Lily Farakish, Alfia Arun, Carmen Browne, Tashi Thornley, Dan W Joyce, Gashirai K Mbizvo
{"title":"Personality disorders: what the neurologist should know.","authors":"Lily Farakish, Alfia Arun, Carmen Browne, Tashi Thornley, Dan W Joyce, Gashirai K Mbizvo","doi":"10.1136/pn-2026-005213","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/pn-2026-005213","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Personality traits and disorders are frequently encountered in outpatient neurology. This can significantly influence the clinical consultation and the patient's neurological presentation and management. We offer practical guidance for neurologists to understand personality-related presentations better, along with clinical pointers to distinguish lifelong traits from changes secondary to neurological disease and advice on managing structured consultations with empathy. Recognising this interplay between personality and neurological care will support neurologists to deliver targeted, compassionate and higher quality care, improving patient engagement, safety and overall therapeutic experience.</p>","PeriodicalId":39343,"journal":{"name":"PRACTICAL NEUROLOGY","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148762100","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gavin Deas, Kirsten Macgregor, Dominic Kite, Hannah Ward, Alex May, Matthew Powell, Megan Jenkins
{"title":"HIV-associated CD8 encephalitis: role of metagenomics in complex CNS presentations.","authors":"Gavin Deas, Kirsten Macgregor, Dominic Kite, Hannah Ward, Alex May, Matthew Powell, Megan Jenkins","doi":"10.1136/pn-2026-005308","DOIUrl":"10.1136/pn-2026-005308","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We describe a 54-year-old woman living with HIV who presented with a tonic-clonic seizure and rapidly progressive encephalitis. Despite an undetectable plasma viral load while taking Biktarvy, initial investigations revealed cerebrospinal fluid escape with an HIV viral load of 474 copies/mL. Extensive testing for opportunistic infections and autoantibodies was negative. Brain biopsy and metagenomic next-generation sequencing identified frequent CD8+ T-cell infiltration and human pegivirus, though the latter was deemed a bystander. The patient's condition improved significantly, notably without the high-dose corticosteroids typically required for CD8+ encephalitis. This recovery suggests a moderate, self-limiting phenotype of the disease. The case highlights the diagnostic utility of metagenomics in complex presentations while cautioning against the misinterpretation of non-pathogenic commensals.</p>","PeriodicalId":39343,"journal":{"name":"PRACTICAL NEUROLOGY","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148724860","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jason Zhu, Chong Yew Tan, Soo-Mi Park, Gavin Fuller, Thomas Stoker
{"title":"Progressive myoclonic ataxia due to late-onset sialidosis.","authors":"Jason Zhu, Chong Yew Tan, Soo-Mi Park, Gavin Fuller, Thomas Stoker","doi":"10.1136/pn-2026-005304","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/pn-2026-005304","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A 70-year-old woman presented with slowly progressive mobility difficulty and involuntary jerking movements, which had started at age 55 years. On examination, she had generalised action-induced myoclonus and gait ataxia. Extensive investigation over 10 years had not given a diagnosis. Genetic testing was re-visited and she was found to carry a likely pathogenic variant and a variant of unknown significance in the neuraminidase gene. Dermal fibroblast culture identified significantly reduced neuraminidase activity in keeping with a diagnosis of late-onset sialidosis. Taking into account biochemical evidence and the clinical phenotype, the identified variants have been reclassified as pathogenic and likely pathogenic. This case shows the value in revisiting genetic testing in unresolved cases and the need to be aware of the presentation of inherited rare metabolic disorders in later life.</p>","PeriodicalId":39343,"journal":{"name":"PRACTICAL NEUROLOGY","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148714052","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gordon Xh Liu, Shilpan G Patel, Thomas Wj Pearson, Rohana Gillies, Neil E Anderson
{"title":"Sturge-Weber syndrome with atypical presentation: a diagnostic challenge.","authors":"Gordon Xh Liu, Shilpan G Patel, Thomas Wj Pearson, Rohana Gillies, Neil E Anderson","doi":"10.1136/pn-2026-005376","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/pn-2026-005376","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39343,"journal":{"name":"PRACTICAL NEUROLOGY","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148680241","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Toni Saad, Andrew Norman, Hilary A Archer, Roswell Martin
