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The Guidelines for Qualifications of Neurodiagnostic Personnel (QNP) document has been created through the collaboration of the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS), the American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring (ASNM), the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), and ASET—The Neurodiagnostic Society (ASET). The quality of patient care is optimized when neurophysiological procedures are performed and interpreted by appropriately trained and qualified practitioners at every level. These societies recognize that neurodiagnostics is a large field with practitioners who have entered the field through a variety of training paths. This document suggests job titles, associated job responsibilities, and the recommended levels of education, certification, experience, and ongoing education appropriate for each job. This is important because of the growth and development of standardized training programs, board certifications, and continuing education in recent years. This document matches training, education, and credentials to the various tasks required for performing and interpreting neurodiagnostic procedures. This document does not intend to restrict the practice of those already working in neurodiagnostics. It represents recommendations of these societies with the understanding that federal, state, and local regulations, as well as individual hospital bylaws, supersede these recommendations. Because neurodiagnostics is a growing and dynamic field, the authors fully intend this document to change over time.

ABSTRACTThe Guidelines for Qualifications of Neurodiagnostic Personnel (QNP) document has been created through the collaboration of the American Clinical Neurophysiology Society (ACNS), the American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring (ASNM), the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), and ASET – The Neurodiagnostic Society (ASET). The quality of patient care is optimized when neurophysiological procedures are performed and interpreted by appropriately trained and qualified practitioners at every level. These Societies recognize that Neurodiagnostics is a large field with practitioners who have entered the field through a variety of training paths. This document suggests job titles, associated job responsibilities, and the recommended levels of education, certification, experience, and ongoing education appropriate for each job. This is important because of the growth and development of standardized training programs, board certifications, and continuing education in recent years. This document matches training, education, and credentials to the various tasks required for performing and interpreting Neurodiagnostic procedures. This document does not intend to restrict the practice of those already working in Neurodiagnostics. It represents recommendations of these Societies with the understanding that federal, state, and local regulations, as well as individual hospital bylaws, supersede these recommendations. As Neurodiagnostics is a growing and dynamic field, we fully intend this document to change over time.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder associated with relentlessly progressive cognitive impairment and memory loss. AD pathology proceeds for decades before cognitive deficits become clinically apparent, opening a window for preventative therapy. Imbalance of clearance and buildup of amyloid ß and phosphorylated tau proteins in the central nervous system is believed to contribute to AD pathogenesis. However, multiple clinical trials of treatments aimed at averting accumulation of these proteins have yielded little success, and there is still no disease-modifying intervention. Here, we discuss current knowledge of AD pathology and treatment with an emphasis on emerging biomarkers and treatment strategies.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative brain disorder associated with relentlessly progressive cognitive impairment and memory loss. AD pathology proceeds for decades before cognitive deficits become clinically apparent, opening a window for preventative therapy. Imbalance of clearance and buildup of amyloid β and phosphorylated tau proteins in the central nervous system is believed to contribute to AD pathogenesis. However, multiple clinical trials of treatments aimed at averting accumulation of these proteins have yielded little success, and there is still no disease-modifying intervention. Here, we discuss current knowledge of AD pathology and treatment with an emphasis on emerging biomarkers and treatment strategies.

A major feature of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) pathology is the plaque composed of aggregated amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide. Although these plaques may have harmful properties, there is much evidence to implicate soluble oligomeric Aβ as the primary noxious form. Aβ oligomers can be generated both extracellularly and intracellularly. Aβ is toxic to neurons in a myriad of ways. It can cause pore formation resulting in the leakage of ions, disruption of cellular calcium balance, and loss of membrane potential. It can promote apoptosis, cause synaptic loss, and disrupt the cytoskeleton. Current treatments for AD are limited and palliative. Much research and effort is being devoted to reducing Aβ production as an approach to slowing or preventing the development of AD. Aβ formation results from the amyloidogenic cleavage of human amyloid precursor protein (APP). Reconfiguring this process to disfavor amyloid generation might be possible through the reduction of APP or inhibition of enzymes that convert the precursor protein to amyloid.

