An estimated 26.7% of patients with Parkinson’s disease experience mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to a Movement Disorder Society task force report (Litvan et al. Mov Disord 2011; 26: 1814-1824). The estimated point prevalence of MCI is 30%; the estimated cumulative prevalence is >75% for PD patients surviving more than 10 years (Hely et al. Mov Disord 2008; 60: 387-392; Bronnick et al. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2006; 77: 1136-1142).
Neurology
AMPA blockade in epilepsy: update on perampanel trials
January 11, 2012REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN EPILEPSY SOCIETY 65TH ANNUAL MEETING, BALTIMORE, MD, DECEMBER 2-6, 2011 – Perampanel (E2007) is a selective AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid)-type glutamate receptor antagonist that is currently in late-phase development for the treatment of refractory partial-onset seizures.
Targeting IL-1b in epilepsy: VX-765
January 11, 2012REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN EPILEPSY SOCIETY 65TH ANNUAL MEETING, BALTIMORE, MD, DECEMBER 2-6, 2011 – Animals studies have suggested that inflammation is a pathogenic factor in epilepsy, notably through the induction of caspase-1 and interleukin(IL)-1beta (Maroso et al. Neurotherapeutics 2011; 8: 304-315).
VX-765 is a small-molecule inhibitor of caspase-1 currently undergoing phase II testing in refractory partial-onset seizures.
Sudden unexpected death with lamotrigine: risk estimate
January 11, 2012REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN EPILEPSY SOCIETY 65TH ANNUAL MEETING, BALTIMORE, MD, DECEMBER 2-6, 2011 – A Norwegian study estimates that the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is 2.5 per 1000 patient-years in female patients receiving lamotrigine compared to 0.5 per 1000 patient-years in women not on lamotrigine (Aurlien et al. AES 2011; abstract 3.205).
Alemtuzumab: high rate of autoimmune disorders
December 14, 2011A UK study reports that 22% of patients treated with alemtuzumab developed autoimmune disorders, notably autoimmune thyroiditis, which occurred in 15.7% (Cossburn et al. Neurology 2011; 2011; 77:573-579). Secondary autoimmunity developed most commonly in months 12-18 of treatment and was evident for up to five years. Risk factors included a family history of autoimmune disorders (OR 7.31) and smoking history (OR 3.05).