Research

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare, fatal, neurodegenerative disease of the adulthood presenting with progressive autonomic failure, parkinsonian, cerebellar and pyramidal features in various combinations.

Autonomic nervous system (ANS) disorders are common and may cause severe disease burdon on patients. The ANS controls all inner organs and the skin. Malfunction of this important part of the nervous system might often cause transient loss of consciousness, heart rate and blood pressure instability, sweat gland dysfunction, gastrointestinal symptoms, sexual dysfunction, and many others. It is of utmost importance to diagnose autonomic disorders to be able to offer specific treatment recommendations.

Effective as of November, the EAN Board decided to create a new Neuroscience/translational Scientific Panel.

For December 2019, we have selected: Cree et al., Inebilizumab for the treatment of neuromyelitis optica (N-MOmentum): a double-blind, randomised placebo-controlled  phase 2/3 trial Lancet 2019 Epub ahead of print Sept 5.

Findings suggest narcolepsy type 1 to be a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease targeting hypocretin-producing neurons.

Nakalanga syndrome: Clinical characteristics, potential causes, and its relationship with recently described Nodding syndrome

New treatment options for pediatric convulsive status epilepticus after failure of first-line benzodiazepines

During the last meeting of the Board, it has been decided that the current Rare neurological diseases task force, founded in 2016, will be transformed into the first EAN Coordinating Panel.

In order to give our members a deeper insight into the work of EAN’s Scientific Panels, EANpages will feature a different Scientific Panel each month along with a video interview with its co-chairs, explaining the Scientific Panel’s focus, it’s aims and achievements. For November, you can watch a video interview with Marie Vidailhet, Chair of the EAN Scientific Committee where she introduces the Scientific Panels and their important role.

The two European Reference Networks (ERNs) for Rare Neurological Diseases and Rare Neuromuscular Diseases (ERN-RND and ERN-EuroNMD) are launching a new joint educational program in collaboration with the European Academy of Neurology.

This month’s selected paper addresses the risk of neurological deficits in people with cavernomas treated with antithrombotic medication. Perhaps counter-intuitively, the authors report a lower risk of intracerebral haemorrhage in patients taking antithrombotic medication (mostly antiplatelet therapy). The study therefore provides reassurance for clinicians managing patients with this relatively common, and often incidental, vascular finding that antithrombotic therapy does not appear harmful; conversely, there could be some benefit, but this requires further evaluation in a randomised controlled trial.

Zika virus circulation has decreased but there is a possibility of its emergence or re-emergence in all areas with competent mosquito vectors.

Levetiracetam and NOACs

Online voting for the EAN Scientific Panel Management Group members will begin on 8 October and continue through to 22 October.

The next examination of the European Board of Neurology (EBN) will take place on Friday, 22 May 2020 at the EAN Congress in Paris.