REPORT 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.
Neurology
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risk of relapse in AD patients with psychosis or agitation/aggression when the atypical antipsychotic risperidone was withdrawn (Devanand et al.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).
Brief cognitive screening tool in development
October 5, 2013Highlights of the 29th Congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in MS (ECTRIMS), Copenhagen, DK, October 2-5, 2013 – Researchers at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, have developed a brief cognitive screening tool to evaluate patients with CIS or MS (Lapshin et al. ECTRIMS 2013; abstract P793). The computer-generated battery of tests comprises the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), the STROOP Colour-Word Test, the Paced Visual Serial Addition Test (PVSAT) four- and two-second trials, and an index of cognitive speed. The test battery can be administered in 10 minutes. Read More