Patients with Parkinson’s disease have a significantly elevated risk of acute myocardial infarction and cardiovascular death, according to a population-based longitudinal study (Liang et al. Am Heart J 2015;169:508-514). The analysis included 3,211 PD patients and 3,211 propensity score-matched subjects without PD. During the three-year follow-up, there were 83 fatal or non-fatal AMIs in the PD group compared to 53 in the non-PD group (hazard ratio 1.67). There were also significant differences in the PD versus non-PD groups for the combined endpoint of AMI or cardiovascular death (HR 1.46), and for AMI or all-cause mortality (HR 1.42). Read More
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High-efficacy MAbs in MS: an update
November 25, 2015ECTRIMS highlights
Efficacy results
Monitoring and safety issues
Commentary by Dr. Paul S. Giacomini, Associate Director, MS Clinic, Montreal Neurological Hospital and Institute, Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University
Natalizumab and alemtuzumab are the two high-efficacy monoclonal antibodies typically used to treat aggressive multiple sclerosis and patients with an inadequate response to prior therapies. New data on the use of these agents were presented at the 31st congress of the European Committee for Treatment and Research in MS (ECTRIMS). The following summarizes some of the research addressing efficacy, mode of action and safety considerations. Read More
Valproate less effective option for acute migraine
November 18, 2015A new trial reports that IV sodium valproate is less effective than metoclopramide or ketorolac in the management of acute migraine (Friedman et al. Neurology 2014;82:976-983). Read More
Depression in PD often untreated despite improved detection
November 18, 2015A retrospective analysis of the U.S. National Parkinson’s Foundation (NPF) database has found that clinical recognition of depression in Parkinson’s disease has improved but almost one-half of patients remain untreated (Bega et al. J Parkinsons Dis 2014; epublished July 17, 2014; free full text at http://iospress.metapress.com/content/92617284j0410402/fulltext.pdf). The study was part of the NPF’s Quality Improvement Initiative. Read More