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Articles

Merz initiates phase 3 trials for Xeomin, targeting migraine prevention in adults, aiming to fill gaps in current treatment options.

Merz’ IncobotulinumtoxinA Begins Phase 3 MINT Trials for Migraine Prevention

In a recent study, investigators developed multireceptor antagonist peptides that could block CGRP and PACAP, providing proof-of-concept for a potential new approach to targeting pathways involved in migraine.

Preclinical Study Reveals Potential of Multireceptor Antagonist to Block CGRP and PACAP

Tracey Dawson, PhD, senior vice president of U.S. Therapeutic Area Head of Neuroscience at Novartis, expanded on the recently launched SMAshing My Limits campaign, a community-driven project aimed to address needs of developing teens with SMA.

Inside Novartis’ SMAshing My Limits Campaign: Patient Voices Driving Support and Resources for SMA

Videos

The vice chair of education for the department of neurology at Mass General outlined her AUPN 2025 session on supporting clinician educators through recognition, career development, and institutional frameworks for advancement. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Building Better Pathways for Clinician Educators in Academic Neurology: Tamara Kaplan, MD

The neurologist at Maimonides Medical Center and SUNY Downstate shared how interactive simulations give neurology trainees the chance to practice skills, gain feedback, and move beyond passive learning. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Clinical and Educational Advantages of Simulations in Training the Next Generation of Neurologists: Nuri Jacoby, MD

, has been with the team since September 2022. Follow her on Twitter 

Experts shared their clinical perspectives on trending topics in the treatment and management of movement disorders at the 4th Annual Advanced Therapeutics in Movement and Related Disorders (ATMRD) Congress.


ATMRD Congress 2025: Top Expert Interviews and Key Takeaways

Patient advocate living with PD and advisory board member of the Parkinson's Foundation. 

At the 2025 ATMRD Congress, a patient advocate living with Parkinson disease emphasized the importance of amplifying patient voices at educational conferences for movement disorders. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Elevating Patient Perspectives in the Mangement of Parkinson Disease: Esther Labib-Kiyarash, MSHA, CPHQ

The multiple sclerosis condition center is a resource for clinical news on the diagnosis, treatment, and management of multiple sclerosis. | NeurologyLive.


Multiple Sclerosis | Clinical Neurology News | NeurologyLive

NeurologyLive is your direct connection to the latest neurology news and interviews with expert neurologists in multimedia formats.

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Clinical

 MS Disease Spotlight page offers specific updates and coverage on the latest expert conversations and data readouts related to the treatment and management of patients with multiple sclerosis and demyelinating disorders.

 to subscribe on your favorite streaming service.

The Mind Moments podcast features exclusive interviews with leaders in the field discussing the latest research and disease management strategies across the breadth of neurology, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, dementia, sleep disorders, and more.

In this episode, "Understanding Major Changes to New McDonald Criteria for Multiple Sclerosis," Daniel Ontaneda, MD, PhD, a staff member of the Cleveland Clinic Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis, provided an in-depth overview on the new McDonald criteria to diagnose multiple sclerosis (MS), which was presented at the 

40th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis (ECTRIMS)

. Ontaneda, who also serves as an assistant professor of neurology, discussed the most notable changes to the criteria and how it may help towards improving rates of misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. He spoke on the incorporation of new biomarkers, such as central vein sign and paramagnetic rim lesions, and the ability to diagnose MS in stages before clinical presentation shows. Furthermore, Ontaneda gave some perspective on the areas of the new criteria that will take some time to adjust to, as well as how these criteria may change the philosophical perspective of the disease as a whole.


The stories featured in this week's Neurology News Minute, which will give you quick updates on the following developments in neurology, are further detailed here:

Potential Regulatory Submission for Inebilizumab in Myasthenia Gravis Following Positive Phase 3 MINT Data

Parkinson Agent Tavapadon Meets Primary and Secondary End Points as Monotherapy in Phase 3 TEMPO-1 Trial

Sage Therapeutics and Biogen Officially Announce Ending of SAGE-324 Program in Essential Tremor

 – Focus and direction of new diagnostic criteria

 – Overviewing specific changes to McDonald criteria

 – Approach to diagnosing pre-MS; treating radiologically isolated syndrome earlier

 – Incorporation of new biomarkers, central vein sign, paramagnetic rim lesions, OCT

 – Unanswered questions/challenges left out of the diagnostic criteria

 to subscribe to the Mind Moments podcast. Be sure to leave a rating and review for the show. Thanks for listening!

