Latest Conference Coverage

Coverage Focuses of 2023 ANA Annual Meeting: Rebecca Gottesman, MD, PhD, FANA; Frances E. Jensen, MD, FACP

The president of the ANA and the chair of the annual meeting programming committee gave an overview on the various topics and courses the clinical community should home in on at the upcoming annual meeting. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]

Debunking Myths of Migraine’s Role in Dementia: Olivia Begasse de Dhaem, MD, FAHS

The headache specialist at Hartford Healthcare Headache Center emphasized the importance of avoiding unnecessary fear surrounding the potential link between migraine and dementia, as current evidence does not strongly support it being a significant risk factor. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Neurobiological Insights Into Gait and Balance Control in Parkinson Disease

Nicolaas Bohnen, MD, PhD, professor of radiology and neurology at the University of Michigan, discussed the main takeaways from his keynote lecture on posture and gait in Parkinson disease presented at the 2023 MDS Congress.

Reasons for Attending 2023 American Neurological Association Annual Meeting: Rebecca Gottesman, MD, PhD, FANA; Frances E. Jensen, MD, FACP

The president of the ANA and the chair of the annual meeting programming committee provided perspective on the upcoming ANA Annual Meeting and what clinicians may get out of the meeting. [WATCH TIME: 7 minutes]

Continuous Subcutaneous Apomorphine Infusion Demonstrates Durable Effect on OFF, ON Time in Parkinson Disease

More than a 40% improvement in ON time without troublesome dyskinesia occurred as patients had their treatment titrated.

Phase 3 KINECT-4 Findings Show Valbenazine Decreases Tardive Dyskinesia Severity

On average, clinician-rated TD severity, measured by AIMS, and patient-reported assessment of the physical, social and emotional impact of TD, measured by TDIS, decreased with one-capsule, once-daily valbenazine over 48 weeks.

Health Disparities and Equities in the Multiple Sclerosis Latinx Community: Farren B. S. Briggs, PhD, ScM

The associate professor in the department of population and quantitative health sciences at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine talked about striving to understand and address the disparities among Latinx patients with multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Levodopa as Initial Parkinson Treatment Shows Best Long-Term Prognostic Outcome for Quality of Life

When compared with levodopa-sparing agents, treatment levodopa alone resulted in significantly better patient-rated Parkinson’s Disease Questionnaire activities of daily living and summary index scores.

Machine Learning Algorithm Accurately Diagnoses Parkinsonian Syndromes, Study Shows

Parkinsonian syndromes, including multiple systems atrophy and progressive supranuclear palsy, have similar symptoms to Parkinson disease but are more distinct and each have corresponding therapies that are available for them.

Addressing Misdiagnosis and Delayed Diagnosis in Multiple Sclerosis: Andrew Solomon, MD

The associate professor of neurological sciences at the University of Vermont in Burlington discussed the persistent issue of delayed and misdiagnoses among patients with multiple sclerosis, highlighting the need to improve accurate diagnosis. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

The Road Ahead for BTK Inhibitors in Multiple Sclerosis: Amit Bar-Or, MD, FRCPC, FAAN, FANA

The Melissa and Paul Anderson President’s Distinguished Professor of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, talked about the promising potential of BTK inhibitors in treating both relapsing and progressive forms of multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]

Machine Learning Algorithm Shows Ability to Distinguish Tic From NonTic Movements

Despite the challenge of distinguishing tics from extra movements, machine learning technology could potentially help researchers with reducing time spent analyzing video recordings of patients with tic disorders.

IncobotulinumtoxinA Shows Long-Term Treatment Effect on Parkinson Disease Sialorrhea

Swallowing difficulties, a major concern for patients with Parkinson disease, occurred rarely in the study, and were spontaneously resolved over time.

NeuroVoices: Andrew Singleton, PhD, on Expanding the Genomic Pool for Parkinson Disease

The distinguished investigator at the National Institutes of Health provided insight on the topic of globalizing Parkinson disease genetics, and how it may lead to potential disease-modifying therapies.

Machine Learning Approach Shows Strong Ability to Predict Gait Dysfunction in Parkinson Disease

Previous neuroimaging studies in Parkinson disease suggest an altered interaction at a structural and functional level between cortical and subcortical areas of the brain that each contribute to gait dysfunction.

