Latest Conference Coverage

Endovascular Thrombectomy Benefits Observed 6 to 24 Hours Since Last Known Well

The AURORA collaboration studied pooled study data from 6 randomized studies of ET in ischemic stroke.

Switch to Deflazacort Improves Disease Progression in Patients With Dystrophinopathies

Researchers conducted a real-world study of prednisone to deflazacort switch in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy and Becker muscular dystrophy.

Rare Reactions With Natalizumab Infusion: Yujie Wang, MD

The neurologist from the University of Washington Medical Center discussed the findings of her recent study presented at ACTRIMS Forum 2021.

Despite Improvements, Racial Disparities in EVT Care Still Exist

Black patients were 16% less likely and Asian patients were 30% less likely to be able to function independently compared to non-Hispanic white patients following endovascular treatment.

Enzyme Replacement Therapy Shows Early Improvement in Pompe Disease

Assessment of forced vital capacity with treatment of enzyme replacement therapy generally showed some initial stability followed by slow progressive decline.

Eculizumab Demonstrates Safety, No Increased Infection Rates in NMOSD or Myasthenia Gravis

The findings were consistent with the established safety profile for eculizumab in other non-neurologic indications, according to study authors.

The COVID Focus and the Top Talks at ACTRIMS 2021: Jeffrey Cohen, MD

The president of the Americas Committee for Treatment and Research in MS shared his perspective on the impact of COVID and the top talks at the ACTRIMS Forum 2021.

Challenges of Targeting Cytokines in MS: Stephanie Blandford, MSc

The PhD candidate at the neuroimmunology laboratory at Memorial University of Newfoundland discussed the potential of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist as a biomarker in MS disability as well as a therapeutic target.

ACTRIMS Forum 2021: Top Expert Interviews

NeurologyLive’s coverage of ACTRIMS Forum 2021 featured a number of insightful conversations with leading experts in multiple sclerosis care.

Efficacy and Tolerability on Display by SRP-9003 Over 2 Years in LGMD2E

Over a 2-year period, SRP-9003 elicited sustained protein expression in muscle tissue and stabilized North Star Assessment for Dysferlinopathies scores.

Structured Nutritional Support Pathway Using PRESS Increases Efficiency in GT Placement, Discharge

Researchers used predictive swallowing score to help guide decision making in gastric tube placement.

American Heart Association Releases Results on COVID-19 and Stroke Characteristics, Prevalence

Black patients accounted for 27% of the patients in the COVID-19 CVD Registry but accounted for 31% of the ischemic stroke cases.

Direct Transfer to Angio Suite Reduces Likelihood of Severe Disability Post Stroke

Researchers also found that compared to direct to CT patients, DTAS patients has lower onset-to-reperfusion and door-to-groin times.

Newborn Screening Associated With Earlier Diagnosis, Greater Outcomes in SMA

A greater proportion of patients identified by newborn screening achieved a greater than 4-point increase in CHOP-INTEND scores during the observation period compared to those clinically diagnosed.

Determining DMT Timing in Radiologically Isolated Syndrome: Ilena George, MD

The neurologist from Massachusetts General Hospital discussed when to prescribe disease-modifying therapy and some challenges in caring for patients with RIS.

Physical Activity a Useful End Point for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Trials

Researchers found that physical activity as measured by wearable devices was significantly associated with in-person measures of strength and function in patients with CMT.

Forced Exercise Shows Improvement in Poststroke Lower Extremity Motor Function

The findings suggest the externally altered proprioceptive feedback in forced exercises may be increasing cortical engagement.

Casimersen Shows Safe and Effective Profile in Multiple DMD Studies

Most treatment-emergent adverse events were mild in severity across both studies, with no evidence of renal toxicity, cardiac signals, or deaths.

Mobile Stroke Units Superior to Standard Management in 90-Day Stroke Outcomes

Treatment with tPA within 0 to 60 minutes of last known normal occurred for 33% of patients on mobile stroke units, compared to 3% who received standard management.

Investigating Causes of CNS Demyelination: Spencer Hutto, MD

The fellow of autoimmune neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital discussed the need for follow-up with patients long-term after TNFα inhibitor treatment.

Risdiplam Shows Favorable Safety Profile Across SMA Types

Researchers conducted a pooled safety analysis of the FIREFISH, SUNFISH, and JEWELFISH studies.

Apitegromab Demonstrates Safety, Efficacy in Spinal Muscular Atrophy

Scholar Rock noted that the topline results from the 52-week treatment period are expected to be announced in the second quarter of 2021.

NeuroVoices: Anne Kever, PhD, on MS Diagnosis Disclosure, Concealment Behaviors

The postdoctoral researcher at Columbia University detailed a number of topics regarding the impact concealing multiple sclerosis diagnosis can have on a patient.

The Importance of Identifying Those at Risk of Falling in MS

Ishu Arpan, PhD, senior research associate at Oregon Health & Science University, also discussed further studies she would like to see conducted in MS falls.

Zolgensma Shows Safety and Durability of Efficacy in Long-Term Follow-Ups for SMA Type 1

LT-001 and LT-002 followed up patients treated with onasemnogene abeparvovec from the START, STRONG, STR1VE, and STR1VE-EU studies.

COVID-19 and Muscular Dystrophies, and R&D for Rare Disorders: Sharon Hesterlee, PhD

The executive vice president and chief research officer of the MDA offered her perspective on the ongoing conversations about and impact of the pandemic on the care of patients with muscular dystrophies.

Swallowing Function Possibly Nonissue With Nusinersen in Presymptomatic SMA

At each timepoint, all assessed participants with 3 SMN2 copies and the majority with 2 SMN2 copies were identified by PASA as not being tube fed.

Identifying and Diagnosing Genetic Leukodystrophies as MS Mimics

Alise Carlson, MD, a resident at Cleveland Clinic, discussed her presentation from ACTRIMS Forum 2021 on the misdiagnosis of adult-onset genetic leukodystrophies as multiple sclerosis.

Nusinersen Safety Demonstrated in DEVOTE Phase 2/3 Study in SMA

Treatment with nusinersen demonstrated no clinically meaningful changes in vital signs or clinical laboratory parameters, including urine parameters, in those with spinal muscular atrophy.

Ataluren Delays Loss of Ambulation in Patients With Nonsense Mutation DMD

Researchers also found that, in comparing ataluren to standard care, ataluren delayed loss in pulmonary function.