Hoping to listen on your favorite podcast app? See below:

European Committee for Treatment and Research in Multiple Sclerosis Congress (ECTRIMS)

Mind Moments®, a podcast from NeurologyLive®, brings you an exclusive interview with Daniel Ontaneda, MD, PhD. [LISTEN TIME: 27 minutes]

Episode 125: Understanding Major Changes to New McDonald Criteria for Multiple Sclerosis

The Mind Moments podcast features exclusive interviews with leaders in the field discussing the latest research and disease management strategies across the breadth of neurology, including epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson disease, dementia, sleep disorders, and more.

Episode 47, "Incorporating Physical Therapy Into MS Care," features an exclusive interview with Patricia Bobryk, MHS, PT, MSCS, ATP, physical therapist, UC Health, and cochair, 

International Organization of MS Rehabilitation Therapists (IOMSRT)

. Bobryk shared her insight into the clinical care of MS from the perspective of a rehabilitative specialist, and the importance of including physical therapy approaches as part of the multidisciplinary approach to care as early as possible to ensure more beneficial long-term outcomes for patients, also speaking to the latest advances and developments in rehabilitative medicine.

The stories feature in this week's Neurology News Minute, which will give you quick updates on the following developments in neurology, are further detailed here:

Noncontact Boxing Exercise Assessed for Parkinson Disease Benefit

Opicapone Demonstrates Small Benefit for Sleep in Parkinson Disease

Amylyx Announces Plans to Submit NDA for AMX0035 for ALS

Episode Breakdown

"Mind Moments," a podcast from NeurologyLive, brings you an exclusive interview with Patricia Bobryk, MHS, PT, MSCS, ATP.

Episode 47: Incorporating Physical Therapy Into MS Care

Episode 38, "Advancing MS Care and Awareness," features an interview with Barry Hendin, MD, clinical professor, University of Arizona; director, Multiple Sclerosis Clinic, Banner University Medical Center; and chief medical officer, Multiple Sclerosis Association of America. He shared his perspective on the recent World MS Day on May 30, the impact awareness efforts have had on care, and how treatment has evolved during his time as a multiple scleorsis (MS) physician.

"Mind Moments," a podcast from NeurologyLive, brings you an exclusive interview with Barry Hendin, MD.

Episode 38: Advancing MS Care and Awareness

A newly reported case highlights acute retinal necrosis from varicella zoster virus in a patient with multiple sclerosis on dimethyl fumarate, underscoring the need to consider non–optic neuritis causes of vision loss.

First-Ever Case Report Highlights Potential for Acute Retinal Necrosis While on Dimethyl Fumarate

A new study reveals rituximab outperforms cladribine in managing MRI disease activity in relapsing multiple sclerosis over 4.5 years.

Target Trial Emulation Favors Rituximab’s Effectiveness Over Cladribine in Treating Multiple Sclerosis

A new study reveals higher rates of postpartum depression in women with multiple sclerosis, emphasizing the need for early screening and management strategies.

Higher Levels of Postpartum Depression in Women With MS Raise Importance for Screening Efforts

A recent analysis highlights the increasing use of Octave's MSDA test in managing multiple sclerosis, showcasing its impact on treatment decisions and disease monitoring.

Real-World Analysis Shows Growing Use of Octave’s MS Disease Activity Test in Clinical Practice

Gabrielle Macaron, MD, assistant professor of neuroscience at Université de Montréal, discussed the nuanced clinical decision-making involved in initiating a DMT for patients newly diagnosed with MS.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Right Disease-Modifying Therapy for Newly Diagnosed MS

Captions are auto-generated and may contain errors.

At CMSC 2025, assistant professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco discussed progress on the integration of biomarkers into clinical practice for multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Evaluating Biomarkers to Guide Personalized Remyelination Strategies in MS: Ahmed Abdelhak, MD

“I would definitely recommend, as I mentioned in the talk, not to rely on only one biomarker as an outcome parameter in remyelination clinical trials. Let’s leverage the different tools we now have. Let’s find out whether our remyelinating drug really induces functional electrophysiological recovery.”

