NeurologyLive® Mind Moments®

Welcome to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. Tune in to hear leaders in neurology sound off on topics that impact your clinical practice. In this episode, "Differentiating Dravet and Lennox-Gastaut: Diagnosis, Research, and What’s Ahead," Joseph Sullivan, MD, director of the Pediatric Epilepsy Center at UCSF, joins Mind Moments to discuss the clinical distinctions between Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). Sullivan outlines the unique diagnostic profiles, seizure presentations, and genetic underpinnings of each disorder, while also addressing how genetic testing has transformed the approach to Dravet syndrome in particular. He speaks on the future of targeted therapies, highlighting ongoing research in disease-modifying treatments and n-of-1 trials, especially for ultra-rare epilepsies. Additionally, Sullivan explores how the clinical trial landscape is evolving—emphasizing the need for biomarkers, innovative trial design, and better tools for seizure monitoring to improve outcomes in these complex pediatric epilepsies. Looking for more Epilepsy discussion? Check out the NeurologyLive® Epilepsy clinical focus page. Episode Breakdown: 1:00 – Key differences in phenotype and diagnosis between Dravet syndrome and LGS 3:00– The evolution of genetic testing and how it’s improved Dravet diagnosis and outcomes 5:25 – Opportunities and limitations in scaling genetic testing more broadly 6:35 – Neurology News Minute 8:45 – Research pipelines: disease-modifying therapies, n-of-1 trials, and future directions 10:20 – Innovations in clinical trial design and the need for better seizure monitoring and biomarkers The stories featured in this week's Neurology News Minute, which will give you quick updates on the following developments in neurology, are further detailed here: European Commission Approves Efgartigimod Subcutaneous Injection for Forms of CIDP FDA Greenlights Expanded Indication for Vizamyl in Alzheimer Disease Diagnosis Grace Therapeutics Submits NDA for GTX-104 to Treat Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Thanks for listening to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. To support the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. For more neurology news and expert-driven content, visit neurologylive.com.

Welcome to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. Tune in to hear leaders in neurology sound off on topics that impact your clinical practice. In this episode, "Bemdaneprocel and the Future of Cell Therapy in Parkinson Disease" Rajesh Pahwa, MD, director of the Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorder Center at the University of Kansas Medical Center, discusses the phase 3 exPDite-2 trial evaluating bemdaneprocel, an investigational cell therapy for Parkinson disease (PD). Pahwa explains the rationale behind cell replacement therapy as a means to restore dopamine production, outlining the progression from fetal tissue implants to stem cell–derived dopaminergic neurons. He details key elements of the study design, including patient selection criteria, trial endpoints, and long-term goals. Reflecting on decades of research in this space, he emphasizes the potential impact of a one-time, hardware-free surgical option and how this novel approach could complement or shift the current treatment landscape. While many questions remain, Pahwa highlights the promise of bemdaneprocel as a next-generation option in Parkinson care. Looking for more Movement disorder discussion? Check out the NeurologyLive® Movement disorder clinical focus page. Episode Breakdown: 1:00 – Mechanism and rationale behind bemdaneprocel as a dopaminergic cell therapy 3:00– Key design considerations for conducting a registrational phase 3 cell therapy trial 5:25 – Trial structure, eligibility criteria, and ongoing patient recruitment 6:35 – Neurology News Minute 8:45 – Significance of reaching phase 3 with a cell therapy in Parkinson disease 10:20 – Future role of cell therapy within the Parkinson disease treatment landscape 12:10 – Unique aspects of the exPDite-2 trial and what sets it apart from earlier efforts The stories featured in this week's Neurology News Minute, which will give you quick updates on the following developments in neurology, are further detailed here: BTK Inhibitor Fenebrutinib Demonstrates Long-Term Suppression of MS Activity in Open-Label Extension REGENXBIO Reports Positive Phase 1/2 Data for Higher Dose of RGX-202 in Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy NewAmsterdam Pharma Reports Positive Topline Data of Alzheimer Agent Obicetrapib from Phase 3 BROADWAY Trial Thanks for listening to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. To support the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. For more neurology news and expert-driven content, visit neurologylive.com.

