Latest Conference Coverage

Perspectives on Updated McDonald Criteria to Transform MS Diagnosis: Wallace Brownlee, MBChB, PhD, FRACP

The consultant neurologist at Queen's Square MS Center in London gave his clinical viewpoint on the newest revision of the McDonald criteria for diagnosing patients with multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Addressing the Neurologist Shortage Through Career Opportunities and Supporting Early Investigators: Claire Henchcliffe, MD, DPhil, FANA; Ali Ezzati, MD

A pair of neurologists from the University of California, Irvine, detailed some of the training and career focuses of large federal agencies in effort to address the shortage of neurologists. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

A Melting Pot of Strategies and Collaboration at the 2025 MDA Conference: Sharon Hesterlee, PhD

The chief research officer of the Muscular Dystrophy Association talked about what is to be expected at the 2025 MDA Conference, held March 16-19, in Dallas, Texas. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Using the DAAE Score to Advance Personalized Medicine for Multiple Sclerosis: Tom Fuchs, MD, PhD

The postdoctoral researcher at Amsterdam University Medical Center talked about the DAAE score 2.0 which offers an improved, validated clinical tool to predict the risk of transitioning to secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

NeuroVoices: Wallace Brownlee, MBChB, PhD, FRACP, on Moving Toward a Unified, Biology-Driven Approach in the New Diagnostic Criteria for MS

The consultant neurologist at Queen's Square MS Center in London discussed the shift in the updates to the McDonald criteria for multiple sclerosis presented at ECTRIMS 2024.

Cutting-Edge, Multi-Arm OCTOPUS Trial Continues to Progress Well

Recruitment for the OCTOPUS trial, which explores alpha-lipoic acid and metformin in progressive multiple sclerosis (MS), is progressing well with nearly half of participants in stage 1 already randomized.

Key Challenges and Future Directions of Targeting mTOR for Epileptic Disorders: Ghayda Mirzaa, MD

The principal investigator at Seattle Children’s Research Institute described some of the ongoing questions that remain with developing therapeutics that target mTOR signaling pathway in pediatric epilepsy conditions. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

MSDA Scores Indicate Differing Disease Activity Trajectories With Ublituximab vs Teriflunomide

In the ULTIMATE study subgroup, ublituximab consistently lowered disease activity in MS patients, suggesting the MSDA test may effectively assess therapeutic efficacy.

MAGNIFY-MS Extension Study Confirms Long-term Efficacy of Cladribine Tablets in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

A new study presented at ECTRIMS 2024 revealed that 80% of patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis had an estimated no evidence of disease activity rate at both 3 and 4 years when discontinuing cladribine tablets.

Epstein-Barr Virus Immune Response Specific to Multiple Sclerosis Relative to Other Demyelinating Diseases

Results showed that the immune response observed in patients with multiple sclerosis was specifically modified by treatments interfering with Epstein-Barr virus hosts cells or activated lymphocytes.

Sustained Reductions of Brain Atrophy Observed With S1P Modulator Ozanimod

In the original phase 3 studies, treatment with ozanimod resulted in significant reductions in clinical relapses and lesion counts on MRI as well as slowed brain volume loss relative to intramuscular interferon-β-1a.

End-of-Dose Phenomena Observed With Multiple Sclerosis Medication Ofatumumab

Towards the end of ofatumumab dosing, administered monthly via subcutaneous injection, patients noted issues like fatigue, cognitive impairment, and gait difficulties.

Simvastatin Fails to Reduce Disease Progression in Phase 3 MS-STAT2 Trial of Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis

A phase 3 trial revealed that simvastatin, while safe, did not significantly slow disability progression in patients with non-active secondary progressive MS.

Tolebrutinib Shows Positive Results in Slowing Disability Progression for Non-Relapsing Secondary Progressive MS in Phase 3 HERCULES Trial

In a phase 3 study, tolebrutinib demonstrated a statistically significant delay in time to onset of confirmed disability progression in patients living with non-relapsing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Phase 3 MOGwAI Trial to Test Azathioprine as First-Line Treatment for MOGAD

The randomized phase 3 trial will test the hypothesis that the initiation of azathioprine after a first attack of MOGAD could prevent further relapse and disability accrual.