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic autoimmune disease that can lead to significant neurodegeneration, particularly in its progressive form, for which effective treatments remain limited. One promising development has been the use of sensitive neurofilament light chain (NfL) assays to help predict disease activity and progression. Although NfL offers an additional readout for clinical trials, it is not specific to MS, as levels can be elevated in other neurodegenerative disorders. Factors such as age, body mass index, and blood volume can further influence results, and considerable overlap exists between serum NfL levels in patients with MS and healthy controls, underscoring the need for additional or complementary biomarkers.

Beyond NfL, a range of blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers related to axonal damage, neuronal injury, glial dysfunction, demyelination, and inflammation have been explored for their potential in MS. However, these markers can share similar limitations to NfL when used in isolation. To address this, researchers are increasingly turning to bioinformatic and multiomic approaches that integrate cellular studies, microRNAs, extracellular vesicles, metabolomics, and microbiome analyses. A comprehensive biomarker panel combining these measures may improve diagnostic and prognostic accuracy, highlighting the importance of continued research using advanced tools.

2025 Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) Annual Meeting

, discussed the role of emerging serum and imaging biomarkers in assessing remyelination during clinical trials during a session.

 at the meeting, Abdelhak, assistant professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, emphasized the complementary nature of fluid and MRI-based markers. Proteomic signatures, he noted, may shed light on why patients respond differently to treatments, opening the door to more personalized remyelination strategies. Abdelhak also underscored the need for multimodal approaches to more effectively evaluate treatment effects and accelerate translation into clinical practice.

Click here for more coverage of CMSC 2025.

REFERENCES
1. Yang J, Hamade M, Wu Q, et al. Current and Future Biomarkers in Multiple Sclerosis. 

. 2022;23(11):5877. Published 2022 May 24. doi:10.3390/ijms23115877
2. Abdelhak A. Emerging Serum and Imaging Biomarkers to Monitor Remyelination in MS. Presented at: 2025 CMSC Annual Meeting; May 28-31; Phoenix, AZ. Promoting Remyelination in MS.

The assistant professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Université de Montréal discussed the importance of weighing the risks of multiple sclerosis against treatment risks, emphasizing individualized care. 

Balancing MS Relapse Risk With Personalized Therapy Decisions: Gabrielle Macaron, MD

"I think patient support programs from pharmaceutical companies can be really helpful in making sure that at least the pretreatment workup and the ongoing monitoring is going as expected and that nothing falls through the cracks.”

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is considered one of the primary causes of nontraumatic neurological disability in young adult patients. Clinicians have advised early use of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), along with consistent monitoring, for patients who are living with relapsing-remitting forms of the disease. Postponing treatment following a diagnosis could potentially lead to greater disease burden and increased societal health care costs. A wide range of DMT options are available for patients, which differ in administration method, efficacy, adverse effects, safety considerations, as well as cost.

According to a previous study published in 

, researchers reported that the most significant factor in choosing a DMT was its adverse effect profile, followed by its ability to delay disability progression. Findings also showed that patients' treatment preferences evolved based on their prior experiences with DMTs and the length of time since their diagnosis. The findings highlighted the importance of developing and selecting therapies that reflect patient preferences, which may lead to improved adherence and more effective long-term management of MS.

, held May 28-31, 2025, in Phoenix, Arizona, 

, gave a talk on the initial decision-making process for what DMT patients should start. During the meeting, Macaron, an assistant professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Université de Montréal, sat down with 

 to outline the dual risks of MS and its DMTs. In the interview, she highlighted the unpredictable nature of the disease and the value of early, high-efficacy treatment to reduce long-term disability, as well as discussed risk mitigation strategies and adapting treatment choices to patient lifestyles and preferences.

REFERENCES
1. Bansback N, Chiu JA, Metcalfe R, et al. Preliminary testing of a patient decision aid for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2021;7(3):20552173211029966. Published 2021 Jul 15. doi:10.1177/20552173211029966
2. Garcia-Dominguez JM, Muñoz D, Comellas M, Gonzalbo I, Lizán L, Polanco Sánchez C. Patient preferences for treatment of multiple sclerosis with disease-modifying therapies: a discrete choice experiment. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2016;10:1945-1956. Published 2016 Sep 26. doi:10.2147/PPA.S114619
3. Macaron G. Decision Making Process Around What DMT to Start. Presented at: 2025 CMSC Annual Meeting; May 28-31; Phoenix, AZ. Era of Too Many Choices: Starting and Switching. 

