Latest Conference Coverage

RNS60 Shows Effects on Forced Vital Capacity, Not Functional Decline or Candidate Biomarkers

Treatment with RNS60 resulted in significantly slower rate of decline in FVC and eating and drinking domains of the ALSAQ-40 scale over a 24-week period.

Emerging Biomarkers to Consider for NMOSD, Neuromyeltis Optica: Bruce Cree, MD, PhD, MAS, FAAN

The clinical research director of the UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center discussed the need for measures of progression in neuromyelitis optica and the next steps in treatment. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Tegoprubart Demonstrates Safety, Target Engagement of ALS Markers in Phase 2 Study

Treatment with tegoprubart resulted in significant reductions of CD40L and CXCL13 levels that occurred after first infusion and sustained throughout the treatment period.

Palatability Strategies Show Promise for Addressing AMX0035 Taste Concerns Among Patients With ALS

As patients with ALS may have altered taste perception and have expressed that bitterness is associated with AMX0035 (Relyvrio; Amylyx) administration, a number of coping strategies have suggested a workaround to ensure treatment adherence and effectiveness.

The ALS MOTOR as a Beneficial and Accessible Tool for Virtually Tracking ALS Progression

Christina Fournier, MD, MSc, associate professor of neurology, Emory University, discussed her presentation at the 2022 NEALS Consortium using a telemedicine exam to track ALS progression.

The Significance of AMX0035 and a Fueled Hope for ALS

Positive Safety Profile of Anti-CD20 Therapy During Postpartum in MS, NMOSD: Riley Bove, MD

The associate professor of neurology at the University of California, San Francisco, discussed takeaways from an oral presentation at ECTRIMS 2022 on the use of anti-CD20 therapies in postpartum for patients with MS and NMOSD. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

SBT-272 Shows Neuroprotective Impacts in ALS Mouse Models of TDP-43 Pathology

SBT-272, an investigational small molecule in development for ALS and other neurological disease of mitochondrial dysfunction, resulted in improved membrane potential and axonal outgrowth of TDP-43 in vitro.

Inebilizumab’s Impact on B-Cells, Plasmablasts, and Plasma Cells in NMOSD: Bruce Cree, MD, PhD, MAS, FAAN

The clinical research director of the UCSF Multiple Sclerosis Center provided insight on an abstract from ECTRIMS 2022 regarding inebilizumab’s mechanism of action to prevent NMOSD attacks. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Ocrelizumab’s Impact on Humoral Response to EBV: Robert Zivadinov, MD, PhD

The director of the Buffalo Neuroimaging Analysis Center provided context on a new study exploring ocrezliumab’s (Ocrevus; Genentech) effect on leptomeningeal inflammation and humoral response to EBV. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Using Clinically Pertinent Neuromuscular Function Assessments to Predict Falls in Multiple Sclerosis

Laurits Taul Madsen, a PhD candidate at Aarhus University, discussed the use of lower extremity function assessments to characterize patients with MS at risk for future falls.

Capabilities of Stem Cell Transplantation vs Other Relapsing MS Therapies: Tomas Kalincik, MD, PhD

The professor of neurology and biostatistician at University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital spoke on stem cell transplantation in patients with MS and its effectiveness in comparison with other traditional approaches. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Paleolithic and Mediterranean Diets Show Greatest Impact on QoL, Fatigue in Multiple Sclerosis

In the meta-analysis, the Paleolithic and Mediterranean diets continued to outperform other dietary interventions such as ketogenic, anti-inflammatory, fasting, and calorie restriction on fatigue and quality-of-life outcomes.

Antibody Levels in Evobrutinib-Treated Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis Increased Following COVID-19 Vaccination

Findings from a randomized phase 2 trial resulted in patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis treated with evobrutinib displaying an increase in S1/S2 IgG antibody levels.