{"title":"Juvenile-onset Huntington's disease: a challenging diagnosis.","authors":"Toni Saad, Andrew Norman, Hilary A Archer, Roswell Martin","doi":"10.1136/pn-2026-005321","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/pn-2026-005321","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The clinical presentation of juvenile-onset Huntington's disease differs from the adult-onset variant which adult neurologists are familiar. We report how we eventually arrived at this diagnosis in a patient whose clinical presentation was marked by numerous confounders and distractors for several years. Only when new clinical signs were elicited, in particular oculomotor apraxia, and a detailed timeline of events was reconstituted, was genetic testing performed to confirm the diagnosis of Huntington's disease. We reflect on several of the difficulties we experienced in securing this diagnosis.</p>","PeriodicalId":39343,"journal":{"name":"PRACTICAL NEUROLOGY","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148680236","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Acute flaccid tetraplegia secondary to hyperkalaemia.","authors":"Fraser Steven Brown, James Bridson","doi":"10.1136/pn-2026-005352","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/pn-2026-005352","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39343,"journal":{"name":"PRACTICAL NEUROLOGY","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148702440","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Kuheli Das Gupta, Derek Soon, Leonard Yeo, Andrew Che-Fai Hui, Kei Pin Lin, May Zin Myint
{"title":"Multitruncal brachial plexopathy: a case of backpack palsy.","authors":"Kuheli Das Gupta, Derek Soon, Leonard Yeo, Andrew Che-Fai Hui, Kei Pin Lin, May Zin Myint","doi":"10.1136/pn-2026-005297","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/pn-2026-005297","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39343,"journal":{"name":"PRACTICAL NEUROLOGY","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148702411","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Meningioangiomatosis: not just a young person's disease.","authors":"Yuping Zeng, Qinglin Zhong, Binglin Lai","doi":"10.1136/pn-2026-005290","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/pn-2026-005290","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39343,"journal":{"name":"PRACTICAL NEUROLOGY","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148621847","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Oral health in patients with acquired brain injury.","authors":"Monika Rhys-Jones, Lloyd Bradley, Mili Doshi","doi":"10.1136/pn-2026-005323","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/pn-2026-005323","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>People with acquired brain injury, including stroke and traumatic brain injury, are at increased risk of developing oral health problems, which can occur at any stage from acute admission through rehabilitation and longer-term care. Contributing factors include dysphagia, cognitive impairment, reduced awareness, reliance on others for oral care, altered salivation and oro-motor impairments such as limited mouth opening. Individuals are susceptible to oral disease, including fungal infections, caries and periodontal disease, which can cause pain, infection and reduced quality of life. Poor oral hygiene is also associated with healthcare-associated pneumonia, a significant risk following acquired brain injury. Oral health should remain a clinical priority for neurologists and healthcare teams across rehabilitation and community settings. Oral health management is, therefore, a shared multidisciplinary responsibility to promote recovery and rehabilitation. We provide practical guidance on assessing oral health risks, supporting daily mouth care, managing common oral problems and ensuring timely referral to dental services.</p>","PeriodicalId":39343,"journal":{"name":"PRACTICAL NEUROLOGY","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148608332","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shilpan G Patel, Frederick Van Someren, David Werring
{"title":"Pulmonary arteriovenous malformation and right-to-left shunt in hereditary haemorrhagic telangiectasia: an unusual route to stroke.","authors":"Shilpan G Patel, Frederick Van Someren, David Werring","doi":"10.1136/pn-2026-005319","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1136/pn-2026-005319","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":39343,"journal":{"name":"PRACTICAL NEUROLOGY","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.5,"publicationDate":"2026-07-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148608401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}