The assistant professor in the Department of Neuroscience at Université de Montréal discussed the importance of weighing the risks of multiple sclerosis against treatment risks, emphasizing individualized care. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

The consultant neurologist at Torbay and Southern Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust discussed the implementation of digital platforms and lifestyle-focused clinics to streamline MS care.

Modernizing Multiple Sclerosis Care With Digital Tools and Holistic Clinical Approaches: Agne Straukiene, MD

“It means time is brain. Brain health is preserved because we are starting highly active disease-modifying therapy to preserve the brain health, to preserve the brain volume, and to give people life.”

Innovations may be essential in clinical practice to better serve patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), especially by potentially helping to reduce delays in diagnosis and treatment. A recently published study in 

Multiple Sclerosis Journal – Experimental, Translational and Clinical

 assessed real-world impact of digital technologies and holistic care strategies for patients with MS implemented at a UK center. In the study, researchers included personal health records and educational apps for patients with MS, clinical databases and disease progression tools for health care providers, and the introduction of a Healthy Lifestyle Clinic aimed at promoting brain health.

, the study compared patient outcomes before and after implementing these interventions between 2018 and 2023. Overall, findings revealed a significant reduction in the time from diagnosis to starting disease-modifying therapy, dropping from about 24 months to under 6 months. Unsurprisingly, researchers observed that patients with delayed diagnoses were more likely to experience disease progression. Additionally, nonelective hospital admissions and healthcare costs decreased compared with nearby hospitals. Altogether, these results suggest that combining digital tools with holistic care approaches can improve MS care delivery, though authors noted that further research may be needed to confirm these trends.

, Straukiene, a consultant neurologist at Torbay and Southern Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, described how the integration of digital tools could transform MS care delivery, based on findings from the study. She explained how these innovations could support earlier detection of disease progression and greater patient engagement. In addition, Straukiene talked about how the Healthy Lifestyle Clinic, which offers a patient-centered, group-based setting that focuses on diet, exercise, emotional well-being, and social support, can possibly promote timely clinical decisions and also improve health outcomes for people living with MS.

REFERENCES
1. Straukiene A, Hughes S, Grundy J, Moxon F. Evaluating patient care in multiple sclerosis: Impact of combined digital tools and holistic management strategies. Mult Scler J Exp Transl Clin. 2025;11(2):20552173251317020. Published 2025 Apr 15. doi:10.1177/20552173251317020

The consultant neurologist at Torbay and Southern Devon Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust discussed the implementation of digital platforms and lifestyle-focused clinics to streamline MS care. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

The associate vice president of strategy and innovation at the National MS Society highlighted the measurable benefits of health and wellness coaching for individuals with multiple sclerosis. 

Exploring the Clinical Impact of Health and Wellness Coaching in MS Care: Cassandra Moore, MPH, CPH

“Health and wellness coaches really support people in achieving their self-directed goals and behavioral changes that are informed by any treatment plans prescribed by the rest of the professional health care team.”

Health coaching, which focuses on improving self-management and overall well-being, has been explored as a supportive approach for patients with living multiple sclerosis (MS). Through regular, goal-oriented conversations, health coaches have the ability to work alongside patients to help them with addressing some of the physical, mental, and behavioral aspects of living with the autoimmune disease. Recent research has suggested that health coaching may contribute to improvements in areas such as self-efficacy, quality of life, and symptom management, although the extent of these benefits can vary.

In clinical practice, health coaching can be offered as a complementary resource in combination with traditional medical care by helping patients coordinate and integrate various aspects of their treatment plans. For patients with MS, coaching may provide additional support in managing the disease’s complex symptoms and making lifestyle adjustments. The effectiveness of health coaching can depend on a variety of factors such as patient readiness, engagement, and the timing of the intervention in the disease course. Further research could be needed to grasp a better understanding of the role and impact of health coaching in MS care.

, held May 28-31, 2025, in Phoenix, Cassandra Moore, MPH, CPH, associate vice president of strategy and innovation at the 

, presented a talk on the power of health coaching in MS.

