Challenges in Diagnosing Optic Neuritis in MS and MOGAD
March 30th 2025A pair of neurologists provide clinical insight on the difficulties with identifying and differentiating optic neuritis in various autoimmune conditions like multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]
Educating the Clinical Community on Changes to MS Diagnostic Criteria
March 29th 2025In this third episode, experts delve into the evolving role of optic neuritis and the central vein sign in refining multiple sclerosis diagnosis, highlighting their significance in distinguishing MS from other conditions and ensuring accurate patient care. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]
Impact of Optic Nerve Inclusion on Early MS Diagnosis and Treatment
March 28th 2025Panelists explore the impact of including optic nerve involvement in the diagnostic criteria for multiple sclerosis, highlighting how this revision leads to more definitive diagnoses and earlier initiation of treatment for patients at high risk. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]
Balancing Approved Therapies and Patient Preference in Parkinson Disease
March 28th 2025An expert discusses the importance of collaborating with patients, emphasizing the value of leading with data when educating them on the efficacy of treatments, and highlights the role of providers in supporting patients as they discover the medications and supplements that work best for them, while advocating for and protecting patients to ensure they can seek the best quality of life.
Providing a Holistic Approach to Parkinson Disease Care
March 28th 2025An expert discusses the various forms of therapy offering nutritional support, including exercise and supplements, emphasizing that supplemental therapy, along with medication, is most effective, and highlights the potential benefits of the Mediterranean diet for Parkinson disease.
The Urgency of Funding and Equity in Neuromuscular Research and Care: Robert Califf, MD
March 27th 2025The former FDA commissioner spoke on the need for policy and funding efforts for neuromuscular disorders, the stress on the clinical care system, and the need to acknowledge healthcare inequities. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]
Raising Global Awareness for Epilepsy on Purple Day: Sonal Bhatia, MD, FACNS
March 26th 2025The director of the pediatric epilepsy monitoring unit at the Medical University of South Carolina provided commentary on the significance of Purple Day as a means to raise awareness about epilepsy. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]
Emerging Treatment Landscape and Future Outlook for Friedreich Ataxia
March 26th 2025An expert discusses how vatiquinone targets Friedreich ataxia in patients with balance issues by inhibiting 15-lipoxygenase to reduce oxidative stress. Novel dual-route gene therapy combines systemic IV and targeted dentate nuclei delivery, addressing both central and peripheral manifestations while potentially offering disease-modifying benefits.
Advancing Friedreich Ataxia Treatment With FDA-Approved Therapies
March 26th 2025An expert discusses how omaveloxolone is a nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) activator that addresses oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in Friedreich ataxia. It works by binding to Keap1, which releases Nrf2 to enter the nucleus and upregulate antioxidant genes. Clinical trials showed modest improvements in neurological function, as measured by modified Friedreich Ataxia Rating Scale scores. Adverse effects include headache, nausea, and elevated liver enzymes. Omaveloxolone has been integrated into clinical practice as part of multidisciplinary care, requiring regular monitoring and coordination with physical therapy, cardiology, and other specialties.
Differentiating Cognitive Decline in Multiple Sclerosis and Alzheimer Disease: Sarah Levy, PhD
March 25th 2025The assistant professor in the department of neurology at Mount Sinai discussed distinguishing cognitive impairment in MS from AD emphasizing orientation as a key differentiator. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]
Sexual Problems and Neurogenic Bladder
March 25th 2025Panelist discusses how managing bladder and sexual dysfunction in neurological care requires addressing access barriers, fostering open communication, recognizing symptom overlap, understanding medication adverse effects, and providing gender-specific care.
