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With the exponential growth of literature on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we aimed to identify and characterize the 100 most cited COVID-19–related articles in neurology and neurosurgery. In March 2021, we performed a title-specific search of the Scopus database using ("neurology" or "neurologic" or "neurosurgery" or "neurosurgical") and "COVID" as our search query term without date restrictions. The top 100 most cited English-language articles were obtained and reviewed. Our search yielded 9648 articles published from December 2019 to March 2021. Bibliometric analysis of the top 100 articles found that the most cited article had a citation count of 1741 and was the first to report on the detailed neurologic manifestations of the disease; Neurology had the most number of publications; the majority of the primary authors were neurologists, but 35% were from nonneuroscience specialties; the United States, Italy, the United Kingdom, China, and Germany were the top contributors, with a combined total of 77%; most of the publications were correspondence or editorial articles; and most articles discussed the neurologic manifestations and complications of patients with COVID-19. This study identified the top 100 most cited neurologic or neurosurgical COVID-19–related articles published to date. This list can be used to identify high-impact studies that will help health care practitioners in clinical decision making and researchers in navigating key areas of study and guiding future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of targeted therapies has changed SMA's natural history. However, despite the emergence of new phenotypes, gastrointestinal symptoms (GIs) remain common in SMA patients. This study was conducted to evaluate the current medical approach and remaining unmet needs regarding this topic in France. In a second stage, we intend to develop national guidelines to ensure systematic follow-up to prevent GI complications. This observational study collected data from SMA healthcare professionals (child and adult neurologists and paedatricians) through an online questionnaire sent via the French neuromuscular network (FILNEMUS). It included short questions concerning the observed GIs, nutritional and metabolic complications, ancillary tests and global management. Especially, it was evaluated if the symptom was systematically sought out by the physician, or if only taken care of if advertised by the patients or their caregivers. Thirty-two medical doctors from Neuromuscular Reference Centers (FILNEMUS network) answered the questionnaire (59% of the French paediatric NM centers). The most common reported GIs were constipation and chewing difficulties. Concerning clinical practices, most of the specialists declared to systematically investigate swallowing (97%) and chewing disorders (87%), as well as gastric or abdominal complications. Interestingly, frequent symptoms as excessive burping, nausea, diarrhoea, and regurgitation were not regularly researched or explored by healthcare professionals, but in response to a complaint. This questionnaire has also shown that although the symptoms were surveyed, their follow-up was not systematically explored, in particular the limitation of mouth opening (danger of difficult intubation), the presence of abdominal bloating, and/or faecal incontinence. Preliminary results confirm the need for consensus on standards of care and systematic GI, nutritional and endocrine-metabolic surveillance in patients with SMA. Systematically evaluating and treating such symptoms could indeed ameliorate the patients' quality of life and potentially reduce the caregivers' burden. To improve the current situation and to ensure a proper clinical care for SMA patients, our study group will create a short questionnaire, easy to administer during multidisciplinary follow-up. Updated data will be provided at the congress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The World Health Assembly (WHA) approved the Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP) in 2022. This ambitious project, formally called the Intersectoral Global Action Plan for Epilepsy and Other Neurological Disorders, is a 10-year plan to enhance neurology implementation worldwide and to raise the status of brain health and neurology services for patients with neurological diseases. The IGAP has 5 important components: relation with policy makers, therapy, prophylaxis, research, and public health. The implementation of IGAP is a challenge, not only for the specialty of neurology but for the whole neurological community, encompassing patients, carers, healthcare providers, and the public. The lack of a unified definition of neurology and the great variety of health systems, as well as the dependency on socioeconomic status, will necessitate custom-made solutions in all regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Results from a multi-factorial global survey regarding the awareness of, need for, and availability of Intraoperative Neurophysiological monitoring in a cross-section of populations and socio-economic conditions will be presented. A statistical analysis of the responses will be given. Conclusions from these data will be discussed. Intraoperative Neuromonitoring (IOM) is a proven technology for reducing iatrogenic sequelae and improving patient outcomes. Unfortunately, its availability is not universal, leaving many populations without access to this beneficial service. In order to target IOM resources most efficiently, thereby maximizing its availability to under-served patients, an understanding of the current state of IOM delivery in the global market is necessary. To establish a representative "cross-section" of respondents, we surveyed 12 countries across North and South America, Africa, Europe, and Asia. Respondents included surgeons, neurologists and clinical neurophysiologists. Of primary interest in the Survey was the demand for IOM, and the availability of trained Neurophysiology clinicians to meet that demand. Other critical factors examined included surgeon awareness of IOM, non-standardized delivery models, the relative paucity of education curricula or training resources for the IOM clinician, real-time physician oversight for the interpretation of the IOM data, and budgetary constraints related to reimbursement and capital equipment purchases. We are able to draw several conclusions from this survey. Demand for IOM far exceeds the available trained clinical staff, particularly in emerging economic regions. Increasing surgeon advocacy through awareness and education will drive improved opportunities to deliver this critical patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of neurological disorders exist in low- and middle-income countries, but these nations have the fewest neurologists and neurological training opportunities worldwide. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness, relevance, and feasibility of a five-day neurocritical care course delivered online to African healthcare workers and to understand participants' prior neurological and neurocritical care training experiences. We offered the Neurocritical Care Society's Emergency Neurological Life Support (ENLS) course covering 14 neurocritical conditions via Zoom to 403 African healthcare workers over a 4-day period. An additional day was devoted to management of neurological emergencies in resource-limited settings. Participants completed pre- and post-course surveys to assess the effectiveness, relevance, and feasibility of the overall course to their settings. 318 participants (46% female; 56% residents; 24% neurologists; 9.0 ± 6.7 years practicing medicine) from 11 African countries completed the pre-course self-assessment, and 232 completed the post-course self-assessment. 97% reported prior experience caring for patients with neurological emergencies but only 35% reported prior neurology training and 9% prior neurocritical care training. Pre-course and post-course comfort levels showed statistically significant improvements (p < 0.001) across all fourteen neurocritical topics. 95% of participants found the course relevant to their current practice setting, 94% agreed the Zoom online platform was easy to use, and 93% reported it facilitated their learning. Suggestions for course improvement included addition of non-critical neurological conditions and inclusion of locally available diagnostics and treatment modalities. Study results suggest virtual platforms may offer a way to improve neurology training in areas with reduced neurological workforce. • A virtual neurocritical care course for African healthcare workers was effective. • Course could be improved by including locally available diagnostics and treatment. • Most participants regularly cared for patients with neurological emergencies. • Few participants had formal training in neurology or neurocritical care. • Virtual platforms could improve training in areas with few neurologists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]