Data blitz presentations at ANA 2016 featured studies on neuronal dysfunction and degeneration in ALS, Parkinson disease, transverse myelitis, & more.
Presentations at the ANA 2016 Selective Neuronal Dysfunction and Degeneration session included studies on neuronal loss in multiple system atrophy, deep brain stimulation in early Parkinson disease, treatment of transverse myelitis with dalfampridine, and a phase I trial of MSC therapy for ALS.
ANA 2016: Selective Neuronal Dysfunction
Medullary Neuronal Loss and Alpha-Synuclein Burden in Multiple System Atrophy
In multiple system atrophy (MSA), what is the extent of loss of adrenergic neurons and serotonergic neurons?
There is severe neuronal loss in the VLM and medullary raphe and adrenergic neurons may be more vulnerable than serotonergic neurons.
Deep Brain Stimulation in Early Stage Parkinson’s Disease: Long-Term Motor Benefit Through 5 Years
What where the long-term safety and clinical outcomes in patients with Parkinson disease treated with subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation?
More investigation is needed, but deep brain stimulation applied in early disease stage in addition to medical therapy seems to provide long-term motor function improvement.
Phase II, Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blinded, Crossover Study of Extended-Release Dalfampridine in Monophasic Transverse Myelitis
Can dalfamprididine improve gait and neurological function in patients with transverse myelitis?
Dalfampridine improved walking speed in 55% of participants. The responder rate in transverse myelitis is a bit higher than multiple sclerosis (40%) and the average degree of improvement is similar.
Intrathecal Autologous Adipose-Derived MSC Treatment for ALS: Results of Phase I and Design of Phase II Clinical Trials
Could mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) be a safe therapy for ALS?
Intrathecal treatment with MSCs appears safe at the tested doses.
