REPORT FROM THE 2009 AAN ANNUAL MEETING – A small study has found that breastfeeding may protect against MS relapses in the postpartum period, calling into question the wisdom of advising women to resume disease-modifying therapy (DMT) immediately after childbirth and forego breastfeeding.
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Neurology
Bilingualism: no protective effect
May 20, 2009REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY – An analysis of data from the longitudinal Einstein Aging Study (EAS) has found that bilingualism does not protect against or delay the onset of dementia or amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (Saunders et al. AAN 2009; abstract S02.004).
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Phase III trial results for cladribine: the CLARITY study
May 20, 2009REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY – Oral cladribine appears to be effective in reducing relapse rates and disability progression, according to the preliminary results from the phase III CLARITY (Cladribine tablets treating MS orally) trial (Giovannoni et al. AAN 2009; abstract LBS.001).
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Avoid valproate during pregnancy: guidelines
May 20, 2009REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY – It is relatively safe for women with epilepsy to become pregnant but valproate use and antiepileptic drug polytherapy should be avoided due to an increased risk of fetal malformations, according to new guidelines developed by the American Academy of Neurology and the American Epilepsy Society.
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Estimating the lifetime risk of PD
May 5, 2009Researchers at Harvard University have examined a cohort of male physicians (age range 40-84) in the U.S. (n=21,970) to estimate the incidence and lifetime risk of Parkinsons disease (Driver et al. Neurology 2009;72:432-438).