Welcome to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. Tune in to hear leaders in neurology sound off on topics that impact your clinical practice. In this episode, "World MS Day: Raising Awareness, Evolving Care, and Empowering Patients," Taylor Hess, MD, a multiple sclerosis specialist at the Michigan Institute for Neurological Disorders (MIND), shares insights in recognition of World MS Day. She reflects on the importance of raising global awareness for MS, the need for equitable care, and the evolving focus of research and treatment. Dr. Hess discusses underrecognized symptoms like fatigue and cognitive dysfunction, and emphasizes the value of the upcoming diagnostic criteria update in enabling earlier intervention. She highlights key research priorities—including progressive MS, symptom management, and remyelination—and speaks to the importance of holistic, lifestyle-informed care. Finally, she shares advice for clinicians on how to communicate a new MS diagnosis with empathy, clarity, and empowerment. Looking for more multiple sclerosis discussion? Check out the NeurologyLive® Multiple sclerosis clinical focus page. Episode Breakdown: 1:00 – Significance of World MS Day and the importance of global MS awareness 2:05– Commonly recognized vs overlooked MS symptoms in patient care 3:10 – Transitioning to updated MS diagnostic criteria and the need for global provider education 4:15 – Neurology News Minute 6:30 – Research priorities: progressive MS, symptom management, and remyelination strategies 7:35 – The role of lifestyle, risk factor control, and holistic care in MS management 8:50 – Communicating MS diagnosis with empathy, support, and resource guidance The stories featured in this week's Neurology News Minute, which will give you quick updates on the following developments in neurology, are further detailed here: FDA Approves First Autoinjector Form of DHE for Acute Migraine and Cluster Headache FDA Clears Lumipulse Plasma Ratio as First Blood Test for Diagnosing Alzheimer Disease Once-Daily Oral Pill for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Shows Promising Phase 3 Results, Paving Way for FDA Submission Thanks for listening to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. To support the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. For more neurology news and expert-driven content, visit neurologylive.com.

Welcome to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. Tune in to hear leaders in neurology sound off on topics that impact your clinical practice. In this episode, "Refining TSC Care: Phenotyping, Clustering, and Clinical Impact," Ajay Gupta, MD, director of the Tuberous Sclerosis Program at Cleveland Clinic, discusses recently published research that used unsupervised clustering to group over 900 patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) into four clinically meaningful phenotypic clusters. He outlines the distinct traits of each cluster—ranging from tumor risk to cognitive impairment—and explains how variant-specific genetic data helped reinforce these categories. Gupta, who also serves as a professor of neurology at the Cleveland Clinic Lerner School of Medicine, also explores the clinical value of these findings for surveillance planning, early intervention, and future therapeutic trials. He emphasizes that while overlap between clusters exists, this approach lays essential groundwork for precision care and more targeted research in TSC. Looking for more epilpesy discussion? Check out the NeurologyLive® Epilepsy clinical focus page. Episode Breakdown: 1:00 – Study goals and the shift from genotype-to-phenotype toward phenotype-to-genotype mapping 2:40– Overview of the 4 main phenotypic clusters identified in the TSC population 8:05 – Genetic domain associations and their impact on clinical monitoring and treatment 11:50 – Neurology News Minute 14:45 – Understanding overlap between clusters and avoiding overprediction in clinical settings 17:00 – Implications for future surveillance strategies and precision candidate selection in TSC trials The stories featured in this week's Neurology News Minute, which will give you quick updates on the following developments in neurology, are further detailed here: FDA AdComm Plans to Review Investigational Cell Therapy Deramiocel for DMD Cardiomyopathy Gene Therapy AAV-GAD Gains Regenerative Medicine Advanced Therapy Designation as Potential Parkinson Treatment Microbiome-Targeting Therapy MaaT033 Continues to Show Promise in Final Phase 1 Readout Thanks for listening to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. To support the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. For more neurology news and expert-driven content, visit neurologylive.com.

