Latest Conference Coverage

NeuroVoices: David R. Lynch, MD, PhD, on the First Potentially Approved Friedreich Ataxia Treatment

The professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine discussed the state of care for Friedrich ataxia and omaveloxolone’s potential to become its first approved therapy.

Takeaways From MDS 2021: Lisanne Dommershuijsen, MSc

Following her presentation at MDS 2021, the PhD candidate in epidemiology at Erasmus University Medical Center discussed highlights from this year’s virtual congress. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Mechanistic Action and FDA Outlook for Omaveloxolone in Friedreich Ataxia: David R. Lynch, MD, PhD

The professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine discussed whether omaveloxolone’s therapeutic benefit is enough for it to become the first approved therapy for Friedrich ataxia. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Developing Interventions to Address Mental Health in Parkinson Disease: Lisanne Dommershuijsen, MSc

The PhD candidate in the epidemiology department at Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands discussed the need for tailored treatment in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

MDS Congress 2021: Highlights, Takeaways, and Future Research

Following MDS 2021, we compiled a roundup of some of our discussions with experts in the Parkinson disease and movement disorders space in one convenient location.

COVID-19 Stressors and Mental Health in Parkinson Disease: Lisanne Dommershuijsen, MSc

The PhD candidate in the epidemiology department at Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands discussed the need for tailored treatment in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Victor Sung, MD, on the Cost of Genetic Testing for Huntington Disease

The director of the UAB Huntington's Disease Clinic offered his insight on a recent assessment of HD genetic testing at HDSA Centers of Excellence, and the associated costs for patients.

Omavelexolone’s Potential in Friedreich Ataxia: David R. Lynch, MD, PhD

The professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine discussed his presentation at MDS 2021, which highlighted the therapeutic benefit of omaveloxolone in Friedreich ataxia. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Sex Differences Identified With Caregiver Burden in Parkinson Disease

Data suggest that certain activities of daily living are more prevalent depending on whether the caregiver is a man or a woman.

Discussing the Efficacy of SAGE-324 in Treating Essential Tremor

Helen Colquhoun, MD, vice president of early development at Sage Therapeutics, commented on results from a phase 2 study in which patients receiving SAGE-324 showed a significant decrease in ET.

Ongoing Therapeutic Developments for Movement Disorders: Saar Anis, MD

When asked about developments, the neurologist and movement disorders specialist at Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Center in Israel commented on the need to identify disease-modifying therapies. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

The Glymphatic System and Sleep Cycle’s Role in Dementia Risk

At the Third International Congress on the Future of Neurology, experts in the care of sleep medicine offered insight into sleep and the glymphatic system’s roles in the development of dementias.

Survey Finds Barriers to Access, Availability of Genetic Testing for Parkinson Disease

Data were collected from the MDS’s membership worldwide, assessing current practices, concerns, and barriers to genetic testing.

Dance Class Intervention Safe for Patients With Parkinson Disease

Data found that synchronic dance classes conducted through Zoom may be particularly effective for patients who live remotely.

Understanding the Use of Medical Cannabis for Movement Disorders: Saar Anis, MD

Following his presentation at the MDS Society Virtual Congress 2021, the neurologist and movement disorders specialist at Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Center discussed his views on the use of medical cannabis. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Treatment With SAGE-324/BIIB124 Reduces Upper Limb Tremor Score

Patients were evaluated at day 29 for change in TETRAS item 4 score change from baseline.

Future Research into Medical Cannabis for Dystonia: Saar Anis, MD

Next steps for medical cannabis will need to include how cannabinoids affect the brain, according to the neurologist and movement disorders specialist at Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Center in Israel.

Genetic Testing Cost for Huntington Disease Nonstandard Across Centers of Excellence

A study from the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Virtual Congress suggest that despite protocol adherence, average costs are moderately high and vary significantly.

Improving Care in Dystonia via Medical Cannabis: Saar Anis, MD

The neurologist and movement disorders specialist at Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Center in Israel discussed future use of medical cannabis and concerns for psychiatric adverse effects.

Efficacy of Medical Cannabis for the Treatment of Dystonia: Saar Anis, MD

The neurologist and movement disorders specialist at Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Center in Israel outlined the small, retrospective study, shedding light on its findings.

Noncontact Boxing Exercise Assessed for Parkinson Disease Benefit

The FIGHT-PD study is expected to complete and read out interim results before the end of 2021. It aims to assess the exercise program’s safety, tolerability, and efficacy in Parkinson disease.

State of Care for Patients With Parkinson Disease: William Ondo, MD

The professor of neurology at Weill Cornell Medical School commented on the available treatments for Parkinson disease, as well as ongoing therapeutic development.

Home Health DBS Management Proves Feasible for Parkinson Disease

Patients who underwent deep brain stimulation procedures that were managed postoperatively in the home reported significantly fewer clinic visits with similar MDS-UPDRS scores to standard of care.

Medical Cannabis Improves Related Pain, Symptoms of Dystonia

Investigators noted the psychiatric adverse effects of treatment with medical cannabis, requiring patient monitoring after initiation.

Prasinezumab Shows Potential Effect of Delaying Motor Progression in Parkinson Disease

Despite not meeting the primary end point, those in the early-start group showed reduced change from baseline in MDS-UPDRS-III scores compared with the delayed-start group at both weeks 52 and 104.

COVID-19 Stressors Associated With Poorer Mental Health in Parkinson Disease

Data from the PRIME-NL study showed stressors resulting from the pandemic impacted depression, anxiety, and quality of life.

Opicapone Demonstrates Small Benefit for Sleep in Parkinson Disease

Improvements in mean total amount of time and percentage of participants that were awake suggested limited effect with opicapone (Ogentys; Neurocrine Bio).

Efficacy, Safety, and Tolerability of Apomorphine Sublingual Film: William Ondo, MD

The director of the Movements Disorders Clinic at Houston Methodist Neurological Institute discussed data presented at the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society Virtual Congress 2021.

ND0612 Subcutaneous Levodopa Delivery System Demonstrates Efficacy in Phase 2 Setting

Patients with Parkinson disease in both the 24-hour and 16-hour ND0612 dosing regimen groups had ON-state UPDRS-motor scores and UPDRS-ADL scores improve over the 12-month period.

Brisk Walking Exercise Improves Nonmotor Parkinson Disease Symptoms

Data from MDS 2021 suggest that a 6-week brisk walking program can improve MDS-UPDRS nonmotor scores significantly compared to standard stretching interventions.