Ocrelizumab, a novel anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, is set to enter phase III testing in MS, according to industry newsletter FierceBiotech (www.fiercebiotech.com). The announcement was made at an investor event hosted by Roche. The drug was developed by Genentech, a subsidiary of Roche, and Biogen Idec.
Neurology
Dalfampridine may improve walking ability: phase III results
March 9, 2011A phase III trial of dalfampridine, or 4-aminopyridine in an oral extended-release formulation, has found that the agent appears to improve walking ability in MS patients (Goodman et al. Ann Neurol 2010; 68: 494-502).
Deep brain stimulation: consensus recommendations
March 9, 2011An international consortium has published its recommendations on issues relating to deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (Bronstein et al. Arch Neurol 2010; epublished October 11, 2010).
White matter hyperintensities predict cognitive decline
February 23, 2011White matter hyperintensities are a predictor of cognitive decline in relatively healthy older subjects, according to data from the Alzheimer Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (Carmichael et al. Arch Neurol 2010; 67: 1370-1378).
MoCA recommended to detect cognitive dysfunction in Parkinson’s disease
February 23, 2011The task force of the Parkinson Study Group Cognitive/Psychiatric Working Group has recommended the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) as the most suitable tool to detect mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with Parkinson’s disease (Chou et al. Mov Disord 2010; 25: 2501-2507). The task force further recommended that the MoCA be employed in clinical trials of PD where the primary outcome is not cognitive performance.