Volume 23, Issue 3

From the Editor

Ann Donnelly, ACNR Co-Editor

The meticulously outlined article by Nicole Japzon and many other talented neurologists at NHNN led by Dr Jen Spillane, Key Considerations in Setting Up a Therapeutic Plasma Exchange Service for Neurology Patients, is a wonderful example of how to refine and optimise a vital service in the management of many complex neurological conditions. It looks at multiple aspects of these services which can be adjusted to get the best outcomes possible, which is reflected by the decrease in the rate of adverse events over time.

We have another stimulating and interesting series of review articles with the series editor Dr Colette Griffin initiating our traumatic brain injury series with The Acute Management of Traumatic Brain Injury: A Clinical Introduction with Ingrid Hoeritzauer.

There is an immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) therapy complication in our case report Triple M (myocarditis-myositis-myasthenia gravis) Syndrome by Vishal Varghese, Shobana Anpalakhan, Chinar Osman at Southampton.

There is also a review of the use of dopamine agonists in Restless Leg Syndrome by Pran Phakdeekitcharoen, Michael J Keogh, from Newcastle Upon Tyne.

In our more reflective articles, Andrew J Larner muses about The Origins of “Neurology” and “Neurologist”, attributed to Willis, first translated from Latin to English in 1681, and Dr JMS Pearce looks into the history of Lasègue which is associated with the restricted straight leg raise, in patients with sciatica. Lasègue was involved with a much broader range of neurology as Professor of Clinical Medicine at the Salpêtrière Hospital.

From our Australasian colleagues, we have conference reviews from the Asia Pacific Stroke Conference (APSC) 2024 (Dr Frances Anna Mein Smith) and the 16th World Stroke Congress (Dr Andrew Wong). We also have book reviews from Liverpool medical student Benjamin Priddey (FND Stories, co-authored by Dr Jon Stone, which includes poems, stories and illustrations) and the Anatomic Basis of Neurologic Diagnosis reviewed by Tareq Elmashharawi, Specialist Trainee in Neurology, Liverpool, UK.

The life of a neurologist in the UK is most enjoyable when we get a chance to share ideas and socialise, although the highlights are the ABN annual meetings in spring and autumn there are many other opportunities throughout the year to meet locally or in more specialist groups. In 2025, St George’s University seems to be the place to be for new and emerging courses including Dr Hena Ahmad’s Management of Acute Dizziness and Vertigo (25 April 2025), The Comorbidities of Epilepsy by Dr Elizabeth Galizia (20 June 2025) and The Acute Management of Traumatic Brain Injury by Dr Colette Griffin (11 June 2025). It is an honour to be a part of this speciality, and reading this issue has been inspiring and enlightening to me as always. I am looking forward to seeing many of you at upcoming meetings and welcome your contributions to future issues.

Download a full PDF of this issue to read offline.

Table of Contents

Sleep Article

Dopamine agonists for restless legs syndrome Pran Phakdeekitcharoen, Michael J Keogh

Clinical Article

Key considerations in setting up a therapeutic plasma exchange service for neurology patients
Nicole Japzon, Aneliya Takova, Viva Levee, Ruth Han, Jenny McDonald, Benjamin Sacks, Sinead Rosser, Katharine Hun, Laura Zambreanu, Michael Lunn, Jennifer Spillane

Traumatic Brain Injury Series

The acute management of traumatic brain injury: a clinical introduction
Ingrid Hoeritzauer, Colette Griffin

Case Report

Triple M (myocarditis-myositis-myasthenia gravis) syndrome: A severe immune-mediated toxicity in cancer immunotherapy, a diagnostic challenge
Vishal Varghese, Shobana Anpalakhan, Chinar Osman

Special Feature

The origins of “neurology” and “neurologist”
Andrew J Larner

History of Neurology

Lasègue and his sign
JMS Pearce

Book Reviews
  • FND Stories
    Benjamin Priddey
  • Anatomic Basis of Neurologic Diagnosis
    Tareq Elmashharawi
Conference News

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Announcing ACNR’s new online community – a moderated, members only space designed for professionals working in and around neurology. Here, you can share valuable content from any source, connect with trusted peers, and engage in meaningful discussion free from the disadvantages and of mainstream social media.

The life of a neurologist in the UK is most enjoyable when we get a chance to share ideas and socialise – Ann Donnelly

Why should I join?

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