This scientific study investigated the use of serum neurofilament light chain (sNFL), particularly when adjusted for age and BMI as z-scores (zNFL), as a biomarker for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP). Analyzing a large cohort of patients with immune-mediated neuropathies, the researchers found that elevated zNFL correlated with increased disease severity in patients with typical CIDP, especially in the early stages of the illness. A zNFL score above 2 in the early phase of typical CIDP was associated with more severe motor dysfunction and a lack of response to initial standard treatments, suggesting that this biomarker could help identify patients needing more aggressive, early immunotherapy and potentially distinguish between typical and atypical forms of CIDP. The study concludes by recommending sNFL measurement with z-score analysis as a valuable tool for CIDP diagnosis, assessment of severity, and treatment guidance in clinical practice.

This is a research article from the New England Journal of Medicine detailing the findings of the SELECT-GCA clinical trial, which investigated a potential new treatment for giant-cell arteritis. The trial randomly assigned patients to receive either upadacitinib at different doses or a placebo, in combination with a glucocorticoid taper. The results indicated that a 15 mg dose of upadacitinib was more effective than placebo in achieving sustained remission and reducing glucocorticoid exposure. The study also reviewed the safety profile of upadacitinib in this patient population.

This comprehensive review focuses on validated techniques used by clinicians to assess functional motor weakness, also known as functional neurological symptom disorder, which is a common presentation in neurology. The article discusses the importance of employing specific, studied examination methods to distinguish functional weakness from objective neurological weakness, which arises from structural or electrophysiological causes. Several diagnostic signs are described, including Hoover's sign, give-way weakness, the abductor sign, the abduction finger sign, the spinal injuries center test, motor inconsistency, drift without pronation, paradoxical wrist flexion, and the elbow flex-ex sign, detailing their techniques, interpretation, and limitations based on existing research. The review emphasizes that interpreting these findings should occur within a full neurological examination, potentially using multiple techniques to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient care.