Alzheimer’s Agent Fails; Antiseizure Drug Use Rises; Stress and Post-COVID Outcomes

Phase III studies of investigational gantenerumab did not meet their primary endpoints of slowing clinical decline in early Alzheimer’s disease, the Roche Group said. Beta-amyloid removal also was lower than expected with the drug.

Additional 1-year hospitalization costs were $35,000 for Alzheimer’s and dementia patients who had delirium compared with those who didn’t. (Alzheimer’s & Dementia)

Prescriptions of antiseizure drugs, including valproic acid and gabapentin, rose among nursing home residents with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, while antipsychotic and opioid prescribing fell. (Journal of the American Geriatric Society)

A novel phospho-tau biomarker, p-tau198, showed sensitivity and specificity in Alzheimer’s disease, comparable with p-tau181 and p-tau217. (ACS Chemical Science)

Dihydroergotamine (DHE) nasal powder, an investigational product for acute migraine treatment, was not superior to placebo at 2 hours on co-primary endpoints of freedom from pain and most bothersome symptom, Satsuma Pharmaceuticals said.

The angiotensin receptor blocker candesartan decreased brain amyloid biomarkers in non-hypertensive prodromal Alzheimer’s disease, a small trial showed. (Brain Communications)

Perivascular and leptomeningeal macrophages that reside near the central nervous system parenchyma may be a feasible target to improve waste clearance from the brain, a mouse study suggested. (Nature)

Life stressors predicted worse functional, cognitive, and neuropsychiatric outcomes 12-months after COVID-19 hospitalization. (Journal of Neurological Sciences)

A model that combined survey, neuroimaging, physician exam, and genetic data predicted short-term Parkinson’s disease progression. (NPJ Parkinson’s Disease)

Actress Christina Applegate made her first public appearance since she disclosed her multiple sclerosis diagnosis. (CBS News)