field, Michael Mandelstam, independent legal trainer and consultant and Mark Jayes, a speech and language therapist since 2003, this practical workshop will help you get to grips with assessment of mental capacity, including an overview of common communication disorders and how these can impact on mental capacity. For further details and to book click here.
New free epilepsy course for Primary Care nurses
This new online course for practice nurses has been developed with epilepsy nurses and practice nurses, and it has been peer-reviewed. To find out more please click here
e-brain - supporting education in neurosciences
e-brain represents the largest, most comprehensive web-based training multimedia facility in clinical neurosciences to support both training and Continuous Professional Development for those working in relevant fields. Features include:
1. CPD points – you can claim up to 9 external points per year
2. 650+ interactive elearning sessions covering all the clinical neurosciences
3. Question bank of MCQ questions with over 2500 MCQs
4. Virtual patients which you can both manage and mismanage quite safely!
5. Webinars
Access to e-brain is free once you join the P-CNS. For further details and how to get free access click here.
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