Neurology | Home | MIMS Malaysia

Once-daily, triple-combo pill encourages BP lowering

Roshini Claire Anthony, 4 days ago

More patients initiating or escalating anti-hypertensive treatment achieved their blood pressure (BP) goals when taking a once-daily pill containing low doses of three antihypertensive medications (telmisartan, amlodipine, and chlorthalidone) compared with those on usual care, according to the TRIUMPH* study conducted in Sri Lanka.

Fingolimod trumps interferon beta-1a in pardiatric relapsing multiple sclerosis

Jackey Suen, 6 days ago

The use of fingolimod was associated with a lower rate of relapse and less accumulation of lesions on MRI compared with interferon beta-1a in paediatric patients with relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS), the phase III PARADIGMS study has shown.

Original New Drug Application Approvals by US FDA (1 - 15 September 2018)

15 Sep 2018

New drug applications approved by US FDA as of 1 - 15 September 2018 which includes New Molecular Entities (NMEs) and new biologics. It does not include Tentative Approvals. Supplemental approvals may have occurred since the original approval date.

Comedication with antidepressants poses no major teratogenic risk in women on AEDs

14 Sep 2018

The use of antidepressant drugs in pregnant women taking antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) does not appear to contribute to a significant increase in the risk of congenital malformations, as well as affect seizure control, a study has found.

Mild cognitive impairment less likely to develop in obese, diabetic women than men

12 Sep 2018

Among obese and overweight adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus, women appear to be less likely than men to develop mild cognitive impairment, independent of traditional risk factors, a recent study has shown.

Shifting paradigms in MS management: Early, optimized interventions improve patient outcomes

04 May 2018

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is one of the most common neurological disorders – affecting over 2.3 million people globally – and it is the leading cause of nontraumatic disability in young adults. However,the availability of supportive resources and services for people with MS is scarce in many regions of the world. In Malaysia, the prevalence of MS is estimated at 2-3/100,000; the current Malaysian clinical practice guidelines on the management of MS recommend disease modifying agents, such as interferon-β and teriflunomide, as first-line therapeutic agents. In this article, Dr Singer - in partnership with Sanofi and the Malaysian Society of Neurosciences - shares his insights into managing MS dynamically, highlighting the importance of early intervention in improving patient outcomes.

Management of dementia beyond cognition – a deeper look into BPSD and CVD

13 Dec 2017

At the Schwabe-Menarini lunch symposium of the 11^th International Congress of the Asian Society AgainstDementia (ASAD) 2017 held in Bangkok, Thailand, Professor Ralf Ihl highlighted the role of standardized Gingko biloba extract EGb 761^®for the treatment of patients with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Meanwhile, Associate Professor Nagaendran Kandiah presented clinical findings on the association between cerebrovascular disease (CVD) and dementia, and emphasized the role of EGb 761^®in the management of dementia with CVD.

Drug and non-drug approaches to managing tension-type headache

01 Jul 2017

At the recent launch of Nurofen^® Express by Reckitt Benckiser Malaysia, Ms Joyce McSwan spoke on the importance of managing tension-type headache (TTH), highlighting the roles of drug and non-drug approaches in improving treatment outcomes.

Hypertension and cholesterol lowering interventions do not reduce cognitive decline

Roshini Claire Anthony, 22 Nov 2016

Blood pressure lowering medications and statins do not prevent cognitive and functional decline in elderly patients, according to results of the HOPE-3 trial* presented at the Scientific Sessions of the American Heart Association (AHA 2016) held recently in New Orleans, Louisiana, US.

An uncommon cause of hyperthyroidism

Dr. Rose Zhao-Wei Ting, 16 Nov 2016

A 55-year-old man presented with almost one year history of heat intolerance, mild palpitation and significant weight loss. Free T3 and T4 were elevated with normal TSH. Patient had suboptimal response to carbimazole therapy.

Managing cardiometabolic risk factors may help prevent dementia

Roshini Claire Anthony, 15 Aug 2018

Changes in cardiometabolic factors such as body mass index (BMI), glucose levels, and blood pressure (BP) may signify dementia risk up to 14 years pre-diagnosis, with management of these risk factors potentially preventing dementia, according to a French population-based study presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC 2018).

Aerobics improves cognitive, motor functions in seniors with cognitive impairment

Audrey Abella, 15 Aug 2018

Supervised aerobic-strength training improved cognitive and motor functions among elderly individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), according to studies presented at AAIC 2018.

New study supports gut-brain connection in AD

Elvira Manzano, 14 Aug 2018

A new study reinforces the gut-brain connection in Alzheimer’s disease (AD), untangling the complex interplay between gut and brain health that could potentially lead to new therapies targeted at manipulating the gut microbiome to treat AD.

Virtual reality may help in understanding patients with AD, dementia

Audrey Abella, 10 Aug 2018

Incorporating virtual reality (VR) modules into the ‘Bringing Art to Life’ (BATL) service learning programme provided participants with a greater understanding of people with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and other dementias (PWDs), according to a presentation at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC 2018).

Novel BACE inhibitor shows promise in Alzheimer’s disease

Pearl Toh, 03 Aug 2018

The novel oral BACE* inhibitor elenbecestat showed an acceptable safety profile and was generally well tolerated in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)-to-moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with additional benefit of reducing amyloid load in the brain, a new study finds.

No evidence that hormone therapy affects cognition

Pearl Toh, 31 Jul 2018

There is no evidence that hormone replacement therapy (HRT) may affect cognitive ability, especially when it is initiated early on during menopausal transition, according to studies presented at AAIC 2018, suggesting a need to rethink the long-held belief that HRT may negatively affect cognition.

Nabilone reduces agitation in Alzheimer’s disease

Pearl Toh, 30 Jul 2018

The synthetic cannabinoid nabilone significantly improves noncognitive symptoms, in particular agitation, in people with moderate-to-severe Alzheimer's disease (AD), suggests a small randomized controlled trial.