Welcome to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. Tune in to hear leaders in neurology sound off on topics that impact your clinical practice. In this episode, "Down Syndrome and Alzheimer’s: Clinical Trials, Equity, and Patient-Centered Progress," Elizabeth Head, PhD, professor in the department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the University of California, Irvine, discussed the evolving intersection of Down syndrome and Alzheimer disease using updates from the Alzheimer Biomarker Consortium – Down Syndrome (ABC-DS). She detailed how outcome assessments have been refined to meet the unique cognitive profiles of individuals with Down syndrome and shared the progress in launching clinical trials that now include this historically excluded population. Head also addressed the challenges in distinguishing developmental delay from early dementia symptoms, the potential role of anti-amyloid therapies, and how non-pharmacological interventions like sleep apnea treatment may contribute to cognitive preservation. She emphasized the importance of equitable research participation, clinician education, and understanding patient priorities—like independence and respect—when supporting individuals with Down syndrome and their families. Looking for more Alzheimer disease/dementia discussion? Check out the NeurologyLive® Alzheimer disease/dementia clinical focus page. Episode Breakdown: 1:00 – Overview of the ABC-DS initiative and the growing inclusion of Down syndrome in Alzheimer research 2:00– Current state of clinical trials and progress in therapeutic development for this population 3:30 – Evolution of outcome assessments tailored for individuals with Down syndrome 5:40 – Challenges in distinguishing Down syndrome traits from signs of early dementia 7:40 – Clinician educations needs and improving access to specialized care 9:00 – Neurology News Minute 11:00 – Eligibility and considerations for anti-amyloid therapies in Down syndrome 13:35 – Research gaps, co-occurring conditions, and the importance of reaching underserved populations 16:40 – Top priorities from patients and families: independence, inclusion, and respect in care settings The stories featured in this week's Neurology News Minute, which will give you quick updates on the following developments in neurology, are further detailed here: GENERATION HD2 Trial of Huntington Agent Tominersen Amended to Include Only Higher Dose FDA Grants Authorization to Epiminder’s Implantable Continuous EEG Monitor for Epilepsy Treatment FDA Approves FcRn Blocker Nipocalimab for Broad Forms of Generalized Myasthenia Gravis Thanks for listening to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. To support the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. For more neurology news and expert-driven content, visit neurologylive.com.

Welcome to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. Tune in to hear leaders in neurology sound off on topics that impact your clinical practice. In this episode, "Sleep and Seizures: Emerging Insights From AAN 2025," Nancy Foldvary-Schaefer, DO, director of the Sleep Disorders Center at Cleveland Clinic, reflected on key sleep-related topics presented at this year’s AAN Annual Meeting. She highlighted the growing clinical interest in underrecognized conditions like idiopathic hypersomnia and narcolepsy, stressing the need for better awareness and earlier diagnosis. Foldvary-Schaefer also detailed the development of the Sleep by Cleveland Clinic mobile app, designed to improve screening for common sleep disorders with validated tools and real-time resources. Additionally, she discussed new findings on the prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea in adults with epilepsy, pointing to the importance of routine sleep screening in this population, regardless of seizure severity. Finally, she shared exploratory data on SSRI use and peri-ictal respiratory patterns in epilepsy, offering new perspectives on potential protective mechanisms tied to SUDEP risk. Looking for more neuromuscular discussion? Check out the NeurologyLive® Sleep disorders clinical focus page. Episode Breakdown: 1:00 – Key sleep topics discussed at AAN 2025 and the growing interest in hypersomnia 5:45 – Development and purpose of the SLEEP mobile app by Cleveland Clinic 10:35 – Findings on obstructive sleep apnea prevalence in adults with epilepsy 15:05 – Neurology News Minute 17:10 – The need for sleep disorder screening in epilepsy clinical trials 19:45 – Exploratory findings on SSRI use and respiratory patterns in patients with epilepsy The stories featured in this week's Neurology News Minute, which will give you quick updates on the following developments in neurology, are further detailed here: FDA Approves Pre-Filled Syringe Administration for FcRn Modulator Efgartigimod FDA Approves CT-132 as First Digital Therapeutic for Preventive Treatment of Episodic Migraine FDA Expands Diazepam Nasal Spray Indication to Treat Ages 2 to 5 Thanks for listening to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. To support the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. For more neurology news and expert-driven content, visit neurologylive.com.

