Latest results about emerging MS therapies, risk factors, disease mechanisms, rehabilitation, CCSVI, and much more presented at the AAN Annual Meeting
Nearly 12,000 neurologists and investigators convened in New Orleans in April to present findings at the American Academy of Neurology’s annual meeting. Over 500 scientific presentations and display posters focused on research to stop MS, restore function, and end MS forever. The MS sessions were often standing-room only, and appear to get bigger every year. Among these were the latest results from pivotal clinical trials of emerging MS therapies, possible risk factors, underlying disease mechanisms, rehabilitation approaches, CCSVI, and much more. For free access to the conference abstracts (brief summaries), go to the American Academy of Neurology’s Website.
In most cases, studies presented are considered preliminary. Many of the results will be analyzed more thoroughly, and usually published in peer-reviewed science and medical journals. Confidence in a study’s findings grows when it is repeated by others, with similar results.
• STOP: Among studies reported were these first results from late-phase clinical trials. If these treatments are found to be safe and beneficial, some of them may come on the market in 2012 and 2013. Other studies focused on understanding benefits, risks and modes of action of available and emerging therapies.
• RESTORE: Rehabilitation to address cognitive changes was explored. In addition, several presentations focused on imaging techniques and pathology findings related to Chronic Cerebrospinal Vascular Insufficiency and MS.
• END: Understanding risk factors that influence who gets MS, and also what course their MS will take, is crucial for finding ways to prevent MS and progression of symptoms. Among the presentations were studies that looked at interactions of genes, gender, and vitamin D levels.
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