Evaluating Cognitive Health: Tools, Markers, and the Concept of Cognitive PIRA
December 23rd 2024Panelists discuss how clinicians can evaluate cognitive health using neuroimaging, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)/blood biomarkers, and comprehensive assessments. Understanding concepts like cognitive progressive irreversible reductions in activity (PIRA) and focusing on multifaceted interventions—including lifestyle modifications, early detection, and personalized strategies—can help maintain cognitive wellness and mitigate decline.
Long-Term Cognitive Effects of Cladribine: SDMT Score Changes in the CLARIFY-MS Extension Study
December 23rd 2024Panelists discuss how the CLARIFY-MS extension study revealed stable cognitive function 4 years post cladribine, highlighting the potential of early treatment to preserve cognitive capabilities in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Cognitive assessments remain crucial for monitoring disease progression and tailoring patient management.
Novel Approach to Antiseizure Drug Development With Use of Long Episodes: Jacqueline A. French, MD
December 17th 2024The professor of neurology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine discussed a pioneering study using long seizure episodes to optimize treatment devices and identify effective antiseizure drugs in epilepsy care. [WATCH TIME: 2 minutes]
Exploring DMTs: Blood-Brain Barrier Penetration and Cognitive Health Benefits
December 16th 2024Panelists discuss how disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) like dimethyl fumarate, fingolimod, and cladribine demonstrate potential blood-brain barrier penetration, offering neuroprotective mechanisms. While these therapies show promise in mitigating cognitive decline, their impacts vary, highlighting the complex interplay among neuroinflammation, immune modulation, and cognitive preservation in multiple sclerosis management.
Addressing PIRA in Clinical Practice and Patient Conversations
December 16th 2024Panelists discuss how in managing multiple sclerosis (MS), clinicians must adopt a comprehensive approach to progressive irreversible reductions in activity (PIRA) that prioritizes early detection, transparent communication, and patient empowerment. By integrating regular cognitive assessments, providing compassionate and clear explanations, and emphasizing proactive management strategies, physicians can help patients navigate the complex cognitive landscape of MS, ultimately preserving quality of life and fostering patient resilience in the face of neurological challenges.
Using SEEG Data to Decode Brain Activity for Decision-Making: Alexander C. Whiting, MD
December 13th 2024The director of epilepsy surgery at Allegheny Health Network talked about recent advances in brain signal analysis with stereoelectroencephalography and its potential for transforming care for decision-making disorders. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]
Honoring the Impact of Recognition and Advocacy in MS Care: Aprile Royal, RN, BA, MEd
December 11th 2024The manager of the BARLO MS education program at St. Michael's Hospital highlighted the significance of recognition, the pivotal role of nurses in multiple sclerosis care, and the lasting impact of mentorship and advocacy. [WATCH TIME: 5 minutes]
Promise Behind Stem Cell Approaches to Treat Epilepsy: Jonathan Parker, MD, PhD
December 10th 2024The assistant professor of neurosurgery and neuroscience at Mayo Clinic Arizona provided context on the potential of regenerative therapies like stem cells to restore neural function in patients with epilepsy. [WATCH TIME: 3 minutes]
Disability Accumulation and Early Therapy: Insights from MAGNIFY-MS and High-Efficacy DMT Data
December 9th 2024Panelists discuss how the MAGNIFY-MS study underscores the significance of early, aggressive multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment with cladribine, demonstrating its potential to effectively mitigate disability progression through progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) suppression in both treatment-naive and previously treated patient populations, with outcomes competitive with other high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies.
Therapeutic Optimization of Stiripentol for Dravet Syndrome: James Wheless, MD, FAAP, FAAN, FAES
December 9th 2024The Le Bonheur Chair in Pediatric Neurology at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center highlighted the benefits and challenges of using stiripentol, an FDA-approved treatment for Dravet syndrome. [WATCH TIME: 4 minutes]
NMOSD Management with New FDA-approved Agents to Reduce Relapse and Hospitalization Rates
December 9th 2024A panelist discusses how neurologists can adapt their NMOSD management strategies based on recent findings about relapse and hospitalization rates, sharing practical advice and clinical experience for optimizing patient outcomes.
Biomarkers and Therapeutic Impact on PIRA
Published: December 9th 2024 | Updated: December 6th 2024Panelists discuss how recent investigations into progression independent of relapse activity (PIRA) in multiple sclerosis (MS) have revealed complex inflammatory signatures in cerebrospinal fluid and peripheral blood, with biomarkers like neurofilament light chain and pro-inflammatory cytokines showing promise in tracking neurodegeneration. The Swedish MS Registry’s findings suggest that early implementation of high-efficacy disease-modifying therapies may effectively delay or prevent PIRA progression, though these results require further robust, multicenter validation to definitively establish clinical significance and generalizability.
Advancing Epilepsy Treatment and Brain Research Through SEEG: Alexander C. Whiting, MD
December 7th 2024The director of epilepsy surgery at Allegheny Health Network talked about research recently presented at AES 2024 on stereo-electroencephalography, a minimally invasive treatment for patients with epilepsy. [WATCH TIME: 7 minutes]