Choosing Between Stem Cell Transplantation or Fingolimod to Treat Highly Active MS: Tomas Kalincik, MD, PhD

The professor of neurology and biostatistician at the University of Melbourne and Royal Melbourne Hospital spoke about his oral presentation from the 38th ECTRIMS Congress. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]

Early Intervention of Highly-Effective DMTs Results in Higher Probability of Achieving NEDA-3

Among those on early highly-effective treatments, shorter disease duration and shorter time between first treatment and current treatment led to more patients achieving no evidence of disease activity.

Using Neuromuscular Function as a Risk Factor for Falls in Multiple Sclerosis: Laurits Taul Madsen, PhD-C

The PhD student at Aarhus University provided insight on his study presented at 2022 ECTRIMS Congress on an innovative way using neuromuscular measures to discriminate those with MS at high risk for falls. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

NeurologyLive® Brain Games: October 30, 2022

Natalizumab Demonstrates Significant Impacts on Motor Fatigue in Relapsing MS

Two weeks after natalizumab infusion, patients demonstrated significantly less central fatigue, with a trend for a reduction in supraspinal fatigue, among other notable findings.

The Clinical Implications of the ARISE Data in RIS: Darin Okuda, MD

The director of Neuroinnovation and Multiple Sclerosis & Neuroimmunology Imaging Program at UT Southwestern Medical Center shared his perspective on data suggesting that DMT can benefit patients with radiologically isolated syndrome. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Nondisabling MS Relapses Associated With Higher Disability Accumulation

In a late-breaking presentation in ECTRIMS, data from the MSBase international registry was suggestive of higher disability accumulation risk compared with those who did not experience relapse, in both treated and untreated patients with MS.

Rituximab Fails to Show Noninferiority to Ocrelizumab in Relapsing-Remitting MS

Using a prespecified noninferiority margin of 0.2 rate ratio, rituximab failed to distinguish itself from ocrelizumab on the primary end point of annualized relapse rate.

Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Fails to Show Superiority to Natalizumab as a Treatment for Progressive MS

Presented as an oral late breaker by Tomas Kalincik, MD, PhD, autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was not superior to natalizumab in the reduction of disability progression in patients with progressive MS.

Dimethyl Fumarate Demonstrates Disease-Modifying Effect in Radiologically Isolated Syndrome

In the first of its kind ARISE study, treatment with dimethyl fumarate resulted in more than 80% reduction in risk of first demyelinating event relative to placebo.

Ofatumumab’s Effect on Annualized Relapse Rate in Patients with MS: Jeffrey Cohen, MD

The neurologist in the Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research at Cleveland Clinic, shares more on his late breaker presentation from the 38th ECTRIMS conference. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Third BNT162b2 COVID-19 Vaccine Dose Revives Humoral Response in MS Among Those Treated With Ocrelizumab, Fingolimod

After preliminary data suggested that humoral response may be delayed among those vaccinated against COVID-19 treated with ocrelizumab, new data from the ECTRIMS Congress suggest a third booster dose can revive such response safely.

Cladribine Shows Quality of Life Improvements in Multiple Sclerosis

Data from the CLARIFY-MS study showed significant improvements in Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life-54 physical and mental composite scores, with consistent safety and tolerability among patients with MS.

Intervening Early in MS With Exercise: Ulrik Dalgas, PhD

The professor of public health and sports science at Aarhus University shared his perspective on the potential to modify multiple sclerosis disease progression with lifestyle interventions. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

BTK Inhibitor Evobrutinib Demonstrates Significant Impact on Neurofilament Light Over 2.5-Year Stretch in Relapsing MS

Dose-dependent reductions in neurofilament light were observed at week 144 in both those who continued treatment from the double-blind period and those who switched from placebo.

The Impact of COVID-19 and Vaccinations for MS Patients: Tianrong Yeo, PhD, MBBS, MRCP, MMED, FAMS, MCI

The senior consultant for the department of neurology at the National Neuroscience Institute shared more details about his presentation that he gave at the 38th ECTRIMS Congress. [WATCH TIME: 6 minutes]