A large international study suggests that even a single clinically silent MRI lesion may identify people with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) who are at increased risk of future relapses and disability worsening. The findings, published in Brain, challenge current approaches that generally reserve treatment escalation for patients who develop multiple new lesions. Clinically silent lesions…
FDA approves first orexin therapy for narcolepsy type 1
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved oveporexton (ORZEYFUL) for adults with narcolepsy type 1 (NT1), making it the first approved treatment designed to address the underlying orexin deficiency associated with the condition. NT1 is a rare, chronic neurological disorder characterised by loss of orexin signalling. It can cause excessive daytime sleepiness, cataplexy,…
Gut bacteria may reach the brain through the vagus nerve, mouse study suggests
Researchers have identified a potential new pathway by which gut bacteria may enter the brain, providing fresh insight into the gut-brain axis and its possible role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease. The study, published in PLOS Biology, found that a short-term high-fat diet disrupted the intestinal barrier in mice, allowing…
Personalised gene therapy shows promise for rare genetic epilepsy
Two children with a rare and severe genetic form of epilepsy experienced substantial reductions in seizures and developmental improvements after receiving personalised gene therapy designed specifically for their individual genetic mutations, according to a study published in Nature Medicine. Researchers from the University of California San Diego and the Rady Children’s Institute for Genomic Medicine…
Eye movement biomarker may improve measurement of Parkinson’s disease progression
A novel eye movement biomarker has shown greater sensitivity than the current clinical gold standard for measuring Parkinson’s disease progression, according to a multicentre study that could help improve the evaluation of disease-modifying therapies in clinical trials. Published in Pharmaceutical Medicine, the study found that NeuraLight’s digital biomarker, based on eye movement analysis, detected measurable…
Study suggests protein clumps may help protect brain cells in Huntington’s disease
Protein clumps that accumulate in the brains of people with Huntington’s disease and other neurodegenerative disorders may play a protective rather than harmful role, according to new research that challenges a long-standing theory of disease progression. Published in Cell Death & Differentiation, the study found that so-called inclusion bodies, long regarded as toxic deposits that…
Study maps brain protein linked to epilepsy and identifies potential drug target
Researchers have determined the first high-resolution structure of a brain protein linked to epilepsy, autism spectrum disorder and other neurological conditions, while also developing the first compounds capable of blocking its activity, offering a potential new avenue for neurological drug discovery. Published in Nature Communications, the study focused on the neuronal protein NBCn2, a transporter…
Researchers identify potential new therapeutic targets for progressive multiple sclerosis
Researchers have identified six proteins that could become future therapeutic targets for slowing progression in multiple sclerosis (MS), raising the possibility of developing new treatments or repurposing existing medicines for progressive disease. Published in the Journal of Neuroinflammation, the study combined large-scale genetic and protein data to identify biological pathways linked to disability progression in…
Decline in work productivity may begin years before early-onset dementia diagnosis
People who develop early-onset dementia may experience a gradual decline in work productivity up to 15 years before receiving a diagnosis, according to a new Finnish study published in Neurology. The findings highlight the substantial personal and economic impact of dementia during working age and suggest that subtle cognitive changes may affect employment long before…
Explainable AI predicts cognitive decline in multiple sclerosis with 90% accuracy
Researchers have developed an explainable artificial intelligence (AI) model capable of predicting future cognitive decline in people with multiple sclerosis (MS) with around 90% accuracy, offering a potential new tool to support earlier intervention and more personalised patient care. Published in the European Journal of Neurology, the study combined MRI brain scans with clinical and…
