A systematic review of 18 studies reports that there is insufficient evidence to indicate a causal association between blood pressure and the development of Alzheimer’s disease (Power et al. Epidemiology 2011; 22: 646-659).
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Merck drops telcagepant migraine drug
September 21, 2011Telcagepant, an oral calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist for the treatment of migraine, will not be developed further, according to a statement issued as part of Merck’s second-quarter earnings statement and reported by Dow Jones (www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201107290851dowjonesdjonline000416&title=updatemerck-to-cut-up-to-13,000-jobsreports-2q-net-gain).
Laquinimod: Few cheers for BRAVO results
September 21, 2011Early 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.
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).