 Following the meeting, Moore sat down with 

 to further discuss the growing evidence supporting health and wellness coaching for individuals with MS. In the interview, Moore shared firsthand experiences from coaching cohorts, where participants reported increased self-efficacy and meaningful behavioral changes. She underscored the value of coaching in bridging gaps between specialties, enhancing care coordination, and empowering patients with MS.

REFERENCES
1. Boehmer KR, Álvarez-Villalobos NA, Barakat S, et al. The impact of health and wellness coaching on patient-important outcomes in chronic illness care: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Patient Educ Couns. 2023;117:107975. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2023.107975
2. Kivelä K, Elo S, Kyngäs H, Kääriäinen M. The effects of health coaching on adult patients with chronic diseases: a systematic review. Patient Educ Couns. 2014;97(2):147-157. doi:10.1016/j.pec.2014.07.026
3. Moore C. The Power of Health Coaching. Presented at: 2025 CMSC Annual Meeting; May 28-31; Phoenix, AZ. Thriving with MS: Harnessing Wellness Research & the Power of Health Coaching.

The associate vice president of strategy and innovation at the National MS Society highlighted the measurable benefits of health and wellness coaching for individuals with multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

SAP Partners

The assistant professor of neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin talked about the complexities of advanced multiple sclerosis, highlighting gaps in clinical trials and the need for individualized care strategies. 

Challenges and Considerations in the Care Management of Advanced Stages of Multiple Sclerosis: Sam Hooshmand, DO

"Advanced MS is a particularly challenging entity, and we as neurologists need to advocate and work with our industry partners to try to include these patients in clinical trials to get the data we need to make better decisions in terms of disease-modifying therapies."

Advanced multiple sclerosis (MS), particularly secondary progressive MS (SPMS), is often characterized by insidious neurologic decline marked by increasing physical disability, cognitive dysfunction, and a significant symptom burden. Traditional tools like the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS), commonly used by clinicians to assess disease progression, may underrepresent cognitive, bowel/bladder, and sensory deficits in later stages of the disease, symptoms that can precede overt motor deterioration.

 Therefore, early identification of these changes, aided by cognitive screening tools and digital assessments, may support more proactive care strategies before functional decline becomes pronounced in patients.

Besides the complexity of diagnosis, the management of advanced MS in clinical practice presents distinct challenges, largely because of the lack of definitive evidence from pivotal clinical trials, which have typically excluded patients with EDSS scores above 6.5. In a recent meta-analysis, findings suggested that disease-modifying therapies could offer some benefit in slowing progression in patients with progressive MS, though their use should possibly be carefully balanced against adverse risks.

 As a result, there is a growing clinical imperative to include more patients with advanced MS in trials and to tailor treatment approaches based on disease progression as well as individual risk-benefit considerations.

, an assistant professor of neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin, spoke with 

on the lack of a universally accepted definition of advanced MS.

 Using aspects from his talk presented at the meeting, Hooshmand emphasized the limitations of using the EDSS score alone to assess disease progression and the significant impact of secondary complications on advanced MS. Furthermore, he highlighted the importance of personalized care that supports functional independence and noted the absence of patients with advanced MS in most disease-modifying therapy clinical trials.

REFERENCES
1. Pozzilli C, Pugliatti M, Vermersch P, et al. Diagnosis and treatment of progressive multiple sclerosis: A position paper. Eur J Neurol. 2023;30(1):9-21. doi:10.1111/ene.15593
2. Wu X, Wang S, Xue T, et al. Disease-modifying therapy in progressive multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Front Neurol. 2024;15:1295770. Published 2024 Mar 11. doi:10.3389/fneur.2024.1295770
2. Hooshmand S. Advanced Disease States in Multiple Sclerosis: A Clinical Perspective. Presented at: 2025 CMSC Annual Meeting; May 28-31; Phoenix, AZ. Whitaker Track Invited Lectures: MS in Special Populations.

The assistant professor of neurology at the Medical College of Wisconsin talked about the complexities of advanced multiple sclerosis, highlighting gaps in clinical trials and the need for individualized care strategies. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

A patient and neurologist discussed personal and professional perspectives on treatment initiation, ongoing research, and patient advocacy in multiple sclerosis. 

Patient and Clinical Perspectives on Advancing MS Care Through Treatment, Advocacy, and Research

A patient and neurologist discussed personal and professional perspectives on treatment initiation, ongoing research, and patient advocacy in multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

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