Latest Conference Coverage

Integrative Medicine Workshop Produces Varied Results in Wellness, Self-Efficacy in MS

The workshop included weekly virtual meetings on journaling, meditation, yoga therapeutics, among other activities.

Alemtuzumab Treatment Poplation Identified, Siponimod Preserves Retinal Thickness, ATA188 Shows Success in Phase 1

Neurology News Network for the week ending October 15, 2021. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Worsening Disability in Children With MS Predicted By Clinico-Demographic Characteristics

Investigators concluded that treatment with high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies was a protective factor in disease prognosis.

Expanded Data from ULTIMATE 1 and 2 Trials of Ublituximab: Lawrence Steinman, MD

The Zimmermann Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, and Pediatrics at Stanford University spoke on the safety and efficacy of ublituximab in treating patients with relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Stable Immunity Observed After COVID-19 Infection in Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

Data presented at the ECTRIMS Congress 2021 noted immunity was reduced in patients taking anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies.

Targeting Epstein-Barr Virus–Infected B Cells With ATA188: Bridget A. Bagert, MD, MPH

The director of the Multiple Sclerosis Center at Ochsner Health discussed the open-label extension data presented at ECTRIMS Congress on ATA188 in progressive MS. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Real-World Ofatumumab Use Highlighted Post-Approval for MS

The vast majority of patients with MS, 63.4%, who initiated ofatumumab treatment in the 6 months after its approval had mild disability, while only 29.2% had moderate disability and 7.4% had severe disability.

Nabiximols Shows Continued Impact on Spasticity in Multiple Sclerosis

The treatment effect observed from nabiximols (Sativex; GW Pharmaceuticals) was significant at all 1-week time points over the course of the 12-week study.

Expanded Data, Future Implications for Ublituximab in Relapsing Multiple Sclerosis

Lawrence Steinman, MD, Zimmermann Professor of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, and Pediatrics at Stanford University, discussed findings presented at ECTRIMS 2021.

Siponimod Demonstrates Beneficial Effects on Neurodegeneration in Progressive MS

Data from the EXPAND trial show that after 12 months of treatment, changes on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness favored those on siponimod rather than the placebo group.

Grading Valuable Aspects of Mesenchymal Cell Activity in Progressive MS: Jeffrey Cohen, MD

The director of the Mellen Center for MS Treatment and Research at Cleveland Clinic provided context on whether efficacy outcomes should be weighed more than mechanistic action when evaluating MSC-NTF cell therapies. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

ATA188 Shows Sustained Benefit in Progressive MS in Phase 1 Extension Study

In addition to the data presented at ECTRIMS Congress 2021, Atara Bio is investigating the therapy in an ongoing and enrolling phase 2 study, EMBOLD (NCT03283826), which is expected to read out interim results in early 2022.

Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine Safe for Patients With Multiple Sclerosis

After vaccination, patients showed no increased risk of relapse activity, but had varied immune response depending on the disease-modifying therapy they were treated with.

Race, Ethnicity May Affect DMT Response and Tolerability in Multiple Sclerosis

Investigators found that Hispanic and African American patients had an increased risk of developing ambulatory disability, when compared to Caucasian patients with MS.

Real-World Study Confirms Efficacy, Target Population for Alemtuzumab in MS

In data presented at ECTRIMS 2021, from years 1-5, the proportions of patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis achieving NEDA-3 status ranged from 63%to 75%.

Benefits to Treating Progressive MS With Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Jeffrey Cohen, MD

The director of the Mellen Center for MS Treatment and Research at Cleveland Clinic discussed the use of MSC-NTF cells in progressive MS and the data backing this approach. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Taking a Different Approach to Slow Parkinson Disease Progression

Positive Signs From Prasinezumab in Parkinson Disease: Gennero Pagano, MD, MSc, PhD

The expert medical director at Roche provided detail on results from the phase 2 PASADENA study presented at the 2021 MDS Virtual Congress. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]

Highlighting the Significant Strides Made in Friedreich Ataxia Care

David R. Lynch, MD, PhD, professor of neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, discussed why omaveloxolone’s recent success speaks to the progress made within the FA treatment space.

Cala Trio TAPS Device Reduces Severe Tremor in Patients With ET

When used for at least 30 days, it was reported that patients with essential tremor reported improvement in tremor power following 54% of sessions.

NeuroVoices: David R. Lynch, MD, PhD, on the First Potentially Approved Friedreich Ataxia Treatment

The professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine discussed the state of care for Friedrich ataxia and omaveloxolone’s potential to become its first approved therapy.

Takeaways From MDS 2021: Lisanne Dommershuijsen, MSc

Following her presentation at MDS 2021, the PhD candidate in epidemiology at Erasmus University Medical Center discussed highlights from this year’s virtual congress. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Mechanistic Action and FDA Outlook for Omaveloxolone in Friedreich Ataxia: David R. Lynch, MD, PhD

The professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine discussed whether omaveloxolone’s therapeutic benefit is enough for it to become the first approved therapy for Friedrich ataxia. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Developing Interventions to Address Mental Health in Parkinson Disease: Lisanne Dommershuijsen, MSc

The PhD candidate in the epidemiology department at Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands discussed the need for tailored treatment in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

MDS Congress 2021: Highlights, Takeaways, and Future Research

Following MDS 2021, we compiled a roundup of some of our discussions with experts in the Parkinson disease and movement disorders space in one convenient location.

COVID-19 Stressors and Mental Health in Parkinson Disease: Lisanne Dommershuijsen, MSc

The PhD candidate in the epidemiology department at Erasmus University Medical Center in the Netherlands discussed the need for tailored treatment in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]

Victor Sung, MD, on the Cost of Genetic Testing for Huntington Disease

The director of the UAB Huntington's Disease Clinic offered his insight on a recent assessment of HD genetic testing at HDSA Centers of Excellence, and the associated costs for patients.

Omavelexolone’s Potential in Friedreich Ataxia: David R. Lynch, MD, PhD

The professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine discussed his presentation at MDS 2021, which highlighted the therapeutic benefit of omaveloxolone in Friedreich ataxia. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]

Sex Differences Identified With Caregiver Burden in Parkinson Disease

Data suggest that certain activities of daily living are more prevalent depending on whether the caregiver is a man or a woman.

Discussing the Efficacy of SAGE-324 in Treating Essential Tremor

Helen Colquhoun, MD, vice president of early development at Sage Therapeutics, commented on results from a phase 2 study in which patients receiving SAGE-324 showed a significant decrease in ET.