Neurology Alert – April 1, 2025

Should Thrombolytic Drugs Be Added to Mechanical Thrombectomy in Acute Stroke?

Two recent trials from China studied the effect of post-thrombectomy, intra-arterial thrombolysis on neurological outcomes. One study used tenecteplase and the other used urokinase. Both studies showed a trend toward improvement that was not statistically significant, and there was an increase in brain hemorrhage. The benefit of adjunctive thrombolysis with mechanical thrombectomy is uncertain and requires more study.

Small Fiber Neuropathy in Post-COVID Patients with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

This study examines small fiber neuropathy (SFN) in post-COVID patients with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). While ME/CFS patients reported more SFN symptoms, objective testing showed limited diagnostic value beyond heat/cold detection differences.

Long-Term Efficacy of Ocrelizumab as First-Line Treatment for Relapsing-Remitting Multiple Sclerosis

Nine-year follow-up data from open-label extension of the Phase III clinical trials of ocrelizumab show that, although the efficacy of ocrelizumab was maintained throughout the duration of the study, patients who were treated with ocrelizumab from the beginning of the Phase III trials did better than the patients who were on subcutaneous (SC) interferon β-1a initially and were switched to ocrelizumab at the onset of the open-label extension period.

Clinical Consequences of Alzheimer’s and Lewy Body Co-Pathologies

This large study of patients with cognitive impairment-assessed cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, positron emission tomography imaging, and cognitive tests showed that those with evidence of both Alzheimer’s and Lewy body pathologies had greater cognitive dysfunction and faster progression than those with either pathology alone.