REPORT FROM THE EUROPEAN CHARCOT FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING – BAVENO, ITALY, NOVEMBER 28-30, 2013 – A decade ago, four immunopathological patterns of demyelination were described for MS lesions (Lucchinetti et al. Ann Neurol 2000;47:707-717). Patterns I and II resembled a T-cell-mediated and T-cell plus antibody-mediated autoimmune encephalomyelitis, while patterns III and IV were suggestive of a virus- or toxin-mediated demyelination rather than autoimmune processes. This lesion heterogeneity is evident early in MS; patterns converge to one of T cell, macrophage and microglia involvement later in the disease course (Lassmann H. ECF 2013).
Neurology
Personalized medicine the theme of Charcot meeting
November 29, 2013REPORT FROM THE EUROPEAN CHARCOT FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING – BAVENO, ITALY, NOVEMBER 28-30, 2013 – The past 10 years have seen considerable progress in characterizing the etiopathology and clinical course of multiple sclerosis, and a variety of novel disease-modifying therapies are now available. Personalized medicine is the next step, fine-tuning treatment for individual patients and employing strategies with the appropriate risk-benefit profile.
Seizure prophylaxis following traumatic brain injury
November 13, 2013An estimated 5-7% of patients experience seizures following traumatic brain injury (TBI). Current guidelines by the Brain Trauma Foundation and the AAN recommend the use of anti-seizure medications limited to the first seven days post-trauma (Brain Trauma Foundation. J Neurotrauma 2007;24(suppl 1); free full supplement at www.braintrauma.org/pdf/protected/Guidelines_Management_2007w_bookmarks.pdf).
Inappropriate prescribing common in AD patients
November 13, 2013Three European studies have reported that elderly patients – notably those with Alzheimer’s disease – are highly likely to receive inappropriately prescribed medications both in the community and in the nursing home setting.
Increased risk of relapse with risperidone discontinuation in AD
October 23, 2013A randomized, double-blind study has examined the risk of relapse in AD patients with psychosis or agitation/aggression when the atypical antipsychotic risperidone was withdrawn (Devanand et al. N Engl J Med 2012;367:1497-1507).