Heather Johnson, Author at Neurology Advisor

Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, causes progressive memory loss, impaired intellect, loss of coordination, and an inexorable decline in the ability to perform daily tasks. The exact cause of the condition is not known and there is no cure, but some therapies may help ease symptoms.

Anosognosia May Serve as an Early Indicator of Alzheimer Disease

By

Heather Johnson

January 21, 2021

This study looks at how the lack of awareness (anosognosia) of memory impairment evolves in the trajectory of Alzheimer disease.

Autism Spectrum Disorder

Next-Generation Sequencing Helps Identify Neurodevelopmental Disorders

By

Heather Johnson

December 16, 2020

Researchers performed a systematic review of PubMed literature until May
2020 including clinical sequencing studies that utilized next-generation sequencing (NGS) in individuals with epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), or intellectual disability (ID).

Sleep Disorders

CBT May Help Sleep-Related Repetitive Negative Thinking

By

Heather Johnson

December 1, 2020

Researchers looked to further connect the dots between cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia and repetitive negative thinking.

Sleep Disorders

Certain Sleep Disorders Associated With Lower Gray Matter Volume

By

Heather Johnson

November 25, 2020

Since the association between physiological sleep characteristics and brain structure is not well understood, researchers aimed to investigate gray matter volume and cognitive performance related to physiological sleep characteristics.

Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia

“Morning People” at Higher Risk of Alzheimer Disease

By

Heather Johnson

October 28, 2020

The comorbidity of depressive disorders and late-life neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer disease has been widely reported. This study looks into whether there is a causal relationship existing between both or, if their co-occurrence is due to confounding or common risk factors, such as aging.

Movement Disorders

Stem Cell-Derived Neurons Provide Clues Into Parkinson Disease

By

Heather Johnson

October 16, 2020

After transplanting hESC-derived midbrain dopamine into the striatum of a PD model mouse, researchers found extensive graft integration with host circuitry.

$There is ongoing research concerning the efficacy of deep brain stimulation (DBS) for the treatment of OCD. DBS involves implanting a pacemaker in the brain that sends electrical impulses to parts of the brain believed to be involved with particular mental disorders. The FDA has approved DBS for treatment-refractory OCD, but it requires approval from the local institutional review board, patient consent, and psychiatrist attestation that their patient is a suitable candidate.$

Neurobehavioral Disorders

OCD Patients With Increased Brain Activity May Respond Better to CBT

By

Heather Johnson

October 7, 2020

This study examines whether pretreatment brain activation during cognitive control and reward processing is associated with treatment response to CBT in patients with OCD.