Over the past few decades there have been numerous studies investigating whether proximity to high-voltage power lines and exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF) contributes to the development of neurodegenerative diseases. The most recent epidemiological study reports that living near a power line does not increase the risk of developing dementia, Parkinson’s disease or motor neuron disease (Frei et al. Am J Epidemiol 2013; epublished April 9, 2013). Read More
Neurology
Epstein-Barr and MS: meta-analysis
March 5, 2014A new meta-analysis of 39 studies (n=10,864) has concluded that there is an association between Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) seropositivity and MS (Almohmeed et al. PLoS One 2013;8:e61110; free full text at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3621759/pdf/pone.0061110.pdf). Seroprevalence was determined for three anti-EBV antibodies: anti-EBV nuclear antigen 1 (anti-EBNA-1) or EBNA complex; antiviral capsid antigen (anti-VCA); and anti-Early Antigen (anti-EA). Read More
Subthalamic stimulation useful for early motor complications
February 19, 2014A number of studies have demonstrated that deep-brain stimulation (DBS) can improve mobility, ADLs and QOL measures in patients with advanced PD with severe motor complications (Deep-Brain Stimulation for Parkinson’s Disease Study Group. N Engl J Med 2001;345:956-963. Deuschl et al. N Engl J Med 2006;355:896-908; free full text at www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMoa060281). Read More
Clinical Issues in Multiple Sclerosis
December 12, 2013Issues in Multiple Sclerosis
Early diagnosis, identification of non-responders and brain atrophy in MS
Professor Xavier Montalban, MD, PhD
Professor of Neurology
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB)
Director, Multiple Sclerosis Centre of Catalonia
Head, Neuroimmunology Group
Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research
Barcelona, Spain Read More
MS treatment: What is Plan B?
December 5, 2013
Comment by Dr. Paul Steven Giacomini
NeuroSens survey on sequencing
The year 2013 was the twentieth anniversary of the first published trial of a disease-modifying therapy (DMT) in multiple sclerosis, an occasion marked by the arrival of two new oral agents in an expanding armamentarium of MS therapies. Teriflunomide got the green light in Canada and Europe (previously approved in the U.S.); and dimethyl fumarate (DMF) was approved in Canada and the U.S. (but is still pending in Europe).
Laquinimod, fast-tracked by the FDA four years ago, appears to be idling at the curb. Read More