Neura.net: Perspectives on CNS Disease Management

CME Biosimilar/Biogeneric Medications PDF

Biologics are used heavily in the field of neurology, including most disease-modifying therapies for multiple sclerosis. Following the loss of patent protection for the earliest biologics, Congress has been tasked with passing legislation that will address the multiple concerns surrounding so-called “follow-on biologics” or “biosimilar drugs.” This article presents an overview of the challenges involved in duplicating biologics and introduces the major points of contention (semantic, biopharmaceutical, and legal) in the debate surrounding biosimilars.

Delayed-Start Trials: Clinical Trial Design

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In the absence of a biological marker, the FDA has suggested that a delayed-start trial (DST) is the type of clinical study most likely to satisfactorily demonstrate disease modification. In view of the important roles that DSTs will be playing in the evaluation of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases, an understanding of their design is essential. The methods used in DSTs and approaches to interpreting their results are reviewed in this article. In the next issue of Neura, the use of DSTs in the assessment of therapies for neurodegenerative diseases will be further explored by examining previous trials, with a glimpse into the future use of DSTs in neurologic research.

Optimizing the Office Visit PDF

In today’s healthcare climate, constraints on the amount of time available for office visits have placed demands on neurologists to increase their efficiency without compromising thoroughness. A variety of effective, practical, and simple strategies can aid the achievement of this goal. This article offers ideas to help neurologists optimize the office visit, from both the clinician’s and patient’s perspectives. Members of the Neura editorial board also lend their perspectives from practice on several topics addressed in the article.

Highlights From the Literature PDF

Highlights from recent articles include an update on oral therapies for MS, including 2 trials of fingolimod and 1 trial of cladribine, and a research article about the role of prion proteins in myelin maintenance.

Patient Tear-Out: Optimizing Your Office Visit

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Neura provides a number of tips to patients to help optimize their office visits to the neurologist. The article includes advice about writing lists of medications, which information/forms to bring to appointments, spending time to write down questions before each office visit, and bringing along a family member or caregiver.