Latest Conference Coverage

Clinical Potential of Cognito’s Gamma Sensory Stimulation Device in Alzheimer Disease: Brent Vaughan

The chief executive officer of Cognito Therapeutics provided an in-depth overview of the company’s gamma sensory stimulation device, its mechanism of action, and why it serves as a promising therapy for patients with Alzheimer disease. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Anti-Amyloid-ß Oligomer Antibody ACU193 Reduces Amyloid Plaques in Dose-Dependent Manner

ACU193 treatment reduced amyloid plaques in early Alzheimer disease patients, suggesting AßOs as a viable target, with safety data and ARIA analysis presented at CTAD 2023.

Combination of Aducanumab Infusion and Focused Ultrasound Accelerates Reduction of Amyloid-ß Plaques

The use of focused ultrasound-mediated blood-brain barrier opening has the potential to advance neurotherapeutics in the treatment of Alzheimer disease and other progreesive neurological disorder impacted by that barrier.

Biogen’s BIIB080 Exhibits Favorable Outcomes in Phase 1b Trial for Early Alzheimer Disease

Patients with mild Alzheimer disease who received high doses of BIIB080 demonstrated improvement in cognitive and functional outcomes compared with placebo, supporting further investigation.

Mechanistic Potential of Pepinemab, a SEMA4D-Blocking Antibody: Terrence L. Fisher, PhD

The senior vice president of clinical development at Vaccinex provided commentary on a presentation from CTAD 2023 highlighting the therapeutic potential of peptinemab, an agent that’s shown success in Huntington disease, in patients with Alzheimer disease. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Eisai Plans to Submit BLA for Subcutaneous Lecanemab After Findings Show Promising Results

New subcutaneous lecanemab considered more effective than IV for amyloid plaque removal in Alzheimer disease; FDA application planned by March 2024.

The Complexities of Alzheimer Disease Treatment and Diagnosis in Clinical Trials: Sharon L. Rogers, PhD

The chief executive officer at AmyriAD Therapeutics discussed the limitations of clinical trials assessing potential disease-modifying therapies for Alzhiemer disease including the lack of a diverse patient population and nonthorough clinical assessments for diagnosis. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]

Phase 2b RewinD-LB Study Aims to Confirm Neflamapimod’s Potential in Dementia With Lewy Bodies

Findings from the phase 2a AscenD-LB, a study of neflamapimod in patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease, served as supportive data to guide the phase 2b study.

AXS-05 Shows Reduction in Relapse Risk in Phase 3 ACCORD Trial for Alzheimer Disease Agitation

Findings from the trial demonstrated rapid and sustained clinical response in patients with Alzhiemer disease agitation during the open-label treatment phase and did not show any new safety signals.

Therapeutic Advantages to Using EEG to Assess Alzheimer Agents: Williem de Haan, MD, PhD

The neurologist and senior research at the Amsterdam University Medical Centers’ Alzheimer Center discussed the reasons behind the use of quantitative EEG in assessing Cognition Therapeutics' Alzheimer agent CT1812. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Cognito’s Gamma Sensory Stimulation Continues to Show Promising Long-term Results in OVERTURE Study of Alzheimer Disease

Over the 18-month treatment period, investigators observed no amyloid-related imaging abnormalities along with continued slowing of disease progression in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer disease.

Achieving Consensus and Expanding Treatment Horizons in NMOSD: Lorna Galleguillos, MD; Ricardo Alonso MD, MSc

The neuroimmunologist at Clínica Alemana de Santiago and the head of the University Center for Multiple Sclerosis at Ramos Mejía Hospital talked about Latin America’s pursuit of expanding treatment options and patient inclusivity as a focus of neurological censuses in NMOSD. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

NeuroVoices: Barry Singer, MD, on Recent Strides in the Treatment and Management of Multiple Sclerosis

The director and founder of The MS Center for Innovations in Care provided perspective on some of the significant strides made in recent years to improve the care and access to affordable treatments for patients with multiple sclerosis.