Challenges and Trust in Telehealth Integration for Multiple Sclerosis Care: Enrique Alvarez, MD, PhD
March 24th 2025The professor of neurology at University of Colorado School of Medicine talked about the challenges of telehealth and device-based data collection in clinical practice. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]
Addressing Persistent Challenges in NMOSD Diagnosis and Treatment: Sumaira Ahmed
March 24th 2025Despite advancements in NMOSD treatments, the founder and executive director of the Sumaira Foundation discussed how misdiagnosis, delayed diagnosis, and disparities in care remain significant challenges. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]
Updates on Guidance for Diagnosing Pediatric and Late-Onset Multiple Sclerosis: Andrew Solomon, MD
March 21st 2025The professor of neurological sciences at the University of Vermont discussed the work of the MS Differential Diagnosis Consortium, highlighting efforts to refine MS differential diagnosis and improve clinical accuracy. [WATCH TIME: 8 minutes]
Exciting Pipeline Therapeutics for Parkinson Disease
March 21st 2025An expert discusses upcoming advancements in Parkinson disease treatments, including the potential release of the ND0612 pump later this year, demonstrating efficacy comparable to oral carbidopa/levodopa, the dopamine agonist tavapadon, CVN424 as a novel therapy not targeting the dopamine pathway, and ongoing stem cell and gene therapy developments, with stem cells capable of creating dopamine-producing cells entering phase 3 studies.
Celebrating Milestones and Tackling New Frontiers in Pompe Disease: Priya Kishnani, MD
March 21st 2025The professor of pediatrics and division chief of Medical Genetics at Duke University gave clinical insight on a presentation on the advancements and limitations of enzyme replacement therapy for Pompe Disease. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]
Critical Lessons From Emergence of Enzyme Replacement Therapies in Pompe Disease: Priya Kishnani, MD
March 20th 2025The professor of pediatrics and division chief of Medical Genetics at Duke University delved into the transformative impact of enzyme replacement therapy on Pompe disease, addressing its advancements, limitations, and promising innovations shaping its future. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]
SAT-3247 and Restoring Muscle Regeneration in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Phil Lambert, PhD
March 19th 2025The chief scientific officer at Satellos Bioscience gave clinical insight on a new novel treatment and its mechanism of action in treating Duchenne muscular dystrophy. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]
Mechanism and Promise Behind Del-Zota for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy: Michael Flanagan, PhD
March 18th 2025The chief scientific officer at Avidity Biosciences provided clinical perspective on the function and mechanism of del-zota, an investigational antisense treatment in development for DMD amenable to exon 44 skipping. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]
Neurogenic Bladder and Multidisciplinary Care
March 18th 2025Panelist discusses how a neurologist typically manages neurogenic bladder when it stems directly from neurological conditions, they’re already treating but that they should refer to urology for complex cases requiring specialized urologic interventions, when conservative management fails, or when there are complications such as recurrent urinary tract infections or structural changes. Close collaboration between both specialists often provides optimal patient care.
Importance of Multidisciplinary Teams for Friedreich Ataxia Treatment and Quality of Life
March 17th 2025An expert discusses how Friedreich ataxia significantly impacts quality of life through progressive neurological deterioration affecting mobility, coordination, and cardiovascular health. Standard care includes symptom management with physical/occupational therapy and cardiac monitoring for both pediatric and adult patients. Multidisciplinary teams (neurologists, cardiologists, therapists, and genetic counselors) coordinate comprehensive care addressing the disease's multisystem effects.
Friedreich Ataxia: Pathophysiology, Prevalence, and Prognosis
March 17th 2025An expert discusses how Friedreich ataxia is an autosomal recessive neurodegenerative disorder caused by trinucleotide (GAA) repeat expansion in the FXN gene, reducing frataxin protein production. This leads to mitochondrial dysfunction and progressive damage to the spinal cord, peripheral nerves, and heart. Patients present with progressive ataxia, dysarthria, sensory loss, and areflexia, typically manifesting between ages 5 and 15. Diagnosis relies on clinical assessment, genetic testing for GAA expansions, and supportive findings, including cardiomyopathy, scoliosis, and diabetes.