Novel Approach to Antiseizure Drug Development With Use of Long Episodes: Jacqueline A. French, MD
December 17th 2024The professor of neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine discussed a pioneering study using long seizure episodes to optimize treatment devices and identify effective antiseizure drugs in epilepsy care. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]
Exploring DMTs: Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration and Cognitive Health Benefits
December 16th 2024Panelists discuss how disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) like dimethyl fumarate, fingolimod, and cladribine demonstrate potential blood-brain barrier penetration, offering neuroprotective mechanisms. While these therapies show promise in mitigating cognitive decline, their impacts vary, highlighting the complex interplay among neuroinflammation, immune modulation, and cognitive preservation in multiple sclerosis management.
Addressing PIRA in Clinical Practice and Patient Conversations
December 16th 2024Panelists discuss how in managing multiple sclerosis (MS), clinicians must adopt a comprehensive approach to progressive irreversible reductions in activity (PIRA) that prioritizes early detection, transparent communication, and patient empowerment. By integrating regular cognitive assessments, providing compassionate and clear explanations, and emphasizing proactive management strategies, physicians can help patients navigate the complex cognitive landscape of MS, ultimately preserving quality of life and fostering patient resilience in the face of neurological challenges.
Using SEEG Data to Decode Brain Activity for Decision-Making: Alexander C. Whiting, MD
December 13th 2024The director of epilepsy surgery at Allegheny Health Network talked about recent advances in brain signal analysis with stereoelectroencephalography and its potential for transforming care for decision-making disorders. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]
Honoring the Impact of Recognition and Advocacy in MS Care: Aprile Royal, RN, BA, MEd
December 11th 2024The manager of the BARLO MS education program at St. Michael's Hospital highlighted the significance of recognition, the pivotal role of nurses in multiple sclerosis care, and the lasting impact of mentorship and advocacy. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]
Promise Behind Stem Cell Approaches to Treat Epilepsy: Jonathon Parker, MD, PhD
December 10th 2024The assistant professor of neurosurgery and neuroscience at Mayo Clinic Arizona provided context on the potential of regenerative therapies like stem cells to restore neural function in patients with epilepsy. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]
Disability Accumulation and Early Therapy: Insights from MAGNIFY-MS and High-Efficacy DMT Data
December 9th 2024Panelists discuss how the MAGNIFY-MS study underscores the significance of early, aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment with cladribine, demonstrating its potential to effectively mitigate disability progression through progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) suppression in both treatment-naive and previously treated patient populations, with outcomes competitive with other high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies.
Therapeutic Optimization of Stiripentol for Dravet Syndrome: James Wheless, MD, FAAP, FAAN, FAES
December 9th 2024The Le Bonheur Chair in Pediatric Neurology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center highlighted the benefits and challenges of using stiripentol, an FDA-approved treatment for Dravet syndrome. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]
NMOSD Management with New FDA-approved Agents to Reduce Relapse and Hospitalization Rates
December 9th 2024A panelist discusses how neurologists can adapt their NMOSD management strategies based on recent findings about relapse and hospitalization rates, sharing practical advice and clinical experience for optimizing patient outcomes.
Biomarkers and Therapeutic Impact on PIRA
Published: December 9th 2024 | Updated: December 6th 2024Panelists discuss how recent investigations into progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) in multiple sclerosis (MS) have revealed complex inflammatory signatures in cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood, with biomarkers like neurofilament light chain and pro-inflammatory cytokines showing promise in tracking neurodegeneration. The Swedish MS Registry’s findings suggest that early implementation of high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies may effectively delay or prevent PIRA progression, though these results require further robust, multicenter validation to definitively establish clinical significance and generalizability.
Advancing Epilepsy Treatment and Brain Research Through SEEG: Alexander C. Whiting, MD
December 7th 2024The director of epilepsy surgery at Allegheny Health Network talked about research recently presented at AES 2024 on stereo-electroencephalography, a minimally invasive treatment for patients with epilepsy. [WATCH TIME: 7 minutes]
Interdisciplinary Team Needed to Apply Machine Learning in Epilepsy Surgery: Lara Jehi, MD, MHCDS
December 4th 2024The epilepsy specialist and Cleveland Clinic’s Chief Research and Information Officer detailed the steps and teamwork required to implement a machine learning that predicts seizure outcomes in epilepsy surgery. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]
Understanding PIRA in MS: Key Insights and Advances From ECTRIMS 2024
December 3rd 2024Panelists discuss how progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) in multiple sclerosis (MS) represents continuous neurological decline unrelated to inflammatory events, distinct from relapse-associated worsening (RAW). Recent ECTRIMS 2024 presentations emphasized standardized evaluation methods to better understand disease progression and improve patient management strategies.
The Impact of Biomarkers and Modern Disease-Modifying Therapies in MS
December 3rd 2024Panelists discuss how modern multiple sclerosis (MS) management has evolved from symptomatic treatment to a proactive, personalized approach leveraging advanced biomarkers and sophisticated disease-modifying therapies. The focus has shifted toward early intervention, precise monitoring, and comprehensive disease control, significantly improving patient outcomes and quality of life.
Important Considerations for Infantile Spasms Awareness: Martina Bebin, MD, MPA
December 3rd 2024The professor of neurology at the University of Alabama at Birmingham Epilepsy Center provided comment on raising awareness for infantile spasms, especially during Infantile Spams Awareness Week, which is celebrated the first week of December. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]
Exploring Gaps in RLS Treatment Through New 2024 Guidelines: Andy Berkowski, MD, PhD
December 3rd 2024The vice chair of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine’s Clinical Practice Guidelines Task Force commented on some of the unanswered questions following the recently published guidelines for restless legs syndrome. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]