Researchers at Columbia University report that the family histories provided by patients with epilepsy are reasonably accurate when it comes to siblings and children, but less so when it comes to parents (Ottman et al. Neurology 2011; 76: 390-396).
Neurology
No evidence that NSAIDs lower PD risk
October 5, 2011A case-control analysis of data from the Physicians’ Health Study reports that there is insufficient evidence that NSAID use lowers the risk of Parkinson’s disease (Driver et al. Br Med J 2011; epublished January 20, 2011; free full text at www.bmj.com/content/342/bmj.d198.long). The database included 22,007 physicians aged 40-84 years. Cases were matched by age and confounders (comorbidity, indicators for NSAID use).
BP and Alzheimer’s disease: results inconclusive
September 21, 2011A systematic review of 18 studies reports that there is insufficient evidence to indicate a causal association between blood pressure and the development of Alzheimer’s disease (Power et al. Epidemiology 2011; 22: 646-659).
Merck drops telcagepant migraine drug
September 21, 2011Telcagepant, an oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist for the treatment of migraine, will not be developed further, according to a statement issued as part of Merck’s second-quarter earnings statement and reported by Dow Jones (www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201107290851dowjonesdjonline000416&title=updatemerck-to-cut-up-to-13,000-jobsreports-2q-net-gain).
Laquinimod: Few cheers for BRAVO results
September 21, 2011Early results from the phase III trial of laquinimod indicate that the drug is no more effective than placebo in reducing relapses, according to a press release issued by Teva Pharmaceuticals (http://hugin.info/1002/R/1535269/468107.pdf) and an August 1st webcast to investors (http://ir.tevapharm.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=73925&p=irol-EventDetails&EventId=4168607). More complete results from the trial are expected to be presented later this year at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in MS (ECTRIMS) annual conference in Amsterdam.