REPORT FROM THE 63rd ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY (AAN), HONOLULU, HAWAII, APRIL 9-16, 2011 – An analysis of data from the phase III FREEDOMS trial of fingolimod in relapsing-remitting MS reports that 3-month disability progression is reduced by about one-third overall, with reductions seen consistently across all predefined subgroups (Devonshire et al. AAN 2011; abstract P01.198).
Neurology
CCSVI: Supporting evidence lacking
April 13, 2011REPORT FROM THE 63rd ANNUAL MEETING OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY (AAN), HONOLULU, HAWAII, APRIL 9-16, 2011- Three new studies presented at the AAN annual meeting have failed to provide supportive evidence of chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency (CCSVI) in MS.
Depression correlated with Lewy bodies, neuronal loss
March 30, 2011An autopsy study of brains of non-dementia subjects with reported depression during their lifetime suggests that there are discrete neuropathological correlates of late-life depression (Tsopelas et al. Br J Psychiatry 2011; 198: 109-114).
B cell drug set to enter phase III testing
March 30, 2011Ocrelizumab, 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.
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).