ABSTRACTThis revision to the EEG Guidelines is an update incorporating current EEG technology and practice. The role of the EEG in making the determination of brain death is discussed as are suggested technical criteria for making the diagnosis of electrocerebral inactivity.

ABSTRACTThis revision to the EEG Guidelines is an update incorporating the current electroencephalography technology and practice. It was previously published as Guideline 2. Similar to the prior guideline, it delineates the aspects of Guideline 1 that should be modified for neonates and young children. Recording conditions for photic stimulation and hyperventilation are revised to enhance the provocation of epileptiform discharges. Revisions recognize the difficulties involved in performing an EEG under sedation in young children. Recommended neonatal EEG montages are displayed for the reduced set of electrodes only since the montages in Guideline 3 should be used for a 21-electrode 10-20 system array. Neonatal documentation is updated to use current American Academy of Pediatrics term “postmenstrual age” rather than “conceptional age.” Finally, because therapeutic hypothermia alters the prognostic value of neonatal EEG, the necessity of documenting the patient’s temperature at the time of recording is emphasized.

ABSTRACTThis revision to the EEG Guidelines is an update incorporating current EEG technology and practice. “Standards of practice in clinical electroencephalography” (previously Guideline 4) has been removed. It is currently undergoing revision through collaboration among multiple medical societies and will become part of “Qualifications and Responsibilities of Personnel Performing and Interpreting Clinical Neurophysiology Procedures.” The remaining guidelines are reordered and renumbered.

Objective: Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolus (PE) are serious problems for patients admitted to the hospital with stroke, subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and transient ischemic attack (TIA). The purpose of this paper is to further understand the factors that place certain patients at increased risk of DVT/PE.Methods: At a 600 bed hospital, a retrospective analysis of data from 2613 patients admitted with a diagnosis of stroke, SAH, ICH or TIA in the time range 1/2008 through 3/2012 was carried out. The data was taken from the hospital’s Get with the Guidelines database and included 28 variables. These included initial NIH stroke scale, length of stay, heart failure, ambulatory by day 2 after admission, altered mental status,and renal failure among others. Multiple analyses were carried out to determine whether there were univariable or multivariable effects of any of the factors on the risk for DVT/PE.Results: The risk of DVT/PE was highest in patients with SAH and ICH and smallest with TIA. Multivariable analyses were performed and revealed only altered level of consciousness or heart failure as significant risks for DVT/PE. With the limited available data, administration of subcutaneous heparin or other chemoprophylaxis did not reduce the risk of DVT/PE. Conclusion: Although many of the variables used to describe the stroke patient are correlated, in multivariable analyses only heart failure and altered level of consciousness were important risk factors for DVT/PE. The risk of DVT/PE was 7 fold greater in patients in patients with both of these risk factors.

Several neurophysiological techniques are used to intraoperatively assess cerebral functioning during surgery and intensive care, but the introduction of hypothermia as a means of intraoperative neuroprotection has brought their reliability into question. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of mild hypothermia on somatosensory-evoked potentials’ (SSEPs) amplitude and latency in a cohort of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) patients as the temperature reached the steady-state.

The first goal of this study was to describe the characteristics of elderly patients with epilepsy and the antiepileptic drugs used to treat them. Next, the factors (such as epilepsy type, seizure frequency, medical comorbidities, etc.) influencing antiepileptic drug choice and living situation were explored. Retrospective chart review of patients older than 70 with epilepsy seen in a rural health care system. This yielded 449 patients with epilepsy, 54 patients with isolated seizures and 38 patients with syncope as the primary diagnosis. The most commonly used antiepileptic drug was phenytoin. New generation AED's which had fewer side effects were used much less frequently than old generation AED's but the probability of using new generation AED's was increased in patients with renal failure and congestive heart failure as well as in patients that had seen a neurologist. Patients with acute symptomatic seizures, dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, frequent seizures and advanced age were less likely to be independent. Patients that had seen a neurologist as an outpatient were more likely to live independently. The elderly are a vulnerable population because of difficulty communicating their symptoms and their needs. This leads to the suboptimal use of AED's as well as poor outcomes. Careful attention to seizure control and medication side effects is critical in promoting good outcomes in this patient group. This retrospective study suggests that access of elderly patients with epilepsy to specialty care improves outcomes in terms of living status. This important information needs to be confirmed by prospective studies.

