News

Neurology News Network for the week ending December 14, 2019.

A survey by the ALS Association found that 26% of patients reported having a PEG tube, which are typically inserted to allow for continued administration of nutrition, fluids, and medications as the disease progresses.

Although the study did not meet primary and secondary endpoints in patients with PSP, Biogen still plans to continue to study the drug for mild cognitive impairment in Alzheimer disease.

The assistant professor of psychology at East Carolina University spoke to the challenges of overcoming adherence issues in patients with epilepsy, for whom it is so vital.

Treatment with the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) inhibitor resulted in significant improvements in monthly migraine headache days across the groups assessed, including a significantly greater number of patients with ≥50% and ≥75% reductions.

After receiving expedited review after receiving a Complete Response Letter in August, the therapy was approved based on data showing a statistically significant increase in dystrophin production in skeletal muscle.

Laboratories in the US are now authorized to add the GSP Neonatal Creatine Kinase-MM kit to their newborn screening panels if they choose to do so.

Electroencephalography-functional magnetic resonance imaging can better identify the epileptogenic focus, resulting in a direct impact on patient management and surgery decision-making.

The professor of neurology and pediatrics and director of the Pediatric Epilepsy Center at the University of California, San Francisco, discussed his personal experience with fenfluramine and the advantages that the drug may present when treating patients with Dravet syndrome.

Full results from the single-dose crossover study requested by the FDA were reported at AES 2019, along with multi-dose safety and efficacy data.

Patients were more affected by seizure cluster control and need for additional midazolam dosing than post-dose somnolence.

Patients treated with NeuroPace’s Responsive Neurostimulation system within 20 years of epilepsy onset were observed to have significantly better outcomes related to several aspects of quality of life and mood compared to those treated later.

The director of pediatric epilepsy and the Herscot Center for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex at Massachusetts General Hospital, and professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School spoke to the safety outcomes from GWPCARE6 and CBD’s low-dose efficacy.

Study findings suggest that the presence of hypsarrhythmia—abnormal, chaotic brainwave patterns—may play a role in the risk of autism spectrum disorder in patients with a history of infantile spasms.

The medical director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Clinic at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital discussed the advantages of intranasal diazepam over traditional midazolam and rectal diazepam.

Data suggests that treatment with cannabidiol is associated with other benefits besides a decrease in seizure frequency.

The assistant professor of psychology at East Carolina University offered insight about the resources are available to physicians and providers and what techniques can be useful to help patients have a better quality of life in light of refractory and uncontrolled seizures.

Adjunctive cenobamate demonstrated a good tolerability and safety profile, as well as sustained efficacy, in patients with uncontrolled focal seizures.

In a PROVE study subgroup of adolescent patients exposed to perampanel over a 2-year period, the Eisai product proved to be well-tolerated and efficacious, with good retention rates.

The director of epilepsy surgery and associate professor of neurosurgery at UC Irvine spoke about the consequences of patients choosing to forgo beneficial surgery and the importance of communication between surgeon and epileptologist.

Interim analysis of a 5-year, post-approval study of the NeuroPace Responsive Neurostimulation system support prior findings that the device is safe and effective in reducing medically intractable focal seizures in adults.

Fenfluramine oral solution is currently being evaluated by the FDA for the treatment of seizures associated with Dravet syndrome.

A single-center study of more than 3600 virtual visits displayed a high level of satisfaction from patients regarding their experience with telemedicine and their providers, suggesting the practice may be ready for large-scale use.

Patients treated with intranasal midazolam who were on enzyme-inducing AEDs experienced numerically lower treatment-emergent adverse events.

The director of epilepsy surgery and associate professor of neurosurgery at UC Irvine discussed the challenges he has encountered in getting patients with epilepsy to undergo beneficial procedures, often due to misinformation.

The director of pediatric epilepsy and the Herscot Center for Tuberous Sclerosis Complex at Massachusetts General Hospital, and professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School discussed the findings of the GWPCARE6 trial of cannabidiol.

The American Epilepsy Society recognized several members from its clinical and research communities for their outstanding contributions to the field of epilepsy.

Despite evidence of the benefits and safety of breastfeeding in women with epilepsy, 2 studies suggest this population breastfeeds significantly less often than women without epilepsy, due to fears of drug exposure or recommendations against the practice.

An analysis of 2 different doses of intranasal diazepam showed consistent safety and tolerability results for repeat dosing

The professor and chief of pediatric neurology, and director of the comprehensive epilepsy program and neuroscience institute at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital offered insight into his experience with midazolam and its potential to play a vital role in treating seizure clusters.