Neurocritical Care News

In January, members of Duke Neurology wrote and contributed to 20 peer-reviewed journal articles. This month’s research includes an article reviewing interneuron transplantation for drug-resistant epilepsy, a study on the relationship between BMI and intracerebral hemorrhage, and a study indicating that genetic associations with longevity are stronger in females than in males. 

The final month of 2023 saw members of the Duke Neurology Department contributing to nine new peer-reviewed journal articles. Highlights include an analysis of symptoms associated with internal tremor for Parkinson’s disease, a trio of population-level studies for stroke, and a new examination of the connections between white matter and executive function. Read short summaries of each of these articles and find links to the original research below.

What do a speech prosthetic that translates brain signals into speech, retinal scans that detect cognitive impairment, and a promising new form of genetic therapy for Parkinson’s and some forms of dementia have in common? They’re all examples of the 21 peer-reviewed journal articles authored members of the Duke Neurology Department published this November.  

Patients in Duke University Hospital’s Neuro Intensive Care Unit (Neuro ICU) and Stepdown Units have often suffered complex, devastating injuries that impair their abilities to walk, move, and function in their daily lives. Kristen Valasek, DPT, the subject of this week’s Spotlight interview, works with these patients on a daily basis as she completes her residency in neurologic physical therapy.

A new blood-based test for Parkinson’s disease, improved monitoring techniques for epilepsy, and a chapter discussing the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) as a noninvasive treatment for dystonia are just a few examples of the latest research from members of the Duke Neurology Department.

Sally You, DO, had been interested in the brain and consciousness since childhood, but in medical school she wanted a practice where she could continue to address a holistic view of patients’ health that went beyond the central and peripheral nervous system. She settled on neurology and recently joined our neurocritical care fellowship program. 

This July, members of the Duke Neurology Department contributed to 10 new peer-reviewed journal articles. Highlights of this research include a new study that found persistent associations between neighborhood income levels and poor outcomes for neurocritical care, a trio of studies that provide insights into the origins and development of Alzheimer’s disease, and a preliminary analysis of the merits of a potential off-label therapy for ALS.

Neurocritical care units (Neuro ICUs) have to be equipped to help patients with complex, urgent conditions or injuries at a moment’s notice. Joi Chrishon, the subject of this week’s Spotlight interview, helps make that care happen within the Neuro ICU of Duke Central Tower. Chrishon talks to us about how she works to provide total care to each of her patients while also making their (and their families’) life less stressful.

What do analyses of stroke rehabilitation techniques, new therapeutic targets for jaw pain, and guidelines to help sleep apnea patients cope with runny noses have in common? They’re all subjects of articles published by members of the Duke Neurology Department this April. Read the summaries below to learn more about the nine peer-reviewed journal articles members of the Duke Neurology Department contributed to over the past 30 days, and find links to the original research below.

Madeline Heintschel became interested in health care as a high school student after volunteering to help patients at a local hospital. She decided to pursue nursing and came to Duke University Hospital, where she has worked in our Neuro ICU for almost five years. For this week’s Spotlight interview, Heintschel talks to us about daily her work as a preceptor, charge nurse and stroke expert.