Using telemedicine in neuro-oncology – practical guidance

The COVID-19 pandemic has ensured the expansion of telemedicine into nearly every medical specialty. This article summarises current practice and makes recommendations for integrating virtual care in the practice of neuro-oncology. It identifies current telemedicine practice, provides practical guidance for conducting telemedicine visits, and generates recommendations for integrating virtual care into neuro-oncology practice. Practical aspects…

Study links gut microbiota strains with more severe strokes and poorer post-stroke recovery

A new study has identified strains of gut microbiota that are associated with more severe strokes and worse post-stroke recovery, revealing that the gut microbiome could be an important factor in stroke risk and outcomes1. The study, presented 28 April 2022 at the European Stroke Organisation Conference (ESOC 2022) pinpointed specific groups of bacteria associated…

Pregabalin may slightly increase risk of major congenital malformations

20 April 2022: The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a drug safety update on the use of pregabalin in pregnancy, after a new study suggests that it may slightly increase the risk of major congenital malformations. Advice for healthcare professionals is that potentially fertile women should continue to use effective contraception…

EC marketing authorisation for Vydura for migraine

Pfizer Inc and Biohaven Pharmaceutical Holding Company Ltd announced on 27th April that the European Commission (EC) has granted marketing authorisation for VYDURA® (rimegepant), a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) receptor antagonist for both the acute treatment of migraine with or without aura, and prophylaxis of episodic migraine in adults who have at least four migraine attacks…

US approval for ULTOMIRIS® for gMG

ULTOMIRIS® (ravulizumab-cwvz) approved in the US for Adults with Generalised Myasthenia Gravis First and only long-acting C5 complement inhibitor to demonstrate clinical improvement in patients with generalised myasthenia gravis ULTOMIRIS showed early effect and lasting improvement in activities of daily living and has potential to reduce treatment burden with dosing every 8 weeks April 28, 2022:…

Biogen withdraws marketing authorisation application for aducanumab for Alzheimer’s disease

Biogen has informed the European Medicines Agency (EMA) that it is withdrawing its application for marketing authorisation for aducanumab for the treatement of Alzheimer’s disease The EMA had previously found on 16 December 2021 that the benefits of aducanumab did not outweigh its risks and recommended refusing marketing authorisation. Biogen then requested a re-examination. Following…

Manoj Sivan to deliver keynote lecture at AFRM conference

The Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine has invited Dr Manoj Sivan to deliver the keynote lecture at its conference in Melbourne, Australia on 12 May, 2022. Dr Sivan one of only three UK rehabilitation specialists to have ever been invited to give this prestigious lecture. The AFRM’s annual keynote lecture was named the George Burniston…

ZTALMY® (ganaxolone) Phase 3 Marigold Trial Results

Marinus Pharmaceuticals Announces Publication in The Lancet Neurology of ZTALMY® (ganaxolone) Phase 3 Marigold Trial Results Results demonstrate safety and efficacy of ZTALMY, first FDA-approved treatment for seizures associated with CDKL5 deficiency disorder in patients two years and older Marinus Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a pharmaceutical company dedicated to the development of therapeutics to treat seizure disorders, announced on…

Diroximel fumarate receives positive recommendation from NICE for oral treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS)

Biogen UK announced on April 13 2022 that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published a positive Final Appraisal Document (FAD) recommending VUMERITY® (diroximel fumarate), an oral fumarate, for the treatment of adults living with active RRMS[*] in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The medicine was fast tracked to FAD enabling all eligible patients to have…