We know the current times in which we live hold many uncertainties, for some more than others. From dramatic lifestyle changes to heightened stress, we’ve had to deal with so much over the last few months – and we’re not sure just how long this new way of living may last.

But for many people, there is an additional hardship of isolation, whether we call it social distancing or physical distancing, and separation from others that has impacted every demographic from young to older groups alike.

Oh, if only da Vinci’s words could be our mantra for encouraging us to get enough rest! By now we are all very acquainted with the need to obtain a sufficient amount of quality sleep, ideally from seven to eight hours nightly (or at least more nights than not). But despite medical advice and numerous studies attesting to the value of sleeping well, we still don’t seem to have made it a priority. And now, findings from a recent study published in JAMA Neurology indicates that premature death is more likely to affect poor sleepers.

Imaging technologies are often an integral and necessary part of a comprehensive assessment in order to diagnose many neurological conditions. But when does something designed to be beneficial become too much of a good thing?

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are estimated to receive more magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies than perhaps any other diagnosis.

With the research-evidenced knowledge that immune-mediated dysfunction is a very real concern, we all should strive more than ever to improve our immune health and take the offensive against any infection, whether that’s Covid 19 or other illnesses.

In a recent study, “Autoantibody Biomarkers for Basal Ganglia Encephalitis in Sydenham Chorea and Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorder Associated With Streptococcal Infections,” findings indicate that the Cunningham Panel has diagnostic AND clinical relevance.* The goal of the study “was to determine if anti-neuronal biomarkers, when used as a group, confirmed the acute disease in Sydenham chorea (SC) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).”

One of the most significant issues with which our multiple sclerosis patients must cope and that we treat in our neurology practice is the resulting cognitive impairment that occurs in nearly two-thirds of patients and is often present in even those who are newly diagnosed.

While the available drugs for MS all claim to delay cognitive impairment, we must fully consider their degree of efficacy as it appears they actually do very little to help in the loss of gray matter, which is what gives us our information processing abilities.

A group of colleagues and I recently had a discussion with Dr. Dale Bredesen, chief science officer at Apollo Health and renowned expert on neurodegenerative disease, about recent study findings that showed low to moderate alcohol consumption was associated with better global cognition scores.1 Published June 2020 in JAMA Network Open, the study was conducted over a nine-year period and followed almost 20,000 people including both males and females.

In my 30 years of working with patients diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS), I have gained through the “lens” of integrative medicine an even more expanded perspective to see just how critical it is to consider the many underlying mechanisms that lead to disease. We know the brain is only as healthy as our body and the bilateral communication between the two can most assuredly influence the other – both positively and negatively. So it stands to reason that if we are to truly help our patients heal, we must look at the root cause of disease to fully understand the myriad of mechanisms at work.