60th Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Headache Society, San Francisco CA, 29 June – 1 July 2018 – Erenumab, the first in a new class of monoclonal antibodies that inhibit calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), has now been approved in the U.S. Other agents in development are fremanezumab, eptinezumab and galcanezumab. The following is a summary of new data on these agents presented at the 60th annual meeting of the American Headache Society. Read More
A large database analysis has reported that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibition may be beneficial in the secondary prevention of ischemic stroke (Brookes et al. Stroke 2018;49:54-61). Read More
Comment by Dr. Daniel Selchen – St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, Ontario
An estimated 70% of clinicians managing multiple sclerosis experience therapeutic inertia when faced with the decision to escalate therapy, according to a series of studies conducted by Saposnik and colleagues. This delay in the use of more effective therapies may result in worse clinical outcomes. Read More
Comment by Diane McIntosh, BSc Pharmacy, MD, FRCPC – Vancouver, British Columbia
Among the many clinical challenges in the management of bipolar I disorder, the need for effective treatments that maintain symptomatic remission and promote long-term adherence is paramount. Depending on the study population and the methodology employed, up to 60% of patients diagnosed with bipolar disorder do not adhere to treatment recommendations (Colom et al. Bipolar Disord 2005;7(suppl 5):24-31). A recent study reported that patients with bipolar disorder missed doses a mean of three days in the preceding week (Levin et al. J Nerv Ment Dis 2017;205:182-187). Treatment nonadherence is a major risk factor for relapse, readmission to hospital and suicidality (Rascati et al. Psychiatr Serv 2011;62:1032-1040) and is associated with higher rates of work absenteeism and disability (Bagalman et al. J Occup Environ Med 2010;52:478-485). Read More