The American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring (ASNM) is developing position statements aimed at assisting practitioners and others in making decisions regarding neurophysiological monitoring practice. This paper describes the procedures used in drafting these documents.The American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring (ASNM) is developing position statements aimed at assisting practitioners and others in making decisions regarding neurophysiological monitoring practice. This paper describes the procedures used in drafting these documents.

Objective.There are two objectives of this study. The first is to understand how practitioners of differing backgrounds approach the process of interpreting intra-operative neurophysiologic monitoring. The second is to understand whether the experience and educational background of practitioners influences the degree of agreement in their interpretations. Methods.A survey was distributed at the 2004 American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring meeting. A total of 92 responses were obtained. The effect that various characteristics of the respondents including their experience, degree, certification and role in monitoring had on a number of outcome measures was assessed. These outcome measures included the probability that the surgeon responded to a warning, the chance that the patient would wake without a deficit after a warning was delivered, and the degree to which respondents agreed on interpretations of SSEP traces. Results.It was found that surgeons were more likely to respond to warnings issued by a monitrist with a higher degree of experience. Respondents with higher levels of experience, certification level, and degree level were more likely to agree on interpretations of evoked potential tracings. Overall, however, the degree of agreement between respondents was at most moderate. Respondents with higher levels of experience and training were more likely to provide correct answers to a subset of traces that were designed to reflect a classic pattern of change. Conclusions.This study indicates the need for additional studies on the criteria for providing warnings during IOM and the characteristics of monitrists that influence their interpretations.Objective.There are two objectives of this study. The first is to understand how practitioners of differing backgrounds approach the process of interpreting intra-operative neurophysiologic monitoring. The second is to understand whether the experience and educational background of practitioners influences the degree of agreement in their interpretations. Methods.A survey was distributed at the 2004 American Society of Neurophysiological Monitoring meeting. A total of 92 responses were obtained. The effect that various characteristics of the respondents including their experience, degree, certification and role in monitoring had on a number of outcome measures was assessed. These outcome measures included the probability that the surgeon responded to a warning, the chance that the patient would wake without a deficit after a warning was delivered, and the degree to which respondents agreed on interpretations of SSEP traces. Results.It was found that surgeons were more likely to respond to warnings issued by a monitrist with a higher degree of experience. Respondents with higher levels of experience, certification level, and degree level were more likely to agree on interpretations of evoked potential tracings. Overall, however, the degree of agreement between respondents was at most moderate. Respondents with higher levels of experience and training were more likely to provide correct answers to a subset of traces that were designed to reflect a classic pattern of change. Conclusions.This study indicates the need for additional studies on the criteria for providing warnings during IOM and the characteristics of monitrists that influence their interpretations.

Monitoring the vagus nerve and the recurrent laryngeal nerve during surgical procedures may reduce the probability of significant nerve injury. As such, a number of methods to monitor these nerves have been devised including placing electrodes directly into the vocal cords or recording from surface electrodes. In direct comparison, monitoring the identical muscles, bipolar hookwire electrodes displayed approximately one order of magnitude greater amplitude, of both spontaneously occurring and evoked electrical activity than double wire endotracheal tube electrodes. The enhanced sensitivity of the hookwire electrodes, despite the technical difficulties with placement, suggests their use when maximum sensitivity is required.

OBJECTIVE: To report a patient who developed the paradoxical effect of increasing electrical seizure activity and confusion with initiation of valproic acid therapy.CASE SUMMARY: A 25-year-old African-American woman with a hypothalamic hamartoma had an electroencephalogram (EEG) that demonstrated frequent bursts of generalized spike and wave activity. The prevalence of spike and wave activity increased dramatically and the patient became increasingly somnolent as valproic acid was added to carbamazepine and phenobarbital therapy. Her EEG and mental status changes resolved when the valproic acid was discontinued. There was a strong positive correlation between the prevalence of spike and wave activity and the valproic acid concentration, but not between spike and wave activity and the concentrations of carbamazepine or phenobarbital.DISCUSSION: Although this is a complex case, it is clear that the addition of valproic acid produced an increase in spike and wave activity. Possible mechanisms and pathophysiologic significance of this paradoxical effect are discussed in light of the differences between this epileptic syndrome and the primary generalized epilepsies.

