American Academy of Neurology, April 5-9
By Beth Gilbert HealthDay Reporter
The annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology was held this year from April 5 to 9 in San Diego. Participants included clinicians, academicians, allied health professionals, and others interested in neurology. The conference highlighted recent advances in neurological disorders, with presentations focusing on the diagnosis, management, and treatment of disorders impacting the brain and nervous system.
In one study, Sarju Ganatra, M.D., of Lahey Hospital and Medical Center in Burlington, Massachusetts, and colleagues identified a significant association between elevated marine microplastic exposure and a higher prevalence of multiple disabilities at the population level.
In a cross-sectional, population-level study, the authors examined data from 218 U.S. coastal counties and found that counties with the highest levels of marine microplastics had a significantly greater prevalence of disabilities related to cognition, mobility, self-care, and independent living. The analysis adjusted for socioeconomic and environmental vulnerability factors to isolate the potential effect of microplastic exposure.
"This finding highlights an urgent need for more research into the mechanisms by which microplastics may impact neurological and physical function," Ganatra said. "While the findings do not yet change individual clinical care pathways, they point to a growing area of concern for public health. As clinicians, staying informed about environmental exposures, like microplastics, is crucial. These factors may be contributing to neurocognitive and functional impairments, especially in vulnerable communities."
In another study, Anisa Kelley, M.D., of the Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, and colleagues found that prophylactic zonisamide is effective in significantly reducing median headache days per month for pediatric patients with migraine.
Using a retrospective chart review at a single institution, the authors identified pediatric and adolescent patients with migraine disease who were treated with zonisamide prophylaxis. Change in headache days per month from initial visit to first follow-up were recorded for 256 patients with intractable (having failed two more prophylactic medications in the past) and nonintractable migraine.
The results suggested a median decrease from 18 to six headache days per month at first follow-up after zonisamide initiation. When analyzed separately, both intractable and nonintractable patient groups showed a significant median decrease of six headache days per month at first follow-up.
"The data support the potential novel clinical impact of using zonisamide for migraine prophylaxis in pediatric and adolescent migraine patients. This is especially important on our intractable migraine population, as we have limited treatment options for these patients currently," Kelley said. "This is a novel use of a well-tolerated prophylaxis. It should be noted that our study was not controlled, so future trials comparing zonisamide to the current gold standard of topiramate would be beneficial to continue to support zonisamide's use as prophylaxis."
Kimford J. Meador, M.D., Ph.D., of Stanford University in Palo Alto, California, and colleagues recommend women of childbearing potential take folic acid to improve pregnancy outcomes.
The authors evaluated 345 6-year-old children, including 262 children of women with epilepsy and 83 children of women without epilepsy, and found that higher doses of folic acid taken by women during their first trimester of pregnancy were safe and associated with improved verbal and behavioral skills among their children at the age of 6 years. The researchers did not observe adverse high-dose effects of folic acid in offspring when taken by women with epilepsy or by healthy women. Meanwhile, the most effective dose of folic acid remains unknown.
"Folic acid improves neurodevelopmental outcomes (e.g., IQ, language, and behavioral problems like autism) of offspring in both healthy women and also women with epilepsy," Meador said. "Females should take at least 0.4 mg/day, but more is likely needed if taking medicines like some antiseizure medications that interfere with folate metabolism."
AAN: Tolebrutinib Slows Disability in Nonrelapsing Secondary Progressive MS
WEDNESDAY, April 9, 2025 -- Tolebrutinib, a brain-penetrant and bioactive Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor that modulates persistent immune activation within the central nervous system, slows disability progression in adults with nonrelapsing secondary progressive multiple sclerosis, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, held from April 5 to 9 in San Diego.
AAN: Tavapadon as Adjunct to Levodopa Ups Daily ON Time in Parkinson Disease
TUESDAY, April 8, 2025 -- For patients with Parkinson disease with motor fluctuations, the oral once-daily, selective D1/D5 partial dopamine agonist tavapadon as an adjunct to levodopa increases total daily ON time versus placebo, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, held from April 5 to 9 in San Diego.
AAN: Over-the-Counter Pain Relivers Tied to Fewer Concussion Symptoms
MONDAY, March 17, 2025 -- People who take over-the-counter pain relievers after a concussion may recover faster than those who do not, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, to be held from April 5 to 9 in San Diego.
AAN: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Linked to Increased Incidence of Parkinson Disease
TUESDAY, March 4, 2025 -- Obstructive sleep apnea is associated with an increased risk for Parkinson disease, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, to be held from April 5 to 9 in San Diego.
AAN: Marine Microplastic Levels Linked to Cognitive, Other Disabilities
MONDAY, March 3, 2025 -- Marine microplastic levels are associated with cognitive, mobility, self-care, and independent living-associated disabilities, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, to be held from April 5 to 9 in San Diego.
AAN: Prophylactic Zonisamide Effective in Pediatric Migraine
MONDAY, March 3, 2025 -- For pediatric patients with migraine, prophylactic zonisamide use can significantly reduce the median number of headache days per month, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American Academy of Neurology, to be held from April 5 to 9 in San Diego.
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
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Posted April 2025
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