Early results from the phase III trial of laquinimod indicate that the drug is no more effective than placebo in reducing relapses, according to a press release issued by Teva Pharmaceuticals (http://hugin.info/1002/R/1535269/468107.pdf) and an August 1st webcast to investors (http://ir.tevapharm.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=73925&p=irol-EventDetails&EventId=4168607). More complete results from the trial are expected to be presented later this year at the European Committee for Treatment and Research in MS (ECTRIMS) annual conference in Amsterdam.
Neurology
Inhaled apomorphine tested in severe PD
September 14, 2011REPORT FROM THE 15TH INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND MOVEMENT DISORDERS, TORONTO, JUNE 5-9, 2011 – The dopamine agonist apomorphine has demonstrated efficacy as a rescue therapy for end-of-dose wearing-off motor fluctuations in patients with advanced Parkinson’s disease who are receiving optimal antiparkinsonian medications (Chen & Obering. Clin Ther 2005; 27: 1710-1724).
Side effects include injection-site reactions and skin complications, such as panniculitis, resulting from subcutaneous injection (Koller & Stacy. Neurology 2004; 62[6 suppl 4]: S22-S26).
Infection history may influence PD risk
September 14, 2011REPORT FROM THE 15TH INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND MOVEMENT DISORDERS, TORONTO, JUNE 5-9, 2011 – A Canadian case-control study suggests that a history of influenza exposure may increase the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease (Harris et al. Abstract 154).
Predictors of dyskinesia: STRIDE-PD analysis
September 14, 2011REPORT FROM THE 15TH INTERNATIONAL MEETING OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE AND MOVEMENT DISORDERS, TORONTO, JUNE 5-9, 2011 – A number of clinical studies have demonstrated the benefits of entacapone, a catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitor, in combination with levodopa-carbidopa in PD patients with motor fluctuations (Parkinson Study Group. Ann Neurol 1997; 42: 747-755; Rinne et al. Neurology 1998; 51: 186-189).
The combination of levodopa-carbidopa-entacapone (LCE) was also shown to provide modest improvements in motor and ADL scores in non-fluctuating PD patients in the Celomen study (Poewe et al. Acta Neurol Scand 2002; 105: 245-255). A pooled analysis subsequently reported that the early addition of entacapone to the levodopa/carbidopa regimen could lead to better long-term outcomes compared to delayed introduction of the drug (Nissinen et al. Eur J Neurol 2009; 16: 1305-1311).
Psychiatry and 9/11 – Ten Years After
September 9, 2011This year marks the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. and the deaths of 3,000 civilians, police officers, firefighters and medical personnel. Despite the widespread media coverage of the event, the vital work of volunteer psychiatrists acting as first responders and in researching the aftermath of the tragedy is frequently overlooked.
Several recent publications have highlighted the role of psychiatrists in providing acute care in the disaster setting, the challenges they faced, and the psychiatric sequelae for victims, first responders and the population at large.