Shifting Toward Precision Care in Multiple Sclerosis Using Disease Activity Tests and Serum Biomarkers: Michael Y. Sy, MD, PhD

The associate professor of clinical neurology at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, discussed the use of a multiple sclerosis disease activity test and serum biomarkers in improving the landscape of care for patients. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Potential Role of Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis: Robert J. Fox, MD

The vice-chair for research at Cleveland Clinic’s Neurological Institute provided commentary on the expanded research of GFAP in multiple sclerosis and whether certain biomarkers may predict treatment response. [WATCH TIME: 8]

Key Clinical Red Flags for Differential Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis: Georgina Arrambide, MD, PhD

The clinical neurologist at the MS Center of Catalunya provided perspective on her presentation from MSMilan 2023, focusing in on key factors when diagnosing multiple sclerosis from other similarly presenting disorders. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Possibilities of Measuring Cognitive Progression Independent of Relapses in MS: Tom Fuchs, MD, PhD

The research fellow at the Amsterdam University Medical Center provided thoughts on the possibilities of assessing cognitive decline in clinical settings for patients with multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Appropriate Steps Needed for Integration of Biosimilars in MS Treatment Paradigm: Barry Singer, MD

The director and founder of The MS Center for Innovations in Care provided thoughts on the potential role of biosimilars in treating multiple sclerosis and the steps needed to ensure that this integration process is safe. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Unpacking the Controversy of Hormone Therapy in Multiple Sclerosis: Melinda Magyari, MD

The neurologist in the Danish Multiple Sclerosis Center at Copenhagen University Hospital discussed the debate surrounding the use of hormone therapy in multiple sclerosis treatment, highlighting the need for more clinical evidence to support its use. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Insufficient Evidence to Suggest Discontinuation of MS Disease-Modifying Therapies Leads to Worsened Patient-Reported Outcomes

After a median follow-up of 19 months, only the physical component on the Multiple Sclerosis Impact Scale was worsened in the discontinuation group.

Guiding Medical Students Through Early Career Decisions: Craig Blackstone, MD

The chief of the Movement Disorders Division at Mass General Hospital discussed the challenges medical students face in pathing their career and the importance of a strong mentor figure. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]

Significant Improvements in Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Through Foralumab Treatment

Over a 6-month treatment period, investigators observed either stabilization or improvement on outcomes of Expanded Disability Status Scale, MFIS, T25FW, and pyramidal score.

The Unresolved Bottleneck of Accessing Care for Mental Health in MS: Bernd C. Kieseier, MD

The global program head of the development unit for neuroscience at Novartis talked about the evolving landscape of mental health care for multiple sclerosis including the accessibility barrier that remains for patients in many regions. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

NeuroVoices: Diana Gallagher, MD, on New Phase 2 FUSION Study of BTK Inhibitor BIIB091

The head of Biogen’s MS and Immunology Department Unit provided an overview of FUSION, a currently recruiting study assessing the efficacy and safety of BIIB091 as a monotherapy and in combination with diroximel fumarate.

Additive Potential of BTK Inhibitors in Multiple Sclerosis Treatment Paradigm: Diana Gallagher, MD

The head of Biogen’s MS and Immunology Department Unit detailed the potential of combination approaches to treat MS, including the reasons for diroximel fumarate in the newly initiated phase 2 FUSION study. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Enhancing Disability Monitoring in Multiple Sclerosis Using Digital Tools: Mikael Cohen, MD

The senior neurologist at the University Hospital Center of Nice in France talked about a digital tool developed to monitor disability more accurately in patients with multiple, especially during the early stages of the disease. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Link Identified Between PIRA and Retinal Atrophy in Multiple Sclerosis

Over a 24-month follow-up, investigators observed increased ganglion cell loss that could potentially be associated with an enhanced risk of developing progression without relapse activity.

Reviewing the Utilization of Serum Biomarker Tests for Diagnosing Multiple Sclerosis: William Kilgo, MD

The director of the neurology residency program and assistant professor of neurology at the University of South Alabama College of Medicine shared his insights from a year’s worth of using a serum biomarker test for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Antisense Oligonucleotide AOC 1001 Demonstrates Long-Term Safety Open-Label Extension of MARINA Trial

AOC 1001 consistently demonstrated directional improvements across multiple aspects of myotonic dystrophy type 1, including measures of myotonia, strength, function, and patient reported outcome.

Patients With NMOSD Who Switch From Rituximab to Eculizumab Report Fewer Comorbidities and Hospitalizations

Data from a US database suggest that patients who switched to eculizumab (Soliris; Alexion) significantly reduced their hospitalization, days hospitalized, and documented comorbidities.