als

  Vienna, 12-13 October 2018: First recommendation meeting of the EAN ALS guideline panel. ALS is a disease with a very high unmet medical need. There are only limited options for disease-modifying pharmacotherapy. The cornerstone of the management remains multidisciplinary… Continue Reading

For November 2018, we have selected: Oh KW, Noh MY, Kwon NS, et al. Repeated intrathecal stem cells for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Ann Neurol 2018;84:361-373. Stem cell research is a hot topic in motor neuron disease/amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (MND/ALS) both for clinicians and patients. Whilst recognized as an important area of promise for developing future therapeutics in neurodegenerative disease, it has been much hyped in the media, and dissecting the scientific research on the subject from the many unproven approaches advertised to patients by commercially motivated companies can be challenging.

The latest CME article August 2018: “Syndrome and outcome of antibody-negative limbic encephalitis” is online! Please log-in and browse to the LEARN section on the EAN Website and answer the questions! All e-learning activities are free-of-charge for EAN registered users.… Continue Reading

  Vincenzo Silani and Albert Ludolph welcomed the members. It was emphasized that the Collaboration with the ALS/FTD Panel with the European ALS Group and the WFN Research Group on ALS/MND is excellent. The EAN Panel is preparing guidelines for… Continue Reading

or August 2017, we have selected: The Writing Group on behalf of the Edaravone (MCI-186) ALS 19 Study Group. Safety and efficacy of edaravone in well defined patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Lancet Neurol 2017;16:505-512. There is evidence that oxidative stress induced by free radicals is a key factor of progression in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Symposium 6: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD) as a model of interaction between cognition, behaviour and motor impairment Chairpersons: 
Albert C. Ludolph, Ulm, Germany
Yolande A.L. Pijnenburg, Ouderkerk aan de Amstel, The Netherlands The neuropathology of ALS… Continue Reading

by Antonella Macerollo Dear Readers, An interesting interactive case has been published in eBrain this month. It has been written by the Neurology and Rheumatology Teams from Utrecht. Please, find below the abstract.

As in the previous year, EANpages asked EAN committee members, panel chairs, and invited speakers  which session one should not miss at the upcoming congress in Amsterdam 2017. Please find their answers below! Mark Braschinsky , speaker at the Case… Continue Reading

Vansteensel et al. reported a new technique for communication that could be applied to oral-disabled patients. By implanting electrodes to read brain activity in the sensorimotor cortex, and an interface with a subcutaneous transmitter in the thorax, a patient with ALS was able to communicate wireless controlling a computer typing program.

For December 2016 we have selected: Gonzales-Bermejo J, Morélot-Panzini C, Tanguy M-L, et al.  Early diaphragm pacing in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (RespiStimALS): a randomized controlled triple-blind trial. Lancet Neurol 2016:15;1217-1227. The main cause of death in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is related to respiratory failure. It has been hypothesized that diaphragm pacing (a technique that induces diaphragm contraction through the stimulation of the phrenic nerve) could slow the progression of respiratory muscle weakness, and increase alveolar ventilation and lung compliance in ALS patients.