Objective:The results of neurophysiologic monitoring using somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) and electroencephalography (EEG) were analyzed to determine if retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) supported central nervous system electrical function during surgery that required temporary interruption of antegrade cerebral perfusion (IACP).

This case report details intraoperative evoked potential changes during surgical removal of a T8 dural arteriovenous malformation.

Abstract. Some brain functions decline at a linear rate throughout adulthood. Others remain relatively stable until very late in the life cycle. This study characterized the effects of aging on the regional cerebral distribution of hexamethylpropylene amine oxime (HMPAO) in healthy human volunteers. The sample consisted of 26 men and 18 women with a mean age of 41.6±14.9 years (range: 19-73). Their past medical histories, physical examinations, and laboratory screening tests were normal. Single-photon emission tomography (SPET) scans of the brain were performed with a standardized acquisition and processing protocol on a triple-headed camera equipped with fan beam collimators. A 3-D restorative filter and a correction for uniform attenuation were applied before the images were reinterpolated in planes parallel to the line connecting the frontal and occipital poles. Mean counts per pixel were measured in multiple regions of interest (ROIs) within each hemisphere by custom fitting a set of templates to the images. The mean activity in each ROI was compared with the mean activity per pixel in the whole brain. Regression analyses were used to relate the activity ratios to age with both linear and nonlinear models. The relative concentration of radioactivity decreased significantly with age in most, but not all, gray matter structures. It increased in the white matter regions. The nonlinear model of aging fit the data significantly better than a straight line did. Most of the changes with age occurred during young adulthood. No further changes were detectable after the onset of middle age. The median breakpoint age at which the rate of change became negligible was 36.6 years. Aging significantly affects the relative uptake of HMPAO in healthy humans. It decreases in many gray matter regions and increases in most white matter regions. However, the changes do not appear to be linear. Most seem to occur during young adulthood before people reach their late thirties. The distribution then appears to remain relatively stable throughout middle age.

Case Report: Emergency physicians are well versed in the recognition and management of certain poisonings which present with characteristic toxidromes. We present a case of a young pharmacy student who presented with altered mental status, tachycardia, facial flushing, dilated pupils, and dry skin and mucous membranes presumably due to anticholinergic poisoning. She improved with a combination of benzodiazepines and the acetylcholinesterase inhibitor physostigmine. However, following resolution of her initial symptoms, she became ill again and the subsequent neurologic evaluation revealed a diencephalic lesion consistent with a viral encephalitis. The acute anticholinergic signs and symptoms resulted from this lesion in an area of large cholinergic outflow. Although recognition and management of her acute anticholinergic findings were appropriate, they were not the manifestations of an acute anticholinergic ingestion.

Men and women with epilepsy frequently complain of sexual dysfunction. We studied the sexual response in men and women with partial epilepsy of temporal lobe origin (TLE) by measuring genital blood flow (GBF) during sexual arousal. Nine women and eight men with TLE and 12 women and seven men as controls completed inventories for symptoms of depression, sexual experience, and sexual attitude and underwent measurement of digital pulse and GBF during alternating segments of sexually neutral and erotic videotape. Subjective ratings of arousal to the videotape were obtained. We calculated digital pulse and GBF response as the percentage increase in pulse amplitude during the erotic compared with the preceding sexually neutral film. No subject group reported symptoms of significant depression on the inventory. However, men and women with epilepsy had fewer sexual experiences than subjects without epilepsy, and women with epilepsy imagined specific sexual activities to be more anxiety-producing and less arousing than did women without epilepsy. Men and women with TLE had a diminished GBF response. The mean increase in GBF in men with TLE was 184 versus 660 for controls (p= 0.01). Women with TLE had a mean increase of 117 versus 161 for controls (p> 0.01). Digital pulse did not vary across stimulus conditions. Subjective ratings for all groups indicated moderate sexual arousal. We conclude that there is a diminution in one aspect of physiologic sexual arousal in some men and women with TLE.