The Promising Results of Tolebrutinib for Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Treatment: Robert J. Fox, MD

The staff neurologist at the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis at Cleveland Clinic talked about a promising therapy that slows the progression of disability in non-relapsing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Tolebrutinib Slows Disability Worsening in GEMINI Trials of Relapsing MS, Despite Failing to Meet Primary End Point

The positive finding on the secondary end point of 6-month confirmed disability worsening supports the data from the phase 3 HERCULES trial in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.

Comparative Analysis Insights on Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Treatments: Shamik Bhattacharyya, MD

The associate professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School discussed a study presented at ECTRIMS 2024 that compared the effectiveness and safety profiles of FDA-approved NMOSD therapies with other commonly used treatments. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Factors Influencing Time Delays in Initiating High-Efficacy Treatment in Multiple Sclerosis: Valentin Krüger, MD

The neurology resident at the University Hospital Frankfurt in Germany talked about a study presented at ECTRIMS 2024 that analyzed time delays in initiating high-efficacy treatments in patients with multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

2024 Revisions to McDonald Diagnostic Criteria for Multiple Sclerosis: Peter Calabresi, MD

The codirector of the Precision Medicine MS Center at Johns Hopkins University discussed the new updates to the MS diagnostic criteria presented at the 40th ECTRIMS Congress in Copenhagen. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Cladribine Data Show Low Overall Disability Accrual in MS, Supporting Early Initiation

Data from the MAGNIFY-MS study suggest that low 24-month PIRA rates across age groups and among those with or without treatment experience.

ENHANCE Data Suggest Safety of Higher-Dose Ublituximab and Shorter Infusion Time

The data showed only a small number of infusion-related reactions among patients with MS transitioning from other disease-modifying therapies.

Remyelinating Effects Seen With Cladribine in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

The 2-year study highlighted the potential of cladribine to promote remyelination in highly active relapsing-remitting MS, particularly when early disease control is achieved.

Multi-Ethnic Study Identifies Ancestry-Specific Genetic Variants that Influence Risk of Multiple Sclerosis

A large-scale study presented at ECTRIMS 2024, conducted by the Alliance for Research in Hispanic MS Consortium, identified ancestry-specific genetic factors that influence the risk of developing multiple sclerosis.

Early Monoclonal Antibody Therapy Reduces Long-Term Disability in Pediatric Multiple Sclerosis

Based on findings from the study, investigators stressed the need for better streamlined access to high-efficacy therapies for pediatric patients with onset multiple sclerosis.

Thought Process and Promise Behind Targeting mTOR Pathway for Pediatric Epileptic Encephalopathies: Ghayda Mirzaa, MD

The principal investigator at Seattle Children’s Research Institute provided commentary on the therapeutic potential and hypothesis behind targeting mTOR pathway hyperactivation using pharmacological inhibitors. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Exposing Young Neurologists to Research Pathways Provided by the NIA, NINDS, VA, and DOD: Claire Henchcliffe, MD, DPhil, FANA; Ali Ezzati, MD

A pair of neurologists from the University of California, Irvine, provided commentary on the ways to help young investigators find their footing in research settings, and exposing them to opportunities major governmental agencies can provide. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Teaching Neurology Amid an Ever-Changing Field: Galina Gheihman, MD

Critical Values and Characteristics in a Successful Neurology Educator: Galina Gheihman, MD; Roy E. Strowd, MD

Utilizing Global Proteomics and Biomarker Research to Advance Alzheimer Precision Medicine: Fiona Elwood, PhD

The disease area stronghold leader in neurodegeneration at Johnson & Johnson provided insight on the importance of the Global Neurodegeneration Proteomics Consortium, illustrated in several presentations at the recently concluded AAIC 2024. [WATCH TIME: 7 minutes]