A Cochrane meta-analysis has examined 33 trials (n=1,518) to determine the benefits of physiotherapy versus no physiotherapy in patients with Parkinson’s disease (Tomlinson et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2012 Aug 15;8:CD002817). Interventions included general physiotherapy, exercise, treadmill training, dance and martial arts.
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BG-12: Updated data from phase III studies
August 29, 2012REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY (AAN) ANNUAL MEETING, NEW ORLEANS LA, APRIL 21-28, 2012 – The efficacy and safety of the oral fumarate BG-12 has been evaluated in the phase III studies DEFINE and CONFIRM (see BG-12 in RRMS: DEFINE trial, NeuroSens, October 21, 2011; CONFIRM – Second phase III trial results for BG-12, NeuroSens, November 30, 2011). New data from both trials were presented at AAN.
Clobazam in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: phase III results
August 29, 2012REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY (AAN) ANNUAL MEETING, NEW ORLEANS LA, APRIL 21-28, 2012 – The CONTAIN phase III trial evaluated the benzodiazepine derivative clobazam in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) (Ng et al. Neurology 2011;77:1473-1481). A total of 238 patients aged 2-60 years (mean 12.4 years) were randomized to one of three doses of clobazam (0.25, 0.5, 1.0 mg/kg/day) or placebo.
The trial consisted of a three-week titration phase and a 12-week maintenance phase. The average weekly seizure rate declined 41.2%, 49.4% and 68.3% with the three clobazam doses versus 12.1% with placebo (modified ITT analysis). Responder rates were 43.4%, 58.6% and 77.6% with clobazam versus 31.6% with placebo.
Medication problems when PD patients admitted to hospital
August 21, 2012REPORT FROM THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF NEUROLOGY (AAN) ANNUAL MEETING, NEW ORLEANS LA, APRIL 21-28, 2012 – A Canadian study has found that 80% of PD patients admitted to hospital have their usual PD regimen changed or receive inappropriate medications (Wiltshire et al. AAN 2012; abstract S02.007).