Probiotic Therapy Shows Ability to Improve Motor and Nonmotor Symptoms of Parkinson Disease

Patients treated with the probiotic saw benefits in non-motor symptoms such as sleep, fatigue, and gastrointestinal outcomes.

Shifting to a Collaborative Approach to Conquer Challenges in Progressive MS: Anne H. Cross, MD

The professor of neurology at Washington University School of Medicine discussed the growing sense of hope among patients with progressive multiple sclerosis as providers gain an understanding in treating this form of the disease. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Parkinson Cell Therapy Bemdaneprocel Heads to Phase 2 After Successful Phase 1 Results

After a year of treatment, patients showed significant improvements in ON time without troublesome dyskinesia, with more apparent effects observed in the high-dose group.

Lixisenatide Shows Promise in Phase 2 Trial as Adjunct Therapy for Early Parkinson Disease

Lixisenatide, commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes, has the ability to cross the blood brain barrier and has shown neuroprotective properties in preclinical models of PD.

Lessons from a Multiple Sclerosis Feasibility Study Focused on Movement Medicine: Afolasade Fakolade, PhD

The assistant professor at Queen’s University discussed results from a pilot trial that evaluated the impact of a dyadic physical activity intervention among both caregivers and patients with multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Clinical Pearls for Navigating Neurological Diagnoses: Aliza Ben-Zacharia, PhD, DNP, ANP-BC, FAAN

The assistant professor at Hunter College talked about the importance of prioritizing accurate localization, appropriate diagnostic tests, and patient communication for effective neurological diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Analyzing Cognitive Impairment and Disease Progression in Early Multiple Sclerosis: Robert Zivadinov, MD, PhD

The director of the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center talked about a study that explored cognitive decline in patients with early multiple sclerosis, underlining the significance of addressing cognitive impairment in the early stages of the disease. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Retinal Vasculature Changes in Migraine With Aura: Katherine Podraza, MD, PhD

The headache specialist at the Hartford Healthcare Headache Center discussed findings from a study that revealed altered retinal vasculature in individuals with migraine with aura, indicating potential retinal biomarkers for disease progression. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Unlocking the Novel Risk Factors of Alzheimer Disease With Genetic Diversity in Research

Adam Naj, PhD, genetic epidemiologist at the University of Pennsylvania, discussed the importance of collecting genetic data from diverse ancestries to investigate the risk of Alzheimer Disease.

Empowering Behavior Change in Migraine Through Motivational Interviewing: Elizabeth Seng, PhD

The associate professor at Yeshiva University and Albert Einstein College of Medicine discussed the significance of motivational interviewing as a means for providers to engage with their patients and the harmful impact of societal stereotypes on individuals with migraine. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Seeking Clarity in Patient Stratification of Parkinson Disease: Mazen Elkurd, DO

The director of the Movement Disorders Center at Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas, a part of Baylor Scott & White Health, talked about the dilemma of stratifying patients with Parkinson disease based on various criteria and emphasized the need for a consensus on classification. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Proper Ways to Engage Underserved Populations in Pain Medicine: Burel Goodin, PhD

The professor of anesthesiology at Washington University in St. Louis provided perspective on the respect and approach that comes with conducting research in underserved or impoverished communities. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Enhancing Care and Diagnostic Criteria for Essential Tremor and Dementia with Lewy Bodies: David Shprecher, DO, MSci, FAAN

The director of movement disorders at the Banner Sun Health Research Institute talked about alternative approaches for treating essential tremor beyond medications, and developments in the diagnostic criteria for Lewy body disorders. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Navigating the Cognitive Screening Toolbox: Dustin Hammers, PhD

The associate professor of neurology at the Indiana University School of Medicine discussed the screening paradigm for Alzheimer disease, and the reluctancy to use new digital tools over traditional methods. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]

Botulinumtoxins in the Management of Movement Disorders: Laxman Bahroo, DO

The professor of neurology and residency program director at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital spoke to the evolution of the utility of botulinumtoxins in the treatment of patients with Parkinson and other movement disorders. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]