Welcome to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. Tune in to hear leaders in neurology sound off on topics that impact your clinical practice. In this episode, "Training the Next Generation of Neurology Nurse Practitioners," Daniel Harrison, MD, neurointensivist and assistant professor of neurology at Boston Medical Center, discussed his role as a senior author on a paper focused on a national needs assessment survey of neurologic education in nurse practitioner (NP) programs. In the conversation, Harrison explained how the survey aimed to understand neurology education across NP programs and identify gaps in training for advanced practice providers. He highlighted key findings, including the importance of lesion localization and neuroradiology for NP postgraduate training. While basic neurology education is integrated into many NP programs, he emphasized the need for more hands-on clinical experiences in specialized areas like neurocritical care and neuro-oncology. He also discussed the critical shortage of preceptors for neurology rotations, which hinders clinical education. Looking ahead, Harrison shared his thoughts on the growing role of NPs in neurology, forecasting a substantial increase in their numbers over the next decade and its impact on both clinical care and education. He also acknowledged the contributions of his colleague, Kate Sweeter, NP, who played a key role in the research, highlighting the importance of NPs in clinical care and academic advancements in neurology. Looking for more neuromuscular discussion? Check out the NeurologyLive® Neuromuscular clinical focus page. Episode Breakdown: 1:00 – Overview of the national needs assessment survey  3:45 – Importance of lesion localization and neuroradiology for NP postgraduate training 6:05 – The role of neuropathology in neurology education for nurse practitioners 8:05 – Challenges with clinical rotation preceptors and the shortage in neurology 9:40 – Neurology News Minute 12:10 – The role of NP programs in providing clinical experience 14:55 – Variability and lack of standardization in NP neurology education 18:05 – Evolving duties and responsibilities of NPs over the coming years 19:35 – Closing thoughts, acknowledging the contributions of Kate Sweeter, NP, and the value of NPs in neurology The stories featured in this week's Neurology News Minute, which will give you quick updates on the following developments in neurology, are further detailed here: FDA Accepts Regulatory Submission for BTK Inhibitor Tolebrutinib for Non-Relapsing Secondary Progressive MS FDA Approves Diazoxide Choline Extended-Release Tablets for Hyperphagia in Prader-Willi Syndrome Genentech Reports High-Dose Ocrelizumab Fails to Show Additional Benefit in Relapsing MS Thanks for listening to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. To support the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. For more neurology news and expert-driven content, visit neurologylive.com.

Welcome to this special episode of the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. Tune in to hear leaders in neurology sound off on topics that impact your clinical practice. For major FDA decisions in the field of neurology, we release short special episodes to offer a snapshot of the news, including the main takeaways for the clinical community, as well as highlights of the efficacy and safety profile of the agent in question. In this episode, we cover the recent approval of Supernus Pharmaceuticals' agent SPN-830, marketed as Onapgo, as the first and only subcutaneous apomorphine infusion device for the treatment of motor fluctuations in adults with advanced Parkinson disease (PD). SPN-830, which has been available in Europe for several years, was approved based on data from the TOLEDO study (NCT02006121), a randomized, double-blind study in which treatment with the device was associated with a difference of –1.89 hours per day of OFF time for patients with PD in comparison with placebo. To gain greater insights on how this approval impacts the clinical and patient communities, NeurologyLive® sat down with movement disorder experts Stuart Isaacson, MD, director of the Parkinson’s disease and movement disorders center of Boca Raton, and Rajesh Pahwa, MD, the Laverne and Joyce Rider professor of neurology at the University of Kansas Medical Center. The duo discussed the significance of the approval, considerations for patient selection with the treatment, as well as the studies supporting its safety and efficacy. In addition, the pair provided context on how this approval, along with other recent approvals in PD, speak to the progress the clinical and research community has made over the years. For more of NeurologyLive's coverage of SPN-830 for Parkinson disease, head here: FDA Approves Apomorphine Infusion Device SPN-830 as New Parkinson Treatment Episode Breakdown: 1:05 – Significance of SPN-830's approval and impact on PD community 3:10 – Considerations for treatment selection with SPN-830, conversations with families 5:50 – Neurology News Minute 7:50 – TOLEDO study, supportive efficacy and safety data for SPN-830 11:45 – Expanding PD treatment options and overviewing recent progress in research The stories featured in this week's Neurology News Minute, which will give you quick updates on the following developments in neurology, are further detailed here: FDA Approves Vutrisiran for ATTR-CM, Expanding Indication in Amyloidosis FDA Accepts Regulatory Submission for BTK Inhibitor Tolebrutinib for Non-Relapsing Secondary Progressive MS Simufilam Fails to Meet Key End Points in Phase 3 Alzheimer Disease Trial Thanks for listening to the NeurologyLive Mind Moments podcast. To support the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. For more neurology news and expert-driven content, visit neurologylive.com.

Welcome to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. Tune in to hear leaders in neurology sound off on topics that impact your clinical practice. In this episode, "Advancing Neuromuscular Care and Research," former FDA commissioner Robert Califf, MD, explored the urgent need for sustained NIH funding to advance basic and translational research, including gene editing, assistive devices, and the integration of artificial intelligence. He emphasized the collaborative spirit of the neuromuscular community, where shared technologies and insights can address multiple disorders. The conversation, which took place at the 2025 Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) Clinical & Scientific conference, highlighted critical challenges, such as clinician shortages, healthcare system strain, and the need for post-market learning to manage uncertainties with emerging therapies like gene therapy. Additionally, he called for innovative funding solutions to address the high costs of treatment, ensure equitable access, and maintain progress in neuromuscular care while fostering long-term health equity. Looking for more epilepsy discussion? Check out the NeurologyLive® neuromuscular clinical focus page. Episode Breakdown: 1:05 – Funding priorities for neuromuscular research and NIH support 1:55 – Role of gene editing, assistive devices, and AI in care 4:50 – Collaboration and togetherness of the neuromuscular community 6:35 – Considerations as new therapeutics emerge for neuromuscular disorders 8:05 – Funding solutions for equitable care Thanks for listening to the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. To support the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. For more neurology news and expert-driven content, visit neurologylive.com.

Welcome to this special episode of the NeurologyLive® Mind Moments® podcast. Tune in to hear leaders in neurology sound off on topics that impact your clinical practice. For major FDA decisions in the field of neurology, we release short special episodes to offer a snapshot of the news, including the main takeaways for the clinical community, as well as highlights of the efficacy and safety profile of the agent in question. In this episode, we cover the recent approval of Genentech's tenecteplase, marketed as TNKase, as a new treatment for adults with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The thrombolytic medicine is an intravenous tissue plasminogen activator that is clot-dissolving, administered as a single 5-second intravenous bolus. Tenecteplase is only the second such approval for this indication, following the 2015 approval of alteplase (Activase; Genentech); however, tenecteplase is considered faster and more simply administered than alteplase. To better understand the implications of this approval, NeurologyLive sat down with stroke expert Bijoy Menon, MD, MSc, FRCPC, a professor of neurology at the University of Calgary. In the interview, Menon talked about the downstream impacts of having another approved therapy, how tenecteplase differs from other thrombolytic agents, and the efficacy and safety that supported its approval. Furthermore, he provided commentary on how the approval continues to chip away toward the idea of precision medicine and personalizing treatments for patients with AIS.  For more of NeurologyLive's coverage of sodium oxybate's (Lumryz) expanded indication, head here: FDA Approves Tenecteplase for Acute Ischemic Stroke Episode Breakdown: 1:40 – Immediate reaction and significance of tenecteplase approval 5:30 – Safety considerations and administration when prescribing tenecteplase 10:20 – Supportive efficacy and safety, phase 3 AcT trial, and other supplementary studies 14:50 – Advancing precision medicine, treatment personalization with new approval Thanks for listening to the NeurologyLive Mind Moments podcast. To support the show, be sure to rate, review, and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. For more neurology news and expert-driven content, visit neurologylive.com.